A/N: So this chapter got a little long, so I had to break it into two parts. I am going to try to get the second part posted before the end of the weekend.
Also, I am trying to post at least one chapter a week. If you are unaware, I am also writing another story. I refuse to give up on either of my fics, so please try to be patient with my update speed and don't send me private messages demanding the next chapter. It just pisses me off and makes it harder for me to write. Politely worded requests are always welcome and I am happy to answer those requests to the best of my abilities. Also, I have a full time job, a loving wife who enjoys spending time with me and family and friends who are a large part of my life, and yet I still find the time to write approximately 6,000-9,000 words a week, give or take. I am only one person and for some reason my body likes to sleep on occasion, so please be patient with me. I have a lot planned for this story and I want to make sure that it comes out the way I intend.
That being said, thank you all for your continued support and interest in this story. Please take a moment after you read and let me know what you think. It really does help me in my writing.
Chapter 5
I didn't sleep that night. The combination of the near-rape, the drug and the pregnancy had Emma's emotions spiraling out of control. I stayed with her while she screamed, raged and sobbed, soothing her to the best of my abilities while my own fury only grew. When Emma finally slipped into an exhausted sleep in the quiet hours before dawn, I lay in bed and let my mind turn from the woman in my arms to the torments I could inflict on the man who thought he could take my Swan from me.
Hours later, I was so lost in my dark and deadly thoughts that I didn't immediately notice Emma stirring. "Regina?" The sound of her voice pulled me back to my surroundings and I turned to look down into her eyes.
"I'm here, Emma," I said, my voice husky from lack of sleep.
She sat up and asked, "Did you sleep at all?"
I shook my head. "No," I said simply. I studied her and saw that her eyes were clearer than they had been the day before. It appeared that the drug had finally cleared out of her system. "How are you feeling?"
"Better," she said, offering me a small smile before sorrow erased it. "I'm sorry that I scared you yesterday."
I cupped her cheek in my hand and stared deep into her eyes as I firmly said, "Do not apologize for what happened. None of it was your fault."
She searched my eyes for a minute before she nodded, "Alright, love. Can I at least thank you for coming to get me?"
I softened and said, "Oh, Emma. You don't need to thank me. I will always come for you. I love you and there is nothing that could keep me from you."
The words had barely left my mouth when her lips crashed into mine. The kiss was desperate and I responded immediately. I let Emma push me onto my back as she began to furiously kiss her way down my neck. I moaned when her thigh landed between my legs and pushed roughly against my suddenly aching core.
"Emma," I groaned, needed to feel all of her.
"Hmm?" she asked, not even bothering to pull her mouth away from the sensitive skin she was sucking on.
My mind went wonderfully blank as arousal shot down my spine, causing me to arch into her firm body. Another moan escaped when I felt Emma's magic slide along my skin, only to be replaced with the heat of her naked body. "Yes," I hissed out.
A soft chuckle rumbled from her chest and Emma pulled back to look down at me. Her eyes were nearly black with desire as she growled, "I need you inside me. I need to feel you, Regina."
My breath caught in my throat and it took me a second before I understood her words. When my brain caught up, I slid a hand up her thigh to bury my fingers in her wet heat. She groaned, rocking back into my hand. I matched my thrusts to the pace she was setting with her hips. I couldn't tear my eyes from the beauty of her riding my hand, and I could feel my own arousal build with each thrust.
I heard a chocking sob come from the woman above me, and my eyes flicked up to her face. Emma's eyes were tightly shut and I saw a tear slip from her closed lids. I stilled my fingers and reached up with my free hand to brush the tear from her cheek. "Emma, look at me. I'm right here, my love."
Her eyes fluttered open, spilling more tears down her cheeks. That watery green gaze locked with mine and I could feel her swirling emotions slow, bringing her back from the dark memories she had fallen into. Emma licked her lips and said, "Thank you."
I brushed more tears from her face and asked, "Do you want to stop?"
She shook her head and began rocking again. "No, don't stop. I need this. I need to know that you stopped him. That you are the only one who will ever touch me."
I searched her eyes and could see the desperation in them. I nodded and swallowed hard past the lump that had formed in my throat. "Alright, just look at me, Emma. I'm right here."
When she nodded, I began to slowly thrust into her again. Gradually, I picked up the pace and Emma responded with a long moan. I stared into her eyes, watching as the orgasm built within her. As her pleasure grew, she began to struggle against the urge to close her eyes and give into the sensations. I grabbed her hand and thrust it between my legs. "Feel me, Emma. You're with me," I said in a throaty purr.
