Note: We'll have the first glimpses at what was Maleficent and Regina's relationship in the past.
At this point there is no plot yet, I'm honest. Let's see where this takes us, fellas. lol

Roses and Thorns

After the embarrassment that was her and Emma's public coming out, Regina decided to flee the scene with the "poise and composure of a Queen," saying she had other businesses to attend. Okay. She did have an unresolved task to take care of after Emma frustrated her small escapade with Maleficent in the closet at the Town Hall and her rush and lust had been heightened after getting caught with the hands in the cookie jar.

Well, it was Maleficent's hands in her blouse but still.

Regina drove back home and walked up the stairs that lead to the bedrooms. She locked herself in hers even though she knew the house empty and began stripping off her formal attire. Her black pencil skirt pooled under her feet, then her blouse joined it on the floor, black lace panties dropped, too, and her bra… it still was inside her purse.

Regina lay naked in bed and began touching her body, which was still sensitive and responsive after the previous care it experienced. But it wasn't the same. She let out a deep sigh and brown eyes then turned to the window to see the bright blue sky, and noticed a dragonfly flying close and then watched it leave.

"That's it," she muttered, "I'm calling Maleficent."

It had been weeks since her adventure with Maleficent, Cruella and Ursula that night the "Queens of Darkness" tested her level of commitment and Regina hadn't had any fun — at least not with help — since that time because of the search for the author and all the nightmare that was now finally behind them.

Maleficent's sudden appearance in the Town Hall had really taken her by surprise. Her beloved old friend had been spending all her time with Lily since their heart-warming reunion and hadn't made public appearances after that day. Lily she had seen in the small market buying groceries for her and her mother to take home to a nice house in Regina's same vicinity, in a residence Regina and Belle made available for them. It had been one of the many possessions Mrs. Gold inherited after Rumplestiltskin's banishment, and to which Regina insisted on paying for as it was "the least I could do after everything that's happened between us." It was for both making it up to Belle somehow as well as Maleficent for their imprisonment. Regina was a complex woman but she had come a long way and she was truly sorry.

When the mayor gifted them the manor in the same vicinity Lily looked at Regina and then at her mother like ''I'm not five. I can tell you two have been shagging since before I was even born," but decided to keep her thoughts to herself as she was still letting everything sink in.

She wasn't an orphan. She was never abandoned by choice but forced by circumstances and her grudge was entirely directed at the un-Charming. It was incredible the lengths these so called "heroes" had gone to make sure their daughter turned out good. How ironic...

Lily wanted to hate Emma, but couldn't. Unlike with her, her dimwit parents had abandoned Emma by choice, to make her "the Savior," and Lily couldn't help but feel bad for her old friend and first lo- crush. Out of the two of them, Emma had had it worse — if she was honest with herself. They'd done the same to their own daughter as they did to her: forced her to grow up an orphan. At least Lily had been adopted, but she never felt home.

Karma's a bitch, she thought. And it sucked that it had hit their generation instead of their parents', who had been the real jerks to each other.

Emma sometimes struggled because of that painful truth, but she was also grateful to having found her parents at last, and for having gotten a second chance at motherhood with her son. She couldn't and didn't want to continue punishing her parents for their mistakes in the past, it was way too draining and did nothing good for anybody. They had a smaller picture of everything,and it was part to blame on their fairytale upbringing, as their stories had been written with not much grey in between their black and white.

Emma had grown in this merciless but more colorful world that offered you vast choices, and she understood their lack of perspective. She tried to be more patient, though sometimes — many — she would mentally be on par with Regina when she threw sass at them for not being '"the brightest crayons from the box," but she had to side with her parents and scold the other woman so not to set a bad example to their son.

Or was it to hide her little—big—crush on his other mother?

Wait. What?

Emma couldn't concentrate during the meeting as all that occupied her mind were...

"Boobs," the blonde responded to her mother's question and everyone had to fight the urge to laugh at the Sheriff.

"—Bob's," Emma corrected immediately. "We will use Bob's towing truck to remove the tree that fell near the troll bridge." The poor thing tried to keep a stern face, but truthfully she wanted the earth to crack open and swallow her whole. This would be the most dreadful meeting she ever had to endure.

