A Kingdom Divided

Chapter 6

Emma watched Regina for a long while after the young woman had thought she had fallen asleep. Remorse stirred within her as she watched Regina pace around the lair. At one point the brunette even started talking to herself, mumbling incoherently as she stared blankly in the mirror with Emma's bracelet gripped tightly in her hand.

A part of Emma wanted to hug her and apologize, but Regina had hurt her badly. It was selfish to be this way, and she knew better, but she never thought Regina would be the one to lash out at her after all they had been through.

The blonde quickly shut her eyes as Regina cautiously approached her. "Emma? Are you awake?"

Emma thought about ignoring her, but she found herself sitting up. Regina sat down next to her. As she reached out to reattach her bracelet, Emma flinched and scooted away from her. The brunette pulled her arm back as if she had been burned. "I'm sorry, Emma. I never meant to hurt you. I just- "

"Don't." Emma interrupted her. She winced inwardly at the tone of her voice, and slowly reached her hand out to cup Regina's face. "Don't." She repeated softly. Regina shut her mouth, her bright brown eyes shining with tears.

Emma leaned forward, her eyes flicking up to meet Regina's. Then slowly, gently, their lips met. Neither of them pulled away, and Emma took the lead. She could feel Regina's pain, and she brushed away the tears that were streaming down the woman's face.

Regina broke the kiss first, a quiet sob escaping her throat. Emma stared at her in concern, grabbing her hand so she had something to hold on to. "I'm sorry." The brunette managed to gasp before she fully broke down. Emma knew the apology wasn't just for her.

"Regina. Regina." Emma repeated, trying to get the hysterical woman to look at her. "Zelena is gone because of my selfish mistake. My father hates me, my mother never loved me. I hurt you, I got us trapped here with one of the evilest villains known to man. I've turned into my mother." Regina cried.

"You are nothing like your mother, Regina Mills. I love you. I always have. We will get out of here. And when we do no one is ever going to separate us again. Not our parents, not anyone. I promise you that." Emma said. Regina finally looked up at her, wiping her eyes.

Just then, the door to the lair opened. Maleficent swept in, an unamused look etched across her face. "Would you stop all that blubbering? I can hear it clear out there and it's doing nothing to help this killer migraine." The woman rubbed her temple, gritting her teeth.

"I can heal you." Emma spoke. Both women looked at her in surprise. "Emma, what are you doing?" Regina asked quietly, glancing at their captor. "I can heal you for a price." The blonde continued. Maleficent waved her hand in dismissal. "I've dealt with my fair share of deals, dear. I don't care to owe anyone else."

"I'm not like Rumpelstiltskin. I'll be fair. All I ask is you let us go. We won't send anyone after you, you'll be safe to stay in your home." Emma said. Maleficent looked at her as if she had just grown two heads. "Do you honestly think I'm that naïve? To let a little princess trick me?"

"Fine. Suit yourself. But those headaches aren't going to go away you know." Emma shrugged her shoulders. Maleficent stepped forward, her eyes blazing now. "If I hadn't heard correctly I'd almost think that statement to be a threat."

"No. I'm just being honest." The blonde answered. Emma didn't know why, but it was as if she could feel Maleficent's pain. She knew the woman suffered from the migraines and had for many years. It was the cause of something very bad that had happened to her in the past, but Emma didn't know what.

"I can handle headaches. But I will not miss the opportunity for my revenge." Maleficent hissed. Her voice quavered a bit and pain flickered in her eyes for an instant. The villain quickly composed herself as she perched on a chair across from the women. "Your families have hidden many secrets from you." She began.