Regina put a halter on Rocinate and lead him out of his stall and put him in cross ties. She brushed his silky main and his long tail making sure there wasn't a tangle in sight. She grabbed a curry comb and began brushing his body. The action was soothing and therapeutic. She let her mind wonder as she brushed off all of the loose dirt.
Regina had never been with a woman before, although she did find some women attractive in the past. She'd never had more than a kiss with Daniel and outside of Leopold... her experience was greatly lacking. The kiss between her and Emma had left her whole entire body buzzing and she didn't know how to explain what she was feeling. How was it possible to feel such a connection with someone who was at best an aqaintence and a stranger if she was being honest. Emma Swan was absolutely stunning in all the ways she knew of her and Regina found herself getting lost in thoughts of Emma Swan.
Regina gently set her saddle upon Rocinate's back and then tightened his girth. "Good boy." she said as she slid his bridal on. She gave him an apple slice and walked him outside of the stables where she put her left foot in the stirup iron and gracefully mounted his back. She gave him a gentle squeeze and he immediately started walking foward. They headed to one of her favorite pastures. The field had luscious grass and wild flowers that seemed to go on endlessly and best of all it was flat. In many places there were fences set that she could jump and the land being level gave Regina a lot of space to gallop with Rocinate.
Regina gave him a little kick and they started trotting. She wanted to get him warmed up before jumping him. They'd been trotting a full five minutes when Regina heard the sound of thundering hooves behind her. She immediately tightened Rocinate's reins to stop him. He was practically dancing with excitement. Emma and Ebony were racing straight towards her and with dirt and grass flying in the air they did a sliding stop right before they reached her and Rocinate.
"Impressive" was all that managed to escape Regina's lips as she admired both the horse and rider.
"That's nothing. We're just getting started." Emma said as she flashed Regina a toothy grin.
"Is that a challenge?" Regina questioned.
"Hmm.. I'd rather not embarrass the Queen and her prize winning thoroughbred." Emma said playfully.
"We'll see about that! See that pathway? It leads up the side of Blue Ridge Mountain. I'll race you to the top." Regina said.
"You're on..ready..set..go!" Emma yelled.
"NOT FAIR" Regina yelled and then gave Rocinate a kick with both of her heels.
He reared into a gallop and Regina loosened the reins. It took only seconds for Rocinate to catch up. Ebony was strong but he was also very large which gave him a clumsy stride. Rocinate was practically built for speed. When Regina got beside Emma she laughed and then gave him another kick. Rocinate bucked with excitement and took off. Regina could practically feel the ground shaking under Ebony's large hooves behind her. The trees were getting thicker as they made their way up the mountain. Regina saw a fallen tree in their path with no way around it. She squeezed with her legs and got into her two point position making sure to give Rocinate plenty of rein as he took the jump. They gracefully made it over and kept going until Regina didn't hear Ebony behind her. With her heart suddenly racing she quickly turned around and galloped down the mountain worried that something had happened to Emma and Ebony.
Regina sat deep in her seat and pulled back on the reins signaling for Rocinate to stop because she saw Emma and Ebony standing in front of the fallen tree.
"What's wrong? Are you hurt? Is Ebony okay?" Regina asked frantically. She couldn't hide the worry in her voice if she tried.
"Yes...we're fine but I don't think we can go any further. You win! There's no way around the fallen tree." Emma said as she slumped her shoulders in defeat.
"Sure there is! Just jump over it." Regina smiled. She was relieved that Emma and Ebony were okay.
"He's..he's different then Rocinate. He won't do it, I tried." Emma did try but she was terrified of making the jump and she knew Ebony could sense her fears.
"Yes, he can. Every horse can jump, Emma. You can do it, I'm certain." Regina said. Her heart was practically melting at seeing Emma in such a vulnerable state.
"What should I do then, my Majesty?" Emma said hanging her head in embarrassment.
"Just turn around and go about fifteen feet back then give him a good kick and go straight towards the log. Sit up in your saddle and raise your arms about halfway up his neck. You can even grab his main and hang on. Make sure you grip with your legs to balance yourself." Regina directed.
"You make it sound so easy. What if he trips or doesn't see the log?" Emma asked.
"Emma, he has eyes. He can see. I promise it'll be okay. It's one of the most amazing feelings ever...for a brief moment it's almost as if you're flying." Regina said.
