Devotion and Desire [Dorian/Cora/Regina]

[Ruby Gray]

Her lover stayed silent, probably for the better, Cora was having none of his charm and it only seemed to be provoking her anger, but Red, despite how much she was loathe to do it, played the role of the obedient pet. Thinking of how to make the witch successful, how to achieve her goal. For once the lack of emotion served her, she was able to think clearly without indignation or rage clouding her thoughts. Her plan was smooth and bound to work, if nothing else Regina would appear to punish them for disguising themselves as her enemy. This would work, it had too. Her life and her lovers depended on it.

She waited, upon baited breath as her words reached the witch, she seemed contemplative, debating carefully, but Red had been wise in her flattery, Cora knew her daughter better than anyone, and while Red did not know a great deal of either of them, she knew vanity was a trait within Regina and it hoped it was one as well within her mother. A cloud of purple smoke and her heart, strong and steady, beat within the palm of Cora's hand. A few murmured words and a soft blow and Red's vision went black.

Swirls of color, light and feeling spread from the hole in her chest to t7he rest of her body like wildfire. She gasped, eyes crossing slightly as she stumbled backwards, dropping to her knees at the onslaught of so many emotions flooded her all at once. Anger, hatred, joy, happiness, sadness, betrayal, loneliness, playful, passion, lust, and...love. So much love for the man who was now risking everything to save her. The beast roared to life within her the wolf's sudden presence almost overwhelming her for a moment as it returned, its own passions restored, but for a brief moment, Ruby did not care, she did not care about Cora, or her wolf, or Regina, or the fact that she just might die this day, all she cared about was Dorian and how many times he had told her he loved her in the past few days, how many times he had mourned her, how much he really did care for her and it both broke her heart that he had been so miserable and warmed her spirit that he cared for her so much.

"Dorian!" Just his name was laced with so much emotion. Love, laughter, delight, apology... she was before him in an instant, it mattered little what spell Cora had cast upon him, this was her fiancé, her lover, her Dorian Gray, her Dori. "My Dori.." She murmured just loud enough for him to hear, tears brimming the corners of her eyes while her fingers shakily traced his cheeks. She kissed him, unable to stop herself. Love and passion and lust, she fueled that kiss with every emotion she had ever felt trying to tell him silently that she was sorry for everything that had happened. "I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you." She murmured between her kisses and only when she realized they were wasting valuable time did she reluctantly pull away. "We will find her, and I will tell you a thousand times how much I love you, how much I adore you, how much you mean to me. You will have me, my Adonis as you always have."

[Dorian Gray]

Dorian, still intently bitter about his body being transformed, was watching with sarcastic eyes as the witch and his bride mingled their words, their curses. But what he heard changed his mind for a moment, and all the sarcasm drained from his face. Was she serious? Had Ruby's plan, her flattering words really worked? He was slightly shocked. He had not expected to get this part of her back yet, but he wasn't going to complain. He really wanted his duchess back.

Suddenly, something was happening to Ruby, and she looked like she was going to faint or worse, die. Dorian hurried to be at her side, to make sure she did not collapse. But she did not--in fact, after this remarkable transformation, there was once more a beautiful light in her eyes and a smile upon her face after a moment of pure confusion. He thought he saw the light of her beast momentarily light her eyes, and it excited him to know that she was no longer deadened from all feeling--this meant that, if just for right now, he had her back and she could feel and understand all the love that he felt for her. All that he had been missing.

She may not have looked like herself but this was still his Ruby, and he called out to her just as well. "Ruby! Oh, my love..." He embraced her, pulled her to him, their embrace feeling odd in different bodies. She gave him a hard and fierce kiss, which he was glad to receive, and he did not let her go until she spoke. And then, she would not stop her confessions--to match the many times he'd said such things, sure. "I love you with all that I can, my Ruby Red. Now let us go off. I shall keep my mouth shut, and you shall find Regina. And then we'll go home and be lovers." He kissed her once more for good measure.

Then they set off.

[Regina Mills]

"It won't be much longer now," Regina muttered to herself, eying the entrance of the cave she'd found shelter in. It wasn't even big enough for two to stand comfortably, but she only needed it for a few minutes of rest. The days of hiking through this wasteland had been hard on her after years of sitting behind a desk and driving everywhere.

She'd known it was only a matter of time before Snow sent someone for her. Regina's inability to let go of the grudge she held against her step-daughter had made her predictable, and no doubt Aldeon's Queen was eager to see her locked up once more, but Regina wasn't going to stand for it. She had more to live for than revenge these days - a son to rescue, though it would take time.

And so she'd done everything in her power to keep hidden from anyone or anything sent after her, but it wouldn't hold for long. Someone would eventually find her, and then she'd have to take them head-on. She was more than confident in her re-discovered powers giving her an edge in any fight, and looked forward to letting go of some the anger she'd been holding onto since coming to this new world.

