Bindings of Glass

Author's Notes: Hey guys! I'm back again. So soon I know. I got such a positive response to the first story I decided to start the sequel. Since I had no desire to keep you guys on pins and needles I decided to post up the first part tonight. It'll have to go in increments and I cannot guarantee I will get to post again any time soon. I'm a cop so my hours are sort of strange. I will try my best to keep writing on it though and keep tweaking it to get it right. I'm pretty happy with it so far so that's why this part is going up. It's unbetaed yeah sorry about that. Any grammatical and spelling errors are all on me. I tried to edit it but I'm sure I missed some shit. First story wasn't too graphic on the sexy parts but I may try my hand at some if you guys want me to. As always I appreciate feedback. Keeps me motivated to write and all that.

Months had passed since the curse had been broken. Months since Regina had seen either Henry or Emma. She'd of course searched for them everywhere she could think of but to no avail. Did they not make it through? She had of course assumed they would because Emma was the savior and Henry was her son. Perhaps when the curse broke they went back to not existing in this world but that didn't make any sense or did it? Regina laid her hand softly against her forehead closing her eyes as the headache behind her eyes began to kick in again. She wasn't sure if she shouldn't get up to try and rid herself of it completely. She had no contact with anyone from her former life. She'd not spoken to Maleficent nor had she gone and threatened Snow White. Instead she'd stayed in her palace quietly sending out inquiries about her family. It seemed useless as time passed she grew more and more lonely as she had been before. Where was her family?

It reached the point where she wasn't even sure she could get out of bed anymore. Which is currently where she found herself; staring out the window from bed with tear tracks still staining her cheeks. She wasn't a weak woman far from it but without the scorn and hate that had driven her and without her love for Henry and Emma things were getting to the point of no return. It was in this state that Lilia found her in.
"Regina what are you doing in bed? It's way past time to get up."

"What are you doing here Lilia?" Regina asked dully her eyes still staring out the window.

"I came because I heard you weren't having any success at finding your son and your lover. I hoped to help."

"You have a pregnant wife at home and a daughter not to mention being a queen you should be there and not here."

Lilia moved and climbed up onto the bed with her former lover. She stretched her body out careful of her boots and gently laid a strong arm over Regina's tiny waist. "You're wasting away. How do you think your family is going to feel if they see you like this?" She asked softly tenderly rubbing Regina's stomach.

Regina sighed her eyes closing anyone that may have seen them would've mistaken this intimate embrace as way more than pure friendship but with the love they'd once shared it was easiest for both to express themselves to the other with just these gentle caring gestures. Not to mention the fact that Regina missed them from Emma and Henry so desperately that she was pleased that Lilia was still willing to bestow them on her in Emma's absence. She turned gently pushing Lilia to her back and curled up on her shoulder pressing her thin body to Lilia's strong one through the sheets. "I miss them so much. I can't find them anywhere."

"Perhaps you're not looking in the right places. From what you've said and from what I've observed through spies and otherwise no one else remembers the curse. Only you so perhaps Henry and Emma don't remember it either so we have to find them and make them remember or at the very least make them both fall in love with you again." Lilia curled both her arms around Regina holding her tightly. "I'll stay with you until we can find them and bring them home. Valeria isn't due for a while and she knows how important you are to me. My regent will rule in my place and everything will be fine. I promise. I won't leave you alone again. I let you come back here on your own against my better judgment when I should've come along."

Regina smiled weakly. "You have a family and a village that depends on you. I couldn't expect you to drop everything to join me."

"Falling in love with Emma has done you a world of good Regina. You're not so selfish anymore. And I'm sure being a mother helped with that as well."

"I suppose so." Regina frowned she'd never really given thought to any of that. She knew she was selfish she'd always been. Why else would she be so quick to enact the curse if not for her own selfish desires? But she had other things to consider. Would she be happy if Emma and Henry decided not to return to her? Of course not, they were her family but could she be happy if they were happy? That was a more difficult question to answer.

Lilia continued to stroke her back softly feeling her former lover's breathing settle a bit, deepen though she wasn't quite asleep yet. "I think we'll find them sooner if you get your strength back."

"I have plenty of strength." Regina groused but she couldn't help but settle against the warm body. She had so missed feeling warmth in the bed beside her.

"I know you do but you won't have any physically if you do not rest and I can clearly see that you haven't been resting properly." Regina started to pull away to fight but settled once Lilia's strong arms tightened around her marginally. "I have only just arrived and I'm exhausted from the trip if you cannot settle for sleep for yourself you can for me."

"If you intend to sleep in my bed then take your dirty boots off. We're not lying outside anymore." Regina pointed out sourly glancing down at Lilia's boots.