What could Regina be doing right now? Her mind drifted off again. What if she's meeting with Maleficent, resuming their secret encounter?

Emma's brow furrowed deeper and her hand turned into a fist over the desk. David placed his hand atop hers to gently cover it and offered her a small smile before raising the other to ask for a break— to give his daughter a break.

It wasn't even an hour into the assembly and Mary Margaret blinked eyes in confusion, but everyone else agreed quickly because it was truly an awkward situation and no one felt focused or even comfortable in the enclosed space they were forced to share with a pissed Snow White, an anxious Emma, and a very puzzled David.

"Small break, Mayor? Ten minutes before resuming," Leslie said before Snow would reply, to which Snow simply nodded in her confusion.

As fast as they could, everyone went outside to get some coffee and cookies, before their new Mayor would change mind. An angry Snow White could be just if not more frightening as Regina Mills was.

Emma looked at her father and he understood what she wanted. He let go of her hand and Emma stormed out of the Town Hall.

"David, where is Emma going?" Mary Margaret came to ask her husband.

"Not sure, but I may have a good guess," he responded.

"I hope you're wrong," she brought her hand to her forehead and sighed. "I will call Ashley to ask how's our baby doing."

In the Mills manor.

Regina went to her vanity and opened a small wooden box from where she retrieved an emerald sphere and put it over a three-legged stand to support it. She waved her hands over the magical crystal and intoned the name of the dragon sorceress three times to summon her.

"Maleficent. Maleficent. Maleficent." Even saying the name gave her chills.

It had always made her excited to be in Maleficent's presence; being with her gave her an even bigger rush. No matter how long they had known each other or played their sex games, it still sent shivers down her body in anticipation as though it were a novelty.

"Regina. I'm with Lily this moment teaching her how to fly," Maleficent's voice resonated in the ball and when no other answer than a strained sigh came from Regina's end, the dragon sorceress spoke again. "But I will makeyoureach the sky some time later in the night, dear. You have my word," the other woman responded and the crystal stopped glowing.

"Argh!" Regina grumbled and tightened her jaw.

Too many years of getting what she wanted the moment she demanded it, had spoiled the queen and she really didn't like waiting or getting denied her sweet treats.

(((DING DONG))) The sound of the doorbell made her flinch; her mood worsened.

Who dare disturb the peace in her home? She wondered, but decided to ignore it. She wasn't in the mood for visitors or salespersons.

Next, her cellphone began vibrating inside her purse but she didn't hear the buzz, she'd forgotten she put it on silent mode for the meeting and it sent the caller to voicemail.

Last attempt.

The phone on her nightstand started ringing and Regina went reluctantly to answer.

What if it was from Henry's school?

Not many people had Regina's landline number, but before she could even make a greeting Emma's voice was already coming through the speaker.

"I know you're in there, I can see your car in the garage. May I, please, have a word with you?"

"You can't seem to help yourself, Ms. Swan. Go ahead," Regina waited.

"In person?"

"Whatever you have to say I'm sure you can say it here," Regina told her.

"Really?" Emma rolled her eyes. "You know this isn't something we can just talk over the phone... Unless you have other reasons to not let me in," Emma made a pause and it sent a deeper message she hoped Regina wouldn't pick on it. Or at least would pretend not to.

Regina twitched her lips and took a moment to answer, but she knew Emma Swan was more stubborn than a bull and it would be futile to keep bickering over the phone.

The beeping sound of an ended call then made Emma roll her eyes further and kick and invisible rock at the foot of Regina's porch while waiting for the mayor to hopefully open.

The door only opened partially and Emma's jaw dropped a little—a lot—when her eyes met the view of Regina's body covered only by a thin, silvery silk robe that didn't do much to mask the nudity underneath, and the messiness of Regina's hair suggested she'd been busy.

The blonde had to swallow hard to clear her throat and now it was her who felt like getting moody.

"You said you wanted to speak," Regina's voice was slightly raspy and it made Emma's senses tingle, but also revived the jealousy she felt earlier— no, it was disappointment, not jealousy.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I should've known you'd be… busy," Emma looked downcast. "We can talk later when you're in the office," Emma looked around her, still evading Regina's gaze, who found her rather amusing this moment. "That's assuming you will be back," Emma said nervously. "Will you?" She asked with too much interest.

