Disclaimer: I don't own Once Upon a Time, or any of it's characters.

Prologue:

He giggled as he created the curse for the woman who he had promised not to kill. No this curse wouldn't kill her, but it would ensure that she would suffer eternally. As the last two ingredients, a strand of the mayor's hair and a drop of the savior's blood, fell into the vile, a red cloud of smoke formed and poured out the open window of his workshop. Unnoticed by any of the residents of the sleepy town of Storybrook, the red smoke blew through the darkened streets to seep through the window of Regina Mill's bedroom.

Chapter 1

With a gasp, I sat bolt upright in bed. I glanced around the dark room to see what had woken me, but nothing was out of place and the house was silent. The alarm clock read 2:56AM. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my pounding heart. When it didn't work and nerves continued to crawl along my skin, I slowly got out of bed and pulled a robe over my silk pajamas. I carefully padded to the bedroom door, pausing to listen for any movement before easing it open. The hallway was empty and I tiptoed towards the stairs to investigate the rest of the house.

When I passed Henry's room, I stopped and silently opened the door. A small bubble of hope that he had decided to come home burst when I saw his empty bed. It was a sensation that had become familiar since the curse broke and he left to live with the Savior. Unbidden, an image of Emma Swan swam into my mind and I reflexively clenched my jaw in expected irritation. But the feeling didn't come; instead a wave of dizziness washed over me as my mouth went dry and my upper jaw began to ache. I stumbled against the doorframe, and shook my head clear of the dizziness, but the parched feeling didn't go away. I was suddenly desperately thirsty.

I forgot my earlier concerns about an intruder in the house, and hurried into my bathroom, grabbing the water glass from the sink and filling it from the tap. I gulped down the water as quickly as possible, earning a small measure of relief from the burning thirst. I drank two more full glasses of water before weariness settled over me and I shuffled back into bed. I fell back asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow, and the dream started immediately.

I ran down the familiar forest paths of my childhood home. The moonlight falling through the trees glinted off movement ahead of me and I sped up, desperate to catch up to whomever I was chasing. With a surge of speed, I managed to close the distance. I reached out and gripped her arm, spinning her to face me. And I found myself looking into the startled eyes of Emma Swan.

"Regina?" she asked, surprised.

I felt my lips curl up into a smirk as I took a step towards her. "Hello, dear. It seems I've caught you at last," I said in a seductive purr.

Her eyes went wide as they focused on my parted lips. She tried to back away from me, only managing to trap herself against a tree. I stalked towards her and she held up a hand to stop me as she pleaded, "No, Regina. Please don't do this."

I closed the distance between us, pressing my body into hers, moaning at the press of her soft curves against my suddenly very aroused body. I lowered my head to whisper in her ear, "Don't do what, Miss Swan?" She shivered in response, but didn't speak. I trailed kisses down her neck to her pulse point, which was calling to me with a siren's song. My lips parted and my fangs slid into the throbbing vein beneath her skin. Warm blood flowed over my tongue, tasting of ambrosia and I groaned, tightening my hold on the blonde in my arms. Emma let out a desperate moan as one of her hands tangled in my hair, clenching tightly as though she would pull me away, before relaxing and holding me against her as I feasted.

My eyes flew open, heated arousal coursing through my body as a result of the dream. For long minutes, I lay on my back, gasping as I tried to convince my body that I didn't want Emma Swan, could never want her. Gradually my heart slowed and my breathing returned to normal and I glanced over at the clock, swearing as I realized that I'd overslept. I pushed out of bed and hurried through my morning routine, trying to ignore the throbbing ache of my upper jaw, and the desperate thirst that had returned.

The vivid dream continued to haunt my thoughts as I rushed into Granny's for the coffee I hadn't taken the time to brew at home. I was so distracted by the thought of pinning the blonde below me and running my lips and tongue over her pale skin, that I didn't notice the very object of my sudden desires was trying to exit as I barreled through the door. I ran right into her, knocking her hot chocolate from her hands so it crashed to the floor, spilling over the linoleum. She let out a grunt as I rebounded off her and stumbled into a table.

"Whoa, what the hell, Regina?" Emma demanded angrily.

I straightened up, smoothing my coat and trying to regain my dignity before I turned to her, prepared to give her my best glare. But the sight of her angry green eyes and flushed skin had the memory of the dream washing over me again. The ache in my jaw returned full force and my throat began to burn from the thirst I couldn't quench. I licked my lips and swallowed, trying desperately to find enough saliva to snap out an angry retort. Fear skittered down my spine when I saw unable to do so.

