A/N: Apologies for the week wait. I'm a freelancer and I had a random job come in, 3 power cuts and 2 storms to clean up after! My guttering came off. nightmare week but all done now! Here is part 2 of last update and a nice smut scene as an apology for making you wait for it! ;-P
The three of them finished up in the palace kitchens along with some help from some of the guards who'd decided to stick around and help, due to their own curiosity about this new version of their Queen. With magic, it didn't really take long to prepare and Regina looked at the spread with a satisfied smile. "Hopefully that will cater to everyone's tastes. It's not quite a royal banquet, but I didn't do much cooking back in those days."
"They'll love it." Henry grinnedgrabbing a few french fries and shoveling them into his mouth.
Regina led the way up the winding staircase to the top levels of the palace. She was nervous bringing them here and about what exactly might be lying around in her quarters. She hesitated outside one door. "Henry, you can take this room. Clean up for dinner and I'll leave a fresh outfit out for you. I'll come and check on you in half an hour." With a deep breath, she pushed open the door and quickly waved her magic around the room. This was her Father's room and she swept away anything that might hurt to look at, then filled a tub magically in the middle of the room.
"Woah, this is so cool! I've never seen such a huge bed! Was this your room,Mom?"
"It was your grandfather's, PrinceHenry the first." She conjured some towels and laid out his gray suit, converse and a few t-shirts. Just because they were in the Enchanted Forest didn't mean they had to slip on hygiene. She closed the door gently leaving him to his privacy and tilted her head in the direction she wanted Emma to follow.
Emma took her hand and felt her pulse racing as they walked to the other end of the floor. There was a buzz of magic eminating from the left side of the long corridor. "What are those rooms?"
"They were The King's Chambers. I sealed them off after his passing. My magic wasn't as strong as what it is nowadays. I always meant to renovate them but never worked up the courage to go back inside."
She stopped outside a large door frame and saw it was already open by a crack. It must have been from when Snow and David were looking for her. The rest of the room was undisturbed. It was surreal seeing Emma stood there taking it all in. It was, in fact four rooms adjoining one another. They were stood in what could only be described as a reception lounge. There was a table and chairs and a few cuboards. On the left was a large study area. To the right, was a dressing room as big as Emma's entire apartment back in Boston, next to that, a screened off area with a private ornatebath tub. The bedroom was hidden behind a thick velvet curtain.
"Wow. This is huge. You'd never need to leave this place if you didn't want to!"
Regina shrugged and pulled back the curtain revealing the spaciousbedroom, complete with abalcony overlooking the entire Kingdom. It brought some much needed light into the dark space and a light breeze lifted some of the dust into the musky air. She sneezed. "That may be so but I much prefer my home in Storybrooke." She blasted her magic around the room trying to clear out some of the dust. "I dread to think what the other rooms are like after so many years." She kicked off her stilettos and filled the tub. Emma watched as she walked around performing little tricks and then slipped into the steaming hot bath. "Ah, heaven. Care to join me?"
Emma nodded and raced to get out of her own outfit and into the huge porcelain tub. "So if you couldn't do thiswith magic, I'm guessing it would take a small army to fill this up." She felt the water relaxing her overused muscles and her head lolled back over the curved rim.
"It did, yes. It took hours to prepare and there was usually someone on hand to keep it warm. What a day!"
Emma chuckled and scooted around to get closer to Regina. "And it's not even close to being over. How long's this banquet going to take?"
Regina lathered some soap and huffed. "It'll likely go on until the early hours. Make the most of this respite." Neither of them felt like facing the whole town after the day they'd had. Emma was learning first hand just how exhausting usingmagic was. Her fists were pretty banged up too,and she winced as she lowered them into the water. Regina took her hands and healed them gently one by one,followed by a light kiss.
Emma lolled her head against the Queen's shoulder smiling to herself. "Thank you. Sorry about that outburst earlier."
"You don't have to apologize to me. I know just how annoying she can be." She sighed lowered herself deeper into the tub. "What am I going to do with her? I can't leave her there indefinitely, and I really don't want to bring her back to Storybrooke with us."
