A/N: I've come to the conclusion that these updates will never come in a timely manner, but I write when I can. I made sure this chapter was extra long and a pivotal point in the story. Please enjoy and comment your thoughts!
"If the choice is love or power, then even having a heart is a liability. Isn't it?"
Cora Mills
Henry was a thirteen year old boy without any electronics. He could only entertain himself for so long before he became overwhelmingly bored. He didn't want to seem suspicious or get his mother in trouble, so he made sure to spend only a few hours in the library each day, instead of the long hours he knew would help him find a way out of the cursed castle. When he wasn't pouring over books looking for some way to escape or contact his family, he was with his mother, helping her get through the day. Regina had fallen ill. Henry didn't know how someone could get sick by staying inside all day, but Regina had managed it. She hardly ate and never left her bedroom, unless Cora called upon her, which his grandmother did a lot, actually. Henry didn't know what the two did when they were alone, but he snuck in extra time in the library and his mom always looked more depressed when she returned. She would always brighten up when he was around, though. So most of his day was spent with her, doing puzzles, reading to her, or playing fun games that he made up. Regina seemed to enjoy them.
They ate with Cora twice a day. The moments before lunch and dinner were the only time Henry saw his mom moving around. She would change from her simple gown to an array of elegant dresses made just for her. He'd sit on her bed and watch her fix her hair and apply makeup, though she was beautiful without it. Henry had a princely wardrobe too, and was expected to dress for the occasion. He liked the soft material of his clothes, but they were all in dark colors, like his Mom's. What he really wanted was something bright blue or red, like Prince Charming from the Disney movie
As the weeks dragged on, Henry was beginning to lose all hope that the library would help him figure out how to escape. He only continued to browse through the books because it was what Grandma Belle would do. His mom's cough seemed even worse, and now they didn't eat with Cora at all. She came to say goodnight to them and still called on Regina occasionally, but that was all. Henry couldn't help but think that she was doubling her efforts to defeat his family. He hated feeling so powerless.
Henry trudged away from the library after another unsuccessful trip. He lingered outside of his mom's room, wondering if he should go in. Regina had been silent lately, more than usual. Henry didn't understand what was wrong with her. Her cold must have been really getting to her. Thinking of how she always told him how much she loved it when he was near, he knocked. He heard a faint, 'Come in.'
"Afternoon, Mom," Henry greeted as he came into the room. He put on a big smile when hew saw his mom on the floor, gazing thoughtfully at a half-completed puzzle.
"I think it's the morning," She replied, selecting a puzzle piece to try and fit.
"Oh," Henry said, trying to keep things light. He sat cross legged next to her and looked over the puzzle. It was of a sunset. "Mind if I help?" He asked.
"I would love that, Henry." She smiled. Together, they completed the puzzle. Henry didn't know how much time had passed, but Zelena was soon poking her ugly green head in to call them for dinner.
"Why are you green?" Henry asked as he and his mom followed Zelena through the halls toward the dining room. Zelena scowled.
"Why are you a nosy brat?"
"My mom doesn't think I'm a brat." Henry grinned. He caught Regina's eye, who was clearly asking him not to act up. She just didn't understand, though. As a kid, he had full rights to mocking their green captor. He was untouchable.
"Your mum is disillusioned." Zelena said over her shoulder.
"At least she's not green." Henry chided. A small laugh burst out of Regina, followed by a fit of coughing, surprising both Henry and Zelena, who whipped around with rage on her face. Regina quickly covered her mouth with her hand.
"Think your son being disobedient is funny, do you? Figures he would act so bad, being raised by you and all. I'm telling Cora." The laughter on Regina's face quickly died away at the mention her mother.
"I'm sorry, please, don't mention this to Mother. Henry's only joking, aren't you, Henry?" Regina looked imploringly at him.
"Sure, just joking." Henry sighed.
"And this will work?" Emma asked skeptically. The savior still didn't have a firm grip on magic and what Rumple wanted to do seemed ridiculously convenient.
"I've explained the mechanics to you, at least, twice, Miss Swan. If you don't understand by now, I don't think you ever will." The Ex-Dark One answered indifferently.