Lilia merely laughed and nodded, "As you wish my dear." She rose to her feet removing her dusty boots and setting her sword close to the bed. She removed the three knives she kept on her person including the small sheathed dagger that was hidden by her thickly braided hair. Regina watched with half lidded eyes as she did so shaking her head slightly. One thing she hadn't missed had been the long hair and though she was tempted to cut it off she decided to keep it figuring Emma would like it.

Lilia laid the small dagger underneath the pillow and settled herself back onto the bed.

"Are your leathers going to be comfortable to sleep in?"

"They'll be fine. I've slept in far worse before." Lilia laughed and moved to settle herself beside Regina in the overly large four poster bed.

"What would your wife think of us in bed together?" Regina asked even as she moved to lay her head on Lilia's shoulder feeling her arms coming up to embrace her.

"She'd laugh and said it should've happened sooner. Perhaps then you wouldn't have been so determined to depart from us." Lilia promised with a smile. "My wife isn't jealous in the least. She knows I'm loyal."

"If you say so," Regina said sleepily. Lilia pressed a light kiss to her forehead.

"Sleep now and I promise everything will look brighter when you wake up."

"Emma?" Regina murmured softly her eyes closed. She could smell leather and it reminded her so strongly of her lover she almost didn't want to wake up.

Lilia smiled softly she'd stayed awake watching over Regina while she slept knowing the woman was nightmare prone. She stroked her back softly feeling so sad at what she would consider a whimper for her lover. She hoped they would be able to find Emma again but she had a feeling that it wouldn't be that easy. Nothing in Regina's life was ever easy.

She didn't say a word watching as Regina's eyes fluttered and finally slid open. She slid a hand up pushing the soft locks of black hair away from her former lover's beautiful face. She would freely admit that she had been so deeply attracted to Regina at first because of her beautiful face and soft body. She had liked the thin prettiness of her finding it fit well against her own battle hardened body. But she had realized long ago that the love they'd shared wasn't meant to last. And she wouldn't deny that Valeria filled all the places in her heart that Regina hadn't hoped to touch. She had loved Regina though very very deeply. And she had meant it when she said she would make Regina her wife. But it wasn't meant to be and though it had broken her heart she had nursed those wounds and found a woman that was the one for her. Three loves in a lifetime was hard for anyone to believe but it had happened and she wouldn't have it any other way. Now if she could only assure Regina got her loves back then everything would come full circle finally.

"Good morning." She finally broke the silence. "Did you sleep well?"

"Better than usual yes," Regina finally answered voice a bit scratchy from sleep.

"That's good. How about we get up and get something to eat and in the morning well make a plan for figuring out where your lover and your son are?"

"You really do intend to help me?" Regina looked up at her studying her face. The look on her face spoke clearly of her distrust of everyone including her former lover. No one would ever dream to help her with anything.

"Of course I do. Regina believe me when I say this I do love you very deeply. I'm not in love with you anymore and I know you aren't with me and that's how it should be. You were meant for Emma just as I was meant for my wife. So now we have to search for them and make this all right finally."

"I don't think it's a good idea." Regina turned studying Lilia as she pulled on her boots.

"What harm can come of it? You can't get close like I can. I'm dead remember? No one knows I'm still alive. That's why if I go to Snow White and Prince James' court no one would think twice about it."
"Snow will remember you."

"It's been a few years and even if she does so what?"

"She knows how much I loved you and you told her yourself that you loved me. She will remember that."

"In which case I tell her the truth minus the fact that I've seen you recently and helped you get back home," Lilia stood to her full height. Regina watched as she slid the knives all over her person hiding them easily.

Lilia sat down on the long couch and began to braid her thick hair. "I'll only be gone a few weeks and by then I'll know if they are there. If they're not then that's one last place we have to look for them." She pointed out.

Regina sighed watching her for a moment before making her way over. "You always were a klutz when it came to doing feminine things."

Lilia laughed, "That I won't deny." She released her hair feeling Regina's nimble fingers pick up her work and straighten out the braid she'd already started and begin to plait it so it settled against her back easily. She tied it off and watched as Lilia sat forward pulling the little sheathed blade and slipping it into her hair hidden in the plaited gold strands. "Thanks." She added with a small smile as she turned to face Regina. "I'm going to go ahead and get started. It's a long journey."

Regina stepped to her dressing table and picked up a handheld mirror. "Take this. It'll let us communicate with one another."

Lilia arched a brow but nodded. "If you think it's best."

"I do. I'll have a horse saddled for you if you want to pack up."

"I never unpacked so how about I go with you?" Lilia asked as she walked towards the bed picking up a leather bag from the chest resting there. "I'll need some supplies but other than that I'm good."

"I know." Regina sighed folding her arms as she followed Lilia over. "I'm worried though. Snow isn't going to trust you not given our history."

"Regina she doesn't even know I'm alive so what makes you think she'll know that I've seen you. You didn't know I was alive until recently and that's the truth of it." Lilia pointed out slinging the bag onto her back.

