Regina tilted her head as she made her way to the patio, sipping a steaming cup of coffee. Nyla was sitting beneath the overhang, watching the rain fall. Regina snapped her fingers and the rain froze in place, as if time had stopped. Nyla's head whipped around to face her.
"Show off." She smirked.
Regina shrugged and came to sit next to her. She snapped her fingers again and the rain resumed.
"You're amazing." Nyla whispered.
"Thank you." Regina sipped some more of her coffee and raised her eyebrows when Nyla reached over to take her mug and take a sip of her own. "What are you doing out here anyway?"
"Enjoying the rain."
Regina looked towards the pool nearby and watched the rain fall and ripple on the water's surface. The rain was light, just a simple shower. The sky was a pale gray and covered in clouds that were lit up from the sun just behind them, trying to break. It was quite beautiful and only made her way to curl up with a good book.
"So, Regina," Nyla said. "Ever thought of having any more children?"
"What? Where did that come from?"
"I told you that I was curious about you."
"I'd love more. I've always wanted a big family. I don't really know how that would work considering the fact that the two children I do have want nothing to do with each other."
"Well, considering one is a fully grown woman and the other is a child, I don't really think they have to deal with each other. Combining your family is just not something that's going to happen."
"Yeah, I realize that now."
"That's not a bad thing, by the way. It's merely a fact. You worry too much about everything being perfect." Nyla placed the mug next to her and laid down on her back, folding her arms behind her head.
"Oh, do I?" Her companion seemed to have such a simple view of the world. She believed that life was simple but people made everything so much more complicated than it needed to be.
"Yep. I get that you want to be a hero and I think you're a good person, but you're always going to be a villain to someone. You'll never be loved by everyone. So why worry about someone else's opinion? As I said before, everything begins with you. If you don't like something about yourself and you're willing to change, then do it. Not because of someone else, but for you. You can do that at any moment. Transform."
"Transform, huh?" Regina murmured, pondering her words.
"Indeed." Nyla rolled onto her side to look at her and propped her head up with her arm. "You want to know something that will change your life?"
"What's that?"
"There is nothing you can do that will change the past." She said matter of factly. "Splitting yourself in half didn't change anything. Yes, you broke up with your ex and that might've influenced it, but based on what you've told me, who's to say that relationship would've lasted anyway. All the good and bad you've done in your life, all of the pain and pleasure you've experienced and caused, all the lives ruined and lives made better, all of that in the past will remain that way forever. Even if you saved a thousand lives and was the greatest hero that the world has ever seen, it will have changed nothing about who you used to be." She held Regina's eyes evenly, showing a small smile. "And that's okay. You want to know why your counterpart continues to thrive and you do not? She accepts who and what she is. She accepts everything she's done. She wants a future and she's not going to let the past stop her from living." Nyla sat up and crossed her legs. "One thing you should not do, that I know that you continue to do, is over analyze everything. Starting with your failed relationship. Do not question an old love, a done love. Do not pick it apart or search through it trying to find where who went wrong or what you could've done to change things. Let it be what it was and let it go. Same thing for your past."
"I can't let that go." Regina said. "You say a lot of pretty things, Nyla and they may seem simple to you, but it never will be for me."
"I'm not saying forget it or ignore it. I'm saying let it go. I know you can't forget it. I know everyone else won't let you forget it. You will go crazy if you keep focusing on your mistakes, if you think that they can stop you from moving forward. Would you like me to help you?" Nyla stood up and held out her hands.
"What are you doing?"
"Giving you a push. Come on. You trust me, don't you?"
"I can't really say." Regina said, but found herself getting to her feet anyway. She took Nyla's hands and the brunette began to walk backwards. "Wait, what are you-"
"Come on." Nyla smiled. "Forward, Regina."
"I didn't know you meant literally."
"Weren't you on board the Jolly Roger during a massive magical storm after turning a mermaid to wood? What's a little rain then?"
"I need to stop telling you stuff." Regina sighed, following her out from under the overhang. The rain was icy cold and it didn't take long for it to penetrate her robe. Nyla's hands were warm and steady. She didn't know what Nyla expected of her. She scowled. "If you think we're going to dance-" Nyla suddenly ducked. The next thing she knew the brunette had hoisted her on her shoulder and was running towards the pool.