Regina took a step outside, closer, and looked at her manicured hands, contemplating if her nails needed retouching, as if her current unkept presentation was the most ordinary sight to behold, and made the younger woman all the more nervous and uneasy.

"I'm not... completely sure," Regina answered and observed Emma closely. "I'm still not quite finished here thanks to someone who keeps frustrating my private... affairs," she said the last part in a very sensual tone. Regina was deliberately teasing her.

Emma's lips parted lightly in bewilderment. She was about to reproach but at the same time, how could she? This wasn't a normal conversation or situation between them, it was quite something new, intriguing, and arousing. Fuck me. whoa whoa?

"I guess I'll let you get back to her," the blonde muttered under her breath. She turned on her heel, but before she got far, Regina's voice stopped her.

"Her? Who said I had any company? I can take good care of myself, Miss Swan."

Emma's pupils widened, she froze on her spot and slowly turned around to look at Regina with a puzzled puppy look.

"So… you do have time to talk?" Emma's voice was shaky. She licked her lips nervously, like she often did when in presence of her.

"I might make some time for you. But not if it is to argue," Regina responded as she opened her door fully and walked inside. "Would you still like to come inside with me?" She raised a suggestive eyebrow.

Fuck. Damn that eyebrow game, and those words, Emma internally groaned. With that husky voice it sounded like one hell of an invitation and Emma wasn't sure of the implications in Regina's sudden change of attitude, but, God did she want come inside her—with her. Inside her home. Shit. Shit. Shit.

Emma followed behind Regina like a lost puppy that found its master—mistress—and her heart skipped a beat when the door closed behind her with a loud thud— magic.

She watched Regina climb the staircase and waited at the foot, unsure if she was expected to follow or to stay put.

"So…" Emma said tentatively.

"I'll be down in a moment, sheriff. Be patient," Regina said calmly. But if she were honest, the one who needed patience this moment was Regina, as she really felt tempted to take Emma's earlier offer and allow herself a slip with the savior this moment. She was hot and bothered and could fuck Emma right there on the stairs, but her pride was stronger and she was more refined than that. Not really. She did like it rough and dirty from time to time.

No. No. No. Regina reminded herself Emma was officially taken by that disgusting pirate and she wouldn't be second dish to anyone again. She was a Queen and more refined to commit the same mistake twice. Emma might not be married but still she had someone.

After some minutes, Regina finally joined Emma in the living room, already dressed up and with presentable hair and Emma couldn't hide the deception in her face. She really, really liked how the grey silk robe fell over the mayor's body and allowed her a glimpse at those pointy nipples that were now once again hidden inside black lace and purple silk.

"Maybe we can talk once you're finished gawking at my body," Regina said formally but Emma could notice the corner of her lips almost turning into a smirk.

Emma gave her a glare and proceeded to speak.

"I shouldn't have tracked you with the app. For that, I apologize," Emma started, and watched Regina fold her arms over her chest and twitch her lip.

"Continue," The brunette told her.

"I'm also sorry I snapped at you. I had no right," Emma licked her lips again. Her mouth felt very dry and her hands slowly turned into fists, out of stress, or anger, as she relived the scene in her mind. "But, really? Are you out of your fucking mind?! What if someone else had found you and they told our son and—" Emma's verbal diarrhea didn't take too long to show up.

"Stop right there, Swan," Regina lifted her index finger in protest. "What I do in my spare time is none of yours or anyone's concern but my own," she was sharp.

"But that—" Emma tried to interrupt.

"IF such a thing had happened, I could've easily erased their memories and carried on with my day as though nothing happened. But now, thanks to you, I can't. And whatever Henry learns from this incident is entirely your fault," Regina was furious.

"WHAT?" Emma groaned.

"Yes! Like you said, you shouldn't have tracked me down with that gadget. You had no right. I'm not your property and never will be!"

"Hold on now! I don't see you as property. That's not— You know I've also got Henry under my radar given our family's history, so forgive me if I worry and overreact when it comes to protecting MY family!" Emma was loud and had come so close she was now invading Regina's space like she used to do when they were frenemies. "I was just trying to protect you! You've been abducted and tortured before and I couldn't let it happen again."

