IV

An Easy Pawn

Belle winced as she added a handful of sliced onions to the chopped steak and gravy simmering on the stove, her arm giving a painful twinge where her master had gripped her so mercilessly. She lowered the grate which held the coals beneath the top plate, assuring herself her dinner wouldn't burn. Going into the pantry, she retrieved several large red potatoes and moved them to her workspace to peel. It was a tedious task, but it also gave her time to think.

She knew Rumpelstiltskin hadn't purposely tried to hurt her. It was a combination of his anger and fear. She'd seen it clearly in his amber eyes, so clouded with emotion. He'd never laid a harmful hand on her before, and there was no reason for her to believe he would start now. And really, he didn't know his own strength. But who was that woman and why should he fear her? There was no one more powerful than the Dark One. It didn't make any sense to her. So many questions whirled in her mind; questions with no logical answers she could see, yet she was determined to find them out.

"Hello, dear."

Belle gasped, startled by the sweet sing-song voice which sounded behind her. She whipped about, the paring knife slipping from numb fingers to clatter against the counter. "M'lady!" she squeaked, dipping into a quick curtsey. "You gave me a fright. Did you need something?" she asked hesitantly. She was so unused to having visitors to the castle, the woman's presence in her kitchen unnerved her.

The queen shrugged, wrinkling her nose at the raw vegetables on the counter. "No, I just thought we'd have a chat before I go. You're not opposed to a little girl talk, are you?" Regina asked with false cheerfulness.

"I guess not," Belle answered, not wanting to offend her. She clasped her hands in front of her and straightened her shoulders, donning a serene mask. She'd been a princess before her deal with the Dark One and if anything, she knew how to converse with someone of Regina's station. "May I offer you tea?"

"Thank you, dear, but that won't be necessary. Tell me … how did you come to be in the employ of one such as Rumpelstiltskin?" She arched a brow at the girl. "I can't see him scouring the markets for a maid."

Belle watched her warily and chose her words carefully. "He saved my kingdom from the ogres, and I agreed to come to work for him. It was a small sacrifice to save so many."

Regina's eyes darkened with a manic gleam and Belle had to force herself to stand her ground. "How very noble of you. And are you happy here with the Dark One? Earlier, it didn't seem as if he treats you very well."

"He is my master. It is not my place to question his authority."

"That's an evasion, dear, not an answer."

Belle smirked. "Yet it is the only one you'll be getting."

The queen's ruby lips curled back over her teeth in a sneer cold enough to chill the blood in the girl's veins. "I don't think so."

Before Belle could step back in defense, Regina's clawed hand shot forward, burying itself in her chest, her icy touch curling about her heart and dragging it from her chest with a squelching sound. The little maid slumped against the counter, gasping for breath, her wide terrified eyes glued to the pulsing organ in the queen's hand. "W-What d-did you d-do?!" she panted.

Regina leaned in closer, her face inches from Belle's. "Someone should have taught you not to be so lippy with your betters, little girl. Don't worry; you'll be getting this back when I'm done with you … one way or another."

It was on the tip of her tongue to argue with the woman, but a slight squeeze to her heart had her gasping for breath against the pain. The queen smiled, and Belle knew true fear.

"Now let's have those answers, hm? How do you really feel about your master?"

"I care for him," Belle said, the words spilling from her lips against her will. She clapped a hand over her mouth in horror at the admission.

The queen's nose wrinkled in disgust. "Well, I suppose there's no accounting for taste." She paced away from the girl and tapped one manicured nail against her chin. "And how does the imp feel for you?"

"I don't know." Another slight squeeze to her heart and the tears burning at the back of her eyes spilled over her lashes. "I swear I don't know! He hasn't said anything!" she cried, the pain so intense her knees threatened to buckle beneath her.

"Does he trust you?"

Belle snorted, unable to help herself. "Rumpelstiltskin trusts no one. And why should he with people like you lurking about – " She moaned as Regina squeezed a bit harder and longer this time for her impertinence.

The queen leaned in close to Belle's ear, a feral grin upon her ruby lips. "Then you'll just have to earn his trust, won't you, dear?"

Belle choked back a sob as she collapsed upon her knees on the cool hardwood covering the kitchen floor. "W-What do you w-want me to do?" she asked, feeling as if all the hope had been drained from the world to leave her lost and bereft. She'd never win his love now … not after such a betrayal.

"Simple, my dear. I want you to find out where he keeps his dagger … the one which controls him. I really don't care how you do it … just get it done. And I will be watching, so don't think I will tolerate you running off to him and telling him what I've done." She gave another firm squeeze to make her point. "Leave your mirror uncovered. I will contact you soon." She kicked Belle's skirt out of her way as she made her way to the door, tucking the girl's heart into a pocket of her cloak. "Remember, Belle, not a word to your master."

The former princess watched her go, unmindful of anything but the despair clenching painfully at her hollow chest.

A/n: My posting schedule is all off for this fic as I'd planned to post it over the month of December. However, on Dec 12th I had to be admitted to the hospital. Let me tell you, it was the most horrible experience of my life! I had to have surgery and a long recovery. I was in there for sixteen days, came home for a day and a half and then had to go right back for another three. Thankfully, now I'm home and on the mend and will resume posting my fics. I want to thank all of you for your wonderful support during this trying time. All of those of you who reached out to me while I was in the hospital hold a special place in my heart and always will. You made my recovery so much more bearable. So, I hope you enjoy the update and my love to you.