Thanks for the reviews :) next chapter is the big one xxx
"Eat your eggs before they get cold, boy," Granny fussed behind David's shoulder as he sat at the head of the table, clenching his table napkin in one fist and the arm of his chair with the other. He hadn't slept a wink last night, tossing and turning as he'd thought about what he wanted to do to Leopold. He'd stormed to his wing first thing this morning but the bastard had already left for a diplomatic meeting in a nearby village.
Granny had kept him from charging out to find him when Emma had admitted to them what she'd overheard. He'd refused to listen until his daughter had gotten upset and began to blame herself thinking she had done something wrong. Granny had warned him that if he went ranting and raving through the halls of the castle that the guards and maids would hear, and that as much as Leopold should be shamed for what he'd done, the kingdom and it's ignorant gossip would shame Regina more. She'd convinced him to think about it last night and he'd be able to react clearly today. But he was still too angry for that.
Emma shared a wary glance with Granny as she pushed her fruit around her plate when David didn't even look up at her order. Even in his grouchiest moods he would at least mumble or nod out of respect for Granny when he spoke to her. Not today.
Granny sighed and went back into the kitchen to round up a plate for Regina who would undoubtedly be down soon. This side of David worried her; it was one she'd only seen a few times in his life. Once when she'd been visiting Ruth and her husband came home drunk and violent, and the other when Snow was giving birth and David felt the doctor was slacking. He was usually so level headed, but there was a fierce protective nature to him when someone he cared about was threatened.
"Good morning," A cinnamon sweet voice caused David to finally look up from the space he was staring into and a smile appear on his face at the sight of Regina. She was watching him with a warm expression, murmuring the same greeting to his daughter on her way past her. He felt her hand ghost over his shoulders as she came around his chair to sit opposite Emma on the other side of him.
"Good morning, sleep well?" He asked, amazed at her gentle and cheery nature even after Leopold had accosted her the night before. His stomach turned at the realization that Cora had been so mentally abusive that Regina was probably used to being threatened and had learned not to draw attention to it. Would she ever have mentioned it if Emma hadn't told him?
"Yes," Regina smiled a little unsurely at him, sensing the tension in the way he sat with squared shoulders and hadn't touched his plate. Usually by the time she sat down he was shoveling in food and only answering with smiles and nods. She noticed Emma became distracted with chattering to Granny once she'd finally sat down with her own plate, prompting her to address him quietly, "You didn't come say goodnight.." She half asked, half stated with a hesitant smile on her face.
God, this woman was going to be the death of him. She had been so mistreated, but remained so pure. He wanted to protect her from the world and anything that could potentially hurt her. David internally cursed himself for letting a snake like Leopold treat her like he had in her own home. Never again.
"I'm sorry," He finally found his voice to reply, reaching out to run his hand over her own that rested on the table, "Something came up." It was the best excuse he had and he knew it was a poor one. The minute he said it he saw her force a smile and a nod, practically hearing the wheels of worry begin to turn in her head. He hated himself for prompting her insecurity and doubts that she wasn't wanted. He knew that was exactly where her mind went when she sensed the slightest amount of distance from him.
"Of course," Regina gave a small nod and felt her stomach sink, looking back to her plate with no interest in eating anymore. She'd appeared too clingy, made him have second thoughts. Despite telling herself not to come on too strong she knew she had. It had just been so long since someone had looked at her the way he did, the way Daniel had. Like she mattered, like she wasn't the disappointment her mother always told her she was, like she was worthy of love.
David had sat there long enough, brooding about what he was going to do to Leopold. He couldn't take his anger anymore or Regina internalizing his bad mood, "If you'll excuse me," He forced a smile at her, standing and leaning over the table to kiss her head after seeing the dejected expression on her face. It was the first display of affection he'd shown her in front of anyone and he saw Emma and Granny perk up in surprise.
She looked up at him donning a confused, half smile when he straightened up with a troubled expression and turned to exit the dining room, giving a nod to Emma and Granny. Her gaze followed him before looking back to the women sitting across from her, "Is he upset with me?" Regina asked with a hard swallow in an attempt to clear the lump in her throat.
