A/N: Sorry about the unintentional interlude real life got busy. Work has been crazy. The missus and I are a adopting so…yeah. Happy things, but very busy.

Back to the story.

Flashbacks in italics

Chapter Six:

Present Day

Fairy Tale Land

Valentia/Dark Kingdom

Small lights in the nearby village could be seen from the balcony. Regina watched as they flickered in the darkness. The kingdom of Valentia had been silent all day. The markets were closed. No one was working. To be seen working on this day meant death by the Princess' hand. The only ones doing anything were the guards. They rode through making sure the citizens were in compliance with the law. To make sure they observed the day of silence for the lost of the Princess' wife.

It had been 13 years. 13 years to the day that Emma had been killed.

Regina rolled the scroll between her fingers. She had tried everything to make the White Kingdom suffer for what they did, but no matter what they seemed to prosper. War had ravaged the two lands for over a decade. It was only this past year that Valentia had grown silent. With the Dark Queen's death, King Henry had stopped all claims to the White throne. Regina agreed. Though she longed for Snow White's head on a platter, taking over the Enchanted Forest was not going to make her happy. It was not revenge enough for what they had done to Emma. No they must suffer as she suffered. They must have all they love ripped from them as she had.

The scroll she held in her hand was key to that.

The Dark One had been visiting her regularly as of late. He had been a friend to her mother; a powerful sorcerer that went by the name of Rumplestilskin. And now he had made her an offer. Part of her knew it was too good to be true. No one gave so much without asking anything in return. She recalled her last meeting with him as she walked over to her dresser, placing the scroll into a magically sealed box.

[SQ]

Regina couldn't help the apprehension that coiled through her at the man's offer. She was desperate for sure, but was she that desperate?

"What do you want for it?" Regina asked, eyeing the spell in his hand.

"Simply your cloak my dear."

"There is tailor in town; you could just get your own."

"But I like yours." Regina arched an eyebrow. It was women's fur line jacket, and while the imp had a certain flair, he didn't come across as that type. No he wanted her clothes for another reason.

"You are willing to give me a dark spell, a curse so powerful that previous sorcerers sealed with blood magic, all in exchange for my fur cloak."

"That's right dearie." He let out a little giggle. "I have my own reasons for agreeing with your desire to see the Enchanted Forest and its rulers ruined. Thus, my price is quite small. You my dear are paying the real price when you cast it."

"I know. I know. A hole so deep in my heart that nothing will fill it," Regina arched an eyebrow as she stepped up the petite man. "I already have a hole. What's one more?" She smiled.

"Then dearie it is yours for the small price of that cloak. And you can avenge your dear Emm-"

"Do not say her name!" she snarled stepping up to him and wrapping her hand around the throat of the scaly being. "You have not earned the right to speak her name, let alone in my presence. It is the law of Valentia and you are in my kingdom." He simply giggled.

"Alright my dear," he peeled the perfectly manicured hand from his throat. "You can avenge your dear….wife. But touch me again and you won't live long enough to destroy anyone dearie." He tapped the tips of his fingers together.

"And this…curse, It will ruin their lives?" She turned her back to the man, walking over to her balcony. She had waited 13 years. 13 years to wait for a chance like this. To avenge Emma. To make them pay.

"Yes. With a single sacrifice, their happy endings will be swept away. They'll be as miserable as…well, you." He giggled with a little jump. "So do we have a deal?"

[SQ]

She had given the man her jacket. It meant nothing to her, but now that she had the small piece of parchment in possession, she was having doubts. Would Emma understand? If she were here, would she truly get why Regina had to do this. Why she had to make them pay?

"I would stop you know," she said into the empty room. "If there was a chance she would just admit what happened and find the real culprit. I would stop. I would let them be as long as she made whoever killed you pay." The Dark Princess, picked at the skin around her thumb. She walked slowly to the open balcony, letting the cold air hit her frowning visage.

"You know, I don't even feel anything these days. I haven't felt anything since you were taken from me. I doubt you would even recognize me now." she gave a sad laughed looking at the night sky. "My soul has become as dark as my moniker. With all the lives I've taken, you'd think it would affect me. But no, all I have is this stillness; this piercing emptiness." Her voice cracked.

"I've tried to make it right," she said as the first tear fell. "I interrogated everyone I thought would know, Emma. I went through every village in Valentia and the Enchanted Forest. I tried to find out who killed you. But they…the only person who knows is your mother and she won't tell me." Regina could feel the tears sliding down her face.

"I thought that if I took the very kingdom they sacrificed you for, that it would make it all better. But it didn't. It didn't do anything. I don't want that damn kingdom. I want you," She slammed her hands on the metal rail "But they wanted their precious White Kingdom more than you. I don't understand that Emma. I will never understand it. So I have to do this. You….you have to let me do this."