"Okay.. I'll try but if I die then will you promise to take care of Ebony and make sure to give him treats and kisses every night?" Emma asked.
"Emma, you're not going to die and if you do, which you won't, then yes I'll take care of Ebony." Regina said as she backed Rocinate up to give Emma some landing room.
Emma felt like her heart was going to explode. She could handle slaying dragons and bringing down ogres but this was just too much. She did as Regina instructed and was now facing the log. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath and then kicked Ebony. She took a fistful of his main in her hands and sat up in her saddle. As she approached the log she knew she that it was going to be her end. She couldn't believe this was how she was going to die. Ebony's hooves pound into the dirt and then he took a huge leap and soared over the jump. Emma wanted to throw her hands in the air because she really did feel like she was flying but there was no way she was letting go of his main and tumbling to her death. They landed with a thud and Emma was practically smiling from ear to ear. They flew past Regina and Rocinate and headed to the top of the mountain.
Regina was smiling, caught up in watching Emma overcome her fear when she realized Emma had raced past her.
"You're cheating" she yelled as she gave Rocinate a kick and headed after her. Emma was too far ahead for her to get the lead back this time.
When Regina reached the top she saw Emma standing and leaning against Ebony. She was literally looking at her nails and pretending to file them. "That women had some nerve." Regina thought to herself.
"I thought you'd never get here, my Queen." Emma said through a smile.
"Sorry I'm late. Some of us don't lower our standards enough to cheat." Regina said as she pet Rocinate's neck.
"So what is my prize, my Queen?" Emma asked.
Regina felt warm inside when Emma said "my Queen." Even though it may seem silly... but when she said it, it felt like she somehow belonged to Emma. She once again wondered how her affection for Emma could grow so much in such a short time. She'd never felt anything remotely similar. It both excited and scared her. Regina gracefully dismounted Rocinate and tied his reins to a nearby tree so he could graze.
"What would you like, my cheating Knight?" Regina questioned.
"I can think of a few things." Emma said as she eyed Regina and closed the gap between them.
"You and Ebony looked so beautiful jumping over the log. It looked like you'd done it a million times. I told you that you could do it." Regina said in a soft tone.
Emma couldn't help but smile. "It really did feel like we we're flying. It was incredible. Thank you for believing in us... maybe sometime you could teach us how to do it better."
"I could do that and maybe you could teach me how to wield a sword?" Emma asked.
"I think I could make that happen if you really want to." Emma said raising an eye brow. She wondered why the hell Regina wanted to sword fight but thought better of asking.
"Yes, I really want to." Regina said.
"Deal." Emma said as she held out her hand to shake on it.
Regina took her hand and she didn't think she'd ever get used to the hand shaking. She looked at Emma's sparkling green eyes and then to her pale pink lips and kissed her. She only meant for it to be one simple reward kiss and nothing more but her body betrayed her and she couldn't pull away.
The kiss caught Emma by surprise and her whole entire body felt warm with arousal. She pulled Regina into her arms and slipped her tongue between parted red lips. Their tongues danced desperately and Emma felt Regina's hands on her back. Emma broke the kiss and landed soft kisses down Regina's jaw and neck. When Regina let out a quiet moan Emma felt like she was going to come undone right then and there.
Regina's fingers grabbed blond curls as she tilted her neck giving Emma better access and her other hand slid down Emma's back and squeezed Emma's butt firmly which Emma must have liked because her kisses suddenly became stronger.
Emma wanted to feel every inch of the Queen and her hand slowly slid down her chest and cupped Regina's breast over her shirt. She kissed her way back up her neck and crashed her lips into Regina's hungry for more. Her hand slid lower and slowly down her stomach stopping right at Regina's core where she firmly squeezed. Regina let out a gasp through the kiss and started fumbling with Emma's shirt. She wanted to see Emma's toned naked body in all of it's glory.
Suddenly they heard the crunching of twigs and leaves and jumped apart. Emma pulled her sword from it's sheath instinctively and stood defensively in front of Regina looking around. A wolf came out of a bush and took off running further into the trees. Regina let out a breath that she'd been holding the whole time, however her nerves were still shot.
"We probably need to be heading back." Regina said as she grabbed Rocinate's reins and hopped on his back.
Emma felt hurt at the sudden change in Regina and worried if she'd went too far. "As you wish, my Queen."
Emma and Regina walked down the mountain without uttering even one word to the other.