Chapter 21
Previously on Love Bites:
The crow stared at Emma and then spoke, "I'm Tenebrous. You know me as the Dark One." Emma's jaw dropped as she looked from the crow to her forearm and then to the crow again.
"What the hell? How are you there?"
"Just because you sealed me in you doesn't mean I can't come out occasionally. My life may be bound to yours and my powers may be sealed, but I can still come out to play, Savior."
Emma was still in shock, but gathered her wits about her, "Are you kidding me? I have to deal with you too now? What do you want?"
The crow stared a little longer and finally answered, "I'm hungry."
Emma stared at the crow for a moment and then finally rolled her eyes in exasperation, "You're hungry. That's all you got for me? What the hell are you doing out?"
The Queen was watching the interaction in confusion and finally extinguished the fireball in her hands, then walked up and placed a hand on Emma's shoulder, "Darling, why is the Dark One sealed in you?", she asked as she squeezed Emma's shoulder. The message clear that she was upset that she hadn't known and was going to kill whomever did this to her Emma.
Emma rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment and looked down, "Yeah, about that. Long story. I kind of sealed it in myself."
"WHAT!" The Queen was furious. "What the hell were you thinking? You're a Dark One again?"
"No! No…I'm…not." Emma then turned to the crow, "Right?"
The crow stared at the exchange and then finally cawed and said, "Our souls are bound, but you will not have access to my full powers unless you break the seal and allow me to consume your soul. For now, I'm stuck with you." The crow flapped its wings stretching them out and then yawned in boredom, "I'm hungry."
Emma stared at her forearm, the markings of the Dark One seal hidden again now that a shadow of the Dark One was out. She then looked at the Queen who was shooting daggers at the crow and then back to the crow herself. "I won't be removing the seal. I'm afraid you're stuck like this." Emma grinned knowing it pissed the spirit shadow off, but the crow just stared at her stoically.
"Oh, you'll remove it. You'll get desperate and need my powers and when that day comes, I'll be free and have full control, Child." The wings flapped again and the crow cawed, "I'M HUNGRY!"
The Queen formed another fireball in her hand and was about to throw it when the crow spoke again, "I wouldn't do that if I were you, Your Majesty."
The Queen's wicked grin widened, "Oh? And why is that, Dark One?"
The red eyes of the crow studied the Queen and then finally responded, "Because any damage I take affects Emma. Our lives are now one. If I die, she dies. And while I may be bound to her, it does not mean I can't access some of my power which is still far greater than yours. Caw Caw!"
The fireball was extinguished yet again and the two stared each other down while Emma turned back and forth between her Queen and the Dark One's spirit shadow. Finally, she broke the tension and inserted herself between the two, holding out her hands, "Ok, stop!" She turned to the crow, "We'll go back to the house and get you something to eat." The crow cawed again and got excited, flying over to Emma and landing on her shoulder, content to sit there and wait to leave in silence. Emma then turned to the Queen and sheepishly smiled, "I'm sorry we got interrupted. I'd appreciate it if you kept my music a secret." Her voice hitched while she asked and her eyes filled with unshed tears again. "Please, Regina."
The Queen studied her true love and finally reached out with her right hand and cupped Emma's face as Emma leaned into the hold, "Of course, Darling. Your secrets are safe with me, but Emma, you should be proud. You're so talented. Your sound is magic to the ears. I was taken to another realm with your music. I could listen to you play all day and all night. My heart warmed at the sounds coming from your fingertips." She then leaned forward and gently kissed Emma's tear-stained lips. The kiss wasn't passionate as this wasn't the time for that. It was warm and comforting.
When the kiss was over, she kept her forehead leaned against Emma's and their eyes remained closed. Emma tried to catch her breath and then remembered her other concern, "Regina, the vampires are after you. I'm not sure they're aware of your split, but they stole something that requires a lot of magic to activate. They'll be coming for both of you. We need to protect you. I can't let anything happen to you. I … I wouldn't survive it."
The Queen smiled a genuine, bright smile, warmed that Emma was worried about her. "What do you suggest then, Darling?"
Emma stepped back knowing what she said next wouldn't go over well, "I want you to stay with us at the house. I have protection spells on the house and can keep an eye on you better." Emma winced when she saw the anger on the Queen's face.