"No, girl. Of course not," Granny reassured her quickly while Emma simply glanced down to her plate with a guilty expression. "He's just got a lot on his mind."
Regina focused on the candle in front of her as she pressed her hands against the dark wooden table in the middle of her now finished tower. Her eyes narrowed, brows furrowed in concentration and frustration. She'd been attempting this for going on thirty minutes now and her patience was wearing thin. Practicing magic was supposed to have been her way of distracting herself from the tense morning she'd experienced and David making himself scarce once again. The bastard, she cursed him mentally and gasped when the candle in her gaze began to flicker with flame.
Rumple had been right, it was all about harnessing emotion when summoning magic. She smiled at her accomplishment before biting her lip at the realization that the Dark One had stopped coming around. It was for the best, she knew, for her struggle with the darkness inside of her was hard enough without him tempting her to give into it. It had been much more bearable lately with David's company and their blossoming relationship keeping her darkness at bay. Still, she had a foreboding feeling at how scarce Rumpelstiltskin had made himself. After all, she had agreed to a deal with him to teach her magic in return for something in the future. She hoped his absence meant that she was released from the contract, though she doubted he gave up that easily.
Her stomach turned at the idea of having to tell her husband that she'd made a deal with the Dark One. It would most likely destroy any progress they'd made. The forced marriage, her initial hatred for his daughter, life in this castle...it had driven her to partake in a deal with Rumple even when she'd known deep down he'd use her power for horrible things. She'd almost given into the darkness completely, she'd almost ruined David's family and good reputation, all because of her own heartbreak and misery. Would he still look at her the same when he found out how selfish and childish she was?
She straightened and stretched her back that had grown stiff at her leaning, looking around at the bookshelves that were half full. He'd done all of this for her, with his own two hands, without knowing that she didn't actually deserve it. A weak smile graced her lips at the thought of how he'd slipped a note under her bedroom door before he'd left one morning last week for her to write down more books she'd like to order along with any other supplies she needed. Would he be as thoughtful when Rumple sought his debt and their world came crashing around them?
"My goodness," Granny huffed when she reached the top of the steps and put a hand on her hip, looking around while she caught her breath, "So this is what that boy was up to."
"Hmm," Regina turned quickly but gave her a smile at the realization of who she was. Granny watched her over the rims of her glasses and saw the troubled eyes she'd come to realize gave away the Queen's moods despite her otherwise pleasant expression.
"Don't think the King knows what he's getting himself into encouraging you to practice your magic," She jested as she made her way into the tower, carrying a parchment wrapped package under one of her arms. The young Queen's eyes widened in realization that Granny knew about her hobby, making the older woman chuckle, "I know everything that goes on around here. Here, this came for you today. Some of the things you asked for," She nodded and set the package down on the table.
"I didn't think you'd be the type to approve of magic," Regina admitted with a sheepish smile as she came over beside her to untie the string around the package.
"Not for some people's magic, no," Granny gave a shrug and leaned against the table, watching her, "But I've seen a measure of good, healing magic back in the village we used to live in."
"I want to use mine for good," There was a solemn pause that came from the Queen, "I've seen what using your magic for the wrong reasons can do." She referred to her mother and hated herself even more for being tempted by dark magic when she'd grew up experiencing the wrath of it. How could she have been so stupid?
"I have no doubt you will."
There was indeed no doubt in the older woman's eyes when Regina met her gaze. The faith Granny seemed to have in her struck a chord in her, made tears well in her eyes. She'd never felt approval or reassurance from a motherly figure like the one standing before her, offering it up without hesitation. "I don't deserve that kindness, Granny."
"Of course you do, sweet girl," Her gray brows furrowed and she reached out to take one of Regina's hands into her own, "You've got to ignore that voice inside of you that makes you doubt yourself. Your mother is a fool who didn't see you for the beautiful person you are because of who she wanted you to be. You should be proud that you did not let her change you."
