Chapter 2

"Alright, Regina. Everything is set. I'll meet you at the edge of the forest after sunset. I'll have your horse saddled and ready to go, as well as a change of clothes. Take the servant passageway, which will lead you out back," Tink said as she helped Regina prepare for her day.

"What if someone sees me?" Regina asked as she nervously played with a stray string on her dress.

"Who's going to see you in the servant passageway?" Tink asked, laughing.

"One of the servants. What would they think if they saw the Queen sneaking out," Regina answered.

"The servants have all been informed that you will occasionally be using those corridors," Tink answered, matter-of-factly.

"TINKERBELL! You didn't! You told them?" Regina shouted, turning around to face the blonde Fairy currently disguised as a handmaid.

"Relax, Regina. They don't know any details, only that you may be using them. They all agree you deserve more than what you have here. They agree you deserve happiness," Tink explained, attempting to calm Regina down. "Everything is going to be fine. Don't focus on the what-ifs . You're going to see Eala tonight. Focus on that." Tink laughed.

"You're right," Regina said, sighing deeply, the stress seemingly disappearing at the sound of Eala's name.

"Of course I am." Tink laughed as she put the finishing touches on Regina's intricate hair style. "All done. I better get going. Busy day in the castle today." Tink made her way toward the door. "I'll see you tonight. Don't worry, everything is going to be fine," she said, smiling wide before leaving the room.

The day seemed to creep by as Regina counted the hours until she could see Eala again. She anxiously paced across the balcony, watching the sun set on the horizon, springing to action the moment the last rays of light disappeared. She raced out of her bedchambers and quickly slipped into the servant passageway down the hall, rushing toward the exit, taking off toward the forest as soon as her skin met the fresh air.

Tink laughed as Regina approached, out of breath from running. "Someone is eager."

"I didn't want to be late," Regina answered, blushing slightly.

"You have plenty of time. Here, put these on," Tink said, handing Regina a set of clothes. Regina raced behind a nearby tree and shed her expensive dress for the common riding clothes.

"Now, I'll be waiting right here for you when you get back. Take all the time you need," Tink said as Regina quickly mounted her horse. "Here's a map. The tavern is about a thirty-minute ride. You have plenty of time so don't rush. We can't have you meeting your Soulmate again, stinking like sweat." Tink laughed.

"Thank you. For everything," Regina said, taking the offered map from the Fairy's hand.

"It's my pleasure. Besides, it's literally what I'm here for." Tink smiled as she urged Regina's horse forward. Regina smiled as she unfolded the map, beginning her journey to meet Eala.

Exactly thirty minutes later, Regina arrived at the familiar tavern. Slightly unsure of what to do, she looked around and watched as others tied their horses to the long post to prevent the animals from straying while they were inside. She quickly secured her horse's reins to a pole next to a horse that was connected to a small cart before she made her way toward the front door. She could already hear the familiar hustle and bustle of the busy tavern as she slowly opened the door, her stomach already in knots. She took a deep breath and pulled the door open.

As soon as she was inside, her eyes began scanning the crowd, searching for the beautiful blonde woman. It only took a moment before she saw the object of her affection, sitting at her usual table in the corner, her long blonde hair falling into her face as she looked down at the book in her lap. Regina took another deep breath as she slowly approached the table.

"Umm…Hi. May I join you again?" Regina asked, her voice shaky.

"Regina! It's so good to see you." Eala smiled as she looked up from her book, her green eyes shining. "Of course, have a seat."

"Thank you." Regina smiled shyly as she pulled the chair out from the table. "It's very good to see you as well," Regina said, her face turning a light shade of pink.

"In the future, you don't have to ask to join me. If you see me here, feel free to sit down. You are always welcome," Eala said, her face turning a similar shade of pink as she placed her tattered book on the table next to her.

"Thank you. How have you been?" she asked shyly, still not sure how to act around the beautiful woman.

"I've been well. And yourself?" Eala asked as they began a surprisingly awkward conversation. Luckily for them, the waitress approached before they could continue with the painful conversation. They quickly placed their order and the waitress disappeared to retrieve their food and drinks.

