Chapter Fourteen
Beautiful
A/AN: Wow thanks for all the reviews last chapter! I also wanted to address a review about Rumple and Belle's vows. I know the author who wrote "Wicked Fantasy", and I highly respect her work, but I've never read that particular piece of fiction. These vows came through a random internet search, and I just tweaked them a bit. Also I would like to thank Emilie Brown for the beautiful Rumbelle cover art for this story! Fourteen chapters in, and we finally have some worthy art! Thank you dearie! Review please!
Rumplestiltskin paid his guards off well to go venturing into the town of Astyn. He didn't want them hovering over them like a couple of protective hens. He was a stout man and could hold his own. He carried his new bride into the inner chambers of the castle despite the protests of his torn ligament. Belle wrapped her arms around his neck smiling lovingly at him.
"I can't imagine how much pain you must be in right now." she supplied as he deposited her onto the marble floor of a what reminded her of a grand ballroom. A single chandelier hung above their heads, and various sets of golden doors surrounded them.
"It's worth any pain if I get to hold you in my arms." he smiled with a bow. He held out his hand to her, "I know that most royal weddings are accompanied by great feasts and grand balls. I feel that I've slighted you since I've given you neither. I know that one dance won't make up for it but shall we call it a start?"
Belle took his hand, a gentle blush coloring her cheeks, "You silly man…You should know that none of those things matter to me."
"You deserve the finest things this world has to offer." he said holding out both his hands, pulling her forward.
She twirled in a circle before facing him again, "And you're the finest I could ask for." she chortled in a playful voice. She held out her right hand and he followed her in a circinate motion. They stopped with both of their hands held out, facing each other. Rumplestiltskin held onto Belle's hand tightly afraid that if he let go that she would slip through his grasp in wisps of smoke. He felt like he was lost within a wonderful dream that he would awaken from in any moment. Beautiful princess's couldn't love men with scarred faces could they? They turned opposite of each other switching hands, never unfastening their gazes from one another.
"You're a natural…I take it that you're accustomed to this form of dance." he smiled as they followed each other in a synchronized motion.
"I've attended a few balls in my lifetime." Belle winked as they spun some more before he picked her up gracefully in his arms, relishing the feeling of holding his beautiful wife.
"I love you so much Belle-of-mine." Rumplestiltskin sighed twirling her around in his arms some more, holding onto her tightly, just lingering in the moment.
"And I love you my dearest Rumple." Belle said ardently, reaching up to caress his scarred cheek.
He shuddered in delight, holding her hand against his cheek. He deposited her back onto the ground, pulling her flush against him. She felt so immaculate as every curve of her body molded into his.
"Why don't we get more comfortable?" she purred suggestively sending him over the edge. This woman was unraveling him from the inside out. She held his heart in her hands to do with as she wished. He still couldn't fathom why she'd chosen someone as ugly as him. She should've been repulsed by his appearance but instead of seeing the scorn he expected, all that reflected back to him was love in her beautiful blue depths.
"As you wish." he respired leading her out of the ballroom. They walked up a flight of stairs before entering a chamber with a large canopy bed, oaken wardrobe, several beautiful tapestries adorning the wall, and a lavatory.
"Shall we get comfortable then?" he smirked suggestively massaging her shoulders.
"Yes but not yet…I have a surprise for you." she winked sensually pulling away from him. He nodded as he watched her unzip her suitcase the guards had brought up for them. She pulled out a small bag and made her way into the lavatory.
Rumplestiltskin awaited for his bride to return, twiddling his thumbs anxiously. He hadn't been with another woman since Milah, and he knew he was out of "practice". He wanted his Belle's first time to be magical and one she wouldn't forget. He wanted to be a good lover to her. He was so wrapped up in his insecurity that he didn't hear the lavatory door open.
He was startled when he felt someone touch his shoulder, "Rumple are you okay?" Belle inquired to her husband. He felt his breath hitch in his throat when he noticed she'd let her hair down. It fell in chestnut waves over her shoulders. She wore a robe of light blue silk that outlined her curves perfectly.
"Belle…" he respired pulling her into his lap. She ran her fingers through his graying brown hair gently.
"I don't deserve you or any of this…" Rumplestiltskin sighed as his insecurities overtook him once more. He placed her hands in her lap, fidgeting away slightly.
"Rumple what's this really about?" Belle questioned now sitting on the bed beside him.
"Look at me and look at you…I don't deserve someone as beautiful as you." he revealed, averting his gaze.
"Rumple you're very beautiful to me. Your heart is true and it's what I fell in love with. My mother used to tell me not to wed for great names and powerful alliances. She always told me that those things didn't hold a kingdom together. Love does, and I've found my true love in you." she assured him. He turned towards her, wrapping his arms around her tightly. He buried his face in her neck, reveling her invigorating scent of roses.
"I'll always be true to you Belle-of-mine." he whispered against her skin, planting kisses down the nape of her neck until he came to the sash in her robe.
"Are you sure you want this?" he inquired with trembling hands as they undid the knot.
"More than anything." she respired pulling him in for another deep kiss. He took his time, trailing kisses all over her body, savoring her like a rich wine, paying special attention to gashes and scars. Belle poured every ounce of emotion into their lovemaking, until all of his insecurities dissipated.
