The meeting with the royal court was extremely boring for Regina. She tried to pay attention, she really did, but all she kept thinking about was how lucky she was to be with Emma and that she didn't run away. The regal woman really didn't know what she would do if Emma had not returned. Everyone chattering on about what needs to be done in the kingdom, new laws, and lets not forget the Ogre issue. It seemed like there was a war coming upon the kingdom with the ogre's. Regina was going to have to round up her best men to fight in the war that was going to take place. She couldn't have these beast roaming around the land like they owned the place…that was her job.

By the time the meeting was over, she was quite famished. She asked her head chef to whip up something special for her afternoon picnic. It was rather chilly out, so she requested a hearty tomato soup with a French loaf, then some fresh apples and figs for dessert. That bought Regina at least an hour to make up to the feverish blonde that awaited her in bed.

Once the brunette entered the room, she noticed two things. One was that the fire had died off; and the second was that Emma was still asleep. The queen shook her head with a slight chuckle. She strutted herself on over to the bed. She sat on the edge where Emma was then began stroking her hair out of her face. She was so beautiful…how on earth did I get so lucky? All it took was that simple touch for Emma to wake with a smile. "Are you back already?" she mumbled, stretching out like a cat.

"It ended up being a two hour discussion…which was incredibly boring for me. So, you got to rest an hour more. Now, it is time for our picnic." the queen smiled. "I asked chef Helga to whip up something special. We have roughly an hour before it will be ready." she played a seductive smile, yet mischief filled her amber eyes.

"Mmm, I can't wait to eat. I'm starving!" the blonde sat up stretching once more before stepping onto the cold stone floor. "I need to get changed."

"You don't want to take care of something, dear?" she questioned with the utmost disbelief.

It took a while for Emma to remember what she was talking about, but when she did, it hit her like a ton of bricks. She stopped dead in her tracks on her way to the door that lead to her bedchamber. "Oh umm…about that." Emma turned a certain crimson color that made the queen rise and quickly stalked over to her.

"What did you do?"

"I may have…um….taken care of a certain situation while you were away." Emma bit her lip so hard, she swore she drew blood. The blonde did pass out for a few minutes after Regina left, but woke up feeling desperate for relief that she just couldn't take any longer. Not knowing how long she would be gone, Emma worked her sore, yet quick nimble fingers on her even more sore, throbbing cunt until she quietly screamed into a pillow. The queen's face went from anger to vengeful. She really did know better than to touch herself while her mistress was away. You would think she would know this after six months…but Emma knew things were going to be different so she had to test this theory. Even if she did deny her, it would still be fun.

Normally, the queen would have tortured the blonde until she was practically dripping with need and would only take a flick of a riding crop on her pussy lips to come. But this time, Regina was going to pull a different notion. She wanted to rid that image of herself to Emma…which she knew was going to be difficult, but all they had was time and to try, try again. "Oh, really?" was all the queen could muster, that is until the blonde nodded innocently. The queen moved in closer to her face and whispered in the most chilling, yet completely seductive tone Emma had ever heard, "You're going to pay for that." Emma's breath hitched for a moment, which made the queen's wicked grin spread wider. "You took your own orgasm without me…we shall see how much you need me later." She nipped the younger woman's lips then turned away from her to close the chilling window and drew the blinds. "Go change, dear and I shall see you at the stables in fifteen minutes."

Emma stood speechless for a good while until she continued walking into her room. She was prepared for the worst, but she didn't receive it. Regina really was making progress. She could rest her mind knowing all was going to be well…for now at least. She changed into her brown ivory pants, a long-sleeve white cotton shirt with boots made of wool and her jacket made of bear. She braided her hair, grabbed her gloves and was out the door. Chef Helga caught Emma before she went to the stables and handed her the picnic basket, which was kind of heavy. She thought of taking a peek, but she knew she would eat the entire basket…and she already was going to be in trouble for later, so she didn't risk it.

Emma was feeding Regina's favorite horse, Ricotane, hay before her lovely queen made her way to her. She looked beautiful…and incredibly hot in those skin tight black pants, her hair in a lose, yet regal bun, and dusky plum lips. Emma tried her hardest to contain herself when she saw the brunette, she was about one point five seconds from lunging at her.

"I see you got the basket from Helga. Have you looked inside to see our delectable lunch?" Smirking, her placed a gloved hand on Emma's cheek.

"No, I am far too hungry to even look. I feared I would eat it all without you." she paused with a blush. "And I've already done one thing without you, so I didn't want to risk it."