Unfortunately, once they were alone again, they found themselves in a very uncomfortable silence. Regina's stomach began to knot, as she worried that Eala was suddenly regretting her decision to speak to her.

"So, I don't know about you…" Eala started to say, her voice shaking suddenly. "…but I'm a little nervous, to be completely honest." Regina released a sigh of relief. It's as though Eala could read her mind.

"Me too," Regina said, her stomach relaxing.

"It's just…I get really nervous when I talk to beautiful women…" Eala said, her face turning a light shade of pink.

"Me too," Regina said again, her face turning red as well, not missing the fact that Eala had just called her beautiful.

"Wait!" Eala exclaimed suddenly, startling Regina slightly. "Do you really mean that? That you think I'm beautiful?"

"I think you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen," Regina replied, with more confidence than she had ever had in her entire life.

"No one has ever said that to me before," Eala whispered, her voice almost lost amongst the noise in the loud tavern.

"Everyone else are fools," Regina said, her eyes filling with tears. In that very moment, Regina vowed to make sure Eala always felt beautiful, no matter what it took.

"Thank you." Eala smiled, her eyes shly darting to her lap.

"No thanks are ever needed." Regina smiled, her cheeks beginning to ache. Just then, the waitress returned with their meal and drinks. They thanked her sweetly before they slowly began to eat the tavern food, sipping the slightly sour ale.

"I don't know how to explain it, Regina," Eala said after a few moments of silence. "But for some reason, I feel very drawn to you. I barely know you, and I find myself thinking about you all the time." Eala's face was turning a bright shade of red as she made her confession.

Regina smiled. "The feeling is mutual, Eala. I am equal parts drawn to you, and terrified that you'll reject me, which is why it took so long for me to approach you," Regina admitted.

"Me too…" Eala said, her voice sounding sad all of a sudden.

"Why don't we do this? Why don't we remind ourselves that we are both attracted to each other, so we don't have to be nervous around each other anymore. It'll probably be easier to get to know each other better if we aren't scared to talk to each other," Regina said, half laughing.

"You're very right, Regina," Eala said, a smile forming on her face once again.

"Why don't I start? I always see you reading a different book while you're here. What are you reading today?" Regina asked, pointing to Eala's forgotten book sitting at the edge of the table.

"It's called Her Noble Adventures . It's about a young noblewoman who decides at a very young age that she doesn't want to become a noble woman when she grows up. So she secretly begins to train with a bow and sword, and when she's old enough, she runs away from home. She travels the world and has the most amazing adventures," Eala explained, picking up her worn copy of the book. "It's my favorite book ever written."

"I'll have to find a copy and read it myself." Regina smiles, her heart slightly fuller now that she knew a little more about her Soulmate.

"Here, why don't you borrow my copy," Eala said, handing the well-read book.

"Eala, I can't do that. It's your favorite," Regina said, gently taking the tattered book, offering it back to Eala.

"No, please. I insist. I trust that you'll keep it safe. Plus, it'll give you more incentive to meet me again, if only to return my book." Eala laughed.

"Thank you. I'll keep it safe," Regina said, clutching the book to her chest. Just as a lull fell into their conversations, the waitress appeared again, clearing their plates, waiting for payment. Eala once again pulled out the coins to pay, against Regina's insistence, and paid for both their meals.

"I better get going," Eala said, her body language saying she was struggling to find the motivation to leave her new friend. "I hope you enjoy the book. And I hope to see you again very soon." She stood from her chair and took a few steps away from the table before turning back to Regina, bending over to whisper something in her ear.

Regina could feel Eala's breath against the side of her neck as she whispered, "And, just for the record, I think you're absolutely the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in my entire life," before making her way out of the door.

Regina took a few seconds to compose herself before exiting the tavern herself, quickly mounting her horse and making her way back to the predetermined meeting place, where Tink was waiting patiently for her.

Her face refused to relax as she approached Tink, waiting by the same tree.

"By the look on your face, I assume you had a good night?" Tink asked as she held the reins for Regina to dismount, rushing behind the tree to change back into her elegant gown she had been wearing that day.

"The best!" Regina said, retreating from around the tree, her new book clutched tightly to her chest. "She gave me her book. Her favorite book. I'm going to start reading it right now! Thanks, Tink!" Regina skipped off toward the servant passage at the edge of the castle, rushing back to her bedchambers, eager to start reading her new book.

