Sorry this chapter took so long to get out to you guys but i hope you all love it. Thanks to everyone for all of the favorites and follows. And huge thanks to kath9567, theWrongFog, Darkshadow-lord, Harley Quinn Davidson, daypegoraro, karjens44, LOCISVU, and the Guest reviewers.


For a week I am confined to bed rest, and by the end of it I am going out of my mind with boredom. Ruby brings me food and drink every day and even though I have offered her money she will not take any of it from me claiming that she is the cause of why I am currently stuck in this confounded bed.

If I am to go by what that woman Regina said then it is her fault, and right now I can't help but curse Ruby even though she has been my care taker.

I have never been one to sit idly by and have someone wait on me hand and foot, even when I was in the palace. I was always out running around getting into mischief, or attending lessons, most of which I tried to get out of, except of course for my riding lessons and impromptu weapon lessons with our master of swords.

I decide today is going to be the day that I will be getting out of this dang bed. With a growl I heave myself out of bed and stand again on my own two feet. My side aches terribly but I manage to walk of my own accord over to where there is a basin with clean water in it. I make sure I am clean and dressed in clean clothes.

Before leaving my room I tie my hair back in a messy pony tail then i finally step out my door. How I end up making it to the stairs that lead down to the dining room I don't actually know but I manage it. My side throbs horribly and I clutch my hand against it. Gritting my teeth against the pain I continue down the stairs and into the bar.

Once I am seated at a table I take a breather, taking small breaths so as to try and not aggravate the wound in my side any further.

I shut my eyes against the pain thinking of something, anything else. I soon find my mind on that woman Regina, with her hair and those eyes, those beautiful eyes. I find now that my pain has diminished so I open my eyes.

Looking around the bar I see a few people but Ruby is nowhere to be seen. Then I hear noise from upstairs as if someone is running around. I hear Ruby let loose a couple of expletives as she walks down the stairs and into the bar. When her eyes meet my own her face drains of all color.

"What are you doing downstairs? You should not be out of bed yet, if she finds out that I have let you out of bed, I'm going to be in so much trouble."

I can't help but let out a soft chuckle making sure not to irritate my side too much in the process. "Ruby you can't worry about that, you cannot keep me in bed, nor will I let you keep there. If she does get mad tell her I got out of bed of my own will and if she has more questions tell her to find me."

Ruby sighs, "Alright I will tell her. Now would you like something to eat?"

At the mention of food I perk up and my stomach rumbles, "I would love something to eat."

Giving me a bright smile Ruby turns and walks to the kitchen. A while later she comes back with a steaming plate of meat, potatoes and vegetables. My mouth waters at the sight as I've only had various soups until now. I dig into the food with gusto, eating everything on the plate. When I am done I push the plate away from me and wash it down with a glass of water. After my meal I sit by the fire and contemplate things.

After what seems like an age I tire of the thoughts whirling around my mind so I stand and slowly but surely make my way out to the barn to spend some time with Dantes. When my bay gelding sees me he nickers and walks to the stall door pressing against it and straining his neck to reach me.

"Hey boy, I'm sorry I haven't been around much."

I reach out and stroke his muzzle, his warm breath tickling my hand. I unlatch his stall door and move inside wrapping my arms around his neck, pressing my face into his warm body. Dantes wraps his neck around me as if he is hugging me.

Releasing my hold from around his neck I sink down to the floor of his stall, my strength all but sapped. Dantes must have sensed something is not quite right with me because I soon find him lying down next to me. I drag myself to him and curl up against his side, using him as a kind of pillow.

As I sink off into sleep I can't help but think that Ruby and that woman Regina will not be happy with me for this but in truth I can't find it in myself to care.

I awake sometime later to the sound of a soft murmuring voice. My eyes flutter open to find Regina kneeling in the straw bedding next to Dantes. Our eyes meet and I struggle to sit up. She moves to my side helping me to a sitting position.

"You know you should not be outside let alone out of bed." Her tone is teasing but also rings with certain truth. I hang my head shyly knowing that I have been scolded like a little kid.

"I know Regina but I couldn't spend one more minute in that bed, I had to get out and do something."

"I understand and I can also tell patience is not something that comes easily to you."

I can't help but smile at that because it is true. I turn to look at her and for a moment get lost her chocolate brown eyes before smiling ruefully.

"I don't suppose you would help a stupid girl get back to her bed."

Regina laughs at that and it's a real laugh, one that I find reaches her eyes, making them sparkle with mirth. "Of course I will help you Emma, I could not leave you out here." Slipping an arm around my waist she helps me stand and leads me inside and up to my room.

Amazingly we make it to my room in good time, although when we get there my side aches terribly. I sit down gingerly on the bed but cannot keep the wince off of my face. Regina looks at me knowingly, "You know you over did it on your side today."

I slide myself into a comfortable sitting position before answering. "I know but I just had to do something."

"Yes and because you had to do something you will spend even more time in that bed."

"What?" At that I move quickly to look at her sending shooting pain along my side which leaves me panting for breath.

Regina is by my side her hand smoothing hair out of my face. "Emma, dear Emma, what am I going to do with you if you keep hurting yourself?"

I grit my teeth against the slight tremors of pain. "You could make it go away."

Regina looks at me momentarily, "I could but all magic comes at a price."

Hearing those words I blanche, "No price is worth taking away what pain I have."

Regina raises an eyebrow at me, "Really? Even if I could heal you, you wouldn't want it?"

I shake my head vehemently, "No, not at a price, especially if something might happen to you." The words are out of my mouth before I can even think about how they could be perceived. Regina falls silent and I look at her, meeting her eyes which stare questioningly back at me.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that."

