Different Worlds

Chapter 12

Hello, lovelies! So, great news! I got my computer charger back (yay!) and I am ready to start writing more chapters. However, I am starting a new job so I might not be able to put them out daily anymore. I will try my best, though. Hope you enjoy this chapter. It's great to be back! :)

__________________________________________________________________________

For on the palace grounds lay none other than Robin Hood, his chest covered in blood with an arrow sticking out of it, my own guard aiming his bow at him. The man is gasping for air, blood being pumped out of his body with each breath he takes.

"Robin!" Emma cries, running over and kneeling beside him.

I call my guards off and step forward as Emma looks up at me, tears streaming down her face. My heart hurts for her, though I barely know of the thief that raised her.

"You have to help him! Please!" She begs, her whole body shaking as she begins to hyperventilate.

I kneel down beside her, putting a hand on her back to comfort her. "I'll try," I promise.

I wave a few guards over to carry Robin inside while I try to console a heartbroken Emma. She clings to me, her tears soaking my gown.

"Who shot him?" I demand, stepping forward to face the line of guards. All stand still except for one, who steps forward and removes his helmet. He's young; a year or two older than Emma at the most, closer to Snow's age. It's a pity his life will be so short-lived.

"I did, Your Majesty. You gave strict orders to shoot any men outside of the guard." He swallows hard and I can see he fights to stand straight and not fidget with his hands. The poor boy is nervous—he knows what's coming.

He gasps as I plunge my hand into his chest, ripping out his bright red heart. Emma's eyes widen in fear and she takes a step away from me. The simple action stings, and I squeeze the organ in my hand to quell my emotions. The young man doubles over while his fellow guards watch impassively.

"Regina, what are you doing?" Emma asks, her voice shaking at the brutal demonstration of what my magic can do. "He was just following orders. The orders you gave him."

My darkness is screaming at me to crush it, my mother's voice calling me weak and inferior. The man pleads with me to let him live, stuttering all sorts of apologies and promises. Emma puts her hand on my arm, trying to talk me down.

"You can't give into your darkness. You can't let it control you. You're stronger than that—I know you are."

I grit my teeth and ignore her words, watching as the man collapses as he no longer has the strength to hold himself up. Do it, Mother's voice hisses as if she is here beside me instead of Emma. Be the queen you were always meant to be. Make me proud.

Then I'm looking into those soft forest eyes and everything around me freezes. It's just me and Emma, nothing else in the world matters. If I do this, she'll leave me. She'll hate me and see me as a monster. But you don't need her. All you need is power. Love is weakness.

"What would your father want you to do?" Emma asks, her voice soft and melodic, those thousands of twinkling bells warming my very soul. "Your darkness doesn't make you who you are. It doesn't define you. I know you."

She leans forward and presses her forehead to mine before gently grabbing the heart from me. "Help me put it back," she whispers.

I nod, and together we put the man's heart back inside his chest. He takes deep breaths, amazed that he is still alive. Surprise shows on the other guards' faces, but they remain still as stone for fear that I will change my mind and kill them all. The young man offers Emma a smile and graciously bows before me. "Thank you, My Queen."