Chapter 11

"Ow!" Emma yelped. The old woman who crouched beside her let out an exasperated sigh and continued working.

"Perhaps if you didn't squirm around so much, she wouldn't stick you with pins," Regina said, sitting on a chair and watching the amusing scene play out before her. Having Emma fitted for her own wardrobe was turning into a near circus and, while the Queen had far more productive things to do than watch this, she couldn't seem to make herself leave.

"I've been standing here for hours."

"It's been ten minutes, dear."

Emma glowered at her in the mirror and she saw Regina's smirk widen. The seamstress motioned for a young girl to help Emma out of the dress she was in and into another, even bigger than the last.

"This is crap," she mumbled.

"Do you always complain so much?"

When Emma was laced up, a small knock came at the door.

"Enter," the Queen said.

A man in black armor entered and quickly bowed before the Queen. "Your presence is requested in the throne room, your majesty. The Lady Maleficent says it's urgent."

The Queen sighed and rose, making her way towards the door. Emma nearly fell over herself trying to follow her. "Stay here, Emma. As much as I'm sure Maleficent would love to see you, I do not feel so indulgent today. When you are finished here, you may roam the castle and I will find you when I am done." With that, she briskly left the room, the guard trailing behind.

Dress after dress was fitted to the princess and she felt as though her feet were about to scream in protest if she stood for another minute. When the seamstress had her back turned, Emma lifted her skirt and practically ran for the chair Regina had occupied earlier. When the woman turned back, she gave Emma a look before smiling gently.

"I suppose we could both stand for a break," she said as she found a chair for herself.

"Thank you," Emma said.

The woman sat down and studied Emma for a moment before opening her mouth to speak again.

"You remind me of the Queen when she was younger."

Emma looked at her with an eyebrow raised. "You mean she wasn't always so…ah…queenly?"

The woman laughed gently. "Oh, no. I was her seamstress when she first came here. She wanted to be free, just like you," she said.

"Then how did she get like this?" Emma asked. She could hardly imagine Regina being anything than, well, Regina. The idea of someone different was bizarre, yet also intriguing.

"We don't talk about the Queen's past, princess," the seamstress said. Her mouth had formed a straight line, but her eyes still held some warmth. "Hardly anyone knows what truly happened, and those who do, we keep our mouths shut. It's best not to bring up old devils."

Emma looked at the woman with a frown. Old devils? Whatever had happened must have been horrible. And the fact that no one would talk about it just made her even more curious.

"Come on now," she said. "Best finish up our business."

Emma got up with some effort and walked back over to the small platform. "I don't believe I ever got your name," she said.

"Elsa," she said with a smile as she knelt back down to continue her work. A silence fell between them for a while before Emma spoke again.

"Do you think I could get something less…fluffy?" she asked.

"Pants are not suitable for women in the court," Elsa said. "But perhaps we could think of something for normal days."

Emma thanked her profusely. It wasn't that she hated the dresses; they just really weren't her style at all. Pants were far more practical for everything.

When they had finished, Emma dressed in white and silver dress she had came in. When Elsa informed her that her clothes would be ready by the next day, she looked at her incredulously. Elsa simply said "magic," and left.

Emma walked out of the room and down a hall that she had no idea where it led to. Not only was the Dark Palace huge, it was confusing. She continued walking, noticing how mirrors seemed to line both sides of the hall. At each fork in the hall, she consistently turned right until she found a hall she recognized. Loud voices were coming from the Queen's chamber. She walked forward to stand outside the door.

"No, you may not borrow her!" the Queen was practically hissing. Even with a large and very solid door between Regina and Emma, the princess couldn't help but take a step back.

"I don't see why not," said another, overly sweet voice.

Maleficent, Emma thought.

"After all, you only brought her here to curse Snow," Maleficent continued. "I see no reason why you shouldn't be willing to let me have her for a week or two."

There was a deadly silence. Emma could practically see Regina glaring at Maleficent.

