A/N: Hi, Okaaaaay, I am sooooo sorry about the delay. I won't try to make excuses. I'm just super sorry. Also thank you for being so patient with me. :)
There is a small time jump here.
Also, sorry for mistakes. I used something different to check my grammar and I don't even know if I can trust it yet.
Anywho, enjoy!
Chapter Five
She sat at her desk with her head in a book. She furrowed her brow with a frown as she read over the page again. She couldn't believe what she was reading. She leaned back in the chair and looked across the room at the wall as she tried to comprehend what the hell she just read. She turned the words over in her mind and she still couldn't make sense of it. There is a realm that is believed to be made of Halloween. It is Halloween all year-round and the residents are ghoulish creatures that haunt children's nightmares. She tilted her head. "What in the Hades is Halloween?" she asked out loud. She didn't expect to get a response but she figured asking it out loud would help. It didn't actually. The word sounded even more ridiculous. Hal-lo-ween. She stood up to go check her bookshelf to see if there was more on this 'Halloween' thing but she stopped dead in her tracks.
Regina was standing in the middle of the study on the carpet. She was balancing by herself. Dark Swan froze and just watched. Regina had been standing for a while but she has never been able to do so for more than a few seconds. She straightened her back and only wobbled a little bit. Dark Swan raised her brow and crossed her arms over her chest. She wanted to see how this was going to play out. Regina had been trying to take her first steps for a while and she hadn't been able to do so on her own yet. Her little dark eyebrows were drawn together in concentration and her lips were pressed into a serious line. Her dark eyes stayed straight ahead. She lifted one foot then put into down in front of her. The Dark One came around the table because she really had to see this. Regina was finally hitting a milestone and she didn't want to miss it, like she missed her crawling for the first time.
Regina steadied herself and did the same with her other foot. She wobbled a bit but didn't go down. She moved one foot and then the other, making slow but steady strides across the carpet. Dark Swan's mouth fell open. Very few things amazed her anymore but this baby taking her first steps across her floor took her breath away. She couldn't believe how fast her little girl was growing up.
Regina took only a few more steps and fell back on her bottom. She was undeterred as she then climbed to her hands and knees and crawled the rest of the way to where her little ball had rolled away. Dark Swan stood there frozen watching the very independent child grab her toy and sit back down and play with it.
"Regina." She said after a moment. Those big eyes gazed up to hers. "Did you just walk?"
Regina giggled and covered her face. Clearly amused by the expression on her usually so stoic friend's face.
Dark Swan stepped around the desk; she squatted down so that she was leveled with the little girl. "Come here." She said gently. She opened her arms. "Come here, Regina."
Regina smiled and stood to her feet. She carefully balanced herself. She dropped the ball and put her hands out in front of her. She took a tentative step and smiled when it worked again. She took another one and her smile grew. She took another and another. She giggled when she reached Dark Swan and stumbled into her arms. The Dark One of course caught her with a chuckle. She pulled her into her arms and stood up.
"You walked, little princess." She whispered. Regina beamed at her. Obviously proud of herself. "Smart girl."
Regina babbled, not a single word she said made sense but she was clearly responding to what she said. The Dark One grinned. She kissed Regina's forehead and Regina seemed to like that because she snuggled closer to her and rested her head on her shoulder. Dark Swan gave her a gentle squeeze. "Let's go tell Granny what you did." She muttered. "Then we can get you a cookie."
Regina's head popped up then and her little mouth made an 'o' shape.
Dark Swan threw her head back and laughed then. It felt good to actually laugh and it felt like she was only free to do so with Regina. "Yeah that got your attention." She teased. She knew that Regina loved snacks and food in general. Granny tried to limit her but Dark Swan gave her what she wanted. If she wanted a cookie than a cookie she shall have. A cookie wouldn't do anything to her. She's a child; she's supposed to have sweets and goodies. She can worry about her figure when she's older... or not. She would rather she didn't. If Dark Swan could prevent that she would. She wants Regina to focus on that big beautiful brain of hers in opposed to her looks. It was more than obvious that Regina was going to be a stunning woman. It was genetic. Her parents weren't bad looking. Cora was a psychotic bitch but she was easy on the eyes and Regina was already taking after her mother. Regina will be taught that looks don't matter. It's about being kind and intelligent.
Regina looked up at her and gave her a look. Dark Swan snorted and bounced her a little. "Okay, okay. Let's go."
