"It's me, Zelena, Mal. You know me." Zelena said. Mal's eyes betrayed no recognition whatsoever. "You don't remember?"
"Remember what? I don't know who you are." Mal scrambled to her feet, rubbing the back of her head. "Stay away from me."
"Mal, please, we can talk about this. You don't remember me?" Zelena asked, feeling her heart beat painfully at the look of complete emotionlessness on the face of her lover. Mal didn't even acknowledge her words, so she tried to touch her, to reaffirm their bond, but the dragon reacted violently, smacking her away and unleashing a burst of fire from her palm. The dragon fire singed half of her right arm and side and she screamed as she dropped to her knees, trying to steel herself against the pain of the new wound and the one dealt to her heart knowing that it was her dragon who caused it. Mal's fire had never burned before.
The wound wouldn't heal. Zelena panted, looking up at Mal. The dragon was glaring at her, as though she couldn't believe that Zelena had the gall to try and touch her.
"You don't remember any of it?" Zelena stood up a little straighter, her burn protesting a little. "The sweet bread, the movies, the garden, Tiberius? None of it?"
"No." Mal growled. "And if you ever touch me again, I will rip you apart."
"I was going to be your mate. You said you loved me."
"Why would I love you?"
"Do you know how many times I've asked myself that same fucking question?! You once said it didn't matter why, you just do." Zelena hissed, not backing down. There was a momentary lapse in the fire filling Mal's eyes. She seemed conflicted. Whatever spell was cast was weak, or Mal was fighting it. "Please, just-" Mal teleported away. "Damn it!" She scrambled back into the bedroom and reached under the bed, pulling out a box that held her stash of items for witchcraft. She opened it and selected a small blue vial, popped it open and poured it on the wound. It sizzled and burned, but didn't heal. "Damn it!" All she could do for the moment was bandage it up.
"Zelena?" Lily's voice made her turn.
"In here." Zelena called. The dragon entered the room and immediately helped her up.
"What happened?"
"Something's wrong with Mal. She doesn't remember me. She burned me. She…" Zelena bit back a cry of pain. "I can't heal it." Lily tried to heal the burn, but for some reason it just wouldn't.
"Damn it! We have to find her to fix this."
"I know where she's going."
/
Regina was just tidying up for the day, having finished her work when the doors of her office blew open. It was Maleficent. The dragon quickly stepped inside and shut the doors before fixing the brunette with a dark gaze. "Mal?" She ducked down beneath the desk when Mal suddenly moved across the room almost faster than she could see.
"Regina dear, what are you doing?" Mal asked, easily lifting the desk up with one hand.
"What are you doing here?" Regina demanded, straightening herself up.
"I came to see my favorite queen."
"What? Shouldn't you be with Zelena?"
"Who?"
Regina frowned. "Your little witch." She said, fighting back the jealous growl in her throat.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." Mal replied, putting down the desk and looking around. "This is what your curse caused?"
"Mal, you've been here almost a year already. What's going on?" Regina picked up her phone and dialed Zelena's number. "What the hell did you do to Mal?"
"There is nothing wrong with me besides the fact I am very horny and have a taste for Queen." Mal smirked, moving around the desk.
"If you fucking touch her, Regina, I will rip you apart. Do you understand me?!" Zelena roared into the phone. "Do not sleep with her, do not touch her!" Mal leaned back slightly, ears pricked and listening to Zelena's rant.
"That is the woman who I found this morning. She has no claim to me."
"Do you understand, Regina?" Zelena said slowly and deadly.
"Yes." Regina sighed. Mal snatched the phone, crushed it and advanced on the queen again with dark, lust-filled eyes. The dragon must still be in mating mode. She could tell something was off about Mal and as badly as she wanted to give in to that old desire, she really did think Zelena would cash in on that threat and Mal would regret it once she got back her apparently lost memories. She simply teleported away to find her sister.
/
Zelena struggled to keep moving. The burn was causing her so much pain. She'd sent Lily off to find her wolf and told her not to worry about the witch. Meanwhile, she had to find a way to help her love. She was walking along the trail in the woods to town and the library so she could use the chains from earlier to chain up Mal until they got this mess sorted out. Her magic was concentrated solely on trying to heal her burn and keeping it from getting infected. So far, it was all she could do. Suddenly the ground rushed to meet her as she collapsed. The air burst out of her lungs and everything went dark.