Emma grabbed some lavender scented soap and spread it generously on herself. "You know, I was thinking about that. If she wants her heart back so bad, we could send her back to Wonderland."
The queen chuckled with an evil lilt in her throat. "Banishment. Perfect. You're thinking like a real royal now, dear." She scooted over now facing Emma and settled in her lap. Her arms laced around the savior's neck and they shared a heated kiss. Emma dropped the soap and brought her own hands up around the regal woman, pulling her impossibly closer. The bath seemed to heat up more so and sweat beaded on their foreheads. "Thank you for saving me, again. You're just a regular knight in shining armor, well, blue jeans and red leather, but you know what I mean."
Emma grinned into the kiss. "You really love that outfit don't you?"
The Queen splashed her playfully and nodded down between their naked bodies. "I prefer this one, but we do have a banquet to get to." She placed one chaste kiss on the saviors lips and stepped out of the tub. A quick blast of magic and she was air dried and her hair was bouffant to mayoral perfection. She pushed open the doors to her huge closet. "Now, what to wear." Emma pulledherself out or the tub with much less elegance and grabbed a towel. She plodded barefoot towards the closet leaving wet footprints on the gray stone.
"Woah. That is some serious couture!" Emma's eyes feasted on the fabulous gowns and pieces that wouldn't have looked out of place at a high-end fashion show. She took in the intricate embroidery, jewel set bodices, and swathes of the finest silk, and for the first time since meeting Regina, badass Mills, she fully realized her queenly status. She gulped feeling every inch the pauper in this tale. She took a moment to imagine telling her little orphan self that this was what she had to look forward to. 'Not too shabby, huh? You bagged a Queen!'
Regina watched Emma with curiosity and a warm smile as the woman looked through her oldoutfits in awe. She never imagined Emma would be easily impressed with the glitzy garbs. Sure, Regina didn't particularly have fond or happy memories of her time as Queen, but she couldn't deny her penchant for the lavish, and was proud of her taste in all things. Seeing Emma reveling in it made her heart soar. "Pick something for me, or I can just put the Chanel two-piece back on. I know you enjoy that one."
Emma shook her head. "No. You're a Queen, Regina. Regardless of anything, you should go downthere in your full glory." She kissed her and showed her a thought. 'Besides, when else am I ever gonna see you in anything like this?I wanna see you work it!' She pulled away and ran a hand through the garments slowly considering each piece. The moment her fingers touched one, she knew that was it. Emma wiggled her eyebrows and showed Regina her choice.
The queen laughed. "Why doesn't it surprise me that you chose red?" She sighed in satisfaction as she held up the gown to herself in the mirror and couldn't hide her wistful smile. This was one of her favorites. The blood red, figure huggingvelvet with the black lace insets and cuffs was divine. She poofed herself into it and twirled to the side to gauge Emma's reaction. "How do I look?"
"Illegal. Completely illegal." Emma stammered with mouth open.
Regina smirked, pleasedwith the response. "Well good job there's a sheriff on hand to keep things from escalating." She busied herself looking through the rails for something else. The way Emma was ogling her, she couldn't maintain eye contact without giving in to her desires and they had to get this banquet out of the way. "As this will be your first royal affair, you should also look the part,dear. You are a princess. May I?" She gestured to Emma's towel clad body. The blonde blushed a bit and groaned.
"Yeah, why not. Nothing too puffy, though. I wanna keep some street cred!"
Regina rolled her eyes. "Oh, please! You want puffy, you go to Snow. If you want class and elegance, that..." She worked her magic and Emma felt it tingling over her skin as fabric smoothed across her figure. "...is my expertise." She stood back to inspect her work and felt her core clench in response.
