A/n – Last chapter was about the half way mark. Time will begin moving a bit quicker.

Title

Mistress of Masks

Summary

"Monsters often wear beautiful masks and sometimes the face we think we know doesn't match what lies beneath."- me

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Tossing. Regina tossed within sheets of her queen bed. Fabric binding her arms and legs together from her thrashing. Silk trappings too familiar in her sleep state. Binding and panting. She was trapped within her mind's eye…

"Regina."

Queen looked up from her letters and gave eyes to the regally dressed woman in liquid black silk entering her private library. Cora was now beneath her in rank since her marriage to Leopold a year ago, but Regina dared not deny the courtesy of standing when her Mother entered the room she was in.

"Good day Mother." And curtsy.

And the dark woman seemed pleased enough with her greeting, nodded indifferently, and took up the winged chair next to her opposite the great fire in the hearth keeping winter's chill at bay. Fine a castle as this one was it was terribly drafty with the stone walls. When Mother was settled Regina sat again, though a bit straighter than she had been in private.

"Who writes you so often?" Cora inquired fingering the sharp edge of the carved raven's head arm rest.

"Noble wives wanting to invite Snow and I to an event or afternoon tea." Showing the top letter to her Mother as expected in proof.

Cora skimmed the first and pulled the top of the second down and nodded. "Lady Clara would be suitable and worth a meeting. The other a waste of time." Indicating the second of the two letters.

"As you say Mother." Regina folded the letters carefully, grateful the page she had really been reading earlier was already hidden in the false bottom of the box on the table next to her.

"Snow was in the kitchens again this morning quite late." Blue eyes left the flames to study. "Begging a sweet cake from that cook she likes."

Red lips parted. Regina had warned Snow time and again to stay away from the kitchens in the mornings when Mother was making inspections of staff. Back rigid as she asked carefully. "You found her?"

"I did indeed."

Hands gave the merest hint of a shake at that fact as Regina put the letters back in the box. "And?" Closing the lid as breath held.

"She is waiting outside the door here." Standing Cora moved to gaze down.

Regina exhaled, but not easily. Three weeks a near year ago she had won her Mother's challenge bringing Snow to task. Method of predictable discipline and plenty of affection first working between them and Mother had relented to leaving the raising of Snow to her. But now close. Mother was much too close. Regina's lungs caught as a pointed nail lifted her chin.

"Make sure it does not happen again daughter. The heir to the throne must not be pilfering cakes like a common beggar child in the market square."

Amber flashed a small challenge. "Her riding lesson went much longer than expected and she missed tea. I'm sure she was simply—" Nail pricked the underside of her chin and Regina gasped.

Cold inquiry. "And whose fault is that about her lesson?"

Thin trail of blood began pooling at the base of Regina's throat. Air around them crackling with lightening unseen. "Mine."

"Good Regina. Make sure it does not happen again." Dropping her hand, Cora summoned a handkerchief. Dabbing the blood carefully, she placed it in her daughter's palm crushing both for a long moment before taking her hand away.

Regina stared. Red stain on Snow White linen, more than clear on just who would handle Snow if it happened again. Grandmother's rights should a daughter deemed a failure to remedy would be taken.

Regina swallowed. "Please send her in. I will speak with her."

Cora nodded, mocking deference at its best. "As you wish." Wicked turn, as she went to the door. "Oh and you had best notify the Head Raven Master to send word to the village for a new castle messenger boy."

Regina stood and took a step forward. Fists clenched and she released them loose as Mother turned to look back. "May I ask why?"

"The old one is dead, poor thing. Something about a missing heart." Giving critical eyes of ice. "You'd best choose another means of getting your private messages sent off Regina. Good help is so hard to find, after all. Best start looking."

Paling Regina closed her eyes as the chamber door opened and Snow was summoned in. And opened them with a flash as Mother's hand took her daughter's arm much too tightly and escorted a quiet white Snow right to her feet. Regina reached for Snow's hand to move the child away from Mother's grip just as little one began speaking.

"I didn't mean any harm."

And Regina knew that and more than understood, but instead of being able to listen as Snow needed her to she hushed with one look. One Snow immediately heeded thankfully and one Regina would explain once Cora was out of the room, but Mother was not letting go of that arm. She met Mother's eyes as Snow began to whimper under that tight grip. Regina felt a heat rising from her core at that wounded sound. The blood on white linen flashed in her mind's eye.