"I just want you to be careful. It's bad enough that I've lost Henry and Emma. If I lost you…"

"I know." Lilia smiled softly. "But you're not going to lose me I promise. I'll be back and hopefully I'll either have Henry and Emma with me or at least I'll have some news of them."

Snow stared in shock at the sight of the blonde woman before her. She gripped James' arm hard feeling slightly faint. She couldn't believe that the woman that her step-mother had loved so dearly was indeed still alive and standing right in front of her. Her pink lips parted as she stared at her. "Lilia?" The whole hall was silent, the guests of the royals and the guards staring up at their beloved queen. The only noise was heard from the large chandelier that hung from the ceiling and cast beautiful rainbows of light every which way. The high stone walls were decorated with beautiful tapestries that swayed ever so slightly in the wind that came in from the high windows that were open to let in the warm sunlight of early afternoon.

"Hello Snow. You've grown up. I barely recognize you." Lilia smiled pushing her hood back fully. She'd sense shed the green cloak instead preferring a dark red cloak if she was going to be doing something like this. Might as well look the part right?

"You're alive, I don't believe it. We were told you were killed." Snow's pretty green eyes looked like they were going to pop out of her skull.

"I almost was. I took a battle axe to the back and I didn't wake up for two years afterwards." Lilia explained not stepping forward as she saw the way the guards shifted their grip on their spears the intention clear to her. "I came because I'd heard you'd had a baby recently and that you were happily married. I wanted to congratulate you myself and wish you well as Queen of the Amazons."

"You're a Queen now?" Snow finally stepped forward.

"I am. I also have a two year old daughter and a wife at home who's expecting." Lilia was smiling a true real smile as she spoke of her family. "My daughter Sophie is the most amazing thing I've ever seen. She's beautiful just as I'm sure yours is."

Snow's smile fell at the mention of her daughter. "Yes she is beautiful." She sounded distracted.

Lilia sensing what Snow wasn't saying decided to speak. "I suppose I should get back to my home then. I just wanted to see you again Snow. We didn't really part on the best of terms and I was hoping that we could amend that fix the past if you will."

Snow smiled again softly but it didn't quite reach her sad eyes. "Yes I'd like that. Will you stay with us? It's a long journey if I recall and I would like very much to hear about your wife and daughter."

Lilia nodded, "Of course. I would love to stay."

The Queen excused herself very quickly choosing to show the other Queen around the palace leaving James worried and concerned and the other nobles shaking their heads and murmuring.

Lilia remained quiet during most of the tour until they reached the beautiful gardens. Flora and fauna bloomed and shifted in the light breeze the perfume of the flowers assaulting her noise. She liked the high hedges that boxed them in they reminded her of the trees she'd grown so fond of since deciding to become an Amazon. She smiled at Snow watching as her eyes trailed over the hedges and flowers. "Something is on your mind Snow?"

"Why did you come here now?" Snow was blunt as she twisted to face her. "Why did you not come before?"

"I did come before. I came to see your step-mother but she was with someone else a man in a turban? She seemed happy so I left. I haven't been back since."

"So you're here for her?" Snow's voice was angry but her face remained passive.

"No. I'm here for you as I said. There are many things in my life I regret Snow and one of them was hurting you and your father the way I did. I heard much later about his death and I wanted to come to you and your step-mother and tell you how sorry I was but I was afraid my presence may upset you both worse so I stayed away. I still wander quite a bit even being Queen. I have a regent that rules in my stead. It makes my adventures much easier."

"I couldn't imagine your wife much likes having you away." Snow twisted so she was facing her green eyes studying Lilia's warm face.

Lilia laughed, "If you met my wife you'd understand completely. She has the same wanderlust I do. Since we've had our little girl though one of us tends to stay so the other can wander for a bit; and now that Valeria's expecting well it seemed to be a good idea for her to stay with Sophia while I went to do as I pleased."

"Like come here?"

"Well my original destination wasn't here but I was in the area and it seemed like a good idea to start mending fences." Lilia turned fully so that she was able to look the petite Snow in the eyes. "I am sorry for everything I did to you and your father." She said softly.

"Why were you here?" Snow asked instead. "Are you here to help my step-mother get her revenge? She's promised it will reign down upon us eventually."

"No. I'm not here for anything like that. I was here visiting my former fiancée's grave. I still make the travel sometimes. I don't think for a moment just because I have a new wife and daughter that I should forget her."

Snow smiled softly, "That's very sweet."

"I have my own code I suppose. It's something I still cling to after all these years even if I've violated it many different times. I still try to stick as close to it as I can."

"It's going to take time Lilia you really did hurt my father and I. He was devastated that it happened but he understood. He tried to make my step-mother as happy as he could but she always pined for you. And though I know you aren't responsible for her actions and I won't hold you accountable for them it's still difficult to see your family torn apart as it was."

