Excerpt:

"Well, now. If you two are quite finished," She closed the satchel she'd packed with their belongings and tossed it to Emma on the floor. "I've finished packing everything we'll need. Let's get a move on shall we?"


Sunlight filtered in through the curtains and fell softly across dark brown waves and olive tanned skin, slowly filtering beneath closed eyelids and rousing the owner into a state of consciousness. Sounds and sensations slowly began to settle in around the brunette woman, grounding her in the feeling of gentle, yet firm fingers curled around her upper arms and the sensation of lips upon the smooth skin of her forehead. A contented sigh bubbled up from her throat and pushed past her lips, earning a soft rumble of amusement in the chest of her bedmate. Deep, chocolate orbs were slowly revealed, taking in the sight of milky, white skin over the expanse of a neck and collarbone, surrounded by long, golden curls. Smiling into her sleep-dazed bliss, Regina tightened her hold on slim hips, pulling them flush against her and sighing again, slipping her eyes closed once more.

"Ginaaa..."

Regina's eyes flew open as the realization of her bedmate registered through the thick fog still clouding her brain. Releasing Emma's hips from her grasp, she bolted upright and practically stumbled over the foot of the bed, an apology ready to fall from her lips as the blonde's laughter cut through her panic. Regina's eyes snapped up to Emma's, only to find them closed as she propped up on her elbows, her nose and forehead wrinkling as she laughed. Placing a hand over her stuttering heart, she glared at the blonde, continuing to do so until she opened her eyes, only to close them again as she fell into another fit of laughter. Irritation bled across Regina's features as she struggled to calm the increase in the fluttering of her heart at the sight of Emma sprawled across the sheets in her underwear.

"What are you laughing at?!" Regina snapped.

Emma's laughter died away, emerald green eyes meeting chocolate brown with such intensity, Regina gasped. Rising from the bed, Emma crossed the distance between them in two strides, stopping when her blonde curls tickled the hairs on Regina's forearms.

"You."

Her breath had caught in her throat at Emma's sudden advance and she struggled to form words under her piercing gaze. "Wh-what?"

Green eyes held her captive for a few moments longer until a familiar smirk twisted pale pink lips, breaking the intensity of the moment. "You're so cute."

Words failed the brunette as she watched the other woman cross to the wardrobe they shared, grabbing clothes and retreating towards the bathroom, smirk still in place, her laughter floating in the air behind her. Regina let out a shaky breath, the thrumming of her heartbeat erratic in her chest. Her skin felt heated underneath her fingers, but that was nothing compared to the heat she felt pooling between her thighs. As she stared, practically panting at the door that the blonde woman had just exited through, she fought the overwhelming urge to burst through that door and demand just what the hell Emma had meant by that comment. The sound of the shower turning on drifted from the other side of the door and Regina blushed, the idea of bursting through the door and finding a naked and wet Emma Swan on the other side suddenly making her shy while the heat in her core only began to throb.

Groaning, she raked her fingers through her hair and tried to ground herself as she crossed to the wardrobe and looked through the gown selection, settling for a long, deep red, off-the-shoulders gown with gold trim on the hem of the neck and the sleeves with a matching gold cord tied around the waist, reminding her of her dress from Camelot. No, she was not imagining herself in there with her best friend, water running in rivulets over their skin as pale pink lips met plump red ones. She was definitely not pretending the soft feel of the gown was Emma's hands, caressing her bare skin in exploration. And she was not thinking of the blonde sweeping her hair off her neck and into a ponytail, trailing kisses down to her collarbone and lingering there, gently nibbling at the soft flesh. No, no way was she thinking that.

But the steady throbbing between her thighs broke through the lies she was trying to tell herself. And as the sound of the shower cutting off reached her ears, she looked in the mirror and faced the truth she'd been denying.

I may be attracted to Emma Swan.


Yep, I am definitely attracted to Emma Swan.

Regina inwardly groaned as the blonde made her way into the dining hall, greeting Queen Mirana with a grin as she entered. To anyone else's eye, Emma's outfit wouldn't suggest she planned to be traveling, but to Regina, it was as obvious as the blonde was beautiful. She was dressed in a gown that also reminded Regina of the one Emma had worn in Camelot, a cream and light, olive green accented gown with a low-cut, sweetheart neckline coupled with an empire waist that only served to accentuate the blonde's cleavage; Regina swallowed thickly before letting her eyes cast over the rest of her appearance. The gown swept softly to the floor, but was cut higher in the front than the back, the toes of Emma's tall, brown, lace up calf boots peeking out between the folds. Her long, golden curls were swept back off her shoulders, twisted smartly into a French braid that started at the crown of her hairline and ran down one side of her head to the back, where it branched off and hung down her back like a thick rope.

