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They've been cohabitating in the castle again for about a month now. She knew it wouldn't be easy for either of them, but this is more than she ever expected to be dealing with. They'd remained in the woods for another day and a half before Regina's fever finally broke, the infection healing enough for her to walk without as much pain and physical suffering. They spent much of that time talking and crying. And fighting. Oh, how they fought. Then, as now, Snow White knew that the fights were Regina's way of trying to keep some semblance of control of the situation and, more importantly, her own emotional and mental state.
Some days are better than others, so close to what she always believed they had in the beginning. Today is not one of those days. The past three days have not been anywhere near one of those days. Lord Henry had warned her to leave Regina alone, but her gut told her otherwise.
"Go away, princess." The words are growled with a viciousness that Snow recognizes as toothless. "Don't you have servants to oversee?"
Snow takes a slow, deep breath before opening her eyes to stare at the wooden door as if willing it to open. "No, Regina, they know their duties and don't need to be watched constantly. Even you have said so yourself."
"Go bother my father then. He enjoys your company. I do not. I never should have agreed to your ridiculous demands. The fever clearly overtook my better judgment. You should've left me to die out there. It's what I would've done if our places were reversed."
"You know that's not my way."
The door suddenly opens, startling Snow enough that she can't hold back the small gasp of surprise. She stares, wide-eyed, at the woman standing before her. Regina's hair is loose and hangs in limp, greasy hanks around her pale, wan face, and the tiny hairs at her temples curl from the sweat beading on her skin. There are dark smudges under her bloodshot eyes, and Snow remembers this look on Wilma's face when she was in the throes of her infection's fever.
"What have you done, Regina?" she asks, noting the way Regina's knuckles go white with the effort to grip both door and frame to stay upright. "You're ill. Let me call for the healers."
"I need no healer. What I--" She sways unsteadily on her feet, going another shade paler. Her breathing is ragged, voice hoarse when she speaks again. "What I need is for you to leave me the hell alone. You are more annoying now than you were as a child."
"You're ill," she repeats, taking a step closer as Regina sways again.
"I'm tired, Snow, not ill." She grimaces and rubs her stomach. "And perhaps a bit hungover. But not ill. Now let me die in peace, will you?" She turns unsteadily and the evidence of her fever is more obvious by the sweat plastering her dressing gown to her back.
"Regina…"
"Go away, Sn--" Snow's name isn't even finished before Regina crumples to the floor .
*****
"Princess, you really need to get some rest."
Snow White looks up at Lord Henry with a weary smile. "I'm fine, sir. It's Regina that needs her rest." She returns her gaze to the fitfully sleeping woman huddled under the covers next to her. "She's not exactly the easiest person to be around when she's ill, is she?"
Henry laughs at that, a warm sound that wraps around Snow like a blanket. It reminds her of Regina's laughter. "No, she's not, and never has been. But don't tell her I told you that." He moves closer to the bed, stretching out a hand to touch his daughter's forehead. "She's still awfully warm. The healers…"
"Do you know how to contact her friend Maleficent?"
His eyes grow so wide, Snow wonders if they'll pop right out of his skull. "The dragon woman?"
She nods slowly, eyes trained on a bead of sweat slipping down Regina's forehead into the hair at her temple. "Regina told me that she learned much of her healing magic from Maleficent. I thought perhaps we could petition for her assistance with whatever it is that has befallen Regina."
"And if she says no?"
"She won't say no."
Snow's head snaps up to stare toward the balcony where the new voice has come from. Silhouetted by the setting sun stands a woman in a form-fitting lavender gown and black cloak, staff in one hand and the most beautiful raven Snow's ever seen perched on her opposite shoulder. Her long blonde hair hangs in almost frizzy ringlets, haloing a face with piercingly blue eyes that sparkle with mischief.
"M-Maleficent?"
"You've been summoning me loudly enough with my name, princess, so here I am. What is so damned importa--" Her words die off abruptly as the raven croaks and flies to rest on the headboard above Regina's head. "Why haven't you benighted fools contacted me sooner?" In the blink of an eye, she's at Regina's side, taking the spot Henry had previously been standing in. Her hand ghosts over the far too pale and sweaty face as she whispers, "Little One, what have you done?"