"You want me to stay there with that … weakling that calls herself my other half? Have you snapped, Darling?"
Emma held up her hands trying to diffuse her temper, "I understand your anger, but it's the best way to protect both of you." Just as The Queen was going to argue further, Emma stepped closer and grabbed the Queen's hands as she looked directly into her eyes. "The two of you make up my Regina. I have loved the good and the bad parts of Regina, the strong and the weak parts. You're two halves of the perfect whole and so I need both of you safe. Besides, it'll give you a chance to get to know your daughter. She already idolizes you you know?" Emma winked at the Queen who blushed and cracked a smile at that. She stared at their joined hands and then looked up at Emma. She couldn't help, but also look to the side of Emma's head at the crow still silently sitting on her shoulder watching the scene. Her concern for Emma aided in her decision when she turned back to Emma, "Very well, Darling. I will stay with you, but I have one request."
Emma smiled brightly and nodded her head, "Anything. As long as you're with us and safe."
The Queen's lips spread into flirtatious smile, "I stay with you in your room and sleep with you in your bed."
Emma's eyes blew wide and her words became stuck in her throat. Swallowing hard, she tried several times to respond, but just couldn't come up with the words. She knew it was a terrible idea, but she needed to protect this half of Regina too. Emma finally just pursed her lips and nodded that she'd accept and the Queen was ecstatic. She pulled Emma into a hug and kissed her cheek causing the crow to take flight and land on the piano to wait.
When the Queen finally released a still silent Emma, the crow flapped its wings, "I'M HUNGRY!"
"Absolutely not.", Regina glared at her regal other self after Emma explained the deal she made to get the Queen to stay with them. "You can't trust her, Ms. Swan." Regina had her arms crossed while her glare hardened. Her fists were clenched so tight that her knuckles were white.
Emma raised an eyebrow, "We're back to Ms. Swan I see. Guess I shouldn't be surprised." She then walked up to Regina and got in her face, "Let's just be clear; This is my house and it's my life." She then walked out of the room which left both Regina's to argue it out. Emma decided to find her daughter so she could hear what her daughter wanted to play for her. As long as she had both Regina's under her roof, she didn't care what happened between them after that. She did a quick check in the kitchen to make sure the crow, who she now called Ten to annoy him, was perched and eating the meat she had left for it. Sure enough, he was picking at his meal while commenting on how delicious it was. He couldn't care less about being watched.
Back in the living room, the Queen leisurely sat down on the couch and looked down at her dress. Realizing she needed a change of clothes to fit in, she swished her hands from the top of her head down to the bottom of her knees and soon she was covered in purple smoke. When it dissipated, she was wearing a sleeveless Motley Crue concert shirt with tight, black skinny jeans and leather ankle boots. Her hair was now in shoulder length curls. "Ah, much better, don't you think, Dear?" The Queen then held out her hand and magicked a glass of scotch which she slowly took a sip as she mischievously eyed her more mellow counterpart.
Regina walked up to the Queen, towering over her since she was seated, "I want you out of here. No good can come of you staying here." Just then, the sounds of a flute came from upstairs which caught both women's attention. They looked up the stairs, but only the Queen began to smile knowingly which Regina just stared in confusion at the source. "Who is that playing? Where's it coming from?"
The Queen stood up from the couch with a cocky smile which only angered Regina more, "Perhaps it is you who does not belong here, Dear, because otherwise you would know the source of that beautiful sound." Before Regina could retort the Queen continued and moved into her personal space, "You will not ruin this for me again like you did with Hanna." That caught Regina off guard and she felt like she'd been punched in the gut.
Regina gathered her thoughts and her nostrils flared, "I saved our skins that day. Had I allowed you to take control, we'd be DEAD!" Tears began building up as her breathing became more intense. She then watched the Queen walk away slowly and begin to ascend the stairs towards the music. All Regina could do was slowly drop to the couch and stare into space, memories of a tortured past playing on a loop in her mind.
When the Queen walked into her daughter's bedroom upstairs, she saw her daughter playing on a flute for her parents and Emma. She was still trying to get used to seeing her parent's spirits and was still hesitant to try and speak to her mother one on one. When Tristan finished, she ran up to Cora and hugged her tight, "Thank you so much for my gift!"