A tear rolled down Regina's cheek and she quickly reached up to swipe it and avert her eyes to the floor. Today had been mentally exhausting between her anxiety over David's distance and now this. Her emotions were bubbling within her and she didn't know how to handle them, didn't know how to express them in front of someone. For years she'd been scolded and punished for showing fear or anger or hurt. But here Granny was, validating her as a person and telling her it was okay to be human. To be herself.
"Sometimes I feel I am like her more than I care to admit," She managed to say with a shaky voice, exhaling a pent up breath. Granny's hand came up to cup her chin and lift her head back to her own gaze.
"Your mother let life's heartbreak change her, harden her," Granny did not know Cora's story but she had seen many people let life get the best of them in the way she had. They lost themselves in the bitterness and anger inside of them, turning their backs on love and happiness. Instead they sought power and revenge, much like Cora was trying to do through her poor daughter. "She hurts you because she is unhappy with herself. You've been hurt and you've lost and you're heartbroken, but you can't let it harden you like she has. You hear me? I didn't let David give into the sadness and I won't let you."
Her tears ran freely down the apples of her cheeks now at Granny's earnest expression. The things that had happened to her had threatened to break her. She'd struggled with the darkness, she'd almost given into heartbreak. But these people in this castle that she tried to run away from had faith in her. David had shown it with this room and his approval of magic. Granny told her with her constant fussing over her well-being and the kind words she spoke now. Emma had even shown it in her own subtle way. For them she would keep trying.
"David," Leopold muttered in sudden surprise when he entered his dark bed chamber, seeing the younger King sitting in his chair near the fireplace.
"Leopold," David nodded once, gripping the arms of the chair tighter when he saw the man and his anger came back in full force, "Let's have a talk."
"What's this about? Can't it wait until morning? I've had a long day, son," The ex-King frowned and made his way over to hang his cloak. He was always so dismissive, so arrogant. Two things that made David's blood boil after growing up with an alcoholic for a father who acted much like the man before him now.
"No."
"Pardon me?"
David saw the shock register on Leopold's face. He usually treated the older man with much more respect. Though he didn't always like him, he was his elder and Snow's father, so he'd always bitten his tongue. That all ended the moment Emma told him what she'd overheard. He'd tolerated Leopold scheming and undermining him for years, but when it came to his young Queen, all bets were off. "Tell me what you said to Regina."
"I'm afraid you're going to have to elaborate," The bald man sighed, sauntering over to his dresser to take off his obnoxious jewelry that David never could stomach.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about," David's voice came out in nearly a growl as he rose from his chair to stand, "I want to hear you admit it."
"Tell me, David," Leopold turned then with a darkening glint in his eyes, showing his own anger, "What has your bride claimed I've said?"
"You threatened to have your way with her if we did not consummate our marriage," David stepped towards him, fists clenched to his sides.
"And you believe her? The daughter of a sorcerer? Yes, that's right. Her mother is a witch," He narrowed his eyes in a way that told David he thought he was telling him something he didn't know, "Don't think I haven't had my people look into their family. It's a shame we didn't do it before the marriage. Your little bride isn't as innocent as she claims to be."
"Are you calling her a liar, now?!" David hissed, stepping up to look the man in the eyes. Leopold was a big man, but David was a few inches taller, and much slimmer, to say the least. Still, he knew the man was a coward and had been pampered his entire life. He could end the man in seconds if he wanted to.
"That's exactly what I'm calling your little bitch in heat," Leopold spat back at him before David's fist connected with his jaw, sending him stumbling backwards into his dresser and knocking the contents off of it with a loud crash. David wrung out his hand, gaining some satisfaction from watching the man wallow around, but his anger was still very much present.
"Guards!" Leopold bellowed when he gained his footing and managed to stand again, holding his face and scrambling for the door out into the hall, "Guards, come this once! The King has gone mad!"
"I want you out!" David grit out between clenched teeth, following the pathetic man into the hall without fear of the guards he was pleading for, "Get your things and get out of my castle!"
"How quickly you've forgotten who gave you all of this!"
He watched the older man suddenly gain confidence at the sound of the guards running down the hall at his beckoning, their armor clanging and echoing throughout. Leopold's lip bled and his eyes were wild with anger as he pointed a finger at David, "How quickly! And now you think you're putting me out of my own home because some desperate whore approached me for an heir when you wouldn't touch her?!"
