Sorry for the delay again. Well, hope it was worth it. Enjoy!
Chapter 11
Again, time was not relevant, because they couldn't tell how many hours they were on their way through the darkness. They took the road they'd seen, around a lake and into the open country. They couldn't see more than two meters ahead. So they stopped only when they had to rest and build their tents. It was winter, as they knew they had caused, but they suffered it as the others. There wasn't much snow in the land but everything was frozen to the bone. The ground was so hard from frost it was even very uncomfortable for horses to walk on it. In the tents they had to put more blankets under them than over them. Well, everything was made as best as they could in the darkness, they had a few torches but they just started a fire on the ground to see what they were doing a little bit. Zain had no problem building a tent in the darkness; he had to do it many times during the war, without any light, in order not to attract the attention of enemy. Emma and Regina managed to build it somehow as well; it just took a little longer. After all that journeying they weren't even in the mood to talk, so after a while of only sitting outside, freezing around the small fire, they extinguished it and went to sleep, or at least to lie down, inside. There was no wind blowing tonight, so they were lucky. It would've been much worse with wind.
Regina was startled from her thoughts by Emma cuddling into her under the blanket. She looked at the blond head laid on her shoulder and sighed, caressing the curls with tips of her fingers. She was staring at the oblique ceiling of the tent.
"Why did you allow me to go with you?" she whispered more to herself than to Emma, assuming the blonde was asleep already.
"What?" Emma's head snapped up to look at Regina. Her hair tickled the brunette at the base of her neck.
"Hm? Nothing," Regina answered hurriedly.
Emma narrowed her eyes in darkness, not believing the older woman. "What is it, Regina?"
She sighed again; delaying the conversation she started but knew was coming, sooner or later. "Why did you let me to go with you for the map, and then here?"
Emma stared at her, mouth agape. She thought she misunderstood before. But now she had to answer. Very difficult question, with an easy answer, but she hoped she could answer rather simply without any pathetic babbling. So she pushed herself up on one elbow, the other hand resting lightly on Regina's taut stomach.
"Regina, I have no idea how evil they considered you before and I don't care." Regina closed her eyes shut, the pain in her chest becoming unbearable. "No, look at me Regina." The older woman opened her eyes and found dark green ones looking at her intensely. "You saved me from the hag, lead us out of that country and thanks to you we also escaped Alda's soldiers, I know we all had to do the tasks at Season's but you were excellent to be the first, even they thought you'd be the worst one. You showed them your true self and they knew as well as me that you're not evil."
You're talking like you're from a romantic soap opera… Say something normal!
"They should call you Savior, not me."
Regina hasn't said a word, not daring to interrupt Emma from her talk. But she really didn't have anything to say because she would just protest and Emma wouldn't accept that, so they would just argue again. And that was out of question, she didn't want to argue with the blonde. The only idea of how to stop her from talking came to her mind. She shifted and jerked upwards to Emma, bringing her lips to the blonde's. The scorching kiss almost made Emma melt against Regina. And why would she deny anything like that? She didn't think actually. No thinking while kissing Regina was possible to tell the truth.
How can you be with a woman like Regina and think about anything else other than the woman? Of course it's not possible, so she just let Regina kiss her, giving her whole self to the sensation, not wanting it to end. It was like eternity of pleasure. But after a while she wanted more so she pushed her tongue past Regina's lips, tasting every inch of Regina's mouth, lightly pressing into the brunette's body with hers. Clothes were so annoyingly thick and rough she wanted them to disappear. She needed to get free from them; they were strangling her and scratching. But what's more, she wanted the same for Regina, to feel her skin on hers, to touch every part of her body, to do everything at once. They parted when they needed oxygen finally, but still slightly brushed lips against each other.
"Regina," Emma whispered, or more just breathed, on the audible threshold. Her eyes fixed on Regina's lips, so sweet so soft and so rough all at the same time.
