Author's Note: 2 chapters in one day? Yay and I hope you like this one as well. Reviews are always welcomed. As I mentioned earlier, no Beta so all mistakes are mine. A review from a guest said that Emma's last name would not be White because that is not her father's last name. Although that is true, in this land he is a consort, which means that Snow is the true Queen. I would assume that the heir to the throne would have to carry the lineage last name instead of the consort's one.
At the Dark Castle
"Oh Emma!" Regina screamed after she felt the blonde's tongue softly teasing her entrance. "Please do not tease me." she begged.
Emma smirked at the tone with which the brunette was talking to her. They had spent most of the night making love, teasing each other and promising eternal love and devotion to one another. She had never felt so connected while having sex, and all the pleasure that she made Regina feel she was almost certain she could feel it herself. That deep was their connection and bond. The older woman had cried the first time she reached her climax, and at first that had made Emma be scared, her thoughts making her believe that she had hurt the witch or done something wrong. Her fears were immediately eliminated by Regina, who had professed her love and taken matter into her own hands, or her tongue more specifically, to return the favor. She was still worried about Cora, about her mother and what would happen in a couple of hours when they met the people that had reached the Dark Castle. Nevertheless, the two had unconsciously agreed to only think of themselves and their love. They were sure that the path that was going to begin soon was not going to be an easy one, and that war was not a place for love and tenderness. The war with their mothers was not going to be an easy one to win, and there was also the fact that they did not want to kill them, something that their progenitors didn't seem to mind at all.
Emma moved up from her spot in Regina's legs and kissed her deeply, letting Regina taste herself. She wanted to be close to the older woman's face, she wanted to see her at each moment, wanted to see the way her eyes shone after reaching oblivion and the way her body trembled with small spasms. She loved the witch so much that it filled her whole heart, the pieces that had been destroyed by her parents and their lies softly filling themselves with the love Regina offered her so freely, so easily and tenderly.
"I need to see your face." Emma explained when the brunette whimpered at having felt the lost of the blonde's tongue.
Nodding in understanding, Regina moved one hand and cupped the younger woman's face, caressing it tenderly while in the middle of their passionate love-making. Were it someone else, the moment would have been awkward and uncalled for, but with Emma it made complete sense. The two of them could mix passion and love as if they were not water and oil, or day and night, since the two of them were also like that. One dark, one light, one a hero another a villain and yet here they were, loving and caressing each other since the moment they shared all their secrets with each other. It made Regina's heart soar to imagine her possible future with Emma, the two of them just living at peace and not having a single worry in the world, sharing mundane things like waking up at dawn, or going to bed as soon as the moon rose on the sky so they could spend most of the night making love. It was a far-away future, but it gave the brunette hope to wish to share something like that with her True Love. When she was young she was scared of dying because she felt she had not lived the life she wanted to. When she was the Evil Queen she asked for death to take her because there was no reason for her to live, no person with whom she could share all she achieved. But now she only wanted to live, she wanted to win, so she could start that part of her future that was reserved for only Emma and herself: No unfit mothers, no kingdom to save, no peasants to appease and no lies and deceits coming from every corner.
"I love you." Regina gasped when she felt adept fingers caressing her clit tenderly. "I love you Emma." she ranted with each movement.
"Me too." Emma panted, the brunette having lowered her hand so she could also give the blonde the same treatment she was receiving.
"I am close." Regina cried when she felt her body quiver with desire. Quickly moving her fingers so Emma could be at the same position she was, she muffled a cry when the blonde pinched her clit and kissed her deeply.
"Oh... oh... ohhhhh." Emma moaned at the stimulation and felt her body let go of all the pent-up passion it had accumulated.
"Emma!" the brunette screamed and came too, softly falling on top of Emma who had her eyes closed and a silly smile on her face. "You look happy." she managed to say from the blonde's neck. "Good morning darling."
"Good morning indeed." Emma smirked. "And I am ecstatic." she beamed to the brunette who chuckled. "I never knew that sex could feel like this." she said with complete awe. "I mean, I guess it is because my other times it was all about getting release, but this time it was so much more than that. I wanted to be with you in every possible way, I wanted to have this bond with you too. I wanted you to have every part of me." she finished and got surprised by her honesty and rambling.