"Enough with the lies against Regina, I won't have it!" David grabbed Leopold by his collar, shoving him back against one of the walls, "Besides, it was your own granddaughter who witnessed you threatening the Queen and told me about it."
Regina stepped out of her room at the sound of David and Leopold's booming voices in the next corridor, not caring that she was only in her nightgown. She didn't know what was happening but it made her nervous and she practically started to run when she followed the voices getting louder. She heard her name and her stomach rolled with anxiety, nearly plowing Emma who came out of her own room when she rounded the corner.
"Emma, what's happening?" She asked breathlessly, glancing at the girl as they both scurried towards the intersecting hall near Leopold's wing where the commotion was happening. Her heart was in her chest as she suddenly realized why she'd been so nervous today. She was waiting for something like this to happen. Had Leopold told David lies about her? Was this another scheme on his part? Was that why David was so distant?
"My father knows that my grandfather threatened you," Emma admitted and Regina felt like she might actually throw up. The blonde watched the brunette's complexion grown a few shades paler as they came to a halt near the scene, seeing the guards trying to pry David from his pinned hold of Leopold against the wall.
"He what? How did he know?" Regina gasped, clutching her stomach at the sight before them. David was livid, gripping Leopold by the neck as they exchanged heated words. The guards attempted to break it up but David kept ordering them back, threatening them with the consequence of disobeying the King.
"I told him. I heard him approach you in the hall last night and threaten you not to tell."
Regina felt like her knees were about to give out from underneath her, "Emma, why would you do that?!" Had the girl been pretending to like her all of this time? Was she working with Leopold to turn David against Regina?
"Because it was the right thing to do," Emma looked at her firmly, reaching out to take her hand in a comforting gesture, "No one should be treat you like that, Regina."
Emotion rose in her throat at the realization that her step-daughter had sided with her, not Leopold. Emma had went against her own flesh and blood to warn her father of Regina's mistreatment. This wasn't a scheme. She swallowed hard and looked at the girl with an expression of gratitude that she knew she understood, despite her inability to speak at the time. It was a brief, touching moment before their attention was drawn back to the men before them.
"Seeing as both of you have forsaken me, I'll gladly leave," Leopold glared and threw a glance towards Emma and Regina, "Unhand me," He reached up, shoving David's arm off of him that the King allowed at the older man agreeing to depart. "But before you alienate everyone defending your Queen's honor, perhaps you should find out why she is cohorts with the Dark One."
Regina swallowed bile that rose in her throat, seeing David's caught-off-guard expression when he looked over at her while the guards escorted a sneering Leopold back towards his chamber. She felt Emma squeeze her hand before she panicked and pulled it from her grip, taking off in the opposite direction towards her own wing. This was it, the day she had worried about just hours earlier in her tower. Her secret was out.
David watched his wife flee before he could approach her, looking at his daughter in confusion. "I'm sorry you had to see that, Emma," He came towards her, putting a hand on her shoulder, "I should.." He glanced in the direction Regina had ran. There had to be some truth behind Leopold's claim that Regina was somehow affiliated with the Dark One. It worried him, but she deserved a chance to explain herself.
Emma gave an understanding nod, "Go."
He pressed his lips into a line with a nod in return before heading down the corridor leading to Regina's quarters. What if it was true? What would his Queen possibly be doing with the Dark One? He'd just thrown his daughter's grandfather out of his own castle over the Queen. She deserved a chance to explain herself and he damn well deserved an explanation.
"Regina," He knocked on the door once, hearing silence from the other side. "Regina, we need to talk." Nothing. He grew irritated again, for it did not take much after his tussle with Leopold. "Damn it, Regina. Open up."
A few moments passed before he heard the sound of the latch unlocking and the door slowly opened. Regina's face was pale, her warm brown eyes full of fear as she looked up at him. She seemed so small, dressed only in her shift, holding her self in a protective stance.
"I'm not angry with you," He said first, sensing she needed the reassurance as he stepped in and shut her bedroom door behind her.