"You fucking bitch-" The water was like ice and shocked her when she hit it, stealing the breath from her lungs. Nyla sank with her to the bottom and grinned at her. Regina mouthed the words I hate you and Nyla blew her a kiss. She watched her idiot companion swim and twirl around her and rolled her eyes, already plotting her revenge. She pushed against the bottom of the pool, propelling herself to the surface and took a deep breath. Nyla swam up next to her. "I hate you."
"No, you don't. You lack spontaneity. What's wrong with a little fun?"
"Jumping into a pool while it's raining is not fun. It's moronic."
Nyla only chuckled as she swam around Regina to wrap her arms under her and carried her to the pool steps. Once her feet were back on solid ground and Nyla's back was turned, she conjured a sword and took a swing. Nyla turned at the last moment and squealed as she ducked and dove back into the water.
"What are you doing?"
"You have to come inside at some point, dear." Regina smirked, leaning the sword on her shoulder as she walked back into the house. She used magic to dry herself off and decided to go wait for her quarry. Nyla had no choice but to come back in or risk getting sick. If they weren't already due to her moronic actions. She was practically a child sometimes and why she wanted to drag Regina through these childish games was beyond her.
Running footsteps behind her made her turn and she screamed as Nyla tackled her. A laugh came from her attacker as she conjured a sword as well and brought down on Regina's head. She was barely able to raise her own weapon in time to stop her. Nyla giggled again. "Shall we make another deal?"
"Oh? I'm not a gambling woman."
"You gambled with me."
Regina arched an eyebrow and slipped out from under Nyla and rolled away to get to her feet. Nyla stood up, watching her closely. She settled into a cocky stance, practically purring with confidence. "Name it."
"Oh we can decide the price later. First, you have to win."
"So be it." Regina attacked and Nyla swiftly brought her sword up just in time to deflect. They went back and forth with quick strikes and Regina soon realized that Nyla truly was a warrior. Her movements were smooth and swift and she seemed to enjoy their battle immensely. She was a better swordsman than Regina, but the former queen knew how to balance everything out. All it took was a quick blast of magic that caught Nyla off guard and knocked her off her feet. That only made the brunette laugh. She was up again in moments, chasing after Regina.
"Cheater!"
"Incorrect. You didn't say there were rules. You just said I had to win."
"You won't." Nyla said, chasing Regina into the bedroom. She tackled Regina once again and sent both of them rolling across the bed.
"How is this a fight? Stop tackling me." Regina snapped. She lashed out with a quick blast of magic that knocked them off the bed. She fired again, shooting herself beneath the bed and out the other side.
"Oh my gods, that was so cool!" Nyla popped up to say.
Regina almost laughed at her child-like excitement. "You're ridiculous."
"And you're amazing. Now, come here. I've decided what I want when I win."
"Excuse me? You haven't won anything yet."
Nyla smirked and stepped around the bed. Regina snapped her fingers and both of them found themselves outside again. She was standing next to the pool and Nyla was hovering above it. "You fucking bit-" Regina waved her hand and Nyla landed in the water with a big splash. She came up spitting out water and curses.
"Shall we call a truce?"
"You have an unfair advantage." Nyla growled, holding out a hand. Regina grabbed it and helped her out of the pool. "Teach me."
"Teach you?" Regina said, her eyebrows rising.
"Yes. Teach me some tricks. I am in the presence of a magic master. How could I not take the opportunity to learn a few things?"
"I'm not a master." Regina scoffed as they walked back into the house and dried off. "Even you said I never reached my true potential when it came to magic because I was only trained to do the Dark One's bidding. You should see my sister. Even she could destroy me. If it wasn't for light magic, she would've."
Nyla let out a dramatic sigh. "You don't give yourself enough credit. Whether or not you're as good as your sister, you did defeat her. You have both light magic and dark magic. That's the first time I've heard of that. You've gone toe to toe with some of the best in the world and you shouldn't diminish that achievement." Regina shrugged. Nyla walked to the bar and got them a pair of glasses.
"What are you doing?"