Cora kissed the girls head as she held her close, "You're very welcome, Princess. Thank you for playing for me. You are truly amazing, dear girl."
The Queen's eyes filled with tears as she watched the scene, envious because her mother never treated her the same way in her childhood. At least Tristan would never have to see that side of Cora, she thought.
Tristan then ran up to The Queen, "Did you see, Gina? Did you see me?" She was jumping up and down in excitement as Emma watched her proudly across the room.
Smiling and kneeling down, the Queen raised her hand and moved some hair out of her daughter's face, "I did, Sweetheart. You were incredible. Well done, Darling."
Then Tristan ran over to Emma who scooped her up, "Ok, Stinkerbelle, time to get ready for bed. Why don't you go say goodnight to everyone and then I'll tuck you in.
"Can Grand-mama read me a story?"
Emma looked at Cora with a raised eyebrow, knowing that nickname could only be for her. Cora just smiled and winked so Emma then looked back down at her daughter. "Of course, baby." Emma then looked up to The Queen and was stunned at her appearance. The sight of her Queen in such casual attire sent jolts of arousal to her body. She hadn't realized seeing a rebel Regina was something she needed in her life. She took a deep gulp and walked their daughter towards her room, the entire time staring at a grinning Queen.
When Emma came out of the en-suite bathroom, The Queen was lying in bed waiting for her. Emma's eyes trailed down the Queen's body covered in a silk negligee. Her smooth, bronze legs glistened from lotion being rubbed onto them. Clearing her throat, Emma walked around to the other side of the bed and crawled in after placing her iPhone on its wireless charging pad. Refusing to make eye contact, Emma pulled the blankets over her body and turned onto her side away from the Queen, discomfort written all over her tense muscles.
The Queen scooted closer to Emma and pressed her lips into the back of Emma's neck as she placed her right hand onto Emma's hip. Taking a deep breath, Emma closed her eyes and immediately turned over to face the Queen. Slowly opening her eyes, she stared into the soft expression in honey colored eyes. "We can't do this. You aren't 'yourself'. It wouldn't be appropriate."
Pursing her lips, the Queen's hand came up to cup Emma's cheek, "I'm more myself than I have been in decades. I thought we discussed this." Noting the pained look in Emma's features, she continued, "You noticed how she referred to you as 'Ms. Swan'?" Emma nodded so she continued, "That is her way of trying to separate from you. It's her self-preservation kicking in. She did it with Hanna and now she's doing it with you. She doesn't want anyone aware of her … proclivities."
Eyebrows knitted together, Emma finally spoke, "You mean she's afraid of coming out to Storybrooke because of those from the White Kingdom?"
"That's exactly what I mean. She will never accept her feelings for you. She's terrified of what will happen to her."
Emma swallowed hard, "But what if you merge together again?"
The Queen rolled her eyes, "She may accept you… that is until someone questions her sexual orientation. I have no doubt she'll destroy both our happiness."
Tears rolled down Emma's eyes envisioning her Mother's response as well as her friends from her Mother's Kingdom. The Queen leaned over and kissed her tear-stained cheek as her hand stroked wispy blonde tendrils. Her lips stayed on the corner of Emma's lips for a few seconds before she pulled back and held Emma's cheek again. "I'm here, Darling. I won't let you go. I will follow you anywhere. I will do anything you ask of me. Where you are is my home."
Emma gasped at that last statement and more tears spilled as she finally grabbed the Queen's face and pulled her in for a real kiss. Emma's heart felt warmed for the first time in years as she smiled into the kiss, yet still cried tears of joy at being truly wanted. Tongues battled for dominance as hands began to carefully explore above clothing. Hands found silk covered breasts and gently squeezed while fingers flicked at hardened peaks through the silk. The Queen's moans encouraged Emma further as Emma pulled herself on top of the Queen, resting on her elbows to avoid putting her full weight on the petite body.
When both women came up for air, Emma leaned her forehead against the Queens as they both panted with their eyes closed. While catching their breath, a soft knock on the bedroom door had Emma scrambling off her bedmate. The door then slowly creaked open and a tiny Tristan poked her head in, "Mommy?"
Emma sat up quickly, "Hey Sweetie, are you okay?" Emma held out her hand motioning for her daughter to come to her.