The baby already had a big personality. She was demanding and spoiled and she knew how to use her charisma to manipulate Dark Swan and everyone else around her but Dark Swan didn't care. She will gladly be wrapped around this girl's finger for the rest of her life. She was already becoming more important to her than anything.
She looked into those chocolate eyes. They were so clear she could see herself reflected back at her. How could she have forgotten about that? She remembered she would stare into his eyes just like that until he would giggle and babble, clearly telling her that she was being strange. Regina didn't though. She would let her stare into her eyes for as long as she wished and she would stare back into hers with a furrowed brow as if she was seeing something and trying to understand.
Dark Swan just chalked it up to curiosity. Ruby would stare at her eyes a lot too. Granny explained that not many people have eyes as green as hers. But the way Regina did it was different. She wondered what she saw. She would never know.
She gave Regina a squeeze. "Let's go." She muttered.
She headed for the door with Regina still in her arms. The little girl's fingers were playing with the collar of her leather jacket. She looked down at her and Regina looked up at her. "Hey Regina, you wouldn't have ever heard of 'Halloween', have you?" Regina's face turned serious and then a grin rolled across her adorable face. Dark Swan snorted. "I thought not, Now come along, you little cookie gobbler."
Regina giggled as they stepped into the hallway and they headed down the hallway.
Regina quickly got the hang of walking and in a few weeks she was running. She was taking off all over the house leaving the servants either diving out of her way or diving to catch her. Dark Swan found the sight to be hilarious. A well behaved Regina was just as cute as a trouble making one. The little devilish smile she would get on her cherub face was priceless. There was a sound that went along with it.
Regina's giggles over Granny's shouting of threats were the telltale signs that Regina was up to trouble again. She could hear the gasps and yelps of the servants in the hallway and she snorted in amusement. She stood from the plush armchair she was sitting on and headed across her chambers to peak out into the hallway. She could see a maid picking up linens with a muttered, 'Good afternoon, Regina'. Dark Swan shook her head with a grin. The baby was naked as the day she was born and she didn't care in the least bit as she took off down the hallway.
Dark Swan shook her head with a fond smile and decided that the little girl had caused enough trouble for one day. She whistled sharply. Regina came to a screeching halt and her head turned. Her pigtails bouncing with the movement. Apparently that was all that Granny had managed to get done for the day. Regina grinned and made a detour for her good friend. Dark Swan bent down as Regina made her way to her. She scooped up the baby.
Granny finally caught up to them. The woman put a hand over her chest and tried to catch her breath. Regina covered her face and giggled. Dark Swan gave her a squeeze. She was holding in her own chuckle. Granny wagged a finger at Regina. "You will behave yourself, Regina. You deserve a pop for that."
Regina's giggling stopped and her face dropped. She poked out her bottom lip and whimpered. She looked up at Dark Swan. The sorceress gave the baby a reassuring smile. They hadn't agreed on physical punishment for Regina. They couldn't say the same for Regina's best friend, Daniel. That little boy definitely got physical punishments and Regina didn't like it. There had been plenty of times that the little girl would get so hysterical after seeing her friend get hit that Dark Swan would have to come retrieve her and take her somewhere the two of them could be alone until she calmed down. Regina whimpered again and leaned away from Granny. Dark Swan glared at the woman.
"Can you not upset her? It's her birthday." Dark Swan hissed. The woman could cut the kid a break. Regina was turning a full year old. It's been a full year since that little angel came into Dark Swan's life. Today was her little princess' day. She leaned in and whispered to Regina, "Happy Birthday, Princess."
Regina looked at her and smiled. Dark Swan took that as a 'thank you'.
Granny sighed. She reached out to touch Regina's arm and the baby moved away from her and pushed her hand away with a little huff. Granny glared at Regina. "Fine! When she gets older and doesn't listen to us and starts sneaking off with boys don't come crying to me." The woman rambled. Dark Swan rolled her eyes. "What if she runs off with a pirate?" her voice rose at the end of the question.
"Granny, Regina is one year old. Daniel is the only boy she knows." Dark Swan sighed. "Besides, Regina is going to favor women."
Granny gasped and Dark Swan raised a brow with a smirk. She was only trying to mess with Granny. She had no idea what Regina was going to be interested in. Gentlemen, ladies or both. Either way it was her life. She was not going to bind her by the expectations of this world. She sure as hell was not going to marry her off at sixteen. She wanted more for Regina than to just be someone's wife. Dark Swan rolled her eyes. "Is her party ready?"