"I do understand-" Emma argued until she was cut off by Rumple lighting a purple flame in the fireplace. The fireplace turned into a sort of mirror. Through the swirls of blue and purple flame, they could see Regina, sitting at a vanity brushing long, dark hair. "Regina!" Emma called out recklessly, causing the woman to jump nearly an inch off her seat. Emma watched as Regina looked around wildly, before zoning in on the fireplace and kneeling next to it. Emma ignored the eye roll Rumple was giving her.
"Emma? Rumple?" Regina gasped, peering into the flames as if it weren't true.
"We don't have long, Regina." Rumple began, precise and quick. "How is your situation? Tell us how Henry is."
"My mother has us both locked in her castle, uh- Snow's summer palace, well, really it's mine, but-"
"Regina!" Emma interjected.
"Right. Sorry. Henry keeps misbehaving, but he's okay. He's unharmed... I-I need out of here. She's driving me crazy. She wants me to be this perfect, obedient daughter and I'm not. I can't be." Regina said quickly, then coughed into her elbow.
"We're planning a rescue mission- Don't interrupt, Regina. We'll save you and Henry, but you'll have to be prepared to leave at a moment's notice."
"But, my Mother-"
"She'll kill Henry if we don't do this soon. We plan to raid within the next two weeks."
"Will you kill Mother?"
"For goodness sake, Regina" Emma finally interrupted. "She's holding you hostage and trying to kill all of us!" Regina flinched from the sudden outburst then began coughing again. Rumple glared at Emma irritated before pushing her out of the way.
"Look, dearie," he began gently. "We won't kill her. We'll capture her and decide what to do then. Our main priority right now is your and Henry's safety."
"My mother is only doing what she thinks is best." Regina said assuredly.
"We know, which is why we'll decide what to do after you're safe."
"Someone's coming!" Regina gasped, then the spell was broken. Emma walked to the other side of the room, disgruntled as she ran her hands through her hair.
"I had it. You didn't have to push me." The blonde snapped.
"Is that what you call 'having it'? We had little time to convey our message and you were wasting time." Rumple argued.
"Whatever." Emma paused, looking over at Rumple. "Do you think they're okay? Henry and Regina?" The look of worry on Rumple's face was disconcerting.
"Cora is an unpredictable woman."
The soft bristles of the brush combed diligently through Regina's hair, scratching her scalp gently before getting lost in her dark locks. Cora's hands guided the brush in an almost affectionate way. Regina was reminded of when she was a little girl and would purposely get tangles in her hair to obtain Cora's attention and motherly care. A part of her wished to be free of the attention her mother had been giving her lately, but her other half craved it with a deep-seated need.
"You'll be back on your feet in no time, love. I don't want your health to decline again, understand?"
"Yes, Mother." Regina answered, doubting she heard actual concern in Cora's voice. "Mother?"
"Yes, darling?"
"What if Snow wins and something happens to you?" The hand brushing Regina's hair stopped. The brush was removed and Cora's hands came to rest on Regina's shoulders. Regina stared at them through the mirror in front of them.
"You don't have anything to worry about. It will only be a matter of weeks before we're ruling the kingdom." Regina nodded, glancing up to see Cora's eyes carefully watching her. "I'll save Snow White for you. We'll kill her family in front of her, and then you, my dear, can crush her heart. How does that sound?" Cora smirked, playing with Regina's hair as she placed it around her daughter's shoulders. It was obvious she was trying to cheer Regina up, but Regina only felt sick to her stomach.
"Henry will be safe, though, through all of this?" She had to make sure.
"Yes, of course. Now, what shall we do with Rumplestiltskin?" Cora questioned excitedly, moving on.
"I don't want him to die. He needs to be punished for all he's done to us." Regina said bloodthirsty, her anger bubbling to the surface, so easy, it was like riding a bike.
"I'm so proud of you, my child." Cora twisted Regina to face her and placed both hands on either side of her face.
"Thank you, Mother." Regina whispered, tearing up at the words she rarely ever heard. This could be love. This could make her happy. Yet, a voice in Regina's head that sounded alarmingly like Rumplestiltskin, told her it was all fake.
"When were you going to tell me?" Cora stormed into Regina's bedroom. The Dark One was so angry that the floor shook and nick-knacks fell off shelves. Regina always knew Cora to conceal her anger, so this display of rage terrified her. The last time Cora was like this, Regina's true love had been murdered.
"Tell you what, Mother?" Regina asked in a tiny voice, turning from her vanity.
