CHAPTER FOUR —
( You thought I would be weak without you but I'm stronger )

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        Nine-year-old Cordelia held her hands apart, slightly frowning as she tried to do what Rumplestiltskin told her. Although she had failed several times and didn't believe she could do it, Rumplestiltskin was adamant that she had this power and was ready to unleash it. "Breathe, dearie. This power won't come if you hold your breath," Rumplestiltskin told her as he sat before her.

They were in one of Rumplestiltskin's many large rooms in his castle. Cordelia still hadn't found the time to explore all of its rooms, as she wasn't even allowed down the castle's west wing for a reason Cordelia didn't even know. "But it's so difficult," Cordelia huffed and dropped her arms. "I don't know how you just...do it," she said as she waved her arms around.

Rumplestiltskin gestured to Cordelia to come over to his chair, and she slowly walked over to him. She was accustomed to the scaly-looking man that most people in the Enchanted Forest feared, and she wasn't scared of him anymore. Despite her mother selling her to him, Rumplestiltskin hadn't done anything wrong to her. He never even locked her up in his dungeon when she annoyed him or when she first arrived at his castle.

"Just like you, I was gifted with this power," Rumplestiltskin asserted, showcasing his ability by conjuring a flame on his hand. "However, I have spent many years honing and perfecting it. You've only been doing this for a few weeks. But with time, you will master it." He clapped his hands together. "Now, try again. Concentrate and believe. Focus on either someone you love or someone you hate. Let that emotion consume you."

Cordelia frowned. "But I don't have anyone to love or hate."

Rumplestiltskin looked surprised. "But your mother. She sold you to me for power. Surely you must despise her for that?"

Cordelia shrugged and said, "I am upset about that, but I don't really think about it anymore. I haven't seen her in years."

Rumplestiltskin extended his hand and placed his fingers on Cordelia's forehead. "But think about it." Suddenly, Cordelia's vision shifted, and she found herself gazing at her mother, who was observing a younger version of Cordelia with disdain. She saw how her mother scoffed at everything she did and failed to appreciate her positive outlook. "She never loved you. You always saw the good in things. You were joyful when she wanted you to be powerful and strong. She never recognised those qualities in you." Cordelia's vision changed again, and she saw herself surrounded by an orange glow. "But when I first looked at you, that is exactly what I saw. You are strong, but you are also loving and kind. You are powerful; you just need to see and feel that."

Cordelia was suddenly filled with anger at the thought of her mother. She recalled how her mother had abandoned her when she was only a child and had always despised her no matter what she did. She resented her mother for disapproving of her love for animals, nature, and the outdoors and her lack of interest in the dark arts and ruling a kingdom and its people. Suddenly, flames burst from Cordelia's hands, illuminating her eyes and the dark room they were in.

Cordelia laughed softly as she stared at the flames dancing around her hands. "I did it."

Rumplestiltskin giggled and clapped his hands together. "Marvellous," he said. He then waved his hand. "Take a short break; maybe sit in the next room while I sort out your next session."

Cordelia nodded and strode out of the room, her gaze fixed on the flame still flickering in her hands. She entered a chamber that housed some of Rumplestiltskin's most treasured possessions: magic wands and countless spell books brimming with powerful spells and curses. As she looked around, her eyes landed on three dragon eggs. The one on the far right, a dark, scaly egg, immediately captured Cordelia's attention, and she reached out to pick it up. The next moment, a surge of magic flowed from her hands into the egg, causing it to glow a bright red before turning a dark shade of red. Cordelia furrowed her brow as she observed a small figure moving inside the egg, and she quickly placed it back down in surprise.

Unbeknownst to her, Rumplestiltskin had been watching from the shadows, and he grinned as he approached the young girl. "Ah, did you see that, dearie?"

"What just happened?" Cordelia demanded, her gaze fixed on the egg.

"That was a display of impressive magic on your part," Rumplestiltskin explained. "That egg will hatch before long."

Cordelia frowned as she turned to Rumplestiltskin. "But in the story, you told me—"

"They only hatch for the Queen of Dragons," he grinned. "That much is true, and I am certain of it."

Cordelia's eyes widened, and she shook her head. "No. No, it can't be. My mother is the one who can transform into a dragon, according to the story I've heard."

"While she may have that ability," Rumplestiltskin began, pointing at the red egg with a sharp nail, "are you certain that she is the Queen of them?"

Cordelia peered down at the egg with a frown. Something within her was drawn to the egg, and she felt an overwhelming urge to protect it at any cost. She was willing to lay down her life for it.

The dreams were starting to overwhelm Luna. Whenever she walked down the street and saw one of her neighbours, like Regina, Mary Margaret, or Ruby, all she could see were the characters from her dreams: Evil Queen, Snow White, and Little Red Riding Hood. Henry's book really affected her, and with the book still on the bench and her daughter's persistent questions, Luna knew she had to confront it and finally read the Queen of Dragons story. Aella had been waiting for her best friend to open the book for days, and she had even looked at it herself during her spare time to see what the fuss was about. But all she found were stories, so she didn't understand why her best friend, who had previously watched these fairytale movies on DVD, wouldn't just read a book about them.

Luna sat on her lounge with the book in her hands. She read the title and ran her fingers over the words "Once Upon A Time". Something within her sent a cold shiver down her spine, and just as she opened up the book to find the right story, there was a sudden knock on her front door. Luna didn't hesitate to hurry towards it so she could get away from the book, but she was surprised to see Henry standing on the other side of the door beside the town's Sheriff, Graham - the two looking eager and hurried. "Luna, thank god you're here. Is the book still here?" Henry asked quickly. "And can I also borrow Daisy?"

Luna released a breath she didn't realise she was holding and gestured towards the couch. Henry hurried inside to grab the book and his friend from her bedroom. Luna then narrowed her eyes, crossed her arms, and asked Graham, "So, why do you two want the book?"

"I believe Henry is right that I used to live a different life and just can't seem to remember any of it," he replied.

"And why do you believe this?"

After I kissed Emma, all of these memories—memories that I don't even remember witnessing before—flashed before my eyes," he said. "There was this wolf and Mary Margaret with long hair. And I had this knife in my hand. I think I was going to kill her. I'm not sure, but Henry believes that these memories are resurfacing from my past life before I was cursed. I'm going to read the book and see if it all happened."

Luna blinked a couple of times after he finished speaking and took a deep breath. "Well, at least someone has the guts to read the book after getting flashes of what seem to be memories of a previous life."

Graham frowned. "You've been getting weird dreams as well? Flashes of things you don't remember?"

"Yeah," she replied. "Apparently, I'm Maleficent's daughter." Henry and Daisy appeared beside Luna with the large book in their hands. "Let me know if it's real, and I'll take a look at it."

"Can I hang out with Henry and Graham, Mum?" Daisy asked Luna with a bright smile.

Luna smiled down at Daisy and gave her a side hug. "Of course, Sweetheart. Just be safe."

"I'll look after her, don't worry," Graham told Luna.

Luna smiled and nodded. "I know you will, Graham. See you later." Graham nodded, and the three of them walked off down the hall. Luna closed the door behind them and turned around, resting her back against the wooden door. "Oh, god," she mumbled as she shook her head and rubbed her face with her hands.