Regina forced a tight smile and returned her eyes to her plate, avoiding the blonde's gaze. She had left the room shortly after dressing so as to purposely miss Emma's exit from the bathroom, unsure of what she'd do or what feelings she'd convey while she was still worked up. Emma had always read Regina like an open book, and these were feelings she wasn't sure she wanted to share with Emma, or if she'd share them at all. She wasn't even sure if Emma had meant anything by her comment or if she, too, had felt the same heat between them. How she couldn't have Regina wasn't sure, because she certainly had felt like she was about to spontaneously combust in that moment.

"Regina!"

Her head snapped up from where she'd been pushing her fruit around on her plate to lock with laughing green eyes. Four sets of eyes were trained on her, Emmaline having joined them for breakfast, but it was Emma's eyes who held hers captive. After a few beats of silence, she realized she must have been asked a question. Folding her hands in her lap and clearing her throat, she licked her lips and tore her eyes away from Emma's, but not before she saw the subtle darkening of her green eyes.

"I'm sorry. I must have been lost in my thoughts. What were we talking about?"

Emmaline smirked down into her plate before schooling her features back to her expression of nonchalance she'd maintained the entire meal. Alice choked back a laugh by clearing her throat as Mirana repeated her question.

"I was inquiring as to whether you had a plan upon meeting Ananke? Even if you do find access to her realm, it will be challenging to find her."

Regina frowned, "To be honest, I hadn't really considered it."

The loud clatter of Emmaline's fork hitting the tiled floor rang out through the dining hall. Regina fought the urge to look at the princess as Mirana quirked an eyebrow in her daughter's direction but said nothing.

"In the past, we've seemed to have pretty good success by just winging it." Emma shrugged, returning her gaze to Regina. "Regina and I make a pretty good team. I'm sure we can handle it."

Regina smiled tightly at her before turning back to face the queen at the sound of her voice. "Be that as it may, please...be careful on your journey."

Emma and Regina both nodded silently. Alice's hands smacked the table lightly as she stood up, the sound of her chair scraping the floor grating against Regina's nerves. "Well, I think it would be best to start with paying a visit to Time and go from there. If he doesn't know anything, I suggest we set out to find Absolem in the forest. I'll gather some supplies I think we'll need and we can head out tomorrow at first light."

She had barely left enough time for them to nod in agreement before she excused herself and swept from the room, the table falling into a thick silence save for the tinkling of Emmaline's knife against her plate. Mirana frowned, turning her attention back to her daughter and opened her mouth to speak, only to be cut off by the abrupt rising of the princess from her seat.

"I'll be in my chambers." She called over her shoulder, the sound of her black combat boots echoing off the vaulted ceilings.

Regina exchanged a look with Emma before rising from her own chair. "I think we will return to our room as well. We need to prepare for travel. Thank you for the meal."

The queen smiled a tight-lipped smile and nodded at them as they exited the dining hall. As soon as they had closed the doors behind them, Emma let out a breath, falling into step beside Regina and chuckling. "That Emmaline is a real subtle one, huh?"

Regina snorted, "The only time I've ever seen anyone have worse trouble keeping their mouth shut is watching you eat onion rings at Granny's." She smirked as Emma swatted her arm.

"Hey! This coming from the woman who started a war because a little girl didn't keep a secret."

"I stand by my statement."

Emma's lips settled into a pout, one pale pink lip pushing past the other, Regina's gaze lingering upon it before she ripped her gaze away to stare straight down the hallway. They had reached their room, Emma leading the way inside, when the door across the hall opened and Emmaline rushed over to Regina, quickly ushering her inside after Emma.

Emma had crossed to the armchairs settled in the corner by the fireplace, her boots resting on a small coffee table as she quirked a brow at their visitor. Regina barked out a laugh, Emma's eyes switching to her in confusion.

"You just look exactly how I would have pictured you as a princess. A tomboy in a gown, feet up on the table, the only thing missing is a beer and unhealthy food choices!"

Regina's hand came up to cover her mouth as she laughed, barely registering the tingle in the air before the cord of her gown hanging loosely at her hips suddenly tightened and jerked her backwards into the wall. Laughter choking in her throat in surprise, her eyes snapped to Emma's face, lips twisting into a snarl at the blonde's laughter. Not a mean snarl, not even an aggressive one. Mostly amusement and a slight thrill of competition that had that snarl morphing into a wicked grin. Emma's eyes were squeezed shut as her laughter bounced off the walls, so she didn't notice when Regina's hand flicked out in her direction, completely caught off guard as the chair she was in pitched forward, throwing her onto the coffee table with such force, she slid across it and off the other side, landing harshly onto the carpet on her stomach with a strangled "Oomph!"

