A/N: So, here's the next chapter. Thanks to AndromedaEBlack, VampWolf92, carriemarie78, DamonSalvatorelover, Charming SVU Angel, The-One-That-Here26, SkullGaudess and impureevilregal for reviewing/favouriting/following. The response I got from all you guys over my hols was amazing.
However, I have a little bad news as I'm not going to be around much for the next couple of weeks, so I doubt there'll be an update, but I promise I have not given up on it :P
Jumping into action, she leapt behind the nearest tree and clamped a hand over the toddler's mouth to stop her from saying anything more. Inside, she was furious with her sister. She had specifically told her not to say anything and now she had nearly got them caught!
She only relaxed when she heard the teacher speak again, and let the toddler down to the ground before peering round the tree to see that the unicorn was lying down and the strange man was explaining to Regina what taking the heart meant.
"That was naughty, Talulla, I told you to be quiet. You could have got us caught and then we'd have both been in big trouble."
The young girl looked down. "Sowy, Snow."
"That's alright, but don't do it again. Just watch." And with that, she turned back to the scene in front of her, just catching the last part of the man's last sentence.
"Now, show me you know what to do with that power. Kill it."
"What?" Regina asked, seemingly shocked.
"You've seen it done, now do it yourself," the man said, acting as though it was a simple, meaningless task. "Show me you can take the next step in your training. Crush it." He threw the heart to her and she caught it, looking down at it, a distressed expression on her face.
Snow and Talulla watched in horror as the Queen started to squeeze. The unicorn writhed in pain, letting out a distraught whiney.
"Horsey!" Talulla cried, looking as though she was on the verge of tears. "What Mama doing?"
"To be truthful, Tallie, I don't know. Come here, you can't watch this."
This time, Talulla didn't argue, curling up against her elder sister's chest and covering her ears with her hands. Snow couldn't drag her eyes away, terrified that Regina was actually going to kill the beast. The relief when she stopped, when her hand fell to her side, when she shook her head looking completely horrified, was that great that she couldn't describe it. However, it seemed her teacher wasn't so pleased.
"Dearie, dearie, dearie," he said. "I had such high hopes."
Regina wasn't having any of it. "And I didn't sign up to kill unicorns," she retorted.
In Snow's lap, Talulla uncovered her ears and peaked round to watch again now the unicorn wasn't making such awful noises, listening intently as the glittery man continued to scold her mother.
"Magic is power. Until you can take power, you're not learning anything. Do you want me to teach you or not?"
"Yes." Regina replied straight away.
"Then there's one simple question for you to ponder."
"I'll tell you anything," she said honestly and it seemed to Snow that she was upset that she had disappointed her teacher, even though he had asked her to do the unspeakable.
The man let out another of his strange giggles. "I don't need the answer," he said, his eyes lighting up. "You do. What's holding you back, hmm?"
The Queen didn't reply and the man disappeared in a puff of purple smoke, leaving Regina to deal with the unicorn. However, she still didn't move, clearly thinking hard about her teacher's last question. Snow was that busy watching her that she didn't notice that Talulla had pulled herself out of her lap until she had yelled horsey and was running towards the dark beast, and by that time, it was too late to stop her.
The Queen nearly jumped out of her skin at the sound of her daughter and in a few quick strides had caught up with her and lifted her into her arms.
"What are you doing here, Talulla? You should be back at the castle."
"Horsey!" the young girl complained, pointing in the direction of the beast still lying on the ground.
"It's not a horse, sweetheart, it's a unicorn. It's dangerous."
"But–"
"No, Talulla, it's too dangerous! I'm far more interested in how you got here in the first place. Where is Abigail?" She looked around, as though expecting her to walk out of the trees, but instead of her maid, she saw a very sheepish-looking Snow standing between two trees.
"She's ill and in bed," the girl said. "She was watching us, but then she fell asleep just as you left. We followed you. I was curious as to what you did in this time. I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't have brought Talulla, but I couldn't leave her alone."
"Snow, you know how dangerous the woods can be. There was a reason I didn't want either of you to come–"
"Other than using magic? Father would be furious to find out what you're up to in this time!" Regina could tell that Snow was furious with her, but also a little hurt. There were tears gathering in the corners of her eyes. Yet the new Queen couldn't afford to let her guard down like she did the last time she had trusted the young princess with a secret.
"You can't tell him, Snow, this is my choice. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Regina." It was clear to Regina that the young girl was itching to say something more, but she didn't give her a chance.
"Come on, I need to get you all home before your father realises you're missing," she said, turning to walk in the direction she had left her horse.
However, Talulla wasn't having any of it. "No!" she wailed. "I want see uni…uni…" She trailed off, frustrated that she couldn't say the word.
"How many times do I have to tell you, Talulla? The unicorn's dangerous. I don't want you to get hurt." The toddler wasn't listening. "How about I take you for a ride on Rocionante?"
The young girl's cries immediately stopped and Regina could see that there were no tears, just a tantrum.
"Really?" All trace of her previous upset was gone as Talulla looked up hopefully into her mother's eyes.
"Yes really. Why would I lie to you? Now come on, we must head back."
And with that, the three headed back through the woods, the Queen praying that her husband will not have missed them.