She moaned and pushed two fingers into me, her eyelids fluttering shut as my inner walls clenched around her. She set a brutal pace as she plunged into me and I did my best to match it with my own thrusts. For an infinite space of time, nothing existed but the woman above me and the pleasure we offered each other. When Emma stiffened around me and cried out, I flew over the edge of my own release, letting her name fly from my lips.
I pulled Emma down into a deep, satisfied kiss as aftershocks continued to shudder through us both. She broke the kiss first to sit back and slide her fingers from me. I immediately missed the feeling of her, but I knew that Emma needed the space as much as she had needed the previous connection. I sat up and waited while she seemed to pull herself together.
When Emma turned to look at me, her eyes were hard and her jaw was set. For a second, I was puzzled by the wave of relief that washed over me at the sight of that look on her face. But then I realized that some part of me had been worried that her kidnapping and near-rape had broken my strong White Knight, especially after the emotional storms that had plagued her throughout the previous evening. But that look proved my concerns to be misplaced. Emma was stronger than that.
If she noticed my momentary distraction, she didn't comment on it. Instead, in a voice devoid of any emotion except a hint of the cold rage I could feel boiling just under her stoic exterior, she asked, "May I assist in Lord Steven's execution, my Queen?"
With those words, my own fury crashed back upon me, and I could feel my expression harden into that of the Evil Queen. My voice was a dangerous purr as I replied. "Yes, you may, Lady Swan."
Emma stood and gave me a low bow as she said, "Thank you, your majesty."
I couldn't help but smirk at the formality and deference that Emma could display while still naked and disheveled from sex. When she straightened, I held out my hand and let her help me climb from the large bed. Once I was on my feet, Emma kissed the knuckles of the hand she was holding. I gave her a small affectionate smile, and tenderly stroked her cheek before I turned to the mirror and snapped out, "Mirror, send for Red and have Lucas gather the Court!"
"Yes, your majesty. Would you also like to have breakfast sent up?" the trapped genie asked.
"Yes," I said flatly before turning to my wardrobe.
By the time a knock sounded on the sitting room door, Emma was dressed in her armor and I had dressed in matching black leather pants and bodice with a blood red jacket. "Enter," I called in response to the knock. Red entered, following by one of the serving maids and a cart of food.
"Morning," Red said as she came in. I lifted an imperious eyebrow and she flushed guiltily and glanced at the maid and added a hasty, "Your Majesty."
I gave her a brief nod and took my seat at the table. When the maid left, I turned to Emma to ask, "Will you be able to eat this morning, dear?"
She eyed the food a little warily before she met my eyes. "That depends. Are you planning on burning Lord Steven again?"
My lips twitched in amusement at her slightly teasing tone. I knew that the question was a serious one, even though her tone wasn't. "No, Consort. I would prefer you and the baby keep your breakfast today, if possible."
Emma smiled and took the seat next to me. "Then I will be able to eat. Thank the gods."
Red chuckled and sat on Emma's other side. "So, what did you want to see me about this morning?" she asked bluntly.
I smirked, amused by the lack of formality that she felt comfortable with, but I sobered quickly and said, "I had planned to do this in a week, but after yesterday, my plans have changed. I need for you to assume your duties immediately."
Red nodded and said, "I assumed that would be the case. Granny will be here in a few days with my things, but otherwise I'm ready."
"Granny?" Emma asked, confused.
The wolf turned to her and smiled as she explained. "Yeah, my grandmother raised me and now that she's getting older, I've been taking care of her. So, she's coming to live with me."
Emma smiled and I took the opportunity to steer the conversation back on topic. I cleared my throat to get their attention before I said, "Since you have known ties to the White Kingdom, you will need to swear fealty in formal court. We will do this before bringing Lord Steven in to face the charges against him."
Red curled her lip in disgust, but her voice was resigned as she said, "I can do that."
I smirked again and sarcastically said, "I hope it won't be too much trouble, dear."
"No, it's fine, Your Majesty," she replied mockingly.
I chuckled, enjoying the wolf. "Very well. Once you've sworn fealty, you are not to leave Emma's side unless she is alone with me. Do you understand?" My voice started out mild, but by the time I finished speaking, my voice had turned hard and demanding.
Red sobered quickly and she nodded. "Yes, Regina. I won't let anything happen to her or the baby."
"Good," I said imperiously. Emma let out a sigh that both the wolf and I ignored.
