XVI

A New Beginning

A month later …

Belle stifled a giggle as she took a sip of her tea. She was sitting on Rumpelstiltskin's lap as he spun in the Great Hall. Well, he wasn't exactly spinning now was he, preferring to nip and kiss along her shoulder, bared by the cut of her gown. He paid particular attention to the small dragon tattoo below her left ear, his permanent mark proclaiming to the world she was his. It was a side effect of their binding, but he couldn't find it within himself to complain. He was a possessive man, after all, and it had given him great satisfaction to find it emblazoned on her alabaster skin.

"Rum, they'll be here any moment. It just won't do for them to find us cavorting in the hall," she admonished, the grin on her lips belying the mild scolding.

"It was your idea to bring them here," he reminded her.

"She should know she's no longer hunted. She needs to have closure to move on with her life."

The Dark One hummed his displeasure as he felt the wards around the castle ripple. His little dearie hadn't liked the statue of the queen amidst his roses when he'd brought her to the garden to see the fate of his nemesis. She thought it was cruel to leave her trapped and aware, frozen in timeless marble. He'd kept his promise not to kill her. What more could she want?

Belle wouldn't listen to his explanation that Regina couldn't be redeemed, but she'd let the matter drop. He was sure she'd bring it up again in the near future. Every time she ventured out to cut roses for the foyer, she seemed a bit melancholy. Knowing his Belle, she no doubt blamed herself.

His arm tightened about her waist as the front doors opened for their visitors and the royal twosome made their way to the Great Hall. He wasn't inclined to rise from his rather comfortable perch to greet them. The princeling didn't look at all happy to be inside the Dark Castle. His features twisted from wariness to outrage as he spotted Belle wrapped securely in the imp's embrace.

"Why have you summoned us here, fiend? And what are you doing with her?" he asked, boldly drawing his sword.

Belle rolled her eyes. "Darling, must we face this sort of thing every time we have visitors? Perhaps if you announced our betrothal, we might forego the 'let's rescue the maiden' farce."

Rumpelstiltskin kissed her cheek warmly and let go of her so she could rise from his lap. "I suppose I must if I'm to keep you happy, dearest," he giggled.

Belle linked her arm through his and let him lead her over to the pair, trying to keep her bemusement to herself. "Hello. Welcome to our home. I'm Belle … Lady of the Dark Castle," she introduced herself.

Snow White's emerald eyes widened. "You're his … um … you're here willingly?" she asked, unable to hide her surprise.

Belle arched a brow at the princess. "I am."

Rumpelstiltskin swung his narrowed amber gaze over to the prince. "So, you can put away that sword before you hurt yourself, shepherd."

"Would you care for tea," Belle offered hospitably. "Or would you rather get down to business?"

Snow looked unsure and Charming looked as if he'd rather drink from Lake Nostos as the siren's guest than partake of anything the Dark One had to offer. "I think it would be best if you told us why you asked us here."

"My Belle thought you'd like to know that you are no longer hunted. Regina is no longer a threat," the Dark One replied, getting right to the point. The less time the royals intruded on his time with Belle, the better. It didn't matter that they had forever to look forward to, he was a greedy man and valued every second.

"What?!" the prince choked out. "We'd heard she had disappeared, but I assumed she'd gone into hiding to plot against us. How are you so sure she's truly gone?"

Belle smiled patiently, understanding his doubt. "Please follow us, and you may see for yourself."

The royals followed the pair out into the rose garden, and Snow gasped as she beheld the statue of her stepmother situated on a plinth at its center. "H-How?"

"Magic, dearie," the imp drawled in a bored tone. "She made the mistake of trying to harm the woman I love. I wanted to end her, but my Belle can be rather persuasive when she wants to be." He gazed lovingly at the woman on his arm. "She convinced me to spare her."

"You mean she's alive in there?" Charming roared.

"Of course," Rumpelstiltskin answered unrepentantly.

Snow's eyes filled with tears as she gazed at the statue, her hand lifting to cover her mouth. She would always regret she couldn't have had a better relationship with the woman. If she hadn't been so filled with hate, Regina would have been a welcome comfort, someone she could have loved after the loss of her own mother. "May I ask a favor, Rumpelstiltskin?"

Belle ground her heel into his instep before he could offer a deal, a warning look in her eyes. If he wanted to continue to share her bed instead of the sofa in the parlor, he'd behave.

"What is it, dearie?"

"Might I have the statue for our courtyard at the summer palace?" the princess asked.

Charming looked at her aghast, horrified by the suggestion.

"I think that can be arranged," the imp agreed, happy her request had been something simple if he was to get nothing in return.

"Thank you," she said graciously.

Rumpelstiltskin was happy to see them go, and Belle was relieved to see him magic the statue out of her garden. She didn't want the reminder of what she'd experienced at the queen's hands, nor did she want Rumpel to glare at it every time they strolled along the paths. He wrapped his arms about her waist, nuzzling his nose against her chestnut locks. "Feel better, my love?"

Belle hummed in pleasure, turning in his arms to kiss his thin lips. "I do. Snow is free, Regina is gone, and we have forever to look forward to. What could be better?"

"An hour or two in bed with my beautiful betrothed?" he queried with a wicked grin.

She leaned up to accept his kiss, smiling against his lips. "Oh, darling, I do like the way you think."

XXX*The End*XXX