David had been looking all morning to spend some time with Regina. The doctor had finally given her a clean bill of health after being confined to bed for the better part of the last two months and David had promised her a picnic. He had just picked up the basket Granny had prepared and was now heading for her bedchambers for what could be considered by many their first official date.
Her door was open and Regina was sitting on her bed, ready to go. She was wearing beige riding pants with a turquoise riding coat and a white shirt. The ensemble was completed by black riding boots. Her hair was braided to the side and she was wearing only a hint of makeup. The woman before him was a far cry from the Evil Queen. "You're gorgeous." He told her, eliciting a soft chuckle.
"And I can't wait to be outside for a while." She teased as she walked toward him. She grabbed David's hand and started running down the corridor leading to the main staircase. David almost lost his balance but started laughing as he was forced to follow Regina down the stairs.
"Wait up!" He joked. "The lake is not going anywhere."
"But daylight is." She came to a stop, giving David a few seconds to catch his breath. "Come on… The last one to the stables doesn't get dessert." She started running, leaving a dumbfounded David behind.
"Regina, you cheated!" He finally called after her but she had enough of a head start to prevent him from catching up with her. He found her with her arms wrapped around her trusted Rocinante, which David had brought back from her castle a couple of days prior.
"When did you get him? How?" She asked, still fussing over the horse and making sure that the stable hands hadn't briddled the horse too tight.
"A couple of days ago. He's been missing you."
"I've missed him too." She kissed the horse's velvet muzzle.
David wondered if she had any memories of her black war horse. It had taken three men to bring the beast back to the stables. To this day, no one was brave enough to ride him. He took his mare's reigns and guided her outside, followed by Regina and her chestnut stallion. She mounted her horse gracefully and waited for David to do the same. "Where are we going?" She asked as they exited the courtyard.
"It's a surprise!" David winked at her. Never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined taking Regina to the lake by his childhood home. It had been his refuge as a teenager and he had never taken anyone there - not even Snow.
Regina chuckled and relaxed in her saddle, enjoying her surroundings. "It's beautiful. And so peaceful."
"I used to come here a lot when I was a kid."
Regina nodded her understanding. "I had a spot too near my Father's estate. Firefly Hills. Daniel and I used to meet there in secret."
David reached for her hand. "I'm sorry." He told her sincerely. "About Daniel."
Regina shook her head. "Apparently, it happened a long time ago."
"But for you it only happened recently. I know that the wound is still open."
"David, have you ever loved someone so completely that it felt like your very soul was intertwined with the other person's?"
David swallowed. "Yes." He replied without giving more details. Nobody talked about Snow in Regina's presence in fear of triggering her memory. "She died too."
"What happened?"
"It was an accident."
"I'm sorry."
"It was a long time ago."
"But the wound still seems fresh when you talk about her…" Regina knew he was lying to her. She hadn't died that long ago.
David was saved by the view of their destination. "We're here!" He proclaimed with forced enthusiasm. They guided their horses down the cobble path that lead to the small beach. They dismounted and tied their horses to a tree before removing their saddles.
"It's so peaceful here." Regina looked around her and took a deep breath of the spring air. All the flowers were in bloom, filling the air with magical scents.
David took Regina's hand. "There is a smaller creek this way. It's hidden by bushes." He started leading them down the narrow path, holding the basket with one hand and helping Regina over the most treacherous steps with the other. It widened when they reached a small creek with dense underbrush and trees hanging down to form a canopy. It was the perfect place for a picnic.
David placed the basket down and Regina immediately took out the blanket and utensils Granny had placed on top. David filled their plates with the potato salad and chicken Granny had prepared. They ate in companionable silence, looking at the swans swimming gracefully over the lake.
David watched Regina from the corner of his eyes. She had gained some weight and her complexion had regained its olive shine but the fading bags under her eyes told David that she hadn't had a proper night sleep in quite some time. He knew she was still plagued by nightmares and he dreaded the day she would realize they were not just dreams.
"Want to go swimming?" David was pulled from his darkening thoughts by her light tone and accompanying bright smile.
"Regina…" He started pleading with her. She had just recovered from pneumonia and the water must be freezing.
