Tethered
A/N: Thank you so much for the really nice reviews. Here's to hoping you guys like this chapter too. Also sorry it has taken so long again, a lot of personal stuff happened and I ended up moving back to my English homeland.
Also there is smut in this chapter, if you do not like it you can skip to the bottom and just read the last few sentences and still maintain the story.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Emma her mind whispered to her and she lowered the barrier on the door and entered the room.
When she entered the room the last thing she expected, even with her grip tightening on the hilt of the dagger, was the blonde's lithe body to launch at her. A part of her had briefly forgotten about who was doing the main driving of the blonde's personality and definitely wasn't expecting the tight embrace that followed.
Part of her became defensive and then the other half of her melted into the younger woman when she realized the simplicity of the gesture. The almost vulnerable nature of her submission and she pressed the younger woman into her, the tip of the dagger pointing outwards and away from harming the blonde in any manner.
"Regina," Emma whispered her name like it was a lifeline and Regina couldn't help but notice how tiny she sounded, a huge contrast to the infinite darkness within.
"It's okay," the brunette murmured into platinum curls.
She's still wearing what she was earlier, Regina thought to herself as she ran tan fingers against the small of the blonde's back through the white tank.
"Ssshh," Regina soothed and at the sound, Emma stiffened ever so slightly. She pulled back and emerald orbs searched sepia, "What?"
"It was really you, wasn't it?" The blonde asked lowly.
Dark brows furrowed briefly before remnants of the dream she just had, floated into her vision and full lips quivered minutely before they curled into a small smile.
Regina nodded. A simple gesture and small fingers lifted to press against full lips. Almost automatically she kissed the blonde's fingertips and smiled again.
"Was it you in mine the first time?" The brunette questioned.
"Sort of," Emma shrugged briefly.
The blonde leaned closer, petite pink moving to full and she pressed them ever so briefly against the corner of the brunette's mouth.
Regina's eyes fluttered closed at the contact and she sighed softly as butterflies took flight in her stomach, igniting a fire across her being and settling into her core.
When Emma pulled back, emerald still coloured her eyes and the brunette's lips tingled from the contact.
She found herself reaching for the blonde as Emma removed herself from the embrace and she immediately missed the intimacy and softness of the blonde's skin.
Regina inched closer, goose pimples standing up along her flesh as emerald orbs scanned her from head to toe. She realized suddenly just how exposed she was in her silk camisole.
Very exposed indeed as green orbs rested briefly upon her chest and raised to make contact with sepia.
"Do you mean it?" Emma asked hesitantly and Regina could tell she was actively trying not lower her gaze.
"Yes," Regina replied huskily but sincere conviction bolstered her tone.
It surprised both of them when the blonde closed the gap between them once more, small hands reaching into dark locks. Unlike before, there was no hesitation as petite pink locked with full.
The contact was dizzying and after a moment, the blonde held the brunette firmly close.
She wasn't sure what she had expected. Maybe the gust of hot air that always seemed to flourish whenever anyone else shared true love's kiss yet all she felt was her stomach as it fluttered with desire. While that was amazing in itself, especially in combination with the electricity between them as her lips tingled at their connection… she couldn't help but feel disappointed.
Though there was a slight amount of colour that had, yet again, returned to the blonde's features it was somewhat heartbreaking to her that their kiss hadn't broken the bonds that held Emma fast to the darkness.
She tried to prevent the swell of emotion that rushed to the surfaced and before Emma could ask her what was wrong, she claimed The Dark One's mouth once more.
The blonde instantly melted into her, wrapping long arms around the shorter woman and extending their kiss passionately. She could feel all of her restrained feelings, the ones she had kept contained for so long as they pushed valiantly to the surface.
It was as though she could actually feel the darkness retreating within, the blonde thought momentarily. But she refused to acknowledge it's inner screams as she backed Regina up into the door behind them.
A low moan filtered out from full lips and Emma shuddered against the brunette, only spurring their fervid kisses even more.
A few moments later Emma was reaching lower, pressing small fingers into the backs of her thighs and a further jolt of arousal flourished within at the touch.
The blonde lifted her then and she automatically wrapped her legs around the younger woman's waist. Regina could feel Emma's coiled strength rippling just beneath the surface.
