Chapter 7

"Can I ask you a question, Regina?" Red asked as we were finishing our lunch.

"Of course, dear," I responded easily. The wolf's earlier declaration about her loyalty had lowered my usual emotional defenses and I felt an unusual wiliness to open up to the other brunette.

"Why haven't you and Emma gotten married yet?" she asked with frank curiosity.

I immediately regretted letting my guard down with the wolf. Especially when I noticed Emma freeze and stare intently down at her empty plate. I fought down the panic and fear that wanted to bubble up within me in the hopes that Emma wouldn't feel it along our bond. I bit my lip to prevent the vicious retort that attempted to escape, and took a deep breath to settle myself before I explained in a hollow voice. "I swore a long time ago that I would never again allow myself to suffer the indignities of marriage." I felt more than saw Emma flinch at my statement.

Red just looked confused as she asked, "What the hell are you talking about? Emma's your True Love and the mother of your child."

I sighed and glanced over at my Consort, who was carefully avoiding my gaze. I turned back to the wolf and flatly said, "Yes, she is. However, my marriage to Leopold…soured the experience for me, and I have no wish to submit myself to that again."

"Why? I mean, I know you didn't love him, but what was so terrible about being married to Leopold? I've always heard he was a good man," Red asked, her brow furrowed.

"Just drop it, Red," Emma said coldly.

"But—" the wolf started to say.

"I said, drop it!" Emma snapped, standing abruptly to glower down at the wolf.

I reached out and put a calming hand on the blonde's arm and softly said, "It's alright, darling."

I was taken aback by the venom in her eyes when her gaze shifted to me. "No, it's not Regina. Just the thought of that man hurts you and you don't need to rehash painful memories you haven't even shared with me just to satisfy her curiosity."

She was right, and I knew she was right, but something snapped within me and rage washed through me. I shot to my feet and snarled, "You forget your place, Consort. You do not get to tell your Queen what she may say to whomever she chooses to speak with."

Pain radiated along the bond from Emma as she sat heavily in her chair. "My apologies, my Queen," she murmured dejectedly.

I hated myself for my outburst and for hurting Emma, but instead of backing down and comforting the blonde, I shifted my focus to Red and coldly stated, "Leopold may have been a good man to everyone else, but he was nothing of the sort to me. I was forced to marry him when I was 16. He was more than three times my age and knew nothing when it came to easing a woman's discomfort when taking her virginity. After my less than pleasant wedding night, the only time he paid me any attention was when he crawled into my bed to take his pleasure from my body, a pleasure he never once attempted to reciprocate. As Leopold's wife, I was forced to endure years of being treated worse than a common whore by a man who only had affection for his dead wife and his daughter. That, Red, is the reason I refuse to marry. I will not become someone else's property ever again."

The wolf gaped at me, unable to form words to respond to my revelation. From the corner of my eye, I could see Emma's shoulders shaking with silent sobs, and I could feel a swirling mix of horror, regret, sorrow and fury coming from the blonde. It was all too much and I couldn't stay in that room. I wrapped the familiar purple cloud of my magic around myself and transported myself to my tree. As the smoke cleared, I let the memories that my speech had conjured wash over me, and for the first time in years, felt like the helpless girl I'd been. I fell to my knees and sobbed.

I have no idea how much time passed before strong arms wrapped around me, holding me tightly as the pain of my past overwhelmed me. Gradually, the love and compassion that Emma poured into our bond broke through the endless cycle of my memories and brought me back to the present. I turned in her arms and buried my face in her blonde curls.

"I'm so sorry, Emma," I choked out, regretting my harsh words.

"Shh, it's okay, my love," she murmured, gently stroking my back.

I pulled back to stare at her incredulously. I wanted her to snap at me and punish me for being so callus towards her. I didn't deserve the compassionate understanding that I saw in the green depths of her eyes. I opened my mouth to deny her words, but she put her hand over my lips to prevent me from speaking.

"Stop, Regina. I'm not going to yell at you. You've been holding that in for far too long. It needed to come out," she said softly. I stared at her for a long moment before nodding my agreement and curling into her loving embrace. For a long time, I let myself give in to the safety she offered and let my True Love hold me while I slowly rebuilt the walls that hid my vulnerabilities from the rest of the world.

When I felt more like the woman I'd become, I sat back to meet Emma's eyes and asked, "Why have you never asked about marriage?"

She shrugged and said, "I won't lie. I've thought about it. But the day we found out I was pregnant you had this look in your eyes when your marriage to Leopold came up. I can't explain it, but I knew that asking you to marry me would be a terrible idea. So, I decided to wait and hope that would change in the future."

"Does it bother you, dear?" I asked nervously.

Emma sighed, "Honestly? I'd love to marry you, Regina. I love you so much that I sometimes forget how to breathe. But I don't ever want to make you feel trapped or owned; and based on what you just told Red, you would feel that way. So, no, it doesn't bother me. Not really."