When Zelena came to, she was in some kind of tent. Her arm and side was being treated by none other than Robin Hood. "Ugh. What are you doing?"
"You were passed out, milady. Your burn was pretty bad, seared down to the bone so I sought to help you." Robin replied.
"You can't remember either?"
"Remember what?" He asked frowning in confusion.
"You were Regina's soulmate." He still looked confused. She sighed. "Never mind." Someone must be intentionally screwing her and Regina to steal the memories of those they cared about. She tried to sit up but small hands pushed her back down. Roland came into her field of vision.
"Don't move, Miss." He said firmly. "Dad will help." He fixed her with an adorable little glare and stepped back so Robin could finish rebandaging her. She groaned when she sat up so he could wrap her abdomen in a gauze.
"How did this happen?" Robin asked.
"My uh, girlfriend, I guess, doesn't remember me. Someone stole her memories and she burned me. She's a dragon." Zelena shrugged.
"Is there any way I can assist you?"
"Look, you don't know this but we despise each other. You were dating my sister and I tried to kill her so you hate me."
Robin scoffed. "I have no idea what you're talking about. All I know is you are a woman with an injury and shouldn't be fighting dragons alone. I will offer my assistance."
"Me too!" Roland added.
The little Hood was insufferably cute, but there was no way she was going to let them put themselves in danger. Roland was only a child and she wanted nothing to do with Robin. "Thanks, but no thanks." She swung her legs off the bed and stood up with another groan. She staggered out of the tent and out of the Merry Men's camp, but she didn't make it far before she turned back around. Robin, now equipped with his bow was standing with a smug smirk on his face. "I said no."
"And I said yes. Where to first, milady?"
Zelena rolled her eyes and kept walking. They traversed the wilds in under an hour and made their way to the library. Robin climbed down into the cave and brought back up the chains. Maybe now they could hold the Dragon Queen. It was her best bet so far. Anything to keep Regina from being anywhere near her dragon. Her sister suddenly appeared as they were leaving.
"Robin? What are you doing?" She looked between the two of them with slight anger.
"So you can play with my girlfriend but I can't spend time with your boyfriend?" Zelena asked.
Robin, again looked confused. "I don't understand."
Zelena tuned out her sister trying to remind her beloved of their shared life, but her eyes zeroed in on the mark on Regina's neck. She slammed her sister against the wall. "I told you not to touch her!"
"I didn't! I've been trying to stay away from her all day." Regina hissed.
"You were making out with my mate! Mal loves to give hickies."
"Zelena-"
"I said not to touch her!"
"We both know when the Dragon Queen wants something, she gets it. It isn't my fault."
Zelena released, forcing down her anger. "It matters not. I'll deal with you later. Where is she?"
"Probably searching for me."
As if on cue, Maleficent appeared in a flash of purple. Her gaze immediately sought out Regina and she quickly went to the queen and nuzzled her in greeting. Zelena fought back the scowl of jealousy rising within her. She wanted to rip the both of them apart but it wasn't Mal's fault. Once whatever spell this was broke, she would probably be mortified at her actions. Still, it was hurtful to see her so doting on Regina.
"Mal, please,stop. You don't know what you're doing." Regina pushed her away. "You should be with Zelena."
Mal looked up at her, eyes glowing with nothing but disgust. "Why would I want her?" She walked up to Zelena and looked down at her. "She means nothing to me. I could eat for her for breakfast." It was a typical dragon tactic. Intimidation. Unfortunately for Mal, Zelena was quite aware of her weaknesses.
Robin touched her shoulder and hefted the chains. "Now?"
Zelena nodded, watching curiously as he dropped them and stepped in front of her, tilting his head at Maleficent. "You won't touch her."
"Are you going to stop me, thief?"
"Whatever it takes, dragon." He replied.
Meanwhile the chains had wrapped themselves around Mal's ankles and were binding her in the black metal. She roared upon realizing it, but Zelena knew she couldn't break them. She'd reinforced them to be nearly indestructible. Robin rolled the mummified dragon to the hole leading down into the cavern and Zelena kicked the angry dragon in and resealed it.
