A/N: Thank you all for the follows, favorites and reviews. Your support really mean to world to me. Please continue to let me know what you think. Reviews really help me with my writing because it lets me know how the story is coming across, and gives me ideas for furthering the story.

Trigger warnings: attempted rape (Not graphic) and a little violence


Chapter 4

Rumors of Emma's pregnancy began to spread throughout the kingdom in the weeks following the announcement of the treaty. I wasn't surprised; Snow never knew when to keep her mouth shut. Emma and I refused to comment on the rumors and instead began planning a banquet to celebrate the official announcement. Emma's morning sickness gradually became less frequent, letting her resume her former schedule most days and I focused more of my time on the state of the White Kingdom. I wanted to know as much as possible about what was going on so that I could be prepared for what would need to be done when the kingdom was mine.

A week before the banquet and Red's return, I was meeting with my financial and economic advisors in my study when a wave of dizziness washed through me. Black spots danced in my vision and I distantly heard Emma's voice calling weakly for me. Instantly panic began to overwhelm me, but it was several minutes before I was able to clear the dizziness away enough to focus. When I did, I immediately became aware of three things. First, I'd fallen to the floor and my advisors were huddled around me trying to help. Second, no one else had heard Emma's yell. Lastly, I couldn't feel Emma. That realization had me brushing off my advisors and turning to the mirror hanging on the wall.

"Mirror, show me Emma!" I demanded, my voice coming out as more of a terrified cry than the commanding tone I had intended.

His blue face swirled into view and I immediately saw that he looked nervous. "I'm sorry, your majesty, but I cannot find her," he said regretfully.

I narrowed my eyes as fury began to override my terror. "What do you mean? Where was she headed?"

"She went into the orchard about half an hour ago, but I have no mirrors there," he softly replied.

I clenched my jaw and snarled, "Fine, summon Lucas and have him meet me there."

Without waiting for a reply, I pulled on my magic and transported myself into the orchard. I blinked and looked around. I knew that Emma often came to my tree to think when she wasn't needed elsewhere, so I had appeared next to it. I didn't see her, but I did notice a half-eaten apple and a book that had fallen next to the bench. She had definitely been here, but where was she now? What had happened?

I heard someone rushing towards me and I spun a fireball already burning in my hand to face my attacker. I nearly released the fireball when I recognized my master of the guard. Closing my fist and releasing the magic, I barked out, "Emma's gone."

The color drained from his face and he stumbled to a stop next to me. "What do you mean, your majesty?" he asked tentatively.

I threw out a hand in a wild gesture towards the apple and book as I snapped, "She was here and now she's gone and I can't feel her."

Lucas' eyes fell on the items on the ground and he hurried over to inspect the area. I watched feeling more helpless than I had in years. My thoughts were scattered and I couldn't think of anything but the overwhelming fear that she was dead and I would never see her again. I struggled not to let myself dwell on those thoughts and try to think of any other explanation for what had happened. Surely if she was dead, her body would still be here.

After what felt like an eternity, Lucas straightened and turned to me with an anger burning in his eyes. "She's been taken, my Queen," he stated in an overly calm voice as he held up a small barbed dart. "Whoever it was knocked her out first. This is coated in a distillation of poppy."

I snarled and grabbed the dart from his fingers. "Find her, Lucas, and bring me the person responsible for this. You may have any resources you need to accomplish this."

"Yes, your majesty," he replied with a respectful bow.

I turned to go find my Spymaster, but I paused and turned back to Lucas. "If anything happens to her or my unborn child, before you find them, I will skin you alive," I said darkly.

He audibly gulped and hesitantly said, "Yes, your majesty. I—uh, would it be possible to request Red's assistance in this? I noticed that she and the Consort were close, and her wolf senses would greatly help us in locating Lady Swan."

I pursed my lips and nodded, "Yes, I think that can be arranged. Find Lord Jared and see what he knows. I will collect the wolf."

His thanks were cut off as the purple cloud of my magic surrounded me. When it dissipated, I was standing in Snow White throne room. She and her husband were sitting on their thrones gaping at me. I didn't bother giving them time to react to my sudden appearance as I coldly asked, "Have you taken her?"

"What? What are you talking about?" Snow asked, struggling to find her composure.

I narrowed my eyes and said, "Emma. Did you take her?"

I could see the realization dawning in the other woman's eyes. She smirked at me and said, "No, I didn't. But are you sure she didn't run from your cruelty?"

My temper nearly snapped its leash, but I barely managed to hang on to it. Instead, I lifted an eyebrow, and used my magic to send the dart I was still holding at Charming. He blinked once and slumped in his chair as the poppy knocked him out. "Emma was struck with that dart before she was taken."

"Charming!" Snow cried, slipping from her throne to pull her husband into her lap.

