Emma

Regina walked towards the bedchamber where she knew that Emma was awaiting anxiously before her ball. With each stride, her mind became more clear, as if the dwindling physical distance between her and Emma had now become an emotional chasm. As she ascended the marble staircase, she paused to close her eyes and take in a deep breath, calming herself before meeting with her precious princess. She couldn't help but think of what her future held from here on in, especially her future with Emma. She grinned and continued walking with a newfound bounce in her step. As she approached Emma's bedchamber, she gently turned the doorknob and opened the door to find little Ducky dragging her favorite skin-tight, red dress across the room.

"What do you think you're doing?" Regina shouted as she folded her arms across her chest and looked directly at Ducky with her piercing gaze.

Ducky stared blankly at Regina and then back at the extravagant dress that she held. Ducky slowly opened her mouth, releasing her grasp on the dress, until it fell to the floor. Then, she ran over to Emma and hid her face beneath her feathers. Emma picked Ducky up and pressed her protectively to her chest, forming a barrier around her.

"What is the meaning of this?" Regina asked, looking to Emma for an explanation.

Emma peered up at Regina and started to giggle uncontrollably.

Even though the queen kept her cold façade, she could feel her icy heart melting at the sound of Emma's giggles. As she picked up her dress, Regina stated firmly, "I was going to wear this one tonight, Emma."

Emma still couldn't stop the giggles that were escaping her body, leading Ducky to join in on the laughing. Emma finally got a hold of herself and with a smile responded, "Personally, my queen, I prefer the blue one with the low backline." Emma searched for the dress in the queen's wardrobe and pleaded, "Please, do wear it tonight." She then handed it to Regina.

"What about you, dear?" With the flick of her wrist, Regina was ready, fully donned in the blue dress that her princess requested.

Emma could not look away as she admired the queen's beauty. The dress so perfectly hugged Regina's body in all the right places, accentuating her hourglass figure. It highlighted her small waist and heightened her hips. Delicate lace covered the shoulders of the dress and followed down the neckline.

Emma loved that body, and most of all those full blood-red lips. She wanted to kiss them. As her cheeks began to flush, Emma turned her gaze from the queen and looked intently at herself in the mirror. "I look like a mess," Emma muttered quietly. She looked down, feeling ashamed of herself.

Regina understood the nerves Emma was feeling as she remembered how she felt during her own first ball. Now, it was Emma's turn and the first time she would appear as a princess. Her princess. Regina wrapped her arm around Emma's waist and led her to the vanity across the room. She made Emma sit down and tried to comfort her. Emma kept her head down while Regina brushed her lengthy golden locks.

"When I was younger, I felt like you, my Sweet Swan."

Emma's eyes widened as she looked at Regina, fascinated that she was sharing a little bit of her life with her.

"My mom would always make me wear dresses even though all I really wanted was to ride and be with…" Regina abruptly stopped herself mid sentence, lost in her thoughts as she held Emma's golden hair. She snapped out of her daze and told Emma, "Here, I am going to give you your present." Regina opened one of the vanity drawers and pulled out a crown decorated with white flowers. She placed it on Emma's head. With the flick of her wrist, Regina transformed Emma's feather dress into a red and white ball gown.

"Now you look like a true princess."

Emma looked at herself and smiled. She did look like a princess. She was the pure innocence that the heart of the queen needed. Why was it so hard to make Regina understand?

"I love my flower crown, Regina. Thank you." Emma smiled as Ducky softly tugged on the bottom of Regina's dress, attempting to get her attention.

"And where's my crown Regina?" Ducky looked at Regina with wide eyes.

Regina walked back to her vanity, and grabbed her engagement ring from her previous marriage. She placed it on Ducky's head. "You are a princess tonight, Ducky," Regina said with a smile.

Ducky started to run around the room happily as Emma laughed watching her.

"You really do love this little bundle of joy, huh?" Regina asked while looking at Emma's beautiful, smiling face.

"She is my daughter. What else can I say? Come, Ducky, it's time." Ducky hurried over to Emma and stood beside her.

"Ready, Swan?" Regina held out her hand, waiting for Emma to take it.

"Ready, Regina." Emma took the hand of the queen. They walked hand-in-hand and gradually moved towards the ballroom.

