Chapter 9
A/N: I'm back! I'm so sorry for the delay, guys. Life has been kind of crazy and med school is getting more demanding. Anyway, I really hope you like this chapter. It took some effort, I'm not used to writing evil plots or drama since most of my fics are comedy or smut, but I did my best.
A/N2: This chapter was beta'ed by the lovely 'tonguemarksonmymirror'. Thanks for not giving up on me, babe 3
Darkness.
That's what greeted Prince Emmett when he opened his green eyes groggily. A grunt escaped his lips when he tried to move his head to survey his surroundings; a sharp pang of pain shook his body at the miniscule movement.
His limbs felt heavy and numb, almost as if he was heavily drunk, nerve endings oversensitive and waiting for even the smallest of twitches to shoot excruciating agony. Sweat covered his whole body, while his breathing was shallow and uneven.
He closed his eyes for a second, the events that led to his current situation playing through his mind in fast succession. God, he knew the first moment his met that Maleficent woman, that nothing good would ever come from her, or an alliance with her, much less a marriage. Thank God he dodged that one.
He remembered that poisoned dagger flying towards him and pushing Regina out of harm's way. He couldn't let her get hurt. He remembered taking his sword, shielding his body with it; the only thought in his mind was protecting his beautiful bride.
He couldn't stay here any longer; his family was still in danger with that woman on the loose. He took a deep breath and tried to sit up. He gasped and let out a wail of pain, feeling like his body was falling apart; a feeling similar to that of his bones being broken and then reattached.
"Oh god, that fucking hurt!" he exclaimed to himself, once again laying on his back, trying to keep as still as possible. This wasn't good; he couldn't move without mauling his body, and he couldn't escape without moving.
He was screwed.
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A while later, when the pain wasn't as suffocating, he took a moment to think, and the first thing that came to mind was his wife.
"Regina" he whispered, closing his eyes as he pictured her pretty face. God, why did this have to happen to them? They just got married; they were supposed to be starting their life together and enjoying each other. Now, thanks to that witch, he was stuck in this place.
Surprisingly, thinking about Regina lessened his pain, if only a little. He laid there, taking a few calming breaths and trying to clear his mind.
Maleficent was after him, and, by proxy, Regina. If he's here, that means she's in terrible danger. Hopefully, her parents and his father would keep her safe until he could get back to them.
'Ok then, break is over' he thought. He needed to get out of here; he needed to go back to his family, so taking a deep breath, he turned his head to the other side, groaning at the pain that immediately assaulted his poor body. Well, at least he did it. His celebration was cut short, however, when his eyes zeroed in on what he only could guess was a portal of some sort, green orbs widening. It had the shape of a door and was made of pure light; it was kind of beautiful.
It was a few feet away, but with the state of his body, it might as well be miles away. Just turning his head to the other side made him almost throw up; he didn't want to think what sitting up, or standing up, would feel like. His body was feeling heavier and number by the minute, and his eyes were stinging with sleepiness. He was running out of time.
He knew, he needed to brave the pain and escape this awful place; he knew he needed to go back, but truth was, he didn't want to move. He didn't want to fight the excruciating pain. For the first time in his life, he was considering giving up.
And then he understood: that was this place all about. It gave you hope; that exit so near, yet so far, while you gave into the luring temptation of surrender.
Regina would be so disappointed in him; so would his father, and Snow.
And that, more than anything, was what hurt him the most.
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He opened his eyes with a gasp. He didn't even remember falling asleep in the first place. His body was giving up; before long, he would fall asleep forever and all would be lost.
He couldn't regret what he did, though. Just the thought of Regina being the one trapped here made him sick. At least he saved her from this hell; it was the only positive thing about all of this.
He wondered how much time had passed; between the mind-numbing pain and the random bursts of sleep, he wasn't sure. It could have been hours or even days.
"I guess a little rest won't hurt matters" he murmured, slowly closing his eyes, only for them to snap wide open at the most beautiful thing sound that could ever filled the space he was in.
"Emmett"
"Regina!" He called out, knowing she wouldn't hear him.
"I know it doesn't seems fair to ask you to suffer even more"
"I can't, Regina! It hurts, baby. Please, forgive me" he shouted desperately.
"But there are people here that need you. Your father can't lose his only son."
Oh God, his father. The man who taught him to ride and sword fight, that man that taught him was bravery was about.
"Snow can't lose her hero"
Snow; the precious child he swore to protect when their mother passed, the only female that mattered to him before Regina came along. The little sister he adored.
"The kingdom cannot lose its future king"
The duty for which he had been groomed since he was a child: to lead and provide for his people. Without him as heir, the throne would be threatened, since the stupid law dictated that a woman could not reign; only in title when married to a king. So Snow wasn't an alternative.
"But most of all, I can't lose my husband. I fell in love with you the first moment I saw you"
"Me too. I was in love with you way before I met you" he whispered, crying at her words as pain of a different kind filled his heart. He was realizing how much pain this was causing to his love. He was the Prince, the Commander of the Royal Army and he couldn't even stand up. But nothing in the world could have prepared him for the elation and the love that burned through his veins at Regina's next words.
"You're going to be a daddy. I'm carrying the fruit of our love, Emmett Swan. And you cannot leave us"
His heart stopped; breath hitching as a lump formed in his throat. A baby; their baby. "Oh my God, I'm going to be a father" he whispered, unable to believe those beautiful words. Suddenly, he could picture it: Regina and him, running after a little boy or girl, dark curls and green eyes, a perfect mix of the both of them.
A renewed hope surged in him; he wouldn't let them down, any of them. He clenched his jaw and swallowed hard. "I'm coming, baby. Don't give up on me" he said with determination.
With strength he didn't know he possessed, he sat up in one movement, a wail of agony tearing from his throat. He didn't give himself time to acknowledge the pain. He turned onto his hands and knees, screaming as he slowly stood up, getting so lightheaded he almost fell down again.
He could taste blood and a tear of pain traveled down his cheek, mingling with the sweat there. He gave one, two, three steps; each one more painful than the last, his feet protesting at the strain. It felt like he was walking on broken glass, but he was getting closer.
"Almost there" He croaked, not matter what, he would get out of here, no one would rip him away from his heart's desires.
"Don't forget that love is strength and life itself; the only magic powerful enough to transcend realms and break any curse"
Lady Fate was right; no matter what enemies they might face, they would do it together and their love would never be tainted by darkness.
With the last of his energy, he used the momentum of his last step and jumped inside the portal, his scream of pain swallowed by the blinding light that filled his world.
So, this is it! Let me know what you think, ok? Again, I'm sorry about the very late response, the next update will be sooner than you think.
As always, read and review, my pretties!