Tristan walked over to allow Emma to pull her into her lap in bed. Kissing her soft head of hair, Emma sat Tristan in her lap. Tristan saw The Queen in bed and looked confused. Wiping her eyes, she held onto her Mommy and asked, "Why is Gina in your bed, Mommy?"
Clearing her throat, Emma looked over her daughter's head at the Queen and answered, "Well, Gina is staying with us for awhile and needed a place to sleep so I told her she could sleep in my bed with me."
Nodding her head, she stared at the Queen then looked back her mother, "Can I sleep with you? I had a bad dream."
Emma placed her daughter between herself and the Queen, "Of course you can. Do you need a snack before we go to sleep?" Emma had noticed her daughter licking her lips more, a sign that she had a dry mouth and needed a special juice. When the girl nodded, Emma got out of bed and put on her robe.
"I'll go get you your juice. You stay here in bed." She kissed her daughter on the cheek and left the room, leaving the Queen with her newly discovered daughter. Tristan laid down under the covers and leaned into the Queen as she held out her arms to snuggle into.
Tristan looked to The Queen, "Do I still call you Gina?"
Surprised by the question, The Queen debated how best to respond, "What do you mean, my Princess?"
"Well..." Tristan looked down at her hands as she squeezed her fingers and then back up, "Well...you're my other Mommy, but there is also another Gina. I can't call you Mommy too."
The Queen thought on it and finally decided, "Tell you what. You can call me Mama if you'd like. If you aren't comfortable calling me that, then you can call me Roni." Tristan fell into her other mother's bosom and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to commit her scent to memory.
Later, when Emma had finally returned, both the Queen and her little Princess were fast asleep. Emma sat the blood on the nightstand, crawled into bed and cuddled up into her daughter's other side. The soft smell of the girl's soap and lotion helped Emma relax and fall asleep.
"Good morning, Audrey." Regina walked into the kitchen surprised to see someone else who rose as early as she did in the mornings.
"Good morning, Regina. Would you like some coffee? I just made a pot." When Regina nodded, Audrey grabbed another cup and began to pour. Setting it down on the kitchen island in front of Regina, she then laid out sugar, milk and creamer for Regina to choose from. They sipped their coffee in comfortable silence until a there was a knock at the side kitchen door. Looking at each other with wide eyes, Regina sat her cup down and walked over the door, carefully peaking through the closed blinds on the door. When she saw who the visitors were, she rolled her eyes and pulled the door open.
"Snow. I guess I shouldn't be surprised you have no respect for early hours." Snow rolled her eyes and walked on in with David and then Belle behind them. Regina hadn't noticed Belle initially and immediately became concerned at her presence so early in the morning. "Belle, what brings you by so early? Is everything alright?
"I'm so sorry, Regina. I tried to explain to Snow that we should wait and call later, but she was anxious to come here. I may have found some information that could help Emma with the town's vampire problem."
Snow sniffed and brushed off imaginary lint from her sweater, "Yes, well, we can't afford to wait. Emma needs this information so that she can fix this 'sickness' and we can move on."
Regina glared at Snow, "Ms. Swan and Tristan are vampires. They're not SICK! They can't help what happened to them."
Belle tried to intervene before the conversation devolved further, "Regina, I may have found some information about how to stop the vampires that have invaded our town. It's a little confusing, but I'm hoping Emma might understand what it refers to"
Regina furrowed her eyebrows together in confusion, "I don't understand, why would Ms. Swan understand something about magic and not the rest of us?"
Belle smiled sympathetically, "I'm sorry, Regina. Rumple had bequeathed certain items to Emma in his will and if Emma read his letters, then it may make sense to her what I have found. I don't mean to sound to cryptic, but I think Emma should be told first and then we can go from there."
Nodding her head, Regina put her coffee cup down again. "Very well, I'll go wake her up and let her know you're here. I just ask that everyone please keep your voices down as all three children are still asleep. After her visitors each nodded, Regina walked up the stairs and towards the closed door at the end of the hall. She lightly knocked on the door, but received no response. "Ms. Swan?" She knocked some more. Still no response. Finally taking a deep breath, she opened the door and stopped dead in her tracks. There in front of her was Tristan, soundly sleeping, and sandwiched snugly between an equally soundly sleeping Queen and Emma; their arms wrapped around the little girl and resting on each other's hips. Regina just stood there staring at the little family, confused at her feelings. Jealousy? Anger? Fear? Her heart was racing. They can't find her like this, she thought.