Regina smiled warmly, loving the dorkiness and profound love that her girlfriend kept showing the brunette each time they shared or lived an important event. "You are my True Love, which means that we are connected in the best way. We were destined to meet and love each other, hence each connecting act done in the name of True Love solidifies said love. That, and the fact that we are also two magical beings also amplifies our feelings and emotions."
"So basically making love between each other will always be earth-shattering because we are two magical beings that have True Love."
"In a matter of speaking, yes." Regina smirked. "And talking about sex, you are definitely not a virgin."
"I was 16 and I thought I was in love with my tutor." she looked down in embarrassment. "Turns out the whole experience was just weird and awkward."
"I am sorry." the brunette said while softly kissing the blonde. "My first time was also not a good one."
The thought of Regina's first time made the younger woman feel anger towards her grandfather. She could only imagine what the witch must have felt, how terrified she must have been. She wouldn't be surprised if she learned that her grandfather did not care at all about her feelings and of treating Regina tenderly. Knowing how men usually were when it came to them thinking of women as their property instead of their companion, she imagined that the man only cared about his own satisfaction.
"I'm sorry too." Emma replied tenderly.
"The past is in the past." the brunette smiled sadly. "And what I just felt with you was just too magical for it to be ruined by the memories of a tutor and Leopold."
Emma nodded and kissed the woman chastely. "I don't want to get out of this bed to be honest."
Regina laughed loudly. "You are insatiable."
"You're an addiction Regina Mills." the blonde teased her and earned a soft smack from the woman on her butt. "And a pervert too."
"Why would I be a pervert when I am touching what you hours ago said belongs to me?" she smirked.
"Just because it's yours that doesn't mean that you can just take it." Emma pouted in mock anger. "But knowing myself I wouldn't mind if you did that again as long as you are touching me."
Regina laughed again at the blonde's antics and hugged her tightly, enjoying the easiness that came with knowing Emma so well. She had never been this carefree when it came to sex, in fact, the moment she was done she made the other man or woman disappear. She hated cuddling and sharing her bed, preferring to take a long bath and then rest. But here she was now with Emma, after having spent the whole night together, their sweat mixed with sex on their bodies and not a single care in the world. It made Regina smile.
"Well, although I would love to spend the day in this bed, having my wicked way with you, we are expected to make an appearance. And knowing Eugenia, the fact that she has not pounded the door is certainly surprising."
Smirking, Emma nodded and got up from the bed, her glorious nakedness making Regina forget what she was going to say next. The only thing on her mind at the moment was Emma.
"Like what you see?" Emma teased.
"I love what I see." Regina replied breathlessly and also got out from the bed, her own nakedness now making Emma stop smiling. "And it seems that you are in the same predicament I am."
Emma noticed the lustful tone behind her girlfriend's words, and knowing that they would not get out of this room as soon as the brunette had wanted to, she decided to give her a solution.
"We could certainly share a bath." she winked at the brunette who with a wrist of her hand filled the bathtub with water. "You have to teach me that trick." the blonde laughed and ran to the bathroom. "Last one has to sit next to Granny and she's a werewolf!"
Laughing at her girlfriend's playfulness, Regina decided that there was one thing she was currently scared off and that was the idea of having Granny smell Emma on her. This thought made her fasten her pace and squeal when strong arms grabbed her from behind.
"Now, how about we wash each other?" Emma said darkly and kissed Regina deeply, who closed her eyes and nodded in surrender. The meeting would have to wait a little longer.
SQSQSQSQSQ
"What if something happened to them?" Red asked while eating some bread. "I mean, we haven't seen them since they disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke."
"What happened to them is none of our business child." Granny huffed while drinking some milk. "And besides it isn't hard to imagine what happened based on the looks those two have been giving each other."
Red gulped at the pun and started to laugh loudly. "Well, at least they haven't completely forgotten about our presence since it seems that we have food."
Granny nodded and softly continued eating, thoughts about what lay ahead for them making her want to enjoy this time with her granddaughters. She was certain that in the near future there would be no other opportunities for them to spend time as a family. Family with the Evil Queen, that made the old woman smirk at the irony of such a thing. But it would be impossible for her to deny that the witch had not changed, all seemingly thanks to Emma's love. Damn, True Love can surely work miracles, Granny thought after hearing the soft murmurs and kisses that definitely came from the two witches.
