#gqweek18

[wickedheadache]

Un one shot para el último día de GQWeek18: Halloween

[once-upon-a-ouat]

“Enough”

This was supposed to be my entry for Golden Queen Week 2018 Day 7 - Halloween but it’s super late. I didn’t feel like writing these days and today I managed to crash my car but at least I finally got some inspiration and finished this. It’s canon divergence after Rumple made the deal with Snow that prevented Regina from hurting her and David again in 2x10 “The Cricket Game”.

Read on FFN or AO3

It was Halloween. It was Halloween and she was sitting in Granny’s in the middle of the annual–ridiculous–party. Her only effort when it came to a costume was to put on a witch hat which she’d bought on her way there. There was no point in doing more since she was only there to kill time. Although she had to admit it wasn’t as bad as she always made it up to be. It provided her with an opportunity to stir some trouble. She was using what little power she had to make everyone’s evening a little bit of hell. It was one evening a year and she needed some way to entertain herself. Last year she’d ‘spiked’ the apples from the apple bobbing contest with some special ingredients. There wasn’t such thing as too many curses. Even though even the simplest of spells drained a lot of energy out of her. So this year she’d restrained herself to smaller things that she could manage just by lifting a finger. But even without her intervention there were plenty of losing battles to witness.

Archie was already running out of ideas for Pongo’s costume and it had barely been a decade. Ruby was also fussing over her costume that wasn’t revealing enough for her standards. Mal–Mercie as she was known in this world–was fighting with her daughter over the candy the girl had received during the trick-or-treating. Little Emma–well, she wasn’t so little anymore–wanted to eat it all now but Mal–Mercie–was having none of it. Regina watched them argue, still not sure what exactly her intentions had been when she’d made them a family in this world. Mal would probably incinerate the whole town if she knew she was raising the daughter of the people who’d caused her to lose her own baby. But she seemed happy–happier than most of the others were–and Regina allowed a small smile to make its way to her face. It quickly disappeared though when she noticed she wasn’t the only one who was watching the two blondes.

From the booth across from them Mary Margaret was looking longingly at the girl while waiting for her husband to return. He’d excused himself around twenty minutes ago. Not even a minute later Regina had seen Kathryn follow him into the men’s room. Mary Margaret had seen her too but she was still waiting dutifully for David like a dog. Ever the hopeless romantic. She’d even turned down Whale’s advances when he’d asked her for a dance even though she was well aware what her husband was doing a few feet and a door away. It was almost too pathetic.

Regina startled when she felt something against her skin. She looked down at her hand and found a big golden spider crawling on it. There would be no way to explain it if somebody noticed. But of course no one did. Because no one was paying attention to her when she wasn’t scaring the hell out of them.

The spider crawled up to her wrist and its legs closed around it in couples, forming four solid circles of gold as it turned into a bracelet. She smirked at the new piece of jewelry and grabbed her coat. She put it on and headed for the exit, throwing the witch hat at one of the booths. Her free time was over. It was time for work.

The spider would shoot out a sparkly cobweb at every crossroads to show her the direction. As if she didn’t know where she was going. It was the same place every year. She didn’t need guidance. But he wanted to have an insurance that she’d go. So he sent her gifts that she’d have to wear until the next Halloween if she refused to go. He didn’t trust her. And she shouldn’t trust him either.

She reached the abandoned mansion where they always met a good half an hour later. She wished she could teleport but that was out of the question no matter how badly she wanted it.

He stood, waiting for her, his cane less useful when he had magic as a crutch but he’d brought it nonetheless because by the time they’d be finished there would be no more magic.

“I came to return this,” she said, outstretching her arm towards him so he could take his pet spider off her. She made extra effort to sound annoyed by the message of ownership it sent lest he thought she actually enjoyed feeling like she belonged to him. She didn’t.

He took her hand and the spider’s hold on her disappeared when he touched it. It moved up his arm and nestled itself into the pocket of his suit jacket, turning into a neatly folded handkerchief woven from fine golden threads.

She tried to pull her hand away but he didn’t let her.