"I found her like this a handful of hours ago," Snow says, unable to keep the thread of defensiveness from her tone. "She's been isolating herself for the last few days, and I wanted to ensure she was all right."
"Which she clearly isn't."
The words are harsh, but Snow can hear no venom in their tone. She watches the older woman carefully run her fingers over the length of Regina's body from hair to toes, muttering to herself in a guttural language the entire time. Snow is sure it's some sort of spell, but forces herself to wait until it's all over to ask any questions. The legends of this woman's anger and abilities have always fascinated and terrified her. Snow's eyes are only drawn away when the raven flies off out the balcony doors briefly.
"I need a cool, damp cloth and a new dressing gown," Maleficent finally says, hands still moving gently over Regina's body. Snow notices that she keeps hovering over certain areas more than others, frowning each time. She doesn't even notice that Henry has left until the requested items are set down next to the blonde sorceress. "Thank you, Your Highness."
Snow blinks at that, staring up at Regina's father as if he's grown a second head. She parts her lips to protest the title, but Henry beats her to it, saying simply, "Please, it's just Henry or Lord Henry if you must. I haven't been considered a prince in a very long time."
"As you wish. I still thank you for the assistance." Maleficent glances around the room. "Where is that damnable bird?" The words are no more than out of her mouth when the raven glides in silently with something in its beak. The scent of lavender and fresh mint assaults Snow's nostrils, triggering her to take a deep, cleansing breath that she lets out on a happy sigh. "Thank you, Diaval. I thought you might've returned home on your own." The raven croaks and moves to settle on the pillow next to Regina's head, threading its beak through her hair. "I know you worry about her, too. We'll get her on the path to healing again, thanks to these."
"Can I help?" Snow doesn't even realize she's said the words until those stormy blue eyes are boring into hers. "I just-- I lo-- I mean, I'm worried about her and I want her to be better." She feels her face heat up at nearly sharing something she's so far only shared with the subject of their conversation and concern. And even that was a month ago when a kiss of True Love broke the glamour cloaking Regina's countenance from her, but not her soul.
A slow smile curls up the corners of Maleficent's lips as she nods. "Help me clean and redress her. I'll get the bedding with magic, but anything with the body itself must be done by hand."
Snow nods eagerly. "Anything to help her feel better. She would hate to learn she's been seen this vulnerable by so many, even people I believe she trusts."
"Regina's trust is a rare and precious gift, princess. If you've earned it, you'd do well never to break it. The consequences--"
"Are deadly. I know." She points to the herbs in Maleficent's lap. "What are those for?"
"A maceration of their essential oils in alcohol will be created to help Regina feel better. It's a concoction I discovered that can help with certain ailments she's been known to fall prey to from time to time. I will, however, keep some of the herbs intact to be smelled, as well." She glances up briefly to offer a small smile to Snow. "In fact, princess, once we get Regina changed, perhaps you could assist in the maceration process. Have you ever worked with a mortar and pestle?"
Snow shakes her head. "No, but I did see Regina use them a time or two. Is it difficult to learn?"
Maleficent chuckles as she works to undress and wipe away the sweat coating Regina's exposed skin. Snow belatedly notices that Henry has turned his back on them as they work, and she realizes that he's giving his daughter privacy. Such a good father he is!
"It's not difficult to learn, but it is something that you cannot be lackadaisical about, princess. If you agree to assist me, you must do exactly as I say. Anything else could be detrimental to Regina's recovery. I heard enough from Regina that you're a flighty flake of snow. Is that still true?"
Snow bristles at the taunt, but refuses to rise to the bait. She takes a deep breath and narrows her eyes at Maleficent. "I'm sure she said that when I was a child and didn't know any better, but I have grown and learned a great deal living on my own in the woods all this time. I will do as instructed as I am willing to learn anything you're willing to teach me."
*****
"You know you can go rest in your own bedchambers, Your Highness." Maleficent's words filter in past the cobwebs of exhausting and restorative sleep from which Snow finds herself awakening. "I'll contact you if anything changes, good or bad."
