Return to Bright Fields: Reunited

Twisted

"Pin! Don't do this!" Zoe begged. He turned to her, kissing his fiancée's temple. "I love you. Never forget that." Without another word, he walked straight into the swirling vortex of darkness, disappearing. A long, wavy dagger clattered to the road, bearing the words 'Peter Hawthorne' on the blade. She screamed, falling her knees.

Two nights later.

Waking up suddenly, Zoe felt a scream bubbling up, but she forced it down, startled by the unexpected presence in her room. She slipped from the bed, making her way to him. "Shhh. I'm here to take you with me. Home." Pin's strong arms reached for his queen. They hold each other, Pin transferring some of his darkness into Zoe. She pulled away, looking into her fiancée's black, fathomless eyes. "I love you. Remember that. Take me home." Her murmur had him teleporting his queen and her belongings to his castle.

They sang and danced together, professing their love for each other repeatedly. Within a month, they were married. "Create the illusion of you kidnapping me, as I kick and scream, trying to get away. That way, my family will believe it, and eventually come to try rescue me." He agreed, and the illusion was set up, both watching from the shadows.

Twelve years later.

Zoe Hawthorne strode through the halls of her home, calling for her husband. "Pin where are you?!" He appeared from nowhere, sweeping his queen up into his arms, pressing a kiss to her throat, her legs nearly buckling. She turned into him, safe in his strong arms. Her eyes conveyed her endless love for him, smiling softly. Then they heard a knock at the door, both heading towards it.

His eyes turned black, slamming the door in their faces. Rosie, Maggie and her father. Inside, Zoe was softly chastising Pin. "They're my family. Let them in. Show the real you. I want my family to meet my husband, the man I love. Not the Dark One." He relented, reopening the door. "Come in. Our cooks will have dinner ready in a few minutes." He welcomed his queen's family in, Zoe hugging each one.

Only after sitting down to eat, did Zoe's family question her disappearance. "You're the Crown Princess! Our kingdom needs you!" Zoe shook her head. "I am Queen of the Woodland Kingdom. All living beings here answer to me and my husband." Maggie pleaded with her. "Come home, please. Rosie's not the same without you." She stood, eyes flashing. "I already told you, no. I live here now, with my husband, the Woodland King. Forget about me." She apparently said something to Pin, as he concentrated, the three feeling memories leave their minds.

"I AM home. Pin IS my home. I'm safe here. Leave and don't come back." Her family watched the tall male lower his head over her shoulder, eyes darkening. "Get out! NOW!" She didn't blink or move, happy. She spoke. "Twelve years ago, I woke up to find Pin in my room, with an offer I couldn't refuse: To make me his Queen and live with him. I accepted, and we were soon married. I got pregnant a week after the honeymoon ended. This is where I belong, Mom. Forget I existed. Pin?" He wiped all memories of Zoe from her family's minds, sending them away.
"Why are you living with the Dark One? Everyone knows what he's done! Killed people! Ripped out hearts!" Zoe blew up at her mother, eyes flashing. "DO NOT BADMOUTH THE MAN I LOVE, AND AM MARRIED TO!! He may have done terrible things, but I love him nonetheless. Leave. Don't come back. I never want to see you here again. Live your lives without me. Pin would NEVER hurt me. I trust him." Her loving gaze stunned the four.

Having his guards escort her family out, they retreated to their bed for quiet time. Slipping into her sleepwear, Zoe exposed smooth, dark skin as she climbed into bed, quickly falling asleep. He stared down at her, teleporting away. Once he was gone, her eyes snapped open, one hand entering her chest and pulling her heart out, screaming in agony as she did so. Finding a box to put her heart in, she locked it, setting it on their bed next to her.

Two minutes later he returned, surprised at her  being awake. She set his hand against her chest, Pin's clear confusion as to where her heart was. She picked the box up, opening it. He lifted his queen's heart out, hopeful she'd put it back in. Zoe shook her head. "YOU are my heart. I don't need the real thing to live. Only you." He pressed a kiss to her heart, making sure it was protected. "I love you so much, my beautiful Dark Queen." He took her into his arms, smiling. "And I love you, my Dark King. Always and forever."