A/N: Get ready for some small fireworks in this chapter. Trigger warning for some. There is some talk of mutilation and some graphic imagery concerning it. There is some talk of being some one's slave and not necessarily in a sexual manner, but it's there. Hopefully, this will answer some of your questions.

If you would be so kind as to leave a review, I thank you and my muses thank you. Any questions, thoughts or ideas, just PM me. Thanks and Enjoy, ~JET.

Chapter 20

Regina signed the papers with a flourish and handed them back to Belle. She gave Regina a smile as she took the papers. The air around them seemed lighter.

"That should take care of it."

"So, now what?" Emma asked.

"It would seem that with my signature I have broken the blood lock. Rumple no longer owns the property. I do. Coraline will be free to come and go there as she likes."

"Are you sure that you want to do this?" Emma asked her, again.

"It is right. I am tired of trying to find the goodness in him when he seems to not care. I don't care what his reasoning is for blocking her from the house. It was wrong. It is the only home that she has ever known here. I will not take that from her."

"I'll leave it up to her, if she wants to go back," Regina told them.

"Of course, and if she doesn't. Well, then, Henry will have somewhere to go when he is old enough. That is if you don't sell it before then," Belle stated.

"I don't want to think that far ahead," Regain admitted.

"I understand. I'll be at Red's apartment if you need me for anything else. I've got some more books that I want to look through tonight before I go to bed. Thank you for your support and if you need me…" Belle started.

"I'll call Ruby," Regina told her.

"Go. Take it easy, Belle. Hopefully this will all work out for the best."

Emma escorted her back to the front door and watched her walk down the path. She slowly made her way back into the kitchen. She sat back down on the stool and watched as Regina finished cooking dinner for the three of them.

"What?" Regina asked her, not looking up from the skillet that she'd put back on the heat.

"You're beautiful."

"Please don't turn into your father. I can't handle all that 'Charming' mentality," she stated before asking, "Do you think that Coraline is okay in Camden?"

"She's a big girl, Regina. She can take care of herself. If Belle and Red really taught her how to fight, then I feel sorry for Will if she tries anything. But, I know Will. She won't. She is sorry. She wants to apologize and talk to her. She couldn't find Storybrooke."

"Did you give Coraline the scroll to get back in?"

"Don't need to," Emma stated.

"Why not?"

"She's not affected by the curse like we are. She went to Boston on her own. She has never been under the Dark Curse so, her being a magical being, she can come and go as she wishes. Plus, she is like me in one regard," Emma told her.

"Yes, and what is that, Dear?" Regina asked looking up into her burning green eyes.

"She is the product of True Love."

"What does that have to do with anything?" Regina questioned, pulling the skillet off the stove and setting it on a trivet, leaning against the back of the island and staring at Emma.

"She can break any Curse."

"Except the Blackness," Regina added.

"We don't know what the Blackness is. We don't even know if it is a curse. We know that it is a movement and some sort of identity that she has fought. But, we don't know what caused it."

"I have an idea."

"Gonna share it?"

"Me," Regina said with a hint of regret and resolution.

"What do you mean you?"

"I think I cause it."

"Regina that isn't possible, and do you know why?" Emma asked her.

Regina looked her skeptically, but hopefully at the same time. Her vein was popping on her forehead and Emma could see the tears threatening to fall in her eyes. She hopped off the bar stool and made her way around the counter to Regina. She circled her hips and held her close.

"Because Coraline would have told us if you had. In her story, you are always there when the Blackness attacks. Why would you have something your created attack you? You step out into the fray, fireballs blazing, trying to avenge my death. Does that sound like you are the one that would create the thing that would take away your happy ending?" Emma questioned her.

"No," she mumbled into Emma's shoulder.

"So, let's stop that crazy train before it tries to leave the station. We are going to figure this out and we are going to stop it. But, I think first things first," Emma said.

"Yeah, and what is that?" Regina asked, pulling back.

"We need to talk to Coraline."

"About?" Regina inquired.

"How she plans on going back," Emma replied.

"I am not sure that I want her to."

