A/N: So, here's the next chapter, some more Snow and Charming for you. I hope you enjoy. Thanks for all the great reviews, please continue to let me know what you think.

Chapter 9

Then next day, when it was time to contact Snow White with her decision, I still had no idea what Regina was planning. She had refused to talk to me about it. I tried every way possible to convince her to talk to me, but I only managed to piss her off. She told me that if I spoke another word before she was finished speaking with the White Queen, I would be banished from her bedroom for a month. Her eyes had a dangerous glint and I headed the warning. She'd made the threat over lunch and I'd spent the entire afternoon following her silently around the castle. Dinner had been the biggest struggle for me. Regina was lost in thought and didn't pay any attention to me and I teetered between the desperate need to hear her voice and sullen, bitter silence because I knew I could help her plan. In over a month, I'd never felt so segregated from my Queen and the sudden feeling of separation was devastating.

As I sat at the table, picking at food that tasted like ashes, Regina finally stirred and said, "I believe it is time. Come, dear." She hadn't looked at me and swept out of the room without even a glance to make sure that I followed. I sighed and obeyed my Queen. When I reached her side, I kept my head down, watching my feet as we made our way to her chambers. Regina didn't acknowledge my presence in any way, and I felt my shoulders slump in disappointment.

Regina didn't look at me until we were alone in her sitting room, and when she did, it was with the cold, appraising eyes of the Evil Queen. She studied me with her head cocked to the side and pursed lips. As soon as I realized that none of my mischievous lover was currently present, I lowered my eyes and waited. Eventually, she muttered, "I believe your parents have seen enough of your nudity." I flinched at hearing her refer to them as related to me, but a cloud of purple smoke had engulfed me and she didn't notice. When the smoke cleared, I had been changed into an outfit fit for one of Agrabah's harems. It consisted of layers of shear fabrics and left a lot of skin exposed.

I risked a glance up at my Queen and felt a slight relief at the amused smirk on her lips. She settled into one of her stiff-backed arm chairs. "Come kneel at my feet," she ordered and I hurried to obey. Once, I was settled, she waved a lazy hand over me and I found my wrists bound in heavy manacles. "There, now you look perfect, dear," the Queen said before turning to a mirror situated directly in front of us and demanding the mirror contact Snow White. As we waited for her to appear, my Queen began running her fingers possessively through my hair. I wanted to lean into the touch, but knew that I wasn't supposed to look like I was enjoying it.

The reflection swirled and Snow appeared, surprisingly alone in what looked like a study. She was harried and exhausted and I briefly wondered if she'd slept at all in the past two days. Snow's eyes swept over me before focusing on my Queen. "What have you decided, Regina?" she asked without any preamble.

"What, no pleasantries, my dear Snow?" the Queen asked mockingly.

Snow grit her teeth and said, "I'm sorry, how are you today, Regina?"

The Queen ran her hand through my hair again, drawing Snow's eyes back to me momentarily as she suggestively said, "I'm simply divine, dear. Your daughter is such a marvelous distraction from the stresses of ruling a kingdom." As she said this, she purposely tangled her fingers in my hair. I winced at the sharp tug on my scalp.

Snow's eyes narrowed and when she opened her mouth to snap out an angry retort, I theatrically widened my eyes and shook my head. She snapped her teeth together and took several deep breaths and I smiled inwardly. My Queen's hand relaxed and turned into an approving caress for a moment, before she returned to the possessive strokes through my curls. Snow's eyes followed the Queen's hand before focusing on me. She stared hard into my eyes and said, "Emma, honey. You've got to be strong. We'll get you back, I promise. Can you manage just a little bit longer?"

My Queen tightened her grip on my hair in a warning I didn't need. I knew what part I was to play. I opened my mouth as if I was going to speak, then I closed it again, looking down at the manacles around my wrists and shrugged my shoulders.

"Emma, answer me. Can you hold out a bit longer?" Snow demanded worriedly. I just hunched my shoulders, trying to look as pathetic as possible for my Queen.

A low chuckle sounded from behind me and the Queen gently ran the backs of her fingers down my cheek. "She won't answer you, dear. I warned her of the repercussions she would face if she said a word during our conversation. She learned a long time ago not to risk my temper," The Queen said mockingly.

