A Cinderella Story

Chapter 20

Emma opened her eyes. In the dark stillness, she couldn't see much, but the dim glow of the bedside clock and the vague shadow of the lamp next to it. Half asleep, she stumbled out of bed and made way to the crying Lilli. Emma picked her up and rocked her in her arms. From outside the window Emma could see dozens of lights. As she walked closer it was clear that the lights were of fire. Then she saw Killian, Liam, Brennen and their entire army. Talia was there too. Walking into the village, the knights fought their enemies. Emma woke Henry and told him to watch Lilli. 

Emma put in her dark red leather jacket, her shoes and grabbed her sword then ran out the door. She helped fight with the army. Killian watched her, impressed. He joined in on the fight with Emma. 

"We make a pretty good team, Swan." Killian said in between.

"Yeah. I guess we do." Emma nodded. She glanced over and saw Talia murdering innocent bystanders. Emma broke from the fight and ran over to her. 

"Stop." Emma said. 

Talia laughed. "I'm the Queen. You can't tell me to stop."

Emma's blood boiled. Before Talia could slice the villager's carotid artery, Emma stopped her dagger with the tip of her sword. 

Talia smirked. "Guards! This women is trying to kill me!" 

"Sieze her!" Emma heard Killian say. 

Before Emma could say anything, guards grabbed her, took her into the castle and threw her down in the dungeon. 

***

Once the battle ended, Killian made a visit to the dungeon. 

"Swan." He said in disgust. "How could you attack the Queen like that?"

Emma scoffed. "Talia, Queen? Never."

Killian stepped closer. "You might want to think about what you say before you speak."

Emma looked into his eyes. "You don't remember anything do you?"

"Remember what."

"Me. Henry. Lilli."

"Yes. I know you and your son and daughter. It's a shame their father died."

Emma sighed. Talia must have twisted some lies into him. She looked down at the ring Killian had given her. 

Killian followed Emma's gaze. "That's my mother's ring! How do you have it? You Thief!"

"Killian, you gave it to me. You said you didn't want anyone but me to wear it." Emma placed her hand on his cheek from through the bars. "Killian please."

Killian stepped back. "What is this witchcraft?" He grabbed her hand and ripped off the ring. "I sentence you to death at dawn." With that he walked away. 

Emma fell back and cried. "Killian..."

Killian continued to walk. He didn't hear her. 

Emma cried herself to sleep. She thought about Henry and Lilli. Not only did they lose their fathers, they'd lose their mother too. Emma's heart was pounding so fast she was sure the guards could hear it. She hoped Henry and Lilli were safe but her imagination ran wild. 

"Mom. Dad. I'm scared. I failed." Emma sobbed. "I failed your honor and legacy."

"No Emma. You didn't. And you won't." Snow White said, appearing in front of the cell. 

"Emma. Things are tough now. But you have to fight. We believe in you." David said.

"Mom. Dad. Is that really you?"

"Yes. Emma. It's really us."

"You're not dead!" 

"Not at all."

"We're sorry you had to live with Cora and her daughters but it was the right call. We needed to fake our deaths."

Emma nodded. "I understand Mom. I'm just so glad you're okay." She beamed with happiness. "Mom, Dad. Henry! A-and Lilli. You have to get them. Save them."

"David go. I'll help Emma." 

David nodded and ran out.