A/N: I know I'm a day late and I'm sorry. I am super excited about this and next chapter and I can't wait for you all to see it. I won't talk long, enjoy and let me know your thoughts!
~ Jem
"I must say, you are quite the opponent, dear." As they entered the stables, Regina was slightly winded. Emma doubled her efforts during the race back. She insisted that Regina promise to not allow her victory. She wanted to earn it.
"I have yet to best you legitimately, but my day will come." Emma smiled and fed her mare an apple. She nuzzled the horse, enjoying the large animal. Horses were such beautiful creatures. They were strong and powerful, yet gentle and soft. She grabbed the curry comb off a stable hook and began to groom the filly. She hummed a lullaby from her youth as she completed the task at hand.
"I'm going to the baths, would you mind meeting me in my bedchambers? I'll have dinner sent to us."
Emma turned and saw Regina leaning against the stable door. She'd felt her before she spoke. She couldn't quite discern if it was the bond they had or if it was the fact that Regina was an enigma, but she could always sense her; feel her. The woman's presence filled a room. She was the Queen.
"You're going to have Genieve draw you a bath?"
The corner of Regina's mouth twitched and she quirked a brow, "Yes, I do believe that is what I said."
"Alone?"
"Do you suggest I have company?"
Emma's nose crinkled, and heat rose in her cheeks as she looked down at her boots. She shouldn't have said anything. Regina was already willing to have dinner together, in her bedchambers no less. Her insinuation would change everything, but Emma was ready to feel something. She'd experienced many things in her life, but what would inevitably transpire between herself and Regina was something that she'd never had before. She was eager, and she knew that Regina knew it too.
Regina smirked and sauntered over to the blushing Princess. Her smile only grew when she heard Emma's breath catch. There was a whirlwind of emotions nestled inside the blonde. Her magic vibrated around her. Regina wondered if Emma grew tired of her own transparency. They could have no secrets between them. Emma was more of an open book, but Regina knew that there would come a time when Emma was no longer a novice, and she would be able to hide nothing from the Princess. She basked in her slight ability to hide. She was never good at being vulnerable.
"Do you realize what will surely follow if we are to bathe together?"
Regina's voice was soft, and though they were a hair's breadth away, Emma didn't feel pressured. It was a genuine question, taking Emma's naivete into account.
"I have an idea."
"Are you prepared for that?"
For a moment, Emma didn't speak. She looked down and worried her bottom lip. She didn't honestly have an answer. She knew she wanted to, but whether or not she was prepared was not the same question. The desire was not a question, but she could not say with any certainty if she were truly prepared to give herself to the Queen.
Regina sighed and reached out for Emma. Nausea rolled through Regina's stomach as Emma struggled to find an answer; her magic swirling in a thick vortex caused a nauseous pit to form in Regina. When their skin touched, Regina immediately felt at ease as Emma released the sum of her uncertainty into Regina, by way of her magic.
"There is no pressure to be ready, Princess." Regina waited for Emma to look up at her before she allowed her magic to swirl at their feet. They appeared on the west side of the castle, equal distance from the Queen's chambers and the baths.
"I will see you soon, I won't be long." Regina leaned in to take Emma's mouth with her own. Immediately slipping her tongue into the Princess' mouth. She enjoyed the way Emma melted into her. They fit together, in a way that no other ever had. She savored the kiss for a moment more before pulling away. She smiled and stroked a flushed cheek before stepping away in the direction of the baths.
She didn't look back because if she did, she would not be able to stop herself from dragging the Princess with her. She knew that Emma desired her, but she would not force the Princess' hand. When she bedded her, and she would, it would not be coercion. She turned left and entered the bathing room. Genieve sat in the corner, helping a young girl dress. Regina watched as Genieve fixed the dress properly before smiling up at the young girl. She looked to be nearing 12 years. Clive's daughter, if she were not mistaken.
"Genieve, if you would."
They both looked up, Genieve stood while the young girl bowed deeply. Regina shook her head and motioned for the young girl to come to her. Behind her, Genieve began to ready Regina's bath.
"Majesty." She bowed once again. She was fair-skinned and freckled, her eyes hazel and hair redder than Regina'd seen in a long time.
"Are you Clive's offspring?"
"I am, I ruined my dress whilst playing and father told me I needed to bathe before I was to ride home. Mother would not be happy to see me filthy. She doesn't like when I play in the mud," the red-head whispered.
"Ah, well I would agree with your mother. Mud is no place for a young girl to play, but I can see that you, my dear, aspire to be more." Regina smiled, seeing the gleam in those hazel eyes, one that screamed for more than the life of a wife and mother.