Even with Emma's recent frail appearance, when she didn't even outwardly appear to struggle with her weight… it was very much an extreme turn on and lace undergarments were officially soaked. She wrapped long olive fingers around hard, pronounced biceps and moaned softly.
Emma's mouth moved to her neck and she found she tensed almost automatically as a similar action had caught her off guard before.
Regina's hands moved into the younger woman's hair, dagger still firmly within her grasp as she gently lifted Emma's head far enough away so she could take in the blonde's eye colour.
She sighed in relief when a very announced, confused emerald expression stared back at her.
Full lips quivered into an awkward smile and Emma's gaze softened at the realization of why Regina had stopped her sank in.
"It's okay," she reassured. "It's me, I promise."
Regina didn't answer, just nodded and her eyes fluttered shut as fingers teased daringly at the apex of her thigh.
"Do you want me to stop?" The blonde asked hesitantly and dark lashes opened once again to stare at her.
"Only if you want to," Regina whispered.
Instead of answering verbally, she kissed her firmly and that was the only answer she needed.
She knew she should be careful, that any moment Emma could be replaced by one of the other Dark One personas but in her gut, she knew this time was different. She knew that if only partly, she had her Emma back. Alone. Without the unwanted tyranny. Even though she relished and moaned and thrived in the blonde's touches, she kept a firm hold on the dagger but not once did Emma attempt to take the knife from her.
Not too long later, Emma lifted her onto her hips and held her there, as if she weighed nothing and carried her across to the bed with sweet kisses along her collarbone.
A moment later, small fingers grazed the underneath of her camisole and fluttered teasingly along her stomach before grasping loosely at the silken garment as if in question.
Regina murmured causing emerald orbs to glance up through pale lashes and slowly the blonde leaned in and pressed the most delicate of kisses to full lips.
The brunette lifted her arms slowly, feeling almost as if she had completely surrendered to the younger woman and Emma pulled back briefly, so she could lift the clothing from her.
Emma's pale face flooded crimson but her eyes sparkled feverishly. While she definitely appeared to drink in the olive tones and the plane of her breast, she moaned softly before she cupped small hands around full breasts and kissed her feverishly. Almost as if her life depended on it.
Emma's other hand trailed up her back pulling her closer and Regina realised that she needed to feel Emma's flesh against her own. Bringing the tip of the knife to the back of the white tank, she pierced it carefully and then ripped the garment from the blonde's body.
Emma chuckled and grinned into their kiss as she helped remove the rest of the shirt from her body. Revealing a plain black padded bra that seemed to encase her perfectly.
"If you wanted it off…" she kissed her again. "All you had to do was ask."
As the younger woman pulled back she gently pressed small hands to her chest and pushed her gently so she was lying flat on her back. With only damp lace keeping her from being completely exposed.
Emma stood back up and excruciatingly slowly, to Regina anyway, undid the button to dark denim before lowering them to the floor and stepping out.
Full lips parted and she swallowed audibly as she took in the blonde's lithe body. Even with her being frailer, she could still see the pronounced muscles in certain areas and platinum almost blonde curls came to just below her elbows. She was exquisite.
In that instance, she almost reached for the blonde but she stopped herself. As long limbs lifted to undo her bra, she pulled the undergarment off even slower than what she had her jeans.
A slight smirk appeared on porcelain features and then finally Regina could see all of her and this time she did reach for her.
"Come here," she purred huskily and then finally Emma was atop her.
While a part of her argued with herself that this was a very vulnerable position to be in, her hand, barring her left that now held the dagger, relished the touch of their skin.
Instead of running colder, Emma was now an almost normal temperature and they both moaned as they pressed together and peaked nipples brushed against one another.
They exchanged more fervid kisses before Emma's hot breath trailed her jaw and blew softly in her ear.
Regina's desire grew stronger, when Emma placed herself between her legs, she almost automatically wrapped them around the back of lean thighs and pulled her closer. Enjoying the connection that was made in other places.
They explored each other feverishly and it wasn't long before Emma kissed her way down, between the crevice of her breasts, down over her stomach, down ever lower where she blew warmly through slick lace and Regina writhed beneath her.
As if having mercy on her and if it wasn't for the fact that she liked this set of underwear, she would have cut them away with the dagger but instead, she let Emma remove them at an infuriatingly slow pace.