“I also have something to return to you,” he said as he reached into the pocket of his trousers. He took out something and held it out to her. It was one of her skeleton keys.

“You just like to steal from me, don’t you?” she asked as she took the key from him and pocketed it, her voice heavy with the meaning she put in that sentence. She held his gaze, hoping to look challenging rather than hurt.

He studied her for a moment, then pulled her towards him by the hand he was still holding and claimed her mouth. Her lips immediately parted for him just like the first time they’d kissed.

It had been their second Halloween in Storybrooke and they’d been in his shop, preparing for their ritual, when she’d felt something. His dagger, she’d been certain. She’d been so close to finding it. But he’d kissed her and everything had become hazy. Her mouth had opened to him and so had her legs. He’d robbed her of her breath in more than one way lest she robbed him of his. He didn’t trust her. And she shouldn’t trust him either.

His free hand slipped into her hair, keeping her in place, as his tongue probed in her mouth, searching for lies. When it didn’t find any, it finally paid attention to her own, sliding against it slowly and prolonging the kiss until her lungs started burning from the lack of oxygen.

The hand she’d rested on his arm grabbed at his sleeve to draw his attention.

He pulled away when he’d had enough, leaving her desperately gasping for air that was much overdue. “I also give you in return,” he said, barely a hitch in his voice. The kiss hadn’t affected him enough.

He did. He gave in return. But not nearly as much as he took. And she would tell him so but she didn’t have enough breath to speak. The kiss had affected her too much.

“Shall we begin?” he asked, letting go of her hand and turning slightly towards the round table where he’d set out everything they needed.

She nodded.

He moved toward the chair, his sleeve jerking out of her grasp at the motion, and pulled it back for her.

She walked to the table and sat down, her legs suddenly like jell-o. It was the task at hand that made her so anxious. It was a complicated spell and they needed it to work. Everything was at stake.

He sat down opposite of her and reached for Pandora’s box that was placed in the middle of the table. “Are you ready?” he looked at her.

She positioned her hands on both sides of the box and nodded again, giving him a brief look but staying focused on the box.

He opened it and she summoned her magic, creating a shield around it to prevent the magic that they’ve already stored in it from escaping. Her task grew harder and harder every year. The more magic they collected, the more power she needed to use to keep it inside. It was draining her a lot faster and it forced them to cut down on the duration for which they performed the spell. And at midnight when all magic disappeared until the next Halloween she never had enough strength left to believe that they would succeed. But she had no choice. She had to keep going because otherwise it would’ve all been for nothing.

He’d talked her into casting the Curse after he’d left her no other way to get her revenge. He’d promised her exactly what she wanted. He’d told her she could have everything. Because magic always came with a price but they were going to a land without magic. A land without magic where one day every year a gateway opened between dimensions and an enormous amount of energy poured into the world unsuspectingly to the people in it. It wasn’t magic but it could be transformed into such by running it through the system of a magic user. And that was exactly what Rumple was doing. He was channeling the energy and storing the new magic into Pandora’s box. And when they had enough, they could break the laws of magic and be reunited with the people they’d lost.

He’d explained to her that magic was only limited when there wasn’t enough of it in one place to break the laws. And it was a lot easier to gather the needed amount of magic at a place that barely had any than at one that was drenched in it. So he’d convinced her to cast the Curse, promising that she could have not only her father back, but also Daniel. ‘We can have everything,’ he’d said, ‘if we stick together.’ And she’d fallen for it.

He had lied to her of course. He’d created the Curse so that it could be broken by Snow White and Prince Charming’s daughter. She’d learned too late to change it but she’d managed to get to the baby before they’d sent her through the wardrobe that would save her from the Curse. She’d stolen her from Snow’s arms but she hadn’t had what she needed to kill her. She could’ve snapped her neck without even needing magic to do it. But she hadn’t had time. And she’d found herself in a town where time had stopped and Emma was the only one who was aging. Rumple had his failsafe in case they failed. He’d lied to her because he didn’t trust her. And she shouldn’t trust him either. But she had no choice. She had to keep going because it couldn’t have all been for nothing.