"What was the point of that?" Regina demanded. "You could've hurt her!"
"Maleficent has survived for over 3000 years, I'm fairly sure that little fall didn't hurt her in the slightest and besides, I'm only keeping her away from you. You don't seem to understand that she is not yours. With or without her memories. I should kill you now, but I'm not...I'm going to try and find out who's behind this. Now if you will leave me to my work…"
"What are you planning to do?" Robin asked.
"I have no idea."
"True Love's kiss?" He suggested.
"It won't matter. She doesn't remember me at all, much less our love for each other. It won't work if she doesn't care. Which she doesn't." Zelena sighed and ran her hands through her hair. Lifting her arm aggravated her wound and she hissed in pain. Robin quickly put an arm around her.
"Why don't you go to the hospital?"
"The burn is magical." Regina supplied, watching with her arms crossed and her eyes boring into them with jealousy. "You touched Mal without her permission, didn't you?"
"Yes."
"It's meant to be a punishment. Only she can heal it and she certainly won't now."
Zelena sighed. "I need to go help Lily."
"You need to go home. Come on." Robin suddenly lifted her in his arms and carried her out the door. Not once did he falter as he carried her through town to her farmhouse.
"Thank you." He bowed as she opened the door and stepped inside. "I suppose you should come in." she said. He wiped his boots neatly by the door and followed her into the home.
"You have a lovely home, Miss."
"Zelena, please." Zelena nearly collapsed onto the couch. "Help yourself." He went to grab himself a drink. When he wasn't being a damsel in distress that Regina had to save or constantly glaring daggers at her, Robin Hood wasn't a bad companion to be around. He was truly honorable and had a good heart...and a huge set of balls for standing up to Maleficent like that. Then again, no wonder Regina was constantly saving him from something. He was a brave man and a stupid one. But this thing was weighing on her. As Robin cleaned and redressed her burn again, she felt just sick and depressed without her dragon. She means nothing to me. The words had stung the witch to the core. What if there was truly a piece of her Maleficent that believed Zelena would never be good enough? She was so tired of the situation already. She ended up calling Lily to check on her. The dragon had found the real Ruby in an abandoned shack in the forest and had taken her home. They would investigate the shack early the next morning. Zelena went into her bedroom and asked Robin to push aside the bed. He obeyed and she grabbed her broom and tapped the floor several times until she felt the hollowed board. Robin bent down to pull it, revealing the hiding place and pulled out the small music box.
"Please be very careful with that." Zelena said. He very carefully placed it in her hands and she hobbled over to the bed and sat down.
"This holds great meaning to you." He said softly.
"It does." Zelena looked at the small thing with its pink paint wood that was slowly peeling off and its green flowers. "It belonged to my mother. The only thing I have that belonged to her. My father tried to destroy everything that she owned after she died...but I managed to save this little thing." Despite the hideous appearance of the paint, it was in fine condition. She personally kept it that way without even using magic. "I never even showed this to Mal." She said softly.
"What song does it play?"
Zelena opened it. Inside was was a lion standing in its hind paws, dancing with a little munchkin. The tune it played sounded eerie yet beautiful at the same time. Her mother had always told her it was because it represented Oz, a mysterious land of magic and beauty. Their home. The sound of it soothed her in ways she could not possibly describe. Robin said nothing, just placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. At this point, Zelena didn't even care. She just wanted to be in Mal's arms again.
/
It was night, several days later by the time Maleficent managed to free herself from the chains. She had half a mind to break that witch in half and went to the strange house in which she lived where her scent was heaviest. She stood outside, noticing that her own scent was quite heavy here as well. She looked around but nothing seemed vaguely familiar. Walking up to the window, she found the witch inside, sitting on the couch with her arm bandaged while the thief and his son sat not far away. They were talking and laughing. The witch pulled out a small music box, said something very serious to the boy and opened it. It played a tune that Maleficent had never heard before. She watched as the redhead waved her hand, using a little bit of magic to make the lion and munchkin step off their spinning pedestal and dance across the coffee table. The little boy beamed and laughed. Maleficent stepped away, growling at herself, wondering why she felt so jealous of what she'd just seen. She hated it and didn't even understand it. She hated all of this. Regina, the one she thought actually loved her, was trying her hardest to stay away from her. Her own daughter was angry with her, constantly comparing her to some woman that she didn't even recognize. She was Maleficent, the Dragon Queen, the Great Beast, the Destroyer of Nations, Bringer of the Firestorm. What did they expect?! For her to be some simpering little pet who rolled over and let anyone scratch her belly? This other Mal was weak, pandering to the redheaded witch who she was apparently bonded to like a fool! Why couldn't she remember?