"We're going to have a toast. To you. The one and only Regina Mills deserves to be celebrated. Don't you think so?" Nyla gave her a bright smile as she picked the best champagne from Regina's stock and poured them each a glass. She brought the glass over to Regina and offered it to her. "To you."
"And you. The resident therapist."
Nyla grinned. "Thank you. I try."
"Who taught you magic?" Regina asked. She moved to sit on the couch and Nyla joined her.
"I learned bits and pieces from different teachers, all over the world. I did a lot of moving around so I could never have a full apprenticeship. I prefer fighting anyway."
"Do you?" Regina asked, remembering how she seemed to enjoy their duel.
"Indeed. Your lover should always know how to fight. It's also pretty sexy."
Always pick a mate who can fight. She remembered Mal saying that before. She used to love to duel Regina too and for a dragon, there was no greater turn on than watching your mate demolish something. That was one of the main reasons she employed her Black Knights to train her in swordplay. While Regina knew she would never be a master at it, Mal had certainly appreciated her efforts.
"I just reminded you of your ex, didn't I?" Nyla asked, her face marred by a fierce scowl. "I swear, who is this woman? Where does she live? I just want to share a few words with her."
Regina snorted. "Let's do something else."
"Fine. Get naked."
Regina arched an eyebrow. "Okay." Nyla instantly whipped around to face her, making her laugh. She was tired of Nyla trying to get into her brain and she was tired of doing the same. She didn't want to think anymore. Someone might think she was foolish or that it was strange for her to place so much trust in a stranger, but she didn't care. She didn't want to be around anyone from Storbrooke. She knew what they would say and she knew what they would want her to do and at the moment, she couldn't imagine wanting to do anything less. Besides...she could always kill Nyla if she needed to...although it would be a shame. "Am I your queen, Nyla?"
"If you want to be, I don't mind."
"Good. Then remove your clothes and go get the handcuffs."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The dragon's den was quiet when Lily walked in from an evening out with her friends. She found her brunette mother sprawled out on the couch, too exhausted to make it to the bedroom. She was even too tired to fix her appearance, which until now was always immaculate when she returned from creating the new lands. Lily flicked an eyebrow and went to her room to change into black sweatpants and a long sleeved black shirt. She returned to the living room to help her mother to bed. Reina was almost weightless in her arms and she looked a little skinnier than she was supposed to be. Mal had warned them both that it might be a side effect as her body underwent all of these changes. Reina pushed herself hard every day to learn all Mal had to offer when she wasn't working on her gift. The effects were beginning to show.
"Princess?" Reina whispered.
"It's me, Mom."
"Is everything alright?" Reina was awake instantly and struggling to get out of her grip.
"Mom, relax. Everything's fine. You passed out on the couch and I know you don't want Mom to see you like that."
"That's true." Reina relaxed again and allowed Lily to tuck her into bed. "Can you look in the bathroom and get me a blue vial?"
Lily did as requested and Reina swiftly drank the vial of healing elixir. It restored her magic enough to fix her appearance and change her clothes into a silk negligee. "Feel better?"
"Much better." Reina sighed. "I would be mortified if Maleficent ever saw me in such a state."
"You know, she doesn't expect perfection from you, neither does she want it. Your imperfections are some of the reasons she loves you."
"I know." Reina replied.
"Is it a queen thing then? Always be well dressed, well groomed, lots of makeup? Always be poised and composed?" Lily rolled her eyes. "You're more than that nonsense."
"That nonsense got me to where I am today."
"I get it, but you know you don't have to try so hard. You look beautiful all the time, but do you know when you're most beautiful?" Reina cocked an eyebrow. "When you're just you. No bombast, no bravado, none of the extra stuff. Just you." Lily sat down on the edge of the bed. "Have you finished it yet?"
"Not quite. Just one more thing."
"Please don't overdo it again. Mom would've freaked if she were the one who found you." Reina simply waved away her concerns and she rolled her eyes again. "Fine. Good night."
"Good night, Princess."
An hour later, Maleficent returned home from a flight in the rain. She dried herself off at the door and made her way to the bedroom. She wasn't surprised to find Reina awake. Her mate liked to wait for her before going to bed. Her love was sitting to her vanity. She approached Reina and stood behind her to gently massage her shoulders. "Are you alright, my love?" She asked, watching Reina remove her makeup.
