Chapter Text
I Summoned You, Please Come to Me
A thin girl sat in a lonely cell picking at her tanned skin, the itch never quite sated. Her dark eyes watched as her skin bloomed pink then red, but never bleeding. She didn’t want to die a slow death by infection, though she had to admit, if that were the only way out she might need to reconsider. She felt her hair tickle her cheek and angrily swiped it away and tucked it behind her ear. King James hadn’t called for her in days – and she had had to ration the piece of bread and cheese she had been given days ago. She felt the pains of her empty stomach and eyed the piece of bread in mourning. It was almost more painful to eat such a small piece than it was to continue to go hungry.
She reached out slowly, feeling her body tremble from the lack of sustenance. She had to admit to herself that perhaps she had pissed off the King enough this time that he was ready to let her rot. That had never been her intention. She had hoped it would be quick and that they would be gracious enough to slit her throat. But no, she was still here, protecting her measly means from scavengers.
She brought the bread to her lips and took the tiniest bite and almost started to sob. She laid down on the cold cobblestones and curled into a ball. She started to drift, to watch tales in her mind. About a prince, or princess that would ride into the kingdom and defeat the evil King, and take her away from here. She sucked on the bread and tried not to swallow, hopeful that it would break down slowly.
Her tears fell quicker now, the bread slowly melting away and the phantom taste of it was all that was left. She pressed her palm to her forehead and she felt her body tremble. She was going to die here, slowly. She sobbed for no one was around and no one was coming.
When all of a sudden she heard the creaking of her cell, King James’ wearing a prideful smirk, his face lifted in delight. “Ah, Regina, learned our lesson this time?” He carried an apple. The girl's arms pushed her shaky form up from the ground, her eyes wide and desperate.
James squatted on the ground. “Hungry?”
Dark eyes inspected the gift warily. James loved to play games with her. He said she was more fun than the rest. She didn’t heed his every wish and desire. She moved slowly, crawling once, then twice, towards him.
He dangled the apple in her face. “I’ll give you this… if you do something for me.” He watched the way her eyes didn’t want to stray from the fruit.
“What do you want me to do?” Her voice shook slightly, her hunger overriding her mind.
King James took a bite of the apple – watching as Regina’s eyes widened in horror. He snickered handing her the apple, stood, and started to take off his pants. “I think you’ll know what to do.”
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