"Stop eating each other and come have breakfast with us!" Red screamed and heard some soft apologies and promises.
The two women entered the room and while Emma was happily walking towards the table, well, more jumping because of her high spirits, Regina was looking down in embarrassment at having been caught making out with her girlfriend.
"Good morning." Emma said happily to Red and Granny. "It's such a beautiful day."
"You tell me." Red teased. "You are glowing."
Emma merely winked at her godmother and that made the two women laugh. Quietly, and a little embarrassed, Regina sat next to Emma and started to drink some milk.
"Don't be embarrassed Regina." Red smiled softly. "Emma and I have always been quite open with each other about everything."
"We know that with everything you mean sex." Granny huffed while getting some cheese. "The two fools were never careful about who could hear them."
"Granny is just upset because she had to hear Ruby tell me all about some guy she met a few years ago." Emma teased the old woman.
"Oh yeah, that was a good one." the younger brunette smirked. "Besides, based on all those dresses you wore, you cannot tell me that you are embarrassed."
Regina almost choked when the werewolf said that, earning herself the laughs of the three other women that were on the table.
"I am certainly not embarrassed by those things." the witch muttered. "What does embarrass me is having my girlfriend's family know what we do."
"Oh, don't feel that way." Emma kissed the brunette chastely. "They are doing this because they can see how happy I am. I always hated to talk about my sex life because I always felt embarrassed by it or the people I did it with. But with you I just want to scream it to anyone who would listen."
"Well, don't." Granny said. "We don't want the rest of people to know about your nocturnal activities with their future Queen."
"Rest of people?" Emma asked.
"There are a lot of people out there." Red told the women who looked at each other and gulped. "I honestly didn't expect to see so many of them."
"People are upset and angry, they want change." Emma simply replied. She then looked at Regina. "You can do this."
"What if they do not want me to be Queen?" Regina asked, showing to the two werewolves for the first time how scared she was of being rejected by others.
"They are here." Red replied instead of Emma. "They came to the Dark Castle even after the White Kingdom threatened to kill anyone who did so."
"You are not the same woman they knew 18 years ago." Granny said softly. "Show them that. Show them you want to be better and that you can help them."
"I will be with you each step of the way." Emma promised her. "Either as a knight of your army or your significant other. It all depends on you and what you want to tell the people."
Regina looked at the three women in front of her and for the first time felt that she was being supported and loved for who she was; no lies and secrets between them. She knew that this was the time for new beginnings, for honesty to be seen and given by the monarchs and the people. She had to start that in the right direction.
"I will not hide my relationship with you, Emma. I am proud of you and what we have." the brunette decided.
"Good." Emma replied while approaching the brunette. "Then make a good speech so I can kiss you at the end of it."
Regina laughed. "That is encouraging, although after we are done I would like a deeper compensation."
"And I want to not have good hearing but we can't always have what we want." Granny said exasperated but still gave the two women a smile. "Now go knock them dead."
"I want the three of you with me." the witch admitted. "At the roof."
"We can definitely do that." Red smiled softly and followed the young couple.
SQSQSQSQSQSQ
"Maybe they were captured." one woman said while looking at her husband. "If the Queen finds out that we are here we will surely be killed."
"Death is better than living under this kingdom." a younger man said from not far away. "Besides, the Evil Queen said that she would be here in a week. Until the day is over I will believe that she will make it."
"And I thank you..." a loud and strong voice said from the balcony of the Dark Castle. "For having such faith in me and my companions."
The moment those words were said the people looked up and saw the Evil Queen in all her splendor. Many heard the rumors spread by their knights, of how she had changed and wanted to redeem herself by helping her people. But what none had said was that 18 years had passed and the woman looked just as she did when she was queen, not a day older.
"Is that Red Riding Hood?" a man whispered to her brother and saw the characteristic red cape that identified the woman.
"Yeah, and I'm sure the older woman is her Granny." his brother replied back.
"And who is the blonde that is standing right next to her?" a woman asked too loudly and everyone silently waited at the sure punishment she would get for being so bold. Instead, what they heard was the four women laughing and teasing the blonde one, who merely shrugged.