Emma groaned and pushed herself up onto her elbows, twisting her head around to glare at Regina, but her irritation melted away at the expression on the brunette's face. Her eyes were closed, the skin around them crinkling with her laughter. The worry lines around her mouth had dissolved into laugh lines that softened her features, and her forehead was a smooth expanse, the vein that stood out when she was stressed (or pissed or overwhelmed, really) had disappeared completely. It had been a long time since Emma had seen Regina look this relaxed, and something deep inside her chest vowed that she'd do anything to make sure Regina looked that way more often.

As Emma shifted to sit on her butt, leaning back on her elbows to support herself, her eyes slid to Emmaline over by the bed, stuffing Emma's red jacket into a satchel and casting glances between the two other women, a smirk firmly in place. To be honest, both women had forgotten she was in the room, Regina's laughter fading as she, too, remembered their room guest.

"Well, now. If you two are quite finished," She closed the satchel she'd packed with their belongings and tossed it to Emma on the floor. "I've finished packing everything we'll need. Let's get a move on shall we?"

Emma and Regina exchanged a look, Emma stifling a laugh as Regina rolled her eyes and followed the princess out onto the balcony. When Emma emerged behind them, Emmaline had already begun descending the trellis down to the grass below, Regina's hand poised on the edge of the balcony to follow, a haughty look on her face as she regarded their escape exit. Emma snorted at her as she shifted the strap of the satchel across her body, earning her a "Shut up, Swan," before Regina swung her legs over the railing and descended from view. When the blonde had safely joined them on the ground Emmaline set off down the side of the hill, ducking behind the tall hedges that shielded them from view as they approached the tree line of the forest. They walked in silence, shoulders hunched, legs tensed, with ears straining for any sign that they had been discovered and being pursued. When no sounds had alerted them to the possibility of being found, they began to relax, Emma slipping into an easy stride next to Regina where she hovered a few paces behind their red-headed guide.

"Hey."

"Hello." Regina grimaced, but it wasn't at her. Emma frowned and examined her, eyes darting around until they landed on her feet. Regina was limping ever so slightly, favoring her left leg.

"Gina," Emma breathed out, concern evident in her low tone, but Regina refused to look at her, jutting her chin just a fraction of an inch higher. "How long, Regina?"

Regina's eyes narrowed, that old, familiar pride igniting in her chest. She could feel Emma's eyes on her more than she could see them, given that her peripherals were compromised due to her nearly closed eyelids, but she didn't need to see the blonde to feel the disapproval and underlying concern in those green orbs. She tried to ignore the warm feeling spreading through her body due to Emma's concern for her, but she was quickly failing. The blonde seemed to have that effect on her. Especially recently. Regina sighed.

"Since the trellis."

"Regina!"

"Shhh!" Regina smacked Emma's bicep and cast a furtive glance at Emmaline, who had stopped to look back at them questioningly. When she turned back around, Emma spoke, having significantly lowered her voice.

"What the hell, Regina? Why didn't you say anything?"

"I was too busy trying to make sure we escaped without being noticed, Emma." Her voice sounded exasperated, exhaustion creeping into her tone. Whether tired of the conversation or tired of hiding the fact she felt twinge of pain every step, Emma wasn't sure.

"Let me at least heal you."

Regina was about to open her mouth to protest when Emmaline stopped abruptly. "If you two don't mind, I have to excuse myself. Nature calls and whatnot. I'll be over there," she jerked her thumb to a particularly thick copse of trees. "I wouldn't wander too far. This part of the forest still has some unsavory characters of my aunt's that'd just love to mess up a pretty face." Her eyes slid from Regina's to Emma's, lingering there for a few beats longer before she turned and headed through the branches and out of sight. Regina wasn't aware she was frowning until Emma quirked an eyebrow at her, but she shrugged her off. Allowing Emma to guide her over to a fallen log with a hand firmly grasped on her elbow, she quickly tugged off her ankle boots, for the first time in her life actually thankful she hadn't worn her heels before jumping through the portal into another crazy adventure.

Regina tried not to groan as she mentally berated herself for getting them into this mess. Granted, she didn't ask Emma to come with her, but she had. Staring down at the blonde, her braid falling forward over her shoulder as she gingerly lifted Regina's slim ankle into her hands to examine it, Regina was grateful she had come with her. What was it she had said before following her through the portal?