"Yes." She said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Are you sure?"
Reina put down the towelette she had in her hand. "I overdid it today." She admitted. "I barely made it inside the house before I collapsed. Lilith found me and helped me to bed."
"Should I really be surprised?"
"When I'm done for the day, I am often a mess. Sweaty and red faced and my makeup's been worn out. I fix it before I return home. Lily expressed to me that I do not need to do so, that your opinion of me would not change."
"It wouldn't." Mal assured her. "I've seen you sweaty and red faced with no makeup before… Many times." She grinned when Reina arched an eyebrow, a mischievous smirk on her lips. "You are gorgeous, my love. You will always be gorgeous. I have seen you at your best and your worst and my opinion has not changed, nor will it ever. You will still be my mate, my chosen, the mother of my children. Your appearance is only one of the reasons I adore you, Reina. Shall I prove it to you?"
"You don't have to, but if you want to…" Reina smirked.
"Come to bed then."
Reina stood up and summoned a black sword. She took a swing at Mal and the blonde turned at the last second, conjuring a sword of her own to block. Mal purred loudly and grinned. Reina only smirked as she took a step back. "Make me." Mal's eyebrows perked at the challenge. Reina gestured to her stomach and Mal cast a spell over her torso that would protect their unborn young. It was an unnecessary precaution, but Mal complied with it to soothe her worries. Reina waited for her to attack first. And as soon as she did Reina parried it. She swung again and Reina parried again. "I said you have to make me, Maleficent."
"You want me to end the fun that quickly? So be it." Mal dove forward and met her head on with a flurry of strikes that Reina either deflected or parried. Her mate wouldn't attack her and instead, waited for an opening. When Mal overextended on a side swing, Reina grabbed her arm and wrapped herself around it, locking her legs around Mal's neck and squeezing hard enough to make Mal drop her sword. She staggered backwards, letting out a sharp growl when Reina succeeded in shutting off her air supply. She slammed the raven haired queen down on the bed and rolled on top of her until she heard a giggle. Reina released her arm and she swiftly rolled over to pin Reina down with her hands above her head. "You've gotten faster."
"Not nearly enough."
Mal smiled. "Were you really hoping to defeat me, dear?"
"No, I know I can't do that with a sword...but I have plenty of other ways." With a snap of her fingers, Reina's lingerie faded away and her eyes glowed with a red-gold light. Mal poured, drinking in the sight of her beloved in all of her naked glory. She leaned down to kiss Reina's lips but she turned her head. "Do not touch."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me. Do not touch, Maleficent."
Mal glared at her but she did obey. "Or?" She growled, moving off of Reina and allowing her to sit up.
"Or you will be punished-" Reina burst into laughter when Mal tackled her. Mal smiled at listening to that lovely sound. Regina and Reina were both ones to keep themselves composed at all times, so hearing her mate bursting with laughter...it was beautiful and made Mal proud to have induced it. "Fine. I'll punish you later." Reina grabbed her chin and pulled her in for a kiss that eventually led to much more. After a night of lovemaking and further exhausting Reina, Mal pulled her mate into her arms and held her close for the night, letting her purr lull them both to sleep.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
A storm came to Storybrooke the next day, encasing the town under a torrent of icy rain while thunder threatened to split the sky. It was the thunder that woke Regina. She raised her head, scowling slightly at the window where endless rivulets of water ran down the pane, throwing thin shadows across the wall. She waved her hand, closing the curtains despite the fact that the sun had yet to rise and even if it did it wouldn't be able to pierce the dark clouds. She rubbed her forehead, listening to the rain pouring down outside and against her will, thought of Maleficent. The dragon loved storms such as this and it was a favorite pastime of hers to fly in them. She was probably out and about now but Regina hoped Lily wasn't with her. She wasn't experienced enough for such a dangerous flight. Then she remembered what time it was and almost laughed at the absurdity of Lily being up before noon.
"You okay?" A groggy Nyla raised her head from beside her.
"Yeah. The storm woke me up."