The witch, Zelena, was her name, had come and talked with her while she was chained up, telling about some sort of wretched existence as her mate. Mal had literally thrown up at the prospect of such. It was beneath her.
/
Zelena went to put her music box away, carefully placing it on the nightstand next to her bed and returned to the living room. She and Roland went to make cookies while a confused Robin, with no memory of this world, played with the 'box of moving pictures'.
Lily suddenly walked in, not even bothering with knocking and held it open for Ruby to limp inside.
"You're okay." Zelena said, quickly helping the wolf sit down.
"I'm fine now. Thank you." Ruby sighed. Lily sat down with her while Zelena went to finish helping Roland. Over the last few days, the outlaw and his son had rarely left her side. She wasn't sure why but she didn't mind. With Lily being preoccupied with Ruby's recovery, she would've been alone. Thanks to them, she wasn't. Their search of the shack had yielded no results. There were traces of magic that neither of them recognized. They'd yet to speak with Regina so they hoped she could offer some insight on it tonight. She hadn't seen Mal either. She didn't want to see her without feeling the love shining through her eyes. She's tried talking to her while she was chained up and tried to explain what they meant to each other but the dragon only cursed her and had actually thrown up when she told her about their mating. That had stung. She would've never thought that Mal would be so violent and scary without her memories. She apparently remembered Lily, but Lily had basically cut her off after some kind of altercation that Zelena thought was about Ruby, but she wasn't completely sure and the younger dragon refused to speak of it. Maleficent was a completely different person: untrusting, paranoid, and unfeeling. It was before she'd learned to open her heart and Zelena wanted to cry for what had caused her dragon to be such a way. All of this mess needed to be fixed or else she was going to go crazy.
Regina arrived promptly at 6 and wasn't too happy about seeing her soulmate at her sister's house. She didn't come alone either.
"No one asked for the Savior's help." Lily growled as both women waited to be let in.
"I'm only trying to-"
"I don't care."
Zelena lightly touched the young dragon's shoulder before inviting the others in. Roland came running into the living room and presented the redhead with the plate of cookies. "My, these look delicious." She sat down and pulled the little boy into the seat next to her while she looked at Regina and magically made the jar of magical essence from the shack appear. "Just see if you recognize this." She sighed and leaned back in her seat as Regina examined the jar.
"How much have you slept?" Lily asked in concern.
"Not much since this began."
"Did you stop eating again?" The dragon glared at her before glancing at her stomach. "You did."
"I'm not hungry." Zelena snapped. "I just want Mal back."
"Don't cry, Lena." Roland said, giving her a hug.
"Roland, you do realize I am the Wicked Witch, right?"
"You're not green." He pointed out. "Don't cry. Here, eat a cookie." He held up the plate but Zelena declined. Robin, Lily and Ruby all took one to appease him.
Zelena stood up. Her wound seemed to be healing, although it had to be cleaned frequently and she couldn't use any of her magic with it being diverted to prevent infection and to try and break through whatever Maleficent was using to stop her from healing herself. Life felt so meaningless, so dull without her beloved. Their time was running out. Maleficent was getting angrier. She simply didn't know how to deal with Mal like this. It would seem Regina didn't either. She walked into the kitchen for a drink and opened a book on the counter about dragons. She'd read and reread everything she could find to prove to Mal what they were to each other. The dragon simply wouldn't listen, even after Zelena showed her the mark on her wrist. Nothing was working and she was so tired.
"You okay?" Lily asked, coming to her side.
"I'm fine."
"You're lying. You're heartbroken, exhausted and starving. Mom wouldn't want you like this, Zelena."