After it was over, they held each other under the glow of candlelight. Sweat beaded their bodies with the scent of their lovemaking still lingering in the air.
"What's on your mind sweetheart?" he inquired noting the forlorn look in her eyes. He pushed brown tendrils of hair from her face.
"I was just thinking about my parents and how things have changed so much for me over the last few years. I went from being a princess, to an orphaned peasant, and now I'm a queen." she laughed dryly at the irony of it all.
"We will get your kingdom back love. I promise." he swore, trying to ease her mind.
"Of course." she feigned a smile. She truly wanted to believe his sentiment, but she also knew that he'd never crossed paths with the vile queen before. She closed her eyes, relishing the warmth his body provided that would keep her from the nightmares her mind would conjure up this very night, the anniversary of the day she'd met Cora. Life hadn't been the same for her since that day, and she wondered how much bloodshed she'd have to endure before she could reclaim her throne. Life had never been so complicated.
~X~
Regina stared at the reflection of her mother looking back at her. The blue fairy had placed a disguising enchantment on her that made her look like Cora's twin. The enchantment would only last about an hour, but she would need it if she wanted to sneak into her mother's vault which was heavily guarded. The blue nuisance had whisked them back to Avonlea to the lower castle chamber right under the dungeons.
"I can't do this." Regina respired nervously facing the chamber door.
"Yes you can. You must do it for Snow." the blue fairy encouraged.
"You're right." Regina sighed, envisioning the child's face she'd grown to love so much.
"I'll be waiting for you back in Astyn. Just snap your fingers and the magic will bring you back to where you started." the blue fairy supplied before disappearing. Regina took a deep breath before pushing the doors of the vault open. Two guards stood behind the door, bowing reverently before her. She said nothing as she pushed open another door that led to a dimly lit room full of shelves with different labels on them. Cora was in the venue of obsessively trading poisons and antidotes. Magic was a taboo practice in their realm, left to the fairies mostly, and they didn't associate with mere mortals unless you were a noble. She supposed Avonlea had it's own assigned fairy but it probably stayed away with her mother prancing about. She almost gave up until she seen a a bottle that read dream shade on the label. An identical bottle that read antidote stood beside it. Regina prayed it was the right one, tucking it safely in her pockets.
"Well aren't you a brave one, impersonating me like this." a malice voice reverberated from behind. Regina felt her blood run cold as she turned to face the woman she was pretending to be.
"Put what you've taken back, and I might give you a running start. My pets are quite hungry this time of day." Cora purred, drawing closer to her. Regina realized that her mother didn't know who she was, so she decided to use this to her advantage.
"And it's too bad you won't get that chance." Regina smirked, with a snap of her fingers. Blue smoke filled the vault, whisking her back to Astyn.
The blue fairy was waiting for her like she'd promised, "Did you get it?" she inquired anxiously.
"Yes now get me out of this garb please." Regina demanded wishing she didn't have to look like her mother another second.
"Of course now let's go help Snow!" the blue fairy commanded with a wave of her wand, transporting them to her chamber.
Leopold stood, holding his daughter's hand, hopelessness beheld in his eyes. They lit up immediately when he saw Regina, "Did you get it?" inquired the king anxiously.
"Yes it's right here." Regina stated, uncorking the bottle. She poured a small amount in Snow's mouth. The child coughed a few times before the markings of the dream shade began to fade.
"You saved her." King Leopold announced astonishingly.
"Yes I suppose I did." Regina smiled as the king hugged his daughter. The moment should've warmed her heart but it left a bitter aftertaste instead. The only thing she could think about was Daniel and how she longed to see him again but that was impossible. She would surely be wed in a couple of days.
~X~
Cora groaned distraughtly as she tried to figure out who had bested her. They had stolen only a dreamshade antidote which was rather useless since she'd used the last bit of her poison on Snow White.
"Your highness a traveler passing by says he holds valuable information in regards to the whereabouts of the former princess." a guard interrupted her hesitantly. She felt her skin prickle at this revelation.
"Send him in." Cora commanded waving the guard on, her thief momentarily forgotten. vengeance began to boil in her blood, contemplating how she would end her existence.
"You're highness it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I'm Lord Gaston of Elameth, and I was just passing through. I saw the wanted posters in the woods on my way here with Belle's face on it. The reward looked quite handsome so I thought I would cash in on it." Gaston gloated hoping to charm the vile queen.
"Really where is she?" Cora inquired unenthusiastically, checking her nails.
"She resides in Albannach with King Rumplestiltskin. It's rumored that they've wed and are honeymooning in Astyn at his summer palace." Gaston elaborated. Cora felt her blood run cold at the mention of Albannach.
"I guess I'll have to pay them a visit then won't I? If you're right about my step daughter, then I promise you your weight in gold and an even better position than anything Rumplestiltskin ever gave you." Cora smirked, delighted by the plan formulating in her mind.
"She can't hide behind her royal title any longer. I'll make sure Belle is never queen of this kingdom or any for that matter!" Cora cackled sinisterly, sending Gaston cowering away from the insane royal. She would have her vengeance no matter how much blood it spilled as she prepared for her journey to Astyn.
A/AN: So what does Cora have planned for Belle? The next chapter will delve more into Cora's past, including how she came to Avonlea and became queen. Please review loves!