"I know that, Regina, but this isn't her timeline. She may be making some big changes and the Blackness may not come now. That would be ideal for all involved, but she needs to get back to her future. She doesn't need to stay with us, especially if you are going to be pregnant with her soon. How would we deal with that? How would we have two daughters that are the same person that are twenty plus years apart?"

"We need to know what spell she used to get here," Regina stated.

"Did she tell you anything about it?"

"She told me that I am the one that gave it to her."

"How? You are dead, right? How would you give her a spell to come back here?"

"I don't know, Emma. I have no clue. I've been searching my brain for answer that I can't find. None of that make sense to me. I want to look at the journals that she brought back with her."

"Didn't Belle give them back to her the other day?" Emma asked.

"You said that she did with her phone, but I don't want to go into her room."

"Why not? This is your house. And, those journals are technically yours," Emma stated.

"She needs to trust us."

"Do you think that she doesn't?"

"It isn't that, Emma. I just don't want to break her trust. She told me that she started writing in those journals, the ones that I didn't finish. She kept track of her history in them too. I don't want to invade her privacy by reading them. It isn't fair to her," Regina told her.

"Then don't read those parts," Emma offered.

"I wish it was really that simple," Regina replied.

"Do you want me to get them?"

"No, I'll wait for her to come back."

"If you think that it's best."

"I do."

"Alright, I'll go get Henry from the station. Do you need anything while I out? I should only be gone for a few minutes. I'll be right back. And, don't worry. We'll figure this out."

"Emma?"

"Yeah?"

"Remember when I told you to keep telling me that?"

"Yeah, babe, I do."

"Thank you."

Emma gave her a kiss on her head. She squeezed her hand as she pulled away to leave. Before she completely let go, she leaned back over and kissed Regina on the lips.

"We'll be right back. Everything will be okay. I love you."

"I love you, too," Regina told her and watched with a questionable sadness. "I just hope that it is enough for you and for Coraline. Loving me has always been disastrous. But, gods help me, I love you, Emma and I'm going to fight like Hell to keep you."

Will stood in front of the hotel's bathroom's mirror. She stared into her blue eyes and wondered what she was going to tell Coraline. She owed her truth, but how much should she really give her? Her life was complicated more so than anyone could think possible. She wasn't who she said she was. She wasn't from this realm, but she had been here the longest. She understood this world's rules. She could live in them. But, Coraline was here but from her past at the same time. She didn't know if she could really fathom the truth.

She'd already given Coraline the hotel and the room number. It would only be a matter of minutes before she was there. She started playing with the ring on her finger again. To stop herself from doing that, she reached forward and gripped the vanity tightly. She lowered her head and sighed. Her world was about to fall apart and there was nothing that she could do to stop it. Her head snapped up as soon as she heard the knock on the door. She looked into the mirror and she ran her hands over her hair smoothing it back down.

She turned and headed for the door. She shook her head and fluffed her hair out as she reached for the knob. She already knew that her hair would be a fiery red before she had the door open.

"Hello, Coraline. Please come in. Thank you for agreeing to this," she said answering the door, before moving out of the way to let her.

She could see the fire in Coraline's eyes. She knew that fire. It was the same as Regina's.

"You made it sound important," Coraline offered as she walked into the room.

"It is."

"Well, I'm here. What is it that you had to see me so quickly? You're the one that ran off and didn't tell me why. You lied to me. I know that you did. You knew that I would figure it out. Hell, you knew that Emma would figure it out. So, I'll ask you again. What is it that you need?"

"I need to apologize for that."

"Apologize? You don't think that it is a little late for that. I'm sorry. I'm angry with you. Do you think that I should just let it go?"

"No, but I want to explain myself."

"Then start," Coraline told her as she took a seat at the table in the corner.

"It is a complicated story and I don't know where to really to begin. I know your mother. I've known her for a long time," Will started.

"What?"

"I saw who your mother was back in Boston. I saw her thru the window before you did. She is the reason I ran. Like I said, I know your mother," Will stated.

"How?"

"We met a long time ago in a land far, far away."

"Spare me the theatrics. Just tell me your story. I'll wait until you finish to render my judgment about this entire situation. Because, just like my other mother's story, I am sure it is odd."

"Not odd, just fantastic," Will said.