"I understand. Believe me I do. If nothing else I do regret the way I handled the situation. Regina and I were very deeply in love but we should've found an avenue where we could be open and honest with everyone so you and your father wouldn't have felt so betrayed by our actions."

They stopped at an opening in the gardens at the very center. A beautiful fountain with a mermaid at it's center sprayed water cheerfully into its large bowl. Stone benches surrounded the fountain which was maintained beautifully. Stone paths sparked out in all directions from the center Lilia was sure leading off to different directions and parts of the palace.

"Thank you." Snow said softly. "For apologizing to me for everything; though I do hold you accountable for your own actions I'm certain there were things going on that I couldn't understand at such a young age and that you were doing what you thought best to help my step-mother. Though she and I have become bitter enemies I still hold out hope that maybe one day she'll forgive me for whatever transgressions she holds against me and we can be a family again."

Lilia smiled, "I cannot speak for her nor do I know anything about what's become of her. Will you tell me?"

"I would rather not speak of it." Snow said softly, "It's not a happy subject."

Lilia nodded, "I understand but if you ever do want to speak of it well I'm here for a while and I'm a pretty good listener."

Snow smiled at her and nodded, "Yes I remember. You also used to indulge me so often."

"You were adorable and so very curious. I couldn't resist." Lilia shrugged.

"Snow I couldn't help but notice earlier that you were upset when I inquired about your child. Do you mind me asking what happened?"

"It's a long story. But we can't find her."

"What do you mean you can't find her? She's a baby right?" Lilia's brow furrowed as she stared at her.

"We heard word that…" Snow trailed off looking distinctly uncomfortable.

"It's all right Snow. I know Regina hasn't been the best person since she thought I was dead. I get around enough to hear of her deeds." Lilia pointed out which wasn't entirely untrue. She did know of Regina's deeds more so than the woman herself probably wanted her to know. Yet she still wanted them to remain friends. She supposed that loyalty would be her downfall but Regina had truly looked repentant for the things she'd done. And she did seem to truly care about Emma and Henry so she had no qualms about trying to help them back together.

"Yes well. It's a bit different when you have to live with them."

"I can only imagine." Lilia said completely sympathetic, "Especially given you were a child who did nothing wrong."

"In her eyes I did. She blamed me for your death." Snow said a bit bitterly.

Lilia smiled softly and shook her head, "She should've blamed me for my own mistakes. I put my back to the savage, I knew he was likely to do it but I did it anyways. They're strange code they killed for it. Right there but the damage was already done you see so it really didn't matter that the one who tried to kill me ended up dead by his own people. It nearly killed me for it."

"I'm sorry. My father didn't tell me any details. He thought I was too young but my step-mother demanded it. I was told to leave the room so I wouldn't have to hear it." Snow looked a little white as they spoke on Lilia's near death experience.

Lilia sighed softly twisting and untying the cloak. She turned pulling her long braid away revealing her back. The thick scar so close to her spine ran parallel to her spine was a bit raised. It ran about six inches long. Snow found her hand reaching out tracing the thickness of it. "This should've killed you." She murmured softly.

"It nearly did. I just got lucky." Lilia allowed the gentle touch knowing Snow had quite a curious nature. She turned folding her cloak over her arm. "It wasn't my time. So I survived it. I guess I had too much to do before that was to happen." She smiled at her. "And I hadn't apologized to you or your father for my part in what happened. I think it kept me anchored here."

"And your love of my step-mother," Snow said softly.

"Yes that too." Lilia turned looking Snow in her green eyes. "I'm sorry we went off on such a tangent when we were trying to talk about your baby that's missing. Will you tell me about it?"

"It doesn't exactly paint Regina in a good light." Snow said softly.

"Yes I'm sure it doesn't but that's beside the point. I want to help and if I don't know what I'm looking for I may not be able to."

Snow smiled, "She would be a baby. I don't know how you'd find her."

"You never know. Now explain it to me. What happened?"

"So you put her in the wardrobe and she disappeared but the curse was never enacted so you don't know what happened to her?" Lilia was holding Snow's hand as they talked quietly out near the fountain.

"Yes we've been trying to find her but it doesn't seem to be happening so far;" Snow sighed looking down at the joined hands. Lilia was surprisingly warm and easy to talk to. Like a mother should be, like the mother Snow had wanted so desperately but never had.

"I'll keep my eye out for her. Is there anything special about her that might let me know who she is?"

Snow paused, "Her baby blanket. It has her name on it and purple ribbons. Her name is Emma."

"Emma, that's a beautiful name." Lilia smiled. "I'll look for and if I find her I'll get her back to you. I promise."

Snow smiled and nodded, "Thank you."

"Well don't thank me yet I haven't found her yet." Lilia pointed out with a laugh. "But I'll do my best." She added.