"What have you done to my daughter?" Snow snapped, her anger rising.

"I've done nothing more than give her the life she never could have had in your care," Regina said with surprising honesty. It brought my head up and I met Snow's eyes through the mirror. In the split second before I met her eyes, I hoped she would recognize the truth in Regina's words. That hope was dashed when I saw nothing but pity in her green eyes.

"Let her go, she doesn't deserve to be treated this way. Take me instead," Snow said, not taking her eyes from me.

My Queen hummed in agreement. "That's true, but you could never fill the place your daughter has in my life," she said with cold honesty. I felt my eyes widen further, not expecting the Queen to be so brutally honest.

"Is that your answer then?" Snow asked, sounding resigned as though she had expected this response.

One of the Queen's fingernails scratched a light trail down my neck, causing me to shudder with sudden arousal. She chuckled at my reaction to her and said, Yes, I think I'll keep your daughter for myself. She is so responsive to my touch. Besides, it's only fair that I take something you love after you took my love from me. So I really see no downside to keeping her."

"We will get her back and you will be left with nothing," Snow said defiantly.

"Snow, dear, you've been trying to get her back for 18 years and all you've managed to do is beggar your kingdom and get your favorite wolf locked in my dungeons. This time will be no different."

"You're wrong. Good always wins. I will have my daughter back," Snow said full of self-righteous determination.

"And what would you do if your daughter wanted to stay?" Regina asked, sounding only mildly curious. I shifted, my own curiosity ignited.

Snow scoffed, "Why would she?"

"That's not the point. Just answer the question," the Queen said, losing patience.

"Regina, you know what I would do. I'd do whatever it takes to remove the spell or curse you'd put on her."

"That's what I thought. Must you really be so predictable?" my Queen said with a sigh. I looked away, disgusted with myself for the small bubble of hope that had ignited in my chest. The Queen didn't wait for a response before she went on. "One last question, dear. After 18 years of failure, how is it that you really still think that you're on the side of Good in this quest of yours?"

Snow sputtered, "I—Wha—No, I—Of course I'm on the side of Good. You're the Evil Queen!"

"That's a title that you gave me, dear. That doesn't mean I won't win this game you've been trying to play for years. Accept defeat, leave me my prize and rot in your miserable kingdom," The Queen said flatly before sending a pulse of magic to the mirror. Snow's image dissolved, leaving us alone once again. I didn't move as my Queen got up and walked over to the balcony and looked out over her kingdom. She seemed lost in thought and I didn't want to risk her ire by disturbing her. Eventually she sighed and said, "James is up to something. He should have been there with her."

"My Queen?" I asked, not sure if she was talking to me or just thinking out loud.

She turned to face me and let out an exasperated sigh when she saw that I still hadn't moved. She waved a hand and purple smoke enveloped me, redressing me in my usual tunic and leather pants. "You could have done that yourself, Emma."

I stood and tentatively crossed to her. "I didn't want to make you mad again, my Queen," I said honestly.

She reached for me, cupping my cheek in her palm. "I'm sorry for that, Emma. I just needed to think. I've found myself growing weary of that woman's interference in my life. I just want to enjoy what I have," she said softly.

I leaned into her hand and gave her a small smile as relief washed over me. "Nothing she does will keep me from your side, my Queen. You've already won; she just doesn't know it yet. The night is young, so claim your prize and forget about the useless plots of selfish royals, at least for tonight," I said, resting my hands on her hips.

Regina lifted an eyebrow, "Claim my prize?"

I smirked and said, "Well, I'm yours, Regina. And I've been dying to touch you all day."

"Have you now?" she asked with a mischievous smile.

"Mm, hm," I murmured, leaning in to trail kisses along her neck as I sent a low pulse of magic into her.

She let out a surprised gasp, arching into me. I chuckled against her skin, pulling her body flush against mine. The sound of my laughter seemed to break through the lust fueled haze, and she fisted her hands in my hair, pulling my mouth away from her skin. I looked into her predatory eyes and smiled. She brought her mouth to mine, plunging her tongue past my teeth to assert her control. I fought for dominance of the kiss and the taste of her magic filled my mouth. It pulsed through me and I moaned, surrendering to the firm strokes of her tongue against mine. I lost myself in the taste of her and the feeling of her magic pulsing strongly within me.