Regina was furious, but hearing the words "protect my family'" come from Emma's mouth so earnest touched her, and couldn't react immediately like she would've wanted. In fact, she couldn't come at all with remark or something hurtful to throw Emma's way. It was so big her desire for a sense of belonging that she just stood there, bracing herself as her voice menaced with breaking if she opened her mouth to speak. Emma had just said all she wanted was to protect her, that she was her family, but the blonde didn't even notice the bomb she'd just dropped.

"I don't even know why I bother," Emma exhaled heavily and looked downcast.

"Why bother, indeed," Regina threw back. "I'm not worth the Savior's alms."

"You're unbelievable, Regina," Emma said with hurt.

"Goodbye, Ms. Swan," Regina walked to the door and opened it.

Emma stomped angrily to the door, but turned for a last time to look at Regina.

"Is that what you think of me? Of my…" she made a pause.

Regina looked at her, heart beating fast, waiting to hear the words she needed so much to come out of that mouth.

"… whatever. Doesn't matter," Emma muttered and left as fast as her feet would take her away from that house and that woman who was so infuriating and yet so magnetic.

The roaring of the bug's engine was the last thing Regina heard, and she felt... deflated.

Why did everything turn upside-down when it was about her and Emma— about anyone she wanted?

Such a complicated duo they were, she couldn't stop thinking and regretted having rejected Emma when she offered to leave Hook for her. But Regina reminded herself that she would be no second option to anyone again, and definitely not a "safe."

If Emma could ditch Hook just like that on a whim, she might as well do the same to her if a 'new' option became available for the sheriff and Regina wouldn't be able to recover from such a heartbr— Offense.

Emma didn't bother showing up again at the Town Hall, but everyone had figured she wouldn't be coming back after the embarrassing event. Instead, she went on patrol around town, to get distracted and hopefully find someone doing something illegal so she could release some of her tension in a car persecution or chasing them in the woods, or whatever. She welcomed anything Storybrooke could offer her this moment. But much to her disappointment, the town was peaceful.

Really? Emma wasn't pleased about that for the first time.

She kept driving until it was time to pick up Henry from school and went to get him and delivered him in Regina's doorstep, as she had been doing in the last couple of months.

Regina and Emma only exchanged a reserved look, Henry noticed the tension instantly. He looked at the table and noticed there were only two sets of plates, and turned around to see his blonde mother.

"I guess you're not staying for dinner," he commented and hugged her.

"No, kid. I've work at the station that needs revision," she said in her most calm, fake, tone and Regina rolled her eyes this time.

"I'll see you tomorrow then. Good night, ma."

He went inside. He was older now and knew it wasn't anything to do with him, unlike in the past, and went upstairs to leave his backpack before coming down for dinner.

Emma was walking away when Regina spoke to her.

"No," she said and Emma turned to look at her with confusion. "That's not what I think of you," she took a deep breath. "Look. I know you care," she struggled to say it, "and I'm sorry too."

"Wow. That must have tasted like vitriol, didn't it, Madam Mayor?" Emma blurted.

"Miss Swan…" Regina's hands went to her stomach as she looked at the blonde; a gesture Emma had learned by now meant Regina felt anxious and possibly hurt, and she regretted her comment that moment. "I'm trying to apologize here, why must you make everything so damn hard for me?"

"You're right. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you… I just. You have to understand I may have been hurt, too," Emma said with honesty and they looked into each other's eyes for a moment that may have lasted longer than intended, until they heard Henry's footsteps behind.

"I should probably…" Emma awkwardly shook her head.

"Yes, of course," Regina completed for Emma.

"Good night. Well, almost," Emma offered a cute, nervous smile as she pointed at the setting sun.

Regina felt her heart melt a little. Just a little.

"Good night, Emma," Regina responded, and it made Emma feel happy to hear her name in Regina's voice again. No more Miss Swan; it kind of irritated her because it was too formal and reminded her of when they were enemies.

Emma blinked eyes innocently and Regina didn't stop her lips from turning into a smile because it was a smile Emma couldn't see as she was now walking to her very bright yellow bug.

