Chapter 6

As soon as I was alone, I conjured a bucket and heaved up the meager lunch I had managed to eat with Regina before we went to the throne room. When the dry heaves stopped, I vanished the contents of the bucket and sank to the floor, resting my back against my desk. I conjured a cup of water and rinsed out my mouth before taking slow sips to ease my burning throat. Finally feeling somewhat better physically, I let my head fall back against the desk with a groan.

As I thought back over the events I'd just seen and participated in, my emotions were in utter turmoil. I had no doubts that the guard had deserved death for endangering Regina, even unknowingly. But it was everything else that had my feelings spiraling out of control. Part of me was horrified by the way the Queen had tortured the man, while another part was smugly satisfied by the message it sent to our enemies. And yet, a third part of me felt nothing but lust for the Evil Queen, especially after seeing her so ruthlessly execute the man who had attacked me. I couldn't decide which of these feelings I should settle on. I didn't know what it made me that I felt those things. Should I be disgusted with myself? Should I accept it and move on? If I did that, then which emotion was the right one to accept? How could I be so turned on by such viciousness?

My feelings over my own actions were no easier to sort through. I felt justified in my actions in light of how the Queen was wounded, but I also felt disgusted with myself for inflicting the wounds when he had already been viciously whipped and had been about to be tortured by the Queen. Had my actions been about justice, or vengeance? I didn't know.

I have no idea how long I sat there, lost in sorting through my thoughts and feelings. But when my stomach grumbled loudly, I was surprised to realize that night had long since fallen. Using my magic, I lit the lanterns in the room so I would be able to see well enough to move around the room without running into anything. I quickly scrubbed down in the wash basin and pulled on fresh clothes before I made my way towards the kitchen. The eerie quiet that permeated the castle told me just how late it must be.

Once in the kitchen, I grabbed some bread and cheese from the pantry and sat down to eat my meager meal. It wasn't much, but I didn't want to wake anyone just to cook for me. While I ate, the hurt look on Regina's face from earlier crossed my mind. I immediately felt guilty. I hadn't really given her an explanation before I'd left and now she had probably already gone to sleep, preventing me from being able to apologize tonight. I still didn't know how I felt about what had happened, but the longing I felt for her because of our bond couldn't be ignored. I needed to see her, even if I would have to wait until morning to talk to her.

I quickly put away the food I hadn't finished and made my way through the castle. I hesitated for a moment outside her door. If she was asleep, would she be angry with me for sneaking inside in the middle of the night? Deciding I was willing to face her wrath if I wasn't welcome, I pushed the door open and quietly entered. I immediately saw her. Regina was sitting on her lounge chair in front of the fireplace, staring blankly into the flickering flames. My heart surged at the sight of her and began to pound when she slowly turned to look at me.

"I wondered if you'd come to return the ring tonight, or if you'd wait for morning," she said without emotion.

Reflexively, my hands came up, my left hand protectively covering the Consort's ring. Her almost dismissive tone had panic racing through me, freezing me in place. "What are you talking about, Regina? I didn't come here to return the ring," I said, desperation leaking into my voice.

She scoffed and sneered at me, "Didn't you? You ran from the Evil Queen this afternoon. Why would you still want to fuck her tonight?"

My heart sank, and I quietly said, "I didn't run from you, my Queen."

Fury crossed her features and she rose to stalk towards me. "Yes, you did, Swan. The moment you were alone with the Evil Queen you ran away as though your pants were on fire," she snarled, stopping when she was close enough that I could feel her body heat, but she didn't touch me.

My instincts were screaming at me to back away from the fury contorting her features, but I couldn't move away from the underlying pain I could sense she was hiding. I met her gaze evenly and explained, "I was running from myself, not you, my Queen. I didn't think you'd appreciate me vomiting on you because the scent of burning flesh made me ill."

Surprise and concern crossed her face for a moment before her eyes narrowed again. "If it was just that, you would have returned to me earlier. What were you thinking about that had you sitting alone in the dark for hours? Were you planning your escape? Wishing you'd just gone home to mommy Snow?" She asked coldly.

My head jerked back as if I'd been slapped. I tightened my jaw, feeling anger begin burning through my veins. "No, nothing like that," I growled through my clenched let out a derisive scoff and turned away, dismissing my anger as she crossed to a side table and poured a glass of wine. Watching her walk away like that made my heart squeeze painfully in my chest. I felt bitter tears of rejection start to fill my eyes, but I pushed the pain down and snapped out, "I came here to apologize for earlier and to explain why I left the way I did, but if you are just going to shut me out, then I will retire, Your Majesty." Her title came out as a disgusted sneer, which I immediately regretted, but I wasn't willing to back down. I spun on my heel to storm out.

Before I could get to the door, I felt her pull on my magic, using it to slam me into the door. I gasped in surprise and tried to turn around to face her, but found I couldn't move. "You have not been dismissed, Consort," she snarled. I opened my mouth to reply and she snapped, "Silence. That's twice today that you have tried to leave me without explanation. Perhaps I have been too lenient with you, my dear. Do I need to put you on a leash to teach you your place?"

"No, my Queen," I said, shuddering at the idea of being led through the castle like a dog.

She closed the distance between us and pressed her body against my back, her hands running possessively over me. I groaned, lust clouding my mind and making me forget my anger. She chuckled darkly and purred in my ear, "Maybe I was wrong after all and you ran because you wanted to be at the Evil Queen's mercy and it terrified you, didn't it my innocent little Swan?"

I gasped in shock. That had been part of the reason I had left earlier. "I—I—um—that's not—that's not the only reason," I stuttered, blushing at the admission.

I heard the breath catch in her throat and she stepped back from me. "You—you desire the Evil Queen?" she asked quietly.

I struggled to turn to face her and the pressure holding me to the door vanished. My cheeks felt hot with my deep blush, but I met her eyes and said, "I left because I wasn't prepared for how I felt about what happened in the throne room. And yes, one of the things I felt was lust for you in all your ruthless glory, my Queen. I just needed time to sort through my emotions."

Several emotions flickered in her eyes, before settling on hope. "You really don't want to give the Consort's ring back?" she asked, sounding more fragile than I had ever heard her before.

I quickly crossed to her and cupped her cheek in my palm. I stared into her eyes, trying to convey my sincerity as I said, "No, Regina. You are the only one I want. I'm sorry I left the way I did, and I'm sorry that I got so absorbed in my thoughts that I lost track of the time. I was overwhelmed and scared."

"And now? How do you feel about it?" she asked, searching my eyes.

"I don't know," I said honestly. "But I couldn't stay away any longer. I needed to see you."

She gripped my chin and met my gaze with an intensity that was both thrilling and terrifying. "Never again, Emma. You are mine! I will come after you if you run again and you will not like the consequences," she warned. Without letting me respond, she crashed her lips into mine.

I responded to the kiss immediately, pushing my still swirling emotions into the kiss. She forced her tongue past my lips and I opened for her, letting her take what she wanted from me. A growl rumbled out from her chest and she fisted the hand not holding my chin into my hair, trapping me in her grip. I whimpered into the kiss, but didn't fight her hold. Her hands tightened their hold on me in response and I whimpered again at the slight pain.

She pulled back and looked at me with a possessive hunger that was all Evil Queen. My core clenched in response to the look and I trembled. Her eyes darkened and an evil smirk lifted the corner of her lips. With a swirl of purple smoke, I found myself laying naked in the middle of her bed, pinned under the weight of my Queen. I gasped, heat racing through me at the feeling of her soft, warm skin pressing down on me.

Her smirk deepened and in a cruel voice said, "You left your queen alone for hours, Consort. That is intolerable, and I will teach you that your place is with your queen."

"I'm sorry, my Queen," I huskily said.

"Not as sorry as you will be, my dear," she said ominously before pressing down against me and sinking her teeth into the curve of my breast. I cried out, bucking under her in pain as her teeth almost met through my flesh. She sat back and I could see a perfect imprint of her teeth on my skin. The sight had moisture pooling between my thighs and I tried to make sense of my reaction. Before I could wrap my mind around it, she bit into my other breast, marking it as she had the other. Arousal flooded my system, washing away the pain and I arched into her.

She pulled back and chuckled darkly. "You do desire the Evil Queen, don't you?"

"Yes, my Queen," I gasped out, too aroused to be embarrassed.

She grinned evilly and purred, "Good, because your queen is going to claim your tight cunt, little Swan." She waved a hand, conjuring a harness with a leather phallus around her hips. She shifted, bringing the tip of the dildo to my center. Meeting my eyes, she asked, "Who do you belong to?"

I swallowed hard and said, "I belong to you, your majesty."

She smiled wickedly and slid the shaft deep into me. It was too big and hurt slightly as it forced its way into my channel. I whimpered, tensing underneath her. She chuckled and said, "Relax, dear. It'll only hurt if you fight me." Not giving me time to respond or relax, she pulled back and thrust into me again. I cried out, clenching my fists in the sheets. She snarled, "Stop fighting your queen and give me what I want."

"I'm sorry," I whimpered, tears forming in my eyes.

She leaned down and whispered, "You're mine, Emma." Then she fastened her mouth on the skin directly below my ear and sucked hard. The combination of hearing my name and the feeling of her mouth on my skin broke through the haze of fear and pain and I relaxed. She felt the tension ease within me and thrust into me again as she said, "Good girl." I moaned as the phallus slid easily into me, all pain gone as I stretched to accept it.

The Queen sped up the pace of her thrusts and desire slid down my spine to flood my center. She slid a hand between us, brushing through my folds. When she lifted it, her fingers were coated with my desire. "Look how wet your cunt is for the Evil Queen," she said, bringing her fingers to my lips. I parted my lips and licked my juices from her fingers. She groaned and thrust harder. Heat rose within me and I felt my release building. She shifted, hooking an arm under my thigh and pushing my knee closer to my chest. The change in position allowed her to plunge deeper into me and she snapped out, "Come for your queen!" I screamed out as my release washed over me.

She slowed her thrusts, letting me ride out the orgasm before pulling out and vanishing the harness. I was still trembling and she pulled me into her lap. She kissed my forehead and gently stroked my back. "It's alright, Emma. I've got you," she soothed and I gradually relaxed, knowing that the intimidating presence of the Evil Queen had retreated.

"I'm sorry, Regina. I'm so sorry that I left you today," I said, my voice thick with tears I hadn't even realized had started spilling down my cheeks.

"Shh, Emma. It's alright," she said softly, wiping the tears from my cheeks. "I forgive you. Just please don't do it again. You can talk to me if you're feeling conflicted."

I swallowed thickly and nodded, "Okay. I'm sorry. I love you."

"I know," she said gently. She held me for a long time before she sighed and said, "It's late, we should try to get some sleep."

I nodded and after a moment's hesitation asked, "Can I stay with you?"

She placed a finger under my chin and tilted my face so she could look into my eyes. "Emma, I told you that you're always welcome in my rooms. You're my Consort. You're allowed to stay whenever you want."

I licked my lips nervously and said, "You were so angry with me, I didn't want to assume that you'd want to sleep next to me."

She sighed, "I was hurt, Emma. I thought you were going to leave me."

"I could never leave you, my Queen," I stated vehemently.

She smiled bitterly, "I know you say that now, Emma. But you are so young. One day you might realize how dark my heart is and leave."

I shook my head and said, "No, Regina. I love you. I'm not going to leave."

She looked away, sitting back so she wasn't touching me and coldly said, "I don't know if I'll ever be able to love you back, Emma. After Daniel died, I gave in to my rage and let my heart darken by committing evil acts. Today's execution was mild compared to what I'm capable of. Do you understand that? I don't think someone can come back from that. I don't know if I'm even able to love anymore."

I stared at her for a moment before shaking my head and saying, "You can love again. You're just scared, Regina. And I understand that. But you deserve a second chance at happiness, a second chance at love."

She sighed and met my eyes sadly. "I hope you're right, Emma."

I smiled, and in an effort to lighten the mood, cheekily said, "I am."

She chuckled softly and laid back, pulling me into her arms. "Alright, oh wise swan. But it's time to sleep."

I smiled, curling into her and wrapping an arm around her waist. "Good night, Regina."

She kissed my forehead and softly said, "Good night, Emma."

My days fell into a pattern and I gradually grew more confident in my new role as Queen's Consort. Every morning, I would train with Lucas while Regina took care of the business of the kingdom. We'd share a private lunch before Court or meeting with the Security Council in the afternoons. After a formal dinner with the nobles, we'd spend the evenings together, sometimes going for long walks through the orchard, and sometimes talking late into the night before falling into bed together. Even through the newfound happiness in my life, tension began to build within the castle. Snow White still hadn't retaliated for Regina's baiting on my birthday, and it seemed that it would only be a matter of time before something happened to disrupt our lives.

When it came, we were all surprised that Snow and Charming didn't start with war against the Shadow Kingdom. Instead, the attack came while I was walking with Regina in the orchards just before sunset a month after my birthday. It was a warm evening in early fall, and we had been quietly walking, enjoying the fall colors of the first leaves to change. When we reached Regina's prized tree, she pushed me against the trunk, leaning in for a deep kiss. I surrendered to the force of her kiss and moaned into her mouth. I pulled her closer to me, quickly losing myself in the taste of her.

A sound registered in my hindbrain and I pushed her off me, spinning to face the threat before I even registered what the noise had been. "Emma?" Regina asked, putting a hand on my tense shoulder and the sound came again. It was a deep menacing growl, coming from behind us. I spun again, quickly drawing my sword and saw a large black wolf step out from between two trees. Regina's hand tightened on my shoulder and I moved to put myself between the snarling wolf and my Queen.

As I moved, the wolf leapt. I expected it to come for me and braced for the attack, but I was wrong. Regina pulled strongly on both our magics to fling the wolf away, but she wasn't quick enough. White hot pain scorched down my arm as the wolf's claws scraped along her forearm. The wolf flew through the air and slammed into a tree trunk with a loud yelp. It shook itself and gathered to strike again. This time I was prepared and ignoring the pain in my arm, struck out with my sword as it tried to get past me. I felt the impact of steel meeting flesh as my blade sliced a gash into the animal's side. And almost human scream filled the air and the wolf fell back, blood coating the fur in its side. It looked like it would retreat, but Regina reached out and froze it in place with her magic.

Confident that the danger had passed, I turned to Regina and asked, "Why did it attack you? The wolves never attack unprovoked."

She glanced at me before returning her gaze to the animal. "Because that's not one of our wolves. That's Red. She's a werewolf and Snow White's best friend."

I gaped at her for a moment before looking at the wolf. "Then it's started," I grunted, my jaw clenching in anger.

"Yes, dear. We knew they would retaliate, but I didn't expect this. It's actually quite brilliant, really. No one pays attention to the wolves," she said with a dismissive wave of her hand. The movement brought my attention to the blood coating her skin, reminding me of our injuries.

I stepped over to her and gently took her arm. "Regina, she hurt you," I said, quickly studying the wound.

She glanced down and her jaw tightened in anger. "You're hurt too," she snarled and glared down at the wolf.

I sighed and calmly said, "That doesn't matter. Let me heal them." I didn't wait for a response and drew on our combined magics to mend the torn skin. In seconds, only faint white lines and streaks of blood marked where the wolf had clawed Regina's arm.

I heard the whine of a distressed animal and turned to see that the wolf was focused entirely on me. I laughed and bitterly said, "It seems Snow doesn't know everything about her daughter."

Regina chuckled and pulled me in for a kiss, causing Red to whine again. "I think you may be right, my dear," she murmured before turning back to the wolf. She waved her hand and purple smoke engulfed the wolf before she disappeared. "When she's human again, we'll question her. But in the meantime, I want your hands on me, Consort," she said, yanking me into her arms.

I laughed and said, "As my Queen commands." I gathered my magic and transported us into her bed.

In the morning, I followed the Queen down into the dungeon. She opened one of the doors and when we stepped inside, a beautiful, very naked woman surged forward. Regina waved a hand and purple smoke engulfed Red. When it cleared, she was dressed in a simple gown and her wrists were wrapped in metal cuffs that were chained to the wall.

"Good morning, Red," Regina said in obvious amusement.

She surged forward again, but was stopped by the manacles. "Let her go, Regina. Do whatever you want with me, but let Emma go free," Red growled.

I laughed, stepping towards her. "I'm not a prisoner here. This is my home, Red."

She shook her head, "No, Emma. Your home is the White Palace with your parents."

I sighed and shook my head. "No it's not. I've lived my entire life here. This is my home." I glanced at Regina, who seemed content to just watch for the moment. I smiled at her in appreciation and turned back to our prisoner. "Why are you here, Red?"

"To take you home. Emma, your parents are worried sick about you. They have been since you were born, but especially after what that bitch did to you on your birthday. They want to take care of you," she pleaded for me to understand.

I snorted. "None of you understand that I don't need to be saved from Regina."

Red looked startled and insisted, "But she told your parents that she was going to make you her sex slave."

I laughed, and turned to look at Regina, who seemed to be fighting her own laughter. After a moment, I met Red's furious eyes and said, "Regina was baiting Snow and Charming to watch them squirm. I have never been forced into her bed. I go willingly." Red's lip curled in disgust and I rolled my eyes.

Before I could continue, she snarled, "She's controlling you, Emma. She's evil and either she has your heart, or you're under a spell."

"She's not evil. She doesn't have my heart and I'm not under any spells," I said, losing my patience. Seeing that the wolf didn't believe me, I turned to Regina and asked, "Will you show her?"

The Queen's eyes widened in shock. "Emma, no. I don—"

I cut her off. "Just do it. It's alright, you won't hurt me," I insisted. She hesitated for a moment before gently putting her hand to my chest.

"Emma, no!" Red screamed, but I barely heard her. All of my attention was on my Queen and the warmth of her hand pushing into me. When her hand closed gently around my heart, I felt magic pulse from my heart into her and we both gasped. I met her gaze and was surprised by the look of awe and unadulterated love I found within her brown orbs. The moment was too intimate to be witnessed by anyone, but we weren't alone. Gently she pulled her hand from my chest and she was holding my heart.

I turned to Red and smiled, "Regina would never hurt me."

Red's eyes were wide with shock. "B-b-but, she's the Evil Queen," she stuttered, uncertainty clouding her eyes.

"Not to me, Red. To me, she's the woman who saved me from a life I would have hated, made sure I was taught to rule justly, trained to defend myself and my people, learned to control the white magic I possess and encouraged to reach my potential. And she's the woman I love." At these words, Regina gently stroked her thumb along my heart. The movement caused warmth to fill me and I turned to smile at her. She returned the smile and carefully pushed my heart back into place. Within one last tender caress, which sent a shiver of desire down my spine, she pulled her empty hand from my chest.

"No...She's not capable of that," Red said hesitantly, her eyes fixed on the Queen's hand.

"Look, Red, you've heard nothing about Regina but the self-righteous rants of your friend. But how much do you actually know about her and the way she rules? While Snow White has nearly destroyed her kingdom with years of useless wars, the Shadow Kingdom has prospered. The people are happy, well-fed and safe. Yes, crime is treated harshly, but even the lowliest peasant is treated with respect by their Queen. Can the same be said of the saintly Snow White and her kingdom?"

"I—no, it can't," she admitted reluctantly.

"I know," I said quietly. "That's why I chose to stay. And do you want to know why you haven't been tortured and killed by the famed Evil Queen?"

Her eyes snapped up to fix on Regina and she snarled, "Because I have information she wants."

I bit my lip against the smirk that tried to form and dryly admitted, "True, but not the whole truth. Wolves are protected here. Regina outlawed the slaughter of wolves within her kingdom. Did you know that, or was that another thing your Queen kept from you?"

Red blinked in surprise and still focused on Regina asked, "Is that true?"

She lifted an imperious eyebrow and simply said, "Yes."

Red shifted on her feet, looking confused and I sighed. I reached out and gently touched her arm. "I know this is a lot to process. So, we will give you time to think, but there is one more thing you should know. I chose to swear fealty to Regina of my own free will, and I am the Queen's Consort by my own choice. So, no matter what Snow White has planned next, she would have to kidnap and imprison me to keep me in her kingdom." As I spoke, I shifted my hand to the wound I had made in her side and healed it.

Her eyes widened in surprise when she felt my magic. I smiled and waved a hand to vanish the manacles chaining Red in place. "Thank you, Emma," Red said softly.

"You're welcome," I said before turning to Regina and offering her my arm. She took it and we left the wolf alone to think.

Regina waited until we were out of the dungeons before she asked, "Why?"

I grinned, "Wolves are very loyal when you earn their trust. The best way to get information out of her is to show her that the trust she has put in Snow White is based on lies and the omission of facts."

She chuckled, "So, you want to turn one of Snow's closest allies against her."

I shrugged, "If we can convince Snow White to stop fighting, maybe we can save the people in her kingdom from her foolish quest to reclaim me. Earning Red's loyalty might help with that."

She lifted an eyebrow and with dry amusement said, "You do know that if it succeeds, your plan won't stop me from getting my revenge on Snow White."

"I know, my Queen. I wouldn't dream of trying to stop you."

Author's note: Well that last scene didn't go the way I expected, but oh well. I hoped you enjoyed. Please let me know what you think. Reviews help feed the muse and really help me to write a better story. Thanks