Bindings of Glass

Chapter 3

Lilia sat up early the next day looking at the woman lying beside her. They were both fully dressed, Regina's body resting beneath the blankets hers on top. She sighed seeing the beams of light just beginning to stream in from the gauzy curtains that covered the terrace doors. She looked over at Regina and frowned. Even sleeping a frown marred her pretty features. She looked so unhappy even now. She would've hoped that dreams would've made that easier but obviously that wasn't the case. She slid to her feet quietly padding across the thick rug covered stone floor not even making a sound. She was tired still from sleeping too much too hard but she was still willing to try since Regina had looked so sad and helpless when she'd asked if she would mind sharing the bed with her. With her gone it had been obvious Regina had hardly slept judging by the dark circles under her eyes. She obviously slept better with a body beside her but clearly she hadn't indulged since Emma was likely the only one aside from her to share Regina's bed but she was certain if Emma was sharing Regina's bed she would've had those dark circles under her eyes for other reasons.

She shook her head as she moved into the sitting room plopping down on the couch and glancing around. She wondered if she just shouldn't go ahead and get on the road but knowing Regina it would upset her immensely if she were to leave without saying a word about it she'd stay at least for a bit. She stood up moving to grab an apple from the bowl resting on the large table near the fireplace. She pulled the dagger from her hair wondering why she hadn't taken it out last night then remembering she'd forgotten to remove all her weapons. She sighed as she cut into the apple the habit Regina had learned of so long ago never breaking despite how long it had been.

She didn't look up when footsteps signaled the arrival of the rooms other occupant. "What are you doing up?" She asked as she bit into the apple slice.

"I should ask you the same question," Regina murmured standing in the doorway of the bedroom.

"I don't sleep well at night." Lilia shrugged.

"Yes you always used to say that. But you never would give me an answer as to why." Regina pointed out as she moved into the room finally.

"Secrets are something I keep close."

"Even from your wife?"

"She doesn't need to know the things I've done in my life." Lilia shrugged.

"She must be awfully understanding to not want to know anything about your former life."

"Why are you so insistent on knowing my past?" Lilia asked instead cutting into the apple once again and eating the slice.

"Maybe it's because I'm not used to being told no." Regina settled down on the couch beside Lilia staring into the burned down fire in the marble hearth.

Lilia snickered, "Yes I suppose you're not used to that. Anyways glossing right over that I'm going to take off later on and head back towards Snow's kingdom to keep looking and I thought if you had time you could look on your own at the villages near your border and in your territories. It might be easier to eliminate places if we work our way towards each other." She used the knife to lift another apple slice to her mouth taking a surprisingly delicate bite.

"Yes that would be agreeable but you're assuming I haven't already searched my kingdom rather thoroughly."

"Yes but they may have been traveling it might be time to re-search it. Have your guards do it if you must. It may be likely that when you were searching they were trying to find a home now that it's been a while they may have settled along the border towns or otherwise."

"I'm the evil Queen remember? My Kingdom isn't exactly a good place to be settling for a woman and a boy." Regina pointed out dryly.

Lilia rolled her eyes, "That may have been the case but I've heard about the differences you've made in the villages since you came back. And things are improving it's very possible they made their way to your kingdom and are living in one of the villages. Just promise me you'll look into it. It may be worth it." Lilia held out her slice of apple. "Would you like a bite?"

Two months passed in much this way and Regina was starting to get frustrated all over again. Instead of using her guards as she'd wanted to she'd done as Lilia implied and done the searching herself with a few guards. Officially she was touring her Kingdom unofficially she was looking for her family. She glanced out the window of her carriage as they continued down the road heading into the large settlement to the north. She would be staying the night at the Inn as she tried to determine if her family was among these people. She closed her eyes trying to remember what it felt like to hug Henry or hold Emma. She remembered the day they went hiking fondly finding it one of her favorite memories. Despite her protests she'd enjoyed spending time with her family immensely.

She smiled a soft sad look on her pretty face as she watched the huge trees pass. The road was surprisingly smooth as the horses pulling her carriage trotted along. The smile faded from place as a guard riding a horse came into view. She refused to allow them to see her smile. Though she was trying to make a more peaceful home for Emma and Henry she knew part of their protection and hers lay in the fact that she was indeed the evil queen. She felt like it would probably be best for her to maintain her persona. She only hoped her family would be willing to accept that.

The trees were beginning to get thinner the closer they got to the village. She could hear the women bundling corn stalks singing as the carriage rode along the road. Things were definitely improving in her lands. The crops were good, her people did seem happy even she had to acknowledge that. Though she was thought to be the evil queen her people lived with her protection and she wasn't unnecessarily cruel to them. In fact having her protection seemed to be the lesser of evils out there. She did tax them but it was fairly and she in return provided protection for them against thieves and warlords. Her army was strong and able and her heartless guards though they made people shudder were so unendingly loyal to her and her people should they be under her protection she was often thought of as more of a protector than a true evil.