"Well, it does seem that the current Queen and King have not done a good job at introducing you to royalty. This is Emma White, princess and heir of the White Kingdom, now also Knight of the Dark Kingdom."
The announcement did what was expected and instantly murmurs started to be heard, some of them being completely shocked at the presence of the blonde, others suspicious of her for being here and the rest merely expecting the former queen to explain what was happening.
"I am sure many of you have many questions. Most of you must be wondering where I have been for the last 18 years. My absence was Fate's mere desire at making me atone for my past sins. The moment I came back was a little more than a week ago, and in that moment I was almost killed by the famous runaway princess. At the time I had no idea of who she was, but something told me that I had to help her." the people saw the queen stare lovingly at the blonde who grabbed her hand. "When I found out days later that my friend was the princess Emma White, I thought about leaving her and make my way to the edge of the White Kingdom. Nevertheless, there was something in her eyes that told me to stay and at the end that was what I did. While helping her escape, I saw the many injustices and poverty you have been put through. I saw the unfairness of the Queen's royal army, I saw the mistreatment and poor conditions your villages are and I want to do something about that."
"Why should we trust you?" one brave man said. "Last time you were queen you killed anyone who supported Snow White."
"You are right. I was consumed by anger and revenge, my sole goal was to kill Snow White and anyone else just became collateral damage." she admitted. "But I currently have no desire to kill her or anyone else."
"How can we believe that a vendetta you possessed during your whole time as queen suddenly disappeared?" a woman asked.
"Well, I cannot kill the mother of the woman I love." Regina simply replied and this got the shocked whispers of the people outside the castle. "I know most of you are adamant about my motives, but if I can be honest with all of you, I am not only doing this for you. I am doing this also for Emma, for the woman I love and want to be able to live happily. She convinced me to come here, to talk to you and ask you to trust me to believe in me. I always believed that forgiveness was too much to ask from all of you. But well, here I am, which means that she won that discussion." the brunette teased and the people laughed with her. "I want to do things differently, I want you all to have a voice and I want to correct old wrongdoings. I want to show that magic is not evil or good, that people are not only heroes or villains and that we have the potential of being a better place for our children. But I cannot do this without you." she looked at the three women right next to her, who nodded in encouragement and she then focused on the people outside. "If we want to do this then we will need to do it together. I cannot and will not rule people that do not want me to rule them." she finished and there was only silence between the people.
"Long Live Queen Regina!" Anthony screamed and the Dark Knights screamed back.
After that, all the people started to scream it too, the soft murmurs quickly turning to loud and enthusiastic movements and chants. Regina looked at all of this with tears in her eyes, finding it impossible to believe that the people wanted her back, that they had forgiven and given her another chance. She felt strong arms hold her, and instead of pushing the comfort away, she held on tightly and cried the tears that had been threatening to come out from the moment she heard Anthony scream his support.
"You were magnificent, my Queen." Emma said softly while kissing her neck.
"I cannot believe they will give me another chance." Regina murmured.
"They will do so because deep down they know that apart from the whole killing Snow White thing you were a good and smart ruler." the blonde teased her and Regina laughed. "But you do need to get them to stop screaming so you can explain how you plan to take the kingdom back."
"That is why I have magic dear." the brunette teased her back and a purple cloud of smoke poured out of her fingers, earning the immediate silence of the people.
"Thank you." Regina smiled softly. "For your support and for being here. I asked you to come because I have a plan to take the kingdom back and make the necessary changes for it to be a better one. In order to do so, I will need your help as well."
"What do we need to do?" a man asked.
"I want you to find the people from your village, after that each group such as blacksmiths, farmers and so on will choose a leader. That leader will then meet with the other chosen leaders and a representative of said coalition will come to the castle and sit at the royal council. That way, there will be no secrets between the crown and the people while also allowing me to know your troubles and situations from up-close and personal."
The crowd started to excitedly murmur about this, pleasantly surprised at this turn of events and how this could work out in favor of them and their interests.
"The moment all representatives are selected do let one of my guards know so we can have a meeting and plan. Although we are many, Snow White has all resources from the monarchy and magic as well. We need to be careful and quick." she continued explaining.
