Enchanted Forest
It's been a week since Evie's outburst, only a few days since Maleficent returned home to see that half of her the things she owned that was made out of glass was destroyed. Maleficent was furious and was going to confront the girl until Regina stopped her and calmed her down. Regina had told her the story, how she felt her daughter in pain and found her daughter crying on the ground. Maleficent had heard that a bond between a mother and her child was strong, almost as strong as true love. How a mother could sense when her child was in pain, Maleficent was amazed to see such bond.
Maleficent had never felt this bond, she was taken from her own mother when she was very young and never knew what happened to her. Yet, it amazed her how Regina could feel her child's pain when she was in her palace, far away from her child. She guessed it was one of the perks that both mother and daughter had magic. It also impressed how powerful Evie could be. She managed to break every single thing that Maleficent owned that was glass, and that was a lot. She was upset that she did it, but impressed.
The day after Maleficent came back, Evie apologized for breaking everything that was glass and found a spell to fix it. So for the past few days, the only time Maleficent would see Evie was when she was cleaning up her mess or trying to sneak into the kitchen for food. Maleficent refused to teacher her any further until everything was fixed. Meanwhile, Maleficent was consoling Regina. She could see what Evie had said to her mother really hurt her.
Regina didn't understand how her daughter knew what happened, she never told anyone what happened to Leopold except Mal. Regina blamed Mal for not being there. She believed that if Mal was there, then she wouldn't had known the truth. Maleficent fought back saying that if Regina would tell Evie the truth then no one would get hurt. The two fought until one thing lead to another and they were in Mal's bed.
Maleficent told Regina she had to leave. If she wanted Evie to talk to her, then she had to go. As much as Regina's dismay, she agreed, but promised that she would be back later that night.
Maleficent walked down the corridor that lead to Evie's room. She was impressed, all the windows and mirrors were fixed, as if nothing had happened to them. Maleficent could see a royal blue light coming from the room a few doors down. It had to be Evie. Maleficent kept her pace and entered the door. Evie was so focused on her magic that she didn't notice her mentor. The light died and Evie took a deep breath.
"Last one," Evie said to no one. She raised her hands and a blue light came from her hands. Evie squinted her eyes, trying to focus at the task at hand. Slowly, the pieces of glass started to rise from the ground and up to the broken window. The glass started to arrange itself to its proper place. When the light died down, the window looked good as new. Evie let out her breath she was holding in and smiled at her work. Maleficent was proud of her student, knowing she could do anything she set her mind to.
"Good," Maleficent's voice boomed throughout the room. Maleficent tried to hide her pride, not wanting Evie to know how proud she is of her. Evie turn around and her smile was gone. "I was starting to think that you were getting slow," Maleficent started to walk closer to the girl, but Evie's expression was stoic, like a soldier. "What? No rebuttal, no scowl, no whining."
"Can we get on with the next lesson?" Evie's voice was flat, lack of emotion. Maleficent didn't like this, it reminded her too much of Regina.
"No we cannot continue with the next lesson. Now tell me, why did you break all my windows?"
"It's personal."
"Not in my castle. You had a temper tantrum in my castle. Broke all my windows, my mirrors, anything that was made of glass. So it defiantly affects me. So tell me NOW," Evie cringed when Maleficent raised her voice. Maleficent could see confliction in Evie's eyes as she was fighting an internal battle. Evie looked up at Maleficent and all that could be seen was pain. The same look Regina had the first time she had entered her castle all those years ago.
"Did you know that people called my mother the Evil Queen? Did you know that she wants my sister dead? Did you know that she killed innocent people just because?" Maleficent didn't show any emotion as Evie's voice was breaking. Her guards dare not tell Evie the truth and Maleficent didn't so there was only one other option.
"You went to the village didn't you?"
"You knew?" Evie shrieked. "All this time you knew. Why didn't you tell me?" Evie paced back and forth, raking her hands in her hair.
"You never asked," Maleficent wanted to go to her and comfort her. She hated that she caused this pain to Evie, but Mal had to be the strong one. She had to stand her ground.
"I never had a reason to ask," Evie threw her hands and stopped pacing. "He was my friend. She killed my friend in front of me. Were you ever going to tell me this?" Maleficent understood why Evie was like this, not only she found out the Regina killed the king, but that boy that who was infatuated with her as well. It was too much for her at once.
Maleficent knew about the boy even though Evie had never told her. She would shapeshift into a bird and watch over the girl during her trips. All except this time.
"Not unless you asked me."