"I do majesty, though mother wants me to marry well and secure a good life for myself."
Regina quirked an eyebrow and smiled, "What are you called?"
"Aliya."
"Ah, 'to ascend.' Well, I promise you Aliya, when the time comes, you will find that you have more options for you than that of a housewife. You can be beautiful and powerful. I am proof of it!" Something about Aliya stirred something within her. The desire to be more than what one's parents aspire to is a battle that Regina understood.
"Thank you Majesty, I best take my leave. The ride home is a near hour and father is waiting for me." She bowed again before leaving the bathing room. Regina smiled as she went, sensing something great in Aliya.
Regina reached down and unzipped her boots, balancing easily as she completed the task. Stepping out of them, she placed them neatly near the wardrobe. She touched the bottom button on her jacket but paused. Her head began to fog and she felt light headed. She inhaled deeply and smiled, sensing the Princess drawing near. She turned to face the doorway as Emma entered. They stood staring at one another, and Regina waited.
"Teach me."
Regina gasped lightly and her heart stuttered in her chest. She took a step back as the intensity of Emma's desire swept through her. Their connection would one day be the death of Regina. More accurately, the Princess' inability to tame her emotions would be. She could tell that Emma was determined. Her eyes were alight with both mischief and confidence.
"I think you need to be clear about your intentions, dear." It bought her time, but they both knew that an explanation was pointless. It was more than clear what Emma wanted and it was obvious that Regina would oblige.
Emma took a deep breath and stepped past Regina, further into the bathing room. She heard the door close behind her and exhaled noisily. She wished Regina would touch her so she could rid herself of the nerves that had taken residence in her belly. It was a cheat and she knew once she left she'd have to learn to control her emotions because she wouldn't have Regina there to release her overwhelming emotions into. She shook slightly, attempting to clear her mind, and then turned to face the Queen. She couldn't muster the courage to make eye contact just yet, but she began to unbutton her riding coat. Though her nerves were all over the place, her fingers were steady as she popped one button after the other.
"Princess…." Regina sucked in a deep breath as she watched Emma. Slowly she watched as the buttons gave way to an undertunic. She mirrored her, unbuttoning her riding coat and allowing it to fall. A similar undertunic was revealed and for a moment, both women simply stared, taking in the sight before them. Genieve moved quietly to fill the bath, yet the Queen and the Princess didn't notice her presence; far too entranced by each other as they were.
"Your Majesty?" Emma's voice was husky as she pulled her undertunic over her head. Pale skin and toned muscles were revealed. The only part of Emma that remained covered were her breasts, regrettably. Though Regina had seen Emma in various states of undress, there was something different about the moment they found themselves in.
Regina sucked in a deep breath as heat rushed through her. She bit her lip as Emma expertly removed her riding boots. The tension in the room was stifling, and Regina found herself taking in deep breaths and releasing them slowly.
"Say it again."
Regina's words were whispered but they might as well have been screamed. That was how aware of the brunette Emma was. She hadn't mastered the art of hiding her emotions but she took pleasure in knowing that though Regina had. She could still feel how Regina was affected. It was empowering and a bit arousing.
"Your Majesty…," Emma whispered as she removed her riding pants. She stood before the Queen in nothing more than undergarments; skin flushed. Though how she felt was blatant, she wasn't embarrassed. She waited as Regina looked her up and down a few times.
"Anything else, Majesty?" Genieve asked, standing near the bath she'd just drawn.
"No, thank you Genieve, that will be all." Regina turned to the woman and nodded, watching as she exited the bathing room. Her eyes slid back to Emma as she heard Genieve tell a nearby guard to ensure they were not disturbed.
She waited to see what the blonde would do. They were alone and still overdressed for a bath. She arched an eyebrow, and once again color rose to Emma's chest and neck. Her amusement didn't last long once Emma took hold of the bandeau and pulled it over her head. Small yet perfect breasts bounced free, and Regina's mouth went dry. She had no time to recover because the Princess immediately stepped out of her undergarments.
Regina couldn't place what was more surprising: the fact that Emma stood before her, beautifully naked, or the fact that there was a well-manicured patch of hair at the apex of her thighs. A tremor careened down her spine, and she closed her eyes in order to gather her wits.
"I'm going to get in."
Regina's nod was subtle, and her eyes remained closed. She knew what the night would hold. She knew that she would bed the Princess, and the thought was both tantalizing and terrifying. She'd never been a gentle lover; never saw a reason for it, but she didn't want to hurt Emma. She took a deep cleansing breath and removed the remainder of her clothing. Her movements were precise and in no way conveyed the war that was happening internally.