[Ruby Gray]

The onslaught of emotions assured her of two things, one if she ever was forced to revert to such a dead state, she would end her life herself, and two she had never realized how utterly powerful her love for Dorian truly was, not being able to feel it and suddenly feel everything, it felt like a derailed train smashing into a brick wall, it overwhelmed her entirely, and she wanted nothing more than to take him home, tell him how sorry she was, and beg that he forgive her... she could do no such thing here, Cora was watching and Cora was demanding she find Regina. She could not say no, Cora held her heart.

But she would kiss her Dorian, body feeling foreign or no. She would kiss him and without words she would try to convey how sorry she was, how much she loved him and how much she yearned to rip Cora's throat out of her neck... no patience. Calm. She must stay calm. their lives depended on her ability to act, hers and Dorian's both. He responded to her love immediately, telling her first and foremost that he loved her and that was almost enough to silence her, he had never done such a thing before. His words made her smile, and she wished she could see Dorian before her, not the shell of Charming's body. The King held nothing on her beloved.

But she laced her fingers with his tightly and together they vanished into the wasteland, it took them quite some time but finally Ruby picked up on the scent and the closer they came the more nervous Ruby got and she turned to her lover. "Charming is almost perfectly his name sake. Willing to enter any fight, protect Snow at all costs. When he speaks, it's simple, eloquent words don't color his tone and in a hostile situation if Snow speaks first, which I will, he backs her on everything." She tried to give him the simplest run down she could. Regina would suspect something if he remained silent. She paused for only a moment, hesitating, nervous and gently cupping his face with her hand. "I wish I had all the time in the world to tell you of my love, how much you mean to me and how utterly sorry I am for how badly I have wounded you for these past few days, but I don't. Regina hates Snow with a fiery, burning passion. It is quite possible that she may begin hurtling fireballs, if that happens you run and find Cora." She saw him open his mouth to protest and she silenced him. "She can wound me, but she cannot kill me, Cora has my heart and as long as that holds true, Regina will be hard pressed to do much of anything, I can and will distract her with the wolf if need be, I won't lose you Dori, I can't. It would kill me, promise me this, please?" She waited until she had his word before walking forward, peering into the mouth of the cave she walked as cautiously as she was able, the movement feeling foreign to her.

"Regina! We know you're in there!" Snow's voice sounded so forward as the cave echoed back her words, she prayed this would end somewhat peacefully.

[Dorian Gray]

Dorian was standing in the background for the most part, trying to be good and trying to do what would be best for him and for his lovely fiancée. She ended up all over him anyhow, kissing him and assuring him that she loved him so very much; it was all he could do to return her words, her kisses... all this wonderful emotion that had been a long time coming, too long held in, and he had missed it so very much. Ruby was his darling, his bride, his world. He was so glad to have her back, even in these unfamiliar, incorrect forms they had been reduced to. She was still really Ruby, her kisses were still from Ruby's love.

But alas. There was work to be done. He did not need to focus on this right now, because he could have her back completely if this was done the right way. She turned and gave him his instructions, and for now, Dorian was subservient to her will. She knew all of this better, and if he was good he would be able to have her back later. Perhaps even in bed. "Redundant, simple, and stupidly brave. Got it," he semi-repeated, laughing sarcastically but then setting a charming smile upon his face. She was still his lady. At least in this form he could still be loving to her, protect her. He wanted to do no else.

He smiled at her. "There will be time for it, love. After this is all over. You will have me back and I will have you. Hell, we'll romp for weeks in bed. But this first. I do love you, so very much." He smiled at her and they set off again. He heeded her instructions, knowing that he had to follow them if this was to work. He had to be loyal now, not selfish as usual.

"I will do as you ask, then. We will win this fight." He and she walked awkwardly, quietly to the cave, where Ruby thought she could sense Regina. She called and Dorian recoiled, the echoes hitting him hard. He hoped, prayed that she was there and this would all go as he wanted it to go. There! There came an answer...

[Regina Mills]

Regina could feel the trackers getting closer, moving passed her spells. She waited impatiently for them, eager to move on to more important matters. She held on to a picture of Henry, just visible in the dim light. It was the only thing of value she'd had on her when she came through, and it helped to remind her what she was fighting for.

It wasn't long before she could hear the trackers just outside the cave. She tucked the photo into the satchel she carried, to be left in the cave until the fight was over. She prepared herself, about to come out and blast whoever had been unlucky enough to find her, but the voice calling for her made her stop. 'It can't be her,' she thought. 'She wouldn't dare come all this way to face me.'

Expecting an attack, Regina cautiously stepped out of the cave and faced her trackers, only to be caught off guard when she saw who they were. "What a surprise," she sneered. "Snow White and her prince. To what do I owe the pleasure?" Regina couldn't help the laugh that escaped her as she looked them over. Here she was anticipating a fairy or that mutt Snow liked to be around, and instead she got the girl herself. This would be easier to deal with than she thought.