The mattress beneath her feels familiar enough; she and Regina have spent many an hour on it in the past, talking about all manner of things. The body next to her feels warm, but not as feverishly fiery as before. Clearly Maleficent's healing arts are working on Regina, both magical and mundane. It takes a handful of heartbeats before Snow realizes that she's actually spooned up against her erstwhile stepmother, holding the older woman closer. Lips curling up at the thought, she buries her nose into the magically cleaned hair and inhales the rosemary, mint, and lavender from Maleficent's herbal maceration. Sleep tugs at her, willing her to just drift off into unconsciousness again.
"You're kind to offer, but this is my daughter…"
Lord Henry sounds haggard and far too old for anyone's good. She cracks open one eye slowly, just to see what they're doing. The two adults are before the fire, Maleficent leaning in to settle a fur over Lord Henry slumped in a chair. The raven is perched on the back of the other chair, and it turns sharply to look at her. Snow squeezes her eyes shut tightly as the raven croaks softly, Maleficent's rich laughter floating over to her.
"I know you're not sleeping, princess, but you should be. It's late and you're still young enough to need all the sleep you can get."
"Not that young," she mutters, but doesn't move. It's safe holding Regina close like this, just like when they huddled under the furs and meager blankets in the forest. The surety that she'd have died from exposure if Wilma hadn't come into her life when she did is something Snow will take to her grave, along with the love growing stronger and deeper in her soul for the woman cradled to her chest.
"I heard that."
Sighing softly, Snow shifts just enough to lift her head to meet the woman's gaze. "So what if you did? I uttered no slanderous lies."
The tired chuckle that wends its way across the room to wrap around her like a gentle embrace is more comforting than Snow ever expected. "No, you did not, princess. I was merely reminding you that I have rather sensitive hearing, so you may wish to be more… discreet about certain things you whisper when you think no one else can hear you."
Her cheeks burn in fear and embarrassment, the sensation of immobilization around her heart like when Johanna tightens the corset strings causing a gasp for air. "I-I don't know what you're talking about."
"It's all right, dear. Your secret is safe with me."
"And me," Lord Henry says in a sleep-roughened voice. "I didn't quite hear as much as Mistress Maleficent did, but I know my daughter and I feel I've come to know you over the years. Proceed with caution, but don't give up on her. She's not used to this sort of thing being genuine from anyone since…"
A pang of guilt stabs her heart as she whispers, "Daniel."
"Yes. That was very difficult for her, still is in some ways. This is why I ask that you be patient with Regina." He sighs softly and shakes his head. "She'd hate me for saying any of this to anyone, even the two of you."
"I l-- I care very much for Regina, Lord Henry, you know that. I have ever since the day she saved me in the meadow. Even when she was trying to have me" -- she can't even say the word -- "taken out of the equation, I never stopped caring. I would never intentionally do anything to harm her."
"And all the raids when you were a fugitive on the run?"
"Self-preservation." The speed with which she utters her response is probably more telling than anything else, but it's true. "Was I angry and hurt by what had happened? Yes, of course. Did I want revenge for my father's death and the desire to see me dead? Of course, I did. But that didn't change how I felt about her."
Snow watches the older two adults share a glance and nod slowly. There is something she's missing here, she knows it down to the marrow, but cannot place what it is she should still be figuring out. She wants to question them, but a soft moan from the woman in front of her stops all other thoughts immediately. Her fingers gently card through Regina's hair, hoping it will be enough to keep her in the healing sleep she so desperately needs. The slow, fluid shift as Regina turns to curl into her chest is startling enough, but it's the softly murmured Love you, Snow that steals her breath away.
"Sleep now, princess," she hears Maleficent murmur, just as she registers a gentle touch to her forehead, and then sleep overcomes her.
*****
When reality intrudes upon her slumber again in the form of a loudly growling stomach, Snow blinks blearily for a moment before it all comes back to her. Anger flares into a flame in her chest at the way Maleficent just forced her to sleep when she'd heard those three words from Regina, words that shook her to her very core. With her next breath, and the scents of rosemary, mint, and lavender invading nostrils and lungs, that anger just drains away. The sorceress clearly had her reasons, and Snow does feel better for having slept for a time without worrying about Regina's ill health overmuch, but the guilt still sets in for that same reason.
"Shut your stomach up, Snow."
The softly growled words are a balm to her soul, and a soft laugh bubbles up past her lips. "Good morning, Regina. How are you feeling?"