"Smart girl." The queen eyed the blonde and bit her lip seductively. "Oh yes, this afternoon will be quite fun." Making eye contact with sky blue, she maneuvered herself around to the stable her horse was in and mounted him. "You walk as punishment." she smirked. "Come along." She heard the blonde audibly groan, which only made her grin widen.

Once they got to their destination, which was about a mile and a half walk, Regina lay out a warm blanket made of navy wool as Emma began discarding the items in the basket. She was literally salivating. She served her queen her bowl first, then herself; dipping pieces of the French bread into the hot soup. The blonde moaned out loud at the exquisite taste. Regina glared at her with pure lust.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" the blonde asked with her mouth full of bread.

"It's not polite to talk with your mouth full." the queen arched an eyebrow as she smirked. "You really do eat like a child."

"Hey, I'm not a queen like you! I can eat how I want!"

"Indeed, but you do eat a queen, therefore, you must not be so sloppy."

"I heard no complaints from last night or this morning." Emma swallowed her food then gave the queen a mischievous look.

Regina was quiet for a brief moment then responded with a-matter-o-fact tone, "True, but my point is still valid." The two women gazed at each other for a long moment. "However, I was looking at you like that because, of the way you were moaning at each bite you took. It is rather alluring." The blonde was speechless while Regina continued on with her lunch.

Once they finished eating and placed their dirty bowls into the picnic basket, Emma splayed herself out onto the warm blanket with her head comfortably in Regina's lap. Both women didn't speak for a while before Regina reflected on asking her magic mirror to show her Emma's life. She knew it wasn't her place to know, she really should have asked Emma. However, she decided to asked the first question that came to mind. "What did you like to do in your spare time growing up?"

Emma thought for a brief moment. "I really enjoyed swimming in the lake during the summer. Sometimes I would sneak out in the early mornings to watch the swans gracefully glide on the water."

"Well, what about in the winter time?"

"Hmm, ride horses mainly. Or if it was too cold, I would sit by the fire with my nose in a book with hot chocolate. I love hot chocolate with cinnamon. It's my favorite thing in the world." She grinned for a moment before she paused for a long time, her smile slowly fading. She glanced at Regina with a somber look in her eyes before turning her gaze towards the castle. "After my mother passed away, I would go camping for the entire winter in the mountains. It hurt too much to be home."

Regina started stroking the blonde's hair. "I'm so sorry Emma." She wanted to ask so many more questions, but wasn't sure If now was the right time. "Do you want to ask me anything? Or talk about something else?"

This afternoon had been lovely, but now was turning into a depressing one. The first thing Regina wanted to do was take her sorrow out on the blonde, but she was no longer in the mood. "Let's change the subject." Amber eyes met icy blue and the brunette showed a weak smile

"Alight, hmm, what's your favorite season?"

"That's easy, fall. I love watching the leaves turn colors and the weather becoming nicer. And you?"

"I've always liked spring and summer. I love being outside. As you already know, I am from the Woodlands, therefore, I am outdoorsy." The blonde grinned.

"You seem like a summer person." The brunette grazed her fingertips on the blonde's fair cheek. "It's getting a tad too chilly for me. Are you ready to go back?"

"I thought you would never ask." The blonde quickly started rolling the blanket up and grabbing the picnic basket.

"I thought you enjoyed the cold, dear?" Regina questioned as she mounted her stallion.

Emma looked up at the queen with an endearing smile. "I do, but I'd rather be with you curled up in bed. That sounds so much more pleasant." Regina let out a throaty chuckle and even blushed a bit. "May I ride with you back to the castle?"

This made the queen cackle loudly. "I guess not, you are still punished for touching yourself without my presence."

"Oh, come on Regina! It's cold and I want you to warm me up!"

"First of all, when did I say you could call me by my name all the time? And secondly, you should have thought about that before touching yourself while I was away."

Emma groaned loudly and threw a minor temper tantrum. Normally, Regina wouldn't have condoned this behavior, but the way Emma stomped her foot on the ground was way too adorable for her to be angry at.

"Pleaseeee!" she asked trying to sound innocent, but instead, it came out in the most pathetic, whining voice Regina had ever heard.

"No."

"But Reg-Your Majesty! I am cold!"

"Oh, now you call me Your Majesty!" Suddenly, there was a forceful wind. Storm clouds began rolling in across the sky. Just before Emma wailed again, Regina snapped her fingers and the blonde was on the horse. Emma gasped, but quickly held onto the queen. "You will pay for your insolence later, but for now, hold on tight. We need to make it home before the storm."

Home.