"As the Count leaned over me and his hands touched me…
a horrible feeling of nausea came over me, which,
do what I would, I could not conceal."
-Bram Stoker,
Dracula
Chapter Three: Sunshine and Dark Nights
It was something in his unwavering stare, maybe a certain minute quirk of his brow that I assigned greater meaning to, or maybe it was that last bit of self-preservation I possessed dying a glorious, blazing death. Whatever it was the words were out of my mouth before I had time to reconsider.
"I refuse."
He blinked once.
Twice.
Did a rather spot on impression of an asphyxiating fish and by the third blink those sharp nails were digging into the tender skin of my neck as he curled thick braided hair around his fist. My hiss of pain seemed to delight him. His body, pressed up so close to me that I could feel the sharp angle of his hips, the wiry frame was more solid then I would have thought, but the fey were always physically surprising.
"Perhaps I haven't made myself clear. Option one and two are the things you are to consider Enchantress, be grateful I am gracious enough to allow you a choice. Though, I am quickly reconsidering it."
Calmly and with trembling fingers I reached for his clenched fist, the connection was instant. Should have known better then to touch magic points with him. The hands of a Sorcerer were the most commonly and most excisable exit point of magic that one possessed. It was why all the ingredients of a potion had to be handled with bare hands, so that the ingredients could be saturated by the magic.
His magic, a dark storm, raced its way through my body, seeking to consume, to conquer my will. Quickly, while I still had motor functions, I placed my hands on the Imp's leather clad chest and jolted as much magic as I could into a single surge, straight into his heart. The clashing magic flung the Imp across the room and threw me back into the wall. I could hear the tinkling of broken glass as her jars meet the floor. My back burned with pain and what little vision I had left was blurred.
When the buzzing in my ear receded I could make out the whooping laughter coming from the sprawled Imp on the floor.
"That was delicious; your magic tastes like Sunshine. Let's do it again!"
"Sentiments not shared, you were killing me!"
He didn't bother getting up simply turned his head in my direction before speaking; I figured he was as drained as I who was sitting slouched against the wall.
"The original plan was to terminate you dearie, that was simply me losing my patience. Though, if you hike that skirt up a bit more it might by you an hour or two to contemplate."
Dragging the long material of my skirt back over my exposed legs, hiding from the imps leering gaze I was ashamed to acknowledge that my cheeks burned in what was more then likely a spectacular blush.
In a graceful move that Calcifer would have been envious of the imp rolled onto his stomach, legs rising to kick playfully in the air, elbows supporting his upper body while his head rested on his linked hands.
"So sunshine, what shall you do?"
"I need time Changeling, time to research exactly what this bond is, time to draw up a contract and set my affairs straight in the event that we can not reach an agreement."
"No need for a contract dearie, I am a man of my word."
In that ridiculous position he fluttered his eyelashes at me and I couldn't help but burst out into laughter, part mirth and part hysterics, it helped to alleviate the tension in my sore body.
"My grandfather always said 'Never make a deal you can't prove' I'll have your word written as well as spoken Imp. I am not of the fey, so my word can't bind a deal but I can spell parchment to be binding."
"You were much more complacent in my musings of you Enchantress."
Using his arms he raised his body, crouching momentarily before he was back on his feet again. He stalked his way to my side of the room and stood before me, hand extended to help me to my feet.
"Apologies for the disappointment Imp. I'm not sure my head can take much more of this visitation."
My weary gaze never left his golden hand. He tsked, slim fingers found their way to my chin, raising my gaze to his. It was more then likely a trick of the fire light, but for a moment I could see the man in his gaze, human eyes stared down at me just for a second before being smothered back down by the widened pupils and malicious mischief.
"Come now Sunshine, I give you my word you won't go flying through the air this time."
He punctuated his sentence with a gleeful giggle, as if the memory of our joint pain was the most humorous thing he'd ever witnessed. I raised my hand to his, the storm was still there just underneath his skin, pulsing to the same beat as his heart but this time I caught a taste of him. If my essence tastes like Sunshine then his was a cloudless night sky. It was shinning and dark at the same time. As much a contradiction as the male.
Once back on my feet he released my hand.
"You have a fortnight before I return Enchantress."
With a twist of his body he was gone. Blinked out of knees gave out and I sank back down to the floor. With a slow, swinging gait Calcifer approached me. His small black head rested on a trembling thigh, his green eyes upturned to meet my violet eyes. Eyes that marked me as one of the Gifted, they had led to many a confrontation from prejudice villagers ignorant of magical nature.
"Some familiar you are. Couldn't you have clawed that smug smile off of his face?"
The sharp tinkling of the chimes alerted me that someone had watched the shop, the meek voice of Mary Margaret followed the chimes. Popping my head out of the greenhouse that served as a work shop I grinned at one of my most faithful customers.
"Hey Em, why don't you come back here? I'm almost done plating some seeds for a new tea blend I'm working on."
"Oh are you sure, I don't want to be a bother."
"Mary Margaret stop being silly and get your finely shaped caboose over here."
A faint blushed colored the other woman's pale cheeks, lifting up the hinged section of the counter she made her way to the back of the Apothecary shop. The shop had an antique feel to it, much like the pawn shop, but were Mr. Gold's lair (because Mary Margaret couldn't think it as anything but a lair) was out of place and to be perfectly honest creepy, The Witch's Brew (despite its satirical name) was cozy in an old world sense. All the products sold here came in vials of glass, the shelves were a light blue, and the floors dark wood, there were plush chairs by the large windows were customers could sit to sample the latest blend before purchasing them. The light sent of incense hung in the air, today's blend was jasmine.