A snapping spark and in a flare Snow was free of that menacing grip clinging to her skirts as Mother jerked back with a gasp cupping a hand tightly to a black beaded corset. The smell of singed hair on skin rose sickly. As Regina rested her hands on Snow's shoulders child began crying from the bruise rising on white flesh just under the short sleeve of a matching dress where Cora had gripped cruelly. Little arms wrapped tight then around her waist. What had happened in that flash of light Regina could only guess, but deep down she knew.

The magic she'd been born with had finally decided to wake up. Mother had said it was there but would remain dormant. Claiming Regina was not strong enough to tap it and at the time this knowledge came to light Regina had wanted absolutely nothing to do with magic. Regina had always wondered why it remained so though, not entirely convinced on Mother's explanation. And for just a moment the look of utter shock on her Mother's face this moment was worth the price Regina knew she would pay for her next words.

"Leave us."

Hissing. "You dare?" More shock on that pinched face bridging on the cusp of anger at a clear dismissal.

Regina kept her eyes locked on blue ones and she bent to whisper directions in Snow's ear. Child nodded with a sniffle and went to the far side of the room to take up a stool there to sit in wait. Taking a step nearer her Mother, Regina did indeed dare. "She is my daughter and you are not to touch her again."

Cora dropped the injured hand and approached, seizing her roughly by the forearm and Regina was pulled close. With their faces inches apart Mother's words cut. "I will touch however I please and you seem to be forgetting that you are mine Regina. I put the crown on your head and trained your heart against weakness—and I can take both away if you continue to be so brass and foolish."

"I am not weak." Adamant Regina yanked hard against that grip once, but Mother did not relent.

Blue piercing between her own, but Regina held her ground. Something in her gaze seemed to give Mother pause and that grip finally loosened enough for Regina to pull away. Mother's parting gift gave her chills. "We will speak more of this later tonight. I expect you at my chamber door at ten." Last words that were anything but and in a sharp turn the chill of midnight left the room and Queen was able to breathe once more…

Bolting upright Regina's hand went to her throat and then pulled back to look. No blood. She blinked. A dream… no a memory then. There had been a lot of those lately. Shivering she pulled on her robe and found her slippers in the dark. Wrapped up she went down the hall and peeked into the pink room. Snow was resting soundly and unharmed.

Breathing easier and in need of something warm Regina went downstairs. Finding tea, chamomile, she made a mug and went into the living room. Setting the gas fire to low in grate, she curled up to sit and sip.

Two weeks they had been here now and she was no closer to finding a way home. Stirring tea and pulling spoon out to suck the tip free of honey Regina left it there in thought about the last several days. A routine of sorts had found them between a Halloween uncelebrated and more crisp weather rolling in with November.

During the week Snow went to school and she to work and that was followed by spell book reading, dinner and homework then bath and bed. Weekends brought more freedom and time to be able to go through the book at more length and the few more Regina had brought back from the vault a few days ago. And for nothing. Nothing more as a clue presenting itself for her efforts. The days were beginning to mesh together with the one difference being Snow.

Woman child had been quiet and surprisingly complacent since the school mess early last week. Talk had between them had been taken to heart and Snow seemed better for it. Switches between the adult and child had slowed down and each became present for longer states of time, but the little one ruled that dark curly head most days. Regina was learning to recognize the switches and move with them when they occurred. Their interactions had been mild and robotic between them, though a bit warmer when the little one was present, but not by much.

Said little one appeared in the living room doorway then. Sleep tussled hair and missing a sock. Dreams seemed to haunt that small head too and Regina set her mug on the table, patting the sofa cushion in invitation and waiting to see what Snow would do. Sometimes the child would allow mild touch, other times her advances were refused, still Regina tried as she'd promised herself she would. "Couldn't sleep?"

Two braids shook and a stuffed rabbit was lowered from hiding a mouth. "No and Mr. Thumper needs to ask you something." One step forward.

"Oh, and what does he need to know?" Playing along with the ever creative imagination little Snow had. Toy had been used as translation for some of the more delicate discussions between them when Snow had been growing up. Patting the cushion again in welcome.

Snow seemed to consider something and went to sit on the far cushion and promptly put her bunny in the middle seat. "I have been thinking a lot about when you sent me to my room last week… after I called you that word."

Surprised that's where the girl's head had been Regina thought a moment before speaking. "That's good to know you have been rethinking certain choices. That will help you make better ones."

Snow's fingers picked at a loose ribbon on her nightgown. "He was wondering about that time I was sick, really sick and when you and Father were talking in the hall…"

Regina kept her eyes on the rabbit as Snow did. "Was he somehow not in bed that night as he should have been?"

Snow blushed nodding.

Regina had long suspected Snow had somehow overheard them at times, and she loathed the idea of it. Then remembering that conversation with Leopold in particular she sat up and looked at Snow directly. "What did he hear?" Suddenly big Snow met her eyes and her stomach cramped.