"I've tried eating. Nothing stays down." Zelena crossed her arms, wincing slightly. "I don't want to eat anything anyway. I want my dragon. So long as she stays the fuck away from Regina while she's in mating mode, I'm fine."
"She won't mate with Regina." Lily replied matter of factly. "She may want to, but her instincts will tell her not to because she's still tied to you. Dragons only bond with one person at a time."
"Mal says it's reversible."
"Only by you, but we both know you wouldn't do that."
Zelena sighed again and leaned her forehead on the counter. When she looked up, there was a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup in front of her.
"Try to eat again. For me."
The witch glared at her as she sipped the soup. It felt nice settling in her empty stomach, but it was only a few minutes later that she threw all of it back up. It left her feeling drained and she went into the bedroom for some medicine, finding someone already inside.
Maleficent was sitting on the bed, cradling her mother's music box in her hands. The dragon was purring softly as she listened to the music. Zelena stepped into the room and silently closed the door.
"You like the song?" She asked gently.
Mal whipped around, one hand raised threateningly, her purr transforming into a growl in an instant. Zelena was more concerned about her precious music box than anything else and was ready to try and defend it if necessary. "You would really fight me for this little thing?" Mal asked. "What meaning does it hold?"
"It's very special to me. It belonged to my adoptive mother who died. You know about her."
"I don't. Please stop presuming what I am aware of." The dragon replied, turning back to the music box. She ran her fingertips over the old, delicate wood. "Why am I drawn here? To this place? My scent is heavy here."
"Because you came here often. This was our room." Zelena answered. Mal growled as she turned around. The witch tensed as the dragon's nails dug into the wood. "Please be careful with that." She moved a little closer, as discretely as possible. "What else do you want to know?"
"Why the fuck would I bond with you." Mal said, not quite believing her own actions. "Regina was meant to be my little queen. She was supposed to...be my happy ending. She's betrayed me. She doesn't even want me."
"Believe me, she wants you." Zelena scoffed. "But she can't have you. She did betray you and you forgave her. You didn't let hatred and vengeance weigh on your heart anymore. You've evolved beyond that. Your happy ending is with Lily...and me. I am your mate. Regina can't have you because you're mine." Mal looked at her, one eyebrow raised curiously. "For a long time, I was consumed with vengeance too. You helped me move past it. You believed in me when no one else would. You gave me a chance while everyone else was ready to write me off forever. You taught me to love, to enjoy life. You, Maleficent, are more than anyone could ever ask for and I certainly can't say that I asked for you. I can't say I deserve you. But I do want to help you. I mean, even if we can't give you your memories back and you're this way forever, then…" She trailed off, not even wanting to imagine a life without Mal after the taste of happiness the dragon had brought to her world.
"Then?" Mal pressed.
"Then I don't know. I still love you, but I would prefer you just be happy." Zelena admitted.
"What…" Mal looked around. "What was I like?"
Zelena smiled softly. "You glowed. You were patient and protective and gentle- well, sometimes you were. You're still perfect to me, Mal."
"You want the woman I am not."
"You are her." Zelena insisted, stepping forward to stand in front of Mal so she could look her in the eye. "Please understand that I just...i want you but if I can't have you then I want you to just be happy. I don't...quite know how to put it." It was her greatest hope that they could somehow work through this and still be together, at the same time, she just wanted Mal's happiness. She truly deserved it. It shocked her when Mal kissed her. The dragon healed her wound as she pulled the witch close, her tongue invading the redhead's mouth. Her kiss was fierce and fiery, and a bit rough. It was different than what she was used to, but Zelena didn't mind for the moment. It was still Mal. It was still her dragon. Maleficent let out a growl. She couldn't tell if the blonde was pleased or not. Her hands roamed and she pulled off Zelena's bandages with another growl. The dragon was trying to dominate her and it only left her feeling almost violated.
There was no magic. She couldn't feel True Love's kiss. Nothing broke. Maleficent leaned away, repeatedly licking her lips. "See? Nothing. Love means nothing. It doesn't even exist."