Will was pacing in her bedroom. She couldn't believe that the King told her to stay back today. She should have been at Snow's side, but she couldn't disobey the King. He was truly her lord and master until Snow reached maturity. She was technically Snow's Vulcannonian, but she still had to follow the law of the land. Snow was close enough to maturity, but it wasn't enough.

"Will?"

"Yes, my lady," she replied giving the young Snow a deep bow as she entered her rooms.

"Father has proposed to Regina and she has accepted."

"Are you happy about this match, my young Princess?"

"I am. I am going to get another mother. She is pretty."

"I wouldn't know, my lady. I have yet to meet her. Is she coming to stay with us soon?"

"She is. She is coming with her mother to make the plans for the wedding. Father is sparing no expense for her. I can't wait for her to get her. You must go riding with us," Snow stated.

"As you wish, Princess," Will answered.

"Are you not happy for me?"

"I am pleased when you are pleased, my dear Snow"

"I need to get her something as a gift. What should I get her? She is to be queen."

"Whatever you think is best, your highness," Will stated as she finally sat down.

She could see the happiness radiating off the small wonder. She didn't understand how someone so young could be that happy and that optimistic about everything. She was hardened by her teachings and upbringing in Vulcannon. She didn't understand anything but defense and war. That is what she was bred for. It didn't matter that she was a princess in her own right.

"Wilhelmina?"

"Yes, your highness?"

"I think that you can call me Snow now."

"If that is what you wish," she replied.

"You are a princess, too, Will. You are no less than me in the eyes of the court. Some even wonder about you calling me 'Highness'."

"Am I not to show you respect, Princess?"

"You are, but you are my equal."

"You are my employer."

"I am your charge. I know what you are as a Vulcannonian. I've asked Father about it. He explained it to me. He asked for you after Mother died. He was scared for me."

"I know, Highness."

"You have done your job well."

"Not well enough," Will muttered.

"You are still angry with Father for not taking you that day."

"What day would that be?" Will asked her.

"You know what day. The day that Regina saved me from my horse. You are angry with him for not taking you with us. I can tell."

"I am not angry with the king. It was his right to tell me to stay. He didn't have anything to fear from the Duke. And, it seems that he gained a bride that day."

"He did. He thinks she is pretty, too, like me. She will be a good mother for me."

"I am sure that she will."

"Will?"

"Yes, Highness?"

"Do you have to do anything that I tell you to do?"

"Yes, Highness, within reason," Will answered her.

"Meaning?"

"That I will do anything you ask as long as it doesn't put you in danger or myself, unless putting myself in danger will protect you, save you, or keep you from getting harmed."

"Good," Snow stated as she smiled.

"Why, Highness?"

"I have an idea. I'll go speak with Father first about it. I may have need of you later. Will you still be here? Or, will you be down in the armory practicing?"

"I will be wherever you'd like me to be."

"Then, wait for me here. I want to go watch you practice. I really like archery."

"Then, I shall teach you what I can. Hopefully your aim is true. I would hate for you to hurt someone with your shot," Will jested with her.

"I would hope not," Snow replied seriously.

"Run along to your father, Highness. I will wait for you here. I teach you how to fire a bow. Every good princess should know how to defend themselves."

"But, I thought that is what you were for," Snow said innocently.

"I won't always be there for you, Highness," Will told her.

"Wait a minute, you know Snow, too?"

"Yes, I do."

"Okay…so how old are you?"

"In Earth years?"

"Sure," Coraline stated.

"I honestly don't know. I have been here for over forty years. I guess I have no idea how old I really am. I don't age like normal people do."

"Well, that much is obvious."

"I meant that I don't age like the people of Fairy Tale Land or the people here. I am from there, but I am Vulcannonian. We aren't like Regina and Snow. I am not considered human, I guess."

"Then what are you?" Coraline asked bewildered.

"I'm Vulcannonian."

"That doesn't mean anything to me."

"You were never taught about us?"

"No."

Will sighed. She took a seat on the edge of the bed. She looked down at the floor. She didn't know how to explain what she really was to Coraline without spooking her.

"You're Regina's daughter. Do you have powers like she does? Can you do magic?" Will asked.

"Yes."

