Different Worlds

Chapter 22

Regina's POV

Will wakes us just as the sun is rising in the sky. I smile as I open my eyes to see the orange orb lit up behind purple and blue hues, slowly warming the air and making the morning beautiful. I look over to Emma who is curled up into a ball, slightly closer to me than she had been when she fell asleep the night before. Her face is troubled, even in sleep, her hair covering half of her face and glistening with morning dew.

I reach over and stroke her damp locks away from her face, exposing her face to the warm sun. She stirs slightly in her sleep, a small smile crossing her face, reminding me of the first night I shared my bed with her. How I miss that girl... though she was broken, she was here. She was Emma. She was mine.

"Regina..." she murmurs, leaning into my touch.

"Emma..." I say quietly next to her ear, trying to convey the love I feel for her in that one name.

Emma's brow furrows in confusion as she opens her eyes to see me so close. I retract my hand but hold her gaze, silently encouraging her to open up to me. She doesn't, of course. She sits up and pushes the damp fur that had served as a blanket during the night before grabbing her bow and arrow and striding off into the woods.

Will and I exchange a worried glance. "Should I go with her?" I ask, afraid to leave Emma alone for fear that she will do something irrational.

"Robin is down by the river washing up. She'll be fine," Will answers.

"She's become violent. She killed a fish with cruel intent without batting an eye." I swallow hard, not wanting to face the possibility but knowing I must bring it to light. "What if she turns on us?"

Will sits down on a wooden stump, scratching his head. Do you really think she would turn on people who raised her and she's known practically her whole life?"

I wince inwardly, thinking of my own reign of terror that I had unleashed on my innocent staff. The trauma of my childhood turned me into something I hated and feared, a person that was possibly worse than my mother. Just one flashback would be enough to set Emma off.

I stand and grab a bow, slinging it over my shoulder and grabbing a few bows to accompany it. Despite the cloud of worry that has decided to linger over my head, I feel a slight thrill at the fact that I am doing something so un-lady-like, so rebellious. Will grins, noticing my mood change.

"That bow looks good on you, Your Majesty."

I blush despite myself. Robin sure had found himself a keeper. "Looking good is one thing. Not knowing how to use it is another."

Will puts his arm around my shoulder, guiding me to the edge of the trees. "With Emma teaching you, you'll be a pro in no time."

I find Emma checking and reloading an empty trap, the tight riding pants she is wearing showing off her curves as she squats down. I catch myself staring at her, admiring how beautiful she looks. She is much more appealing to the eye than a sunrise, that's for sure. And she seems so comfortable, no longer strained from being cooped up.

I tread toward her on light feet, not wanting to startle her. Once I've taken a few steps, however, she spins around to face me. I freeze in place, stunned by the speed and agility in which she had moved. I glance back toward our camp spot, debating whether or not to leave her to her doings. Emma rises and brushes her hands off on her pants, taking a step toward me.

I notice her peer around me at my bow strapped across my back. She smiles then, which unnerves me because it has been so long since I've seen a genuine smile on her. "Looking for a teacher?" She asks.