Ducky observed the scene of how her Emma had taken hold of the former queen's hand. They tenderly grasped each other in a loving way, reassuring each other like lovers.

Maybe there was still hope for her Goldie.

"May I present to you Queen Regina and Princess Swan, the next heir to the thrown."

Cheers echoed off of the castle walls as the crowd welcomed their new princess. Everyone in the ballroom was overjoyed to meet the young woman that would be the next ruler of the Dark Kingdom. As Regina and Emma made their way around the ballroom, gasps could be heard from the guests. They were overcome by the beauty that the Princess Swan possessed. Every prince in the entire kingdom anxiously waited in line, hoping to meet the princess and win her over.

Regina looked around the ballroom to see if the mom of the former princess had arrived, but she got distracted when she noticed Lilith making her way through the sea of people. She walked over to her and touched her shoulder to get her attention.

"Goldie is over there, Lilith. I know she'll be delighted to see you," Regina said as she pointed in the direction that Lilith should go.

"Thank you for taking care of my best friend, your majesty. She is really important to me." Without warning, Lilith hugged Regina and placed a kiss on her cheek. "My mom was right. You're not that bad." Lilith giggled and ran to where she could find Emma.

Regina could not help thinking, "Am I going soft? Oh, hell no."

"Goldie!" Lilith ran to her best friend and hugged her with her whole being. "I missed you so much!" Lilith's words were barely audible as she cried into Emma's shoulder and clung to her. She was never one to cry or show her emotions, but she really did miss her best friend.

"Lilith, please don't cry." Emma squeezed her tightly and pulled her into her embrace, enjoying the familiar sensation of sisterly love. "Tell me, Lilith, how have you been? You are so gorgeous! How old are you now? Eighteen?" Emma asked, letting go of her friend.

"I am good and yes I'm 18. I am only older by months, Goldie, not years," she laughed. As she wiped away her tears, she noticed a baby swan right next to Emma. "Who is that?" Lilith asked as she pointed to Ducky.

"This is Ducky. She is my baby swan." Emma looked lovingly at Ducky. She was proud of the life that she had given her. Although she was suffering, it was worth it because at least she was able to do right by Ducky. In this moment, she realized that all her hopes lie in Regina and Ducky.

Lilith and Emma started talking about all the years they missed in each others lives, trying to catch up with one another. Emma decided not to tell Lilith about all the intimate moments she shared with the queen because she was afraid to admit that their brewing romance was helping her have hope again. In the meantime, Ducky ran happily around the ballroom. Every time she saw people having fun, her little tail would move. This happened most often when she looked at her Goldie, smiling and laughing. She was happy. That's all that mattered.

Emma and Lilith laughed as they both noticed two handsome gentlemen walking their way. One of the men had ocean blue eyes. He was wearing too much leather for Lilith's liking, but Emma felt drawn to him, taken aback by his eyes that were set on her. Emma noticed that he hid one of his hands from view, intensifying her curiosity regarding this dark and strange man in front of her. The other person standing next to leather guy was the one and only Robin Hood. His looks were even greater in person and Lilith was fascinated by him. She wanted to dance with him all night. She didn't care that he could get arrested at any moment.

"Hello, your highness. It's a pleasure meeting such beautiful creature on this fine night." The man wearing the black leather said this as he bowed in front of Emma. She could not help but blush as she felt the heated way which this gentleman was looking at her.

"Hello, kind sir. Thank you for accepting the invitation to my ball," Emma replied.

"Princess, would you be so kind as to honor me with your first dance of the night?" His eyes twinkled as he gave a charming smile to Emma. She blushed and took his open hand.

He guided the princess to the dance floor and swayed with her in his arms. He could tell that dancing was not her strong suit, but did not care. He was overwhelmed by the beauty that this little swan had. That was the name of the princess, right? She would be his distraction for the night. He thought to himself, "What a pretty, blonde distraction she is. A fine piece of meat, indeed."

"So, what's your name little princess? Is it really Swan?" The man asked as he looked Emma up and down, analyzing her body with a hungry look that made her feel uncomfortable.