"Can you do it here?"

"Here?"

"Not being in the Enchanted Forest. Here. Right now. Could you conjure something?"

"I don't know. I haven't tried. Is there something that you want me to do?"

"Fire."

"What is your obsession with fire?" Coraline asked remembering her laughing about fireballs.

"I want to show you something that I promise you have never seen before."

"Okay."

Will stood up und crossed the room to the table. She stood before Coraline and looked down into her soulful brown eyes. She sighed again. She reached down and pulled Coraline up. She had her stand right in front of her. She held her hand and pulled one of them up to her heart.

"You can control your fire? I don't want to burn down the room. I just need you to see this. If you can't. It can wait. But, you really need to understand what a Vulcannonian is," Will stated.

"I can control it now thanks to Blue."

"Ah, well, that fairy does have her uses after all." Will mumbled.

"Okay, who don't you know?" Coraline asked, only half-jokingly.

"You." she answered.

Coraline laughed. She knew that much wasn't true, but in a sense, it was. They'd slept together. They really didn't know each other beyond that. They hadn't had time to learn anything about each other. Coraline had run as soon as she saw Regina.

"I need you to trust me for a moment."

"I'll try."

"I want you to make your hand fire. It doesn't have to be a fire ball, but just your hand. Can you do that?"

"Yes…"

Coraline pulled her hand back from Will. She concentrated hard and her hand lit on fire. She was amazed at the control that she possessed outside of Storybrooke. It didn't make sense to her for a minute because there was no magic in rest of the world, or so she had been taught. She closed her hand and opened it reflexively as she stared at the flames.

"Now, this is the trust part."

"Okay..."

"Burn me."

Coraline pulled her hand back, amazed and disgusted at the same time. She almost extinguished the fire, but she didn't. She wanted Will to explain this madness to her.

"Excuse me?"

"Just do it," Will commanded.

"I'll hurt you."

"No, you really won't."

Coraline looked at her seriously. She could see the conviction in Will's sapphire eyes. They were burning with a strange fire. Coraline wasn't sure if she should be afraid or except it. She didn't have time to contemplate it further than that because Will reached out and grabbed her burning hand. She put the fiery hand against her chest and held it firmly to the shirt she was wearing.

Coraline's eyes got huge. The shirt burned away from her hand, but Will didn't scream in agony she just smirked at Coraline as she tried to pull her hand away. Will just held it tighter to her chest. Coraline suddenly felt skin beneath the fire. It was warm and soft. She felt it give way and melt around her fingers. It was a sickening feeling and then she felt something pulsing in her hands. She realized that it was Will's heart. She was holding Will's heart in her fiery hand.

"Ho"

"I am Vulcannonian."

"That doesn't tell me shit."

"We are hard to kill."

"Well, you think," Coraline sassed.

"You can let go if you wish or pull it out. The choice is yours. I am fine, Coraline."

Coraline released the heart slowly. She'd never taken a heart and she wasn't going to start with Will's, no matter how much she hurt her. She pulled her hand out at Will's wounded chest with a deliberate slowness. She felt the wet pop of blood and tissue as she finally exited the cavity.

She looked up into Will's eyes. They were steadfast. There was no sign of pain or suffering. There was no hint that she had done anything to her. Coraline was flabbergasted.

She tried to take a step back and fell into the chair. Will reached out for her reflexively. She had to make herself not pull away as Will touched her. She couldn't think. She didn't understand what was going on. There wasn't any possible thing that could with stand fire like that.

"I told you, Coraline. I am Vulcannonian. We are very hard to kill."

"But...I had...the fire…your heart…"

"It is fine. It is still beating strongly. Look at me, Coraline. Do I look injured?" Will asked her.

Coraline looked at the marred flesh. It was healing itself. She watched it mending. She gasped and reached out. Will actually grabbed her hand and held it to her chest as she slowly sank to her knees. Coraline couldn't believe what she was seeing. The marred and burnt flesh was completely healed. It was slightly pink but there was no indication that she had ever been burnt at all. The only thing that would show any evidence of what just happened was her shirt.

"How?"

"I told you: I am Vulcannonian."

"But…magic?"

"It is in our blood."

"What are you?"