I felt her own lust rising as she moved to nip and suck along the tender skin of my neck and I groaned. Regina smiled against my skin before latching on and sucking hard enough to leave her mark. She pulled sharply on my magic and as my knees buckled, I found myself naked and flat on my back in her bed. I blinked in surprise and looked up into her hungry eyes. She smirked down at me as she gave me a moment to get my bearings.

I reached for her, but she gripped my wrists, pinning them to the bed above my head. "No, dear," she said in a throaty purr as she licked her way up my neck to murmur in my ear. "You suggested I claim my prize and that's exactly what I intend to do, my dear sweet Swan."

I moaned as a shiver of anticipation ran over me. She chuckled again, loving my reaction to her voice. Not willing to give in to her after being ignored all day, I pushed my magic over her. Her clothes disappeared and we both moaned at the feeling of soft skin pressing against each other. I focused on making my magic tingle over her, and her back arched as a shudder raced through her.

Her hands tightened on my wrists and her magic slid down my arms and straight to my core, where it pulsed. I gasped, and lost my focus. Moisture pooled between my thighs as I began to ache for her touch. She continued to push magic into me as she sat back to observe her effect on me. I tried to reach for her again, but her magic prevented the move, sending another pulse down my spine. I moaned and arched towards her. She smirked down at me and the pulsing in my center increased, but she didn't touch me. I whimpered, no longer able to think of anything but a desperate need to feel my Queen's hands on my skin and buried between my legs.

Slowly she leaned over me, resting her hands on either side of my head, her body hovering above mine. When I looked into her possessive, hungry eyes, she lifted an eyebrow and asked, "What do you want, Emma?" She punctuated each word with another wave of magic gliding over and through me. I was lost in the sensations and couldn't form words. I could only gasp and writhe under her, pleading with my eyes for her to sate my desperate need. When the silence stretched between us, she smirked again and said, "Well, since you don't seem to know what you want, I suppose I will just have to take what I want."

I nodded, willing to do anything if it meant an end to my current delicious torment. Regina chuckled and crawled up my body, placing her knees where her hands had been. She hovered above my face and I unconsciously licked my lips at the sight of her wet folds above me. Slowly, she lowered herself to my mouth and I greedily slid my tongue along her slit. Her magic pulsed down my throat with each lick and I moaned into her. I could hear her answering moan from above me. It snapped the last of my control and I feasted on her center, licking and sucking desperately to bring her to release.

Just as the first tremors of her orgasm started, Regina leaned back and shoved two fingers into me. Her magic followed, exploding from the fingers buried between my legs and I shattered, screaming my release into her soaked folds. The last thing I remember before the world went dark was the taste of apple mead sliding down my throat.

When I came to, I could still feel Regina's magic coursing through me. Regina had moved while I was unconscious and had pulled me into her arms so that my head was resting on her shoulder and her arms were wrapped protectively around me. I shifted so I could place a soft kiss against her collar bone. She hummed in appreciation and moved one hand up to run through my hair.

"Welcome back, dear," she said huskily.

I blushed and asked, "How long was I out for?"

"Not long, Emma. Are you alright?" She asked and I could hear her concern in her voice.

I leaned up to meet her eyes and nodded, "Yeah. I'm okay, but I can still feel your magic inside me."

Her brow furrowed, and she said, "I'm sorry, dear. I didn't intend to use that much magic."

"It's alright. It just made everything that much more intense," I said with a shrug.

A smug smile crossed her lips. "Yes, it was quite intense."

I opened my mouth to tease her, but the feeling of her magic changed and it pulled me back towards slumber. I managed to fight it long enough to mumble, "Love you, R'gina."

The last thing I heard before sleep stole over me was her light chuckle as she said, "Good night, Emma."

