The Stable Boy Revisited

There's more to every story, especially the tale of Daniel, Regina's true love.

Characters:

Daniel

Regina

Cora

Henry

Daniel broke the sensual kiss, drawing a slight whimper from the woman on the other end.

"We have to stop. She's right out there. She'll see us."

"And what will she do?"

Daniel was at a loss for words.

"But if you don't enjoy kissing me, I could simply tell my husband-"

"No!" Daniel exclaimed. "Cora, you know how much I enjoy our… time together."

Cora grinned mischievously. "As much as your time with my daughter?"

"What do you think?"

Cora laughed. She had thought the boy was good-looking when she hired him to take care of Regina's horses, but she had never imagined that he would start a secret relationship with her daughter.

"If I thought differently, you'd have one less heart in your chest."

He was a handsome boy. And the affair had created some excitement for Cora, especially considering what a terrible bore her husband could be.

"Come on, stable boy," Cora commanded, gesturing to the saddle laying on the ground.

"My lady," Daniel said in agreement.

Daniel followed Cora out of the stables to find Regina racing about on Rocinante's back while Henry cheered her on.

"You ride like a man," Cora criticized her daughter.

Daniel looked on helplessly as the woman he worked for tormented the woman he loved.

"You could've at least left a note," Cora growled. So this is how he repays me for sparing him. He tries to run away with my daughter just when my goals are about to be achieved.

She pushed them on the stable floor with her magic and sealed the doors.

She verbally accosted Regina for sneaking out but her eyes met Daniel's immediately. He glared back staunchly, but stood beside Regina.

"I didn't make the sacrifices I did in life to get you to the cusp of greatness so that you could end up the wife of a stable boy!" You can marry Leopold and be queen and I'll have my little plaything.

"It's my life!" Regina cried.

"You foolish girl!" Cora laughed. Regina was so idealistic that it was cute. "It's mine."

She continued to rattle on at her daughter, hoping Daniel would relent.

"Stay strong, Regina," he said.

Burning rage filled Cora's empty chest. You've made your choice then.

"Your magic can't keep us apart. I love him!"

"And I love her!" With each of Daniel's words, Cora's desire to kill him grew stronger.

"And I love her too!"

Regina made another attempt to leave, but Cora threateningly flashed her magic.

"Are you going to keep us here forever? Because that's what you'll have to do."

Time to end this, Cora thought.

The miller's daughter pretended to relent, causing Regina to embrace her. Cora looked at Daniel over her shoulder, her face a death mask.

Daniel looked on with relief, believing himself finally free from Cora's advances.

She smiled with the singular determination of a cat pursuing a mouse.

"Daniel," she began. "If you want to have a life and a family of your own, there's one important lesson I can impart on you. It's what it means to be a parent."

Daniel smiled at her, truly believing that he would walk away from this moment unharmed.

"It's what it means to be a parent. You always have to do what's best for your children."

"Thank you," he replied. "That's what you're doing now." Little does he know, those will be the last words he ever speaks.

"Yes, it is," Cora half-whispered, slowly.

With deadly precision, Cora plunged her hand into Daniel's chest and tore out his heart, relishing the moment and ignoring Regina's cry.

Cora took immense pleasure in crushing Daniel's heart. Goodbye, my dear, she thought. You'll never cross me again.

Author's Note: Just a fun little idea I had. Please review.