It must have shown on my face, because Emma's eyes softened into a look of concern and she reached out to lay a gentle hand on my arm. "Are you okay?" she asked worriedly.

I felt a desperate need to close the distance between us as soon as her hand landed on me, and my eyes unwillingly fell to the soft skin of her neck, barely visible between her soft golden curls. A shudder ripped through me as the thirst intensified tenfold. I had to close my eyes against the sudden surge of panic that shot down my spine as the meaning of the dream crashed over me. I opened my eyes and forced myself to meet Emma's concerned gaze. "I apologize for crashing into you. If you'll excuse me, Miss Swan, there is something I need to do," I managed to croak out of my parched lips.

I didn't give her a chance to reply as I spun and ran out the diner's door. Worries clouded my mind as I headed straight for my manor. I needed to get to my books and find out how I'd been cursed, and what needed to be done to reverse it. I was so consumed with my thoughts that I didn't notice the sound of footsteps hurrying after me.

"Regina, wait!" Emma cried, gripping my shoulder and spinning me around to face her.

Instincts born from this curse took over and my hand was around her delectable throat before my spinning mind could process who I was holding. When it did, my fingers relaxed, tenderly stroking the soft, vulnerable skin before I could force my hand away. Irritated with my reaction to her, I snapped, "What?"

Her eyebrows furrowed as she studied me. "What's going on, Regina?"

I straightened my back, forcing an imposing look on my face as I replied, "Nothing, Miss Swan. Everything is fine."

Emma let out an exasperated sigh and said, "You're lying. I thought we'd gotten past this. Come on, Regina, you can trust me."

My eyes were drawn back to her neck as she spoke, the ache in my jaw intensifying at the sight of her thin blue veins visible just beneath her skin. With a desperate struggle, I managed to pull my eyes from her and focus on the storefronts around us, quickly considering my options. I can either push her away now and hope that I can find a way to break this curse before I'm completely overwhelmed by instinct and need, or I can enlist the Savior's help and possibly quench this searing thirst with her sweet—I blinked, not even realizing that while I'd been thinking, I had taken a step closer to her and fixed my eyes upon her delicate neck again.

"It seems that I've been cursed, Miss Swan," I admitted, unable to convince my feet to step back from the blonde.

"What? How?" Emma asked, reaching up to comfort me again.

Panic over what I might do spurned me into action and I stepped back snapping out, "Don't touch me!"

"Um, alright. Why do you think you've been cursed?" she asked uncertainly, shifting from foot to foot.

I clenched my teeth in frustration, earning another sharp throb of pain from my jaw. It only fueled my fury over the situation and I snarled, "I'm the Evil Queen. I think I would know when I've been cursed."

Emma chuckled uncomfortably and said, "Yeah, okay. Do you know who would curse you?"

"I believe that right now I need to focus on removing the curse before I do something I regret and worry about who cast it later," I growled. Feeling the need to close the distance between us growing stronger, I forced myself to walk away.

Unfortunately, the Savior followed, her long strides making it easy to keep pace with me. "What do you mean? What'd this curse do to you?" she asked curiously. I glanced over at her to sneer, but that one small look made it almost impossible not to pounce on her and close my lips over her jugular. The thought of doing that had the ache in my jaw intensify and my parched throat burned fiercely. I forced my eyes forward and clamped my mouth shut. When it became apparent I wasn't going to answer, she softly said, "I might be able to help you, Regina. You don't need to do this alone."

Hoping that it would drive her away, I flatly stated, "Very well, Miss Swan. This curse has made me desperately crave your blood." The admission has her stumbling to a stop and I allowed myself a smug smile, even as those new predatory instincts screamed at me to go back and soothe her so she would let me bury my mouth in her neck. The inner turmoil forced a growl from my dry throat and I sped up, trying to get back to the safety and seclusion of my home.

"What?" Emma called frantically after me, but I didn't stop, imposing all of my self-control on the effort to continue to put one foot in front of the other. Apparently, Emma Swan couldn't manage to do the sensible thing and leave me alone, because she jogged after me. I barely managed to evade the hand that she put out to stop me. "Wait, you can't just drop a bomb like that and walk away," she said, obviously frustrated. I ignored her and kept walking, letting out a sigh of relief when my mansion came into view. The relief was short-lived as she chuckled and asked, "So, are you telling me that this curse turned you into a vampire? Then how are you out in the sunlight?"

I grit my teeth, ignoring the searing pain spreading along my upper jaw and ground out, "Yes, because juvenile questions will help either of us right now, Miss Swan."

"Sorry, Regina, it's just kinda unbelievable. You do realize that don't you?" she asked, still amused.