I rolled my eyes and snarled, "He'll be fine, dear. It's coated in poppy. But if I find out that you had anything to do with my Consort's abduction, I will stop at nothing to destroy you both."

Tears were sliding down her face as she turned to me. "It wasn't us. I swear, Regina. Whatever this was it had nothing to do with us."

I studied her for a long moment before nodding. She didn't appear to be lying. "Very well," I said with a small nod. I focused on the talisman I had given to Red and transported to her. I found her in the cottage she shared with Granny. With a quick glance around I realized that I'd interrupted their lunch.

"Regina!" Red cried out in alarm. "What are you doing here?"

"Emma's been taken. I need your help," I replied impatiently.

Her eyes glowed yellow for a moment as she took a step towards me. "Can't you find her through your bond?"

"Do you honestly think I would be here if I could? Something is interfering with the bond," I explained quickly.

She nodded and turned back to her grandmother. "I have to go, Granny."

The older woman nodded and stood, grabbing her crossbow. "Go, I'll finish packing and join you in a few days.

I lifted my eyebrow at that but decided not to comment as I held out my hand for the younger wolf. She didn't hesitate to place her hand in mind. "Thank you, Granny," she said as my magic enveloped us both and took us to my orchard.

Red staggered away from me, coughing as the purple smoke dissipated. "You'll be fine in a moment, dear," I said, not even looking at her as I focused on Lucas and Lord Jarod who had turned to greet me. "What do you know?" I demanded.

"We don't know much, your majesty," Jared stated quickly. "So far all we know for certain is that Emma isn't on the castle grounds and Lord Steven cannot be found.

A dangerous growl fell from my lips and I had to struggle not to kill my Spymaster where he stood. "Is that bastard behind this?"

Jared hesitated before nodding, "It appears that way, your majesty."

"Why did you not know he was plotting something?" I asked, stalking towards him.

"We did know he was up to something, but we were unable to uncover what that was, my Queen. You know this," he said in a soothing tone.

I narrowed my eyes, unwilling to be calmed. "Find him!" I snapped and turned back to the wolf.

Red had recovered and she began to sniff around the bench, her eyes blazing yellow as she searched the area. When she noticed me watching her, she glanced up and said, "I will be able to tell if your Lord Steven is responsible if I had something of his to compare the scent to.

"Very well," I said and vanished to his chambers in the palace. A quick glance around showed that he had packed most of his belongings and taken them with him. I moved to the bed and saw that his sheets hadn't been replaced yet. I pulled the pillow case off and returned to Red, wordlessly holding it out to her.

She took it, drawing in the scent and nodding. "He was definitely here with Emma, but he had help. I can smell at least two other people. I can track them," she said, immediately moving deeper into the orchard.

I followed wordlessly, absently noticing that my Spymaster and Master of the Guard had left the orchard, presumably following their own leads. Red led me through the orchard into the surrounding forest. An hour later, we reached a small river and the wolf started cursing.

"What is it, dear?" I asked, dread curling in my stomach.

"I lost the trail. It looks like they got in a small boat and I can't track them over the water. I'm sorry, Regina," she explained, her expression a mix of regret and worry.

I turned away from her and let out a primal scream of rage and frustration. It seemed to clear my head enough for me to turn to the wolf and flatly say, "It's not your fault, Red. Let's return to the castle and see what the others have found."

She nodded her agreement and took my hand. In an instant we were standing in the war room. Lucas and Jarod already there, bent over a map of the kingdom. I waved away their greetings and said, "We lost the trail at the river. They continued by boat. Where could they be headed?"

Several hours later, we were no closer to finding her, when I felt a flicker along my bond with Emma. It wasn't strong enough to follow to her side, but relief fluttered through me. I reached along the bond with my magic, trying to strengthen it. "R'gina," came a faint, groggy voice along the bond.

I smiled and thought back, "Yes, my love. I'm here. Are you alright?"

"Don't know. Where am I?" she asked sleepily.

"I don't know, dear. You were kidnapped. I'm trying to find you," I said, feeling my fury rising again.

I could feel her confusion along the slim connection as she said, "Oh, is that why I'm tied to a bed in a room I don't recognize?"

Rage, unlike any I'd ever experienced before raced through me, clearing out the worry and uncertainty that had plagued me for hours. It left my thoughts clear and focused on what I needed to do. "Emma, my love, I will come for you. Do you have the strength to help me strengthen our bond?" I asked, trying not to frighten her with my cold rage.

"Trying, but it's hard. I feel too heavy. Why am I so heavy?" she asked worriedly.

"You've been drugged, darling. Try to hold on a little longer, your magic should come back when the drug leaves your system," I soothed.

"Okay," she replied, calming somewhat.