The sound of frantic voices woke me the next morning. I groaned and rolled over, immediately realizing that I was alone in Regina's bed. I pushed myself up and groggily stumbled towards the door into the sitting room. It wasn't completely shut and as I got closer to it, the words, "raiding party" managed to clear my head enough to stop and realize I was naked. Seconds later, I pulled open the bedroom door and strode into the Queen's sitting room dressed in my armor with my sword at my hip.

Regina didn't immediately look up from her desk, but Lucas did. He took in my armor and visibly relaxed. "Lady Swan, I'm sorry for disturbing your sleep," he said formally, aware of the Queen's presence.

I waved it away and said, "It's fine. What's happened?"

The Queen looked up and gave me a quick smile when she saw me ready for battle. "It seems that Snow White has decided to retaliate for yesterday's conversation. She's sent a raiding party to attack a town on the southern border of our kingdom."

I glanced down and noticed the map they had been studying when I walked in. I crossed to the desk and asked, "Where?"

Regina pointed to the town. "Here, though I don't know why they'd attack this town. It's far from the castle and our supply lines."

I clenched my jaw. I immediately saw their reasoning. "It's either a diversion, or they are planning an ambush, my Queen," I explained.

Her eyes flew to me speculatively. "Charming…" she said as more of a growl.

I nodded and said, "Probably," before turning to Lucas to ask, "How many soldiers in the raiding party?"

"Fifty, M'Lady," he stated.

I nodded, and asked, "How many of our men have died?"

Lucas swallowed hard and said, "The message we received said about half, Consort."

I sighed and turned to my Queen. "I need to go, your majesty. It is the only way we will be able to know exactly what is happening and I may be able to stop it."

Worry flashed through her eyes before she clenched her jaw and said, "Very well. Do what must be done and return to me."

I took her hand and bowed over it to place a gentle kiss on her knuckles. "Always, my Queen."

I stepped back and summoned my helmet. I put it on before wrapping my magic around me and transporting myself to the forest surrounding the town. I crept through the trees until I could look down on the battlefield. The raiding party had tried to draw the town's soldiers into the woods. It had partially worked, but the Queen's soldiers had regrouped and were fortifying the town walls.

Just as I was about to summon my magic to investigate the ambush sight on the other side of town, a voice called out from behind me. "Well, well, what have we here?"

I spun around and saw a group of five soldiers in gleaming silver armor, closing in around me. The one who had spoken glanced down and saw the Queen's insignia on my breastplate and smirked. He called over his shoulder, "My Lord, it seems the rumors are true and the Evil Queen has a new bitch to do her dirty work."

Inside my helmet, I clenched my jaw in anger. I quickly pushed the emotion aside as I knew it wouldn't help me. My magic rose and washed through me, heightening my reflexes as it had the day I was knighted. I could only smirk when the soldiers parted and King James stepped forward to look at me.

He cast a quick appraising glance at me before grinning. "Excellent, maybe we can use her to get my daughter free from that woman. Take her."

I allowed myself a split-second to revel in the fact that Snow White's spies hadn't learned my identity. Then I spun, dodging the attack aimed at my flank. The fight was over in seconds, none of these soldiers were as well trained as my Queen's knights.

King James stood stunned for a moment, looking down at his bleeding men before he raised his sword and charged. He proved to be a slightly bigger challenge and I grinned, enjoying the frustration that crossed his features as he repeatedly failed to land a blow. As I dodged and parried his attacks, a feeling of anxiety began radiating from my bond with Regina and I knew I needed to end this quickly, before she decided to join me. I quickly twisted my blade, disarming Charming in a smooth motion, even as I brought my sword to his neck.

Fear bloomed in his eyes and he raised his hands in surrender. I grinned and spoke through my helmet, "You shouldn't have come here today, King James."

He snarled, "I'd do anything to rescue my daughter."

I laughed, and in a mocking voice asked, "Have you ever considered that maybe she doesn't need to be rescued?"

He snorted derisively, "She's being held by the Evil Queen, of course she needs to be rescued."

I shook my head and flatly said, "No, she doesn't."

A look of confusion crossed his features and he asked, "What do you mean? I've seen what Regina's done to her."

I snorted and ignored his question, instead asking, "And how would you keep her in your kingdom? Your quest to get her has all but destroyed the White Kingdom. It would be child's play for my Queen to bring her home."