"Miss Swan, you live in a town filled with characters from fairy tales. You have slain an actual dragon. Is it really so hard to believe that someone could be cursed with vampirism?" I snarled, feeling my tenuous self-control slipping. I didn't know how much longer I would be able to resist the urges my body was screaming for me to give in to.

"Alright, you have a point. What can I do to help?" Emma asked, following me up the driveway to my house.

"You can leave and let me find a way to fix this," I growled warningly.

"No, I'm not leaving you to deal with this alone, Regina. I can help you," she insisted, reaching out for me again.

This time I wasn't able to dodge the hand, and as soon as its warmth closed on my arm, fangs slid out of my gums, saliva flooding my mouth even as my parched throat burned more painfully. I turned to her and snarled, "If you follow me inside, Miss Swan, I will not be able to stop myself, the craving is too great. This is your last chance to escape."

Emma's eyes flicked down to my mouth and widened when she saw the fangs now denting into my lower lip. My eyes were again drawn to her throat, where I could see her pulse thrumming rapidly through her veins. She cleared her throat and gasped out, "Would it prevent you from reversing this curse?"

"What?" I asked, uncertain I'd understood what her question implied.

She licked her lips nervously and met my eyes as she asked, "If you drank from me, would it prevent you from breaking the curse?"

I pursed my lips around the new fangs and said, "It shouldn't." I studied her as her eyes fell back to my mouth and she began to breathe more heavily. The sight had my new predatory instincts overwhelming my shredded control and I stepped closer to her, our bodies nearly touching as I purred, "Why do you ask, Miss Swan? Do you want me to bite you?"

A shiver ran through her and she stammered, "I—uh-I—".

I chuckled and reached up to brush the hair off her neck. I let my fingers trail down to teasingly stoke the throbbing vein in her throat and smirked, "Have you been fantasizing about the feeling of my mouth on your skin and my hands on your body?" She swallowed hard, a blush staining her delicate skin. Emma wouldn't meet my eyes, but she didn't move away from me either. My lips curled into a predatory smile at the unvoiced admission, and I sensually said, "Then by all means, come inside, Savior. I promise I'll make it worth your while."

I let my fingers trail suggestively along her skin as I stepped back and turned to my front door, putting a little more sway in my hips as I moved. I could feel the weight of her gaze following me as I pulled out my keys. By the time I had the door unlocked, I could hear her rapid footsteps hurrying to catch up to me. I smirked, finding it easier to ignore the burning thirst with the knowledge that it would soon be quenched. I held open the door for Emma, excitement racing through me as I watched her nervously step onto my porch.

She hesitated just before she stepped inside and searched my eyes. A little voice in the back of my mind told me she needed reassurance, that it was the only way to sink my fangs in her and ease the burning thirst. I met her searching eyes and let her see the lust that I'd been denying since the day we met and had nothing to do with her blood. "While easing this damned thirst is my biggest concern at the moment; it isn't the only thing I desire from you, dear," I admitted.

"Really?" she asked hopefully.

"Yes, Emma," I replied with a short nod.

She hesitated for one more moment before softly saying, "Alright," and stepping across the threshold into my house.

A dark thrill, somewhat reminiscent of the day I cast the dark curse, slid down my spine and I closed the door, locking it before turning to see Emma shifting awkwardly as she watched me. She looked so lost and uncertain, and it snapped the final wisps of my self-control. I closed the distance between us, pulling her roughly into a kiss. The predator within me took over and I swiped my tongue across her bottom lip, demanding entrance. She parted her lips, and I plunged my tongue into her mouth, claiming it. She moaned and fought back, taking control of the kiss. Her tongue swept past my lips to explore my aching fangs, drawing a groan from me.

I pushed her against the wall, pinning her in place with the weight of my hips against hers. I rested one of my hands on her waist while the other tangled in her hair, as I broke away from the kiss to trail my lips along her jaw until I could murmur in her ear, "I need to taste you, Emma. I can't hold back any longer."

A shiver ran through her, drawing a soft groan from her lips. Her head fell to the side, leaving her neck completely exposed to me as she huskily said, "Go ahead, Regina. I trust you."

"Thank you," I whispered, placing a soft kiss on the sensitive skin just below her ear. I kissed my way down her soft neck until my lips hovered over her pulse point. I flicked out my tongue and licked the skin over the throbbing vein. The taste of her skin had my head spinning, and with no further doubts clouding my mind, I parted my lips and sank my new fangs into her neck. A soft gasp escaped Emma's lips and her hands reflexively clenched in my shirt, drawing me closer to her. The first taste of her blood drew a long satisfied moan from my throat. I was distantly surprised that instead of the coppery taste I expected, her blood was sweet and almost spiced with only the faintest metallic hint, and I immediately craved more.

