The Dark Princess {OUAT AU}

Chapter 27

"Drink it." He encourages her, and only a moments hesitation passes before she grabs it from him and downs the bright red liquid inside. She closes her eyes as the sweet potion slides down her throat before they pop back open. Her stomach clenches in on itself, and she feels like her insides are trying to make their way out of her body. The pain intensifies and she bites her lip hard enough to draw blood as she's brought to her knees.   

Valerie closes her eyes tight, and tries to will away the pain when suddenly it seems to seep out of her body, ebbing and flowing slowly. Rumplestiltskin watches, fascinated, as a pink smoke leaves through her mouth, nose, and ears. It moves around her body and finally her tense muscles loosen. The smoke suddenly stills, and then rushes back into her, making her eyes fly open. They glow an unusually bright pink and she draws in a sharp, shaky breath. She blinks a few times and her body sags, her palms hitting the forest floor with a quiet thud. 

"He... I... My good god." Rumplestiltskin hears her mutter, unable to fit her jumbled thoughts into a proper sentence. A few minutes pass by and the only thing you can hear is Valerie's laboured breathing. She finally looks up at Rumplestiltskin and her eyes- the light, warm blue-green they have been for the last few months- are hard, and cold. 

"Is my magic back?" She asks, getting up slowly. A groan escapes her lips as her body protests, feeling as if she has been beaten. "And why do I ache?"

"Check and see." Rumplestiltskin says, regarding her magic. She shakes out her arms, feeling her muscles tighten as she closes her eyes and pulls from deep within her. As the magic begins to flood through her veins, heightens her senses, she decides to summon her spell book. The picture in her mind is vivid and it takes her only a moment for her muscle memory to return and for the magic that flows strongly through her makes an appearance. After only a few extra seconds than it used to take her, she is able to bring the book from her tower. And to think Killian told her that locked up that room because she hated the very memory of it. With her spell book back in hand she itches to practice magic again. 

"Excellent." Rumplestiltskin's eyes gleam. For having her magic gone for almost a whole year, Valerie is able to quickly re-grasp it. 

"Now, as for my second question." She says, a proud look on her face to being verbally applauded by him.

"Why do you ache? Well after having your memories painlessly returned, your mind remembering all of the magic training you went through. Having your repressed powers spring back to life was a fast, and therefore painful procedure. It needed to make itself known." He shrugs. 

"Fantastic." She grits out sarcastically, her body still protesting the return of her magic.

"Now, go. I want my debt fulfilled. I shall be waiting here, dearie." He tells her, shooing her away. She gives him a mischievous grin. 

"You were right." Is all she says as she walks to her horse and begins to untie the reins she attached to the tree. 

"Of course I was." Rumplestiltskin shrugs, and then looks at her. "What was I right about?"

Valerie lets out a genuine laugh, which is shockingly nice to hear. "I won't have a problem about getting you your end of the deal." 

"I didn't think you would." He says, and then watches her get on her horse and ride off into the forest. 

~~~

After dropping her mustang off with the stable boy she strides back into the castle with calculated steps.  She takes a quick look at the clock in her room and changes from the simple riding outfit into a gown fit for a sorceress with a quick flick of her wrists. The stunning ballgown has a slit up the front from the hem of the skirt to her waist and falls open to reveal her legs clad in leather. The corset is covered in purple jewels and is an off-shoulder long sleeve fit. Her hair changes from a braid to an elegant updo as her make-up becomes sharper and darker. The riding boots are sitting back in the closet and have been exchanged for a pair of tall stilettos.