Just then, Audrey came up behind her and tapped her shoulder, breaking her trance and causing her to jump. Whispering, Audrey responded, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you. I was just wondering what was taking so long." She then looked at the three occupants in bed and understood. "I see. Why don't you go back downstairs and keep our guests company and I'll take care of waking Emma." Speechless, Regina just nodded and walked out leaving Audrey to stare at Emma and release a heavy sigh.
Walking around to Emma's side of the bed and nudging her shoulder, Audrey whispered, "Emma? Emma, honey, wake up." She moved some hair from Emma's face and put her behind her ear as Emma's eyes slowly fluttered open and adjusted to the daylight peaking through the closed curtains.
"Mhmm…." Stretching, Emma yawned and turned to see Audrey. "Audrey?" Emma looked around getting her bearings and saw her daughter and the Queen cuddled together in sleep. She then looked over the clock noticing how early it was and was also shocked she managed to finally sleep through the night.
"Your parents and Belle are here to see you."
Emma's eyes grew wide in surprise at the early hour visit. Audrey noticed the slightly panicked look in her eyes and quickly tried to assure her, "It's okay. They're downstairs and don't know about this."
Emma noticed Audrey was holding something back though. "What is it?" Audrey looked back towards the bedroom door and then to Emma. Emma followed her eyes and then looked at her again, "Audrey?"
"Um, I had sent Regina up here to wake you up…." She left the rest unsaid, but Emma knew. She nodded as if to say 'say no more'. She climbed out of bed trying not to wake up the two remaining occupants.
"I'll be down in a few minutes. Let me freshen up a little." She then went into the en-suite bathroom and closed the door. Audrey quietly closed the bedroom door and returned downstairs to find Regina staring at her coffee cup intensely while the others watched her confused by her discomfort and silence.
Ten minutes later, Emma entered the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee. When Snow began to speak, Emma held up a finger to silence her. She took a few large gulps of her coffee and once she was through half her cup, she took a deep breath and finally spoke, "Now that I'm somewhat awake, what's up?" Her eyes stared annoyed at her mother and then wandered over to Belle.
Clearing her throat, Belle responded "I apologize for the early visit, but Snow didn't want to wait." Emma glared at her mother, but then returned her gaze to Belle indicating for her to continue. "I found some information that may be useful to you regarding the vampires in town. This information is sensitive though and I'd prefer to speak to you privately about it.
Nodding, Emma stood up and motioned for Belle to follow her to the study. When she closed the door after they entered, Belle placed a large tome she had in her arms, onto the coffee table between the two small sofas. Opening the large book, Emma noticed the dust wafting from the thick, worn, cloth-like pages. As Belle turned the pages, Emma took note of the ancient symbols on the pages. She was surprised she could translate them as they passed by her eyes. Must be the knowledge from the Dark One sealed inside of me, she mused.
"Ah, here we go." Belle turned the book to face Emma who was now sitting on the couch across from Belle. "Rumple has so many ancient scriptures that he collected while he was the Dark One. He never made it through all of them. He collected them in case he would need them, but it was too much information to keep up with. I had forgotten about this collection as he never referred to the items in it.
Emma read the pages and then looked up at Belle, "Excaliber? I don't understand."
Belle nodded and continued, "This is what you need to stop them. It can remove their vampirism or you can use it to open and close portals. It would remove them from this town completely."
Emma stared at the page and processed what Belle was telling her. Then she looked up, "But at what cost? This says that…"
"I know. I know." Belle swallowed and stared at Emma's forearm which was covered by her house robe, "Did you seal it in you?"
Emma looked up quickly, "You knew? What am I saying, of course you knew. Yes. It's sealed now." Emma rolled her eyes.
"Did Rumple tell you where Excaliber is?"
Emma shook her head and thought about it, "I thought it was destroyed." She stared at her clothed arm and then something Rumple said came to mind, "We still need to discuss the dagger in its entirety is sealed in you". Emma's heart sank, knowing now what he was referring to. "Oh God…"