"Maybe you wouldn't forgive me, but I know it's the right thing to do. It kills me that she won't avenge you herself. She won't force her allies into confession and make them pay. So what else can I do?!" she screamed into the sky. "I have to make the sacrifice. I have to do it for you! I can't let this chance slip by. I can't let them allow your memories to fade into nothing as if your death was an acceptable lost in the name of politics. No. I have to make them remember. Remember what they did to you. I don't know if this curse will even work, but I have to try. I have to make them feel lost. "

"They broke our trust Emma. They broke their agreement and I have to make sure they pay for that."

"Regina?" she stiffened briefly before the voice registered in her mind.

"Papa," she muttered. "What are you doing here?"

"I thought you could use a drink dear."

"Do I look like I need a drink," she snapped. "I was …I was just…"

"I know dear." Henry stepped up to his daughter, running a wrinkled hand down her velvet covered back. Every year on this day Regina seemed to fall into some hole, an each time she came out, he could feel the darkness growing. "You've done all you could Regina."

"No!" she shrugged his hand off of her. "I haven't. I have to do everything I can papa. I loved her. Love her!"

"I know,"

"Do you? Do you know how much I loved her? Or do you question my love the way Snow did? The way mother did?"

[SQ]

"Regina if you burn one more village in your quest to find Emma's killer we won't have a kingdom to conquer!" the Dark Queen yelled at her daughter.

"They refused to listen. They refused to cooperate," Regina answered, sipping from her chalice filled with wine. She smiled calmly from her seat near the fire, smoothing the wrinkles in her red gown. "They had a choice, they could have lived under my rule, but they chose die in loyalty to the old. I am not to blame for their death." she laughed.

Cora sighed. While Regina had certainly gained power and backbone since the girl's death, her political maneuvering left much to be desired. Regina had only one thing on her mind, and gaining power was not it.

"I understand you wish to find who killed the White Princess, but dear, once we gain control over the Enchanted Forest you will have access to Snow White, Prince David and all their allies. You can interrogate as many of her council men and women as you please. But not before. If you continue to scorch every parcel of land the White Kingdom will be worthless."

"How much longer am I to wait mother? It has been over ten years and I am no closer to finding out who is responsible for Emma's death than I was the day she died. " Regina stood from her seat. "We can take over many outlying settlements mother, but we simply do not have the power to overturn the White Kingdom at its core. So I do what I must."

"I may have way to rectify that darling." Cora smiled. "We don't have enough men, nor a way attack from across the enchanted sea. Not to mention the Enchanted Forest is protected by wards even we cannot get rid of."

"I know this."

"Then I suggest we align ourselves with someone who can." Regina arched an eyebrow at her mother's smile. Cora rarely smiled, and this malicious grin was one Regina knew all too well. She was not going to like what she heard.

"Who is this possible ally?"

"Prince John. He is acting as King Regent, since Richard is no longer able to rule, and has no problem lending soldiers for our need."

"And what does he want in return."

"Why your hand in marriage of course. Now if the marriage we-"

"No."

"No? Regina he has a complete fleet-"

"I said no!" the Dark Princess threw her chalice in the flames. "I will not marry him, nor anyone, ever! You will make your allies another way."

"It's been 10 years Regina. At your age marriage is a near impossibility."

"I will never marry. Emma was my true love and I will never defile her memory by marrying another. No one will take her place."

"I have listened to you spout this true love nonsense for years. It is over, Regina. She is dead and I am sorry but that is how it is. It is time to let her go and think of your future."

"I will never let her go. I will never marry again," she said firmly."Not to worry. I will not rest until Snow White has paid for Emma's death, we will find another way to defeat the Enchanted Forest."

"She was not your true love," Cora said calmly.

"She was. You know nothing of love. You wouldn't know true love if you had it."

"I know enough-"

"I have never seen you look at father they way Emma looked at me. You know NOTHING of love."

"But I know magic and unless you had a child in the last 12 years then she was not your true love."

"Excuse me?"

"Tell me Regina, have you had a child I don't know about in the last decade. Because if you haven't then I suggest you drop this senseless love tirade and remember your duties to Valentia."

"What do you mean mother," Regina whispered, running a hand across the empty stomach. She had never bore a child.

"I made sure nothing could destroy our union with the Enchanted Forest. I expected Queen Snow to try something and I made sure no matter what, we would still have power."

"What did you do?"

"I enchanted you. And if I'm not mistaken, the White Princess spent the night with you didn't she?"

"Mother…"

"I ensured that the moment your union was consummated, you would conceive a male heir,Regina." Cora said as if she were discussing the weather. "I must admit I didn't expect anything to occur till the night of your wedding, but I saw the princess leaving your chambers on the eve of your union. So tell me, was the union consummated or not?"

Regina swallowed hard, remembering the only night she had with Emma. Her magic had felt different that evening, but she assumed it was stress.