Emma took in her reflection and gasped. She'd never looked this elegant in her life. The gown was a dusty blue, almost violet in color and caught the light as she moved. The bodice was cut in a sweet heart neckline, embroidered with an intricate silver design set with clear jewels . it flowed down loosely over the rest of her body to the ground and the sleeve were romantic, flared at the wrists. Her hair fell down in perfect curls about her shoulders and Regina stepped up behind her to bring them out of the way. She finished the look by carefully fastening a sparkling necklace around her prized lover. "This was my grandmother's. I don't place much value in sentimental items, but this is one of the few good memories I have of my childhood. I'd like you to have it. I'm giving it to you because I know you keep things safe." She placed another kiss on the side of Emma's neck and smiled at their reflections. Stood side by side in royal garbs, they looked the picture of the fairytales Regina loved so dearly as a child.
Emma smiled back touching the simple yet elegant necklace. "It's beautiful. Wow I look like I'm about to get nominated for an Oscar! I love it. Thank you."
Regina straightened her posture and cleared her throat. She might be in love but she still wasn't used to being so mushy. "Let's go and give them a show they won't forget."
They walked back down the corridor to Henry's room and knocked the door. It was quiet between them. Both women were more than a little nervous about what was to come. The hardest bit for Emmahad of course been telling Snow and David, but the whole town for Regina was a huge deal. Henry came out looking dapper in his little suit and took a double take athis Mom's. "Ah man! I wanna wear an enchanted forest outfit too!"
Regina cocked an eyebrowand smoothed down his hair. "Really?"
He nodded enthusiastically and Regina waved her hands over him. "Well fortunately I know a little magic, young Prince." His mom's grinned from ear to ear when the magic transformed his suit into a much more elaborate one. It was a creamy beige,embroidered with gold. Coat tails hung down the back, a cravat adorned his neck and his short breeches and hose made him look more adorable than ever. He nodded inspecting himself.
"I think I make a good Prince. Thanks Mom." He gave her a hug surprising her yet again and the three wound their way down the staircase towards the main hall. As they approached, the sounds of chatter became louder. Regina's stomach was flipping out and Emma squeezed her hand tighter. One of the guards who'd decided to stay at his post announced to the citizens that the Queen was arriving and a clatter of chairs screeched across the floor and the chatter died down.
Regina dropped Emma's hand and straightened herself up to a regal pose. They followed her lead as she strode into the hall and stood at her place at the main table. Emma stood to her right and Henry to her left. "You may all sit." Once everyone had taken their places, she took a few controlled breaths through her nose and readied herself to address them as Queen.
"You may all be wondering how we ended up back here and I apologize for the confusion. My curse was broken fully a little over a week ago by the Savior, Emma Swan." A low rumble of whispers crept over the room and Regina caught Ruby smirking at her. She trained her eyes forward and continued. "How that happened was not exactly intentional. If either of us had known, we would have come to you all with a warning. There have been rumors, I'm sure, and I'm aware of what the Blue Fairy suggested. It isn't true. Nobody had their heart ripped out and, as you can see, I'm very much alive."
She fought the urge to fidget and control her heart racing in her chest. She looked at Emma for reassurance and she nodded up smiling at her. The Queen smiled gratefully back at her feeling her heart calm and she turned back to face the citizens. "Emma and I first became coworkers and co-parents to Henry. We then became allies working together to deal with both magical and non magical issues with the town. We developed a certain friendship or bond over the last few years behind closed door and then, last week, we shared a true loves kiss."
Gasps and roars went up around the room and eyes flitted towards Snow and David who were both smiling proudly and sat in support next to Emma. Regina waited for the room to quiet and composed herself again bytaking Emma's hand and pulling her to her feet. "Yes, the Evil Queen is in fact capeable of loving and being loved. When I cast the dark curse, I was not the same person that I am now. I can't take it back, nor would I as it brought Emma and Henry to me. Living in Storybrooke taught me many things and I had a long time to consider my past actions and repent. Some would say it was a life sentence. With that said, we are looking at a way to return if that is what everyone wants. It won't be mandatory. Anyone who wishes to stay here may do so. We'll keep you updated on any developments. In the mean time, you are all welcome to stay here with us or go about your lives as you would like."
She turned towards Snow and David and they stood. "Snow and I have come to a truce and we are no longer at war."
