Different Worlds

Chapter 14

Regina's POV

Orange and blue hues paint the sky, sending gentle beams of light shining down over the courtyard. All of the servants and guards are awake and fulfilling their jobs now that I've given them vials to keep their strength up. I, meanwhile, am exhausted. I know I should rest, but I cannot relax when such a threat has arrived in my kingdom, threatening my people.

Stacks of books sit on either side of me as I pour over each one, trying to find a magical solution to this. At least finding out the type of poison used would be somewhat of a help. My hope wanes as book after book gives me no answers and throws me right back to square one—the waiting game.

Waiting for Emma to either die or recover, waiting for the unknown assailant to attack again. I have heard no word from the guards who have left, and I worry that something has happened. If Rumplestiltskin is the one doing this, I may have just lost my 2nd rank guards.

I set the books aside, opening the window just a crack to allow the cool morning air into the stuffy room before perching on the window seat. I close my eyes and clutch Daniel's ring tightly in my hand, hoping and praying that Emma will pull through.

I sense magic in the air and I open my eyes. It's not coming from me, and I'm immediately on the defense as swirling blue orbs enter through the cracked window and settle in the middle of the room, forming a shape. A fireball lights up in the palm of my hand and I aim, ready to incinerate whoever dares threaten me.

The blue orbs begin to glow brightly, blinding me momentarily before revealing a woman. A fairy—to be more exact. She is dressed in an atrocious, sky blue dress adorned with pink flowers and lightly colored ribbons, with her light brown hair piled high atop her head with silk sashes. She smiles kindly at me even with my fireball lit in hand, showing no fear toward me whatsoever.

"Who are you?" I demand, suspicious of this intruder. The fairies settled many kingdoms away, far past Snow White's kingdom, Giant-Ville, and the Dark Forest. They are harmless creatures whose only purpose is to spread goodwill and fulfill wishes, but for them to travel so far is a rarity. I cannot let my guard down.

"My name is Blue. I am ruler of the fairies, and I have traveled far across many lands to see you," the fairy answers.

"My kingdom has been attacked. I do not take kindly to intruders, especially now." The fireball in my hand grows bigger, and though the fairy's eyes widen, she doesn't move.

"Your Majesty, I have heard of your dilemma. I may not know who attacked your guard or why, but I come to offer you my services in the hopes that we may become allies. You are a most respected queen, and I have heard your wishes for a long time."

"My wishes?" I ask.

"Fairies hear every wish of those with good souls. We may not be able to fulfill every one, as we are not allowed to interfere with fate as much as we like, but when we hear the most important ones, we grant them." The fairy steps forward, and my fireball disintegrates, taking the orange hue from the flame with it.

"Regina, you have done terrible things in your reign of becoming queen. But you have also done much good, and you have been through a lot." Blue rests her hand on my chest and I find myself unable to pull away. "I have heard every wish of yours—from pleading that your mother won't hurt you anymore, to bringing Daniel back to life, to allow you to escape and not have to marry the king, to granting your father another chance to live."

Tears fill my eyes at her words. It seems fate has been cruel, and hasn't granted me the wish to be happy, if only for a moment. The fairy wipes the tears from my cheeks and amazingly, they begin to glow a light blue color on her finger. She smiles at the magic.