"I am the voice of the past that will always be
Filled with my sorrow and blood in my fields
I am the voice of the future, bring me your peace
Bring me your peace, and my wounds, they will heal"

— Celtic Woman

Moonlight was pouring between the curtains of the balcony. Rubbing scrawny hands against her sleepy green eyes, the blonde quickly noted that the room's interior wasn't her own. It was a pleasant change of scenery especially considering that every carnal affair ended with her tiptoeing down the hall into her own bedroom. However, this time Regina had let her fall asleep without a quarrel. As she noted this, she realized the spot next to her was lukewarm, hinting that her companion had risen not too long ago.

Wrapping the silken sheets around her bare body, she rose from the bed. She paused, taking a moment to recognize the fatigue in her limbs, before quietly creeping towards the balcony. Pulling back the curtains she saw Regina in a delicate, black robe staring outward. The night was lit by sparkling stars and rolling hills. Off in the distance a river curved around the land. All was silent save for their breaths.

"I never wanted to be Queen," Regina said softly, acknowledging she knew of her company. The blonde inwardly cursed at being caught until she realized what the older woman had said.

"I would have never guessed that in a million years," Emma replied and walked over to stand beside the brunette. She felt silly standing there with only a sheet, but her awkwardness was of her own mind. Regina's posture was soft, almost at peace, yet from the words spoken Emma knew there was a racing mind within.

"No one would," Regina sighed, "I had dreams of being free, of living on a farm and riding horses till dusk. Raising a family. Not the easiest life, but happy one."

It was an unanticipated confession; when had these dreams vanished? It was hard to believe that Regina never wanted to rule a kingdom, but Emma could actually understand that. She didn't want to rule either. That was a reason why she ran.

"Why didn't you?"

The brunette's face distorted into grief and she looked away. It was the face she had made only a few hours ago in the library.

"Fearful obedience."

Emma knew she was treading on thin ice once again. Dare she continue? Or simply allow Regina to tell her on her own terms? She reached out and placed her hand on top of the brunette's garnering a tiny smile from the older woman.

"Emma, I'm sorry for how I have treated you. I cannot fathom after all of this time why you would want to care about me or let alone travel great distances to meet a woman you knew nothing about. After all, I am evil; my heart has been touched by ungodly forces that I should have never unleashed upon you. I still do not understand why you are here, but I have come to believe that you hold no ill intentions. If it is your choice to stay here with me then I will muster all the strength I have to keep you safe. If you wish to go I will not hold you back."

Their fingers entwined and she turned her head to look at the blonde. Instead of seeing a young, stubborn child she saw a courageous, pure being with a soul as bright as the moon. Emma brought with her a sense of peace which seeped off her skin into the brunette. It opened up a still lake inside of Regina that allowed her to remember who she had been. Memories rippled across the water. All she could do was watch them pass by like drifting clouds, for they were unchangeable.

Daniel was forever gone. The lives taken in vengeance could never be replaced. And in the end Regina gained only sorrow and delirious pleasure through causing others harm. She blamed her mother. She blamed Snow White. Nevertheless, in this stillness, she knew that every action had been her will. Blood would remain on her hands indefinitely like ink on paper.

"Do you want me to stay?"

"The choice is your own."

"That's not what I asked, Regina"

"…yes, I would like you to stay."

Emma smiled and turned her attention to the landscape before them. Was there an army approaching in this silent night to take her away from what she was beginning to think of as home?

Their bodies moved closer together as the wind blew by. They moved like clockwork and faced one another. Emerald orbs stared into amber for the longest of seconds as their hearts sped up rapidly. Butterflies returned when their lips met for a soft kiss.

The sheets began to slip from around the blonde's body, but when she reached to catch them, Regina stopped her. As soon as they fell, the cool air brushed against her skin like a phantom whisper. Brown eyes gazed upon the shadows and moonlight that fell upon pale flesh.

Regina had never taken the time to appreciate the blonde for what she was. She wasn't property or a toy. She was a human being. A human being who had willingly chosen to stand at the Queen's side not out of pleasure, though that was an added benefit, but out of compassion and perhaps curiosity. While it was true that curiosity got her in trouble most of the time, it was something Regina was willing to overlook.

Slender fingers caressed her neck and traveled south giving attention to the perfectly sized mounds on her chest until she stopped at a fleshy, pink scar right below Emma's ribs.

"What's this?" Regina asked with a frown.

The blemish was almost three inches long that grew wider in the center. Why hadn't she ever noticed it before?

"I fell out of a tree when I was a kid," Emma replied with a shrug.

"Your parents let their princess climb trees?"

A kind laugh erupted from the younger woman and she tilted her head.

"Hell no, but do you think I ever listened?"

"Of course not."

Regina saw her shiver as another breeze came along, so she reached down and grabbed the sheet. Wrapping it back around the woman, she stepped towards her bedchambers and offered her hand.

"Come and get dressed, my dear. I have something I wish to show you."