"I heard you arguing about me. Something about Mida's brother. He was the one at the banquet too, my first one where I was allowed to eat with you and Father."

Regina nodded. "He was. Your Father and my Mother were quite set on you being matched with him in marriage." A wealthy merger as Cora had put it.

"But you told him no, told them both no." Snow bit her lip.

"I did. I…" Amber eyes sought flames for a moment deciding big Snow might be ready to hear some more of the truth of past. "I wanted you to have a choice on who you married, at least some options presented to you anyway. And Mida's brother was old enough to be your Father. I didn't want that for you. That aside he was a shrewd man."

Snow wiggled and pulled her rabbit back in her lap, fingers in fur. "I understand why now. I didn't before, but…" Bunny hid her mouth as little one took over again. "Mr. Thumper says big me really likes Charming."

Amber misted and tried resting a hand on a little knee, glad child allowed it. "You, she, deserved a choice and I'm glad it worked out that way for her." Regina had been able to hold talk of Snow's marriage off for several years after that. By then things had turned so drastically that Snow was no longer on Cora's immediate radar in quite that way—and Leopold was dead.

"Is it because you never got a choice?" Little Snow was unsure about all the details behind this reveal, but was sure that Regina had been protecting her. She also needed to confirm a few things that had been keeping her up at night.

"Something like that."

Snow tilted her head. "Mr. Thumper also wanted to know if…" Eyes falling to the hand on her knee. It stilled, gripping tenderly. "Did Father ever hit you?" And tightened.

A tear burned to slip at the childish term for what she had suffered, but now was not the time to elaborate, not to the little one anyway. Regina nodded once and waited for Snow to process that.

A whisper. "A lot?"

Red lips pinched as Regina shifted in seat. "We did not get along. And he was the King. That is sometimes how things were done in our world." And well within his rights of the law of the Kingdom no matter her feelings on them. Feelings every time she voiced only left a mark. Softer. "Sometimes too marrying for love or growing to love the one you are paired with happened in our world. I had hoped you would find it your case."

Little arms dove forward and took up the neck she wanted to rest her head under. Snow's hands gripped the silk collar just like she used to of Regina's formal dresses and held on. As she was Snow did not understand everything about love, but she remembered being told one dark night long ago that real love was magic. And right now in these arms she felt it whispering to her as Regina hugged her back.

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The next afternoon little Snow sat on the steps of the school waiting and waiting as she watched parents picking up their kids. Watched as hands joined, kisses and hugs were given after a day apart. Ten minutes after the bell and Regina was not here. Tears burned beneath her eyes. Queen had been here everyday at 3:30 as she stepped from the doors. Sometimes Snow took the hand offered. Other times she did not as she was asked about her day and in turn she asked about the progress on finding a way home. Always the same answers between them and in her ache they held nothing.

Nothing like what she needed them to be. And what she needed was the exact opposite of the person in her dream in the very early morning of waking today she'd had. Snow dropped her head in knees recalling the memory that had been disguised as a dream last night her heart knew had been all but too real…

The stables were her favorite place on the Castle grounds. Smelling of sweet hay and full of the carefree neighs and nickering of horses. This is where Snow learned the joy of riding after her terror filled one two years ago when Regina had come into her life. Since then Snow loved the time and attention from the Queen during their twice a week riding lessons. The hour spent each time was full of smiles and longed for praise for something she was quite good at now.

Snow brushed the white mare, WinterStar, carefully the way she had been taught as she waited for Regina. Heavy rain overhead starting on the roof drew green eyes up, and she automatically moved closer to the warmth of her horse. That meant riding was out. Frowning she continued brushing in thought wondering what they would do instead. Time moved quickly under her chore and finishing at the mare's flank she wondered at the absence of staff.

Rarely alone she was and the stable hands had all but disappeared from the loft when she had entered. Snow wondered over one in particular that occasionally showed up during her lessons. The stable maid had the kindest eyes of anyone Snow remembered seeing and the woman always looked on so with such a gaze at Regina... Lightning flashed and Snow shrieked, dropping the brush.

WinterStar hoofed the floor looking back, flicking a tail almost nervously. Snow patted the great white head, kissing a nose. "It's quite alright. Just a little light and rain." Explaining in the same comforting fashion Regina often had when there were storms at night and she went seeking those safe arms. Trying to assure herself just as much as her horse. Then whispering. "Mommy will come and make it better."