Zelena frowned in confusion as she sat down on the bed. Mal tensed up and moved swiftly so her back was to the wall and not to Zelena. The dragon had never told her that she didn't believe in love before. After having her heart broken and being locked away for a few centuries, it was no surprise. Then what had changed her? Was it Regina? Why did she decide to have Lily then? "I suppose this is it then. If you're dead set on having Regina, then go. I wish you happiness." She didn't mean a word of it, but Mal didn't know that.
"I knew it." Maleficent raised her head as though she'd won some kind of victory. Zelena frowned again. "You are no true dragon's mate, giving up so easily. Clearly I mean little to my apparent mate."
Zelena immediately stood up. "You mean everything to me."
"Weak. Pathetic. Clearly, whatever we were was a mistake. Regina is obviously the better choice. You are nothing more than a petty human who can't get over the fact that she was abandoned and not wanted by anyone...who's not even wanted now."
"You know what." Zelena hissed as tears started to fall. "I'm glad I get to shatter this perfect image of Regina you seem to have. Yeah, I am weak and pathetic and broken, but at least I didn't lock you underground in your dragon form for 30 years. She's lived here for over 3 decades without giving a shit about you. She let Emma kill you. The only reason she's interested in you now because she realizes Robin is boring as hell and because you chose me. She doesn't really care about you, Mal. And as for the petty part, you were the one who got your heart broken and decided to torch half an entire kingdom. It was one man. I'm sure you could've found someone else to rebound with."
"Do not ever mock me!" Maleficent roared.
"Grow the fuck up!" Zelena snapped. "I was willing to give you a chance, like you gave me one, but you know what? When people call you the Great Beast, they're spot on. You are nothing more than a mindless impulsive animal. You're no better than a dog. Never mind because dogs are fucking amazing, you're no better than a rat." Suddenly, there was a loud crunch. Zelena's breath caught as she looked down at the remains of her precious music box falling from Mal's fingertips. "No." She fell to her knees in an effort to catch them, but the dragon incinerated them. "No!"
"Zelena." Lily burst into the room and immediately went to the witch's side. "What's wrong?" Robin stepped in as well, going into protective mood as he stood between the dragon and the others.
"My mother's music box. It's gone." It was all she'd had that her mother had cherished. It was like she couldn't breathe. She looked up at Maleficent with murder in her eyes. The dragon simply moved towards the door and ended up facing the Savior with her gun drawn.
"Please put that toy away."
"What did you do?" Emma looked at Zelena, silently asking if she was hurt.
Zelena was in pain, but it wasn't physically anymore. She swept aside the ashes of the music box and stood up. "Maleficent…" The dragon turned to face her, prepared for a challenge. Zelena had read the incantation in her book about dragons many times. The words to end their bond. She didn't want to use the words- No, she did. Maleficent had destroyed her most prized possession and she would pay. Damn the consequences. Damn everything! "I abjure you." The dragon froze, her expression turning to one of shock. "I renounce the ties of our blood, I reject the bonds of our mating. Everything that we are is no more." Mal suddenly started crying and her entire demeanor changed as there was a flash of magic through the air. Her memories were back. Zelena...didn't care. "I will lay with you no longer. You will mark me no longer. Any child gained from our mating will be mine and mine alone. I rescind your invitation into my home."
"Zelena, no. Please don't do this!" Maleficent pleaded, down on her knees before the witch as her own spell tried to pull her out of the house. "Zelena!"
"We're done!" Zelena screamed. The dragon screamed and tried to grab the door frame but it broke. She was sent sprawling across the front yard. Zelena walked into the living room. Robin apparently had his memories back as well and he was not pleased with Regina, who was trying desperately to earn his favor again.
"What have you done?" The queen demanded.
"Get out." Zelena said lowly. "You and your pet savior, get out! I want you out of my house and out of my life! If you ever come here again, I will gut the both of you." She waved her hand and Regina and Emma were thrown outside as well. Robin willingly stormed out, with a confused Roland following.
"Zelena." Lily touched her shoulder, but she shook it off.
"Please, not now. I need to be alone." Zelena sat down with a sigh as the younger dragon went to comfort her mother. Ruby followed silently. Finally alone, the witch crumpled under the weight of the past few days. How everything that felt so perfect could turn so wrong in so little time. She shook violently, exhausted and feverish, she simply laid on the couch and listened to Maleficent's pleading. The dragon begged her to recant, to let her back in. Zelena ignored her.