[Ruby Gray]

She cared little that her beloved was in one form or the next, she knew her Dorian, would know him anywhere. Even in this different form, she could see the glimpses of his countenance. She damned Cora, damned her to the lowest layer of hell for all the pain she had caused him, because she could remember him cradling her close, whispering soft words of love and affection. She could remember him begging her, pleading her to love him, to kiss him, to say something and she had been utterly silent and still. It killed her to know what Cora had done to him through her. Her own safety, her own protection, it was obsolete. She could not help but kiss him. Love him. Speak again and again of her love for him. She could not get enough of him, she never would.

She told him the basics of Charmings countenance and his snorted, sarcastic response pulled a laugh from the depths of her chest, playfully she tapped his nose, amusement glittering in her emerald gaze. "Yes love... everything you are not." She kissed him quickly and absentmindedly held up her hand, the rubies on her engagement ring still glittered back at her, it seemed Cora's spell had not changed the ring and just to tease him, just to taunt him she spoke her next words in a low seductive purr. "I think, my wedding band should have your name engraved on the inside." She leaned in close, catching the lobe of his ear between her teeth. "That way Dorian Gray can always be pressed up against me." She released him, knowing better than to push him too far.

"I love you my Dori." She echoed his confession of love with her own. "You may have me forever if we survive this. I have and always will be yours, I knew that even without a heart." She spoke much more seriously, but then they approached the cavern and Red swayed uneasily, calling into the inky blackness and squeezing Dorian's hand. For her comfort or for his, she didn't know. Cora and Regina weren't on the best of terms themselves and the last thing they needed to do was be caught in the crossfires of the two...not that Red had much of choice.

It did not take long for Regina to slither out of her hole and Red had the urge to shift and kill the woman that had brought Snow so much pain, but she restrained herself. Cora would kill her before she took two steps and she would leave Dorian for the witches to feed upon... that wouldn't end well for anybody at least not for the only person here who mattered to her. She forced herself to think as her best friend and finally...

"Please Regina we have not come here for a confrontation, we seek only peace, a treaty, we want the fighting to stop." Red almost recoiled as the bile left her mouth. Red was a creature of action. She did things. Whether they were good or bad she did not hesitate, did not consider peace or war. Do now, talk later. Just like with Dorian. She almost snickered at her own thoughts. No... no... focus Red, we can do Dorian once we get away from the witches. This was why Snow was Queen and not she.

[Regina Mills]

Regina eyed the couple suspiciously, trying to determine whether or not Snow was being truthful. It made her nostalgic for the days not so long ago when she could easily make them do as she wanted, boring as those years in Storybrooke were. Her first instinct was not to believe a word that came out of either of their mouths - but especially his. He'd never made any attempt at trying to end the feud with her, only tried again and again to kill her.

In a way, Regina almost felt bad for David. Snow had ruined his life too, after all. Had she not interfered, he'd have married the daughter of Midas and learned to be happy ruling George's kingdom. Instead, Snow had brought pain and suffering on him - not that he would ever admit it. Still, it was something Regina had given a lot of thought to, and was more than willing to convince the prince of, should push come to shove. Breaking up the happy couple was something she'd become rather experienced at, after all.

"And what makes you think I'll agree to your little peace treaty this time? What deal could you possibly offer that would appeal to me more than killing the both of you right now?" She smirked, her fingers twitching with anticipation. It would be so easy to kill them here and now, with nothing but a sword between them. Then she'd only have to take care of Emma before Henry would be hers for good.

[Dorian Gray]

Dorian stood strongly beside his fiancée, trying to recall what he was told to do, how he was told to act, despite the delicious words she spoke. He yearned for her body, but refrained, answering only, "You must stop that for now." He did not like how he was told to be, but he could no more help that, because his and Ruby's futures were on the line if he were not a good enough actor. He needed to trust that he could act like Charming--his absolute opposite--so that he could save the one thing he loved.

As Regina emerged from the cave, he stood beside 'Snow' with a neutral look painted across his now not-so-handsome face as he set his eyes upon the other witch. She did not look so startlingly evil as her mother, but he was of no stature to judge such a thing. He simply looked, watched, knowing that his role was only that of a consort to the more brilliant of the pair. No doubt Charming must have been simple to do such a thing... He caught himself scowling and adjusted his face to a more suitable disposition. He had to do this right.

At the witch's stinging words, he laid a guarding hand on Ruby's waist, so as to make sure the wretched woman knew that she was dealing with two as opposed to but one. Perhaps in this manner--and only in this manner--he was a bit like the prince. He would forever protect Ruby. Remembering his instructions, he did not speak but let her do the dealing, moving with impeccably practised grace if he had to and but watching as Ruby spoke with Regina. She was clever. She would always know just what to do, and all his trust and love was with her.