"I am Vulcannonian."

"No, I mean...do you have magic? Can you do anything else? Just how? Why?"

"As to why, my people have always been able to do that. Do I have magic? Not in the sense that you do. I cannot conjure things. I can do simple spells and glammars but that is really it. That is about the extent of what I can do, besides the not dying thing. That is why I haven't aged in a long time. That is why I don't know how old I really am"

"Wait, you can't die?" Coraline asked her, falling a little more into the chair.

"It is extremely hard to kill a Vulcannonian. I am not saying that it can't be done, but it is really hard. We can't even kill each other. There has to be a choice in the matter, but that is all superstition I believe. The only thing that I have ever seen kill a Vulcannonian is hexed virus created by the darkest soul of the Enchanted Forest. Thankfully, I was never infected."

"A hexed virus?"

"Yes, it is virus that is made purely from spells and directed a single species. It can't transfer or mutate like viruses do in this realm. As far as I know, there is no known cure for it. Many Vulcannonians fled the Enchanted Forest for this realm when the outbreak happened. I tried to help. I tried to find a cure, but I couldn't."

"Wait, when did this happen?"

"About the time that Leopold married Regina, I took my leave with the King's condolences."

"Condolences?"

"My brother Rojan Fajro was one of the first to succumb to the ravages of the virus," Will stated.

"You were close?"

"We were inseparable until I went to work for Leopold."

"I'm sorry."

"It isn't your fault he is dead, Coraline. Do not apologize for it. I was too late to save him. I couldn't make a deal fast enough with anyone to save him. Father was too distraught to do anything after he died. He didn't even care that I was delaying my return to Leopold and Snow. Normally he would have taken me back myself. He was beside himself in grief."

"I understand that."

"No one in Vulcannon had died for centuries. There wasn't a reason for it. Father couldn't explain it. He gave me Rojan's cloak and bid me wear it in remembrance. He didn't want me to forget who and what I was. It was shortly after this that I realize that my brother's wife died. My Father in his grief sent those who weren't infected to the Forest. He figured that the sorceresses and wizards would be able to help our people. No one made it back with a cure."

"And your Father?" Coraline asked.

"I received word at the Winter Palace in the Winterlands a few months later that he was dead. He gave into his grief. He contracted the virus and didn't bother to try to fight it. He sent one last raven to me with his dying words," Will told her with tears in his eyes.

"What were they?"

"Seek out the darkness and find salvation. Find the light and defend it. Love will come to you in a mixture of pain and softness. When you have it, never let it go. Never forget you are a Vulcannonian. We will rise again."

Coraline reached out and took her hand. She could see the pain in her eyes. She would give her a moment and the she would press her about Regina. She needed to know more.

"That still doesn't explain how you know my mother," Coraline stated after several minutes.

"I was a wedding present."

"A what?"

"I was giving to Queen Regina as a wedding present."

"By who?"

"Snow."

Ruby sat on the floor in front her couch in her apartment. Belle was seated on the couch and surrounded by books that she'd brought from the library. She was glad that Ruby didn't say anything when she'd come over just after the dinner rush at the diner. Ruby just let her in the apartment and had gone back down to the diner to help Granny close up for the night.

Ruby came back some time later. She'd grabbed a bottle of wine and two glasses. Without even looking up, Belle had taken the offered glass of wine and continued to read. Ruby sat down on the floor in front of her trying to figure out what Belle was so interested in.

"Okay, I give up. What language is this? And can you even read it?" Ruby asked.

"It is Vulcannonian and yes, I can read it."

"Then, what is it?"

"These are books on Vulcannonian lore. That book there," Belle said pointing. "That is a book on the royal houses of Vulcannon. Those documents in front of you are the legal papers concerning Pyroxes's daughter."

"Legal papers? Why the hell would his daughter need legal papers? She was in the Forest with us, right? So, what's the point of legal papers?" Ruby questioned holding the documents.

"Yes, she was in the Enchanted Forest with us. She is actually a few hundred years older than us if the Vulcannonian censuses are to be believed. She was the only daughter of King Pyroxes of Vulcannon and as such she was a princess."

"Okay, but that still doesn't explain the papers, Belle. Why would a princess need legal documents? What was she trying to prove?"