"I don't mind her having an attraction to young women." Granny said a bit too late.
Dark Swan snorted as a brush off. "Whatever." Granny's response said otherwise. "She needs to be dressed in time for her party."
Granny nodded and reached over to take the little girl but Regina whined and moved closer to Dark Swan. She reached over and pushed Granny's hand away. "No!" Regina screamed. "Gammy."
"Come along, Regina. I am not going to pop you." Granny tried but Regina was already too upset with her.
Regina turned to Dark Swan and turned those eyes on her. That combined with the poked out bottom lip was overkill. She sighed and opened her free hand. "Give me her things and I'll dress her."
Granny sighed and rubbed her brow. "I don't have it. Do you want me to go get it?"
Dark Swan sighed. "No, we have this." She stepped back into the room. "Just get Ruby and Daniel ready then make sure that everything else is in order. I want to start when Regina is ready. This is all about her. We don't need anyone being late and stealing this from her."
Granny nodded. "Very well. Just bring her down when she's dressed."
Dark Swan nodded and closed the door. She walked the little girl across the room and sat her down on the chair that she had been sitting in. Regina looked up at her with a silly smile. Dark Swan wrinkled her nose and Regina imitated it. The Dark One laughed and wagged a finger at the baby making the little one chuckle. "Now," she said. "What kind of dress will you like, little one?"
She tapped a finger at her chin as she thought. It was Regina's first birthday, the first of many. The dress should say that. She brained stormed colors and designs in her mind before coming up with the perfect one. She raised her hand and the little girl was engulfed in a plume of gray smoke. She heard the little girl squeal with glee. It made her smile and as the smoke was clearing, Regina was revealed giggling and clapping at the magic show she just received.
The Dark One shook her head with a fond smile and admired her work. Regina was sitting there in an adorable soft pink party dress. It flared out at the bottom in a cupcake like style with the help of the petticoat underneath. A big white bow went around the middle and tied in the back. There was a white lace at the bottom and around the color. The shoulders were poofy but not in a way that would irritate Regina but still make her look even more precious, if that was possible. She changed the child's white bows in her hair to pink. She put frilly white socks and white shoes on her feet. Regina looked like a little doll.
The cake was going to have a hard time competing with Regina for sweetness.
"You look so cute." She told the baby and received a sweet smile for it. She picked Regina up then sat her on the floor. Regina just looked up at her waiting and Dark grinned down at her. "Come on. Let's get a look at you." She took her hand and walked her over to the full length mirror. The little girl's mouth fell open when she saw herself and she squealed, pointing at herself in the mirror. "Yes. Look at how pretty you look."
Regina beamed at herself and just stood there, taking herself in. There she goes admiring herself again. The Dark One smiled with a soft shake of her head. "Okay, let go get some cake!"
Regina looked up at her with a big smile at the word. "Yeah." Dark Swan laughed, she bent down and scooped the little girl up into her arms and held her close. She smoothed down her petticoat and the bottom of the elaborate dress. She then raised a hand and poofed them from the room. They arrived in the dining hall. Regina was giggling for having magic done to her again. She really liked it when most babies are scared of it. She didn't know to fear it though. Most magical children don't fear it unless they're given a reason to. For example, someone using it on them to hurt them. She could see Cora using her powers to subdue and manipulate Regina and that's why she was thankful that she got to her before her mother could damage her.
"Happy Birthday, Regina!" The entire room said in unison. There were about a dozen people in attendance.
Regina looked surprised but giggled. She waved her little hands and everyone waved back as she was carried to the table. It was satisfying that all of the servants had shown up to celebrate Regina's birthday not because they feared the Dark One but because they sincerely loved the baby and they were glad that they're celebrating a year with her in their care.
Dark Swan sat Regina in a chair at the end of the long black dining table. The chair had books stacked up in it so that the little girl could reach the table.
"Your dress is so lovely," One of the servant girls said.
"You are a vision, Regina." Said another.
The baby just sat there with a big smile eating up the compliments.
Stella leaned over and kissed Regina's hair. "Happy Birthday, Angel. You are getting prettier every day," she looked at her son in her arms. "Isn't she, Daniel?" He smiled at his friend and waved at her. Regina waved back at him.
"Share you're presents with me." Ruby teased. "Happy Birthday, Little sister."