Her hands were shaking violently as she felt the life force being drained out of her. Rumple felt it too because he reached for Pandora’s box and closed it. Her magic threw her back now that there was no counter-measure to it. She fell on the floor, her bones cracking at the impact, tears springing to her eyes.

“Regina,” Rumple was quickly at her side, palm glowing in purple as he searched for the injury.

She hadn’t even made it till midnight this year and they started later than any other year. It was getting harder for her. With each passing day she was forgetting the feeling of magic under her skin and when the time came to use it, she found herself unable to summon it as easily as she used to.

The pain disappeared but the tears had just started falling from her eyes. She grasped at Rumple’s arm, holding on to him even though she shouldn’t trust him. Because he was all she had. Even if he wasn’t quite enough.

[ariestess]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Once Upon a Time (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Evil Queen | Regina Mills/Rumplestiltskin | Mr. Gold Characters: Evil Queen | Regina Mills, Rumplestiltskin | Mr. Gold Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Hyperion Heights, Cursed Hyperion Heights, Established Relationship, Daddy Kink, Collars, Anniversary, Mild Language, Swearing, GQWeek18 Series: Part 2 of GQWeek2018, Part 5 of Sweet and Tangy Summary:

"Do you remember the first time I put a collar around your neck, girl?"

[goldenqueened]

#GQWeek18 is here!

Our annual Golden Queen creative meeting is here once again!

Taking place: 22-28 October

Where: In whichever platform you use (Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram) with the hashtag #GQWeek18

What can I create: Anything you like! From fics, to gifsets, to edits, to videos, to manips, to fanart, anything

Notes: There is no limitation on entries per prompt. There is also no limitation on ratings. If writers plan on a multichapter they don’t necessarily need to have it completed before they enter it, they only need to have ready as many chapters as their time allows before the prompt date and continue later. The same applies with artists pressed for time, they can post their WIP version on the prompt date and the finished product afterwards.

Prompts: You can send us your ideas on @fuckyeahgoldenqueen and @goldenqueenimagines (or @ImagineGQ if you use Twitter) The full list will be posted relatively soon so every creator will have time to prepare their work(s). In the meantime, suggest away!

I wish everyone a huge inspirational streak

Long Live Golden Queen  ♚♛

[ariestess]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Once Upon a Time (TV) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Evil Queen | Regina Mills/Rumplestiltskin | Mr. Gold, Cinderella | Jacinda Vidrio/Henry Mills Characters: Evil Queen | Regina Mills, Rumplestiltskin | Mr. Gold, Henry Mills (Once Upon a Time), Cinderella | Jacinda Vidrio Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Hyperion Heights, Cursed Hyperion Heights, Established Relationship, Date Night, Movie Night, Pizza, Friendship, Developing Friendships, GQWeek18 Series: Part 3 of GQWeek2018, Part 6 of Sweet and Tangy Summary:

"Roni, are you having second thoughts? You were the one who wanted this. You were so excited to be able to spend time with them outside of the bar. What's happened?"

[fuckyeahgoldenqueen]

Golden Queen Week spam incoming

Life got really hectic, but I saved everything in the tag to drafts. Unfortunately I was so stressed with stuff that I simply didn't have time to write or vid until this past weekend, and the little Halloween-themed fic I'm working on is still unfinished. I'm attempting to get it done by tomorrow.

 In the meantime: please enjoy all the work that our fellow shippers have done for this year's Golden Queen Week!

[once-upon-a-ouat]

“Together” Chapter 1

Written for Golden Queen Week 2018 Day 4 - Golden Queen + another OUAT couple. This is GQ + CS. AU in which the Curse took them to New York and they live among ordinary people. The Curse is still unbroken. Golden Queen are an evil power couple.

Read on FFN or AO3

“Follow the plan, dearie.”

The audio cracked. It did that a lot. The bug they’d planted in the car wasn’t in the ideal place but that was the worst reception they’d ever gotten. As if something was interfering with the signal. They could only hope it wouldn’t disappear completely.

“When have I let you down?”