"You aren't from a royal family and I am sure that Snow never talked about it, but do you know anything about the Vulcannonians?"

"Umm…no."

"Well, Vulcannonians were a warrior type being. They lived on the islands the east of the kingdoms of the Enchanted Forest. Their islands were merely habitable volcanoes which is why no one ever tried to conquer them, besides their proceeding reputations."

"Meaning?"

"Vulcannonians can't die."

"They are immortal?"

"Yes, but they were not a populace breed. They were a small race and the royal house was only around five to six strong. Pyroxes didn't need to worry about a successor. He just needed to maintain their existence. Many kings sought Pyroxes' favor in battle. Leopold was no stranger to him. It seems that they had a mutual understanding and traded with each other."

"Okay, but what does that have to do with Snow and Regina?"

"It seems that during negotiations with Pyroxes Leopold asked for a favor. He had just lost Ava and wanted to make sure that his daughter was cared for and protected. Pyroxes took pity on the man because he too had lost his wife centuries before and he was still reeling from the pain. He sent a very young looking but just a deadly Wilhelmina to live with Snow. She would act like a hand maiden, but would be a secret knight."

"Wilhelmina?"

"Pyroxes' own daughter. He sent her because she was still considered young. She could pass for a teenager, but she was wise beyond her years. She was a skilled negotiator and archer. She was deadly with any blade she could get her hands on. She could blend in and not be seen even if she was right in front of you. She could protect Snow without Snow ever knowing who she really was," Belle told her.

"But?"

"Snow figured out that there was something special about her."

"How do you know that?"

"She got Wilhelmina to teach her how to shoot a bow. And, shortly after Leopold and Regina married, she convinced Leopold to give Wilhelmina to Regina. Those papers are the official documents in Vulcannonian transferring her ownership from Snow to Regina."

"Wait, what? You said ownership? What kind of ownership?"

"Hand the papers," Belle stated reaching out for the parchments.

Ruby handed her the parchments and leaned back into the couch again. She grabbed her glass of wine from her coffee table and took a swig before turning back to look up at Belle. She didn't understand what any of it meant, but she knew that Belle did.

Belle moved the books around her on the couch. She gathered most of them up and put them on the coffee table. As she sat back on the couch and got comfortable again, she reached out for her wine glass and finished it. She grabbed the papers in one hand and patted the couch next to her with the other. Ruby wasted no time joining her on the couch.

"The Vulcannonians aligned with a lot of the royal houses during the Ogre Wars. They really were the only defense that could with stand the ogres. And, they were damn good shots. Leopold had acquired a few Vulcannonians to help train his armies. They weren't royal, but they were strong and loyal to both Leopold and Pyroxes."

"Makes sense."

"Well, Pyroxes would make the royal families sign decrees or proclamations when it concerned the matters of Vulcannonians being assigned to them. In an essence, they were given like gifts and could be taken back at a moment's notice. Pyroxes was a hard negotiator and he didn't gift his people lightly. He hated politics, but he never took sides. All were equal in his eyes."

"So Leopold acquired his daughter?"

"For Snow and her protection, yes, he did. It seems that in the original proclamation for the fate of Wilhelmina, she was to be a hand maiden for the Princess Snow White. Her duties were to be a playmate, protector, and teacher. Pyroxes hoped that it would temper Wilhelmina's hot blood and she would learn to deal in politics as it was a necessary evil for royalty."

"Leopold would train her with Snow's help to be a 'Princess' and she in turn would protect Snow from anything and everything?"

"Exactly. But, Vulcannonians aren't known to spread their lore much past the contracts of servitude. Both, Snow and Leopold signed for Snow because she wasn't at the age of maturity and Wilhelmina signed for herself. If she hadn't, there would have been no deal."

"And the other paper?" Ruby asked.

"It is signed by Wilhelmina and Regina."

"Snow gave her to Regina?"

"Yes, it makes sense. The proclamation states: Princess Snow gives her Vulcannonian guard to the Queen Regina as a wedding present so that she may live and thrive upon the throne. There seems to be some other bylaws written but they are mainly for the Vulcannonian, not the recipient. I doubt that Regina could even read the proclamation when she signed it."