Regina giggled at the bigger girl.
Granny chuckled and clapped her hands together. A moment later the new chef emerged from the kitchens. He had taken over for Granny since she's taken the job of a full time caregiver for Regina. He was a big man from a far off land and had an interesting accent that made Regina giggle. He always baked Regina special little goodies. He was easily one of her favorite people, although at first she didn't exactly like him but the man set out to win the child's trust and after weeks of chocolates, candies and cookies, Regina began to like him and now the two of them were buddies. The man was carrying a large round silver tray with a lid on it. He sat it on the table in front of Regina. Dark Swan placed a hand on Regina's shoulder.
"Don't touch." She said. Regina folded her hands in her lap. Dark Swan patted her on the head. "Good girl."
The chef gave the little girl a wink then lifted the lid. Regina gasped at the sight of the cake. It was a round three layer cake. It was covered in white frosting that smelled like vanilla and was decorated with pink flowers. Regina pointed and babbled something to granny causing the entire room of adults to chuckle. Granny automatically understood.
"Yes you may have some. It is your cake for your birthday." She explained. "Okay?
Regina gave her a big nod.
"Happy Birthday, Princess." Dark Swan said pressing a kiss to Regina's forehead. "Want cake?"
Regina nodded. Dark Swan looked at Granny. Granny nodded picked up the knife and prepared to cut the cake. They foregone on the candle because Regina was too small to blow it out and besides, whatever she desired, the Dark One could give her. She didn't need to rely on a piece of wax for a wish.
Granny cut a piece and placed it on a plate. She then sat it with a spoon in front of the little girl. Regina of course ignored all utensils and grabbed two handfuls of it and shoved them into her mouth. In a moment cake was everywhere. Granny chuckled as she sat a slice in front of Ruby. The little girl grabbed a fork and dug in. She patted her granddaughter on the head then handed Stella piece for Daniel.
She offered Dark Swan a piece but of course the sorceress declined. She's had her fill of mortal activities for the day.
Granny shrugged and went about handing out a slice to all of the guests. Dark Swan squatted down and looked up at Regina who was happily eating. She was glad that she liked it. It appeared that she had more food on her face than had actually made it into her little tummy though. Dark Swan grinned.
"Is it a good cake?" She asked. Regina nodded as she stuffed more into her mouth. She half expected her to try offering her some from her hands but she didn't. Regina did not share food under any circumstances and Dark Swan was partially relieved because she really did not have a taste for a combination of frosting and baby saliva. And she knew how much Regina hated being rejected. She remembered that he used to always try to share his food. Regina doesn't. She does not share. Toys, maybe but food, hell no.
Regina finished her cake and Granny wiped her down. The baby fussed and whined the whole time. Dark Swan watched on with an amused smirk as the little girl was wiped clean and they could finally see her cute face again. "There you are, you little troll." Granny said pinching Regina's cheeks. Regina grinned up at her and Granny shook her head with a smile.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Stella put Daniel down. The little boy ran over to where Regina was sitting and tapped her arm. Regina looked down at him and smiled. She then looked up at Granny and lifted her arms. Dark Swan leaned down and lifted Regina but before she put her down, she held her close. "Happy Birthday, Little girl. And to many more." She whispered. Regina smiled and gave her a nod. She waited patiently to be set down while with Granny she would have been wriggling and squirming to be set down. Regina looked up at Dark Swan. She waved at her and Daniel took her hand and the two little ones were off. Ruby jumped from the chair and ran after the two little ones.
She stayed to watch the children play for a moment. Regina and Daniel were standing in the middle of the hall babbling. Ruby watched on with a furrowed brow for a moment until another child came over to her. Ruby waved at the little ones and went off with the girl. Regina giggled at her friend and she looked alright. Happy. Good. It was time for Dark Swan to take her leave. She had things to tend to. She just wanted to make sure that her little girl was taken care of. She turned to leave but Granny put her hand on her arm to stop her.
"Regina would want you to stay." She said softly.
Dark Swan looked over at Regina, She looked fine. She shrugged. "She will be fine." She said quietly. Granny sighed and released her. The Dark One stepped away and turned to leave but before she did, she stopped and gave Granny a look. "Regina's gift is in her crib." She explained. "See that she gets it before she goes to bed."
Granny nodded with a smile. "Of course, Emma."