A female voice asked. That was her. It was the first time they were hearing her voice. It was so sickly sweet that even the crackling of the transmitter couldn’t stop it from causing shivers to run down Emma’s spine.

“I can think of a few occasions, Your Majesty.”

The familiarity between the two was outstanding–as if they’d known each other their whole lives–and Emma couldn’t believe they had only learned about her a few weeks ago. Killian and she had been tracking the man they believed was the infamous Gold-weaver for months, trying to prove his crimes and money laundering. But he always seemed to be ten steps ahead of them. Until a few weeks ago when they’d learned he had an accomplice. A woman that he always called ‘Your Majesty’. They’d given her the code name ‘The Queen’. The two had been speaking on the phone quite often those past few days, plotting something big. But that was the first time they’d met in person. She’d gotten in his car a few minutes ago.

“We’re on the same team now, dear.”

She paused in favor of a sonorous kiss that, luckily for Emma and Killian, didn’t last long.

“Let’s go see the catch of the day.”

They left the car and Emma turned off the transmitter.

“Let’s go,” she said, her hand sliding to the holster on her belt to check for her gun one last time.

“Wait, Swan,” Killian caught her hand, halting her impetus. His hand moved to the ring he was wearing on a chain around his neck and he took it off.

“What are you doing?” Emma asked with agitation. “This may be our only chance to catch them both. We have to go.”

“I want you to have it.” He helped her put it on. “As a lucky charm.” He gave her that smile she could never quite return.

She knew she meant the world to him but it still hit her over the head like a brick every time she saw the love in his eyes. No one had ever looked at her like that. Ever since her parents had abandoned her right after her birth she’d believed she was unlovable. And even when her son found her and dragged her to a neighbourhood in New York, claiming it was cursed by his adoptive mother and she was the only one who could break the spell, she still felt like she didn’t belong. He loved her, sure, but she was afraid that one day he’d realize that she wasn’t the Savior he thought her to be and he’d want nothing to do with her anymore. But Killian had been there for her every moment, looking after her even when she didn’t want him to and loving her even when she was scared to love him back.

“Thanks,” She grasped the ring, giving him a faint smile in return, suddenly afraid. She had a lucky charm to keep her safe but it wouldn’t matter if she lost him. She wanted to tell him how much... how much he meant to her. But if she didn’t move soon, she never would. “I’m going after him, you follow her,” she said and leapt out of their hiding place without awaiting an answer.

For a moment she thought–she hoped really–that they’d lost them but then she spotted two figures on the sidewalk, not that far away. She wondered how long her moment with Killian had lasted. Not long enough, she decided (it had felt like eternity).

The two figures parted ways – he turned left and she continued straightforward at the crossroads. Emma went after him, suppressing the impulse to turn around and look at Killian one last time. She had to stay focused on the mission. They’d been working on it for months. She couldn’t blow her cover now.

She followed her target, keeping a safe distance between them, her fingers brushing against the walkie talkie on her waist every now and then but it stayed silent. As much as she wanted to hear Killian’s voice, that was a good sign. It meant nothing had gone wrong.

She stopped, considering her next move, when the man turned right a few blocks after the separation point and headed for the back entrance of Granny’s Bed & Breakfast. Emma knew the place well–Henry always insisted on going there–and knew that she could miss him if she didn’t act quickly.

“Swan,” the walkie talkie on her waist came to life. “I lost her.”

She made up her mind at that. She grabbed the device and pressed the button. “I’m still on his trail. He went into Granny’s. I’m going after him.”

“Swan, wait for me.” Killian’s voice was different now, more alarmed, and she wished she could listen to him.

“There’s no time. We can’t lose him.” She returned the walkie talkie on her waist and drew out her gun.

The path to the diner was muddy and slippery. She held her gun low when she entered the diner in case there was someone there. She didn’t want to scare the living hell out of Granny. Luckily for her, the reception was empty but there were muddy footsteps on the floor. She smiled. He wouldn’t get away now.

She followed the steps to one of the rooms. The door was open and the footsteps disappeared at the threshold which set off the alarm in Emma’s head. She slowly walked into the room, listening carefully and keeping her eyes peeled. It was clear save for the figure that was facing the window. She recognized him nonetheless.

