CHAPTER 3
A Formal Introduction
The Dark Palace
Emma slowly opened her eyes a frown creasing her forehead as her brain quickly reminded her of earlier events, she sat up a little too quickly and winced at the pain that tore through her bandaged shoulder whilst she hastily took in her surroundings.
She was in a bedroom that was quite large as was the bed she had been put in, she was still wearing her boots and breeches but had been undressed from the waist up clearly so that her wound could be tended to, but by who she wasn't sure of.
Candles lit the space but not very brightly and a fire crackled and spat in the centre of the room and apart from a dressing table and a wardrobe of sorts the furniture was sparse.
Rubbing her aching neck and letting her thoughts briefly wander to her wife the blonde let out a deep sigh, she could imagine how the Mayor would have berated her first for being an idiot and then fussed over her lovingly whilst looking after her every need.
Suddenly overwhelmed with loneliness tears stung tired green eyes, she had never wanted to go home as much in her life.
"I would say that it is time you introduced yourself to me properly, wouldn't you?"
Emma jumped as the sudden sound of a very familiar voice pierced the quiet from within the dark shadows, she turned towards it and as she did the Evil Queen, her one true love stepped out of her hideout.
Unable to stop it a smile turned up her lips and her breath hitched in her throat at the sight before her. Regina had changed into a long black gown that twinkled against the firelight, as always the plunging neckline showed off her more than ample bosom and her eyes as they always did gravitated to that very area and darkened.
"It is customary to answer when a Queen speaks to you"
The sharp tone pulled her from her haze and she quickly met dark suspicious eyes and cleared her throat.
"Forgive me your Majesty you startled me"
Regina raised an eyebrow as she drew nearer not once taking her eyes from her unexpected guest.
"I feel I should know the name of the woman who shamed my guards this afternoon"
Emma rose a little unsteadily to her feet and turned fully to face the brunette whilst completely forgetting her state of undress, she was often naked in front of this glorious goddess and felt not one ounce of embarrassment.
"Its Swan, Emma Swan my Queen"
Emma bit down on her lip as Regina's eyes left her face and fell upon her bared chest, she felt her nipples tighten immediately, she knew the look well that was now gracing the Queen's face, it was the same look her wife donned usually before pouncing on her and having her wicked way.
"Well Swan it seems I am in your debt for saving my life today, although I did return the favour as you can see"
Swan glanced down at her shoulder and it occurred to her that Regina must have used her magic to heal her wound, after all a cross bolt thru skin and bone must hurt a hell of a lot more than the small discomfort she now felt.
"Then I am in your debt your Majesty, thank you"
A small smile graced the royals lips as she gracefully moved closer.
"Tell me why was you on the only road that leads to my palace in the first place? Was you aware of those peasants that attacked me?"
Emma shook her head instantly.
"Not until they surrounded you my Queen and I was on that road looking for...well looking for you"
"Me?"
Regina shot back still with suspicion raging beneath her eyes.
"And why was you looking for me?"
The blonde held her head high not exactly sure how to play this but had to think quick on her feet.
"I wanted to offer my services to you your Majesty, I wish to protect you and your realm with my life"
Regina didn't reply at first and her expression was unreadable. Emma guessed the woman stood before her wasn't use to anyone offering her anything let alone their life.
"To what gain?"
There was that suspicion again.
"No gain at all my Queen. I simply wish to protect you."
Dark eyes narrowed to dangerous slits, there wasn't an ounce of trust within them and this was a sharp reminder to Emma of who she was dealing with. This wasn't her Regina.
"And why would you want to protect me? Why would you assume I need protection?"
Swan snorted at this before she could stop herself.
"With all due respect your Majesty, your guards didn't do a very good job of it today did they? And besides that you are a Queen, doesn't protection come with the job?"
Regina glided closer to the blonde stranger, not once removing her inquisitive gaze.
"So you was going to just waltz into my kingdom and demand to protect me? Am I supposed to just trust you? Do you really think me a novice Miss Swan?"
Emma had to fight hard to control the smile that threatened to spread across her face. Those two simple words made her heart sore in her chest.
"Of course not my Queen. You are wise to be cautious. I would have asked your permission to prove myself to you. Prove my loyalty"
She brought her hand up to her stiff bruised shoulder.
"I would have died today to protect you my Queen. I hope that proves my devotion to you. I would do it again in a heartbeat"
Regina looked for any signs of deceit, not that it was always obvious but she found only sincerity in those enchanting green eyes and something deep inside her stirred.
"That maybe so but that doesn't grant you a free pass into my army. My soldiers train for years to even get a chance to move up the ranks."
The blonde nodded in agreement and folded her arms across her bared chest.
"I do not wish to be apart of your army my Queen. I only wish to serve you as your personal bodyguard, from what I have briefly seen no one else is up to scratch"
A flash of something that could only be described as excitement zipped through the brunettes body. A feeling so foreign to her now that she almost gasped.
"You are rather full of yourself Swan. I like that and I will admit to being intrigued by your generous offer, however I am no fool"
Regina circled her Saviour taking her all in. She clearly looked after herself judging by her broad muscular shoulders and biceps, her breasts although not overly of size were perfectly in proportion with the rest of her body. She particularly liked the look of her defined stomach muscles and instantly wondered how she would feel to the touch and briefly imagined using her tongue to find out.
Emma's face and neck flushed with colour under the Queen's close scrutiny. She knew she liked what she saw and also knew she was having an effect on the older woman. Yes this was another place, another time but her love was inside of her somewhere and so she figured that their instant attraction to each other would remain the same. She was right.
"I will have a servant draw you a bath and provide you with clean clothes. You are to join me in my chambers when you are ready to continue our discussion. I take it that fares well with you Saviour?"
Swans eyes widened briefly, shocked by the use of her title, if she closed her eyes it could well be her wife standing in front of her.
"Of course my Queen. I won't keep you waiting for long but there is one question I have?"
Regina nodded her consent wondering why the blonde had looked so startled.
"What happened to my sword? It's kinda precious to me"
Once again suspicious the Queen raised an eyebrow sharply.
"Do you think you will be needing it whilst you dine with your Queen?"
Swan smirked and shook her head.
"Not at all. I merely wondered on its whereabouts your Majesty. Although if you do take me up on my offer I will be needing it back"
With her head held regally high the Queen nodded her acceptance.
"Your sword and armour are with my blacksmith being repaired. I shall see that it is returned to its rightful owner in due course"
With that she turned sharply on her heels, the swish of her dress sounded like a whip hitting a hard surface as she headed for the door.
"Don't keep me waiting too long Swan. I may receive a better offer whilst you're engaged"
She added glancing back over her shoulder.
Chuckling the blonde bowed her head to her Queen and was certain she saw a flash of playfulness behind her dark eyes.
"I wouldn't dream of it my Queen"