"Zelena please." Mal cried, pounding on the door. "I'm so sorry."
Zelena covered her ears and closed her eyes, trying to shut out the noise. Warm arms wrapped around her and she looked up into the eyes of none other than her birth mother. Cora. "What are you doing here?" She demanded, leaping to her feet.
"I am here to show you just how horrible love can be. It is a weakness."
"Don't start that bullshit with me-"
"Listen to her. The Dragon Queen, begging and pleading. You can have her eating out of your hand. She will do anything to make this right. That gives you power." Cora said, rising as well. "You have power, Zelena, but you have done little with it. All of this was just to show you how weak you have become, how much your dragon really loved you."
"Go away." Zelena hissed. "How did you get in here?"
"The spell on your house was annulled for the briefest moment in order to pull Maleficent out. In that moment, I slipped in. I only want to help you, Zelena. I never got to be your mother, the one you deserved, but I can help you now-" She didn't even get to finish as Zelena conjured a spear and rammed into her stomach. Cora looked shocked.
"One thing you should know, Mother." Zelena hissed in her face. "I am not Regina. I don't give a damn about you or your obsession with power. Good bye." She wrenched out the spear as Cora teleported away, crawling away to her hiding place to lick her wounds. The wound wouldn't kill her, not when she could heal herself with magic. Zelena sent a text to Lily and Regina, telling them who was behind this before going into her bedroom and going to sleep. She put a spell up around the house to block out any noise. She happened to look down at her wrist and found the star mark was gone.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It broke Lily's heart to see her mother this way. She'd never seen her cry before, but now she couldn't seem to stop. "What did I say, Lily? What did I do to her? I don't remember." Mal ran her hands through her hair, shaking terribly as she fought back even more tears. "This is all my fault."
"It's not." Lily assured her. "This is Cora's fault. She just tried that love is weakness bull on Zelena. All of this was some kind of game to her."
"It doesn't matter." Maleficent whispered. "Zelena hates me. I can't feel her anymore. The bond is gone."
"You can bond again."
"She doesn't want me anymore. Gods knows what I might have said to her."
Lily rubbed her mother's back and teleported them to the bedroom of their house. "Try to get some sleep. In the morning you can talk all this out with Zelena."
Mal refused to lay down, but she conceded after Lily relinquished her phone so she could send a rather heartbreaking apologetic voicemail to Zelena in an effort to get in contact with her. The witch had completely closed off her farmhouse to anyone. After putting her mother to bed, Lily returned to her room and found Ruby struggling to stay awake. The wolf's wounds were minor after being chained up for days, although she needed to be kept on a feeding schedule so as not to eat too much food. Werewolves lose a ton of weight if they didn't feed regularly and Ruby's easily discernable ribs proved that. Lily took care of her girlfriend so she wouldn't overeat or underfeed and she seemed to be recovering nicely.
"Hey."
"Hey." Lily climbed into bed and wrapped her arms around Ruby. "This is all so fucked up."
"It is." Ruby agreed. "I'm glad to be home though."
"Home?"
"With my mate. Wherever that might be." Ruby kissed her cheek and she smiled. "Now go to sleep. You've been up for 2 days worrying over me and your mother. Thank you, but you need to rest too."
Lily didn't even hesitate as her head slumped against Ruby's neck. She was soon out like a light.
Meanwhile, her mother had gotten out of bed and was taking a scalding hot bath, as though that would erase who she used to be, what she had said and done over the past few days. Whatever she'd done to make Zelena break that bond...she couldn't fathom. She wished she could do it all over again.
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Regina stormed down to the vault, the only place she could think her mother could be hiding. Walking inside, she found the brunette standing in the middle of the room...with a hole in her stomach. There was no blood and Cora didn't even look hurt. Regina reached out to touch her mother and her fingers passed through her. Cora crumbled into dust. She wasn't real. Cora was never real. Someone was trying to pin this on their mother...but who would go through this complicated scheme to destroy them in this way? Who would want Zelena and Mal separated or she and Robin angry with each other? Who would do this?
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