Regina nearly fell off her horse as she approached the tavern, eager to get inside to see Eala. It had been a full week since they had their second meeting, and Regina found she could think of nothing else but the blonde woman. She haphazardly tied her horse to the same pole as the previous week and nearly knocked over a very drunk man as she rushed into the tavern, her eyes scanning for the familiar dinner companion. Sure enough, seated at the same table as the previous two weeks was Eala, her eyes trained on the door, watching eagerly for Regina to arrive.

"Regina! You made it!" Eala said as Regina rushed over to the table.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world!" Regina smiled, taking her seat across from Eala. They quickly ordered their food, eager to begin their chat.

"I read Her Nobel Adventures. I couldn't put it down," Regina said, handing the book back to Eala. "It took me only a day to read it."

"You liked it?" Eala asked, shocked that Regina would share her taste in books.

"No…I LOVED it," Regina answered. "So…I hope this isn't too forward, but I brought you something." Regina produced a second book from her small pouch. "Since you shared your favorite book with me, I thought I would share my favorite book with you. It isn't as exciting as yours, but I enjoy it."

"I can't wait to read it," Emma said, taking the book from Regina, just as their food arrived.

Regina took a sip of her ale. "So…I know you're usually here on Fridays, but do you come here any other days?" Regina asked, clearly trying to figure out a way to see the other woman more often.

"I only come on Fridays. I own and live on a very small farm about fifteen minutes from here. I rent a booth at the market in the next town once a week and sell my vegetables and eggs to make a living," Eala explained, taking a bite of stew. "I stop on my way back from the market to treat myself to some dinner and a drink."

"That sounds delightful." Regina smiled, her brain beginning to fantasize about what Eala's farm looked like.

"It is. For the most part…" Eala said, her voice trailing off at the end.

"Is something the matter?"

"No. Well, maybe. It's just that, since my parents passed away, it's only me working the farm. I can't afford to hire someone to help out, which limits the amount of crops I can produce. And I can't afford to rent the booth more than once a week, which limits the amount of money I can make. It's a vicious cycle," Eala confessed, suddenly regretting divulging so much information.

"Oh my. Eala, is there anything I can do to help? Maybe I can buy some of your vegetables," Regina asked, shifting to lean across the table.

"Oh no, don't worry about it! I'll figure it out," Eala said, her face suddenly changing.

"At least let me pay for dinner this time," Regina said, her voice suddenly filled with concern.

"Not a chance. A gentleman always buys the pretty lady dinner." Eala smiled.

A little while later, after Eala once again paid for both their dinners, they walked out of the tavern together for the first time, walking slowly over to the area that housed several horses tied to the same pole.

"Thank you for the book," Eala said, untying her white horse, gently coaxing it to back up, pushing the small cart attached to it.

"Thank YOU for the first book," Regina said. "I hope you like it as much as I do."

"I'm sure I will," Eala said, suddenly shifting from foot to foot, kicking a small rock at her feet. "Can I ask you something?"

"You can ask me anything."

"May I have a hug…before we go?" Eala asked, her gaze falling to the ground.

"I would like that very much." Regina smiled, stepping closer to Eala, opening her arms to invite the woman inside.

Both of their hearts skipped a beat when their bodies touched for the first time.

They wrapped their arms around each other, holding each other tight for a few seconds, before their nerves got the best of them and they separated.

"Get home safe, Regina," Eala said as she mounted her horse. Even in the darkness, Regina could see her face turning bright red.

"You too! I'll see you next Friday." Regina smiled, mounting her own horse.

"Most definitely!" Eala said as they both started to leave, walking in opposite directions. After a few steps, Regina turned back to look at Eala, catching the young woman looking back as well. They offered each other a small smile before taking off down the path.

"We hugged tonight, Tink!" Regina exclaimed as she jumped off her horse, racing behind the same tree to change her clothes.

"That explains why you're so giddy." Tink laughed, petting Regina's horse while she waited.

"It was amazing!" Regina smiled. She said good night to Tink as she skipped back to the castle, a smile plastered on her face so wide she thought her skin was going to rip.