Forest of Fireflies

Chapter 82

Note: mature content (sex) in this chapter. Please skip forward a bit to '*end of mature content' if you do not wish to read this part. :)

(Regina's POV)

Unfortunately, I was terrible at hiding emotions in front of my true love. I knew he saw right through me when he gently pushed me aside as he walked over to the balcony that overlooked the kingdom. I approached him with caution and prompted with my hand on his arm, "Please talk to me. Don't just walk away, tell me what you're thinking, my love."

In a quiet voice, he murmured, "And will you tell me truthfully what's going on?"

I breathed heavily. "Daniel, I'm not...I'm not trying to hide anything from you. It's just hard and...Daniel, you have to understand. I'm doing this for us. To protect us from my sister," I tried to reason. Then, I peered into his distant eyes and whispered, "You think I was the one who was responsible for the massacre."

After a few seconds of painful silence, he finally turned to look at me with his mesmerising eyes. However, the beauty in them didn't seem to correlate with the disappointment in his voice as he replied, "Regina, I don't want to believe that you did it, because my heart is telling me that you couldn't have possibly done so. But, I couldn't help but piece everything together in a way that tells me you've slaughtered those innocent lives."

I felt myself crumble as he said those words. I diverted my gaze and looked out at the land before me. I didn't affirm or deny what he had said, but I suppose I had given him my answer. Daniel walked away and sat down at the chaise before the fireplace, with his hands through his hair. "Daniel-" I began.

He silenced me with a stern stare that shook my core. I wanted to approach him but the denial in his eyes were apparent. I was so taken aback by his actions that within my own body, I was able to feel the pain that must be welling up inside his heart. However, as I forced my breathing to regulate, I unconsciously justified myself. 

Much as happened to bring me where I am today. To shape me. I admit that I'm no longer the girl my fiance fell in love with, but it doesn't mean that I'm not...me. I still wanted Daniel with all my heart, and I cannot afford to lose him. As Daniel sat there, I suddenly took notice of his shapely arms and gorgeous face and...a small part of me couldn't help but wonder what was hidden beneath that shirt.

With every step that I took towards him, I could feel my concern for what he was thinking grow a little less. I could make him forget all that too. I can make him love me, I can make him never doubt me again. I can fulfil him, can't I?

I sat down next to him but before he could edge away, I put my hand on his chest and purred, "Hey, still love you, you know that."

He looked at me with uncertainty which was something that I wanted to crush right now in this present moment. "Regina-"

I murmured, "It's ok. I know everything's different now, but it's also the same isn't it? Look at the stars up there. It's the same sky that watched us as we brought Daniella into the world all those years ago, aren't they?" I focused on my true love's eyes, and indeed, they stared right back into mine. Then, the reflection seemed to soften a bit. This time, as he whispered my name, it came out more as a prompt. I pouted my lips. "I've missed you so much, dear." Then, I used my magic to close the doors of my chambers. Daniel was silent, but I took his exploring eyes to mean otherwise. I shrugged off my warm fur cloak and let it pool onto the floor beside us. The cold air immediately seized my chest but I warmed up a little as I brought it to meet my fiance's gaze. Then, I took his face in my hands and brought his soft lips onto mine.

As I took in the sweetness of his lips, he placed his broad hands on my back. I felt the laces of my corset being undone as I tasted his lustful breath. A small wave of satisfaction coursed through my body when I felt my waist being liberated from its bone cage and in that moment, something skittered across the stone tiles. Then, Daniel put his arms around me and I slid easily underneath him, my head gently meeting the pillows on the chaise. Darkness settled over me, and I breathed in homely scents of wood and hay. I lifted my hands to tear away the clothing between us. I was growing impatient so I used a little touch of magic to help me. As I flung away the pieces of rain scented cloth, the candles beside us was extinguished. Soon, I was staring at his beautiful golden body, illuminated by the blue moonlight. I traced my finger down. He shuddered, his arms tightening around me.