"Didn't you think it was a little important to tell me? I thought we didn't keep secrets from each other."
"We don't."
"What do you call this Maleficent? It's my mom. My dad. My sister. My life. Did you know that my mom killed my dad?" Maleficent had never seen Evie this angry before, she didn't even know that Evie knew how to be anger. Happy, shy, sad, yes, but never angry. Not getting a response from Maleficent, Evie stormed out of the room.
"Where you going?" Maleficent followed.
"To the cabin," Evie walked down the hall and into her room. "I need to get out of here," Maleficent saw Evie grabbing her bag and throwing her clothes in it.
"Evie," Maleficent began to protest.
"Mal please don't. I need this. My mom has been coming here every day. I can't," Evie took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. "I can't see her right now," there had to be something Maleficent could do, she hated to see Evie look so defeated.
"I'll tell her not to come," if it took Regina not coming around the castle for Evie to stay and move on, then so it will be. Regina would hate it, but once she knew it was for Evie, she would have to agree with her.
"No," Evie shook her head and looked up from her bag. "She's my mom and I love her, but right now all I can see is a murder," Evie gave a weak laugh and looked at Maleficent. The girl was trying her best not to cry.
"I know you like my mom," Maleficent raised her eyebrow, she was sure that she didn't show her feelings around Evie. "Maleficent you're not subtle. Especially that one time you left your door open and I happen to pass by," Maleficent was pale white when she knew what incident Evie was talking about. Normally, she and Regina would have closed the door when they were intimate. Usually, but one time they haven't seen each other in a month and were both impatient. When they were done, Regina was worried that Evie would come by and see them. Maleficent wasn't, she was just glad and lived in the moment. Regina was right, Evie did saw. "Sadly, that image will never leave," Evie laughed nervously, knowing this was an awkward conversation to have with their mother's lover.
"I've seen her out there beyond these walls. I never noticed it till now, but it seems like an act, that she's trying to prove something. But here, she's my mom. She's real, especially with you. You make her a better person when she's here. And she needs that now more than ever. And I need to be away from her, just for now," Evie gave a weak smile, not wanting to leave. Maleficent didn't want her to go, she had grown use to the girl's presence. The castle would be lonely without in it. But perhaps she was right. Perhaps Evie needed this, a break from her magic, from Regina, from her. Just for a while. If this would prevent Evie from becoming like Regina and herself and go down this road of vengeance, then Mal would let her go. Maleficent glided to the young girl. How could she not notice, she was no longer the shy girl that came into her home, but she was young lady full of love. Evie would be fine.
"When did you get wise?" Maleficent moved the hair from Evie's face.
"Had a good teacher," Evie smiled to her for the first time in over a week. "I have to know; do you care for my mom? I mean do you love her?" Maleficent's hand froze in place. She was shocked that Evie would ask her that, especially now. Mal didn't know what to say. She cared for Regina, if Maleficent had to be honest, even more than she would let on. Maleficent didn't want to get hurt, not again. She knew it was different from the last time, but as Regina said, love is weakness. And Regina was hers. "You don't have to tell me now," Evie interrupted her train of thought. "We can have our secrets, but I do have to know if you care for her."
"More than anything," Maleficent placed both her hands on Evie's shoulder and smiled. "You and your mother are the most important thing to me. It's funny, I consider you the daughter I never had."
"Is that why you're really strict with me," Evie tilt her head to the side, "because you care," at first, no. Maleficent knew that Regina trusted her with her daughter and wanted the girl to know the best. Meaning that she would have to train her harder than what needed. But as the time grew that she spent with the girl, Maleficent had become more protective of Evie. She even didn't want Evie to go to the villages like they agreed for if anyone knew she was her apprentice, then more people would come after her or possibly kill her. The only reason why Maleficent allowed Evie to go to the village was for her health. It would do no good for Evie to stay in her castle for God knows how long. Evie needed to talk to people, interact with them, and Maleficent knew she was bad company. "I knew it," Evie did something neither one would expect her to do, hug Maleficent. Maleficent tensed up at this, but slowly hugged the girl back.
Evie looked up, giving Maleficent a sad smile. "I still have to go," she walked out of Mal's arms. "I'll can still come for my lessons, but I can't stay here. Mom needs you more than me. You're the only one that can help her. Please Maleficent you have to understand," Evie pleaded. Maleficent could see a piece of Regina in her, the piece that was buried under vengeance, compassion. Evie wanted what was best for her mother.
"I do," Maleficent nodded her head. "She's going to kill me, then you, then me again."