Snow smiled at everyone and began her speech. "Thank you, your Majesty. We haven't been at war for a long time now. We were all given a second chance in a new place, and David and I are more than happy to extend the same courtesy to the Queen. We aren't the same people who left this place thirty years ago. None of us are. We grew, we learned new skills, new ways of living. We learned tolerance, acceptance and inclusion. What's happened in the past is done and we want to move forward into the next chapter without hate or sadness in our hearts. Our daughter, Emma, she showed us something that I think we long forgot. She dared to love a Queen and saw something there that we didn't. We support this union whole heartedly and welcome Queen Regina into our family once again."
A toast was raised and the citizens cheered. It wasn't quite the reaction Regina was expecting but she was grateful for it. "Okay, well let's eat. I'm sure you all famished." She flicked her wrist and revealed the banquet they'd prepared for everyone which had been hidden under silver serving plates. More gasps and whispers filled the room along with the sounds of tableware and cutlery rattling. "Bom apetite!"
Regina sat down and Emma gave her thigh a squeeze. "You did great." Regina took a big swig of wine and smiled lightly at her. The hall was a bustle of activity and idle chatter while the people ate but she didn't feel particularly hungry after their busy day. Her mind was on her mother. After so many years assuming she was dead, it knocked her for six and now the shock was beginning to wear off and the emotions she'd long thought buried were surfacing.
"You should eat something or people might think it's poisoned!" Emma quipped and Snow laughed along.
"I said the same thing yesterday!"
Regina tried to smile but it didn't reach her eyes. She nodded and picked at something reluctantly. Emma felt the shift in her and had a good sense of what it was. She didn't say anything. They'd talk later if she wanted to. Here was too public. Snow was talking loud enough that all of them at the main table could hear her conversation with David.
"You should have seen her. She looked exactly the same as I remember her when I was a child. She hasn't aged a day."
Regina pushed a lettuce leaf around her plate in silence.
"Is that a magic thing? I should ask Regina. Regina?"
The Queen looked over and tried hard not to let her old annoyances of the woman show on her face. Emma was making chopping motions at her neck at Snow but she continued anyway. "Is it a magic thing the not aging? I mean, I know we were cursed but will you and Emma not age the same way as us? I mean, Cora must be, what, a hundred?"
Regina's eyes widened. "She would have been fifty-eight when I cast the curse,Snow. I don't know what happened to her during that time, nor do I care. As for how well Emma and I will age, it depends very much on where we are and what magic is available." She picked up the goblet again and slumped back in her chair. She winked at her lover. "There's always botox."
Emma chuckled. "I don't care about wrinkles. I'm more worried about dr..." She stopped herself realizing what she was about to say in front of her entire family and leant in to plant a kiss on Regina's lips.
The Queen read her thought and cackled in true villain style. "Oh, I doubt it, dear. But if it did, you could always punch a few trees." A few whoops and wolf-whistles went up around the hall witnessing the kiss and bringing them both back to the reality of where they were. Ruby approached the table, drink in hand and smiling excitedly.
"Oh my God! I'm so glad you two are out! That was seriously the juiciest bit of gossip I've ever had to keep quiet about! Great spread by the way, your Highness. No wonder I hardly see Emma around the diner if that's the kinda food you've been feeding her! I'm inviting myself over for dinner sometime when we get back."
Reginalooked at Emma in confusion. "What have you been telling her that she thinks it's okay to speak to a Queen in such a manner?"
Emma raised her hands grinning. "I take no responsibility for the assumptions she makes, or the things that come out her mouth!"
Regina smiled and cocked an eyebrow. "Shame. I had the perfect punishment in mind."
Ruby fanned herself making high pitchedooh sounds and theb Snow caught her eye. Her toothy grin fell instantly. "Oh, shit."
Regina relished in the moment silently, knowing how pissed Snow was going to be that the Wolf knew before her. Emma leant in and whispered, "behave."
"You knew and you didn't tell me?"
Ruby groaned and looked at Emma for support. "I promised. To be fair, they didn't tell me either. I figured it out when they deliberately stopped coming in the diner to avoid me. I've got a goood nose, that's all."