"Worry not. I'm here." Nyla smiled, her teeth stark white in the semi darkness. Regina smirked when Nyla wrapped her arms around her and placed a kiss to her temple. "Return to sleep. I will protect you." Regina had to admit that she'd slept better with Nyla the past few nights than she had in months. Not since she and Mal broke up. However, a question nagged at her now that she was awake. She was about to ask it when she felt a tap on her side. "Yes?"
"I have a question."
"Ask."
"What happens when you decide to go back home? Our deal will end and you will go back to your life. And I guess I have to go back to mine."
Regina frowned slightly and turned over to look into a pair of multicolored eyes that she'd come to trust. "Nyla, I wouldn't ever forget you. You've been like my therapist since this began and your comfort was something I needed and am glad to have felt. You also know too much about me to just let you go." Nyla grinned.
"So...we can be friends at least?"
"If you want."
"I do. And since we're now friends, I believe friends often get to know the facts of their friend's recent split from their ex."
"You're not going to kill her." Regina smirked. "I doubt you could."
"Oh, is she that powerful?" Nyla said, mockingly. "Given time, I could take her on."
"Well, as you would grow stronger so would she."
Nyla rolled her eyes and said nothing else on the matter. She didn't know the whole truth when it came to Mal. Regina omitted several key details about her former lover whenever she was mentioned. Nyla was completely unaware that Mal was a dragon. She probably wouldn't have been so confident if she knew. A soft glow interrupted her thoughts and she turned to her phone on the nightstand that was now lit up like a beacon. She frowned and picked it up, finding a message from Emma to answer her phone.
"You should take it. She will stop calling you if you answer."
"It's so early. What the hell is she even doing up?" Regina growled as she sat up to get out of bed.
"No, stay. I'll give you some privacy." Nyla slid out of bed and left the room before she could object.
Regina sighed and called Emma back. "Miss Swan, what the hell are you doing up?"
"Finally you answer the fucking phone. Where have you been?"
"Enjoying the peace and quiet."
"And you couldn't send me a single text?"
"I was busy. What do you want?"
"No one's seen you in days. We were worried."
"I'm fine. If there is any work to be done then I'll do it when I get home."
"Where are you? What's going on?" Emma asked. "Do you need me to-"
"Emma, I'm fine." Regina said in a gentler tone. "I did mention that I was going to spend some time away. There was an opportunity and I took it. I texted Henry to let him know I was okay. He might be worried but I did notify him that I was fine."
"You didn't notify me."
"I know, because you would still worry and you have this thing about me not being alone."
She heard shuffling from Emma before it abruptly stopped. "You're not kind to yourself when you're alone and I don't want you thinking like that. You think you don't deserve happiness or something and you do."
Regina ran a hand through her hair. "Thank you, Emma, but I'm okay. I've actually been talking to someone the past few days. She's been a big help."
"Who is it?"
"Her name is Nyla."
"Who was she in the Enchanted Forest? Did you know her?"
"No, and I don't know." Regina glanced at the door when she heard soft music being played on a piano.
"Wait a minute, you don't know this woman? You don't find that strange?"
"I don't know everyone I cursed. Snow had hundreds of people in her army and I barely knew the people that served me. It's entirely possible she had nothing to do with any of us and still managed to get caught up in my curse. I think that might even be the case. If there were problems, you would be the first one to know."
"That's a lie, you'd call Lily first. Despite that, please be safe. For my sake and Henry's."
"Always." Regina hung up and climbed out of bed. She grabbed a robe and slid it on. She followed the sound of the music and found Nyla in the parlor, playing a disjointed melody on the grand piano that Regina had conjured in but never found a reason to use. "You never mentioned you played the piano." She said, stepping into the room.
Nyla scoffed. "Does it sound like I know how to play one?" She scooted over so Regina could sit next to her. "My mother loved to play. She could play anything."
"Was she a warrior too?"
"The best." Nyla nodded, smiling fondly. "She was supreme in every regard. She could do anything. She could fight an entire army and win, destroy them with a snap of her fingers."
"Did she have magic?"
Nyla nodded again. "She was very powerful. I don't know if I'll ever reach her caliber, but I hope to. I hope to do something to make her proud. Something great."
"She was your mother." Regina said. "I'm sure she would be proud just to see you happy."
Her companion only smiled in reply. "I wish she were here. I think you and her would like each other."