She heard people's voices the nearer they drew to the thriving township itself. She could hear the sounds of the market and the blacksmiths working. Finally her carriage pulled to a stop. The door was pulled open and she stepped out with help from the coachman. She settled her maroon colored dress falling around her in sleek waves of fabric. It was cut tight to her body showing off her curves. She had paired it with a black shawl which she had wrapped tightly around her arms and thin shoulders. She'd pinned her hair on top of her head not wearing her crown but knowing it was all the more powerful because of that. She wore very limited jewels as well. Just a beautiful onyx necklace and simple onyx drop earrings. She was a lovely sight to behold.

She was ushered into the Inn by her men and then taken upstairs to her room which was the nicest the town could provide. She had her own private bath as well. Likely the room had been given up by the owner of the Inn to ensure the queen's happiness but she didn't quite care enough to ask. The bed was a bit rustic but she would only be here for a night so she would make do. The wooden floors squeaked a bit when she made her way over to the little table and chair in the corner and sat down. She stared out the window, the wooden shutters open to allow a warm breeze into the room. It would cool down by night and she would have to have them shut but for now the temperature was pleasant.

Winter was beginning to set in and she wondered if her family would be back to her in time for the Winter Solstice. She looked forward to showering Henry with gifts and showing him and Emma all the sights of her Kingdom covered in snow and icicles. She knew they would love it. She glanced up at the knock on her door rising to her feet when the village patron stood in the door with his head bowed lowly.

"Your majesty, it's wonderful to have you visit our humble village." The man was older, stocky with thinning white hair and large calloused covered hands. Judging by the scars on what she could see of his body he likely wasn't a farm hand of some type not until life had taken its toll anyways and forced it upon him.

"Thank you. I thought it was time to visit. I would very much like to see the sights of your village before I leave tomorrow. Will you show me around?" Regina kept her tone polite but distant just as she would always address those around her.

"Of course your grace it would be an honor." The man dipped his head a bit lower.

"Good. Then if you have time we can begin now." Regina rose to her feet allowing the man to leave the room first before following him down along with two guards into the streets.

Walking through the market she figured would be the best place to start. Most people had to come to market at least once a week and this day seemed to be the busy day. Merchants sold their wares from little stalls, ladies holding out fruits and vegetables. She kept her eyes opened as she studied the merchants but none resembled Emma. They passed the smithy where she could hear the clanging of hammers being used to make horse shoes and other iron objects used in farming and other matters. But still there was no sign of her Emma or Henry.

As the approached the town square where a large wells was erected, she noticed children kicking around a leather ball laughing and playing enjoying the warm weather before the winter set in. She scanned their faces hoping to see Henry's but to no avail. She sighed quietly the town patron thankfully not noticing as he continued to blather on about his town's accomplishments.

"We just repaired that well majesty. We're thinking of building it bigger and using it to pay tribute to you since without your gracious help we would be no more."
She was only half listening to what he was saying but she turned and gave him a small smile before something caught her eye. A tangled mass of blonde curls and a thin back turned towards her. She gasped her eyes widening slightly. "Emma." She breathed. "Excuse me, one moment please." She motioned to the startled man who glanced over his shoulder seeing the girl she was staring at so intensely.

She approached the woman quickly seeing the basket filled with a few pieces of fruit, a loaf of bread, and a block of cheese resting on her arm and the rough homespun clothes she was wearing. Her Emma shouldn't be wearing something like that she would be dressed as finely as Regina herself was once they were back home she thought to herself as she approached quickly the guards startled but falling into quick step behind her.

"Emma?" She asked as she reached out touching the woman's shoulder.

The woman twisted startled brown eyes meeting hers and Regina's heart dropped into her stomach. "Your majesty," She gasped dropping into a rough curtsey and remaining low with her head bowed.

"You're not Emma." Regina said softly, unable to fully hide her disappointment.

"No your majesty; Um my name is Anne." She stuttered a bit but managed to get her words out.

Regina forced a smile seeing the poor girl was about to have a heart attack being so close to her. She turned moving back towards the village patron who was watching her with wide eyes. "Shall we continue?" She asked instead. She wasn't about to tell him anything about her family. That was for her alone to know at least until they were safely in the palace with her.

Author's Notes: All righty. So here we go again. I really liked how this chapter shaped up. It's one of my favorites but we're not quite to the scene I'm ready to write yet. That one is coming up soon though. It's truly the scene that inspired this whole damn thing. And since I got off at a decent hour...let's all be shocked right now...cause it'll never happen again. I figured with the reviews/story alerts, and everything else the least I could do was put you even more on edge with this thing. Yeah I'm a bit evil. What can I say I'm channeling my inner Regina. Chapter 4 is being worked on as we speak...I'm just waiting on my wife to get home so we can eat before I likely have to go back out to work so I have a bit of time. But as always I adore the people who reviewed and it is much appreciated. I love love love the comments. So keep them coming and I'll try to keep working on chapter 4 and get it up. Who knows if I get enough reviews it may even get posted up here in the next day or two. *bats lashes* now wouldn't that be nice?