"My name is actually Goldie locks, but the queen gave me the name Swan because she loves how graceful my beauty is. She thought it would be perfect when she decided to make me the heir of the thrown," Emma said this as she tried to ignore the way this man was looking at her. She was so uncomfortable that she could feel her hands start to shake. Perhaps she was overthinking and it was just her imagination. Trying to pull herself together, she asked, "What's your name kind sir? I am afraid you haven't mentioned it."

"My name, Princess, is Killian Jones. But I enjoy when people address me by my more colorful name, Hook. At your service," he said, showing her for the first time his hook.

"As in the Captain Hook?" Emma said impressed by him. He was the villain of all the stories her father used to tell her before she would go to sleep. He actually was not bad looking, but then again Regina does not look evil even though people still think she is. Maybe he is just misunderstood. Just like her Queen is.

"So you heard about me, Princess?"

Emma rolled her eyes while smiling and they both kept dancing.

Meanwhile, Robin Hood spent time talking to Lilith. He was actually enjoying her company, but he could not take his eyes off the beautiful, dark queen that seemed to only have eyes for the princess.

Regina watched her beautiful princess having fun with all of her friends from the distance. However, in the back of her mind, she couldn't help but worry because Red had not arrived at the party yet. Trying to focus on her Swan, she watched as the blonde danced with the pirate. The way he looked at her made Regina's blood boil. She longed to kill him, take his heart, and rip it out of his chest until it ached. Regina finally decided to make her way over to the princess while she danced with her best friend, Lilith. They were both laughing so hard that tears welled up in the blonde's eyes. Regina was so happy to see that Emma was having a great time with her best friend.

As Regina got closer, she heard Lilith asked Emma, "Have you seen Baelfire, Goldie? He was helping us look for you when he disappeared out of nowhere." The genuine concern in Lilith's voice was indisguisable. Apparently, she appreciated Baelfire more than she let on.

"I did see him, but only for a minute. Then, he just disappeared. I have no idea where he is," Emma replied. Her voice was soft, and a bit strained. She stared down at the floor for a long moment, lost in thought.

"She really likes this Baelfire guy, huh" thought Regina. Emma noticed the queen approaching and ran to her, delighted to see her again. Regina was her hope, her everything, and Emma was everything to Regina. Emma took Regina's hands and brought her body closer to her. She wrapped her arms around the queen, enveloping her in a hug. Regina suddenly felt all the happiness that Emma was feeling in that moment and she couldn't help but smile and kiss the beautiful princess' forehead.

"May I have this dance, Princess?" the queen asked as she held out her hand. Emma giggled loudly and took Regina's hand.

"Of course, my queen," Emma answered. The corners of her mouth curved into a smile as she looked hard at the queen.

Both of the women started to glide across the dance floor, smiling ear to ear. The world seemed to stop as they gazed into each others eyes. Emma held the queen even closer to her body, their chests pressed together. The queen took the liberty of burying her face deep in Emma's neck, enjoying the feeling of having her Emma, her innocent Emma, in the palace so close to her. The queen was comforted by the familiar scent of vanilla coming from her princess. The sweet smell filled the air around her. For a brief moment, the queen lifted her head to see that gorgeous smile that Emma reserved solely for her and Ducky.

Red and Snow walked to the gates of the dark castle. They agreed that this was the perfect time to go to the castle since the guards that protect the queen would be obligated to let them enter for the ball. Snow felt elated that she was finally going to be face-to-face with Emma, her daughter. This was a moment that she had been imagining for quite some time.

"Shall you call, Blue?" Red said as her pace heightened with every step. She could sense it, that magical smell that she knew too well. Emma. Her Emma was near.

"What for, Wolf?" Snow retorted as she tried to keep up with the brunette. She noticed that Red's eyes flickered with a slight yellow hue with every step she took towards the castle.

"The invitation is only for me. You are not going to be able to surpass that gate without a spell that transforms your identity," Red responded in a matter of fact tone.

"That's true." Snow started to call Blue, repeating her name countless times in her mind.

