Hi all! This is my first AU fanfic (ever, actually) I had this idea in my head for a while and finally started working on it! The main focus for most of the beginning chapters will be of Regina, with some Snow here and there, and finally more of Snow near the end. In my story, the curse will not occur but Emma will still be born. The title will make more sense as the story progresses! I hope you enjoy. - Jess

Katie

Chapter 1

Regina straightened her back and pulled hard on her horse's reins.

"Whoa, boy," she spoke. Her horse finally came to a complete stop, allowing Regina to get a good look at her surroundings. She was finally at their special meeting place. The place that she shared with her true love. His name was Daniel.

The thought of him put a smile on her lips. He would be here soon. Regina quickly dismounted from her horse and tied his reins on the only tree in the area. Wide-open fields surrounded them. Sighing contently, Regina sat down and leaned her back against the tree stump for support. She was excited to see Daniel. They hadn't had much time alone except for her daily riding lesson where she was usually accompanied by her mother or father, who were oblivious to their relationship - at least, that's what she hoped.

She mindlessly twirled a piece of her long dark hair around her finger, which was kept back from her face by a light blue ribbon. Sighing again, she took a look around to see if she could spot Daniel. He was running later than usual and it was getting dark. Suddenly, her horse let out a loud whine. Regina smiled, knowing that Daniel must be coming. Even their horses seemed to know of their love.

Regina stood up swiftly and brushed off her riding outfit. She noticed a grass stain on her tan pants, but she shrugged it off. Hopefully her mother wouldn't be pissed about that – perfection, in Cora's eyes, was key at all times. Pushing the thoughts of her mother aside, Regina searched the area for signs of her true love.

"Regina!"

Hearing his voice sent shivers down her spine. She could feel her heart beginning to beat faster in her chest as her love came into view. She felt the breath catch in her throat. He was just so handsome. Sure, being a princess made it possible for her to meet the handsomest men in the Kingdom, but none could compare to Daniel. There was something about him that just made her feel so… alive. Alive, free and normal, which was something she knew she could never feel with a person of royal status.

That was why her parents couldn't find out about their relationship. Daniel was her riding coach. Her mother often called him "the stable boy" when, or rather if; she spoke of him at all. It took all of Regina's power to not fight back and instead she had to bite her tongue.

"Daniel! You're late!" Regina yelled, teasingly. Daniel slowly guided his horse so he ended up beside her. He flashed her his cheeky grin, knowing full well that he wasn't in any kind of trouble. He quickly hopped down from his horse and tied him beside Regina's.

"I'm sorry, my love," Daniel said solemnly, putting on a small frown. "I couldn't leave the stables right away. Your father was there. He was visiting his newest stallion."

Regina nodded her head in understanding. She looked up into his warm brown eyes to meet his gaze. She knew that their time alone was precious and often hard to come by. He smiled that smile she knew was only for her, as he gestured for her to sit down with him. Daniel sat first and pulled Regina down into his arms. She sat gracefully between his legs and rested her body against him. Breathing in, she sighed happily. He smelled wonderful. She never wanted to leave his arms again.

"What are we going to do, Daniel?" Regina asked, suddenly feeling upset. She knew that they needed to have this conversation. They were hiding behind her parent's backs and always had to pay attention to who was watching them. Regina was getting tired of it, even though she knew it was the only way they could be together, "Maybe we should run away. I think my mother is catching on to us, somehow…"

"Regina, we can't. You're the Princess. You can't suddenly just disappear, that would seem suspicious," Daniel replied, trying to reason with her. He hated the situation as much as she did.

"I don't want to be the princess! Why can't anyone understand that? I want to be a normal girl who can do as she pleases!" Regina rebutted, feeling flustered. Daniel couldn't understand the pressure she felt as the heir and princess of a Kingdom. She was expected to do and be so many things, but she was a failure and she knew it. Her mother consistently criticized her, claiming to do it out of love, but Regina knew better. Cora saw her daughter as a failure.

Daniel ran a hand through his hair, sighing loudly.

"Regina," He said quietly, "we WILL figure this out. I promise. Maybe one day we will be able to tell them, but until then we will continue to see each other. I want to be with you. I love you. I love you more than anything else in this world."

Regina turned her head to look at him. "You do?"

"Even more than the horses," He joked, but he quickly answered her once he noticed the sour look on her face. "Yes, I do. I love you, my Princess Regina."

Regina stuck her tongue out at his use of the royal address, but then she smiled.

"I love you too," Regina whispered back gently. She really meant it. She had first laid eyes on Daniel over a year ago when he was hired as a replacement after her elderly riding coach passed away. She had only caught a brief glimpse of him, but even that small look had started something in her heart.

Regina felt Daniel grabbing her by the waist, attempting to shift her body around so she was completely facing him. She sat up slightly and moved her body so that she was basically lying on top of him. She could feel her face grow a bright red. They never really had the time to be this close. It felt nice.

"Regina," Daniel whispered, while nuzzling her nose with his. He lowered his head and rested it against her shoulder. She could feel his warm breath on her neck and it made her shiver.

"Daniel."

At the sound of her voice, Daniel lifted his head and gently pressed his lips to hers. Regina melted inside. Kissing Daniel was heavenly. She let her body relax in his arms as she pressed her lips lightly against his once more.

"Oh, Daniel…" Regina whispered. Daniel smiled down at his princess and began to gently kiss her neck. Regina squirmed in his arms, but she didn't ask him to stop - which only encouraged him more. He ran his hands up and down her back, massaging her lightly. She moaned and pressed herself further against him. They kissed passionately for several minutes, until they were both gasping for air. They grinned madly at each other.

In the spur of the moment, Regina reached up and unbuttoned one of her jacket's blue buttons. While staring into Daniel's eyes, she flung her jacket off, revealing her white blouse. Giggling at that surprised look on his face, she removed her blouse as well.

Blushing lightly, she glanced at Daniel. He was still staring at her face as if he was waiting for approval to touch her. She had never been this exposed to a man before. She had never felt this - dare she say it – turned on before. She knew that she wanted Daniel. She wanted him now.

As Regina nodded, Daniel slowly ran his hands over her perfect breasts, which were being held in place by a lacy corset. He licked his lips nervously. He sat up, gingerly moving Regina with him. He placed a small kiss on her lips before laying her down on the grass. She could tell he was nervous, she guessed that it would be his first time too, which actually made her happy inside. She wanted to be his first and only.

"Are you sure…?" Daniel prompted, as he began to kiss her shoulder. Regina nodded, as she brought her hands up to his hair and started to play with it.

"I want you, Daniel," she groaned, pulling him down towards her. Daniel could do nothing else but compile to his love's desire.

Little did they know, that this decision would forever change the course of their lives and the lives of those around them.

TBC…

Reviews are love!