"Why do you say that?"

"It is dated just weeks after Daniel's death and her marriage to Leopold. The wedding was rushed at Cora's insistence. Regina must have been in a fog because no matter how much pain she was in, I doubt that she would have accepted a slave warrior," Belle added.

"Slave warrior?"

Belle put down the parchments and looked over at Ruby. She didn't know how else to tell her what she was about to say, but she knew that she needed to tell someone. She doubted that Regina ever bothered to look at the parchment again after she signed it and made Wilhelmina hers to do with as she pleased.

"The bylaws of a contract with a Vulcannonian," Belle stated.

"Are what exactly?"

"They are subject to the wrath and jubilation of their owner or whom they serve, depending on the wording. They cannot disobey unless it would injure the owner. They are to assist, protect and defend the owner without any regard to their own safety or the safety of others as long as the owner is well. The live to serve until their…and I can't make out this word…comes to them. On that day, they will ask to be freed from their bonds so that they can create the bond of ….again this terminology I don't know…. If they are not released by their owner, they are allowed to disobey and call upon the Courts of Vulcannon to free them from their contract. Once they are freed, they will still have the choice to serve. They will have earned their choice and their right to do so as is custom with Vulcannonian law. Freed Vulcannonians will report back to Pyroxes of their status so new contracts can be made if so desired by all parties involved."

"Umm, what the hell does that mean?"

"I can't figure it out. One book states that Vulcannonians mate for life and that once they find their mate, no one can pull them apart. Others state that their destinies await them and they must find it. It is all very cryptic except the endings. They are all the same, even on the contract."

"How so?" Ruby asked looking at the papers and books in Belle's lap.

"Here," Belle pointed to a book and ran her finger across the page.

Red tried to follow it, but all she saw was gibberish and squiggles. She continued to look intently at the book though while Belle ran her finger across the page, like some sort of magic would make words appear that she understood. Finally Belle's finger came to a stop and she turned her head to look into her blue eyes with her hazel.

"Freed Vulcannonians…freed isn't really the right word, but…once they have selected their mate, depending on what they are, they have the option of aging or dying. It is a choice. Just like their option to feel pain when wounded. They can choose to follow their owner into death if there is no way out that will not cause harm to the owner. In that situation, they will kill their owner and then give up their life force."

"Choosing to die?"

"I know."

"How do you choose to die?"

"I don't know. It appears that there is some sort of ritual they perform and their life is drained from their bodies. It is another reason why many people don't know the lore of the Vulcannonians. I think it parallels the selection process of the Alphas in a pack of Weres."

"What does that mean?" Red asked, bristling at the thought.

"Alphas don't always seek out another Alpha. They tend to find each other, even when they don't have a pack. And, wolves tend to usually mate for life. If Vulcannonians are the same way, then once a Vulcannonian finds their mate…"

"They are freed from their contracts."

"And, if their mate dies…"

"They can choose to die with them to stay together or live on without them and be alone."

"I believe so," Belle replied.

"What would you do?" Red asked her.

"I guess it depended on who my Vulcannonian was," Belle stated.

"Would you die for them?" Ruby questioned her seriously.

"I guess it depended on how much I truly loved them. I would have died for my mother, but instead she died for me. Would I die for Rumple? I guess I don't really have an answer for that, because we all know that he can't die without someone plunging the dagger into his heart. I don't want his power. I never did. I just wanted him to see that love could make him a better man," Belle told her.

"He's addicted to power," Ruby added.

"I know. I've always known that, but I guess I really didn't want to see it. I wanted to believe that he could change. Regina changed. You've changed. We've all learned to deal with the darkness inside of us and still we seek the light and to do what is right. Rumple…he just seeks more power because he believes that he needs it to be strong."

"Why?"

"Because he is afraid of being a coward like his father."

"But, isn't this insane quest for more magic and power just as cowardly?"

"Yes, it is a shame that he doesn't see that. Baelfire did and that is why he ran away. I think that Rumple will never learn from his mistakes or what he has lost."

"What has he actually lost?"

"His son, twice…his first wife, Melah…his father, twice…Cora…Regina…and me."