Emma sat quietly in the bath, watching Regina's every move. A blush had started on her cheeks and now covered her chest. Modesty wasn't an issue for her. She'd been bare in Regina's presence twice before, but this was different. This would be the night that she would share Regina's bed for more than just sleep. The thought of Regina's hands on her started a fire in her loins that she knew wouldn't be contained. She took a deep breath when Regina lowered herself into the water.
Regina turned her attention to Emma and smiled. The blonde had let her hair down and it flowed past her shoulders. Natural waves framed a young face. She closed the distance much like a large cat would close in on its prey. Her eyes were intense, but there was also reassurance there. When she'd eradicated the space between them she caressed Emma's cheek.
"I want you to know something, Princess." She held Emma's chin softly but firmly in her hand. "I've bedded many."
Emma pulled her chin from Regina's hand and looked away, unable to respond. Though Emma was sure they were not to meant to hurt, Regina's words stung. She didn't need to know of the other woman's conquests. How'd she lain with others, how others had touched her; pleased her.
"Princess." Though not angry, she was clearly not pleased with the way Emma pulled away. She willed herself not to lose her temper and decided maybe that wasn't the best way to begin the conversation. It was important that Emma knew what she was attempting to say.
"Look at me."
Emma didn't move, she didn't want Regina to see how affected she was. She didn't want to appear weak and sad. She was a warrior and a soldier. She would not cry over something as minuscule as Regina's past bedmates.
"Please."
Emma knew enough to know that word was foreign coming from the Queen. She sucked in a deep breath and looked at Regina. Her eyes stung but she wouldn't allow the tears to fall. Regina's eyes softened, and Emma relaxed.
"I am not a…nice person, Princess. I am called the Evil Queen for a reason. I have done horrible things to many people. I have-"
"I'm aware of your past, Regina. It was all I knew of you for a long time. I know of your deeds and they change nothing."
Regina smiled and nodded, "I've never been gentle before, Princess. Never have I cared for another's feelings... but I will this night." Regina retrieved the washing cloth and the bar of scented lye soap. Rubbing the cloth and soap together until she had a lather, she went to work cleaning the Princess.
Emma tried to keep herself calm as Regina moved the lathered cloth across her skin. Regina's movements were slow and thorough and Emma found it difficult to breathe. She was overwhelmed by the intensity of having Regina naked and in such close proximity. Their skin slid against one another, and Emma wasn't strong enough to hold in her sighs of pleasure. She was thankful that they were in contact so she could send spurts of her magic into Regina, keeping her from imploding.
"If you keep that up Princess…we won't make it back to my bedchambers." Regina's skin was on fire. She was pressed against Emma's back as she ran the cloth over strong shoulder blades. The blonde was responsive, her body giving her away at every turn. Regina couldn't wait to have Emma lying on her back, spread open before her. She longed to feel heated skin beneath her, to have the Princess writhing because of her ministrations. She contained a shudder at the thought.
"Can I wash you?" Emma needed a break from Regina's hands. She felt like she was going to combust. Her skin tingled, and she could feel her magic running rampant within. She turned to face Regina and their breasts pressed together. Emma hissed and her eyes rolled back slightly. When she calmed herself, a wicked smirk painted Regina's lips.
"Are you well, Princess?"
Emma blushed. She held out her hand and Regina placed both soap and cloth in it. She made quick work of lathering up and set to cleaning the queen. She tried to mimic what Regina had done, making circles with the cloth and allowing her body to touch Regina's ever so often. Though Regina didn't sigh or moan, her magic informed Emma of just how affected she was.
"Your hair?" Emma asked. She ran her fingers through the long brunette tendrils. She loved Regina's hair. She'd longed to simply run her fingers through it and twirl around her fingers. It was always perfect, styled or coiffed meticulously. Never a hair out of place.
Regina opened her palm, and a cloud of purple smoke appeared in her hand. Once it cleared, there was a vial. "You don't need much."
Emma cupped water in her hands, and Regina leaned her head back allowing Emma to soak her hair. Pouring some of the contents in her hand, she took her time, starting from the roots and slowly making her way towards the tips. She massaged Regina's scalp and smiled when the brunette moaned appreciatively.
"Princess, I feel that we are clean," Regina whispered once her hair had been washed and rinsed. "Shall we move through the castle as we are?"
Emma chuckled, "I would prefer if we used other means." Emma emerged from the bath and used another larger cloth to dry herself before adorning a thin silk shift for sleeping. Once properly dressed for bed, Emma turned to see Regina dressed in a similar yet nicer sleeping gown. The brunette extended her hand.
"Shall we?"
Emma didn't hesitate to take Regina's hand, and they were engulfed in her signature purple smoke.