"How-"

"True Love is magic dear. Something I know much about. It's been known to produce offspring randomly. I simply wanted to make the process….non random," Cora spat. "I stupidly believed all the true love nonsense you two went on about and risked our gaining the Enchanted Forest on it!"

"But…but Emma and I…"

"Were two children filled with the lust of youth, nothing more." Cora turned her back to her daughter. "Now you will marry Prince John, and his fleet of ships will assist us in a direct attack on the White Castle along the Enchanted Sea."

"No," Regina whispered.

"What did you say?" Cora turned around, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

"I said no. I will not marry Prince John. If you want this union so bad, you marry him." Regina didn't have time to block as a sharp slap was felt across her face.

"Don't forget your place dear. You may be the Dark Princess, but I am still your Queen. You will do as I say." Regina swallowed, holding in the tears that were forming in the corners of her eyes. How could she forget that power was what her mother was after. It was the only reason she agreed for her to marry Emma. And now that Emma was gone, her mother felt cheated.

"Now don't worry dear," Cora continued. "Once the marriage has taken place and been….settled, you can do as you please. I don't care if you wish to live there or here. I personally would stay there and see to it that the people know you. You will gain their trust and slowly gain power."

"I'm not you, mother."

"Oh I know that dear. If you were me we wouldn't be having this conversation" Cora turned and walked back towards the door. "Now heal your lip and meet me in the study. We need to draft an acceptance of proposal."

"No." Regina said. "Mother I cannot do this." Cora sighed, pausing her steps. She could hear the tears in her daughter's voice. Weakness.

"Regina, I am not asking I am telling." Cora didn't even bother to turn around expecting her to listen. It had always been like this. Regina never had a choice. Even in her marriage to Emma, had Cora not wanted it, it would not have happened. Her feelings never mattered. Only power. Love was weakeness. It didn't exist. She was never Emma's True Love.

As her mother words repeated in her head, Regina could feel her magic rising. Like a spark under her finger tips.

"You never wanted me to be happy did you?"She said, wiping the tears that were falling. "You never cared about my love for her, or my need to avenge her death."

"Let it go Regina," Cora exhaled. "I wouldn't have cared if you had married a dwarf so long as if got us the Enchanted Forest. Now ,that poor excuse of a princess is dead, and your…feelings for her are of no use to me or Valentia."

"But..." the magic continued building as more tears dripped down Regina's face

"No buts. That reckless…" her mother said taking a step towards her.

"….classless,…." Regina could see the sparks starting at her fingertips.

"…uncouth…." Her eyes clouded over as her irises glowed purple.

"slovenly acting woman is gone. And I could care less about your broken heart. You didn't get me an heir, so now you will get me a fleet."

"No!" She screamed throwing her arms out at her mother. Streams of energy flew from her fingertips, pushing her mother backwards an into the full length mirror behind her.

"Regina!" Cora scream, holding onto the sides of the mirror as the glass pooled into a liquid, sucking her in. Cora reached out, attempting to grab Regina, but the glass held onto her, pulling her in.

Regina looked on in shock as the Dark Queen was absorbed into the mirror, before the mirror shattered, taking the Dark Queen away."

[SQ]

Regina was broken from her musing by one of her guards. It was death to disturb the Dark Princess on her day of silence. Regina raised her hand, encasing the man in a field, squeezing the life from him

"Your Highness!" he screamed."Please we have important news from the White Kingdom." She dropped him immediately.

"What is it," she said.

"We have just received notice that in the past year, Snow White has bore a son. Tomorrow there is to be a coronation. He is to be named and made heir apparent of the Enchanted Forest."

"What?!" the Dark Princess shrieked. "The kill her, and then replace her!" Regina fumed; she turned around once, then back around again. They could not do this. They could not hold a celebration tomorrow. They were replacing Emma. Wiping her from the memory of her people by giving them a new heir. Wiping away the memory for what they had done.

"Tell them to ready my best dress for tomorrow." The guard nodded before quickly exiting.

"Regina….you are not thinking of attending that coronation are you," King Henry cried. "They will kill you on sight!"

"Father, answer my question. Did you ever doubt my love for Emma?"

"Regina your love for the White Princess was apparent from the day you told me of your intentions to marry her. I will never doubt that." The King said, reaching out tentatively to touch his daughter again.

"Then you understand that…that I have to do what I have to do to avenge her."

"Regina?"

"Do you Papa. Do you understand that I have to?"

"I just want you to be happy Regina."

"Thank you," without warning she thrust her hand into her father's chest, fingers clasping around the heart of the man she loved. Only her love for Emma had surpassed her love for her father. She pulled out quickly as her father gasped, trying to pull in as much air as possible. "I'm sorry Papa"

"Regina what are you doing," he said, feeling the ache from where she had removed the organ. He watched as she placed the heart in a small box, wiping away tears.

"I will show them how it feels to lose what you love most."