"You think so?" Regina smirked.
"I do. I have another question."
"Ask away."
"Have you ever been tickled before?"
"What?"
"It is a simple question." Nyla gave her a thoughtful look. "Has anyone ever tickled you?"
"No and don't try it."
"I wasn't." Her companion grinned. "I wouldn't dare. I was just wondering. How about another deal?"
"If it involves you tickling me, then no."
Nyla snickered. "Fine. You're no fun." She ran her fingers down the piano in a descending crescendo. "You know, I've given everything you've told me a lot of thought and I have determined a solution that will solve all of your problems. It will heal your heart and make you look forward to the future."
"And what is that?" Regina asked, arching an eyebrow.
"You must fall in love again." Nyla answered.
"With who? You?"
"No. You. You spent a good deal of your life consumed by hatred and believing that you would never be loved. Now, regardless of what love you have found or lost, you still lack an important one. Self-love. You should love yourself. That is why you separated yourself from the Evil Queen, isn't it? Even after becoming a hero, you still hated what you used to be. I believe that when you learn to love yourself as much as your family does, more than they do and you accept every part of who you are and who you were, then you will truly be happy. And if you find someone else to capture your heart, then you will only be happier."
Regina said nothing in reply to her words. Was she right? Regina didn't hate herself, just her past and many of the decisions she'd made. She hated how she let hatred rule her life. She hated the way people still looked at her because of it. It wasn't like anything had changed except she'd lost Mal, the one person she thought would always be there. Even though they'd broken up, she knew that if she really needed help Mal would be there. That meant something at least. To imagine a life when she was happy, not because of someone else, but simply because she was who she was, seemed strange. Could she really not stand her own company?
"You should also introduce me to this ex of yours and allow me to talk to her for a bit...punch her in the face maybe."
"You would break your hand."
Nyla's eyes twitched and Regina put a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing at her expression. "You know what, I am so tired of this bitch." She abruptly stood up, slamming her hands on the piano keys. "Your ex can go fuck herself. Like she's so fucking great. I would destroy her." She growled and put her entire hand through the piano with a single punch. "Still think I'd break my hand?" Regina smirked, watching her heal the splinters in her fist. "My indignation should not be amusing, Regina."
"Easy, Tiger."
"I would rip the stripes off of a I wouldn't. I'd feel bad unless it attacked me." Regina couldn't resist laughing. "I'm going to steal some of your wine." She left the room, continuing her rant against Maleficent under her breath and Regina rose to follow. Nyla was downing a glass of wine near the bar. When she turned to Regina, there was something different about her. Something that wasn't there before. "Can I do something, Regina?"
"Do what?"
"I want to erase your ex from your memory. I want to erase her touch, her scent, this irritating adoration you still bear."
Regina arched an eyebrow. "You are welcome to try...Friend."
"I rescind that request immediately."
"There is such a thing as friends with benefits."
"Oh?"
"Friends who are intimate but have no intentions of love."
"There is a problem though." Nyla frowned. "What if you fall in love with me?"
Regina rolled her eyes. "I guarantee you that that won't be the case."
"You cannot. I am quite irresistible."
"You think so?"
Nyla nodded firmly and she probably believed that statement. "But anyways, give me two minutes." She ran into the bedroom and Regina fixed herself a small glass of wine. She drank it slowly as she waited for Nyla to return. When she did, she was completely naked. "Come along, your majesty. Leave that." She gestured to Regina's robe. Regina opened it and let it slide off her shoulders. "Little tease." Regina gasped when she swooped down to pick her up. She locked her legs around Nyla's waist as she was carried into the candlelit bedroom.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Reina's scream was all Mal heard as she climbed into the sky, powering through the clouds and icy rain that weighed down her wings. She tore through the storm clouds as fast as she dared and once they were free, she leveled out into a smooth glide. Above the storm, it was quieter. The clouds below still rumbled with thunder, but up here, it was peaceful.
"I could've teleported." Reina complained, using magic to dry herself off.
"That's not as fun." Mal said. "Look around." She said, casting a spell around her dragon form. It allowed her to appear as a human so she could sit with Reina. It was a strange feeling. She'd never ridden herself before. Reina hadn't even noticed her yet. Her eyes were on the world that Mal had spent the past hour creating. Above the storm clouds, she'd filled the sky with colorful clouds of stardust and artificial stars that twinkled like diamonds. "What do you think?" She asked.
