Reunion (1)

When he arrived home, he was surprised to see his mother still awake in the bottom floor sitting area. He considered sneaking to his chambers without alerting her but knew she had heard his footsteps long before his arrival. Sure enough, she raised her head from the book she had her nose buried in as soon as he was close enough. 

"It's late," she said with a gentle smile. 

"Which is why you shouldn't be awake, Mother. You should get some sleep." He gave her a brief hug and grabbed the chance to quickly steer her attention away from him, but she was not having it. 

"You smell like a demon." 

He raised his brows, stepping away from her as if that would deter her nose from detecting the remnants of Regina's scent on him. "Maybe that's because I'm a demon, Mother."