((Okay, so this chapter is slightly shorter.. We could call it a little interlude before the events continues..))

Forbidden

Parting Ways part II:

"Love is weakness, Maleficent. I thought you knew that," Regina purrs as she bends down and takes what she came for. The dark curse.

"If you're here to kill me, kill me!" Maleficent sneers.

Regina pauses, and her eyebrows raises. "Why would I do that? You're my only friend."

Maleficent gives her a look. A look that so suggests that she doesn't like that label. But instead of delving into that, she starts talking about how Regina will feel a void inside her forever if she casts that curse.

"So be it," Regina says calmly and turns her back on her old friend. She can hear Maleficent struggling with the bindings that are roped tightly around her, but Regina doesn't take pity on her. Not this time. Instead she simply waves her hand and transport back to her own castle.

If only Maleficent hadn't been so difficult. If only she had just handed the curse over. She was the one who pushed Regina to fight her. She was the one who insisted upon fighting.

Regina had hoped that fighting wouldn't be necessary. She had considered a number of things to offer Maleficent in exchange of the curse. Including herself. She could have done that. She could have slept with Maleficent one last time. And that would have been an excellent way for Maleficent to prove that she was still on Regina's side.

But of course, Maleficent had to be difficult. Of course, she had been hostile from the moment Regina had sat foot in her castle. There had been wine, but Regina had been forced to take it herself. Maleficent hadn't served it for her. There had been no wine and sweet words today. And there had certainly not been any part of the old Maleficent left. Instead, Regina had found a pathetic excuse for a powerful sorceress who spent time doting on her pet.

A pet. She had replaced Regina with a pet.

If that wasn't pathetic.

Maleficent had clearly given up. Resigned. Settled for a lonesome life with her pet unicorn.

Regina scoffs. She found that to be strangely upsetting, especially because she knew what Maleficent really was capable of.

But it would appear, that woman was gone. There was only a shadow left.

A shadow, who had been less than pleased to see Regina. Unbelievable. She should have been proud instead. Proud of this new and stronger and more powerful version of Regina.

But clearly, that wretched thing had a preference for helpless young women. Helpless young women she could mold and shape and bent to her will.

Regina scoffs again. That's exactly why the thing between her and Maleficent had ended. Because Regina refused to submit to the dragon anymore. And clearly, Maleficent couldn't handle that.

Regina takes a sip of the glass of wine she just poured for herself. A pity, really. Their last encounter could have been pleasurable for both of them. Instead Maleficent had chosen to be petulant. To be difficult. Was she really still upset about how Regina had laughed in her face? Now that was ridiculous. Even more ridiculous that the silly idea that had grown in Maleficent's mind. That she should care for Regina.

Ridiculous. Complete madness. What might have been between her and Regina had been sex and nothing more. Just that. To claim that there were actual feelings involved was just something Maleficent had come up with to try and distract Regina.

Yes. A distraction. She had tried to turn Regina's attention elsewhere. She had tried to tear her away from her revenge.

And for that she will pay, Regina thinks bitterly to herself. To think that her old friend would turn against her like this. She hadn't foreseen it, but alas, if that was how Maleficent saw things, so be it.

Regina had planned on being merciful to her. She had planned on giving Maleficent a relatively comfortable life, but now… Now her punishment would be equally as bad as Snow White and her charming prince.

No one, no one who went against Regina deserved to be comfortable. No. Regina didn't owe Maleficent anything.

Regina waves a hand over her mirror and steals a glimpse at the Forbidden Fortress. Maleficent has indeed managed to free herself from the ties that binds her, and now the blonde is crouching down in front of her unicorn pet, patting its head.

Regina sneers. How pathetic. How utterly pathetic. To think that this was the same woman who had once spread fear and let her dragon form terrorize people.

To think that this was the same woman who had taught Regina magic. To think that Maleficent had been reduced to this.

The door to Regina's bedchambers opens, and Regina barely gets the chance to make the image of Maleficent disappear from the mirror before her father steps inside.

"Was that really necessary, my dear?" he asks.

"Was what really necessary, daddy?" Regina says and removes the shimmering headpiece from her hair. She shakes her head a few times, sending her dark hair tumbling down her back. Then she hands daddy a hairbrush and sits down in front of the vanity.

"Your… Your treatment of the dragon sorceress," Henry says quietly and starts brushing Regina's hair.

Regina narrows her eyes as she looks at her father in the mirror. "And why would you care how I treat her?"

Henry remains quiet for a while and keeps his eyes fixated on Regina's hair as he brushes through the dark curls. "You may not like me saying it, my dear. But I know the two of you were… close once."

Regina sneers again. She's a little taken aback over how much daddy seems to know about what happened long ago, but what does his words means know? The things that happened between her and Maleficent is a part of the past. A past, Regina will soon be rid of. A past she'll soon lay to rest in favor of a new life.

"That was a long time ago," she growls. "And in the end, she turned out to be a false friend just like everyone else I've crossed paths with. So I don't understand why you're bringing this up now, daddy."

"I meant no harm, my dear," Henry says quickly. "I merely thought..."

"Well, you thought wrong!" Regina snaps. "And we're not discussing this further, do you hear me?!"

"Yes, Your Majesty," the valet says quietly, and Regina immediately feels a pang of guilt for snapping at him, but at the same time she knows, that snapping was the right thing to do in this situation.

Because despite what daddy is insinuating, Maleficent means nothing to her. Yes, she had been useful when Regina had needed her, but the moment Regina became stronger than her, Maleficent had suddenly tried to "proclaim her feelings". To distract her.

What had the dragon expected? That Regina would welcome her with open arms? Ridiculous. There's only room for one person in Regina's heart. Daniel.

Maleficent should have been smart enough to know that.

To Be Continued…