She didn't cringe that time when she called her that. Instead she dipped her head at the woman and turned to leave. She headed out of the dining room. She stopped at the large doors and looked at the giggling baby one last time and with a smile she left the room.
The night was quieter and calmer than she ever remembered it. It was actually lovely and she was enjoying it as she sat in the rocking chair by the window of Regina's nursery. She felt the little body shift against. She looked down to see Regina still fast asleep, underneath a little pink and white blanket with her cheek pressed to her chest. Dark Swan began rubbing soft circles on the baby's back. She knew that Granny wanted her to sleep on her own now but it wouldn't hurt cuddling her every once in a while. Besides it was the child's birthday. She was entitled to be spoiled that day.
She let the chair rock them back and forth and Regina let out a little contended sigh. She still had the new golden stuffed swan that the Dark One had given her for her birthday under arm. She looked so peaceful and calm. The complete opposite she was a few hours ago. The little brunette was so hyped up on cake that Granny couldn't get her down. Eventually Dark Swan had to step in. Once she took Regina into her arms, the little one was down for the count. Granny accused her of using magic but Stella called it a magic touch. Either way, what mattered the most was that Regina was sleeping. Regina still smelled of cake and other sweets even after her bath. It made her smile.
She lifted her other hand and looked at the piece of silver in her hand. She frowned as she read the engraved words on it in the moonlight. There was the royal insignia in the corner, showing that it was official. She turned it over in her hands again and again. She felt a tightness in her chest which was akin to anger. How dare she! She thought. She tensed and Regina instantly whimpered and began rousing. She placed a hand on the baby's back and she began rubbing soft circles over the blanket to comfort her. Regina whined out some incoherent words before giving back into sleep. She kissed her head and the baby relaxed further into her.
It was a strange thing. That wasn't the first time that happened. There were times when she got upset and in turn so did the baby. She noticed that Regina would either fuss or get moody when she sensed her anger and sometimes she would become very cuddly. But it confused her because she tried not to show anger around the little girl. Regina just felt it and she knows. The little one gets very worried. For a moment, she thought the little girl was an empath which wouldn't be surprising since she was magical but it seemed that she could only feel her emotions.
She didn't know what to make of it so she just stuck a pin in that thought and saved it for later.
But right now there was the matter of the invitation. She couldn't just let that go. It was vile and cruel and for Regina's sake she had to fight for her. With that thought in mind she stopped rocking in the chair. She had somewhere to be. She shifted so that Regina was on only one side of her and her head was rested on her shoulder. She could feel her soft little breaths on her neck. She slowly began to stand. Regina seemed unfazed so she began carefully carrying the child across the room to her crib. She kissed her forehead. As she lowered her to the crib she could see the little smile on her lips. That made her smile a little. The little girl had no idea how fortunate she was that she didn't have a single care in the world.
Must be nice. She thought.
"Goodnight Regina." She whispered to the little girl. "I will return before you wake."
At that, she raised her hand and engulfed herself in a plume of gray smoke, teleporting herself from the nursery.
Cora let out a contented sigh as she looked down into the sleeping face of her second daughter. She was beautiful, resembling her older sister. The one that neither of them had ever gotten to know. The one after a year Cora still dreamt about. The only person that Cora had ever truly loved.
From the moment that she discovered that she was carrying Regina she had began forming a powerful bond with her little princess. This bond stretched on up until she was taken from her arms by the Dark One. She had no such bond with her new daughter. Cora saw her as more of a replacement than an heir to her throne. She was the replacement of an older sister that would have been the perfect princess and then queen. This child would never be that. She hadn't the charisma that Regina had. From the moment Cora had held Regina in her arms for the first time the newborn had stolen her breath away with immense beauty and a personality that was larger than life. Cora of course expected the same from this child but was disappointed when she did not get it. She wasn't as spoiled and demanding as Regina had been so, that was a bonus. But Cora would have put up with all of it just to raise her little princess.
She sighed as she brushed some of the red curls away from the baby's face. While Regina took after their father with her dark exotic features, Cora's newest daughter took after Cora. Well Cora's mother rather. She had fairer skin and soft red hair. She was very cute with large bright blue eyes and a gentle face but for some reason she couldn't shine as brightly as her sister. No matter what, this little girl would always live in the shadow of her long lost sister Regina.