Bold choice, just like you, Emma.

It was midnight and Regina couldn't fall asleep. She kept turning in bed, struggling to find her 'place', when she was suddenly summoned to Maleficent's presence. A black smoke engulfed her and when she opened her eyes again she was in Maleficent's bed; wrists fastened to the wrought iron headboard and Maleficent was looking at her body with a gleam in her eyes that could only be found in wild predators while looking at their prey. It was both frightening and arousing.

"Mal… is this place safe?" Regina was hesitant.

This would be her second time with the dragon in this land and she felt nervous to be in her territory.

"Relax, dear. Lily is having her own 'ladies night out,' and said she wouldn't be coming home tonight," The blonde answered as she crawled on bed, over Regina.

"Oh. Like mother, like daughter," Regina lifted an eyebrow.

"Indeed," Maleficent grinned proudly and her eyes scanned Regina's body leisurely. "Are you still in the mood or should I go find someone else?" She asked nonchalantly.

"Quite the charmer, aren't you?" Regina exhaled angrily.

"I prefer straight-forward," Maleficent responded neutrally. "But this should be no news to you, Regina. Unless…"

Maleficent leaned over her, cupped her face in a hand and looked into her eyes. "Hmm… You've changed. I had already noticed, but I could still see some of that spark of anger, now almost completely gone. And there's something else…" Her electric blue stare pierced through the brown gaze.

Regina felt nude under the studying stare.

"Have I lost you forever, my little Queen?" Maleficent's voice turned just as tender as her eyes were this moment and Regina felt heart squeeze inside her at the question.

Maleficent rarely showed care. She was very selective of her displays of emotion and this one was of genuine concern, hurt, and Regina had always wanted to know for real if her mentor had ever cared for her just a little more than what their power games allowed them to display behind their "evil" façades.

"No," Regina answered softly, but Maleficent still had her doubts and blue eyes didn't stop looking into brown in search for answers. "I'm here, aren't I?" Regina assured her.

Maleficent returned a small smile and made the chains holding Regina's hands to the headboard vanish. "Not by choice," the older woman told her. "I can't play with you like this. Not when it feels… wrong. This world is different. Confusing."

"So don't. Don't play with me... Be with me," Regina said warmly. Her own emotions were a mix stirring in her stomach in a messy flutter.

Regina cupped Maleficent's face this time and brought her closer and blue eyes glanced down at lips that looked very inviting, but turned back to gaze into dark brown, seeking permission.

"Kiss me," Regina asked her.

Regina needed to know, to feel, if she meant something to someone. But not just anyone. To someone who'd seen her in her worst and still never rejected her. Someone who understood the complexity of her darkness.

Plump, ruby lips went to meet with rosy in a soft kiss, and moved together in perfect synch, slowly growing in pace and desire as hands began exploring each other's body, this time more calmly, but it was much more rewarding.

Regina's sexual encounters up until this moment had always been forced, rushed or desperate to happen. But this time felt differently; there was no fear, no danger, no anxiety, and no regret. Instead, there was simple desire, genuine care, and the small yet huge wish to feel loved without the guilt of betraying another.

Regina held on tightly to Maleficent's back as she rocked her body slowly over hers and the older woman stopped kissing her neck to move and lock eyes with Regina again.

"Is everything alright, my sweet floret?" Maleficent asked with concern.

"Yes," Regina responded.

"You forget, Regina, that I know you better than you know yourself," Maleficent told her, moved to lie on her side and caressed Regina's arm gently.

"I just… I've always wanted to know how you feel about me," Regina finally confessed. "What am I to you?"

"Direct question, I appreciate it. Although, I may be curious as to why it had never mattered before but it does now?"

"I asked first," Regina insisted.

"You're special to me, Regina. I enjoy your company above most humans," Maleficent said naturally.

"Is that supposed to be romantic?" Regina let out a chuckle.

"It's meant to be honest," Maleficent gently moved a brown curl away from Regina's face and tucked it behind her ear.

Regina's eyes turned glassy. She sat up and tried to leave bed, but Maleficent put a hand over hers and let her thumb gently stroke it, making Regina turn to meet her eyes again.