Snow shook her head fuming. "I get it. It's fine. It's just on the journey over here, and then when we found her cursed? You didn't think it would help ease our minds a bit and stop us thinking the absolute horrific worst?"
Ruby's head fell. "I hoped it was a true loves kiss but I wasn't sure after what Blue said. I'm sorry. I didn't want to get anyone's hope up or speak too soon. When we found Regina, I was genuinely terrified why she would curse herself. I thought maybe Emma broke her heart or there wasn't a way back."
Everyone at the table felt that weight on their hearts. "I'm sorry, Miss Lucas. For all of this. Snow, please don't be angry at her. She showed loyalty, courage and was right not to allow people toset their hopes too high in that situation." Regina hoped Snow understood what she was telling her. They had a way home and they weren't announcing it for the same reasons. Snow nodded and smiled weakly at Ruby.
Regina continued. "Well, Emma has dubbed me Drama Queen as opposed to Evil for the last curse. I suppose it was a little hasty on my part not to check anyone else had returned. You're welcome to join us for dinner anytime, Miss Lucas. It's my way of thanking you for everything."
The drinks kept flowing throughout the evening. Townspeople came one by one or in small groups to show their gratitude to the Queen for extending the invitiation and praising her for their cursed lives. By the end of the night, Regina had gone a way to further removing the Evil from her title and she felt lighter. As the music blared and people danced, she slipped away with Emma and Henry in tow. They put him to bed and crept down to the Queen's Chambers shutting the world out. "I think it went well." Emma smiled and flopped onto the enormous bed with Regina in her arms. "Ouch! This is not as soft as it looks!"
"Yes, it was much better than I thought it would be. I'm surprised how many people were happier there. Ugh, I am terrible at causing misery!"
Emma chuckled. "Yeah, gotta be honest, never really got that whole evil thing. You were just butt hurt and pissed off."
"Perhaps." She rolled over and poofed out of her restrictive dress then did the same to Emma. "How did you like your first banquet?"
Emma pulled her flush against her body and sighed. "It was amazing! You're amazing. I know the food wasn't authentic but I kinda felt like we were on set for a medieval movie or something. You're such a badass as Queen. Even being nice. You just ooze power and poise and grace and..."
Regina shut her up with her lips, smashing them together in a passionate frenzy. In a swift move, she was atop the savior, straddling her and grinding their bodies together. Her hands pinned Emma's at the wrists just above her head causing her to moan in appreciation while the Queen devoured her neck. "Compliments are nice but I have a migraine coming on, so unless it's moaning, I don't want to hear it."
Emma didn't say another word and Regina rewarded her obedient silence with a sulty swirl of her tongue around a nipple. Her hips pressed deeper as her body lunged forward with the movement and Emma felt her pussyclench in response. Her wetness soaked the sheets below in anticipation of what was to come and her own hips bucked up to increase the contact between them. Regina continued teasing her breasts tantilizingly slowly causing tiny ripples of pleasure in the savior. Her skin prickled and she fought lightly trying to wriggle free from Regina's hands grasping her wrists above her head. She wanted desperately to feel thr smoothness of the Queen's skin under her palms but Regina cackled mischievously and paused her motions to look kiss Emma deeply.
'You have done more than enough for today. Relax.'
Emma felt something silky swirling around her wrists as Regina let go. She cocked her head around awkwardly trying to see and realized they were silk scarves. She bit her lip as they snaked up with magic and fastened around the post of the bed. Regina looked over her checking in. "Is that okay? If it gets uncomfortable for you, just say, ālīesdon."
Emma nodded. "I'm good. I trust you."
Regina smirked and traced her fingers along the expanse of skin laid out just for her. "Good, because as much as I enjoy your hands on me, I'd rather you just concentrate on your own body for now." As her fingers ran over the skin, Emma felt a tingle of magic and Regina explained. "You used a lot of your energy today. You need to rest and recharge otherwise you'll be susceptible to illnesses. Energy can be subtle or direct. I healed your fists earlier but only superficially. This is deeper."