As I swallowed the first mouthful, the burning ache of the thirst began to ease. I sucked more of the ambrosia from the twin incisions, hearing Emma moan in response. I quickly became completely consumed with her, the taste of her rising desire in her blood, the scent of her arousal, the pounding of the blood within her veins, the soft needy sounds falling from her lips, and the feeling of her soft, supple body underneath my roaming hands.

My own arousal built as I continued to sate myself on her blood. I pulled her closer; drinking greedily as I slipped my thigh between her legs and our bodies began to rock against each other. The heat between us continued to build as I feasted on her until I heard her cry out as a shudder of release ripped through her. My lips curled in satisfaction as I swallowed one last mouthful of her rich, warm blood. I pulled my fangs from her skin, licking up the thin rivulets of blood that trailed from the punctures. Instinct brought on by the curse, had me scraping my tongue on one of my fangs and licking my bloodied tongue over the wounds I'd inflicted on her neck. The logical part of my mind was surprised as the incisions closed and healed within seconds of contact with my blood. I filed the information away for later and placed one last tender kiss on her throat before pulling back to gaze into Emma's lust darkened eyes.

"Thank you, dear," I said appreciatively, finally feeling relief from the maddening thirst that had plagued me since I woke in the middle of the night.

"Anytime," she replied in a voice that was half suggestive and half languid satisfaction.

I lifted an eyebrow, and feeling a surge of protective concern for her, asked, "Are you alright, Emma? Did I take too much?"

"No, Regina, I'm fine. That was incredible," she said with an awed smile.

I returned the smile and reached up to gently tuck a stray curl behind her ear. "Yes, it was," I said appreciatively. I quickly found myself lost in her green eyes, letting my hands run down her sides. I leaned in, claiming her lips in a soft kiss. Emma deepened the kiss with an unhurried exploration of my mouth. I sighed in pleasure and pulled back with a final chaste kiss on her pale lips.

Emma blinked and broke the tender moment by saying, "Your fangs are gone! Does that mean that we broke the curse?"

It was enough to bring me back to the reality of the situation and I stepped back. I took a quick inventory of symptoms I'd experienced from the curse and shook my head. "No, I can still feel it, it's just sated for the moment," I said with a sigh.

"Oh, well um, do you know when you'll need to uh—drink again?" she asked hesitantly.

I forced the instant desire to sink my fangs back into her aside and straightened my shoulders. "I don't know, Miss Swan. But I suggest we find a way to break this curse before the thirst comes back," I stated.

"Why? I mean, that was kinda amazing. I wouldn't mind, if—uh, if you needed to do it again," she said, blushing furiously.

I wanted to laugh, very amused by the effect I had on the Savior. But I held it in, merely lifting an eyebrow as I dryly said, "While, I appreciate the offer dear, and may have to take you up on it. That isn't the problem. With what little I know of vampire lore, I believe we should be more concerned with the fact that I only crave your blood."

Emma looked confused. "Why is that a problem?"

I sighed, "It's a problem dear, because I find the idea of biting anyone else to be nauseating; however, the thought of sinking my fangs into you is…enticing." As I said this, I felt the fangs slid back down and the thirst began to burn in my throat again. I smiled threateningly at her, showing her what had happened, before saying, "This becomes a problem if my thirst outstrips your ability to replenish your blood supply. I could kill you, Miss Swan."

She swallowed nervously, drawing my eyes back to her throat, and it took every ounce of my regained self-control not to claim the pale flesh. I closed my eyes, trying to take a deep breath to calm my sudden bloodlust. Unfortunately, I breathed in the scent of Emma's still present arousal, mixed with a faint hint of the blood I'd shed earlier. Before I knew what I was doing, I had her in my arms again, nuzzling the delicate skin of her neck.

Emma let out a shuddering whimper and my mind cleared enough for me to realize what had happened. I froze, trying not to breathe in more of her enticing scent as I said, "Emma, if you don't either leave now, or go upstairs and shower, I will bite you again."

She let out a little squeak, and nervously said, "If I shower, will you be able to wait?"

I clenched my teeth shut, and ground out, "Yes, if you go now, and don't run."

"Ok," she whispered shakily, carefully slipping out of my arms and heading slowly up the stairs.

When I heard the bathroom door shut above me, I finally let myself move. I opened the front door, stepping outside and taking deep breaths of the fresh air that didn't carry the musk of sex and blood. Gradually, the bloodlust faded and my fangs retracted, but the burning in my throat didn't go away. I sighed in frustration and ignored the ache as I turned and walked back into my house.