Regina didn't hesitate, it didn't assuage her hunger. With one smart move she reversed their positions so she was on top, kissing Emma passionately again, burying her hand into the blonde's locks, the other untying laces on Emma's gambeson. It was difficult with one hand so she used the other as well. In a few seconds she managed to open the jacket-like top and slid it down Emma's shoulders; that was following Regina taking a sitting position. The blonde shrugged off the gambeson and embraced Regina tightly pulling their bodies against each other. For a millisecond green eyes met black ones. Emma's neck was suddenly attacked by Regina's lips, tongue and teeth as well as her shirt with the brunette's hands. Emma gasped when the queen's teeth found her pulse point. Regina kissed the place where she left the mark before, soothing it gently with her tongue, tasting the sweetness. She held back her lips only when she pulled Emma's shirt over the blonde's head. The savior wasn't far behind, already untying Regina's gambeson and pulling off her tight long sleeved shirt and pulling her back to lie on top of her. Regina's hands were everywhere, Emma shivered at the touch of gentle hands on her skin. Regina felt the frost which was all around them and that aroused her even more, feeling the pang of pleasure and heat in her belly. Still straddling Emma, she pulled away, holding the blonde with her hands to lie still and leaned to her chest, slowly kissing the valley between her breasts. Her left hand found its way to the hills as well, slowly sliding over one, finding the peak and squeezing it lightly. Emma moaned, putting her hands to Regina's hips pulling her closer, if it was even possible, desperate for contact, fire burning in her center. Regina's mouth finally took her nipple, sending a wave of sensation pulsing down her spine, other hand massaging the second one. But soon Regina replaced hand with lips and licked and bit the hardened spot. Emma couldn't take more of that pleasure. She grabbed Regina's face and pulled her into another kiss, tongues attacking each other. Emma's hands roamed over Regina's hips and back, then to her breast squeezing a handful of tight flesh; she swallowed the brunette's low moan. She slid her other hand in between them to unbutton Regina's pants, sliding her hand in. The feeling of the hot wet fabric of panties made her release a moan of her own. Rounding Regina's figure with her hand she grabbed her ass under the pants, pushing her again as close to her waiting center as it gets. They were panting, gasping for air but it didn't seem to matter. Nothing mattered when they struggled to push their pants off each other, finally enjoying the pleasure of skin to skin contact. Another kiss was slower, deeper. Regina, still on top, peppered Emma's neck and again her breasts with small, light kisses. Eventually she got to her belly, stopping for a while to play with the navel there. But Emma wasn't in the mood for games, which made Regina chuckle when she was being pushed by Emma's strong hands downwards, in the direction of her desire. It was too much fun to let it go so she trailed the kisses up the left inside of the blonde's thigh and when she was at the center she started with right one, very slowly biting and licking. Emma groaned in frustration and Regina decided it was enough torturing for tonight. She moved her lips to the heated well of gods' liquid and licked the ambrosia which taste's exploded in her mouth. Emma was so close to the edge even such a contact could send her over. Her hips jerked upwards searching for more and Regina had to put her hands on them to steady the blonde. Emma entangled her fingers in black hair pushing the queen to her center again and the brunette obeyed, fascinated by Emma's desperation. She took Emma's clit between her teeth and bit, then sucked it in her mouth and played with it, making Emma crazy.
"Regina…god…please!"
Regina knew very well what Emma was pleading for and she didn't want to keep her from what she wanted anymore. So she slowly snaked up Emma's body.
"Look at me." The savior had her eyes squeezed shut; she looked at Regina through heavy lids. "Together…Emma."
