The room was quiet, sunlight falling softly through the curtains. You sat on the edge of the couch, fingers fidgeting with the pendant around your neck, trying to ignore the pull of your own magic. Singing was forbidden now, the curse a constant reminder that your power could turn against you.

A soft knock at the door made you tense.

Regina: “Hey, Lilly… can I come in?” Her voice was careful, almost gentle, but you knew her too well to trust the warmth.

You didn’t move. “Regina… what do you want?”

“I just… wanted to talk,” she said, stepping into the doorway. Her eyes flicked to the floor for a moment before returning to yours. “I didn’t want to drag you into any trouble. I—”

You cut her off sharply. “Talk? Really? After the curse? After everything?”

She flinched but stayed. “I know you forgive easily, but this… this isn’t about revenge. I… I’m just trying to protect you.”

You laughed bitterly. “Protect me? From what? From Gold? Or from yourself?”

Regina hesitated. “From both.”

A silence fell, heavy and suffocating. You could feel the magic in the room, pulsing faintly, the echo of your voice threatening to awaken even without a note. You stared at her, waiting for her to speak, but she didn’t.

Seconds stretched into an eternity. Regina’s fingers twitched nervously. Finally, she whispered, “He… Gold thinks you’re too powerful. That you should—”

The words barely left her lips when the door burst open.

Gold: “Too powerful? My dear, Lilly, you always were. And why let Regina waste time when I can do the talking?”

You froze, every instinct screaming danger. The room suddenly felt smaller, the air heavy with his magic.

Gold: “Ah… there you are. Bright, defiant, beautiful… and cursed. Regina, always so slow to act. Do you really think a soft word would convince her?”

Regina stiffened. “I—”

Gold: “Save it. I’ll do what’s necessary.” He stepped closer, eyes glinting with dark anticipation. “You see, my little songbird, your voice… your power… it frightens me. And yet, I crave it. I want it. I need it. And so… it’s time you embrace what you were meant to be.”

You clenched your fists, the faint hum of magic creeping into your veins. The temptation—the darkness waiting to rise—called to you, sharper than it ever had.

Regina stepped forward, putting herself between you and him. “Don’t. She won’t be yours to manipulate, Gold.”

Gold chuckled softly, circling you like a predator. “Oh, Regina… always the hero. But she will sing. She will rise. And when she does… even you, my dear, will see what happens when power like hers is fully unleashed.”

Your chest tightened. Singing… it was everything. The curse, the temptation, the power… all mingled together. One note, and you could be unstoppable—or lost.

You swallowed hard, eyes darting between Regina’s pleading face and Gold’s confident, dangerous smile.

The decision had never felt heavier.