Her gaze flitted to the side before she muttered, "You should be."
"Why's that?" He took a step forward, frowning when she took a step back in response. "Regina, start talking."
"You should be angry with me!" She cried out, her facade crumbling as she looked at him with wide eyes of disbelief. Why couldn't he just be angry and yell at her? Why did he come after her when he would so clearly be done with her based on the knowledge of her dealings with Rumple, alone? "I made a deal with the Dark One to teach me magic. To help me get away from here!"
David couldn't deny that he felt hurt by it, but he also understood how heartbroken and miserable she'd been when she came here. How miserable they'd both been. He pressed his lips together, trying to decide how to reply before she continued.
"I desperately wanted out of this marriage and away from your daughter who I blamed for it," Tears rolled down Regina's face now as she took another step backwards as if she were bracing herself for his wrath, "I had horrible thoughts, I was tempted to do terrible things. I went behind your back and I sought Rumple's help. I almost ruined your reputation, your family!"
"Hey," He swallowed hard at how hysterical she was, seeing the guilt wracking her small frame as he closed the space between them and gripped her arms, not allowing her to run away from him, "Regina, calm down."
"Don't! Don't do that!" She nearly yelled, looking up at his infuriatingly calm expression, "Don't make excuses for me. I'm not the person you think I am, David!"
"Regina, I can't blame you!" He raised his own voice to get her attention, gripping her upper arms firmly but not hard enough to hurt her, "I've been there. I've lost someone I loved and I know the dark places it can take you and the way your better judgement fails you because all you feel is pain and grief. I also know I wasn't there for you like I should've been, considering I'd been through it," David locked eyes with her, seeing he'd gotten her attention, "Are you still seeing Rumple?"
"No," She swallowed hard, the action making one last tear spill over her lashes, "He wanted me to do dark magic for him, for something he wanted. I didn't want to go down the path that my mother had."
"See," His tone was softer and more encouraging, "You did the right thing. Why were you afraid to tell me?" David let go of one of her arms and reached up to brush her hair back from her face. It was loose and long, covering half of her beautiful, pained expression from him. He wanted to see her, he wanted to take that hurt from her and hold her until it passed. He wasn't going to let her hide from him.
"I thought it would ruin everything," She admitted, biting down on her lower lip as she tried to regain control of her emotions. "I didn't feel like I was good enough for you or your family once I got to know you and that if you know of my darkness..." Her voice tapered off when it became hard for her to speak.
"You couldn't be more wrong," He murmured, pulling her up against him and wrapping his arms around her, "I want to know every part of you, Regina."
She felt his lips press into her hair and she melted into his embrace, allowing herself to accept the comfort. His sense of understanding and his ability to say what she needed to hear surprised her every time. How was the man that intimidated her on their wedding day the same one who held her now? Soothing her.
"Besides, I'm not all sugar and spice, you know," He whispered into her hair with a hint of amusement in his tone and she pressed her forehead against his chest and smiled before feeling his chest vibrate when he spoke again. "Let's get some sleep."
David picked her up then, one arm under her legs and one around her waist as he carried her over to the bed and laid her down, "Sleep well," He leaned down, pressing a kiss to her lips before starting to pull away.
"Stay," She found herself saying before she could process the words. "I don't want to be alone."
His heart threatened to burst out of his chest at her vulnerability; for someone who had been so hurt she was still incredibly open with him in certain moments. David nodded, shucking himself of his outer shirt and pants to prepare for bed. Regina scooted over to make room for him, holding the covers up invitingly. He smiled as he crawled into bed beside her and she returned one, for they both knew how right the simple act felt between them now.
He couldn't say he wasn't tempted when he pulled her body up against his, spooning her into his larger one. His chest pressed against her back, his right arm wrapping around her waist to keep her snug against him after pulling the covers up over their bodies. It would have been easy to kiss at her neck, to caress her soft skin, but tonight wasn't about that. It was about trust, about being there for her to comfort her, not take advantage of her in a vulnerable moment. So he lifted his head and pressed his lips to her cheek, "Goodnight, my Queen."