Cora often still worried about Regina. She couldn't let go. She always assumed the worst. Perhaps that the Dark One had killed the child or used her for a spell. Sometimes she even concluded that the Dark One had probably traded her away in another deal. That had to be the case. The Dark One was evil and soulless. She had no use for a baby. Regina's fate was sealed. As soon as she left with the Dark One, she was lost to Cora forever. Cora could never change that. There was no going back.
Cora believed that every difficult decision she made was for a reason and she had never felt remorse or guilt for any of her actions but this time was different. Guilt and remorse was all she felt. She regretted making the deal but she did not regret becoming Queen. She just wished that she could have gotten out of the deal. She should have fought harder. If she had then Regina would be in that crib and all would be as it should be.
But what's done is done. She has to deal with what she's been dealt and try to raise this new child into the Princess that Regina would have been.
She caught a glimpse of gray and black in middle of the room out of her peripheral. That snapped her out of her thoughts. She tore her gaze from her daughter and looked over towards the door of the nursery. The Dark One stood there in an all leather outfit, her hair back in that infamous bun and her arms behind her back. There was a sinister smirk on her red painted lips as she observed the Queen with a curious tilt of her head. Cora let out an irritated huff as she turned to face the other sorceress directly. Sure, the Dark One was powerful but she did not fear her and she will not tolerate disrespect. She was trying to have a quiet evening with her new child and this witch disturbed her. She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at the Dark One. She was not in the mood for this.
"Hello Cora." The Dark One said in mock politeness with a dip of her head.
Cora furrowed her brows at the visit. She was not exactly sure what this dark being wanted from her since she's already paid up. The Dark Swan has already taken everything from her.
"Dark One." Cora said coldly, raising her chin high, like the queen she was.
The Dark One chuckled. It was a cold, humorless sound and it made the hair stand up on the back of Cora's neck but Cora refused to show any fear. Fear was weakness. "I see you've already replaced our dear Regina." Dark Swan noted with a hint of annoyance in her voice. Cora couldn't figure out why that was though. Why would she care? "The crib isn't even cold from her absence and you've already put a new child in her place. What bothers me is that you have a christening for this new child on her first birthday."
"My Regina is dead!" Cora snapped. She felt sudden fury filling her chest. How dare she speak of the lost princess and judge Cora as a mother while she was the very reason that Cora no longer had her daughter. She knew that it was Regina's birthday but she was trying to forget. "Just a distant memory." She whispered more to herself.
"Is she now?" The Dark One looked highly amused at that notion. She raised an eyebrow and waited for Cora's response.
"Yes." Cora hissed. She was displeased with the Dark One's taunting her. The loss of a child is not something to be made fun of. "You know this!"
The Dark Swan chuckled. This one a bit more humorous as if what Cora had said was utterly ridiculous. "Do you truly believe the lies you tell yourself, your majesty? Your child lives and she's healthy and beautiful and happy." She picked at invisible lint on her black leather jacket. "But that doesn't matter now, does it? Because you've already told everyone that she passed away suddenly in her cradle."
Cora's mouth hung open. "Regina lives?" She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her precious little girl lived. She hadn't lost her and there was still hope.
"Yep." The sorceress said simply. She said nothing else but instead glanced around the room which would have been Regina's nursery. She hummed then turned back to Cora. Cora stared at the Dark One for a moment. It was difficult to read her. She could be lying just to get a rise out of her. Cora wouldn't fall for that.
"I don't believe you." Cora said defiantly. The Dark One is known to lie. They like to manipulate people. For all she knows, the Dark Swan could have wanted to strike up another deal for her other child. "Why would you keep her alive?"
The Dark One shrugged. "Why would I kill her? She is an innocent child. It's not her fault that her mother was a selfish, power hungry, bitch."
Cora growled. The constant disrespect infuriated her. "You will watch your tongue!"
"Or what, your majesty?" The Dark One asked taking a menacing step towards her. "You can't do anything to me but do remember that I have your daughter."
Although catching on to the threat that the Dark One could kill her child at any time, the queen stood her ground though. "I want to see her!" She demanded, ignoring the threat. If the Dark One was going to kill the child, she would have done so already.
The Dark One's lips curled up into a smirk. "Is that how we ask for things?" She spoke in a tone that one would use for a bratty child.
Cora sighed and pushed her anger down. She wanted to see Regina. She needed to know if she truly lived and if that meant that she had to play nice with the Dark One then so be it. "I wish to see my daughter. I just want to know her fate." She said more calmly. She rolled her eyes when the Dark One cupped a hand behind her ear and leaned in, waiting. "Please." She huffed.
