The Dark Princess {OUAT AU}

Chapter 26

"I hate you, Killian. I'm going to take Mason and leave this-" Her sentence stops short, and she grasps her stomach, her face twisting into a painful expression. Killian watches as all the magic surrounding her slams back into her body, making her eyes glow bright pink and then her eyes close as she falls to the ground. He rushes over to her, feeling her skin and looking for a pulse. When he finds one he breathes a sigh of relief and then gently shakes her.

"Valerie? Valerie, wake up!" He says, dread beginning to fill his stomach. Then her eyelids flutter and her eyes open slowly. She blinks a few times and Killian gently lifts her up.

"What happened?" She asks groggily, her blue-green eyes clearing up.

"You fainted." Killian lies, brushing stray hairs away from her face. "Do you remember what we were talking about before this?"

"No... Were we arguing?"

"Yes, about magic and laws." He says, testing to see if the potion worked.

"Magic? Why were we talking about magic? My mother always said it is forbidden." She asks, confusion written on her face.

"Yes, precisely. Do you agree?"

"Of course. Magic isn't good for anything." Valerie says.

~~~

All of Valerie's memories of magic are repressed and she becomes a different person. Killian is so happy with her change. She becomes more focused on being the perfect queen and the best mother. Killian won't ever admit to himself or anyone else that he realizes he's stripped away her fight and fiery passion. Now, she's docile and extra friendly to everyone. But Killian enjoys it, and even takes advantage of it without realizing it. Months go by and Valerie doesn't even know she's been manipulated.

"Valerie, love, I'm going to take over that meeting with the lords for you." Killian says to her one day, and she looks up from her paperwork.

"Why? You know I can handle myself with those men, baby." She tells him, shaking her head.

"I know you can." He quickly backtracks, leaning down to kiss her. "But I just want to help you. I don't want you to exhaust yourself."

At this, she smiles. "Well fine then. I guess I can let you have this meeting."

"Thank you." He smiles, but she doesn't see the victory dancing in his eyes. She bends her head back down to continue writing and Killian leaves the office, closing the door behind him. While Valerie remains unfortunately unaware of what her husband has done to her, Killian remains triumphant. He walks outside, deciding to go for a ride on his horse. While tacking the horse and strapping on the saddle it begins to get uneasy, shuffling from foot to foot.

"It's okay." He tries to calm the horse, shushing it but it doesn't work.

"Horses don't like me much." He hears a familiar voice say from behind him and he whirls around, finding none other than Rumplestiltskin in front of me.

"You. What are you doing here?" Killian asks, anger already mounting inside him.

"I give you a happy life and that's how you talk to me?" He sneers, looking at Killian with a frown.

"Why are you here crocodile?" Killian glares at the imp.

"Oh, crocodile? That's a new one." Rumplestiltskin giggles. He sticks out his hands to admire them but Killian jumps, thinking that the Dark One is going to use magic on him. "Don't worry Prince. I'm just admiring my scaly skin."

"Stop beating around the bush, Dark One, and tell me why you're here."

"I just wanted to check in on you. See how you liked the potion." Rumplestiltskin shrugs. Killian immediately tenses.