"It hurt, you know. To see all of your light be drowned by darkness. And then you came to me, threatened me in my own home—the one place that had been a haven for you to run to whenever he touched you against your desire... I offered you shelter and the only thing I got in return was your anger. Anger that wasn't even for me, so I was patient. But then you threatened the only thing I had left that could return some of the love I invested. I couldn't let you continue having it your way," Maleficent said openly, "I've killed for much less."

"You mean your pet? You're still angry at me over a dwarf unicorn I didn't even touch?"

"See, that's the problem with humans. You only choose to listen to parts of a conversation, not to everything that is said," Maleficent muttered.

Regina glared at her.

"You do remember Briar, right? My rose," Maleficent asked her and Regina felt her stomach churn.

"That woman you were obsessed with, of course," Regina was annoyed.

"Obsessed… Funny choice of word to describe the darkest chapter of my existence, but yes. I guess it is accurate."

"What about her? We're talking about us. Why must her shadow always loom above me?" Regina's eyes let bitter tears fall.

"You scorn a woman you never met, and believe I'm still obsessed with the memory of her. You're wrong," Maleficent went to sit beside Regina. "My feelings for her fell as loose petals, one by one until there were no more tears to cry. And when I was finally free, I was able to see you and the light that shone inside you, and it was brighter than what any rose could ever compete with, my sunshine. But you let him dim it."

Regina turned around to meet Maleficent's gaze, and was having a hard moment understanding what she was telling her.

"Regina, I begged you not to cast that curse. I warned you it would leave an emptiness inside you; a void you would never be able to fill. But the whole truth is that I feared I would be losing you forever and it was my own emptiness what I didn't want facing again, but you made me, cursed me, to live trapped underground for thirty years and I lost my daughter. You punished me for trying to protect the last spark of light I could still see shining inside your heart. I cared about you but you never gave me a chance."

"Because if I had, I would've had to rip out your heart!" Regina yelled. "I couldn't. And I didn't know you had a child. Why didn't you tell me, if we were so close and I was so special to you? I would have found her for you in this world much earlier and let you be together."

"I didn't know I was pregnant the last time I saw you, and you never came back after that day. But be honest. You wouldn't have sought her. You're not big on forgiveness," Maleficent argued, "even when I did nothing to wrong you—quite the contrary."

"Mal…" Regina inhaled deeply. "You're right… and I'm sorry. I didn't give you a chance and now is too late," Regina cried inside her hands. "Love isn't something that was made for me."

Maleficent gently removed Regina's hands from her face so she could see her eyes again.

"It never is too late for someone who is open to love again," the dragon said softly.

"What? You're… giving me a chance?" Regina was surprised.

"Well, you know when I care about someone, I obsess over them," Maleficent cupped her face in her hands and smiled. "But I ask for one thing in return," she told her.

"What?" Regina was a little bit confused.

"Honesty. That's all I ask for. I won't ask you for commitment because there are times people need to breathe fresh air," Maleficent smiled at her confused face.

"I know you fancy the savior and I'm not going to leash you. Do as you may, as long as it's me who you return to at the end of the day," the mature woman told her.

"What? I don't—" Regina was interrupted.

"Please. I know your type: blonde, fit, bold, untamable," Maleficent's voice was oddly playful, "just like me," she smirked with pride. "Don't deny it."

"I… I won't deny I may have been attracted to women who reminded me of you," Regina admitted. "But if I could have you, I would need nobody else."

"Hmm. Let's not give it so much thought for now, Regina," Maleficent ran her long fingers through brown tresses. "Enjoy the moment, for you never know if it shall repeat tomorrow, in a month or three decades later."

Regina felt bad for having done that to Maleficent, but time didn't mean as much to a dragon as it did to a human and Maleficent went forward to kiss Regina's lips tenderly.

"Stop thinking, and start feeling," the older woman whispered.

Her lips trapped Regina's earlobe and pressed it gently as delicate hands moved down to tug at the skirt of Regina's nightgown. "May I?"

"Yes. Yes, please," Regina pleaded. She stood up and slowly straddled Maleficent's lap, face to face.

Maleficent's hands pulled up the gossamer fabric and freed Regina's body from its delicate cover. Blue eyes then took a long time drinking in the image of her nudity, and Regina could feel her cheeks turning rosy in self-awareness and averted her eyes coyly.