Emma could barely control her shaking, weak hands but she managed to touch Regina's face and brought their lips together again. As if the kiss accumulated her energy, she flipped the queen over so she was lying on her back, Emma pushing her knees apart already, pulling herself close to Regina's heat. But she didn't touch her, even when Regina tried to, she shifted back. The blonde shook her head, determined not to make it so easy for Regina, as the queen had done to her before. She leant over her, blonde waves cascading down her shoulders, lightly brushing against Regina's skin, every tickle bringing the brunette to heights. Emma attacked the crook of her neck with her lips and tongue, not believing anyone in the world could taste so good. Now she gave up when Regina pushed her restive hips into her, feeling warm liquid not only on her thigh but between them as well. No one ever made her so extremely aroused, so wanting it not just for appearance but for the personality. Her fingers trailed down Regina's body to her center; replacing her thigh, which she felt was already touched by the queen's nimble fingers. They tried to control their moaning and panting but according to situation it didn't work that much. When they touched each other at the right place, their darkened eyes met. They slowly moved their hips and everything else just stood in place. They held the look for a long time, when the tension was unbearable they both slid fingers inside, perfectly in harmony. Emma almost cried out in pleasure and she collapsed onto Regina, her hand fortunately landed next the brunette's head, holding her so as not to hurt the brunette with the weight of her body. Regina herself found it hard to concentrate, but continued as if her body was its own self. Her other hand was pressed to Emma's shoulder blade in a desperate embrace, not sure if her heart already exploded or if it was still beating erratically against her chest. But she felt another pulse which was the blonde's, so similar to hers. She couldn't stand it anymore, there was no where to go from the height she reached.
"Emma…please…I'm…" she almost cried, her throat tightened with tears.
"…so…close…" Emma finished in one breath.
They moved one more time and everything stopped existing. The whole planet, all the worlds were gone, nothing left, only a few fragments of exploded souls in the river of life.
When the consciousness took its place in their mind again they found themselves lying in the tent again, winter cooling their hot, sweaty skin. Emma had her head on Regina's shoulder again, with the difference being she was naked, falling asleep already, her body flooded with endorphins forcing her to close her eyes.
"…love you, 'Gina"
This time tears really came to Regina's eyes. She didn't want to let go of the blonde as well, so she caressed the blonde's hair putting small kiss to golden waves, after pulling one of the blankets over them.
"Love you too…Emma."
After hours of sleep, Emma felt very cold. She unsealed her eyes and she noticed she was alone, no sign of the brunette and her warm body. Emma dressed in the darkness of the tent and stepped out to a similarly dark outside. Her eyes strived to see something. She took a few steps forward and finally she noticed the lonely figure standing at the group of stones. She got to Regina quietly, putting her hand on queen's shoulder. Regina didn't have to look over her shoulder to know who was there behind her.
"You're not sorry, are you?" Emma asked, fear squeezing her chest.
"I'm not." Regina was still staring into the darkness.
Emma slid her hand down Regina's arm to take her hand and pulled her down with her to sit on the large stone. Regina leaned her head on Emma's shoulder and put her hand on her thigh. They were sitting like that without a word. Emma felt tension but she wasn't sure what it was from. She didn't think it was related to what happened between them.
"What is it, Regina?" She looked at the brunette, still leaning her head on her shoulder.
"This darkness…" The voice of the older woman was low and raspy.
Emma looked forward again. She couldn't see anything wrong, well, maybe because she couldn't see anything at all.
They heard heavy footfalls behind them and jumped to their feet. It was Zain.
"Everything alright?" he asked frowning. He didn't like the look of the women together like that.
Mentioned women just nodded. "Now we're all awake, we can set off for a way home finally."
In half and hour, they had everything packed and were leading their horses from the ground, not risking riding in the darkness so thick. Hardly recognizing time in the night, they traveled as before, resting when they needed. It seemed like eternity spent in the land and it started to be suspicious not only to Regina but also to Zain and Emma. They went through few small villages but there was absolute silence there. The longer they were on their way, the more often they heard cries and sobs from everywhere around them; desperate cries of pain from dying animals.
"Shouldn't we see the sun-creature already?" Emma asked curiously.
Regina nodded.
"But it must take some time to walk with the horse across the country; it's not that small, is it?" Zain asked.
"It's indeed very large, but we should have seen something like dawn at least."
That's when they almost bumped into the solid wall which appeared in front of them in the darkness. They rounded the wall till they found a gate. Some kind of fortress stood before them.
"Who are you?" yelled someone from another side of the lattice at the opened gate.
