Different Worlds

Chapter 21

I didn't. Forget. About. Emma's. Heart. That is all. But thank you for pointing that out~

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Regina's POV

I grab Emma's hand tightly, ready to jump and promising myself that I will never let her go again. My mother is dead and now we are truly safe. My heart flutters in my chest as Emma offers me a watery smile, her eyes full of pain but the grip on my hand never loosening.

"Wait!" A voice cries, stopping us in our tracks.

We all look to see the white rabbit that had led Emma to us. Though it is shaking, it holds out a wooden box for me to take. I do so, surprised to find it is rather heavy. The rabbit bows its head before speaking. "It holds the girl's heart. The Red Queen sealed it with magic—I witnessed her do so. She used a very ancient spell that is impossible to break. But I thought you should have it." The rabbit turns to Robin and bows. "Thank you, brave knight, for defeating the Red Queen. Now our rightful ruler can take her place on the throne and restore our kingdom to what it was."

Robin nods to the rabbit. "Thank you for rescuing Emma and showing us the way back to our realm. You are indeed very brave."

Will steps forward. "Anastasia is lucky to have a hand such as you."

The rabbit smiles at Will, seeming more relaxed than he was before. "I'll pass the word on, My Lord."

Robin pulls Will close, his eyes shining mischievously. "You're a lord in this world, are you? How lucky am I?"

"Very," Will teases with a quick peck on the lips.

I tug at the lid of the box to no avail, becoming frustrated as even my strongest of magic won't open the box. I can hear Emma's heart beating inside, becoming fainter and shallower by the second. Emma grabs the box from my hands and throws it to the ground.

"Leave it," she says, almost numbly. "I don't want it anymore. She corrupted it."

I must look hurt, for she squeezes my hand in hers and offers me a gentle smile. "I think everyone knows who I belong to."

Robin clears his throat, and Emma looks over to him with a smirk. "Fine. Who I'm in love with."

"Better," he says, giving me a wink behind Emma's back.

I pull Emma in and kiss her, being very careful not to touch her injuries. She reciprocates but something feels off. She pulls back quickly and turns toward the rabbit hole. "Ready to go home?"

With those words, we all jump in.

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Emma goes to bed right away when we get back to the castle, refusing to let me heal her wounds. She barricades the door to her chamber and stays there, allowing no one to enter. Red stations herself right outside the door in her wolf form, ears alert for any odd noises or signs that Emma is in distress. I send Robin and Will off to go bathe and eat while I figure out what to do.

"She's probably just tired from being in Wonderland for so long. She took quite the beating, it seems," Snow tries to comfort me but frets, wringing her hands together.

"That's exactly what worries me. My mother is—was—a cruel, selfish woman. She made my life a living hell and to think that she took Emma with intentions to hurt her... well, that's far beyond any punishment I ever received. It's been two days, Snow. She's not well." I sip on a cup of tea and try not to think about the fact that Emma's heart is in Wonderland, withering away.

Robin approaches me with Will by his side, smelling fresh and not so much like forest, which, for some reason, bothers me. I had learned to associate that smell with safety and comfort, and seeing the man that always looked like a bandit looking like a royal... it doesn't sit well with me.