"That you were contacted by Rumplestiltskin and Emma Swan. That they're planning a raid." Regina stayed silent. "Henry!" Cora screeched. At the call, Henry came running in. At seeing the situation, he looked like he wanted to run right back out.
"Mother, please. They contacted me. I didn't- I, I wasn't aware of their plans to raid until then. I was going to tell you-" Regina's breath was cut off by Cora's magic. Regina gasped, but was used to the magic that made her feel like a fish out of water.
"Don't!"
"Leave my mom alone!" Henry screamed and ran towards Cora. Cora used her other hand to raise him in the air. His arms and legs waved uselessly in the air as Regina silently screamed at her mother. Just as she felt she was about to pass out, she was able to breathe again. Cora maneuvered one of the decorative swords off the wall and pointed it right at Henry.
"Everything comes at a price, my dear." She said cruelly.
"Mother, no!" The scream ripped from Regina's throat as she fell to her knees. Regina scrambled to Cora, wrapping her arms around her dress and hugging her legs tightly. She sobbed into the thick folds of the black dress. "I'll be good! Please! It won't happen again! Pl-please! I'll be good." Henry continued to kick above them.
"Let me go!" He shouted.
"I'm afraid you just won't behave, Regina. This is for your own good." Cora explained as Regina was thrown back with magic and restrained against the wall, in perfect view of Henry's inevitable death.
"Mom!" Henry cried.
"Please, I'll do anything! Mother, please!" Regina cried, tears streaming madly down her face. "Don't kill my son." The sword flew at Henry. He squeezed his eyes shut and covered his face, but the sword stopped right before him and clattered to the floor. Henry and Regina both fell painfully to the ground as their spells were released. Cora smirked down at them, pleased with her results.
Regina stayed where she was, but she did mumble, "Thank you, Mama." Henry had his head buried in his knees. His shoulders shook as he was no doubt crying.
"I will take you up on that offer." Cora smirked said before poofing away. Regina rushed to Henry and wrapped her arms around his shoulders, but he shrugged her off and ran to his room. Regina sat on the floor, reliving the past few minutes over and over again in her head.
Cora wanted Regina to take a love potion, a potion known for having to be taken willingly. This had been her manipulative plan all along. Regina knew what the potion would do to her, twist her mind and control her emotions. She was also aware that her mother could very well go back on her word and hurt Henry once Regina was under. Gods, she wished the Charmings would save her already. She imagined Emma rushing in, waving a sword wildly about as she challenged Cora. A tear strolled down her cheek. She would likely never see Emma or anyone else again, and if she did, it would be under unfortunate circumstances and she wouldn't be in the right frame of mind. As Regina stood there in the middle of a dark room with a table in front of her and her mother on the other side of it, she could feel an onslaught of emotions coming on. She furiously blinked her eyes to rid her of the unrelenting tears that threatened to fall. In front of her was a glass. Inside the glass, a sickeningly pink, sparkling potion. Cora watched her with black eyes, while Zelena guarded the door.
"Mother, please." Regina began, tired and wishing to just drop dead. "I love you. You are my weakness. I don't need to drink this potion."
"Oh, but you do. This potion won't only ensure your love, my child. It will also gain me your uttermost obedience. You'll finally become the perfect daughter." Cora spoke triumphantly. Cora's gaze upon her daughter made Regina feel like she was being doused in cold water.
"And you won't hurt Henry? Mother, you must promise me that." This was her only chance to make sure.
"Of course, darling. That is the deal." Regina nodded, reaching her hand out for the glass. She slowly brought it up to her lips, before glaring at her mother in an act of defiance and setting it down.
"You've ruined my life, Mother." Zelena stepped forward, but a hand up from Cora quieted her. "I may love you, but given the chance, I would be rid of you in a second. You're a monster and I know the Charmings will defeat you." She laughed maniacally. "But right now, you've won, Mother. You're the Dark One and now you'll have your daughter...But if you have to keep my love with magic, you won't ever really have me. It won't be real." She smiled sadly before downing the potion. A warmth spread through her entire body and a pink haze glassed over her eyes. She blinked a few times, before she saw her mother and ran to her side. "Oh, Mama. I've missed you." She didn't understand the cold smirk on Cora's face.
A/N: I understand that making someone love you is against the laws of magic, but the potion Cora uses isn't as heavy as the real stuff. It's a lighter version. Think Harry Potter. Hope you enjoyed the chapter!