XI

Oh, the Voices in My Head …

Rumpelstiltskin set her on the bed and rose unsteadily to his feet, overwhelmed with the woman he loved. And yes, he did love her no matter how he might try to deny it. He paced over to the hearth rug and rested his hands on the mantel as he stared down into the flickering flames. He closed his eyes, the voices growing louder the harder he tried to block them out. It wasn't often the former Dark Ones would intrude, only in moments of great conflict when he couldn't help but let down his guard.

"Don't be such a coward, Rumpelstiltskin. Take what the girl is offering you," Zoso cajoled in a reasonable tone.

"No more loneliness …"

"No more isolation …"

"Someone who has proven her loyalty …"

"Someone you can trust …"

The voices scattered as Nimue stepped to the front of the queue, her soft tone caressing his mind. Of all the Dark Ones who'd come before him, Rumpelstiltskin knew her to be the most dangerous, the most manipulative. Yet, she was his favorite. Only she could so easily understand what was in his heart because she'd felt it firsthand. The loss of her true love had been just as devastating to her as losing his son had been to him.

"Rumpelstiltskin," she cooed silkily, seductively. "Let go, spinner. Let go of your fear. In countless centuries, no one has loved a Dark One. No one has been willing to give their heart so freely."

"She'll leave too … just like Milah and Bae and Cora. No one ever stays with me for long. If it's not my cowardice or my darkness, it's because I'm just not enough. And if she does stay, how long will I have with her before death takes her? Sixty … seventy years? Sands in the hourglass, dearie, with no way to stop them."

"Stop it," she seethed, her golden eyes flashing as she took form to stand next to him. "You know you have the power to turn back time. And if you're so afraid, bind her to you. Protect her, keep her safe and at your side, but do not give in to your fear of rejection and push her away. Take what you want so badly and be happy for once."

Nimue growled menacingly as Zoso appeared at her side and leaned in over her shoulder. "You might also want to tell the little tart how you feel, as well. Girls like to hear the words. And besides … a happy Dark One is a productive Dark One."

"Thank you, Dr. Feel-Good! Now, begone … go find your jollies elsewhere," the sorcerer snapped.

Nimue smiled, lifting her hand to brush her knuckles gently across his cheek before she remembered she wasn't flesh. "Don't let your happiness slip through your fingers, Rumpelstiltskin," she warned and then she was gone.

"Rumpel?" Belle asked, suddenly at his elbow. "Who were you talking to?"

The Dark One raked his hands over his face, trying to dispel some of the darkness clinging to him before turning to address Belle's question. "No one, dearie … no one a'tall," he smiled, his eyes lazy and heavily lidded. "I just needed a moment before we begin."

"What are you going to do to me?" she asked, clasping her hands behind her back and arching a brow coyly at him. "Spank me?"

"Belle, you really shouldn't tempt me," he warned, gravitating towards her.

"I'll do more than that if you let me," she retorted, her pearly teeth worrying her lower lip.

His hand snaked out, wrapping itself about her wrist and pulling her towards him before trapping it behind her back, holding her firmly though his touch was gentle. "And you're sure? You'll accept your punishment for your deceit … whatever it may be?"

She nodded. "I will."

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, to garner his control for what was to come. "Very well … let us begin."