“Gold?” she asked, lowering her gun slightly in shock. It couldn’t be. That hadn’t been his voice they’d heard mere minutes ago. But when he turned around, she saw the familiar face.

“Miss Swan.” He took a step towards her, his cane nowhere to be seen. He’d been playing them all that time.

She cocked her gun, holding him at gunpoint. “Don’t move.”

“Oh, I’m not going anywhere.” He smirked at her, making her want to walk over to him and hit him on the head with her gun.

“Swan,” she heard Killian’s voice behind her back. “What’s going on?” he asked between heavy breaths. He’d came running.

She glanced at him and saw him standing behind her, gun in his hand. She relaxed a little, knowing that he had her back. “It was him all along,” she said, her eyes set firmly on Gold and her finger on the trigger, ready to shoot him if he dared breathe the wrong way. “But we got him now.” She allowed for some smugness to seep into her voice.

“We still have to find his accomplice, love,” Killian didn’t sound quite as confident as her.

“I’m right here.”

The door slammed shut behind them, the key turning in the lock.

Emma turned around, wondering how she’d missed the presence of another person, wondering how she’d missed that it was her. “Regina.” But she couldn’t have known of course. The voices they’d heard thanks to the bug had not belonged to the people they were now facing. They’d known about it and had managed to fool them. “Don’t move,” she said through gritted teeth when Regina pocketed the skeleton key she’d used to lock the door. She sounded more betrayed than she would’ve liked. She’d always been at odds with Regina but she’d thought they were trying to get along for Henry’s sake. She didn’t even want to think of how she’d explain the situation to him. She could imagine his eyes filling with tears and his lip trembling when she told him that the woman who’d raised him was going to jail. She had to shoot Regina just for that.

“You’re not gonna shoot me,” Regina said haughtily and calmly circled her, ignoring the gun that stayed aimed at her, until she came to stand next to Gold.

“Oh yeah?” Emma challenged, her finger tightening on the trigger.

“Henry would never forgive you if you shot me no matter what you’d tell him.” She leaned on Gold’s shoulder and he wrapped his arm around her waist.

“Maybe. But he’ll never forgive you when he learns what you two are doing.” Emma had to admit that she was a bit shocked herself. The two of them had always hated each other but now they were working together. Of course it could’ve been pretense like everything else. It didn’t matter because they had them cornered. “You’re under arrest.” She reached for the handcuffs she was carrying.

“On what charges?” Gold asked.

On what charges? She had an entire list of crimes that were committed by... the Gold-weaver. And they still couldn’t link Gold to him. “Trespassing,” she fired out. She wouldn’t let him find a loophole out of this.

“What proof do you have?” Regina joined her boyfriend. Or whatever the hell he was.

“That nice creepy skeleton key in your pocket,” the fake sweetness of her voice matching the one of the female voice they’d heard earlier. “Step away from him.” She ordered, motioning with her head.

“Your Majesty, if you will,” Gold said, sounding irritated.

“With pleasure,” Regina lazily raised her hand. With a flick of her wrist Emma’s gun was forced out of her hand.

“Swan.” Killian’s hand wrapped around her bicep now that he’d lost his gun too.

Emma’s jaw dropped. “How’d you do that?”

“Oh, that? That’s a little something I specialize in.” Regina held out her palm and little flames started dancing in it.

“Magic,” Emma whispered as she remembered what Henry had told her about Regina, the air getting knocked out of her lungs.

“I told you you have no idea what I’m capable of, Emma,” the sound of her own name was mocking her as it left Regina’s mouth. The fire died down in her hand, a vicious grin appearing on her face. “Welcome to reality.”

[once-upon-a-ouat]

“Hearts”

Written for Golden Queen Week 2018 Day 3 - Role Reversal. Pawnbroker Regina and Mayor Gold. Set during the first Curse.

Read on FFN or AO3

It was Regina's favorite time of the month – the moment when she set out to collect the debts the townspeople owed her. It gave her an excuse to leave the dusty, clustered pawnshop, stretch her legs and deliver some scathing remarks. She’d already studied every little thing that the shop held–she had to admit it was impressively stocked–but it could only hold her interest for so long. Especially when there was no magic without which most of the contents of the shop were but simple trinkets.