"You're not going anywhere without me!"

Regina's mouth twitched in amusement. As if I could ever rid myself of her. Couldn't years ago, can't now. Not that I'd want to.

"I care too much about you to lose you now, Regina!"

Her sharp inhale caught Emma's attention where she had just finished healing her ankle. "Are you alright, Gina?"

No. "Yes, thank you."

Emma nodded and rose to her feet, handing Regina's boot back to her. She slipped it on just as Emmaline came back through the trees. "Alright ladies, anyone else?" They both shook their heads. "Alright then, let's go on a little longer before we stop for a nice lunch together." Winking at Emma, she spun on her heel and started off, trusting them to follow.

Regina scowled and stood up, readjusting the matching cloak to her dress she'd remembered to grab before leaving the castle, and marched after the redhead. The sound of leaves crunching underfoot alerted her that Emma was right behind her, attempting to match her determined stride. She was trying to walk faster than her; trying to keep her from catching up so she could have a minute to think without the blonde invading her thoughts, but Emma was taller, if not by much, and eventually managed to catch up to her, though Regina noticed, with some satisfaction, that her breathing was labored.

"Slow down, Regina, damn."

"Walk faster." Regina felt Emma roll her eyes next to her.

"Now, now, Regina, I'm not the one who twisted her ankle earlier. You'd think someone who walks most of the time in at least four inch heels would be able to manage a two inch chunky-heeled ankle boot." Regina fought the smirk trying to appear on her face. "What's the matter, Gina?" she continued, "can't walk normally in anything less than three inches? That must be so hard, having to walk in those all the time. Doing laundry, taking a shower..." she leaned in close to Regina's ear, lowering her voice just for her. "During sex..."

Regina's nostrils flared. She could feel the blush creeping up her neck and fighting for residence on her face. Before she even knew what she was doing, her arm thrust out and connected with Emma's shoulder. A surprised cry came from the blonde as she lost her footing, rolling feet over head down a small hill and landing with a soft thud at the bottom. Rushing to the edge of the drop, Regina peered down at her, looking for signs of injury. Emma raised her head and groaned, locking eyes with Regina.

"Regiiiiinaaaa!"

Staring down at her, short wisps of hair falling into her face, small twigs stuck to the side of her head, Regina couldn't help but laugh, made only louder when Emma pulled a leaf from between her boobs in disgust. Clutching a nearby tree for support, she nearly doubled over in laughter at Emma's scowl as she picked herself up and began to try and climb the hill.

"How'd those sensible shoes work for you, Emma?"

She grumbled under her breath as she passed, shooting Regina a glare before turning to follow after Emmaline, who'd paused against a tree and smirked at the two of them, shaking her head before continuing on their journey.


The sun was high in the sky before they stopped for lunch by a small stream, Emmaline pulling out sandwiches from one of her bags for the three of them. At some point during their trek through the trees, she'd picked some fruit—mostly berries—for them to munch on as well. Conversation was mostly light and easy, Regina still on edge a little around the princess, especially when she lingered a little too long around Emma, but she ignored whatever feelings that invoked in her. Now was not the time for soul-searching.

It was Emma who finally broached the subject of the questions they'd both been wondering since the night before. "So, Emmaline, how exactly do you know Ananke?"

Emmaline swallowed a mouthful of her sandwich and took a swig from her water bottle before she answered. "Ananke and I go back for some time now. We met when I was younger. Been in contact ever since."

Emma nodded, but Regina eyed the redhead closely, sensing more to the story than she let on, but not wanting to push it. Yet.

"Be that as it may," she spoke, garnering their attention. "How exactly are we going to be able to get to...whatever her realm is called?"

"Mount Olympus."

Emma choked on her water, spluttering for a minute until she regained her voice, hoarsely crying "Like Hercules and Zeus and all that?!" Emmaline nodded. "I thought only gods could go there!"

"That's true, unless we have the Olympus Stone."

Regina narrowed her eyes. "And where are we supposed to find this Olympus Stone?"

Emmaline smirked at her, reaching into the folds of her dress to a hidden pocket, pulling out a round stone about an inch thick and holding it up for them both to see. There was a carving of a lightning bolt coming down from a cloud on the front.

"I told you, I've got a contact."

A/N: Sorry it took me a little longer to post this chapter, exams are approaching, but I'm not abandoning this! I'm currently uploading it on here and on archiveofourown with my other fic. My name is DreamcatcherMemories over there though. Comments would be greatly appreciated and I love you all!