Sardonic Break: Chapter VIII
Snow White could only stare at the Knight. She fumbled for words that would not come forth. She could clearly see how Elizabeth stood in front of Regina, oozing protectiveness. The shock that held her tongue turned into a white hot anger. It burned through her veins. Her Knight DARED to question her, DARED to challenge her?
"You DARE question me?! After EVERYTHING I have done for you?!"
Magic billowed forth, throwing rock, dust and a harsh wind towards Snow. The magic was completely raw, making the air taste of ozone. Snow froze as the purple and white wave of magic crested above her, covering her in dust. Though she was thankful that there was no painful intent behind the outburst of magic, it did nothing but infuriate her to the point of shaking.
"You TOOK me from my HOME, my LIFE for WHAT PURPOSE?! I deserve the truth for my life is MY LIFE, be it in servitude or not!"
Snow blatantly stared and stopped herself from cringing as the Knight's voice rang throughout the battlefield. She had never seen her like this. Not even during the previous wars they fought together. Her furious anger began to wane as fear began to creep and fester inside her.
Regina took a few hesitant steps towards the rightly pissed off Knight and placed her hand on her shoulder. Surprised laced her features as Elizabeth did not jerk away from the touch. A small gesture, one that had not happened in many years, grounded them both more than they could possibly understand.
"She knew who you were, that you were my Protector. She heard of your ever-growing power, so she took you. To cripple our kingdom and to strengthen hers."
Regina's voice no longer held malice or fight, only conviction, for Elizabeth. It startled them all profoundly. But she could feel the confusion and most of all, the hurt than was raging inside Elizabeth.
"I have been fighting ever since you were… taken, for revenge and just because I couldn't just believe that you were truly gone. No matter the lack of life or not."
"But why?"
The Knight and Snow both were confused. The Knight, moreso on a personal level and Snow, because she had never known Regina to care for anything, let alone, anyone, other than herself. How wrong she had been.
"I believe you know, Liz."
Elizabeth ran a hand through her long red hair, fighting against faith to sooth the exponentially growing migraine that was coming from her split soul. Her piercing eyes danced with unreleased magic, pinning Snow in place from the furious pacing she had begun.
"So I was used as a tool to destroy the Darkness that you did not want to get your hands dirty with?"
"Your soul was already tainted Elizabeth. I granted you Redemption when I had you purge this world of the Darkness she construed."
Regina watched the exchange with a heavy heart. She could care less about Snow and what she was going through as her forever Good was being questioned. But what hurt her to witness was Elizabeth as her world caved in around her once again not of her own doing or consequence. Yet there was nothing Regina could do to stop it.
"You willingly USED me so you wouldn't taint your own soul? How could you do that?!"
"And you wonder why I've always called them sanctimonious mongrels?"
Elizabeth could not help the smile that ghosted across her face as she remembered the many, many times Regina said those words while on a rampage. That was so long ago, but it still made her smile.
"I am beginning to, yes."
Snow raised her chin defiantly and sneered. It was the look of pissed off, holier-than-thou royalty. A look that Cora had perfected and drilled into Regina. But it seemed she wasn't the only one whom learned it. The split second resemblance seemed uncanny and Regina had to shake her head to clear that horrible thought from her mind.
"I will no longer stand here and be subject to whatever this is! I am the White Queen!"
"'Whatever this is'? This is a mess of your own making! Do not think you are above consequence!"
"Consequences be damned Regina! I AM THE WHITE QUEEN!"
The grip tightened on Elizabeth's shoulder as the air rang with the echoes of the screamed words.
"I do not believe this is pertinent to the matter under consideration. The world knows of your title as I am sure they heard it. Now answer my question."
Snow threw her dark hair back over her shoulder in a show of stuck up regalness. She appeared ragged and enraged as the conversation drew on.
"You have two choices Elizabeth. Come with me and the Blue Faery will purge you again of this darkness. Or choose her. Choose her and be a wanted and dangerous mortal enemy of the White Kingdom until the day you BOTH die."
Regina couldn't help the roll of her eyes and the unceremonious snort followed by a peal of laughter.
"Perhaps you should leave the dramatics to us professionals dear. Those two choices only benefit you and you damn well know it. You are coming off as a petulant child and nothing more than the spoiled brat that we all know you are."
"ENOUGH! I will have you tried and executed for slander and treason you evil bitch!"
Snow had reached the end of her rope a long time ago and it clearly showed. The White Queen had lost her patience, but it was too late now. She saw the honey-hued orbs study her intently. Her skin felt as if she was covered in a million ants that wouldn't cease crawling.
'This must be what madness felt like.' The thought bounced around her head continuously. On the verge of losing the one person whom had built her kingdom back up to a respectful ally and foe, madness was what she would become if it meant keeping Elizabeth with her and out of Regina's hands.