XXI

"It is an honour, my queen, to have you at my son's wedding. I hope you like ships."

"Believe me," said Regina with a polite smile, as King Christian escorted her down the stairs. "The pleasure is mine. I could barely believe the news. A mystery bride who saved the prince from a shipwreck? I had to see it for myself."

"As did I," said King Christian with a light smile. "I've spoken to her myself, and yet I still don't quite believe my eyes."

Regina pretended to laugh with him. Christian was a weak king. Simple, but harmless. Small wonder the Sea Witch had managed to wrap her tentacles around his son, even under such strange circumstances.

Along the corridor, they stepped out into the cool evening air and the salty smell of the sea, over which the sun was hanging low. It was almost time.

Down the stone steps stood the docks, where the wedding ship waited, last-minute touches being added to its simple decorations. No doubt the prince and his witch were getting ready in their respective cabins.

"Charming," said Regina, surveying the boat as they descended the steps. "I take it we'll be going out to sea?"

"Oh, yes," said the king. "If that pleases you, my queen."

Regina nodded in approval. Although wishing it would make things run more smoothly, should Rumplestiltskin decide to crash the wedding, she was not fool enough to believe a bit of water would stand in his way. Nonetheless, she smirked at the thought of the Dark One swimming after the ship, or riding on the back of a whale.

Perhaps a shark will ambush him before he catches up.

As they reached the wooden deck of the docks, she noticed something behind one of the wooden pillars. A mess of red hair – Regina's eyes lit up.

They walked past the girl, leaned against the wooden pole and staring hard at the ship through glistening eyes. She didn't look their way, nor did Christian seem to notice her, he was so focused on the ship.

"I shall have to check on the preparations before the rest of my guests arrive, my queen. It shouldn't be too long now."

"Not to worry," she said with a grin. "Not to worry at all. You go on ahead – of course, everything must be perfect. I'll just … admire the view."

Christian nodded to her, and boarded the ship. The moment she heard him speaking to one of his servants, Regina turned on the spot to face the girl.

Red hair, miserable expression, not much else to do. That must be her.

The boards creaked as she sauntered over. The girl's eyes met hers. A beautiful blue brought out by her simple blue dress, yet also pink enough from tears to match her fiery hair.

Wiping her eyes, the girl curtsied silently as Regina approached.

You'd better not run out of tears.

"Oh, don't cry, dear," she said sweetly. "There are plenty more fish in the sea."

The girl didn't answer, but looked affronted.

"I just guessed you must have feelings for the groom. There's one like you at every wedding, in my experience. All except my own, of course…"

Listening with interest, Ariel still said nothing.

"Nothing to say?" Regina said sternly. "It's rude not to answer a queen."

The girl instantly tried to mime that she had no voice, and the queen smiled. Regina knew why she wasn't speaking, but simply couldn't resist.

"Relax, child. I never was a fan of girls who talked too much anyway. Sometimes it is better to say nothing at all. But you can still nod, yes? Good," she said as Ariel nodded. "So, am I right in assuming you love the prince?"

The mermaid shifted her feet and hesitated, then nodded.

"In that case," said Regina, putting her arm around her, "shouldn't you be glad that he's happy? That he's found his true love?"

Another hesitation, and another reluctant nod.

"Exactly," said Regina, steering Ariel into a slow walk down the docks. Behind them, guests were making their way down the steps and marvelling at the ship. "A strange girl with nothing - why else would he marry her but for love? Whatever his reasoning, whatever he told you, the prince is getting married because he is in love. And love is a powerful thing, more precious than any treasure."

Another tear rolled down Ariel's cheek, a precious tear which was instantly wiped away. Regina rolled her eyes when she wasn't looking, and flashed a smile at the people walking past.

"So, in celebration of love, I hope you're planning to come aboard. Maybe by attending his wedding, you would understand and be able to move on from him for good."

Ariel shook her head, and they reached the end of the docks. As more and more people walked past and boarded the ship in excitement, Regina realised she was short on time.

"Oh, I have to insist you come. Don't worry, dear, I'll be right beside you the entire time. I'm sure you'll feel better once you see how happy they are."

The mermaid still looked unconvinced, but an idea struck Regina, and she put on a face of concern.

"Unless … they're not happy together. Unless something might hold the prince back. Or should I say someone…"

Those blue and pink eyes widened, and Regina went on.

"If your feelings are shared by the prince," she murmured, "I'm sure, in the moment, he wouldn't be able to say I do if he had seen you. If there's anything to test his love for his bride, your attendance at his wedding should do it. Before I was married, there was someone else – someone who could have been the one for me. And sometimes I think, if he had been at my wedding, I might not have gone through with it – not even for the king. But that man wasn't there … so we'll never know. But you still have a chance to know … for now. Because once that ship sails…"

Regina let go of her, and stepped back to look at her expectantly. Her words had caught the girl's interest, and she was considering them carefully. Still, the queen braced herself in case she had to use other methods of making the girl board the ship.

But at last, Ariel nodded in silent agreement. She bravely tried to return Regina's smile.

"Go on, then. I'll be right there, I just need a minute."