"Exhausted. Where am I?"
"Your bed chambers, your bed specifically. I guess that herbal concoction that I helped Maleficent make--"
"Maleficent was here?" Regina shifts to stare at her with bloodshot eyes, and Snow wants to hold her close until she looks fully healed again.
"She was the last time I was awake." The pout forms on her lips unbidden. "She forced me to sleep with magic. That's the last thing I remember until your stomach woke me up."
"Your stomach, dear."
Snow laughs again, shaking her head as she reaches out to rest the backs of her fingers on Regina's forehead and cheek. "No, that was most definitely your stomach. I think that's a good sign that you're on the path to healing, don't you? Johanna always told me when I was little that a hungry belly meant the evil spirits were being vanquished from the weakened body."
She watches the lines form between Regina's brows, that vein forming to bisect the plane of her forehead again, and wonders what she's done wrong this time. Without thought, she smooths her thumb over Regina's forehead until she feels the older woman relax again with a soft hum and a barely audible Thank you, dear. The movement continues long after dark look passes; Snow just can't find it in herself to stop offering any comfort she can to this woman she loves in so many ways that she can't begin to put into words. This silence between them is comfortable, more than she can ever remember between them beyond their first meeting. It's so obvious to her now that she'd fallen head over heels for Regina that day, that it wasn't just a simple crush for her beautiful savior. She still can't wrap her head around the things Regina confessed about her marriage that night in the forest, knows deep in her soul that there are things intentionally left out to protect them both, but she wants to believe that Regina wouldn't lie about any of it. Not now, not after a kiss of True Love that destroyed her glamour.
"You're thinking too loudly," Regina grumbles petulantly. "Either share what's on your mind or shut the hell up and let me sleep. Better yet, find me something to eat."
Snow just chuckles softly and drops a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Sorry, Regina. I just got lost in… Well, I guess it doesn't really matter right now." She studies the older woman's face for another moment, wishing to look into those dark eyes that so easily ensnare her. "Would you rather sleep or get something in your belly? Just tell me and I'll see that it's taken care of." The unspoken I'll do anything to see you happy and well again settles heavily in the space between them, and she feels the sting of tears in her eyes at its veracity.
Regina's lips part to answer, but a knock at the door startles them both. "Who the hell is that?" she mutters before snarling as loudly as she can, "What do you want?" It causes her to start coughing, and she curls into Snow's chest as the door opens.
"Good afternoon-- Oh dear, I was hoping that wouldn't happen."
Snow looks up to see Maleficent standing there with a tray in her hands, looking downright domestic for such a powerful and scary Dragon sorceress. The raven perched on her shoulder flies over to the bed to settle on the pillow by Regina's head again, beak carefully carding through her hair as she continues to cough. Maleficent nods and offers Snow a brief, encouraging smile as she moves to sit next to them. A small sachet is pushed between their bodies, that same herbal blend that Snow has been smelling practically since the woman joined them filling the air around her and Regina again.
"Try to take slow, deep breaths, Little One," Maleficent says in a gentle tone, the same one she used upon first seeing Regina. Snow can practically feel the care and love between them, and it sparks an ember of jealousy to flare into a tiny possessive flame. "You, too, princess. We wouldn't want you to become ill with the same thing we're trying to rid Regina of."
Snow follows Regina's example and breathes deeply of the concoction, letting it sooth body and soul alike. The warmth of Maleficent's fingers on her face is calming in ways that remind her of her mother when she was younger, and pang of longing hits her hard enough for one of those earlier tears to slip down her cheek.
"Snow?" Regina croaks, clearing her throat. "What's wrong? Are you all right?"
Snow just shakes her head and offers a smile that she knows wouldn't reach her eyes if they were open in this moment. "I-I'm fine. Just grateful that Maleficent showed up when she did to help you get better." It's not a lie, but it's not the entire truth either.
Regina hums softly, but says nothing further. Snow can feel Maleficent's intense gaze on her, but the sorceress remains silent, as well, for another handful of minutes before Regina's stomach growls loudly. She doesn't have to look to know just how darkly Regina is blushing right now, but she wisely doesn't tease her.
"So maybe you were right," she mumbles, lips brushing against Snow's neck in the process.