"There she is. That coy girl who showed up at my door once long ago. Same smile and same glimmer in those hypnotic eyes of yours from when I had you for the first time, my dear apprentice."

"You remember?" Regina chuckled nervously as her arms surrounded Maleficent's neck for balance.

"Every moment spent together, my dear," Maleficent caressed Regina's back gently.

"I take back my words; you can be romantic," Regina couldn't avoid blushing lightly.

"I didn't know romantic was synonymous to honest," Maleficent returned. She squeezed Regina's thighs with her fingers and buried her face in the small curve between neck and shoulder to smell Regina's sweet scent.

"Mmm. I like your new perfume," Maleficent commented. "Much better than that spikenard wrongly believed to draw a dragon toward you, and which you would always wear when coming to my fortress," Maleficent almost chuckled at the memory. "I'm starting to think you wanted to bewitch me," she sucked on Regina's pulse point, eliciting a soft moan from the woman atop her.

"I didn't!" Regina growled, but her face was impossibly red. Nobody could make her blush like this woman did so effortlessly.

"Yes you did. That scent would last for days in my nostrils after you left. You smelled of lavender, muskroot, and lemongrass." Maleficent nipped at her skin with her teeth. "And I believe I asked for honesty in this new deal between us, hm?"

"You're impossible," Regina complained between soft moans and groans.

"Just accept the truth. It can't be too hard, is it?" Maleficent slid her tongue down Regina's neck, and licked at her right collarbone.

"I was young… and believed some of the folk tales. Dragons aren't easy to befriend, so nobody really knows what drives them. And I was just… trying to appeal to your senses and 'smell' seemed like a good approach," Regina ran her fingers through long blonde locks. "I had a thing for you and I was not about to ask Rumple for advice…"

"You were always a good study," Maleficent smiled. "It was. Although, you had already won me over with your faith in me and your support. You helped me remember who I was; that's why I'm able to forgive you, my favorite apprentice," Maleficent cupped Regina's breast in her hand and let the tip of her tongue draw a lazy circle around her hardening nipple while holding her stare on Regina's eyes.

"Dragons aren't easy to befriend, but once you've bonded, it's nearly impossible to lose their loyalty," Maleficent said before covering the pinkish bud with her mouth to suckle on Regina's nipple, making her groan in pleasure, and small, delicate hands grabbed fistfuls of blonde hair.

After Briar Rose, Maleficent had kept romance at bay, but her actions tonight were louder than any words, and for the first time Regina experienced what making love must feel like—or it was the closest thing, she thought. But she'd never imagined it would be with the dragon.

"Mal," Regina gasped when the older woman suddenly nipped her skin.

Maleficent snaked a hand down in between warm thighs and let her long fingers stroke Regina's wetness, she then brought them up to ruby lips, opened her mouth and licked the dew off of them, moaning in pleasure as she tasted Regina in her fingers.

"This is the real honey that attracts a dragon, I'll have you know," Maleficent said to her. "And now I must drink it from the hive."

"Straight to the point, as always," Regina chuckled as she went to sit back over fluffy pillows.

"Straight? Arguable," Maleficent showed a toothy grin as she moved to place herself in between Regina's legs.

"Arguable indeed," Regina agreed, groaning lightly at the sensation of a warm tongue making a swipe down and up her dripping center. Her head tilted back, her hands went to grip on the bed sheets, and her chest was heaving from the stimulation she was receiving.

Damn! This felt so good.

She started panting when slender fingers entered her and her legs began clamping Maleficent inside their embrace when she felt them twist and move more rapidly inside her. The older woman smiled as she suctioned pink flesh and allowed a third finger to complement the others, bringing Regina to the edge of madness until she could hold back no more and climaxed with the dragon.

Maleficent crawled over her to lie beside her, pulled her gently to her body and caressed messy brown tresses, tucking a kinky curl behind Regina's ear. They looked into each other's eyes for a long moment without speaking until Regina went forward to kiss her former mentor sweetly.

She was about to speak when Maleficent prevented her, pressing her index finger against her lips.

"Shh… Just enjoy the moment, my darling."