"Maybe just me," Evie closed her bag and place the strap over her shoulders.
"Hey," Maleficent grabbed Evie's chin and made her look at her. "Your mother loves you. Evie I know you know that."
"No," Evie shook Maleficent's hand away, "she doesn't. If she did then she wouldn't had killed my father or try to kill Snow. I'm not enough for her," Maleficent wanted to say that she was wrong, but Evie didn't give her a chance. "But you could be enough. I know it. I believe in you," those words cut Maleficent like a knife. No one had ever told her that, no one ever believed in Maleficent. No one except Evie.
"Evie, there's so much you don't know," Oh how Mal wanted to tell her the truth. That Leopold wasn't her father, how Cora was the one that killed her father, but it wasn't her story to tell. It was Regina's.
"Then tell me. Make me understand," Evie begged. And Maleficent would if it made Evie stay, but she knew it would. In fact, it might had done the opposite. Maleficent couldn't break her heart, not again.
"I can't. That's something you and your mother have to talk about," Evie let out a sigh, not able to look at Maleficent. "Evie talk to your mother."
"I will, eventually," Evie shrugged her shoulders. "Take care of her. I'll be back in a few days after I get everything settled," Evie started to head to the door.
"I still want your chores to be done."
"Really?!" Evie was in shock that Maleficent still wanted her chores to be done.
"Yes its part of our deal," Maleficent said nonchalantly.
"For living here not for teaching me magic," Evie placed her hands on her hips.
"You're still my errand girl, which means cleaning is part of your errand."
"Fine," Evie let out a defeated sigh and her arms fell to her side. Without anything else to say, Evie headed to the door, but stopped. "Mal," Evie looked back, "I care for you too." She smiled and walked out of the room, leaving Maleficent in shock. Maybe one day Maleficent could have her happy ending. This time it would be with Regina and Evie.
Later that night
It was nightfall, it has been hours since Evie had left the castle. It was quiet, too quiet without her. No magical mishaps, no chattering about magic or a story that she had read, none of it. Maleficent hated it. She hated the endless silence throughout her castle's walls. She missed Evie. Maleficent sat in front of the fire in her living area. Sipping her glass of wine, Maleficent's mind began to wonder to a life where there no more revenge, where it was her, Regina and Evie. She was so caught up that she didn't hear Regina walking in. "Well?" Regina's voice boomed throughout the room.
Maleficent continues to stare at the fire. "She needs time Regina," Maleficent said in a calm voice.
"That's all I've given her,' Regina complained. Maleficent knew that Regina wanted to see her daughter, but it had to be this way for now.
"Where you going?" Hearing Regina's footsteps walking away from her, Maleficent got up.
"To talk to my daughter," Regina yelled back, determined to talk to Evie. Regina stopped and took a few steps back when Maleficent materialized in front of her.
"She doesn't want to talk to you right now."
"Out of the way Maleficent," Regina pushed the older woman to the side.
"It's all for not, she's not here," Maleficent's voice carried throughout the hallway.
"What?!" Regina stopped and turned around. "Where is she?" Regina stomped back to Maleficent. Regina was inches away to Maleficent and was about to pounce.
"In the cabin in the woods. You can't get there," Regina growled at her and walked away. "She place a spell that no one can get near it except her. She's safe, she needs to cool down. I don't blame her. You did kill her friend."
"What are you talking about?"
" The boy in the village, that was her friend. She was there when you ripped his heart out and crushed it," realization hit Regina like a ton of brick. She had done the one thing she vowed she would never do, hurt her daughter, with magic no doubt. Grabbing the closet thing nearby, Regina throws Maleficent's glass of wine to the nearest wall. Maleficent shook her head, know where Evie gets her need to destroy anything from glass from. She looks up to see Regina sitting in her seat, her hands covering her face.
"I'm turning into my mother," Regina was muffled from the hands in her face.
"No you're not," Maleficent sat on the armrest. "You're more beautiful than her," she placed a hand on the queen's back.
"Not helping," Regina shot daggers at Maleficent.
"I thought it was," she shrugged her shoulders. The two looked at the fire dance in the fireplace, lost in their own thoughts. Maleficent had met Cora a very long time ago, when Cora was starting to learn magic. Ever since then, Cora had only looked out for one person, Cora. She tried to steal some of Maleficent's dragon scales for a certain spell she was trying to do. Even in her hazed state, Maleficent still defeated her. The only thing Cora got that day other than Maleficent's spell book, was a black eye. Maleficent didn't want the book, she didn't care. She felt nothing.
