Chapter 7

Emma watched the crowd slowly part as a lone, dark figure stalked towards the dais. Startled gasps and surprised screams filled the hall as party goers caught sight of the newest arrival. A think, tense silence settled like fog throughout the ballroom as the last of the crowd parted to reveal a woman in a form fitting black dress with pale skin, bright red lips, and flashing brown eyes.

"My, my... What a sweet family reunion I seem to have interrupted."

Emma barely recognized the other woman, but that husky voice was unmistakable.

"Regina."

The quiet exhale unknowingly escaped soft lips as they spread into a relieved smile.

Emma missed the strange look that played across Snow White's delicate features before the shorter woman joined her husband who had immediately placed himself protectively between his family and the woman who had tried to tear them all apart. The brunette's gentle hand covered white knuckles clenched around the sheathed sword at his side. His vice-like grip relaxed slightly so blood could once again flow through strong fingers, but his defensive stance never shifted and the fire burning behind cold blue eyes never wavered.

The blonde moved to stop the escalating situation from turning bloody, but a small hand grabbed her wrist before she could even take two steps. Confused green eyes shot to the small boy holding her back. This was the moment they'd been waiting for; Regina had finally come for them. She didn't understand why he was stopping her when all she wanted to do was rush forward and wrap the other woman up in her arms and never let go.

A grave expression clouded his previously joyful features as sad eyes carefully watched the scene unfolding before him. The blonde followed his gaze trying to figure out what she was missing. Piercing eyes, black with hatred, met hers for a brief moment and Emma felt as if all the air had been squeezed from her lungs. Eyes that had once been filled with love and tenderness now held no sign of recognition. Her heart sank as she realized her worst fears had proven true.

She doesn't remember us.

Snow White stepped forward, bright eyes filled with barely suppressed rage. Cold steel laced her normally warm voice as she addressed the woman in front of her.

"Go now," it was clearly not a request. "You were not invited nor is your presence wanted on this happy occasion."

"Dearest Snow, you wound me," the Evil Queen responded in a hurt voice as a hand came to rest over her heart. "It was my understanding that all family and friends were welcome, yet I had to learn of this little soiree from others."

"You are neither," James growled over his wife's shoulder. "Now leave my palace at once or so help me I will have your head."

Long hair fell over a thin shoulder as the older woman threw her head back exposing the long column of her pale throat. Dark laughter spilled from full, red lips sending prickling chills over the flesh of everyone present as the joyless sound echoed in the deepest parts of their souls.

"Such hostility is not necessary when I have merely come to welcome the lost little lamb back into the fold." Brown eyes once again flicked to Emma before returning to couple standing between them. "Surely, there can be no harm in that," sarcasm dripped from her falsely sweet voice.

"Your presence is welcome neither here nor in any realm other than your own. I warn you one last time to go now and never return," James said giving her one last chance.

The Evil Queen merely arched an eyebrow at his ineffectual threat as a smirk graced her full lips. Emma was well acquainted with that look since she'd seen it aimed at her several times a week over the last year. Apparently, the implied challenge affected James the same way it pushed her buttons.

The blonde man stepped from behind his wife as he drew the steel sword from its scabbard and shouted, "Guards!"

Snow rushed back to Emma and Henry as a dozen armored men instantly filed in brandishing swords and spears. The clanging of metal against metal echoed off the stone walls creating a cacophony of noise that rang in their ears long after it had stopped.

Sharp points and smooth edges reflected in the light of hundreds of candles as the men slowly advanced on their target. The tall brunette woman remained calm throughout the commotion and even now seemed bored with the whole thing.

Emma worried that she would never get a chance to speak to the older woman again as the guards closed in around her. Before the men could get within striking distance, however, the brunette threw one hand out in front of her and the entire room froze.

Green eyes widened in surprise at the display of magic she was witnessing.

Snow hadn't been exaggerating when she said Regina was powerful.

Black, low-heeled boots clicked against the stone floor as the Evil Queen calmly made her way between the soldiers to stand toe to toe with James.

"You forget yourself, dear boy!" Though her deep voice never rose, the words resonated around the vast room none the less.

She turned from the tall, sandy haired man and made her way up to the platform. She spared Snow White a scathing glance as she passed the shorter brunette before coming to stand in front of Emma. Cold, calculating eyes silently studied the blonde and the small boy still clutching her wrist for several moments. For an instant, Emma could have sworn something flickered across the familiar features, but it was there and gone so quick she was sure she'd imagined it.

When the Evil Queen finally spoke, her dark voice was lower and laced with even more venom, if that was possible.

"I thought that cursing you to another world would do the trick, but it seems I was mistaken. No matter. I shall just have to find a more... permanent solution."

With that, she spun on the spot and disappeared in a cloud of black, swirling smoke.

A collective sigh of relief was released as the spell was lifted. Snow White made sure her daughter and grandson were fine before helping James restore peace to the agitated crowd. Emma felt a tug on her hand and turned to meet green eyes filled with a sadness that matched her own.

"I don't think she remember us," Henry stated in a flat voice.

Emma didn't even bother to hide her disappointment as she turned to look at the spot where Regina had disappeared.

"I guess not, kid... I guess not."

Black, intricately carved doors slammed open and bounced off stone walls as the Evil Queen stormed into her private chambers. Anger, frustration, loathing, and confusion warred for dominance within her as she paced back and forth in front of her Mirror. Hundreds of half formed thoughts flitted in and out of her mind as she tried to process everything that had just transpired.

Impossible! I cursed that... wretched offspring of Snow White and her Prince Charming barely three years ago. She should never have been able to return from that accursed place I sent her. And why does she look to be the same age as her parents?

The restless pacing and unanswered questions only made her blood boil more. She was done playing games. No matter what she did, she was constantly thwarted in her plans for vengeance. This time she would not be denied.

"Mirror!"

An eerie blue light emanated from the looking glass as a gaunt face immediately appeared, almost as if he'd been waiting to be summoned.

"My Queen?" he asked with a respectful tilt of his head.

A dangerous grin settled on her lips as she sauntered to within inches of the smooth surface. The fire in her eyes was reflected by low purr of her voice as she spoke.

"I have a plan."

A/N: So I told you I'd post early! Even if it is only a couple of days. I actually meant to post last night after work, but I saw that Dashed had posted the latest chapter of 'In a Land Far Far Away' and how could I ever compete with that? So I figured I'd post tonight and use the extra time making sure it was just right. Thanks again to all of you who read this, even if you don't comment. It means a lot to me that you guys like my little story and I can only hope that I continue to meet your expectations.

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