Before She Cursed

Chapter 6

Emma wakes suddenly in the early hours of the morning, noticing a regal figure standing in the corner of the room.
"Regina?" She calls out croakily, her eyes still adjusting to the darkness. No answer. Emma begins to sit up, certain it is the familiar brunette and wants to encourage her to talk.
"What is it with you and sneaking up on me?" She teases and smirks as she waits for some kind of reaction from Regina. Still nothing. She rolls her eyes. "You like watching me sleep?"
A small silence lingers and Emma waits for her to bite.
"Don't flatter yourself, Swan." She quips in a low tone.
Emma grins triumphantly.
"Oh, so it is you." She teases as Regina begins to step closer. "You know, I really could have used some help earlier."
"With what, the dress or the bathtub?" Regina smirks, feigning ignorance. Emma's face drops as a red hue begins to spread across. "Maybe you should have asked your little boyfriend." She casually retorts as she turns away, sauntering around the room as she usually does.
"My boyfriend?" Emma questions in confusion. "...Neal?!" She blurts out in disbelief. "Oh, Regina. I have no interest in him."
"Hm." Regina dismisses, and Emma finds herself smirking with the realisation that the evil queen is, in fact, jealous; and not too good at hiding it either.
"Are you jealous?" Emma purrs into the darkness, watching Regina's form intently.
The brunette stops in her tracks and pauses slightly before she scoffs.
"You think I want to be out in a field, riding a horse with you?" She chuckles but Emma doesn't believe it.
"Yes." Emma cuts in. Regina, for once, doesn't say anything. She doesn't interject with a sarcastic remark or make a sound, she just stands there watching Emma through the darkness. "I missed you." Emma mutters after the moment's silence.
"You did?" Regina softly responds, as if she's shocked to hear it.
Emma's never heard her speak with such a vulnerability.
"I was looking forward to seeing you."
"Well, despite my hatred for this appalling castle; I've found myself quite looking forward to our little meetings, too."
"Regina?"
"Hm?"
"Come here."
Emma can see Regina's surprise even through the dark room and she can't help but feel a surge of excitement rip through her.
Emma sits up onto her knees and wades through the sheet to the edge of the bed, meeting Regina's form.
"Kiss me, please." Emma utters into the small space between them.
"So polite." Regina purrs before smirking down at the blonde.
Emma then rushes forward and connects her lips passionately with Regina's. The brunette's hands begin to cup Emma's face possessively and Emma moans slightly into the kiss, feeling Regina's smirk as she does so. 
"Did you watch me?" Emma whispers as she rests her forehead breathlessly against Regina's.
"I rather enjoyed your little performance." Regina purrs as she glides her thumb along the princess's bottom lip.
"I want you." Emma utters barely above a whisper.
The brunette pauses, looking into Emma's eyes.
"I can't." She whispers
Regina pulls away hastily, turning her back and slightly pacing.
"Why?" Emma asks, utterly confused of her reaction. She doesn't answer, clearly lost in her thoughts. Emma doesn't want to risk her suddenly leaving so she slowly walks over to the queen, resting her hands on the back of her arms and peering over her shoulder slightly.
"Tell me." Emma whispers tenderly into Regina's space.
Regina closes her eyes and gives in.
"I feel too much."
Emma pauses, she doesn't remove her hands but slowly strokes them down Regina's arms until she reaches her hands. Her fingers slowly intertwine with her's reassuringly and she doesn't attempt to turn Regina to face her yet.
"I feel everything for you." Emma whispers again, this time ghosting her lips along the shell of the brunette's ear. "The people with the highest walls, have the deepest love."
Regina slowly turns, tears shimmering in her eyes as she gazes at Emma.
"But you don't understand, Emma. I'm the Evil Queen. I can't feel. I swore I would never."
Emma calmly pulls her body in a little closer by their connected hands.
"You're Regina. You're not your past, nor are you the name people gave you. Do you have a heart?" She asks softly. Regina nods slowly.
"Then you can, Regina. Your heart is safe in my hands."
Regina doesn't respond, she only smiles warmly. And that's enough for Emma.
"Can I trust that mine is safe with you?"
Regina chuckles slightly at Emma's attempt to make her feel better.
"Of course." She smiles.
"Well, I don't know about you, but I'm starting to think this whole Evil Queen thing is just an act." Emma grins wildly as she teases the brunette.
"You," Regina smirks mischievously in response "better watch yourself, princess, or you'll learn exactly what the Evil Queen is capable of." She points her finger into Emma's chest and smiles.
"I hope so." Emma purrs as she leans in closer to peck her lips against Regina's.
She then suddenly saunters back across to her bed, feeling Regina's eyes follow her behind.
Regina laughs her evil laugh and Emma feels another wave of excitement.
"Go to bed, Em-ma." Regina drawls as she pushes the princess gently into her mattress.
Emma pouts before another grin spreads.
"Only if you tuck me in."
Regina rolls her eyes but cannot suppress her grin.
"If you so wish." She exhales dramatically but Emma can tell she's enjoying it.