"Ah," Maleficent said. "But you care for her. Then, in that case, I can assure you that I would take good care of her."

"I know what you do to things you care about. I will not let you have her."

"My, my. Aren't we testy this morning? Perhaps I should try another time-"

"You will never take her. She is mine," the Queen said. Emma could feel the power radiating from behind the door, and it was distinctly Regina. She backed away subconsciously, not aware she was even moving until her back hit the wall.

"You think she won't leave when she finds out the truth about you? Trust me, everyone will always leave you."

"Walk towards your room," a voice whispered beside Emma. She jumped and looked to see Sidney looking at her. "It wouldn't do well for either to know you've been eavesdropping."

Emma took his advice and, when she was nearly halfway to her room, she heard the door to Regina's chambers open behind her.

"Look, there's the princess now," she heard Maleficent say. Emma stopped in her tracks and turned back to face the two women. Maleficent was smiling, but there was certainly something sinister swirling beneath her eyes. She began to walk towards her. Emma fought the urge to back away, even when Maleficent was far too close to her. She smelled sweet, almost too sweet, like she was luring in prey only to strike at the neck. "My invitation to visit me in my castle is open, as always," she said as she ran a hand down Emma's arm. Emma wanted to jerk her arm away from the witch, but remained firm. Something irked her about the touch.

"Leave!" Regina yelled. Maleficent smirked towards Emma and disappeared in swirling, pink mist. Emma looked toward the Queen and saw her clenching her fists. Their eyes met, and Emma could see her power swirling just beneath the surface, threatening to break free.

"Come here," Regina hissed. Emma walked towards her slowly. When she reached her, the Queen grabbed Emma's arm and practically threw her into Regina's room. Emma stumbled forward, nearly falling, and turned back to Regina. She was striding towards her, snarling. Emma began to move back, but to no avail. Regina waved her arm and Emma was thrown against the wall, the breath knocked out of her.

When Emma blinked to clear her vision, she saw Regina merely inches from her. She looked dark, powerful, the way the Evil Queen should look. Emma could scarcely believe it was the same woman. "Regina-" she began.

"Silence!" she yelled at Emma as she grabbed the princess' neck, the warm flesh beneath her fingers nearly trembling, making Regina smile maniacally. She pressed their lips together, biting down hard, and forcing her tongue into the younger woman's mouth. Regina ran her free hand between Emma's breasts, making her arch into her touch. She vanished the princess' clothes and leaned down to bite a nipple sharply, making Emma gasp. Her hand continued moving downwards and thrust into Emma without warning. She looked at the young woman's face, contorted in pleasure and bit her neck, making sure to leave a mark.

"Regina," Emma moaned.

"I am your Queen and you will address me as such," Regina hissed. Emma moaned again, both loving and fearing this new side of Regina. "You are mine, do you understand me?" she continued.

"Yes."

Regina increased her pace; curling her fingers and making the heel of her hand rub against Emma's clit. "Tell me you're mine," Regina growled between biting and sucking at Emma's neck.

"I'm yours, my Queen," Emma gasped. Regina bit down hard and Emma began to writhe, screaming incoherent words. Regina held her against the wall, letting her ride out her orgasm.

When Emma had stopped shaking, Regina kept her close, her fingers still inside her. Emma rested her head on the Queen's shoulder. Regina took her free hand and began running her fingers through her hair.

"Emma…" she began.

"Don't be sorry," Emma whispered. "I may have enjoyed it a little."

Regina smiled. "Very well." The Queen untangled herself and both cleaned and redressed Emma with the blink of an eye. "I have to attend to my duties, princess."

Emma smiled tiredly and nodded.

Regina turned and walked out the door. When she was in the hall, she leaned up against the wall.

"I can't lose you," she whispered to Emma through the door.

A/N: Ooooohhhh boy. So sorry I haven't updated recently! Midterms...ugh. And I'm still not done with them. I feel really bad because this chapter isn't very long...but I still hope everyone enjoys it! Updates should start being more regular again! Happy Once day everyone!