"This is amazing." Reina whispered. "How did you do this?"
"Magic." Mal smirked. Reina turned to look at her and then looked at the dragon beneath her. "That is also done with magic."
"What-"
"Enjoy it, Reina. It is my gift to you." She said, moving to sit behind her in the saddle. The breeze felt wonderful up here and Reina seemed mesmerized. Mal held onto her coat as she leaned over, letting her fingers slide through the stardust to capture one of the stars. She pulled it to her chest and opened her hands to find nothing there. Mal smiled at the soft giggle she heard. "This is only part one of my gift."
"Oh? What's the next part?" Reina turned in her arms to look at her.
Mal placed a tender kiss to her lips. "I wanted to ask you something."
"You can ask me anything."
"I know you want to be a dragon. I would love to give you that. If I knew a way to speed up the process, I would do it in a heartbeat. You know I would. I want nothing more than to have you at my side, racing across the sky, chasing the clouds." Reina smiled and Mal leaned her forehead against hers. "Until then, I want to ask you to let me be your wings. Let me be your dragon. Let me be your teeth, your claws, your scales. I would be it all and do it all if it meant you would be happy."
"I am happy. Yes, I want to be a dragon, but I couldn't be happier to be with you and to be your mate."
Mal kissed her forehead and leaned back. "Good."
Reina smirked. "Good."
"Well, then it's time for part two." She dissolved her human form and retook control of her dragon form. "Hang on." Reina quickly righted herself in the saddle and screamed when Mal fell into a steep dive. Her scream turned into laughter as Mal dipped and dived and climbed across the sky. She flew through loop de loops and even flew upside down and Reina's joy made the entire morning well worth the effort. She looked back at Reina, who gave her a slight nod and her grip tightened on the saddle. Mal tucked her wings and allowed herself to fall. They blasted through the clouds and back into the storm. The rain pelted her from all sides and felt so good against her scales. Below her, Storybrooke was just waking up and people were beginning to leave their houses for work. Mal flew low and slow over the town, stretching her wings wide and letting her shadow cover the streets.
Glorious. Reina purred.
Mal climbed once again and made her way towards the forest. A roar from nearby alerted them to Lily joining them. "I woke you up half an hour ago."
"Do you know how early it is?" Lily replied.
"Yes. It's the perfect time to fly."
"Mom, if this relationship is going to continue, we need to discuss sleeping in and how necessary it is."
Mal only let out an amused trill. They resumed their flight and not too long later the storm lessened into a gentle shower and light began to break through the dark clouds. Reina pushed her wet hair out of her face as she watched the land below fly by. If you ignored the town, it looked a lot like the Enchanted Forest. Mal let out a roar. "Follow me." She called to Lily, who fell in behind her, following the course of aerial acrobatics she set. Mal purred as she brought her wings in close to do a quick spin and threw them again. She looked over her shoulder and roared with delight when Lily copied her. She was a bit shaky, uncertain of her own abilities, but Mal would get rid of that soon. Reina cheered as Lily righted herself.
"Gorgeous, Princess!" She yelled.
"Thanks, Mom."
"Keep it going!" Mal dove again and Lily followed. She crossed the forest to where the treeline ended and a large meadow began. She glided down and dropped to the ground, suddenly running across the wet grass. It was almost comical to witness given her immense size and reputation, but she didn't stay on the ground long. With a single flap of her wings she was airborne again. Lily followed her through every motion. She spiraled upwards in a lazy ascent before diving again. They passed a river that ran alongside a small cliff. It was the end of their territory for whatever was beyond it was blind to her. An impenetrable fog prevented her from seeing what lay below. "Don't you think about it." Reina warned her. Mal only purred and tipped dangerously sideways, letting her right wingtip graze the water. Lily did the same.
"Getting tired?" Mal asked.
