Warning: sexy times at the end of the chapter Chapter 7: Promise

It had been six months since the day of the execution. They had all settled in a routine of some sort. Granny would bring Regina breakfast and spend some time with her. Then, her father would visit for a few hours until lunch time. She usually spent lunch with David or the Huntsman before their afternoon stroll on the Palace's ground. At David's request, Blue enchanted a cuff to replace the shackles. As Regina regained her strength, she was able to wear the cuff for longer periods of time, allowing her to spend more time outside. A request that David had been more than happy to grant. He quickly started to look forward to spending time with her. They sometimes walked silently along the orchard or talked about nothing in particular while sitting next to the pond. Sometimes, she would help him with matters concerning the Kingdom. As the months went by, Regina started to feel more comfortable in his company. She was smiling more. And he loved to see her smile. She looked younger and more carefree without the Queen's makeup. He couldn't wait to hear her laugh.

Of course, they had their fair share of arguments. She would get angry at him or the Huntsman when he denied a particular request. Their last one was about a month ago. She had asked him for hairpins so she could style her hair. Since the Huntsman pointed out that she could use them as weapons or to pick the lock of her cell, he had refused to procure her the item. She had sulked all day, refusing to talk to him. When David had visited her that evening, she had thrown her dinner tray at him, almost slapping him in the face. He had not visited her for a week after that, letting the Huntsman handling her time outside.

As he walked toward her cell for their lunch, he recalled the conversation he had with Blue in the morning. They finally gathered all the pixie dust they needed to cast the spell. They had spent the last six months preparing for her release. David had arranged for living quarters as far away from her old bedchambers as possible. They had debated enchanting the room while waiting for the pixie dust but David had quickly decided against it. He didn't want her to be locked up inside her chambers. He had planned for her to have full access to the Palace as soon as she would be released from her cell. The second part of the spell involved acquiring an object that symbolized someone's love for her. Prince Henry couldn't find anything in her childhood home so he decided to travel to her former Palace. There, he had found a box of jewelry that he hoped contained a necklace that could be enchanted. He was due back any day now. David climbed the stairs leading to her cell with a spring in his steps. Soon, he would be able to tell her that she was being freed from her prison.

He found her sitting on the chair with her knees drawn up to her chest, holding a book. She was wearing a white dress with a brown open sweater. Her long, soft black hair was falling in waves on her back. She was biting her lower lip and seemed completely absorbed in the story. He couldn't help but smile at the scene. "Good morning!"

She jumped at his voice but quickly recovered. She gave him a wide smile when she saw the picnic basket he was holding. "Good morning." She stood up and walked toward him as he entered her cell. She gave him her wrist so that he could secure the cuff.

"I was thinking about walking to the pond for a picnic."

She smiled. "I would love to."

He guided her out of the donjon and toward the pond located in a quiet clearing on the Royal Grounds. They had been chatting on and off about the weather and the upcoming summer harvest. He laid a blanket on the ground and helped her sit down. He sat next to her and started foraging through the basket that Granny had put together for them. He handed Regina some chicken salad as well as fresh strawberries. They ate mostly in silence, looking at the ducks lazily swimming across the pond.

"We had a pond similar to this one on my father's estate. We used to go for picnics when I was young."

"Until you married the King?"

Regina tensed at the mention of her former husband. David had noticed that reaction before but he never pushed her further. Snow had always talked lovingly about her father. But a child's recollection could be very different from a wife's. She sighed before answering him. "No, before that. My mother thought it was not a proper activity for a young woman".

He could see the sadness in her eyes. She had never talked about her mother before. He decided to change the subject. "Granny also made a pie. Apple."

Regina smiled. She had always loved apples. They had apple trees in her father's orchard and he would always let her have one every time they went out for some father-daughter bonding. David placed the pie in-between the two of them and watched her smile as she was lost in her memory. He was glad she had some happy memories left. He handed Regina the knife. She looked at him in surprise. He smiled at her encouragingly. She took the knife and started slicing the pie. "I've always liked to bake."

He smiled as she shared some personal details about herself. He had tried from time to time but she would usually close herself up or reply in anger. He wanted to know more about her but he knew it would have to be on her own schedule. "Your mother considered that a proper activity?"

Regina snorted. "No. She would have probably disapproved if she had known. I used to sneak into the kitchen and watch. One of our cooks saw me one day and started teaching me the basics. Once I moved into the Leopold's palace, I managed to spend some time in the kitchen as well." She was smiling at the memories. She finished slicing the pie and handed him back the knife. She smirked. "Did I pass the test?"

"This wasn't a test, Regina." He handed her a plate and she helped herself with a slice of pie. He did the same and they ate in silence.