"Are you sorry about what it means? Or that you might have upset me?" I can't handle her questioning eyes any longer so I shut mine and answer her.

"I am only sorry that I might have upset you. As for what it means, that I am not sorry for."

I open my eyes again when I hear Regina sigh, "Oh Emma, you are too kind but you know nothing about me while I know more about you than most."

At the sadness clouding her voice I sit up, not caring about the pain that is lancing up my side. I move so that I am sitting next to her and hesitantly I reach out a hand to her. As I do a thought flitters across my mind, what has caused such a beautiful women to become so broken?

I gently rest my hand on top of her own and for a moment I fear she will pull away from me completely but she doesn't. Instead she laces her fingers with my own, giving me a small smile.

"Emma, you know you should go home, your mother and father are worried sick about you."

"I don't want to go home, they will just force me into marriage if I do, and then I will be stuck like a bird in a gilded cage."

Regina smiles but it's a smile that says she knows more than she is telling. "Emma trust me on this, you need to go home. It is not safe for you out here, and I promise you your mother will not force you into a marriage. She cares more for you than politics."

I nod my head as that truly sounds like my mother, "If I do will I ever see you again?" My heart is beating wildly in my chest as I await her answer.

"I don't think it would be wise for us to see each other again."

I go to speak but she squeezes my hand in her own and I quiet down. "Emma there are things you don't know about me, things which would cause issue if I were to visit you."

I hang my head as a sense of sadness fills me, "But I don't want to lose you, I just found you. You get me like no one else has, and I owe my life to you."

"I think we are even, you saved my life and I was only returning the favor."

I sigh realizing that Regina is most likely pulling away from me, I mean what would a beautiful woman like her want with someone like me. She makes as if to stand but in a moment spurred on by fear of loss I grab her and pull her to me. I look once in her eyes before kissing her softly on the lips and she whimpers into the embrace. Moments later I slide my tongue against Regina's lush lower lip, asking for permission to deepen the kiss. A moan signaled Regina's agreement and soon the kiss heated up that is until Regina pulls away sharply from me. Her eyes when she looks at me are dark and awhirl with a mix of emotions I cannot discern.

"I think it best if I take my leave of you now. Good bye Emma."

I watch Regina go, the cold expression she fixed me with as she said good bye burned into my mind. Once the full weight of what I have done hits me, I sink back onto the bed, angry and frustrated with what I did and sad at the loss of Regina.

Internally I am a mix of turmoil, guilt and sadness, and soon I find myself crying. Sobs wrack my body which sends pain exploding along my side. Soon darkness consumes me, whether it be from exhaustion or pain I do not know yet I am grateful for it either way.

The next day I refuse food from Ruby in a way of punishing myself, which I know is extremely childish but I can't help that, I'm hurting.

The day after that I accept food from Ruby and begin working on getting back my strength and movement. If I am to go home I want to be able to move without agonizing pain, and also not arouse suspicions from my parents.

Although I know the real reason why I have chosen to throw myself into my rehabilitation and that would be Regina. It has now been over a week since I had last seen her and I miss her terribly. Even though I do not know her that well, I feel as though we were brought together for some reason.

About a month from the day I kissed Regina I decide it is best I should head back to the palace. I hug Ruby pressing a handful of gold coins into her hand.

"Ruby thank you for everything you have done, especially putting up with all of my craziness."

Ruby smiles at me and I can tell she is trying not to cry, "It was no problem Emma. You are welcome back anytime and I do hope you come to visit."

I smile at that and find it good to hear my real name from Ruby. I had explained to Ruby the whole story after Regina had left and why she had called me Emma. Even after knowing that I was the Princess of the realm she treated me no differently and I was glad to count her as a friend.

"You will have to come and visit me sometime as well Ruby, I know I will miss your good cooking."

At that the brunette hugs me tightly to her once more. "Be safe Emma."

I nod pulling away from her and getting onto Dantes who stands ready to leave. "I will Ruby."

Nudging Dantes he launches into a smooth canter as we head back to the palace.

The air is cold as we ride and I am grateful for the warm fur lined cloak Ruby gave me, pulling it around me tightly.

Looking up I see the palace looming large and urge Dantes faster, as I realize just how much I missed home.

When we reach the gate I pull Dantes up and throw my hood back looking intently at the guards stationed there.

"It is I Princess Emma, open the gates."

It takes a moment as most of them are staring at me in awe, to get the gates open. When it is finally open I ride into the inner courtyard and dismount Dantes, leaving him in the capable hands of the stable boy but not before placing a kiss on his muzzle and murmuring a few words of thanks to him.

I stride boldly into the main foyer of the castle and then into my father's study where he, my mother and some of the council are going over paper work. At the noise of my entrance all of the occupants in the room look up at me. My mother looks at me and I can see tears shimmering in her eyes.

"Emma!" She exclaims while getting up and enveloping me into a hug. I hug her back relishing in the joy of having my parents again.

My father, James, comes up to me next, although my mother has yet to let me out of her arms.

"Emma, I'm so glad you are back and safe at that."

I smile at them both but then I remember there is something I have to ask them, something that has been bugging me for a while.

"I'm glad to be back but there is something I must ask you all in private."

My father and mother look at each other a moment before dismissing everyone else from the room. Once we are alone I look between the two of them and blurt out the question that has been plaguing me.

"Who is Regina?"

I watch as my mother's face goes ghastly pale and my father looks as if he could murder someone, and it's then that I remember that Regina said I know nothing about her. So what happened between my parents and Regina that would cause such a reaction?


I hope you all like this chapter and i should have the next one up soon. :)