Less than an hour later, Emma escorted me into the throne room, with Red trailing in behind us. When I reached the top of the dais, I looked at my gathered subjects and held up my hand for silence. I waited until the room grew quiet and I had everyone's attention before I projected my voice to fill the room. "Before we get to the reason you are all here, Red please step forward." I waited until she stood in the empty space at the base of the steps before I said, "What business do you have with the Shadow Realm today?"
Red dropped into a deep curtsy and lowered her gaze respectfully. After a brief pause, she stood and met my eyes as she said, "As you know, I have long been a close friend and ally to Queen Snow of the White Kingdom; however, due to recent events, I have come to question my loyalties. Your Majesty, I have misjudged you and allowed my mind to be clouded with ignorant lies. Your Consort has shown me the error in my beliefs and I humbly ask that you pardon me of all crimes I have committed against your kingdom and your people and allow me to swear fealty to you, that I may begin to make amends for my past deeds. Will you grant me this request?"
I lifted an eyebrow, not expecting her to be so eloquent, or her request for clemency. I inclined my head and said, "Very well, you may make your vow."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," she said before she dropped to one knee. "I swear on my life and the honor of my people that I will serve you, Queen Regina Mills of the Shadow Kingdom, and all of your descendants to the best of my ability until I draw my final breath. From this day on, I place my friendship, loyalty and life in your hands and the hands of your family. Will you accept my oath and become my sovereign?"
I had to bite my cheek to hold back the smile that tried to form at the wolf's unconventional vows. After a moment, I regained my composure and formally said, "Lady Red, child of the moon, your oath is accepted in the eyes of your Queen and country. Let all who are present stand as witness to your vows and your Queen's acceptance. As your sovereign, I vow to protect you and your interests as I protect all those under my rule." I paused to glance around the room and take in the court's mood. I saw some angry faces amongst my guard and I knew that my next words were only going to add fuel to the fire, but I also knew that the formal execution that would follow would remind them of why they shouldn't question their Queen. I turned back to my newest subject and said, "I will grant you pardon on one condition."
Red visibly gulped, but her voice was steady as she asked, "What condition is that, my Queen?"
Hearing that title from Snow's closest friend caused a victorious warmth to spread through my chest and I gave the wolf a small smile of appreciation and said, "You must agree to stand as protector and shield for my unborn child and heir."
The reaction was instantaneous as the room filled with noise. It was the first time I'd publicly acknowledged the rumors of Emma's pregnancy, and everyone in the crowd had something to say about it. I allowed them a full minute to express themselves to those around them before I held up my hand for silence. Eventually the room stilled and all eyes turned to the wolf.
"It would be my honor to grant your request, my Queen," Red said with a broad grin.
"Very well. You are hereby pardoned for all of your offenses against the Shadow Kingdom and its people while you were under the command of Snow White. Stand, my Wolf, and take your place as my child's defender."
Red stood in a swift motion and climbed the steps of the dais to stand behind Emma's left shoulder. I turned to her and gave her a mischievous smile. She gave me a questioning look and I smirked as I waved a hand, surrounding her in a purple cloud of magic. When it dissipated, her skirt and bodice had been replaced with gray leather armor. There was a red crest over her heart of a swan with wings spread wide perched in front of an apple tree. Red glanced down at her new attire before she met my gaze with a raised eyebrow. Emma smiled at us both and I turned back to the waiting crowd, ignoring Red as she shifted to get used to her armor.
I held out my hand for Emma and she immediately entwined her fingers in mine. I smiled at her before turning back to face the Court. "As your Queen, it is my pleasure to announce that the Consort, my True Love, is pregnant with my child and heir," I stated, unable and unwilling to hold back the joy that filled my voice at the announcement. The hall erupted in a cacophony of cheers, applause and excited voices. Emma lifted my hand to brush her lips against my knuckles in a tender kiss. I turned to her and smiled. A matching, happy grin graced her lips and her loving gaze held mine for a long moment.
I didn't look away from her until the noise of the crowd began to die out. I faced my court and held up my hand for silence again. "We will celebrate this joyous news next week with a feast," I announced to renewed cheers from those assembled. I allowed them their joy for a moment before quieting them yet again. When silence filled the room, my expression hardened and took on the dangerous glint of the infamous Evil Queen. I could feel Emma's mood darkening to match mine. "But first we must deal with the traitorous actions of a noble of this court. Yesterday, Lord Steven abducted the Queen's Consort from this castle and attempted to claim her for himself." My next words were cut off by the furious outcry of the crowd. I didn't try to calm this this time. I just waited while the court raged, drinking in their lust for retribution.
Once the room was filled with nothing but furious anticipation, I coldly said, "Bring in the condemned."