There was one thing that she was interested in even though it too drew its power from magic but, coincidentally, it was the one thing that she couldn’t find. Everything else–from her own tears to the ridiculous unicorn mobile–was there. She owned a piece from everyone’s life except for his. Well, she just had to keep looking. It was she who had all the time in the world now.

She strode down Main Street, enjoying the cool air. It was October and another anniversary from the casting of the Curse was approaching. When she’d first woken up in the new land, she hadn’t been very pleased with her position in the Storybrooke society, but it had grown on her. Those monthly tours of the town gave her a chance to savor the results of the Curse and she had to say it was working flawlessly.

The people who passed by her on the sidewalk all had their heads bowed as if paying tribute to her just as they should. She owned their homes and held their lives in her hands. She was more than a queen now, much like a goddess. And she loved to make a statement. That’s why she always started her tour of the town from Granny’s, early in the morning when everyone stopped by to get a coffee or breakfast.

As she walked into the diner, all conversation ceased, giving way to awkward, chilly silence. Granny had her back towards the entrance but quickly turned around when she sensed the change in the atmosphere.

“Madam Mills,” she greeted, sounding rather shocked even though that was happening every month. “Follow me, please.” She headed towards the other end of the diner from where they could go to the reception of the Bed & Breakfast.

Regina walked after her, looking down on everyone she passed on the way, and they all crouched under her gaze. She could almost feel their hearts squeezing in their chests.

As she came to stand at the reception and waited for Granny to get the money, she saw a movement out of the corner of her eye.

“Madam Mills.”

She choked down the urge to jump at the sound of his voice, hating herself for being startled so easily even when she already knew he was there. She turned around.

“Mr Gold.” She never called him ‘mayor’. She could pull off everything else, just not that. He had stolen her position as mayor, tampering with the Curse in some way so that it would swap their places. She supposed it was a way of ensuring himself that he’d get a good life even though she couldn’t break their deal even if she wanted to. She’d wanted to wring his neck when she’d woken up as the pawnshop owner but she’d been busy trying to figure out how much damage he’d done.

“May I speak to you?” he came out of the dark corner he’d been hiding in, waiting for her from ambush, his cane tapping against the wooden floor.

“I’m busy,” she held his gaze.

“All the more reason to come with me. The faster we get this over with, the faster you can return to your business.” He smiled at her as if to tell her she couldn’t argue with his faultless logic and walked past her.

She spun around and saw him grab a key for one of the rooms, not paying any mind to Granny who was standing paralyzed at her spot and didn’t even try to stop him. Regina followed him, glaring at the old woman on her way. She was certain Granny had known he was there but hadn’t warned her.

Gold unlocked the room and opened the door, holding it for her.

She reluctantly walked in, trying to calm her heart as he shut the door behind him. It was unlocked and she could walk out when she wanted to. Even if she felt as if she was trapped there until he decided otherwise although she was the one who held all the power. She raised her chin defiantly and met his dark gaze, waiting for him to speak.

“I hear your debt-collecting methods have become rather forceful lately,” Gold leaned casually on his cane.

She had to stop a chuckle. To anyone else he might have appeared concerned for the people she was terrorizing. But she knew what it was all about. “My conditions are very clear. It’s not my problem that people have trouble holding up their ends.” The townspeople grew more and more afraid of her every time someone lost their car or a handful of teeth–her old guards were still serving her quite well. And their fear gave her power over them. Power that weakened him. “Have there been official complaints about my policy?” she asked, sounding genuinely interested even though she knew he’d have already had her incarcerated if that were the case.

“No, of course not.” Gold took a step towards her and she crossed her arms. “Although I doubt anyone would know even if there were. Seeing that you have your hands on the police force.”

Regina raised her eyebrows in a mocking question, not quite able to hide her amusement. “Excuse me?”

“Your affair with the Sheriff is a lot of things but covert is not one of them,” his lips forced the words out as if it was a tedious job to say them.