"I love you too, Emma, more than I ever thought possible with my dark heart. Maybe I'll change my mind one day," I replied wistfully.

She smiled and kissed my temple. "Either way, I'm still the luckiest woman in the world."

"No, my love, I am," I said earnestly giving her a soft, loving kiss to convey my deep gratitude for her understanding.

A few days later, I woke to the feeling of callused fingers teasing one of my nipples into a stiff peak. I moaned, arching into Emma's touch. "You're feeling frisky this morning, darling," I huskily purred, not even bothering to open my eyes.

She chuckled lightly. "I couldn't help myself. You look stunning today, my Queen," she replied.

"Mmm," I hummed happily as I slid a hand across her stomach to pull her closer. It took a moment to register what I'd felt under my fingers, but when it did, my eyes flew open and I stared down at the slight bump protruding from her abdomen. "Emma," I breathed, bringing my hand back to tenderly cup her rounded belly.

"What?" she asked, obviously confused by my change in demeanor.

A grin spread across my lips and I met her gaze as I happily stated, "You're starting to show, my love."

Emma's eyes widened and we both looked down to where my thumb gently stroked the baby bump. "Oh, wow," Emma breathed, her hand coming up to cover both the bump and my hand.

My fingers entwined with hers and for a long moment we both stared down at our hands holding the evidence of our love. When I couldn't contain my excitement anymore, I launched myself at Emma, kissing her with all of the love, devotion and happiness I felt in that moment. She immediately responded, bringing her hands up to tangle in my hair. When air became a necessity, I pulled back and panted, "I love you, Emma."

She smiled and replied, "I love you, too."

I grinned and lowered my mouth to trail kisses down her body. When I reached the bump, I planted a lingering kiss on it and whispered, "I love you, baby."

I heard Emma's breath catch in her throat and I looked up in time to see a tear slide down her face. I dropped another kiss over Emma's womb before I crawled back up and gently brushed the tear away. She smiled, and turned to kiss the palm of my hand. "This is real, isn't it?" she asked quietly.

I smiled, "Yes, Emma. We're really having a baby."

I don't know who moved first, but as our mouths found each other again, the taste of apple mead coated my tongue and I smiled into the kiss. The flavor of the magic that formed our bond no longer frightened me and I eagerly drank in the connection, letting the warm tingle of magic slide down my throat. I moaned into the kiss as heat pooled low in my belly. I eagerly kissed my way down Emma's body, rejoicing in the way she arching into me when I lingered at her chest. My tongue darted out to flick her tight nipples, drawing a throaty groan from my love, before I continued my journey down her body.

When I reached her center, I paused and breathed deeply, letting the scent of her arousal fill my senses. I looked up to meet her lust-darkened eyes as I lowered my mouth to run my tongue through her slick folds. A low hum of approval fell from my lips as I lapped up the evidence of her desire. Emma moaned loudly and I began slowly running my tongue in ever-tightening circles around her clit. Fresh moisture coated her folds, and I lavished strong licks along the length of her center to collect every drop.

Emma shuddered against me, whimpering in need. I pressed my tongue into her opening, groaning as I felt her tight walls clamp down on me. I fluttered my tongue in and out of her wet channel, feeling her slide rapidly towards release. Shifting to replace my tongue with two fingers, I quickly sucked Emma's clit into my mouth and rapidly flicked the tip of my tongue against the bud. Emma cried out, rocking into the steady thrust of my fingers. Before long, her inner walls tightened around me, trying to draw my fingers more deeply into her. I sucked harder on her clit and curled my fingers to hit that perfect spot within her depths. Emma shuddered and came with a loud moan.

In a swift motion, she flipped our positions to pin me under the weight of her body as she hungrily claimed my lips. I moaned into her mouth when I felt the new bump press into me. Emma took the opportunity to slide her tongue past my lips and tangle with mine. I dragged my hands up her sides, loving the silky texture of her smooth skin. Emma shifted to straddle one of my thighs as her wandering fingers found my dripping slit. My hips jerked up to meet the sure strokes of her fingers as they traced along my hot folds.

"Please," I whimpered, needing to feel her fill my aching core.

Emma chuckled, breaking the kiss to trail feather-light kisses down my jaw to lightly suck on the sensitive skin of my neck. The sensation had my inner walls clenching in anticipation as heat raced down my spine to pool between my thighs. Just before I gave in and begged again, Emma slowly pressed long fingers into me. My head fell back to my pillow and another moan escaped my lips. She continued slowly sliding in and out of my hot channel at a pace that drove me insane as need swamped me.

"Harder, Emma," I panted out desperately.