Blue could feel in her little being that someone needed her. When she determined that it was her dear queen, Snow White, she spread her wings and shot up into the air. After taking a few moments to identify Snow's exact location, she fluttered to her queen and asked, "How can I be of assistance, my queen?" Blue was happy to see Snow and Red, but she could feel that something about them was off. They stood far apart from each other and avoided eye contact, almost like strangers. The smiles that they used to share when they spent time with each other were nonexistent at this moment. "Did something happen between you two?"

"Nothing of your business, fairy. We need to get Snow White into the dark castle. Do you have a spell for that and, if so, can you do it?" Red asked impatiently as she could smell Emma so close, yet still so far away.

"Yes, I can do that. Here, Snow. Drink this when you're about to pass the gates of the castle. This potion will allow you to pass through the protective barrier the queen has cast around the castle. You can enter through the east corridor, as no guards will be standing watch there," Blue said as she handed the little bottle to Snow. "Good luck." She disappeared, leaving a spark of blue dust behind.

Red transformed into her wolf form and signaled for Snow to climb on her back so they could reach the castle faster. Today, Red and Snow White would finally see their daughter.

The ball was a success so far and the queen could not be any prouder of the good that she had done for Emma. Happiness surged throughout her entire body as she recalled some of the events of the night. She found it fascinating that a small, simple act of love could make a person feel so warm and giddy inside. This was a new feeling for her. She thought about her Swan, dancing with her friends and talking to Ducky. They were her family now. She finally had a family to fight for.

Without the queen noticing, a man stood right next to her and watched her every move. The mysterious man was none other than Robin Hood. He always admired the queen's beauty and reminisced about the times they had spent together. Always full of desire and pleasure, the queen was so passionate when it came to sex, and so wild. He loved that about her. Although he had lost his wife, Robin found a new source of companionship in Regina; however, Regina was a difficult woman and he tried countless times, with no success, to make her his wife. He wanted to be the man that she and her icy heart deserved. To be her second chance of changing, but something seemed to be holding her back. Maybe she never felt like he was worth it. Maybe she desired power more than a second chance at a good life, but at the same time, he could tell that she also hated her power. These were all things that Robin thought about often and couldn't quite understand.

Regina continued watching the princess, who was now dancing with her father, Henry. She could tell that they were talking about something funny because they were both laughing. As Belle pointed out to Regina before, Emma had a quality that allowed her to charm people and win them over from the instance they met. As Regina watched her swan twirl around the dance floor, she was interrupted when she felt a hand touch her waist. According to Tinker Bell, it was the hand of her soul mate, but Regina thought differently and would not let her lover be defined by pixie dust.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Robin Hood himself," Regina teased, giving him a sarcastic smile.

"Evening, my lady. Glad to see you again," he replied, and then he took Regina's hand and kissed it.

Regina could see that he was looking at her with a certain hunger in his eyes, a combination of want and longing. She couldn't help but feel aroused by this. She stepped closer to Robin, made her way up to his ear, and whispered, "Do you mind if we talk somewhere more private?"

Robin Hood inhaled sharply and smirked at the queen. This was his way of answering the queen's question. Regina knew exactly what he wanted just from the look he was giving her, and she was ready.

"We shall, follow me," Regina said, leading him directly to the library, the place where she spent most of her time trying to find a cure for Emma's curse. She had been nonstop all day and decided to take a second for herself and just enjoy the moment. Little did she know that someone noticed them and followed quietly behind.

As the couple entered the room, Robin wasted no time and pushed Regina against the wall. He kissed her passionately, moving his mouth intensely against her own. She willingly returned the kiss with an equal amount of desire, deepening it as Robin clutched her hips. He slid one of his hands against her thigh, up her side, and finally to her back, longing to remove her dress as he stroked her up and down. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer and pressing her front to his. She was pinned, her body between his and the wall. As Robin continued to take her mouth again and again, Regina started to feel guilty. She realized that she desired her princess, not the thief. But she couldn't imagine taking away the princess' innocence so she put those feelings aside and kept kissing Robin Hood.

As she lowered her hands to his now semi-hard member, Robin responded with a groan. She panted lightly as his kisses started to move up her neck to her earlobe and back to her mouth, where their tongues slid against each other. He skimmed his hands down her body, pausing at her breasts. He cupped them and then continued his downward descent to the back of the queen's dress, where he toyed with the zipper until the gown slid off of the queen's silky-smooth body. Robin took a deep breath and lifted his finger, gently rubbing against the queen's panties. The queen released a deep moan and reached for the waist of Robin's pants. She freed the button, lowered the zipper, and tugged his pants to the floor.