The Dark One chuckled. "Regina hates saying 'please' as well. I think it's a royal thing." With a flare of her hand a silver hand mirror appeared in it. She checked herself in it then held it out to Cora. "Take a look."
The Queen stormed over to her, her red regal gown sweeping across the marble floor. She snatched the mirror out of the Dark One's hand and held it to her face. She looked at her own reflection for a moment. She didn't know what she was going to see. It could have been her child in a dungeon all alone or any other horrible fate but she needed to know. If she didn't, it would haunt her for the rest of her life. She just needed to see her little girl. Already knowing what to do, she composed herself and waved a hand over the mirror. It rippled for a moment before giving way to a red swirling light. It settled and an image came into view. It was a little girl sleeping in what appeared to be a grand white cradle that rivaled her other daughter's in opulence. She looked so peaceful asleep under her little pink blanket and her little stuffed toy in her arms. She looked comfortable and unlike anyone had ever hurt her. She was so beautiful. Those long eyelashes remained and that smooth caramel skin. Her hair was much longer but kept its thick curls. Cora was in awe at how beautiful her daughter had become.
Cora's heart squeezed. Her daughter was alive. Regina looked healthy and happy like the Dark One had said. She was just as gorgeous as Cora had expected she'd be. Her heart shattered then. She shouldn't be watching her little girl through a mirror. She should be home with her, in her arms. Cora should be raising her to be an incredible queen. She shouldn't be with the Dark One learning her wicked ways.
"I want her back!" Cora demanded. The Dark One raised her brows in surprise and leaned back slightly at the outburst. They both looked over to find the baby still asleep. They were surprised that they hadn't woken her.
"Well, at least she's a good sleeper. More than I can say for Regina." The Dark One said with a shrug. "And that's no can do. A deals, a deal, Cora."
The queen was fuming then. Anger rising inside of her like an uncontrollable fire. She was shaking and her skin was turning red. She wanted her daughter back. She deserved her back. She will get her back. Regina needs her mother. "She is mine!"
"And what would you tell your kingdom?" The Dark One asked curiously. She wanted to know how Cora was going to explain the miraculous return of her long dead daughter.
"That's what magic is for. I can make them all forget it." Cora growled. "That is not your concern though."
The Dark One nodded. "Right. Deception. That's what you're good at." She noted sarcastically. "Listen. Your child is mine now. We made a deal. You sold her for power. I can't simply go back on a deal. What kind of businesswoman would I be if I did?"
Cora crossed her arms and glared at the woman before her. She was not going to give up. Not ever. "You are cold and cruel." She bit out.
"So are you. Don't forget you're the one who sold her." The Dark One reminded her. Cora saw something akin to anger flit across the Dark One's eyes. She was confused by it but her own anger was too strong to even try and analyze it.
Cora growled in frustration and looked back down at the image of the sleeping baby in the mirror. Now that she knew that Regina was alive it changed everything. She looked up at the sorceress with hatred burning in her eyes. She's pretty sure that she had never despised anyone as much as she hated the Dark Swan. "You're going to pay for this." She growled.
The Dark One raised an amused brow and laughed out. "Actually no, I won't. You're the one paying. In all honesty Regina won out in this deal." She said coldly. Then before Cora could say anything more, she was whisked away in her signature cloud of gray smoke, taking the mirror with her.
Cora turned away from the place the Dark One had just been standing. She looked down at her hand where the mirror had just been. Then it hit her. Her daughter was still alive. She was with the Dark One. She knew where she was.
The woman's lips pressed into a tight line then and her eyes narrowed as well. Regina being alive is promising. She could get her. She could have her. She could have both of her girls together. She was going to get her daughter back and make the Dark One pay for taking her away from her.
She knew that the Dark One had precautions of keeping her out of her dark castle. That's just how the Dark One plays but once Regina grew it would be harder to keep her inside. Cora just had to be patient. Her daughter could be hers again and all will be right in the kingdom and in her life.
She was going to make the Dark One suffer and Regina was going to rule that kingdom if it was the last thing she did.
She strolled back to the crib where her sleeping newborn laid. It was amazing that she had slept through all of that. She managed a small smile. "Don't you fret, Zelena. Mommy is going to get your sister back."
Thanks for reading.
Also expect more time jumps. They're necessary to get it going. :)