Mother Dearest

Chapter 1

Regina glanced up as the great wooden doors burst open and a man flanked by two of her Black Knights strode in. "You better have some good news for me, Huntsman," she said, reaching for the jewel-encrusted box beside her. The Huntsman was her most difficult, resistant servant—he often needed some "outside encouragement" to behave himself.

He inhaled sharply as she pulled out the object inside: she held his red heart in her delicate fingers, tracing her thumb over the dark smudges. He glared at it, his fists clenching at his sides.

"I have news of Snow White," he said, his words marred from his thick, rustic accent. "Her child has been born. A girl."

Regina sat up, fury and elation rising in her chest. "A child," she breathed.

Snow White had a child. That stupid, insipid, insufferable little brat had a child. It was like the universe was mocking her: every attempt Regina made on her life backfired, making the people love her more and more until she had gathered enough loyal followers to drive Regina out of the kingdom. And now, Snow was living the life of luxury with her trophy husband, reclining in Regina's throne—the one she had suffered through a decade of marriage to that old, pathetic excuse for a man the people called "King".

It was Snow's fault that Daniel had been killed, that Regina's heart had been shattered beyond repair, that all her hopes and dreams had been crushed when his heart was—right in front of her. Regina had been working tirelessly to get her revenge ever since, even going so far as to seek Rumplestiltskin's help. He had schooled her in dark magic, offered her advice and wisdom, given her the Dark Curse...all for nothing. The essential ingredient for the Dark Curse was the heart of the thing you loved most: and Regina didn't love. She was ice. She was stone. The only thing in her heart was a dark, festering hatred for Snow White.

That woman would suffer; Regina would use her dying breath to make sure Snow White suffered as deeply as she had.

And now that there was a child...

"Huntsman," Regina said suddenly, her fiery black eyes sparking with inspiration. "You will bring me that child."

The Huntsman glowered at her. "She's innocent," he growled. "I will not harm an innocent child—not even for you, my Queen," he added mockingly.

"I'm not asking you to harm her," Regina said coolly. "Quite the contrary. I want you to bring her to me in perfect health, or this—"she squeezed his heart, smiling cruelly as he cried out in pain, falling to his knees—"will be crushed into dust, dear Huntsman."

She loosened her hold, allowing him to slowly push himself back into a stand, still breathing with difficulty. "Now, go," she said, waving a careless hand. "And don't come back until you have that child in your arms. Do you understand?"

He nodded, wincing as she dug her nails into the heart. "Yes, my Queen." 

"Good."

Regina dropped the heart back in the box, and settled back in her chair with a satisfied sigh. Finally. Snow White had ruined her life, all because she couldn't keep her mouth shut. She had ripped away all the light in her life, all the love in her heart, just because she couldn't keep one little secret. She had stolen her life; and now Regina was going to steal hers.

Because when a child is born, she becomes the center of her parent's world: their sun, their stars, their entire life. Snow White didn't realize it, but she had just given birth to Regina's revenge.

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She really was a most beautiful little girl, though.

Regina caught her breath as the Huntsman carefully placed the little bundle in her arms. She traced her finger along the soft, plump cheeks, over the rosebud mouth, all the way up the little feathery tufts of blonde hair. The baby let out a soft, mewling cry, squirming in her arms; Regina almost smiled, feeling a spreading warmth in her chest as she gazed down at her.

"What's her name?" she murmured, not taking her eyes off her.

"They called her 'Emma'," the Huntsman said, his voice sounding oddly strained. Regina glanced up, raising her eyebrows.

"Do I detect a hint of compassion in those dead eyes?" she asked, a smile twisting on her face. He didn't answer; he just looked at the baby, swallowing hard. Regina lowered her eyes, softly shhing as Emma let out another little cry.

She would be the daughter Regina would never be able to have. She would learn magic; she would learn strength. She would learn that love is weakness, and power is everything. She would prove that a woman can not only the match the strength and cleverness of a man, but exceed it, just as Regina's mother had taught her.

And one day, she would help Regina storm her own parents' castle, and conquer their kingdom. Snow's own daughter would put the tip of a sword to her neck—and kill her.