Fury flared in his eyes and he snapped, "Her home is with me and Snow!"

I shook my head again, "No, your majesty. The Shadow Kingdom is the only home she has ever known." I lost his next words as I felt Regina pull on my magic and I knew she had lost patience. As purple smoke began to swirl in the air next to me, I said, "You should have let go of your daughter years ago. She was lost to you the night she was born."

As I spoke the last words, the purple smoke dissipated, revealing the Queen. She took the scene in at a glance and laughed a deep belly laugh. Charming tried to lunge for his sword, but I countered his move, keeping my blade pressed to his throat. He froze and turned to my Queen, who had stopped laughing to watch us with an amused smirk.

"Regina, call off your dog. This is between you and me," he said, glaring at her.

One of her perfect eyebrows lifted and her voice was full of dark amusement as she said, "Oh, no, dear. This has everything to do with my White Knight."

"What are you talking about?" he asked, clearly confused.

Instead of answering, she asked, "Why have you come, Charming? You're almost making it too easy do destroy your precious Snow."

Not taking my eyes off my prisoner, I said, "He was trying to draw me out to capture me and use me as leverage to free his princess, my Queen."

The Queen looked at me, stunned for a moment before another belly laugh filled the air. I couldn't help but chuckle with her. Charming looked between the two of us and asked, "Why is that so funny?"

Regina's laughter died and she looked at him with an amused twinkle in her dark eyes. "You'll find out soon enough, dear." He let out a frustrated grunt and my Queen added, "Take him to the dungeons Lady Swan. But make sure he isn't too close to Red."

I gave her a small bow and said, "As you wish, your majesty." I lowered my sword, so I could grip his arm. White smoke rose around us and I transported us to the dungeons. I shoved him into his cell and locked the door.

I waited until I was around the corner before pulling off my helmet and vanishing it. With a wave of my hand, it returned to its rack in my suite. I couldn't stop the grin from spreading across my face as I ran my fingers through my sweaty hair and headed to visit with Red.

She jumped up, looking alarmed as soon as I walked into her cell. "Emma, what happened?" she asked.

I glanced down and noticed the blood splattering my armor. "Oh, sorry," I said and waved my hand again, removing the blood in a puff of white smoke. "I was in a small skirmish," I explained.

Her eyebrows shot up, "Who were you fighting?"

"Some of Charming's soldiers. And no, before you ask, I didn't kill any of them," I said quickly, not wanting to make her angry.

She relaxed, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," I said with a smile before adding with a chuckle, "They had apparently heard rumors of Regina's new knight and had hoped to capture me to trade the Queen for my own release."

Red barked out a small laugh. "That's—wow, Emma, that's unbelievable. What happened?"

I smirked, "They didn't bring enough men." She smiled proudly and I glanced away, unsure how she would take my other news.

"What's wrong?" she asked, picking up on my anxiety.

"I captured King James in the process. He's here," I said softly.

Her face went white and she sat heavily on the cot. "No," she moaned.

"I'm sorry, Red. I don't know what Regina's going to do, but I wanted you to hear this from me. I know you care about him," I said, trying to comfort her as much as I could.

"Thank you, Emma. Can—can I see him?" She asked quietly.

I shook my head, "No, I'm sorry, but unless you're willing to swear loyalty to Regina, she won't allow it. You know too much that she isn't ready for him to know."

She nodded her understanding and asked, "Will you let me know when she decides what she's going to do?"

I reached out and squeezed her shoulder reassuringly and I said, "I'll tell you as soon as I'm able." She met my eyes and I knew that she understood that I had meant 'I'll tell you as soon as I have permission.' I gave her one last sympathetic smile before disappearing into a cloud of white smoke to go to my Queen.

A/N 2: So, one of you amazing readers suggested I write a companion piece for this story to tell Regina's POV. Is that somthing you're interested in? If I were to do it, it would mean that each chapter would take longer to update. As I would post a chapter here, and then post a chapter in the companion story. Please let me know what you think. I'll leave this decision in your hands, though I do have a target number in mind for how many people would have to say yes before I'll write it.