“I have my hands on Graham’s heart, I admit.” She’d been relieved when she’d realized she still had her vault, still had her hearts, still had her power even despite his intervention. “But since when is that a crime?” She faked a perfectly innocent look.

“It’s not. But abusing his power for your benefit is,” Gold said, taking another step towards her, handing himself to her on a silver platter.

“Then I’m sure Miss French repays you well every time you do it for her. Seeing how it happens again and again.” He just couldn’t help himself. Even though Lacey was nothing like Belle, having drank a glass of whiskey for every book her alter ego had read and each of them at the company of a different man, he was drawn to her like moth to a flame. And he was burning on a slow fire. “But don’t worry,” she continued, “your secret’s safe with me.” She gave him a sympathetic smile, causing him to purse his lips. “I understand that you can’t help but be fond of her despite her wild nature.” It was Lacey who was the beast now. The Curse had created a perfect antipode of Belle, meaning she was glad to warm his bed but not his heart. “I hear she bears a striking resemblance to your dead fiancee.” She’d died under strange circumstances, having jumped from the clock tower where they used to meet in secret right after he’d proposed. His father had married him off to a wealthy widow whose son he’d rescued from certain death not even a month after the death of his beloved.

“I’m sure having your husband run off with an older woman because he couldn’t stand being married to you is not easy either,” he said, not even half as smug as he was supposed to be. Evoking even the fake memories of Leopold was painful for her but it hurt him more to taunt her with his own past. Even if it was wiped from his head, it was still in his heart.

“Not as hard as living with your wife when you knew her heart would always belong to her dead husband must have been for you.” After the Curse had hit them, she’d woken up with a head full of memories that weren’t hers. The same faces from her old life had been put in new roles – close to what they’d been back then but not close enough. Because her fake life wasn’t hers. She’d made Sidney run a background check on Gold and her theory had been confirmed. He was living her old life in this new land. Only it was adapted to fit the world they now lived in. Whatever he had done to the Curse had resulted in their pasts being entangled in a messy knot, and sometimes she couldn’t tell where her life ended and his began. It meant she knew exactly how to hurt him. But driving the knife in his heart was like driving it into her own.

Gold chuckled as if at his own decision to take her bait. Not that he had a choice. He was forced to play her game. They all were. “You have a lot of power, Regina,” he spoke as if having read the thoughts in her mind. The way he said her name made her flesh break into goosebumps. “But this is my town.”

“Is it?” She smirked, waiting for him to make the next move. That was if he could of course. She was confident she’d won that round.

She looked down when his cane tapped right between her feet, his body just a few inches away from hers. She raised her head, ready to answer to his challenge, but his fingers closed around her elbow and he pulled her to him, kissing her. It threw her completely off-balance and her hands grasped at the lapels of his coat to steady her, her lips parting to let out a confused sound.

He used the opportunity, his tongue barging in her mouth but she blocked its way with hers. The smell of coffee on his breath woke her resistance and her tongue slid against his as she was trying to keep him from exploring her mouth as thoroughly as he’d explored her mind. But he knew how to push her even though he wasn’t aware that he knew her heart to its dark core.

She was the one to pull away, her chest heaving as if she’d been running from a predator whereas his breathing was perfectly normal. Her treacherous heart was beating so fast she was sure he could hear it, as close as he was. She was still grasping at his lapels even though the touch at her elbow was gone.

She let go and stepped back, licking her upper lip. She wanted to say something, to put him in his place, but she was still out of breath and she wasn’t sure how long she’d need to recover. Her lungs seemed to have stopped working and so did her brain. For she was out of her mind to flee the room like that, nearly tripping on his cane that was still in her way. She was out of her mind to flee the battle like that, letting him win even though she’d had the last word. She was out of her mind to flee the Bed & Breakfast like that, through the back door, forgetting to take the money Granny owed her even when the woman called after her.

She wished she could reverse time and make sure she never laid eyes on his name, never stored it in her mind, never pronounced it. Even incorrectly. Because he’d seemed unperturbed but she’d lost her heart to him.