Her head dipped and her mouth trailed where her fingers had just danced. A tongue darted out and licked along pale akin,followed up with kisses. Emma felt two kinds of magic at work. The physical pleasure and stimulation from her lovers mouth, and something else indescribable pulsing inside. Fingers teased down both thighs slowly and methodically exploring every inch of the savior. She pushed her palm below her belly button and Emma felt a wave of excitement pulse through her. Regina massaged lightly and continued exploring Emma's other erogenous zones in her inner thighs, knees, and up the sides close to her ribs. The blonde bristled and tensed at every soft touch and she knew she was on a slippery edge. Her natural instinct was to grab back and pull the woman closer, to run her hands through her hair and kiss those plump lips, but she couldn't. Regina watched the frustration turn into helplessness and then finally, defeat as Emma's muscles released all tension and gave in to the pleasurable sensations. She felt herself pool in response. It had been a long time since she subjugated anyone and as fun as their games were, it wasn't the same.
This was different, she thought as her palm twisted down and her fingers slipped firmly over a throbbing clit. Emma's eyes closed in pleasure and Regina drank in the sight with appreciation. This wasn't forced submission or a power play on her part. It stemmed from her absolute desire to please the woman. To love and take care of her needs. She replaced her fingers with her lips and nipped with them gently at the bundle of nerves. Arousal glistened on her chin as she dipped lower and swiped up with a greedy tongue. A low moan echoed out of the woman lain out on the decadent bed. Her tonedstomach rising and falling in a bid to ride out each pulse of pleasure.
Regina nipped gently at her swollen labia and another heady rush swept through her body. Her toes curled and uncurled and her body writhed sensually prolonging each sensation shamelessly as her orgasm built. This giving in totally to her, trusting her fully, had Regina intoxicated with desire. This was the first time Emma hadn't tried to resist or set the pace and she loved it. With her own heart beat rapidly rising and her mouth firm around a hot,wet clit, she flicked her wrist and felt a harness tighten around her thighs. Emma was right on the edge of an extended orgasm. Her thumb quickly replaced her mouth and as the blonde began bucking up more violently to increase the contact. Regina knelt between her legs and hooked her knees over her shoulders. Emma's eyes opened momentarily when she felt Regina sliding her ass up onto the brunette's thighs. She hummed in appreciation when she saw the strap on harnessed to her Queen. Regina licked her lips tasting Emma's arousal and moaned seductively as she guided the toy into place and watched Emma's purse her lips part. Her hips found a rhythm as she fucked the savior hard and deep angled precisely at her sweet spot. Groans filled the room and neither could take their eyes off one another. Emma's back arched and Regina held her ass firm as she filled her the way she'd longed to do since their first encounter. Her own orgasm edged closer as Emma's juices coated her thighs and she rested her fingers on the blondes clit again until she was uttering nothing but nonsense obscenities with each deep thrust. She kept pounding her, engrossed with the way tits bounced as she did so. She did a quick spell and connected them so she could feel what Emma was feeling. As soon as it hit her, she came hard in unison with the savior. She struggled to maintain her controlled thrusts as her legs trembled along with the saviors. She pushed through until she felt the last ripples ebb out of Emma and collapsed in a sweaty, slick mess flat on top of her. She took a few minutes to catch her breath and Emma remembered she was still tied up. "Uhm,ālīesdon "
Regina laughed between pants and tumbled to the side of her. "I'm impressed you remembered."
Emma balled her hands a few times getting the feeling back and then wrapped them around the Queen. "I'm impressed with that fuck, my majesty!"
Regina sighed and nestled in closer to Emma. "It was pretty good, if I do say so myself."
"Oh, did you do that spell thing?"
"Mmm hmm. We need to sleep "
Emma pressed a tender kiss to her lips and pulled a blanket over the top of them both. "As long as you got yours too. Wow. Goodnight, Regina. I love you."
"Love you too, Em-m." Regina was already drifting off and Emma closed her eyes too smiling, sated and exhausted.