"When was the last time you ate, Little One? That goes for you, too, princess."
"I have a name, you know." The words come out harsher than she intends, and shame floods her at the lack of decorum to this woman helping them both. "I-I'm sorry."
"No need for apologies, Snow White. It is I who should apologize for being less than friendly with you. Allow me to rectify this error?"
This time, Snow's smile reaches her eyes as she meets the blonde sorceress' gaze. "Of course, Maleficent. Emotions are high because we both worry so about Regina."
"Who is right here between you, or have you forgotten in your petty little pissing match to see who can claim greater closeness to me in my time of need?"
"How could we possibly forget you, Little One?" Maleficent asks, winking at Snow and pulling a chuckle from her. "Now answer my question so I can determine what on this tray is yours to eat and what is your young paramour's."
Snow feels her heart stop at this woman acknowledging the one thing that the two of them have danced around for the last month but never truly, fully admitted. She watches as the blood drains from Regina's face at those words, making her look even paler than she already is, and Snow fears she'll faint again from the reaction.
"You--" Snow winces as Regina's voice cracks on that one word, but the older woman just clears her throat and tries again. "You may be all powerful and think you're all knowing, but you're wrong."
Maleficent clucks her tongue and pats Regina's hand. Snow isn't sure how her eyes don't fall out of her head, they're open so wide at this blatant sass. "I'm not, dear, and everyone in this room knows it." She taps the side of her nose. "A Dragon's nose is never wrong. Plus? The two of you talk in your sleep. Most accommodating of you both to be so insightful when dreaming."
Snow is suddenly fighting with the bedding and making her way out of the warm, comfortable bed and Regina's closeness. "If you'll excuse me." She doesn't wait for a response out of either of them, racing to the privy. She doesn't even need it, just needs some space. It's one thing to dance around the truth with Regina. It's quite another to have the truth just dropped in their laps by this woman. She stands in the middle of the tiny room and drops her face into her hands to muffle the soft sounds of confusion and fear …and love escaping her at this revelation that someone else knows. No, things aren't perfect for her and Regina, and they still have a lot of things to work through, but they're not trying to kill each other and that alone is reason to celebrate.
When she returns to the bedroom again, Snow finds Regina sitting up and sipping at a bowl of something with a soft smile on her face and faint blush coloring her cheeks from whatever Maleficent is saying to her. That smile grows brighter when she acknowledges Snow's presence, making Snow move quickly to join her.
"You look much better now, Regina." It sounds silly in her ears, but the sentiment is true. She takes the bowl Maleficent hands her and spoons up a mouthful of the porridge with a content sigh. The honey sooths its way down her throat with the warm porridge to fill her belly until she forgets her earlier anxiety in the face of this creature comfort.
"I don't feel like I want to die, so I suppose that's an improvement." She chuckles at Regina's eye roll, doesn't miss the twitching lips that want so badly to smile. "And, I suppose I don't feel as bad now about Maleficent knowing what she knows. It was inevitable that she'd figure it out. I've never been able to keep things from her for very long."
The spoon on its way to Snow's mouth pauses halfway there, and she stares at Regina with her mouth gaping open.
"Close your mouth, dear," Maleficent says, patting her knee. "Or eat your porridge before you speak. No choking allowed."
Snow dutifully finishes her food, trying to gather her thoughts to ask the questions for which she needs the answers. Unfortunately, as she finishes and lets Maleficent take the bowl, she feels a sense of lightheadedness overcome her. "Oh my…"
"All right, princess, under the covers for you. Regina's still not out of the woods and it's looking like you may be entering them." Snow frowns at her words, but does at she says, grateful to lie down again. "Diaval, I know you have a crush on Regina, but you must share her with Snow White here. Why don't you get to know the princess a bit better and tell me how she is?"
"Mal? Is Snow--"
"You get under the covers, too, Little One. I'm not going anywhere until the two of you are healthy again. We have all the time in the world to discuss this little thing between you. But you both need your rest and to get better."
Snow watches curiously as Maleficent uses the same magical hovering touch on her that she'd used on Regina, but lets her eyes close when Regina curls into her side.
If she's going to be ill, at least she has people who care taking care of her and the woman she loves by her side.