When the blonde's warm tongue touched at her entrance she moaned deeply, her hands reaching automatically for blonde curls and gently grasped them between her fingers.
Instead of moving where she needed her, she traced the outer edges and nibbled gently until she elicited more of the response she desired.
After a little bit more teasing, Regina tried to keep from growling in frustration, she finally started a rhythmic stroke with her tongue gently against the brunette's nub until she could feel her quivering.
Small fingers tested at her entrance and found to her delight, her arousal let Emma slide right in and this stirred her own desire even more. With a quiet moan, she added another finger and quickened the pace with her tongue until Regina was clawing at the bed sheet with her free hand.
Not long after she lifted into the air and Emma's fingers were clenched firmly in place as the older brunette let out a series of short, intense gasps.
The blonde wriggled her fingers and Regina moaned again, before reaching for the blonde and drawing her up her body. As Emma withdrew her fingers from the brunette, another small tremor hit her as the younger woman brushed pleasantly against her most sensitive areas.
She knew she was far from done but she had a desperate desire to taste the blonde for herself and after she kissed her, she encouraged Emma further up her body. She only stopped to tear the undergarments from the blonde before she had her place her knees either side of her head.
They both knew, for the older woman, this was a very submissive position and Emma was careful as she lowered herself. Even as the brunette pulled her sex closer to her Emma's arousal was very obvious as it now coated alabaster thighs.
Regina, at this point, had stowed the dagger beneath the pillow, sure in the fact that she was safe as she gripped a pale hip and used the other hand to help pleasure Emma with her tongue.
It wasn't long before she climaxed, with Regina lavishing her and they made love for a few more hours, teasing and having a few more intense orgasms until they tangled themselves fully together and Regina held Emma close.
They both revelled in the sensation of the other's skin and the gentle kisses they both found themselves giving naturally. Until the early morning light streamed through the window.
Regina sighed softly and she took note of the butterflies in her stomach as blonde curls were strewn across tanned flesh.
"Are you okay?" Emma asked softly, drawing her from her thoughts.
The blonde lifted her head but remained with her head rested upon the other woman's abdomen as long olive fingers played gently with her hair.
"I was just thinking…" Regina attempted a smile but as she did so, full lips quivered.
Emma sat up, concern suddenly etched into a pale brow and she moved closer and pressed petite pink gently upon the other woman's.
She felt the full smile but when she pulled back, she could still see the worry in sepia orbs.
"What's wrong?" This time, Emma bit her lip and she tried to quell the demons that wanted to surge forth. Anxiety striking her gut like tiny knives as she wondered what could be plaguing the other woman's thoughts.
"You're still tethered to the dagger, aren't you?" Regina asked carefully, she was loathe to phrase the question in a way that could spiral the younger woman back within and have her darker halves emerge suddenly.
Emma's stomach tightened as she thought of what the brunette might be implying.
"Yes… I am… but that was all me and I can promise you, I wanted that as much as you did…" the blonde reassured but as she continued to look at the other woman, she could still sense there was something else bothering her.
"That I could tell," Regina replied huskily, running her thumb tenderly down the side of the young woman's cheek and stroking her chin gently.
The blonde's cheeks flushed and suddenly, she realised what the older woman had been hoping for and she inched closer kissing her once again.
"Regina… I'm not entirely sure what happened but I do know that I'm more myself now, even with still being The Dark One, than I was before we kissed. I feel stronger. I feel like I can keep fighting to be me, the more we're connected physically."
At the revelation, Regina tried to keep the emotion that swelled within her at the admission inside but when Emma looked at her, really, truly looked at her the way she was now. She knew that what she was hearing was the truth.
"Maybe it doesn't work quite the same way here as it did in The Enchanted Forest," Emma paused. "Maybe… it's different here. Gold was The Dark One for how long? And even with his love for Belle, he still remained The Dark One here, didn't he?"
"Maybe," Regina half smiled and when green eyes twinkled back at her, she knew that whatever it was they would figure it out together. Right now, there wasn't even a shred of doubt that she had to worry about Emma's control, she knew that the blonde would be able to warn her of any impending changes within her person and she pulled the younger woman close once again.