I turned my focus back on the room and saw three pairs of curious eyes on me. "Emma's awake and I can feel her again. The bond's not strong enough yet for me to transport myself to her, but I was able to speak with her. Steven has her tied to a bed, which means they've stopped moving. Lucas, inform the patrols to focus on private buildings with at least two rooms."

He nodded and said, "Yes, your majesty." He gave a short bow and left the room.

I was about to address the other two in the room when panic flooded along the bond and Emma's voice rang in my mind. "Regina, it's Lord Steven. He just came into the bedroom."

"Ask him what he wants, my love," I commanded trying to sooth her.

After a brief pause she said, "He says that he's my True Love and that I can't be pregnant. Oh gods, Regina he's insane. He said he would give me a baby if I wanted one."

"What!?" I shrieked and I could feel her flinch along the bond.

"Hurry up, Regina. He's taking off his clothes. Please, don't let him do this to me," she whimpered desperately and I felt my heart break.

"Emma, I need you to stall him. The bond is strengthening, but I need a little more time before I can get to you," I said in as calming a manner as possible.

It seemed to help because after a moment she said, "Okay, he's leaving for now. I told him I was still groggy from sleeping and wanted to be able to enjoy his touch. Oh gods, I'm going to be sick."

I could feel her revulsion through our link and I could do nothing but send my love for her along the bond. "I'm sorry, my love. I'll be with you soon."

I continued to send soothing loving energy to Emma along our bond as I quickly filled Jarod and Red in on the situation. My Spymaster looked horrified, but Red was furious. "You will take me with you when you go to her," the wolf demanded.

I let out a dark chuckle and said, "Of course, Wolf. But Steven is mine. You may do what you like to his accomplices."

She gave me a brisk nod and moved to stand close enough for me to feel her body heat. Before I could comment, Emma's voice filled my mind again. "He's coming back. Regina I need you now!"

This time I didn't try to shield my rage from my consort; instead I pushed it into our bond, strengthening it until I could lock in on her position. I grabbed Red harshly and in a swirl of purple smoke, appeared in the small bedroom of what looked to be an abandoned hut.

A furious scream tore out of my throat when I saw Lord Steven crouched between Emma's legs. I reached out with my magic, yanking him off of her and throwing him violently against the opposite wall. His head struck harshly against the wood and he slumped to the ground unconscious. I didn't spare him a glance, nor did I look at the black wolf that charged out the door in search of any other occupants. All of my attention was focused on the woman still tied to the bed.

I rushed over to her, waving my hand to release the ropes securing her in place. "Regina!" she sobbed, curling into my arms as soon as I reached her.

"Shh, Emma. I'm here. You're safe now. I've got you," I said, gently rubbing soothing circles down her back. "Did he-?"

She shook her head, "No, you got here in time."

Relief flooded me and my rage eased slightly. "I'm sorry it took so long, darling. The drugs were interfering with our bond."

"I know, I could barely feel you," she whispered.

"I'm here now. He won't touch you again," I said softly.

She nodded and pulled back to look at me through tear stained eyes. "I know. I love you."

I smiled and tenderly rubbed the tears from her cheeks. "I love you, too."

"No!" came a desperate voice behind me and I spun around in time to see Lord Steven lunge towards me with a large dagger.

I tried to bring my hand up in time to stop him, but I wasn't quick enough, and a strangled cry fell from my lips as the blade sliced into my shoulder. Emma's matching cry had fury racing through me again and I lashed out with my magic, slicing through Lord Steven's wrist like butter. The hand still holding the blade fell uselessly to the floor of the hut. He froze, gaping at me as blood gushed from the stump of his arm. With an almost lazy malice, I conjured fire to cauterize the wound. I didn't want him to bleed out until I'd had my fun. His eyes rolled up into his head and he slumped to the floor again.

The sound of Emma retching behind me brought me back from the dark abyss of sadistic pleasure and I winced. I turned and immediately felt bad as I remember how much the scent of burning flesh had affected her before. "I'm sorry, dear," I said, reaching for her.

"S'ok," she muttered still gagging.

I looked back to my victim and waved a hand, transporting him to the palace dungeons to await trail. A moment later, Red came trotting back into the room, her muzzle red with gore. I lifted an eyebrow and asked, "Is it done?"

She bared her teeth in what I took to be a wolfish grin and bobbed her head up and down. I reached out my free hand, wincing slightly when it pulled at the wound in my shoulder. A moment later we reappeared in my bedroom. I eased Emma down onto the bed and looked at her bleeding shoulder.

"It's pretty deep. Do you think you can heal it?" I asked.

She sighed, "Not yet. The drug is still affecting my magic."

I nodded and not taking my eyes off of her pale face called out, "Mirror, send a healer. The consort and will both need stitches."

From behind me, the trapped genie said, "As you wish, your majesty."