"I did the same thing to my daughter than my mother did to me," Regina broke the silence in the room. "I never wanted to be like her and now I'm turning into her," Maleficent knew what Regina meant. She had told Maleficent about Daniel and how Cora ripped his heart out and crushed it in front of Regina. Now, Regina had done the same thing to Evie, except Evie didn't love that boy. Well, not romantically. However, it did hurt her none the less. None, the less, Regina didn't know that was Evie's friend, Cora perfectly knew Regina loved Daniel and purposely killed him to hurt Regina.
"No you're not. Cora is a cold heartless bitch who thinks about no one but herself. You are a very passionate woman who loves her daughter with all her heart," Maleficent took Regina's hand and squeezed it for reassurance. "Should you had done that? No you shouldn't have. Just give Evie time and she will come to you when she is ready. Don't push it," Maleficent kissed the top of Regina's forehead. Unconsciously, Regina laid her head on Maleficent, enjoying the feeling of being around this woman. The two stayed in silent, thinking about what the future holds of them.
Present Day Storybrooke
The sun stared to shine through the bedroom window. Maleficent looked down at Regina. She wore one of her silk nightgowns. Her hair was everywhere on her pillow. Moments like these remind her of those moments when it was the two of them. Where Regina was just learning magic and saved Mal from herself. A time where Regina was innocent, not yet letting magic corrupt her. Maleficent slowly sat down on Regina's bed, fearing that she would wake her. She didn't want to wake her yet, Maleficent wanted time to think about what she was going to do.
There was no other way, Maleficent had to tell the truth, the Evil Queen had threatened her daughter and Maleficent would need all the help she could get. Maleficent couldn't help but to stare at Regina. She looked peaceful, unknowing that her world was about to crash down. Maleficent cursed herself, she should had told Regina the truth in the first place. Maleficent told herself it was because she wanted to protect her daughter, but that wasn't true. Maleficent was afraid. Afraid that Regina would reject her, that she would be angry at her for not protecting her daughter like she said she would. All Maleficent could do was pray that Regina would one day forgive her.
Maleficent began to tense up as Regina began to stir, but she didn't wake up. Maleficent let out a sigh of relief. A piece of Regina's dark hair fell on her face, Slowly, Mal tucked the hair behind her face, glad that she was able to touch her once again. It was silly, really. Back in the Enchanted Forest, Maleficent would care if she woke Regina, she was glad that she was there in her palace. There were many nights the two would spend together, though mostly Regina would say she was checking on Evie. Many of those nights would end up with both of them in Maleficent's bed, where she watched Regina sleep. Dragons didn't need that much sleep, so for a few hours Maleficent would sleep and the rest of the time would watch over Regina. What Maleficent would give to have one more day like that. A day where Evie was still alive and Regina was hers. Her own perfect unofficial family.
Regina began to stir again. This time, her stir became a stretch. Regina's eyes began to flutter as she awoke. Feeling someone else was there with her, Regina looked over to see Maleficent was sitting next to her. "Mal? What are you doing here?" She questioned, unsure why would she be here.
"We need to talk," Maleficent's voice was flat, trying to cover up her fear.
"Is everything okay?" Regina sat up, concerned for her dear friend.
"No," Maleficent shook her head, refusing Regina's comforting hand. "I don't know how to begin," Maleficent stared at the wall, not baring to face Regina.
"From the beginning I assume," Regina got up from her bed and wrapped a robe around her. "What's wrong? Tell me," she sat next to the blonde sorceress and placed a comforting hand on Maleficent's lap. "Why are you afraid?"
"Regina when am I ever afraid?" Maleficent gave a stern look.
"From the looks of it now," Maleficent scoffed, hating how Regina could read her like a book.
"I've lie to you Regina," Maleficent admitted.
"What do you mean?"
"I didn't lie, just kept something important from you. You had a child. A girl," Maleficent looked at Regina, thinking that she would be upset or angry at her, but she wasn't. Regina was hurt.
"Mal don't be ridiculous," Regina said in a whisper. She got up from the bed, not able to look at Mal. "I think I would know if I had a child. Besides, I can't have children, you know that," she walked into her walk in closet, preparing for the day. Maleficent knew that Regina wouldn't believe her and needed proof. Maleficent walk behind Regina and pulled out a worn out piece of paper that one would find in a book from the Enchanted forest.
"You can't bear children Regina," Maleficent turned Regina around, her eyes pleading for her to believe her. "I looked at the spell. And you do," Maleficent handed the piece of paper to Regina. Suspiciously, Regina unfolded the paper. Her eyes moved back and forth as she read it. Her eyes widen once she was finished. "She's here in this town."