They spent part of the afternoon watching the birds. He could feel the tiredness washing over her. "Time to get back?"

She nodded and helped him put away the picnic basket. They walked back toward the donjon slowly. Once inside her cell, Regina sat down on the bed, eager for David to remove the cuff. He did so quickly and rubbed her wrist. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize how late it was getting."

She laid down on the bed and smiled at him. Nobody had shown that much concern for her well-being before. "It's OK. I should have said something."

"Try to get some rest."

She nodded. "David?"

"Yes Regina". He could tell that she wanted to ask for something.

"When is my father coming back?"

"Hopefully in the next two days". He knew she wanted to know what had kept him away for so long. But he didn't want to keep her hopes up for nothing. Although she had never asked, he knew she wanted out of this cell.

"Thank you, David"

"You're welcome, Regina."

She closed her eyes and he knew she was asleep before he had time to lock her cell.

ECECEC

Regina woke up early the next morning. She had slept through the night after David walked her back to her cell. She had started enjoying their afternoons together and she didn't want to cut them short. But the magical cuff was taking its toll on her. She got up and sat next to her small window overlooking the courtyard. She watched the sun rising over the horizon.

To her surprise, the Huntsman brought her breakfast in the morning. "Is Granny ok?"

The Huntsman was surprised at the look of concern on Regina's face. If anyone had told him last year that he was going to witness the Evil Queen's worry for another, he would have dismissed them with a grunt. "She is fine."

She gave him a small smile. He had never been one for words and that hadn't changed in his time spent away from the forest. She ate her breakfast in silence. As she finished her breakfast, the Huntsman took the cuff out of his pocket. Regina looked at him questioningly. "King David asked me to take you outside this morning since your father is still travelling." She frowned but extended her wrist. The Huntsman secured the cuff and led Regina out of her cell and toward the main part of the castle. She turned toward him. "Are we not going to the orchard?"

The Huntsman did not reply and kept going toward the main entrance. He led her inside toward the kitchen. She stood bewildered next to him as Granny walked toward her and took her in a hug. "David thought you might enjoy spending some time here".

Regina couldn't wipe the smile off her face. "How can I help?"

Granny pointed toward the apples. "You can start by peeling those."

Regina moved toward the counter and started peeling the apples. Granny started gathering the necessary ingredients for the crust. The two women chatted about nothing in particular as they were preparing the apple pie. It was a light conversation, full of laughter. The Huntsman had never heard the Queen laugh so freely. And it was a beautiful sound indeed.

They prepared the dough together, placing it in a buttered baking pan. Regina, put the sliced apples on top and started lacing the top with the remaining dough. Granny was truly impressed with her technique. She would have never thought a royal capable of culinary talent. Regina was concentrating on the task, softly biting on her lower lip. Granny tucked a strand of loose hair behind Regina's ear. The Queen looked up at her and smiled her thanks. They put the apple pie into the oven and started cleaning out the kitchen.

Suddenly, Granny took some flour and threw it at the Queen. Regina looked at her in shock as the Huntsman was preparing to act if necessary. But Regina kept laughing and threw some flour back at the old woman, who gasped in shock. The Huntsman let out a smile, as small as his demeanor ever permitted. Soon, the two women were covered in flour from head to to toe and breathing hard from laughter.

They brushed most of the flour off themselves and cleaned the rest of the kitchen in companionable silence. Granny could tell that Regina was tiring from wearing the cuff. "Why don't you go back and lie down? I'll bring you a slice with lunch."

Regina nodded gratefully and walked toward the Huntsman. He escorted her back to her cell and helped her sit on the chair as he removed the cuff. She looked up at him. "Could you thank the King for me?"

He nodded once before exiting her cell.

ECECEC

Granny made her way toward the council chamber. She knew David had been working on getting relief to the Northern Provinces. He was sitting at the table signing the last of the Royal Decrees when she entered the room. "David, something happened with Regina."

He looked up at her and frowned in concern. "What's wrong?"

"I informed her of her father's illness and she begged me to let her out. When the Huntsman prevented her from doing so, she became rather angry and agitated."

He didn't need Granny to know what angry and agitated meant with Regina. He got up and walked toward the old woman. "I'll go talk to her."

Granny noded. "Good luck"

He snorted as he left the room. Yes, he was going to need luck. As he climbed the stairs leading to her cell, he could hear Regina screaming at the Huntsman. He found him standing outside the cell, keeping an eye on the angry woman pacing inside. As soon as he saw the King arrived, he left the donjon in relief. David approached Regina's cell to face her.

"Regina"

She stopped pacing and looked him right in the eyes. He could see the fury of the Evil Queen.

"I want to get out of here."

"That's not possible."