"Are you sure it's a good idea for Regina to share so much stuff with them?" Red whispered to Emma. "What if Snow has a spy between them."
"There is the possibility of that happening." Emma whispered back. "Which is why we decided to have all the professions choose one representative. It is way easier to give a truth potion to 15 men than to 100 of them."
"I don't like it but I understand what she is trying to achieve." Granny murmured. "In order to earn their trust she has to show them that she trusts them too. Luckily, people that have never been used to being asked what they want usually don' know what to do once they are given the choice. This helps Regina cement her position as their ruler."
"Shit, Regina is super smart about politics." Red huffed.
"Regina was taught how to be a Queen." Emma merely shrugged. "She knows how the game works and how to play it best."
"Now, you are free to move around the castle and the forest until you reach a decision. I will be holding the meeting in three hours so please do hurry." Regina finished. "And, I would like for all my guards to meet me at the training barracks." the brunette turned around and approached the three women who were in a deep discussion. "What seems to be the matter?"
"Worrying about Snow having spies down there."
"Most certainly." Regina replied. "But just like Emma told you, we planned to have representatives because that way we can ensure they are loyal to us."
"So you could hear everything?" Emma teased.
"Indeed I could." Regina smiled and kissed the blonde woman softly. "Now, we need to meet with my guards and see what they have to tell us about the kingdom."
"Well, if you poof us that will not take long." Emma said.
"Perhaps you should try to 'poof' us darling." the witch said. "It is a rather easy spell once you learn it."
"Alright, what do I need to do?"
"Just think of the place where you want to be, imagine it as best as possible in your mind and then close your eyes and wish for us to be there." Regina shrugged.
"That doesn't sound so hard." Emma smiled. "Except that I don't know how the training barracks look like."
"Well, I can certainly help you with that." the brunette teased and touched the blonde with one hand.
Emma smiled warmly. "You are doing the projection spell."
"Yes dear." Regina smiled. "Now take us there."
The blonde nodded, and after concentrating on where she wanted to go she closed her eyes and the four women immediately found themselves in front of the Dark Knights.
"Your Majesty." Anthony said while bowing down, along with the rest of the soldiers. "It's a pleasure to see you back."
"Thank you Anthony." Regina replied softly. "It is good to see you all as well."
"Your Majesty." a woman bowed in front of her.
"Evelyne!" Regina said happily and hugged the woman who shrieked surprised at the contact. "It is so nice to see you alive and well."
"Thank you your Majesty." the woman said while softly blushing and going to the back.
"Your Majesty." another man went forward and smiled warmly at the brunette who returned the gesture.
"Sebastian." she also hugged the man. "Thank you for being here."
"There is nowhere else I would rather be your Majesty." he also blushed and fell back.
"Your guards certainly like to blush." Emma joked.
"They are not used to seeing me in such a way." Regina replied softly. "I told you they were my most loyal protectors and closest friends. Nevertheless, I never showed them how much I cared about them."
"Dorian." Regina smiled brightly when she saw the now not so young man bow down in front of her. "You are looking old." she teased him.
The knight laughed. "And you are looking just as glorious as always." he winked.
"Hey, watch it." Emma half-joked and half-threatened the man who rose his hands in surrender. "And thank you for being here."
"And thank you for keeping our Queen save and happy." the man smiled and this made Emma immediately like him.
Once the four knights had finished their bows, Regina looked around and got a sad nod from Anthony, who immediately understood who they were looking for.
"No one has seen Tauriel in a while." the guard answered. "She got married and had a child after you disappeared."
"Then it is understandable she is not here." Regina smiled softly. "She has a family to think about." she then turned and looked at the rest of soldiers. "I want you all to prepare the training barracks for new recruits. We need more soldiers if we want to be successful. Do not worry about weapons and provisions for I can magically acquire all of these things for you. My Elite Army will be present at the meeting and after it is done they will update you." she finished and left with the four women and three men.
"Nice to see you alive and well Anthony." Emma fist-pumped him.
"And it is nice to see you too Princess Emma." the man replied with a smile. "We all heard about the first village you escaped from."
"What have you been able to find out?" Regina asked the group.
"The Queen started to recruit more people from the villages to fight." Evelyne said. "Even children."