Sure of the fact and the affection she used in private with Regina. She loved the woman who cared for her; had from the first day she learned that the beautiful woman that had saved her life was going to marry her Father. Regina was kind first and foremost, rare to raise a voice or give criticism. Snow had learned what would and would not be accepted in her deportment and it has been quite a while since she had been in any kind of real trouble. Respectful she always tried to be with the Queen. And time passed as the storm worsened and thunder shook the foundation.

Regina had woken her very early that day and she had been told to come here for her riding lesson an hour earlier than usual straight after breakfast in her warmest cloak and boots. Snow had obeyed asking too if Mr. Thumper could join them. Surprised when Regina's eyes filled with a rich softness she had never seen and longed for more of; her request of frivolous comfort, as her Grandmother called it, was granted. Snow wondered if it had something to do with her father being away on a tour of the Kingdom or the fact that her Grandmother had a sick headache the night before and was resting today. Holding her beloved rabbit in one hand and petting her horse with the other Snow wondered too where the Queen was.

Little boots shifted on hay, nerves taking over as the sky growled again. She heard a single piercing scream in the distance and it echoed raw through her core, then nothing but the roar of thunder in its wake. Now she was scared, but couldn't move in her fear. Regina was never late. Had she been forgotten then? Tears wanting to spill made Snow's nose tickle and she sat on a low stool to wait. Becoming more and more blaring in her little mind as time passed that she had been forgotten about though her tummy warned against something else. At that moment a door creaked in the distance. Wet eyes looked up and she saw the Queen.

Something cracked.

Dark eyes void of emotion looked back, no through her. Hood of a midnight cloak lowered and firm red lips spoke in a sharp tone Snow had not heard from them before. "You are to stand always when I enter a room Snow White."

Or was tearing, Snow was not sure as she quickly hopped up. Fingers gripped the fur of her rabbit for something soft when the coming words were not.

Impossibly high boots neared. A heavily ringed hand extended. "Give that here." Fingers snapped as lightening flashed outside.

"But you said I could…" Snow trailed as Mr. Thumper was snatched by that quick hand and tossed aside into a muddy stall. That gesture made her eyes smart. Upper arm taken and hard she was led to the stable doors, struggling to walk as quickly as those feet clicking on wood planks. Confused and hurt Snow slipped with the soft informal affection only used in private between them. "Mommy—" Then her cheeks were pinched in a grip she didn't know or understand the callousness of.

"And Mother always knows best Snow. Never forget that if you have any hope of being Queen."

"But—" Then a slap resounded against her cheek and stunned for who had done it Snow burst into tears.

Taken to her room, locked in, and left there for the day without meals Snow wondered of her crime and the lack of ritual between them if there had been. M—Regina had never punished in her this cold distant way and that night when she was in bed hungry for more than food she stiffened when a key was heard in lock and two voices in the corridor. Then several minutes later the handle of her chamber door opened.

Of the hour Snow was unsure and through cracked eyes she saw her beloved rabbit, sweet smelling and damp, laid near her pillow by a ringed hand she thought she knew. Thought she knew the woman who had been her Mother. It stroked her hair and she turned away from it. She couldn't trust that hand again for a promise broken and never again would she use the intimate affection she had thought might mean more between them.

"Snow..."

Child blinked away the past, but not the hurt.

"Snow."

Looking up and seeing Regina coming quickly her way, gladness brief in heart as a scowl took over her small face. Hard words from a sore memory spoke. "You forgot about me didn't you?"

Regina slowed her pace as she approached seeing adult accusing eyes on her. Cautious. "No, the light on Main Street was ou—"

"I'll just walk from now on then." Wanting the familiarity of cold distance well used to, but as Regina came close Snow simply stared at the concrete unmoving. Fingers from above brushed the top of her head where she purposely sat. Pulling back she scooted over, away.

"You are too young to walk all that way on your own." Regina stated fact and wondered over the cold shoulder. Henry, she had allowed him at ten to begin doing such things but with Snow at seven; the idea made her uncomfortable. "Let's go." Hand out.

Little hurt spoke up blurring the past with the present. "You did forget, you did! And you told me to wait at the stables with Mr. Thumper and then you threw him and you were so mad and…" A tear fell and Snow angrily swiped it away ripping her heart wide open along with it.

Regina dropped her hand, eyes closing and in that moment knowing where and when those words came from. Here. Now. She could not work through them with little Snow on the wide steps separating their hearts beats. Instead she did what she had been unable to do; had wanted to do whenever Snow had been this upset all those years ago. Regina knelt and picked up the sore hearted girl to her hip, backpack and all, as Snow burst into tears.

And fought her.

Child kicked and pushed or tried to and still Regina held on. She would not let go. Would not allow Snow to push her away when they both needed this contact.

