Disclaimer: I don't own shit.

A/N: Warning: mention of rape. Idk how this story just keeps on getting darker and darker. Wtf brain? Anyways I wrote this chapter instead of studying for my three tests next week and my two papers due pretty soon. Woohoo procrastination! Yeah!

How much is a life worth? – Chapter 4

Brown eyes fluttered open, taking in the growing sunlight that now invaded her chambers. It took a moment to register but by looking beneath the covers, her suspicions of who was holding her were verified thanks to the milky white arm thrown across her now healed abdomen caressing her soft skin. Without thinking, she took hold of the hand—which by reflex, fought to hold tighter—fighting to stay put in its new spot. Chuckling softly to herself, the Queen pried her slaves' hands off her toned stomach, moving them to her lips and kissing them softly. Such moves caused the blonde to stir, mumbling something incoherent into the brunettes' ear. Smiling at her slaves' unawareness, Regina turned in her slaves' arms, studying the woman who didn't hesitate to comfort her—hold her. Such simple acts were never offered to the Queen. Her mother showed no such love and her father was too much of a coward to go against his wife's orders, believing that any sign of love was a sign of weakness. Even to their own daughter.

Of course there was Daniel—for a short while— but in the end his "unconditioned love" was bought off from her mother, and he now lived a life of wealth and luxury. Lastly there was the King who only viewed her as a live-in whore and his obnoxious brat, Snow White. All of these people who were expected—even biologically programmed—to love her, failed to do even the simple act of just holding her. She had never experienced such selflessness. That is until this Emma Swan came into her life.

I've only known this woman for two days. How does she have this hold on me? I must be going crazy. I could just rip her heart out right now and be done with it. I can take away her chance of hurting me before it happens. I can protect myself from the pain that I'm sure she will inflict…just like everyone else does. I am a Queen! And she is just a lowly slave. SHE is the one who answers to ME. I am the one who is in charge here. NOT HER.

Before she was able to shove the blonde out of her bed, like she intended to, deep green eyes snapped open. The blonde looked around the bedroom, noticing it's not hers. Looking down her body, she sees that she's naked and begins to panic, believing she's back in the clutches of her sons' father. Her vision blurs and her mind blocks out the confused brunette trying to get her to snap out of the oncoming flashback.

(Flashback)

Emma woke to her bedroom door being thrown open. Pulling up the sheets to cover her naked chest, she feels tears beginning to stream down her face. It isn't until she tastes the salty liquid on her tongue, does she realize that she's crying. She thought she was out of tears. She thought she had become numb to this. Apparently not.

Neal walked in casually, as if this were the most natural thing. As if he had done nothing wrong all these months. As if he hadn't robbed her of her dignity, her innocence. The only things she had left and held dear to her heart. GONE. He stood before the young woman with a sick smile spread across his face.

"Unbuckle my belt."

Keeping the sheets wrapped around her body, she sat up on the bed, doing as told.

"You know what to do, Emma."

Sobbing quietly, she nodded her head, untying his trousers before letting them pull at his feet. She then grabbed hold of his member, stroking his length. Once hard, she lowered her head, bringing his length into her mouth. He grabbed hold of her long tresses hissing," Yeeeeeeesssssssssss." She sucked and slurped, knowing exactly how he liked it. Why wouldn't she? It was beaten into her. Tightening his grip in her hair, he pushes himself further into her. She feels him hit the back of her throat, making her want to vomit. But she held it back, knowing there would be dire consequences if she gave into her natural urge to release the contents of her stomach. It didn't take long for him to finish, forcing her to swallow before taking himself out of her.

He ripped the sheet away from her body, raking his eyes along her naked form. She saw that he grew hard again and knew it wasn't over. It never was. He proceeded to rape her for hours, never caring about her cries of pain or hearing her begging for him to stop. He never did.

(End of Flashback)

A gentle voice pulled her back to reality. Emma found herself being held by tan arms. "Where did you go?" was softly whispered to her. The blonde looked up at her Queen, still confused about how and why she was there. It took her a while to remember what occurred last night. How she was summoned to her Queens' chambers. How she tended to her injuries, how she heard the other womans' sobs, how she climbed into the Royal bed, how she held the broken Queen. Her eyes widened upon realizing her actions, snapping her head to the Royal.

Ignoring her Queens question, she begins to apologize. "I am sorry for my actions last night, my Queen. My only intention was to comfort you. No one deserves to face such hardships by themselves."

Deciding to bring this up when the slave felt more comfortable around her, the Queen shook her head, giving the blonde a small smile," No, my sweet one. You should not apologize. But it is I who should thank you." Seeing the confusion on the blondes face, her smile broadened. "No one has ever shown me such kindness. That was the most selfless thing any living being has ever done for me. So thank you. Thank you for reminding me that there still is good out there."

Not knowing how to respond, the slave nodded her head looking down at her Queens' bare body. Gasping," You're wounds…they've healed! But—But it has only been one night. How is this possible?"

Laughing at the younger womans' outburst, Regina explained," Magic, my dear. It allows me to heal faster than others."

Nodding her understanding, she then looked down at her own naked frame," and why am I naked? I don't remember taking my clothes off…"

The brunette blushed at this before answering,"…I wanted to feel you against me…"

Green eyes snapped to brown. They held each other's gaze, neither noticing that the space between them growing smaller and smaller until they were just a breath away from each other. Not wanting to over step her boundaries, Emma waited for the Queen to make the first move. Hoping, praying to whatever god listening that the brunette would close the distance. It appears that the gods were finally on her side because she soon found her Queens plump lips on her own. This kiss was soft, gentle…Almost scared. Before either could deepen the kiss, a knock on the door drew them back to reality.

Snapping her fingers, both herself and Emma were now dressed and groomed, not at all looking like they had just woken up. The Queen was in a red velvet dress, with a plunging neck line giving off a generous view of her cleavage and Emma was in her now usual green turban, the common attire of a slave. Once deemed fit for company, she called the messenger in.

Opening the door, a knight appeared, bowing down to the Queen not once looking at the direction of the blonde slave.

"Your majesty, your presence is required in the throne room. There is a man by the name of Neal Gold that says he has been robbed of his property by the Royal family. We would have had him attained and brought to the dungeons had it not been that his father is nobleman Roger Gold."

Hearing the name of the man who ruined her life, Emma froze on the spot, eyes bulging out before she could control her features. It was too late, however, because Regina had seen everything. Dismissing the knight, she turned to the blonde who looked so young and scared. She placed her hand along a fair check, caressing it gently. Emma subconsciously leaned into the touch, closing her eyes as if trying to memorize the feeling of her Queens hand on her skin.

Regina spoke with such authority, such protectiveness that it surprised both slave and Queen. "Stay here until I return. And when I do, we are going to have a talk, sweet one."

A/N: Hope you guys liked it. Reviews are appreciated. (: