Chapter 8

"Emma, dear, you need to wake up," Regina said, rubbing light circles on my back.

I groaned and sat up, blinking slowly to try to bring my mind into focus. "What time is it?" I mumbled as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes.

"It's nearly time for your celebration dinner, dear," she said fondly.

"Oh, yeah," I said with a grin. "I'd forgotten about that."

One of Regina's perfect eyebrows lifted and her voice was full of dry amusement as she asked, "How could you forget that you were knighted less than four hours ago?"

I sheepishly shrugged, and muttered, "A lot's happened since then. And my brain tends to shut down when you touch me."

"Really? Touch you how?" She asked before stroking her hand up my thigh. "Like this?"

My breath caught in my throat as a fresh bolt of arousal radiated out from her touch. "Yeeessss," I moaned, arching towards her.

With a chuckle, Regina withdrew her hand and said, "I'm sorry, dear, but we don't have time for that. You need to bathe and get ready for your feast."

I sighed and climbed out of the bed. "Regina, will you be joining me at the celebration?" I asked as I padded into the bathroom.

"No, dear. Everyone will enjoy themselves more if their Queen is not in attendance. Besides, I need to decide what to do about Snow's offer," she said.

I stopped and turned back to her, dread curling in my stomach as I asked, "Are you actually considering it?"

Regina was across the room in a heartbeat. She curled her fingers under my chin, forcing me to meet her intense gaze. "No, Emma. You're mine! I'm not giving you up. I just need to figure out the best way to use this to my advantage and avoid whatever trap they are planning," she explained.

I let out a relieved breath and relaxed. "Thank you," I said quietly.

She released my chin to stroke one hand through my hair, while the other wrapped around my waist and pulled me against her. "Emma, you are precious to me. I know it must be difficult to believe as I've kept you away from me for most of your life. But don't doubt my affection for you," She said soothingly before pulling back to meet my gaze again. When I focused on her, she smiled softly and said, "You make me feel things I haven't felt in a long time, my dear, sweet Swan. I…care deeply for you."

I smiled back at her and reached out to gently place my hand over her heart as I whispered, "I know. I can feel you, Regina."

She moved her hand from my hair to hold my hand over her heart, and then she leaned in to place a light kiss on my lips. When she pulled back, the tender moment between us broke as Regina gave me a mock glare and said, "Now go bathe. You may have healed us both before you fell asleep, but you're still covered in blood."

I chuckled and glanced down, seeing that she was right and I had dried blood smeared over most of my body. I looked back to Regina and asked, "When did you clean up?"

She laughed and rolled her eyes at me. "While you were sleeping, dear. Now, go," she said, giving me a little shove towards the bath.

"As you wish, my Queen," I grumbled playfully, shuffling my feet. Regina just chuckled and moved to her sitting room.

Twenty minutes later, I was redressed in my new white armor and headed down to the mess hall. Lord Jared stopped me, and drew me into an empty sitting room.

"Lady Swan, forgive me, but I thought you'd want to know that when Lord Steven left the throne room, he only went back to his rooms. He seemed rather angry, but so far, I've not been able to find any evidence of treachery," he said softly.

I sighed and nodded, "Thank you. I believe he is plotting something, but apparently we will have to wait and see. Please, keep an eye on him. I fear he will wait to strike until we are distracted with something else."

Jared nodded and said, "I think you may be right. I'll try to dig deeper. I won't let you down, Consort."

I smiled softly and said, "I trust you Jared, as does the Queen." Since Regina put me in charge of coordinating the Security Council, Lord Jared had proven invaluable. I'd grown to genuinely like his unassuming presence, and encouraging advice.

"Thank you, Emma," he said with a conspiratorial smile at his familiar address. I grinned and he said, "Enjoy your dinner, m'lady," as he swept back out of the room.

When I stepped into the mess hall, cheers rang out and I was quickly surrounded by people wanting to offer their congratulations and shake my hand. Cup after cup of ale was pressed into my hands as knights, soldiers and servants raised their glasses to offer a toast. When the alcohol began to go to my head, I stopped actually drinking and began using my magic to vanish the liquid from my cup. With Regina taunting Snow White and Lord Steven acting suspiciously, it was too dangerous for me to muddle my mind with booze. So, I copied the drunken behavior of those around me, and kept a sharp eye on my surroundings.

An hour later, as I was finishing the food I'd finally been able to eat, the Huntsman sat heavily on the bench next to me. I turned to him and quickly took in his ruddy cheeks and bleary eyes as he leaned in towards me. His words slurred as he said, "I don' know h-how you do't."

"Do wha?" I asked, copying his slur.

"Fck the Queen," he said with disgust.

My jaw clenched and I snapped out, "You used to."

"Pfft, tha' wus afore you were born. An' I dinn't have a choice, she has my heart." He gave a dismissive wave and added, "But you, you're b'trayin' yer own mother to fck da bitch. Just whorin' yerself fer sum fancy armor an'—".

Rage boiled through me and before I realized what I was doing, I slammed my fist into his jaw, cutting off whatever he was going to say next. His eyes rolled up in his head and he slumped to the ground, out cold. Silence fell over the hall and I stood up, glaring down at him and trying to decide what to do. I could feel everyone's eyes on me as I seethed. Before I could move, I felt a tug along my bond with Regina and she appeared in a swirl of purple smoke.

She quickly took in the scene, her own rage evident in her narrowed eyes and tense stance. Her eyes flicked over to mine and darkened at my furious expression. "Lady Swan, what is the meaning of this?" She asked in a voice that filled the large room with her anger.

I didn't flinch under her gaze as I growled, "He insulted you and my relationship to you, My Queen. I took offense and knocked him out."

Her nostrils flared as her fury spiked, she turned to the two closest guards and said, "You two, take him to the dungeons. I will speak to him when he recovers."

"Yes, your majesty," they said with a bow.

When they began dragging the Huntsmen from the hall, she turned back to me and asked, "Did he touch you?"

I shook my head, "No, my Queen."

"Very well. Come with me, Consort," the Queen said and swept from the room, not bothering to wait and see if I obeyed. I didn't even look around me as I stalked from the room in her wake.

I fell into step at her side and by unspoken agreement, we made our way silently out to her tree at the edge of the orchard. With each step closer to the tree, I felt my fury begin to dissipate. When we got to the tree, I leaned against the trunk and let out a long sigh as I felt the last of my anger fade. It took longer for Regina's rage to ebb and I watched quietly while she paced back and forth.

When her shoulders slumped, I asked, "What will you do with him?"

She turned to me and sighed. "I will have a long discussion with him and decide from that what to do. He's very useful and I don't want to have to kill him."

I nodded my understanding and pushed off the tree to go to her. I pulled her into my arms and placed a soft kiss on her lips. "You'll do what's best, my Queen," I said when I broke the kiss. I looked into her eyes and saw how exhausted she was. It had been an emotional day for both of us and I could see the toll it had taken on her. I reached down and took her hand. "Come on, Regina. It's been a long day and you've taken such good care of me, let me take care of you," I said, tugging her back towards the palace.

She let out a weary sigh and nodded. "I'd like that. Thank you, Emma," she said softly, following me into the castle.

The next morning, Regina and I returned to the dungeons. She went to speak with the Huntsman and I went to speak to Red. She was pacing in her cell when I opened the door, but she immediately stopped and turned to me.

"What no Evil Queen today to keep you on a leash?" she snarled bitterly. I didn't answer, just raised an eyebrow and leaned casually against the wall. She sighed and sat on the cot, "Sorry, Emma, I don't like being in a cage."

"I can understand that. If you put this on, I'll get you out for a while, let you get some fresh air," I said holding out a leather cuff.

Red eyed it warily. "What is that?"

"It will prevent you from changing and either attacking me or escaping," I explained.

If anything, Red looked at it with even more trepidation, as she asked, "Did Regina give that to you?"

"No, it was my idea, and I enchanted it myself. Regina gave me her approval, but she hasn't touched it," I said.

"Will I be able to take it off?" Red asked, still eyeing the leather.

"No, I'm the only one who will be able to take it off."

"Will you?" she asked softly.

"Of course. I'll remove it as soon as you are safely back in here," I said encouragingly.

She snorted, "You think I'm safe in here?"

I nodded, "Yeah. Red, there are a lot of people in the castle who lost friends and loved ones to your teeth and claws during the wars between our kingdoms."

"Oh, right," she said a little sheepishly. She hesitated for another moment before she reached out and let me buckle the cuff into place around her wrist.

I led her out of the dungeons and she followed in silence for a while. The guards we passed glared at her, but took one look at me and didn't say anything. Eventually, she broke the silence first.

"Did you know that I was to be your sponsor at your naming ceremony?" she asked hesitantly.

I glanced over at her, "No, I didn't. Is that why Snow sent you?"

She shrugged, "I think it's part of the reason."

I waited for her to continue, but when she didn't, I smiled wryly and changed the subject. "So, am I what you expected to find when you finally met me?" I asked curiously.

She barked out a laugh, "Not at all. After what Snow told me had happened on your birthday, the last thing I expected was a confident and capable knight."

"I'm sure," I said, laughing. After a moment, I added, "Though I have you to thank for being knighted."

She turned baffled eyes on me and asked, "What do you mean?"

I grinned and said, "The Master of the Guard was impressed that I'd managed to fight you off enough to make you try to retreat. So, he gave me the opportunity to prove my worth in a mock battle. I fought off 11 other knights at once." I was gloating and I knew it, but I couldn't help but brag. Some part of me wanted Red to be proud of me.

She smiled, "I wish I could have seen it. Your parents would be really proud of you." I frowned and looked away, hurrying out the palace doors into the sunshine. Red caught up with me and asked, "What's wrong? Did I say something to upset you?"

I sighed and turned to her. "I don't like to think of Snow and Charming as my parents," I said coldly.

"Why?" she asked softly.

I studied her for a moment and when I only saw open curiosity, I glanced around. There were people everywhere. "Not here," I said softly and led her around the castle to the gardens. Once we were safely away from eavesdroppers, I stopped and sat on a bench. When she sat next to me, I said, "I was never raised in ignorance of the feud between Regina and Snow. Even as a child, I was told the stories about what happened between them. Sure, when I was younger, the more bloody details were left out. But I always knew that I had been taken from the woman who destroyed the Queen's happiness and set her on the dark path she travels." Red looked like she was about to interrupt, but I cut her off.

"I know what you're going to ask, and yes, I was told both sides of the story. I'm not ignorant of Snow's version of the events. Regina made sure of that. She never tried to sway my opinion. She let me come to my own conclusions about the woman who gave birth to me. And do you know what I decided? I was ashamed of my mother. She is a selfish, spoiled woman who only sees the world as black and white. But there is a world of gray that she doesn't see. They've both done horrible things, but at least Regina admits it."

Red let out a long sigh, and I could see her mind working furiously. I waited in silence, letting her think. Finally, she said, "I think you would have been good for Snow. You'd question her actions. But, I don't think she would have been good for you."

I was surprised by her admission and asked, "Why?"

"Because she would have kept you in a gilded cage to keep you safe from the evil in the world," she explained softly.

"I would have run at the first opportunity and Snow would have lost me anyway," I said honestly.

Red nodded and asked, "I know you love Regina, but you're not cruel, why did you help her torment your parents on your birthday?"

I smirked, remembering the look on their faces the previous day. I quickly looked away, not wanting Red to see my expression. After a moment I said, "Regina says that I have a pure heart, but I don't know if that's true. My thoughts and actions often fall into the gray areas. I hate Snow for what she did to Regina. And I hate what they've done to their kingdom in my name. It disgusts me to think about how much people have suffered in their attempt to bring me back to a caged life that would break my spirit. I'd give my life to protect my Queen, so helping her by playing a part in her revenge is a minor thing, especially when it feels like retribution for the things they've done to people who shouldn't have to suffer."

"Emma, your parents love you. Do you have any idea what Regina's little show did to them?"

"No, they don't," I snapped. "They only love the idea of a perfect daughter."

"That's not true," Red insisted.

I snorted and bitterly said, "It is true. Yesterday, Regina contacted them again to let them know that you had been captured. I was right there in plain view of Snow and James, but did either of them ask me if I was alright? No, they didn't. The only thing Snow said to me, the only thing she's ever actually said to me was 'I'm sorry'. The rest of the conversation she was completely focused on Regina. And to top it all off, the second Snow found out that you'd been captured, she offered to exchange herself for your release. It was only as an afterthought that she amended her offer to include me. So, no, Red, I don't believe that my mother loves me. She's too wrapped up in herself and her Charming husband to actually care about anything else."

Red looked shocked, but she quickly recovered and said, "You must have misunderstood what she meant."

I snorted derisively. "No, I didn't. Come on, I'll show you and you can tell me if I've misunderstood," I said getting up and heading back into the castle. Red quickly caught up to me and I led her to my suite. She didn't say anything as we walked through the hallways. As soon as the door shut behind us, I turned to Red and said, "I'll explain the reason for my appearance after you see this, so please don't say anything until you've seen it all."

She eyed me warily but nodded and said, "Alright."

I turned to a mirror and said, "Mirror, show us the conversation between Regina and Snow White from yesterday."

A blue face appeared in the mirror and nodded, "As you wish, Consort." His face disappeared and Red snarled as the image of Regina and I appeared. I winced as I saw how bad I had looked. I knew that we were watching the moments before Snow and Charming had appeared. The image shifted to show Snow and James. Anger and sorrow rose within me again as I watched the scene unfold for a second time.

When the image faded, Red let out a growl and began pacing. I turned to watch her and waited for her to speak. Finally she stopped to glare at me. "That was the first time Snow spoke to you directly?" she asked angrily.

I realized that she wasn't mad at me and relaxed slightly. "Yes, those were the only words she's ever spoken to me," I said softly.

Before Red could say another word, Regina appeared in a swirl of purple magic. She glared at Red and snapped, "What did you say to her?"

Red gaped at Regina and I cut in. "She didn't say anything. I showed her your conversation with Snow from yesterday."

Regina immediately turned to me and wrapped her arms protectively around me, as she looked at the wolf and said, "I'm sorry, Red. I just assumed…"

Red's eyes widened in shock over the apology and she said, "It's alright. I—uh, I guess I don't blame you, Regina. We've been enemies for a long time."

Regina sighed and said, "Yes, we have."

They stared at each other, actually taking the time to see the other for the first time. After a long pause, Red asked, "Are you going to accept Snow's offer?"

"No," Regina said derisively.

"Why not? I mean I know Emma won't leave, but why not exchange me for her?" she asked.

Regina sighed and glanced down at me. When she looked back at Red, she smiled wryly and said, "Emma seems to think you might be happier here."

"What!?" she screeched.

I winced and said, "Red, Regina won't force you to stay here, but I'd like you to consider it."

"I won't?" Regina asked raising an eyebrow at me.

I shook my head and smiled at her, "No, you won't. If she wants to leave once this crisis has passed, you'll let her."

Regina let out a long-suffering sigh and grumbled, "Emma, you're going to ruin my reputation outside this kingdom."

Red let out a bark of laughter and I grinned at them both. "I love you, my Queen. I just want everyone to know who you really are," I said with a shrug.

Regina sighed again and kissed my cheek. Red watched the exchange with a smile, but then she turned thoughtful and hesitantly asked, "Regina, what really happened between you and Snow?"

Regina tensed and the lighthearted moment dissolved. She turned hard eyes on Red, and said, "I'm sure Snow's told you all about it, dear."

Red nodded, "She's told me her side of the story, but I'd like to hear yours, if that's okay?"

"No," Regina said flatly.

"Regina…" I said, a pleading note in my voice. I didn't think it would actually work, she'd never even explained it all to me, but I thought that it might be important for Red to hear if we were to actually convince her to stay.

"No, Emma. I can't talk about it," Regina said looking at me. I could see the torment in her eyes and my heart gave a painful lurch. Not wanting Red to notice the pain in her eyes, I rubbed a hand soothingly up her back. She gave me a weak smile in acknowledgement.

Red looked between the two of us and said, "It's alright, I shouldn't have asked. You have good reason not to trust me."

"Thank you, Red," Regina said gratefully.

"Instead, can I ask what you two were doing that left Emma in the state she was in for that conversation with Snow?" Red asked in a voice that carried more than a hint of warning.

Regina tensed again and I gave Red a sheepish smile. "I don't see how that is any of your business," the Queen said imperiously.

I cleared my throat, drawing both of their attention. "I may have told her that I would explain," I mumbled.

"You what?" Regina said, glaring at me.

I winced under the weight of her angry stare and explained, "She's already seen and I didn't want her to get mad at you after seeing me like that."

The queen was not amused and she said, "Fine, then explain it to her, since it was your idea in the first place."

"Um, alright," I said nervously. I tried to shift away from my furious Queen, but she only tightened her grip on me possessively. I turned to Red and sheepishly said, "Well, I don't know if you noticed that when you attacked Regina the other day, it also hurt me."

Red's glower turned into a look of surprise. "What do you mean? I thought I'd misjudged and accidentally swiped you as I lunged at her."

I shook my head, and said, "No, you didn't touch me at all. "

"Then how were you hurt?" Red asked clearly confused.

I glanced at my Queen. She hesitated for a moment before giving me a small nod to continue. "Regina and I are bound by magic. If one of us is wounded severely enough, it is mirrored on the other."

Red's eyes widened further and she gasped, "Oh, my Gods. So, if one of you is killed…"

I nodded, "The other would die, too." Regina's hand subconsciously squeezed me even more tightly against her, and I rubbed soothing circles on her back, somehow knowing she was thinking of Daniel.

"Then what were you doing yesterday?" Red asked, anger beginning to overwhelm her shock.

"This is a relatively new development, Red. Yesterday, I asked Regina to test how far the bond stretched. We needed to know if minor injuries would be shared too."

Red nodded her agreement. "I suppose that makes sense," she said thoughtfully. Then her eyes widened and she hurriedly said, "You have to tell Snow."

"No," Regina said in a tone of finality.

"But—" Red started to say, but Regina cut her off with a lifted hand.

"I said no. Snow White can't keep her mouth shut when she has a secret, Red. Telling her would only put Emma's life in danger. She would become a target for every person in this realm that wants to see me overthrown. Snow isn't my only enemy," the Queen said warningly.

"I know that, Regina. I'm not an idiot. But, Snow wants to kill you. If she succeeds, then she will unknowingly be killing her own daughter. That would destroy her," Red snarled.

"So be it," Regina said, reigning in her anger and hiding her emotions behind her Evil Queen mask.

Red looked at me, growing frustrated by the carefully blank face I was showing. She turned back to Regina and growled out, "You would damn Emma for your revenge?"

I grit my teeth and ground out, "I couldn't live in a world without Regina; especially not one where she was murdered by a woman who claims to love me." Regina ran an appreciative hand down my side and settled back into her arms.

Red let out another growl and began to pace the sitting room. "This is insane. When are you going to tell her the truth about your relationship? Are you even going to give her a chance to stop trying to get Emma back?" She finally asked, but she had an air of defeat in her voice and the set of her shoulders.

Regina calmly said, "I haven't decided yet. I've been having too much fun tormenting her with her worst nightmares about what her daughter has experienced in my care." Red shot her a disgusted look and the Queen added, "But, if you decide to stay and help me protect Emma, I am willing to promise that I won't kill Snow or her Charming shepherd."

That stopped Red's pacing and she turned to fully face Regina. She stared at her, obviously trying to gauge the truth of her words. With a last glance at me, all of the fight left her and she said, "I need time to think about it."

"Of course, take all the time you need," Regina said, her voice softening slightly.

"Thanks," Red said distantly, her mind no longer focused on the conversation.

I kissed Regina's cheek and stepped towards Red. "Come on, I'll take you back to your cell," I said softly so as not to disturb her thoughts. She just nodded distractedly and followed me from the room.

Author's note: Thanks for the reviews. They definitely help. Please continue to review and let me know what you think.