Regina managed somehow to get them to house, Snow fighting her into the car and out. Once in the door of the mansion Regina kicked off her heels, dropped her purse on the floor and child's backpack in a pile, some mess she never did, and moved with a still crying Snow upstairs. But this time child was exhausted and clung to her. Into a very pink room, Regina reached for a rabbit. Little hands snatched it up and began calming further in her arms. Finally cries turned to whimpers as Snow rested a cheek in her shoulder. Pacing the room, Regina rubbed circles, murmuring. Her soothing tone seemed to shift something further in the child who clung tighter.

"I'm right here Snow Bunny." Nickname used only between them in the most private of moments, away from court and watching eyes, slipped soft between breaths smooth as silk.

Snow rubbed her face into a shoulder long missed and let herself take a deep breath in. Lavender and apples or was it apples and lavender? It filled her nose and she finally realized the scents matched; Mr. Thumper and Regina. Home. She pushed harder, burrowed deeper in realization as her hair was stroked. Small fingers still tight on the fabric of a red blouse in wonder of the affection spoken. And in them she was able to ask the question she'd been holding back for so long.

"Why did you leave me? You were there, but you were not."

Regina stopped pacing at the high tenor. Thick. "I never meant to distance myself emotionally from you Snow."

Sniffing. "But you did." All those long distant years pushed to a pinching point between her eyes.

And amber eyes blurred when a mouth couldn't speak for a moment.

"What did I do wrong?"

Then spilled hot down her cheeks as Regina moved to sit on the bed with Snow sideways in her lap. "Nothing. You did nothing wrong."

"But—"

"It wasn't my choice Snow."

Puzzled Snow chewed her inner cheek. Then asked. "What do you mean?"

Beginning where she needed to for the complicated answer, Regina tried to explain. "That day at the stables I never meant to not come for you when I'd promised. And when I was able to come see you, I never wanted—"

"Then why did you?" Interrupting with heat, Snow finally let go as one hand ran a fist over an eye and tried to move off Regina's lap, but she was held fast.

Realizing exactly when that day Snow had been referring Regina tried again. "At the stables… That was not me."

Green searched amber. "Yes it was and you broke your promise. You slapped me."

Head shaking as Regina's heart tore at a festering wound. "No Snow. My Mother was known as the Queen of Hearts and the Mistress of Masks for a reason." Lifting a chin. "She discovered I was making plans to leave that morning." Deep breath. "She killed Daniella and came for you at the stables after shutting me away knowing we had a lesson. I tried to tell you that night when I was able to come see you, but…" Snow had refused to even look at her and for the day it had been Regina hadn't forced their interaction at the time.

Snow paled remembering the way the hand that stroked her hair in bed that night had been shaking and the voice that she ignored calling her name had sounded broken. Also too, for the secret told to Cora the week before about the mysterious woman that sometimes joined them in her riding lessons. Regina had told her not to tell and coaxed as she had been under Cora's poison filled words she had answered when asked if she'd noticed anyone unusual around the palace, more specifically the Queen. "Then—then where were you?"

"Mother locked me in her vault." Regina explained and in the moment she'd been too heartbroken to fight back. Punishment in the small heart filled chamber for attempting to flee along with binding her with magical leather straps to the floor. Stiff and cutting she hadn't been able to breathe. Marks had cut into her skin and left bruises in their wake. Tight and bound, Regina had felt the vibrations of all the stolen hearts pumping, screaming for release. She'd never forgotten their call for help.

Silence.

Snow whispered as the slap echoed in her mind. A slap not from the woman holding her now. That changed things. A lot of things she couldn't even begin to register. "I didn't know that."

"I know."

Wiggling to get off a lap and allowed to, Snow moved to the other side of the bed. Her head hurt. Much too full and eyes raw, heavy she begged with them and words. "I'd like to rest now. Please."

Nodding Regina stood needing a moment herself. Much more to say and she knew this talk was far from over, but they both needed a break for the intensity of it. She pulled down the covers and watched Snow settle under them with the ever present stuffed rabbit. Closing the drapes Queen went to leave; sensing further touch would break whatever delicate space was tying them together this moment.

Snow's little eyes watched the Queen she thought she knew watching her. She dipped her chin, hiding in the blanket. She felt amber on her for a long minute after before those feet she longed for to stay padded out of the room.

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A/N – Please consider a comment or review if you haven't and are enjoying this. Feeds a writer soul – Those that have - thanks so much!

More Tuesday.

Next time: Regina and Snow, both raw and seeking understanding over the stable memory continue their talk. An unexpected & disturbing visitor makes their presence known to Regina.

It's about to get real for our girls…