Different Worlds

Chapter 17

Regina's POV

The door to the chamber slams open, startling both Emma and I from sleep. I instinctively hold the girl closer from whatever has just disturbed us. "Your Majesty!" Red cries, Belle right on her heels. "We caught the traitor!"

Instantly I'm on my feet and dressed, following the two wolves down the hall who have shifted into their beastly forms and are snarling at each and every servant we come across. My heart pounds inside my chest and a nauseous feeling overwhelms me to think that one of my own has been working on the inside to sabotage me.

The throne room is abuzz with chatter but silences once we enter. I flick my cloak around me and glare at the inhabitants of the room. They all look equally nervous and terrified, as they should. They are facing a very pissed off queen.

"Who is the traitor?" I demand, my voice echoing in the room and followed by a snarl from my wolves.

The crowd parts to let the person through, and I'm surprised to see Robin holding the traitor by the arm, bow in hand and determined look on his face. It's a woman around my age, bleeding steadily from her shoulder where an arrow shot her. I walk forward and tilt the woman's chin up, gasping as I recognize the watery blue eyes of this woman.

"Rainy," I breathe, shock taking over as I stare into the face of my old servant and best friend.

Robin scowls and tightens his grip on the girl. "I caught her on the way here. She was out in the courtyard, talking to someone about poisoning the prisoner's food, which I'm assuming she was talking about Emma. So I shot her down. I tried to catch the other one as well, but she disappeared."

"Rainy, is this true?" I ask, a lump forming in my throat at the betrayal.

"Yes," Rainy answers so quietly I have to strain to hear it.

Red snarls by my side, her claws extending and teeth baring. I put my hand on her head and stroke her fur, silently instructing her to stand down. Rainy suddenly drops to her knees, a loud sob escaping her throat.

"You don't understand, Regina! I didn't want to do it! I was forced! I don't even know how to shoot a bow!"

The use of my name as a familiar term is a bit unsettling, especially now, but I ignore it. I need answers. Robin joins Emma and my guards have their bows aimed at the woman, ready to shoot if she attacks. "What do you mean?" I demand, my voice confident and terrifying.

"She has my heart. I don't know how she escaped, but she did, and she took back the castle. She wants to destroy you, and to do that, destroy the thing you love most. She knows of the prophecy, she knows of the great power you both have combined." Rainy shakes in fright, bowing her head in sorrow. "I never wanted to cause you harm. You've always been a trusted friend of mine."

"Yet you resisted," I hiss at her, causing her to shrink back in fear. "You let Her have control over you. You always did. No matter what she did to me. You stood by and watched!"

"Your Majesty." Robin lays his hand on my arm to calm me down. "Who did this?"

I close my eyes, trying to control my temper and hold back the darkness inside of me. "My mother. She ripped out her servant's heart and forced her into doing her dirty work. My guess is she is the one Red saw with Rumplestiltskin. She's escaped banishment, and now she's coming after me with all the forces she can."

"Then a war we shall have." Robin steps forward on the platform, facing all my subjects and staff. "If you respect and worship your Queen, then you will join me in finding this traitor and taking her down."