Emma looked down in shame at her mother's actions and got a strong hold on her hand as a sign of support and understanding.
"There are some rumors going around the castle." Dorian smirked and winked. "I got told from a trustworthy source that King David is no longer in the White Caste. He left in search of her daughter."
"My dad is coming here?"
"He apparently wants to convince you of returning to the White Kingdom so your mother does not execute you."
"Wonderful." Emma replied sarcastically. "My father, again, being a pawn in my mother's games."
"Most of the villages near the Dark Forest have been blockaded by Royal Guards. Queen Snow does not want anyone to come."
"Those are good news for us." Regina muttered to herself while reaching the royal council room and quickly opening the door. In front of her she saw a group of 13 people patiently waiting for her, all, except one, looking nervously at each other. The moment Regina's gaze fell on him she felt herself freeze and shock and could see that Emma, through their connection, was able to feel everything she was experiencing.
The moment the man saw her he rose from his chair and walked towards her, his pace a little slower than before but still as determined as it always was. The years did go past him, and instead of the usual brown beard she could see some traces of white hair on it. But his eyes were still the same eyes she remembered, the same ones she had seen staring at her angrily, dispassionately and unlovingly. She was not ready for this, her anger and hatred at remembering the way he betrayed her all those years ago making her mistrust his presence right away. She had to get rid of him as soon as possible.
"Your Majesty." the man bowed and took her hand and kissed it.
Emma looked at the exchange between them and angrily saw how the man kissed her girlfriend's hand tenderly, almost like a caress. She was ready to go ask him if he knew what he was doing and with whom he was doing it but she stopped the moment she heard the brunette speak.
"Huntsman."
At the White Kingdom
"What do you mean you cannot do the spell?!" Snow angrily asked Manohara.
"It is not a spell but a potion what you need." he said while standing up. "And I cannot do it because I don't have the ingredients."
"Then I can get them for you." Snow replied, ready to call a guard to take the order.
"They are magical ingredients." he replied. "Ingredients that are now extinct thanks to the Sorcerers' Wars."
"Then there is no way I can get my daughter to forget the Evil Queen?" Snow asked defeated.
"I didn't say that." Manohara smiled. "I just said that I cannot help you. But we both know there is someone that can not so far from here. One that already helped you with this same potion many years ago."
Snow smiled and nodded in understanding, quickly leaving the wizard behind and not stopping herself until she reached the Dark One's magic cell.
"Your Majesty." the man smirked when she saw the woman. "What can I do for you?"
"I need a forgetting potion." the White Queen merely said. "Just like the one you gave me when I wanted to forget about David."
"Your wizard does not have the ingredients to make it?" the Dark One teased knowingly.
"He doesn't." she confirmed. "And how do you know about him."
"He visited me a few days ago." he confided while smirking. "But that does not matter. What matters is what you will give me if I agree to make the potion."
"I will give you that book you wanted." Snow promised.
"I don't want that anymore." he laughed. "New deal, new price to pay."
"What do you want?" Snow asked.
"I want my freedom." he replied.
"That I will not do."
"Then there is no deal." he laughed. "I know you need this if you want your sweet Emma to forget all about her fighting and revolutionary vendetta so she can be the perfect daughter that will marry Prince Killian." he smirked at her. "That will not happen until she forgets who she truly is."
Snow looked at the wizard and realized that he was right, as he always seemed to be. The only way Emma would leave Regina was if she never knew that she was in love with her.
"Will she forget about the Evil Queen?"
"She may see her face to face and there would still be no recollection of her."
"Can True Love's kiss break the spell?"
"How can there be True Love if one of them does not recognize the other." the Dark One smiled dangerously.
"Will my daughter suffer any kind of repercussions that would prevent her from fulfilling her marital duties with Prince Killian?"
"Not a single one." the wizard promised. "So, your Majesty..." the Dark One tainted her. "A forgetting potion in exchange of my freedom." he repeated the terms of the contract.
"You are free but you cannot come to the White Kingdom ever again."
The Dark One stared at her for a second without saying anything and then laughed loudly, making Snow White be a little scared.
"I accept your proposition." the Dark One smirked. "Which only leaves us this question: Do we have a deal?"
P.S: My Regina will be a political genius because she is that amazing hahaha.