"We're just passing through your land. What happened here?" Regina yelled back.
"You better come in!" Guards let them enter. They didn't hesitate.
When they walked to the small yard; two men were kneeling before Regina.
"Get up, good men." They didn't move. "Get up, please."
The guards obeyed, confused by her words. "What happened here?"
"Your Majesty, our horse, who gave life to everything, is gone." One of them found courage to speak but still didn't look up.
"What do you mean gone?" Regina frowned. Emma just stared at the guards.
"Someone stole it from us, we don't know who. Some say it was little boy."
Regina's brows flew higher in surprise. "A boy?"
"Yes, Madame."
"Can you lead me to your king?"
Guards nervously looked at each other. "He went to look for the horse with half of his army."
Regina shook off the shock from her face and reached with her hand to guard's shoulder. "Thank you." He shivered from fear at the touch of the queen's hand.
Regina turned to Emma and Zain. Emma knew where this was going. "Regina, this is not our problem," she answered to pleading dark eyes.
"She's right." Zain agreed.
Regina nodded. She looked back at guards. "When your king's back and if he did not find the horse, tell him to send a message if he needs help."
The guards bowed again. Regina smiled at them and took her horse by bridle, Emma and Zain followed. They left the fortress in a few minutes.
Regina hasn't said a word even when Emma tried to talk to her, to joke or something. She waited for Zain to go a few meters forward before stopping Regina.
"What's wrong?"
Regina just glared at her. Emma knew what it was about, only she didn't know what to say.
"Look, we can't save everything and everyone. I understand you decided to help people, to be on the good side but it's not about helping everyone, especially when your son's waiting for you." She was surprised how easily words left her mouth.
"I don't want to save everyone," Regina replied with hard gaze. "But I hurt these people before. You could see how afraid of me they were," she pointed in the direction of the fortress. "If I could give them back the horse, maybe it would change. I'm not asking for forgiveness from them, but if I can do something I will." She started walking again.
Emma caught up to her. "You can start your redemption or whatever when we are back as a family, when you fix everything with Henry first, you understand? No more adventures, till everything's alright."
Regina smiled, but just ironically. "Seems to me you don't understand, Miss Swan. There's never gonna be anything right about this family. Your parents will have me executed the minute they see me."
Emma grabbed Regina by her elbow, forcing the queen to look her in the eye. "Nothing's gonna happen to you, is that clear?"
Regina could see the seriousness in the blonde's eyes but she slowly extracted her arm from the painful clasp. "They might love you my dear, but don't forget what I've done. I'm not coming out of this alive." This time, her smile was sad and full of shades.
Emma just stared, but she was sure she could think of something. They caught up to Zain who was waiting for them.
Now they didn't need the map but it was really hard to find a way in the darkness, even if they stick to the road. After a few hours or days of rest, they could eventually see fragments of light from behind the hills. They went there, meeting a few more soldiers at the borders, but they just kneeled before the queen and let them go, obviously relieved she was going out and not in. Emma was sure, if someone asked her how she felt seeing light again, she wouldn't have found an answer. It was indescribable. When they were far enough from the borders of the dark land they found a place to camp and just bathed in the rays of morning sun.
They were almost home and that was all that mattered. Only Zain wasn't sure what he was doing there. Or why he was still with the two. From the moment he got to know Emma better he wanted more. He thought she might want it too when they went together. But when he noticed the thing between her and Regina, he lost hope. He didn't want to stay around them anymore. He didn't want to share a land with them, it hurt too much. His lungs were full of disappointment, strangling him. Every time when the two shared a light kiss or just touch or look at each other, he head to avert his eyes, to stare at what was before them, even if it was just darkness.
But now they were almost at the end of the journey and he didn't know what to do with himself. As painful as it was, he decided to finish what he started and go with them to the end.
They took the whole day for rest, regaining their energy, adjusting to the light, letting it mix with every cell in their bodies.
Fresh in the next morning they set off for their final few days to finally see the Enchanted Forest.
Thanks for reading. Reviews are very welcome.