This shop was one of the most inviting places in all of Storybrooke, right up there with the Diner.
"Only you could use the word caboose in an actual conversation Anabelle."
Elbow deep in dirt, face smudged form the same substance, and grinning like a fool Anabelle was the picture of contentment. Mary Margaret envied that contentment at times, though she knew the woman had her own troubles.
"I know, it's a gift darling. Now what brings you here, business or pleasure?"
Removing my hands from the soil I grabbed a pristinely white towel and soiled it's purity with dirty hands.
"A little of both, I need a new batch of flower's for the kids' visit to the hospital this month, and...I'm a little low on my sleep aid."
My grinning façade faded, I'd refilled the round glass bottle of pills not even three weeks ago, and I always gave a month's supply plus a little extra for her.
"Em, you know I can't refill that container for another week and a half at least. Exactly how low are you?"
This time I was sure Mary Margaret blushed from shame.
"Gone, I have enough for tonight and then…"
The shy dark haired beauty trailed off. I knew exactly what she was talking about, the dreams. So many residents of this little town came to me for sleep aids; I made each one custom and as non-addicting as possible, but even nature had its limits.
Hands as clean as they would get without a good washing I dropped the towel back on the counter and made to closed the space between myself and Mary Margaret.
"Now, don't take this the wrong way, but have you thought about talking to Archie?"
"Yes, I went for a while but…I don't know Belle, there is a piece of me that's missing and I don't even know what it is."
Nodding I gathered the shorter woman into my arms; I knew all to well that feeling. I wasn't spared from the dreams, dreams so vivid in emotion that each night I awoke at the cusps of a great revelation only to have reality steal it back. I too was missing something.
"I can give you a five day supply of something a little different, it won't put you to sleep but it will relax you enough for counting sheep to work."
Removing herself gently from my embrace Mary Margaret nodded and gave a slightly watery smile.
"If I hit a new record of sheep counting I'll have you alert Sidney so it can make the morning addition."
Her poor attempt at a joke did its job of breaking the tension marvelously. We giggle shamelessly into the quiet air of the shop.
"Man, I'm starving, want to hop over to Granny's for a quick bite? It's Friday, that mean's Ruby's cherry pie should be coming out of the oven soon."
"Sounds like a great plan, especially if some hot chocolate is involved."
"With cinnamon?"
"But of course, is there any other way to drink hot chocolate knave?"
"Alright Princess, get out of my shop so I can put out the 'Be Right Back' sign."
Making shooing motions at the laughing woman I flipped the light switch for the front of the shop off, grabbing my large cloth purse from the cubby and the keys from the hook I made my way to the door, the taste of cherry pie almost gracing my tongue.
"Evening ladies, what'll it be?"
Leaning forward and speaking in hushed stage whispers I grinned at Ruby.
"Do you have the good's tonight?"
Rolling her eyes good naturedly at the red-head Ruby leaned forward and played along.
"Did you bring my fetus killer as payment?"
I gave a full belly laugh, both from Ruby's comment and from the aghast look on Mary Margaret's face. Ruby had been buying contraceptives from me since I opened shop.
'Three years my junior and Ruby had a more active sex life then half the town, thought more in quality of partner'
"Ruby, that's not an appropriate thing to say!"
Still laughing Ruby and I shared a look, prim and proper Mary Margaret was always good for a laugh.
"Sorry, sorry. It's an old job between us."
I attempted to make amends, holding my hands up in surrender. The fingernails were crusted black from the soil I'd used to sow the new seedlings. Excusing myself, I left the order with Ruby and sent a wink toward Mary Margaret, subtly jerking my head in the direction of Dr, Whalen, who was taking my exit as his cue to move in on the helpless teacher.
The dark haired woman's green eyes widened and silently pleaded with me not to go. Amused, I mouthed a silent 'good luck, get laid' and turned my back to Mary Margaret before her Bambi eyes could work their magic.
Granny's Diner had a small sink outside hidden in the hallway that led to the restroom that patrons could use to wash their hands without closing off the lavatory to those who needed the facilities. A soft smile played on my lips when I saw my own brand of soap, lavender and lilacs. Granny despite being in debt was always buying from her shop (at a special retail price that Anabelle would deny under pain of death that she gave to the proud elderly woman) which was not a cheap place to buy merchandise from.
Washing my hands took time, I hopped that Dr. Whalen hadn't scarred my meek friend too much, with one last scrub, deeming my hands clean enough to eat with, I used the dainty embroidered towel to dry off.
Making my way back to the dinning room I turned my head at the sound of something crashing in the backroom, most likely Ashley Boyd was trying to be useful again. Turning the corner I moaned from pain when I butted heads with an unsuspecting some one.
An unsuspecting someone who had large brown eyes and layered dusty brown hair…
Ah crap.
A/N: Next Time On Ties That Bind: We'll find our Enchantress locked in a battle of wits with a cunning Imp. And Anabelle has a moment with...
A/N II: I did switch to first person. My style is usually first person but I've been experimenting with 3rd. I'll go back and fix it, thanks for the critics! On another note, this is a longer chapter then the others, hope you enjoy it.
A/N III: Wanted: Beta for slightly insane author needed. PM if interested :)