"What are you saying?"
"You're Lily's other parent," the room went eerily silent. Maleficent was not scared, she was terrified that Regina remained still in shock. Maleficent cursed herself, she should had thought this through better, there had to be another way to tell Regina hey guess what you're my daughter's other mother.
"How?" Regina finally managed to say.
"There's only a few ways a dragon could have children. One is with another dragon. Another through a fertility potion. And finally, true love," option one was out since Regina was not a dragon nor could she shapeshift. And Maleficent nor Regina never talked about a future or having kids, so no one created a potion for Maleficent to get pregnant. Not to say Maleficent didn't want to, she did. She wanted a future with Regina and Evie, even possibly having a child of her own, but Regina was so invested in her revenge Maleficent was not an option. So by default it had to be true love.
Maleficent scoffed at the idea at first, but it was the only logical reason. Did she love Regina back in the Enchanted Forest, of course, Maleficent would do anything for Regina. She took Regina's daughter in as an apprentice, she had full access to her home, Regina was the first person she could fully open up to. If Regina would tell her to kill, she would do it in a heartbeat. Maleficent just thought it was one sided though. Regina had chosen power over her and their family. Maleficent thought there was no way Regina loved her. But looking at Lily, apparently she was wrong. However, now, if someone were to ask her if Regina was Maleficent's true love, Maleficent wasn't sure. She still loved Regina, that wasn't the question. But Maleficent loved the woman from the Enchanted Forest. She hasn't gotten time to know this new Regina. Of course she knew that she's a hero and would do anything for her family, but Maleficent doesn't really know her. Regina, the woman behind the hero. Besides, as far as Maleficent knew, Regina was still upset about her forest boyfriend and bet Regina hasn't thought about her.
"How do you know that I'm Lily's mother?" Regina grabbed the closet dress and stormed out of her closet, nearly pushing Mal out of the way. Maleficent took a deep breath, knowing that Regina was upset with her.
"Her shell," Maleficent walked out of the closet, seeing that Regina had already discarded her nightwear in the bin near the restroom and was putting on her purple dress. "It has traces of both of our magic in there. I wasn't sure at first," Regina walked passed her and grabbed her black high heeled boots. She sat on her bed and struggled to put the boots on, "but when you left for Camelot, I checked. It matched yours," Regina threw her boot in frustration at the wall. She raked her fingers through her hair and took a deep breath.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Regina couldn't look at Maleficent, she wasn't sure if it was out of anger or guilt.
"When could I have? Between Camelot and saving Emma and the Underworld, you haven't been here Regina. And every time I try to get you alone something always happens."
"I have a daughter. I actually have a daughter," a tear of joy rolled down Regina's face from this revelation. If only she knew about Evie. "Does she know?"
"No, I wanted to tell you first," Maleficent sat next to Regina, know that it was safe. "Lily can get upset easily. She gets that from you," Regina rolled her eyes know it was true.
"When did you know you were pregnant?"
"A few days before you stole the dark curse from me. Regina," Maleficent sighed, knowing what else she had to tell Regina. "There's another reason why I had to tell you. The Evil Queen threaten to hurt Lily."
"Why?" Regina was upset with herself. Did her evil self-know that Lily was hers? Either way, why would she want to hurt her? Maleficent was scared, knowing that the truth would kill Regina, but she knew she had to or else the Evil Queen would threaten Maleficent with the truth. Evie was never meant to be a tool for destruction, that wasn't the kind of person she was. She should be remembered for the woman she was. A loyal, curious, kind, warm hearted person, whose only fault was loving her and Regina. Maleficent had to tell Regina the truth for Evie's sake. Regina should have a chance to morn her child like Maleficent has. However, before Maleficent had a chance to tell the truth, Regina's phone went off. Regina gave Mal an apologetic look as Emma's name was on the little screen. "Hello… What?" Regina got up in anger. "I'm on my way," Regina hanged up the phone and used her magic to finish getting ready. "I have to go. My other half is destroying the town."
"I'm coming too," Maleficent got up and walked towards Regina. "Don't argue, I've been practicing magic way longer than you and you know it," Regina nodded her head in agreement, knowing that Mal will stand by her. Especially since she had threatened their daughter.
So what did you guys think? I know it was longer than usual, but worth it. And the twist at the End! Wow! Tell me what you think in the box below. And if you haven't yet, favorite and follow the story and I will see you next week