"No way I can keep up- shit!" Lily yelped as her wingtip caught a rock. It wasn't enough to hurt her too bad but it was just enough to knock her off balance. Her attempt to correct herself threw her off completely and she spiraled into the trees. Her cry made both of her mothers instantly turn and Mal unwittingly made the same mistake. She snapped her wings shut and turned to stop her fall with her shoulder. The force of it sent Reina flying off of her back...right over the cliff…
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By now, the candles had burned low and flickered on the edge of existence. Despite the fact that it was probably midday, the room was dark and hot and Regina had lost all sense of time and reason. She wasn't really sure what time it was. She couldn't think with Nyla's hands on her, with her lips all over her. A shower and a quick breakfast was the only thing that drew them from their chambers. After that, Nyla dragged her right back in. It had been a while since Regina took a lover and none of them were quite like Nyla. She made Regina feel safe and treasured and desired. After she and Mal broke up, Regina feared that anyone else and any other relationship she would ever have would simply pale in comparison to Maleficent. She was glad to find that that was untrue.
The only interruption they had came from Emma calling but Regina texted her rather than answer. With that done, she returned to Nyla's arms. She touched a scar on Nyla's chest. "What happened here?" Her lover had several scars but they were small or faded. This one was new and only recently healed.
"Shot." Nyla said softly.
"Too big to be an arrow."
"Crossbow, I think."
Regina arched an eyebrow. Crossbows were an uncommon weapon in the Enchanted Forest. They were easier to use than a standard bow and there were a few stray people she knew to have them like Widow Lucas, but Regina couldn't remember a kingdom or faction that used them specifically. Nyla did mention that she'd traveled all over the world, perhaps the wound came from somewhere else. She surprised herself with the wave of anger she felt at someone hurting the beautiful brunette. "Who shot you? Are they dead?"
"Not yet. I plan to destroy them." Nyla said. "As a matter of fact, I plan to erase them."
"Oh? Revenge? I happen to like a little vengeance."
Nyla smirked. "I don't think they're in this world and if they were, I think you would've destroyed them by now. Thought themselves almighty. Eternal. That's what they called their city, their kingdom of kingdoms."
Regina's smirk slowly drifted away. Kingdom of Kingdoms. She'd heard that before somewhere... "You were captured?"
"Briefly, but it doesn't matter where they go or what world they live in. Kator will fall-" Nyla's head fell back as Regina put her to sleep. With trembling hands she got out of the bed and pushed up the sheets, searching Nyla's feet. It was there. On the bottom of her left heel was a magical symbol, one Regina knew far too well. She instantly recognized the language and knew what it was for. She teleported to her vault to grab a few things and returned to find that Nyla hadn't moved. She was fidgeting under the sleep spell, but she didn't wake up. Regina pulled out a small cloth and a vial of a purple liquid. She poured the liquid on the cloth and wiped off the magical symbol. It was only then that she felt Nyla's true aura. This woman was far more powerful than she initially believed. Her aura was consistent with someone much older, much stronger and much more dangerous. She wasn't sure if Nyla was even human. She took a single drop of blood with her to the vault to confirm her growing suspicions and when she returned, Nyla was gone.
/
"What the hell, Regina?" Emma said. Regina shoved her way past her and into the idiots' apartment, calling for their son. She drew the Charmings into the living room in the process, but she didn't bother talking to them. Henry walked down the stairs, and even he recognized the dark glare of his brunette mother. Dark magic was crackling across her skin like electricity. It took everything she had not to scream.
"Mom, what's going on?"
"Where's the book?" She demanded.
"What book?"
"The Author's book!" Regina snapped. "The quill, the ink, the book that was entrusted to you. I looked in the library, where it was supposed to be hidden and it wasn't there."
Henry looked down. "I just wanted to read it."
"You already know those stories and you're a terrible liar." Regina replied. "You were listening, weren't you?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Can we just take a second to calm down." Emma said. "Stop yelling and tell me what's-"
"Shut up, Swan!" Regina growled at her, swiftly turning back to her wayward son. "When I was talking to Emma and Lily. You heard her stupid idea and you decided to do it, didn't you?"
"I was trying to help you."
"That's no excuse!" Regina took a step back, baffled by her son's actions.
"What's going on? What happened?" Emma demanded.
"He split Maleficent in half. The person I spent the week with is Maleficent. From a different time and place, but it was her. And now I don't know where she is!"
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