As the redhead hurried up the gangplank with the last of the wedding party, Regina smiled triumphantly to herself. Like hell would the prince change his mind, Ursula had such a tight grip on him. There was no way the little mermaid would get her love now.

So, I may as well put her out of her misery, like a dying fish out of water.

Regina held out her hand. In a puff of smoke, the black scaled bag appeared and weighed it down. Holding out her other hand, something else appeared in it.

"A symbol of my heartbreak," she muttered, holding the ring up to her eyes. Daniel's ring.

Don't worry, Daniel. Hopefully, this plate should do a better job than that idiot doctor did.

Slipping the engagement ring onto her finger, Regina took one look around the empty docks. No Rumple to be seen. As she stepped carefully up the gangplank, she gripped the bag tightly by her side, hopeful that by the time she left this ship, she would have something more precious than any treasure.

XXII

What a lovely bride.

Ursula couldn't help but feel smug as she stood in her cabin in her white wedding dress. Sounds of seagulls and the waves washing on the shore faded away when the ship moved out from the harbour, heading out to sea for the ceremony to begin. Not long now until this whole thing was over with.

It was comical to look in the mirror, where she had neither a wedding dress nor a pair of legs, but instead her usual fishtail. Her reflection seemed to just float there, unable to stand and yet somehow staying upright.

Legs or no legs, Ursula knew that she looked divine. She had always known it, really, despite those who called Ariel the fairest in the sea.

Just because of your voice. Well now I have it, Ariel, and what do you have left?

Legs. Something Ursula was long since able to give to herself.

She walked right up to the mirror and leaned in, looking closely at her face. Her eyes slid back down to the shell pendant as it swung like a pendulum. Time was ticking, each second slipping away until she would walk out onto the deck of the ship.

Ursula straightened up, and the pendant rested once more on her breast. Each time she looked at the golden shell, she remembered the man who had given it to her.

"So sorry, Rumple," she said, almost as if expecting him to be watching through her mirror. "I'm sorry things aren't working to your design."

But that's what happens when the Queen outsmarts someone. Their plans unravel, and they are left with nothing. Not even the ability to hurt Ursula, as she kept reminding herself, now she had struck her newest deal.

And Ursula would ensure that Regina kept her promise too, if she hoped to keep her old boyfriend when he returned. Ursula couldn't imagine what sort of man would love the Evil Queen, and if such a man should be brought back from the grave – but who cared, as long as the Sea Witch would remain undisturbed thereafter?

She took a moment to laugh at the queen and the imp, in their tiresome bids to get back their true loves – and then the redhead, whom Ursula had seen crying her eyes out earlier that day. At least she had no such weakness as love to hold her back. Instead she had only power – perhaps more power even than the Dark One, now that he had foolishly given her the necklace.

And soon, the ocean will be mine.

XXIII

The bell clanged as the door to Mr Gold's shop opened. Looking up from his polishing, he saw Regina march up to the counter.

"Ah," he said with a smirk, registering the sullen look on her face. "Of all people to show up now. I'm afraid you've just missed Dr Whale, Madame Mayor."

Regina glared at him.

"I have no interest in speaking to him," she said bitterly.

"I wonder, what are you interested in these days?" said Gold. "The last time we spoke, you demanded I give you that book to get your son back. But since then, I hear you've given up both him and magic."

"Well, I had to use magic today," she said, looking down at the counter. "To get rid of Daniel."

"Yes, I heard he wasn't quite himself. After that procedure, even the doctor needed some help pulling himself together."

"You bastard," Regina snarled, fixing him with her gaze again. "I realised something today. That's why you didn't want me to bring him back before. With him around, I wouldn't have cast the curse."

"How perceptive," said Gold smoothly. "Well, dearie, you're more than welcome to try again."

"I can't," she said shakily. "And you know it. I don't have that stupid plate of eels, or Daniel's ring. I used it to get the apple."

"Oh, dear." Gold couldn't help but laugh. "You paid a steeper price than I thought, dearie."

"I didn't think I'd get another chance to use it. Keeping Henry was more important."

"Yes, I can see that. Life is full of tough choices, isn't it? And to think how that mermaid suffered – for nothing."

"So what?" snapped Regina. "That wasn't my fault. It was yours, and that Sea Witch's."

"Oh really?" said Gold coolly. "None of it was your fault? Forgive me, Your Highness, but I seem to recall you having some involvement in that whole affair."

"She was heartbroken anyway, because of your plan-"

"Which I only made because of what you did to Belle." Gold pointed a finger at her, eyes narrowed. He could feel the anger building inside him again. "Now leave."

Regina leaned forward, staring into Gold's eyes.

"With pleasure. Just remember – I may have taken your Belle away, but now we're even on that part."

She turned and headed for the door.

"Well, dearie, I wouldn't go as far as to say that," he said as she opened it. "But whatever helps you sleep at night."

The door closed behind Regina, ringing the bell as it did. The thought of Ursula sprang to mind, and Gold wondered where she was, and if she planned on visiting Storybrooke. After all, he would enjoy killing her one day – ideally without Belle finding out. A simple task, as long as no one saw the Sea Witch first.

Hopefully, she would appear before he finally left town.

And then you'll pay.