"And how long are you going to keep me prisoner?"

"As long as it takes for you to not threaten me, the Huntsman, or the guards when things don't go your way."

If looks could kill, he would be dead by now. He entered her cell and motioned for her to sit on the bed. With one last glare, she sat on the chair. He smiled and sat down on the bed.

"Regina, if I were to let you out of this cell, what would you do?"

"Go see my father."

"If I arranged for you to do so, would you be willing to wait until morning?"

She looked at him suspiciously. "You know I can't wear the cuff for long periods of time."

"Not the cuff, something else. Give me until tomorrow morning."

She was fuming but the death glare she had been giving him was gone. He had never lied to her and deep inside, she wanted to trust him. "Tomorrow morning."

He nodded and motioned to leave. She turned her back to him and looked outside through the window. She turned around to face him before he could lock her cell. "David?"

He was surprised to hear the vulnerability in her voice. He looked up at her. He lower lip was quivering and tears were pooling in her eyes. "Yes?"

"Do you know how he is doing?"

Unfortunately, he didn't get a lot of information from the messenger. "I don't know, Regina. I'm sorry."

The tears were flowing down her cheeks by now and she could barely suppress her sobs. David walked back toward her and wrapped his arms around her. She held on to him tightly. "I want to make sure he's alright."

"I promise you that we will go to your father's estate in the morning." He kissed her cheek softly. "Try to get some rest."

She nodded but didn't let go of him. She didn't want to be alone. She buried her head in his chest. "Can you stay?" She looked up toward him. He could see the need in her eyes and his mind was telling him to leave. But he couldn't move.

She cupped her hand around the back of his neck and pulled him toward her. She pressed her lips against his and kissed him. It was much tender than the kisses they had shared before but he could feel her need as she softly bit on his lower lip, her tongue asking for entrance in his mouth. His lips parted and he cupped her face with both hands. He deepened the kiss, taking her mouth fully.

She moved her hands down his sides to untuck his shirt. She slid her hands under the shirt over his muscled stomach. He moaned in her mouth. He knew that there was no stopping this now. He broke the kiss and maneuvered her down on the bed. He climbed over her, holding his weight on his right arm. His left hand caressed her body through her dress and settled in-between her thighs, applying pressure to her core.

Her breath hitched and she moaned softly, squirming against his hand. She wanted him. He smiled at the sight of the powerful Queen whimpering in need. He started rubbing her through the fabric of her dress and watched as her face creased in pure pleasure at his touch. He sped up his movement and brought her to the edge of orgasm. When he saw the look of lust in her eyes, he slowed down his pace. She whimpered, her eyes begging him to finish this.

He smirked. "Regina, what do you want me to do?"

He sped up his movements again. She moaned and sank lower into his hand. But he wanted her to say it, to admit that she wanted him. He slowed his pace again. She screamed in frustration. "David, please."

He smiled. "Please, what?"

"Please… Please, finish this."

He leaned into her and whispered in her ear. "I intend to".

David rubbed her faster. The combination of his lustful tone and the movement of his hand was enough to send her over the edge. He watched as her orgasm washed over her. She was truly beautiful. He brought her down slowly, depositing soft kisses along her jawline. She closed her eyes in bliss and relaxed against the bed.

He wanted more. He wanted to feel more of her, to hear her screams, to see the lust in her eyes as he brought her to her release. He bunched her dress up on her waist and caressed her through her wet panties. Her eyes opened wide and a moan escaped her lips. He nipped at her neck as he moved the fabric of her panties aside. She let out a sharp breath. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she tilted her head back into the bed, giving him greater access to her skin. He rubbed her entrance and applied more pressure to her clit. Her fingernails ran down his fully-clothed back, and she brought her right knee up against his side. Her moans were getting louder as her need grew. He pushed two fingers inside her and he started moving them quickly. Her breathing soon grew heavy and labored. He didn't change his pace and raised himself up to look at the beautiful brunette unravel at his touch. He curled his fingers slightly to hit her sweet spot and he watched her come for the second time tonight. He quickly removed his fingers, not giving her time to come down. She gasped, still panting on the bed.

David sat up bringing Regina on his lap with him. He kissed down her jawline, nipping at the skin and flicking his tongue over the soft bite marks. He took her mouth in a bruising kiss. She returned the kiss, fighting to catch the air she desperately needed.

Regina had barely recovered from her last orgasm but she wasn't sure she wanted him to stop. It felt so good, and it had been a long time. She grabbed the hem of his shirt and slid it over his head. Her hands roamed over his toned body, moving down toward his belt. He pulled back from her, watching the look of confusion on her face. "I think I want to play more." She smiled at his teasing tone.