She didn't change the tempo of her thrusts; instead, she sent a pulse of magic into my core. I shuddered as the magic raced along my nerves, pushing me towards release. I groaned, hanging on the edge of bliss for long minutes as she slowly slid within me and sent occasional pulses of magic into me. I couldn't focus on anything but the feeling of her moving within me and the slowly building pressure in my core. Panting moans fell from my lips in a steady stream as the pleasure within me grew.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of desperate need for release, Emma pulled her mouth from my body and raised her possessive eyes to meet my wild gaze. "Come for me, my Queen," she commanded in a low husky tone as she pushed her fingers as deeply into me as she could and sent a stronger pulse of magic surging through me. A hoarse scream sounded in the air, and I flew over the edge, shuddering as my release washed over me.

Awareness slowly came back to me and I realized that Emma had shifted to lay along my side. Her head was propped on one hand, while the other gently stroked the sweat-dampened skin of my stomach. I smiled blissfully up at her and she leaned over to softly kiss me. We stayed curled together in happy silence for several long minutes before a thought occurred to me and I bit my lip, uncertain if I should ask.

Emma noticed and shifted so she could catch my gaze. "What's wrong?" she asked.

"Nothing's wrong, dear. I was just thinking about the baby," I explained softly, trying to reassure her.

"What about it?" she asked tentatively.

I smiled and trailed my fingers through her hair. "I was thinking that maybe we could turn your suite into a nursery. You never really use it, and since it has a conjoining door, we could keep the baby closer. Would that be alright?"

Emma grinned and mischievously asked, "Does that mean you're finally asking me to share your chambers, your Majesty?"

I attempted to scowl at her, but could feel my lips twitch up into a small smile. "Yes, Consort, I suppose it does," I replied haughtily.

She chuckled and kissed my nose. I narrowed my eyes in mock-irritation and she grinned. "I think that's a wonderful idea, my love," she said seriously.

"Excellent," I replied, my thoughts already shifting to the practicalities of redecorating. After a moment's consideration, I frowned and said, "We're going to need to expand the suite."

Emma's brow furrowed and she asked, "Why?"

"For Red, she will need to be close enough to protect the baby," I explained.

"Oh, right," Emma said, sheepishly. "I'm still getting used to the idea that we're really going to be mothers.

I chuckled lightly and leaned over to kiss her. "Don't worry, my love you still have about six months to get used to the idea." I reached over and gently cupped the soft curve of her growing stomach. Emma's breath caught and she rolled onto her back to stare at the ceiling. I turned to face her, immediately concerned as I saw tears start streaming down her cheeks. "What's wrong, darling?"

Her voice was thick with tears as she asked, "Can we really do this?"

"What do you mean?" I could feel her sudden fear from our bond, but I had no idea what had caused it.

She turned to face me, her watery eyes searching for reassurance in my gaze as she whispered, "Are we really ready to be mothers? What if our baby hates us? Or we don't love it enough?"

Her questions had my own irrational fear filling me. She was right, neither of us had healthy relationships with our mothers. I took a deep breath and pushed away my fears. "Emma, we won't let that happen. We don't have to be our mothers. I haven't even seen our child yet, and I already love it. I would do anything for this baby. Wouldn't you?"

"Of course," she snapped, fueled with sudden determination.

I smiled softly and said, "I know, darling. That's why we'll make certain that our little prince or princess never doubts that he or she is loved. Gods, Emma, you are going to be an amazing mother."

She blushed and sniffled. "Thank you," she said softly.

"You're welcome, darling," I replied, letting my happiness wash away the last of my doubts.

After a moment, Emma gave me a cheeky smile and teasingly said, "I think you're totally going to be the baby's favorite mom."

I smirked, "Why is that, dear? Because I'll frighten off any bullies?"

Emma rolled her eyes and scoffed, "No, Regina. You'll be the favorite because you're a complete sap under all that Evil Queen makeup."

I was speechless. I couldn't decide if I should be offended or touched. After a moment I settled on lightly backhanding her on her arm and sauntering out of the room. Just before I left, I dryly tossed back, "The Evil Queen is not a sap, Lady Swan." Emma's laughter brought a smile to my lips as I headed to bathe.

The next afternoon, Red's grandmother arrived. From the moment that we received word that she had crossed into the Shadow Kingdom, the wolf bounced around Emma with nervous anticipation. It was so irritating that I finally sent her down to meet her Granny on the road while Emma and I retreated to our chambers. Before she left, I instructed Red to get her grandmother settled before bringing her up to meet with us in my study.

I didn't want to admit that I was nervous about meeting the older woman, but I was. I knew that she was just as fierce and loyal as her granddaughter, and I really had no idea what to expect from her. Emma picked up on my nervous energy and ran soothing hands up my back while I tried to focus on the designs for the nursery. When the mirror finally announced that the two women were on their way to my study, I gave Emma one last nervous smile before wrapping our combined magic around us and transporting us to the meeting.