But the brunette wouldn't take no for an answer. She quickly got to her feet and removed her riding boots. "Come on! It will be fun." She winked before running toward the water, peeling her clothes as she went until she was in her underclothes.
"Regina!" David called out when she threw herself into the water. The yelp that followed convinced the King that the water was nowhere near swimming temperature. However, Regina didn't seem to care as she splashed around in the water, laughing.
David shook his head before removing his sword and boots. "Fine! But if you get sick and Granny has my head, you'll have to entertain yourself!" He joked as he removed his shirt.
Regina bit her lower lip to prevent a smile. Her eyes were roaming over David's muscled chest, down to his abdomen. She licked her lips unconsciously, much to the King's amusement. After kicking off his pants, he ran toward the lake and entered the water in one move. David hissed as the cold water hit his stomach area. "REGINA! THIS IS FREEZING!"
The brunette just laughed harder. "You'll get used to it." She swam toward him and wrapped her legs around his waist while her arms snaked around his neck in an attempt to make him fall into the water.
"Regina!" David yelped as the water splashed on his abdomen but the brunette soon got what she wanted. She managed to make him lose his footing and they tumbled into the cold water together.
David gasped as he became fully immersed into the water, much to Regina's continuous laughing. "Regina, this isn't funny!" He tried to grab her arm to bring her back to shore but Regina was faster and swam away, daring him to follow her. They spent the next ten minutes, splashing around in the lake and David soon forgets her pneumonia, her recovering memories, and the weight of the Kingdom. In this moment, he simply was a shepherd spending an afternoon with the woman he had grown fond of.
But when Regina started shivering, he knew that their carefree time was coming to an end. "We should go back to shore." He announced seriously.
Regina nodded, wrapping her arms around her abdomen. To shore… and then the castle. Her time with David was coming to an end. "Granny is probably worried." She said flatly.
As the pair was slowly walking back to the beach, David wrapped an arm around her and held her close to his warm chest. Once they reached the picnic basket, Regina sat on the blanket and let David wrapped his cape around her. He was rubbing her sides vigorously, watching attentively as her lips and cheeks regained some color. "Better?" He asked her.
"Much. Thank you."
David moved a wet strand of hair behind her ear and paused to caress her cheek. Slowly, he closed the space between them and pressed his lips onto hers. Regina sighed and moved away, placing two fingers on his lips. "No."
David was taken aback. Was he moving too fast? Did he read her wrong? He felt foolish for thinking that she would be attracted to him. After all, she was still mourning Daniel. And he should be mourning Snow. But the fact was that he no longer did. Sure, he missed her dearly but Regina had taken his pain away.
Regina swallowed hard. "I can't let this happen." She took a deep breath. She knew her next words would be the demise of their relationship. "David, I remember. I know who I was. I know I destroyed all those villages."
David gasped in shock and pulled away from Regina, falling backwards on his butt. He scrambled away from the sorceress, looking frantically for his sword.
Regina was holding back her tears. She had expected the reaction but it still hurt. Deep down, she had hoped that David could see beyond her past.
When the King finally managed to get a hold of his sword, he got up on his feet and pressed the edge of his sword against Regina's neck. To his surprise, she didn't even flinvh. "How long?" He asked her.
"About two weeks…" Regina whispered.
"You… lying bitch!" He yelled. "What were you waiting for? To kill me in my sleep? To kill the council so you could take back the Kingdom?"
"NO!" Regina screamed, tears filling up her eyes. "No." She added more softly. "I just wanted you to see me as Regina."
"But you're not Regina!"
"I am, David. The woman you wanted to kiss just a minute ago is still here, right in front of you!"
"No. She isn't! Why now, Regina?"
Regina shook her head. Had she been wrong about David? How could he not see that his attempt at kissing her had changed everything? She didn't remember how to love very well. She hadn't in a long time. But young Regina did and she knew that deception wouldn't get her what she wanted. Apparently, neither did truthfulness. "It doesn't matter." She answered between clenched teeth. "Do what you must do." She looked up at him and David knew he was facing the Queen. Her eyes were cold and devoid of any emotions and her mouth was set into a scowl.
"You'll be executed for your crimes."
"I didn't expect anything else." She lied.