David moved back toward her on the bed. Regina was biting her lower lip, a playful look in her eyes. He removed her dress slowly, caressing the sides of her body, stopping near her breast. His touch was firm but Regina was shivering slightly in anticipation. He slid the dress over her head and she let it fall to the floor. His hands caressed her body before settling over her breasts. He kneaded them while leaving open-mouth kisses on her jawline and down her neck. Regina arched her back into him, letting her head fall back, her long, dark hair flowing over her back. He liked the presentation. He wrapped one arm around her to prevent her from falling. Smiling, he took one breast into his mouth, sucking slightly. He flicked his tongue over her nipple. Regina let out a loud moan. "David!"

David's heart was pounding in his chest. He fought the urge to free his erection from his tight pants but he wanted to play more, to explore every inch of her perfect body. He moved his mouth to her other breast while pinching her still sensitive nipple with his free hand. He felt more than he heard the moan escaping the Queen's mouth. He brought his hand down on her abdomen and hooked his index finger inside her panties. Regina's bucked her hips against him, urging his finger lower.

He stood up, carrying Regina with him. She wrapped her legs around his waist, falling down on his erection. The feeling of him against her core sent shivers up and down her spine. He sat her down on the table and kneeled at her feet, his hands slowly moving down her body. She smiled down at him in anticipation. He kissed her right knee up her thigh. She laid down on the table, allowing him better access to her core. He kissed her softly through the fabric of her panties, his hand caressing her inner left thigh softly. She could feel the need grow between her legs and his teasing was driving her mad. "David!"

Regina bucked her hips against the table. David removed her panties and pressed a firm kiss on her clit. She squirmed in pleasure against his mouth. He put his arm over her hips to prevent her from moving. He slid his tongue in-between her folds and was rewarded with a loud moan. She grabbed his head, holding him in place. He kept pleasuring her with his mouth. She was incredibly wet and it made him want her more. He bit softly on her clit and slid two fingers into her, pumping slowly. He soon moved faster, driven by the pleasured cries coming from the Queen. He felt her tightened around his fingers as she came for the third time. He slowly brought her down and kissed her inner thighs softly. "David, I need you."

Regina sat up and bent down to capture the King's lips. She kissed him deeply, tasting herself on his tongue. David stood up, not breaking the kiss. He leaned toward her and she wrapped her legs around his waist, holding him in place. She moved her hand down and removed his belt. His kiss faltered when he felt her hand grab his manhood. He moaned against her mouth as she started pumping. He placed his hands flat on the table, holding himself upright. He was beyond the point where he could take her teasing. "Regina… Inside"

Regina gave him a knowing smile and released him, allowing David to carry her back to bed. He laid against her, moving his member over her clit. She was sensitive and she could already feel the familiar warmth build inside her. "David, please…" She grabbed him and positioned him against her entrance. They moaned as he pushed into her slowly. He gave her time to adjust before picking a slow pace. Their hips moved in unison, and they were relishing in each other's movements. He increased his pace and watched with pleasure as her breath hitched in her throat. She was writhing underneath him, lost in her own pleasure. She closed her eyes as a soft moan escaped her lips. He adjusted the angle slightly and slid deeper into her. She opened her eyes and the dark and lustful look in her eyes clued him on how close she was. With one last thrust, she came for the fourth time.

David slowed down his pace but didn't move out of her. He watched as she was coming down from that last round. He wanted to come inside her but he knew she needed some time to recover. Regina moved her hands over his stomach and up his chest, her face relaxed in pure bliss. With one teasing look, she flipped them over. She was sitting on top of him, her hands roaming over his body. She started moving slowly up and down his shaft. She smiled knowingly when she saw the King's eyes closed in pleasure. She increased the pace slightly and David moaned. He moved his fingers to rub her clit. She cried slightly in surprise and pleasure. He increased the pressure of his fingers and Regina collapsed onto him. He captured her lips in a deep kiss as they kept their pace. He came with her as her fifth orgasm shook her body.

David slowly eased himself out of Regina, who laid besides him. She could barely keep her eyes open and she was shivering in the cold night air. He wrapped the blanket tightly around her and kissed her forehead softly. She relaxed into his embrace and fell asleep. After a few minutes, David got off the bed and dressed himself. He felt her eyes on him. He could see the hurt there and the fear. Fear of being left alone. Before he could talk himself out of it, he gathered the sleepy Queen in his arms and exited her cell.

Thanks for following and reviewing this fic. Hope you enjoy it.

1. Rumple will be back but not right away.

2. 'donjon' vs 'dungeon'. I had to look it up (the things you learn when writing fanfics I guess). Dungeon refers to the underground prison. Donjon to the fortified tower. She is/was in the fortified tower. Sorry about the confusion...