When a knock sounded on the door, I was seated behind my desk with Emma standing at my right shoulder. "Come in," I called out, wanting to maintain the visual display of power when the older woman entered. Granny entered first and her gaze quickly scanned over me before focusing on Emma. I wasn't surprised. This was the woman's first look of Snow's daughter. Emma didn't falter under the appraising look and I couldn't stop the rush of pride I felt for my Consort. "Welcome to the Shadow Kingdom, Granny," I said, drawing her attention back to me.

She didn't even bother with pleasantries and gruffly said, "Red says that you've changed."

I lifted an eyebrow and glanced at the younger wolf who stared resolutely at the floor. Emma stiffened and flatly stated, "You shouldn't believe most of what the White royals say about Regina."

Granny's turned back to my Consort and asked, "What do you know about it, girl?"

Emma clenched her jaw and ground out, "I know enough. My Queen has never kept me in the dark about either kingdom. You should be grateful to be here."

"Is that so?" the older woman challenged.

I could feel Emma's frustrated anger growing and I reached out to place a calming hand on her arm. When I felt her relax slightly, I turned to Granny and asked, "I understand that you want to stay with your granddaughter, but will you be able to stomach living under my rule?"

She pursed her lips and bluntly asked, "Have you truly created a baby out of the love you feel for Princess Emma?"

Emma tensed and I lightly squeezed her arm to remind her to remain calm. "Yes, Granny I have. I love Lady Swan more than I have ever loved another," I replied, emphasizing Emma's proper title.

Her eyes narrowed and she asked, "Lady Swan?"

"Yes, I formally renounced my heritage and took the name Swan and have since been knighted," Emma explained coldly.

Granny nodded and asked, "Child, do you really love the Evil Queen?"

"Yes," the blonde snarled.

The older wolf studied her for a long moment before she shifted her attention to me and asked, "Do you mind if I take a sniff for myself?"

I sighed; apparently all of Snow's friends were as dense as she was. I waved a weary hand in permission and said, "I don't mind as long as Emma doesn't."

"Girl?" Granny asked, taking a step towards my Consort.

When I felt Emma's gaze land on me, I turned and saw the unspoken question in her eyes. I gave her a small nod and her eyes shifted back to the older woman. "Go ahead," she said, watching her warily as the woman stepped close enough to smell her.

After a moment, Granny stepped back and gruffly said, "My apologies, Regina. I should know better than to doubt Red's nose."

I waved it away and said, "It's fine, Granny. I expected no less from someone who sat on Snow's council for all these years."

Granny nodded, "Yes, well, I hate to admit this, but it has become blatantly obvious in recent days that Snow White is excellent had hiding many truths from her council."

I leaned forward eagerly, "Really? What truths have come to light?"

The older woman chuckled and said, "Let's just say that your treaty brought our attention to just how desperate the state of the White Kingdom has become."

I smirked and sat back, "Well, in that case, I'm glad I didn't give those idiots more time to try and fix their kingdom. I would hate to take over a wasteland."

Granny snorted and said, "You still might, Regina. I heard a lot of people talking about leaving the kingdom while I was traveling here. In fact, I'm surprised I beat some of the refugees to your doors."

That final statement shocked me and I anxiously asked, "What are you talking about?"

She shot me a quick smile before her expression evened out and she said, "Word is spreading in the White Kingdom that you may not be as evil as we once feared. The rumors of you making a True Love baby with Snow's daughter and wooing Red away from Snow's side are convincing people that you may be a better queen than Snow White."

I pursed my lips and shot Emma a glare. "I told you that you were going to ruin my reputation," I snarled.

Emma bit her lip and turned to me with wide eyes. She would have maintained the innocent act if Red hadn't burst into a loud bark of laughter. Emma's facade immediately crumpled and her peals of laughter filled the room. I couldn't help but to chuckle with them, especially when I saw the stunned expression on Granny's face. When the laughter began to die down, Emma gasped out, "I'm so sorry, my Queen. Please forgive me for making you fall in love with me and for carrying your child."

I slowly stood, staring her down with a mock-glare and imperiously stated, "See that it doesn't happen again, Consort." And then, unable to hold back any longer, I smiled and lovingly cupped her cheek in my palm.

Emma leaned into the caress but her eyes sparkled with mischief as she softly said, "I will do my best, your Majesty; though I can make no guarantees as I do believe that I didn't impregnate myself."

I let out a long-suffering sigh and Granny began to snicker behind me. I ignored her while I stood and placed a chaste kiss on Emma's lips. Granny's voice ended the press of lips as she said, "I'm glad that Red was right. I think I may enjoy living here."


A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Thank you all for the wonderful reviews and for all the favorites and follows. Your support really means the world to me. Please let me know what you think.

Also, several of you asked about Lord Steven's motives, don't worry, you'll get more insight soon. ;)