"Someone is in a hurry," Robin chuckled as he positioned himself between the queen's legs.

"Shut up and fuck me already, thief." Regina tipped her head back and let out a loud moan as she felt Robin pick her up, spread her legs, and slam himself inside her. Moans of pleasure filled the room as they continued to kiss, their breathless bodies full of passion. Robin kept thrusting in and out of Regina's tight pussy, sending bursts of pleasure throughout her body. Regina gasped and closed her eyes, her fingers clenching into fists, as Robin increased his pace and pounded his hips against hers. Robin felt that he might explode any minute. Regina, on the other hand, was on fire. She could feel the heat building and she wanted more. More passion. More kisses. More pleasure. Not from the thief, but instead from her swan.

Regina felt herself getting closer and clutched onto Robin, gasping as he pressed against her. Robin held her, thrusting in and out with extra force. He continued to slam himself inside of her, stopping for a brief moment to let out a groan. "Oh, Regina," Robin murmured as he kissed her softly and drove his hips. The noise of slamming bodies echoed throughout the library, accompanied by loud yells of pleasure. Regina squeezed Robin tighter as she came down from the amazing climax that he granted her. Robin kept going, faster, harder until he felt himself release inside the queen. Regina could not help but moan loudly as they kissed for the last time. Finally, Robin put Regina down so he could adjust himself and catch his breath. They both reached for their clothes and started redressing.

"That was quite enjoyable, thief. You should definitely come more often," Regina said as she zipped her dress, hoping no one noticed what happened just minutes ago. All of a sudden, that guilty feeling was creeping back again. "Emma," Regina said under her breath.

"What, Regina?" Robin asked as he placed his arms around Regina's slim waist.

"Leave, thief. Leave now!" Regina shouted. She freed herself of his grip and looked at him with a heartless expression saying, "We did it again. We should have never done this. You need to leave."

"I don't understand, Regina. I thought we were getting somewhere. I want you to be my bride, Regina. Please accept me."

"NO, leave now or shall I do it my way. And believe me it won't be pretty"

Robin Hood left with a look of defeat. He walked to the door and as he said goodbye, the door closed behind him. All that was left was Regina and her guilt.

Emma could not believe it. Her queen betrayed her, betrayed her love, everything. Emma saw and heard everything. She could not stop the tears that were falling to her cheeks and she felt her soul die, turning dark. She tilted her head down and looked at her feathers, which were now all black. She felt a sense of emptiness and hatred creeping up her body, originating from her waist. She was getting weaker as she closed the door and tried to control her breathing. She cried and cried, wailing with groans of despair. A couple of minutes later, the door opened and the man that took her queen away from her walked in. She did not feel anything but anger.

"Help me, oh kind sir." Emma said breathlessly, feeling her old self disappear.

"Princess, are you okay?" Robin Hood rushed over to her and helped her stand up. "Are you alright? We should get some hel…" He could not finish his sentence as he felt a hand pass through his chest.

Emma looked at him, smiling as she ripped his heart out and watched him fall to the floor. She gazed down at Robin's weak body in front of her. "You shall never see the queen ever again," Emma said, using the last strength she had to squeeze the heart until it crumbled. An amazing feeling filled her body as she watched him completely collapse. The power, the joy it brought. Mmmm she loved it.

"Emma?" Ducky looked at Emma's smiling face, fear written all over her little face.

"Ducky, you shouldn't have seen that," Emma gasped as she tried to get closer to her baby duck. However, she couldn't because Ducky kept moving away from her.

"You killed him," Ducky said in disbelief.

"Ducky, listen. I did it for the queen … I am sorry. Please, Ducky don't go, don't leave me. You said you love me and that you will stay." Emma was desperate to feel Ducky's soft feathers close to her weak body.

"You bad. I don't love you anymore." Ducky ran as fast as her little legs allowed her.

"DUCKY!" Emma's scream could be heard throughout the castle.

Weak body.

Her feathers completely dark as charcoal.

And everything went black.