The Light & The Dark

Chapter 7

Emma's POV

Regina is currently standing in front of me and I still can't believe it. Her hair is longer than before but still just as beautiful. But her face is even more beautiful than ever. I stare at her plumed lips covered with red lipstick making them pop. Her dress perfectly fit her body showing off her new curve. After all this time she can still take my breath away.

"You have no idea how good it is to see you again Emma," Regina said, grabbing my hand. She looks deep into my eyes and gives me the same beautiful smile I saw ten years ago. "I know the idea too well. Even though a lot of time has passed the thought of you never left my mind." I explain. Our hands stayed intertwined with one another's as we just looked at each other. Our stares spoke louder than any words we could say to each other. Just like they were on the day we were first split up. It's like nothing changed.

"Swan I'm going to have a word with Senator Mills alone. Patrol the office and if anyone reports anything suspicious. You come to me first, don't just run in blind." Mulan says when she puts her hand on my shoulder. She walks out with Regina but not before turning to me. "Like I said before we left the temple. This is not a social call, it's a mission. Don't let your feelings and emotions get in the way of what you have to do here." Mulan whispered to me sternly. A small bit of anger sparked deep in me as her last sentence stung me. I looked at Mulan and Regina as they walked out. Regina gave me a reassuring smile but Mulan gave me a stern look.

"She's never going to give me a break."

Regina's POV

Mulan and I walk to my conference room and close the door. "It's good to see you, Regina. You've grown so much." Mulan says, pulling me into a hug. "It's good seeing you as well. You haven't aged a day." I smile. She still looks like the same young charismatic master that I've known from my childhood.

We sit down and I brief her on my recent assassination attempts. As she discusses her plan the words coming out of her mouth were inaudible. I wasn't even listening to what she was saying. All I could do is think about Emma. She's changed so much since I've seen her. Emma is incredibly tall now almost six feet tall. Her face is charming even more than it was when they first met. I haven't really had the chance to talk to her one on one so I don't know how much her personality has changed yet. I wouldn't be surprised if it changed because she's been through a lot. I just hope she's still the same caring person I met 10 years ago, maybe even better.

"Regina, are you listening to me?" Mulan asked, waving her hand in front of my face snapping me out of my thoughts. "Yes, I just have a lot of my mind. Many things have happened to me recently and now I have to worry about my assassination attempts. So my mind is constantly racing." I say. Techanlly I wasn't lying, my mind was actually constantly racing. A lot of thoughts were going through it. It's just that Emma is now one of the thoughts that are racing in my head. Well, she's more than one of the thoughts in my head.

"You love her don't you," Mulan says with a straight face. "Who?" I ask playing dumb. I know exactly who she's talking about. "I've known you since you were a baby Regina. You can't hide your thoughts and feelings away from me. I know you too well." She says grabbing my hand. "I think I do, after all these years the feeling is still the same. I just don't know if she feels as strongly as I do." I explain.

"You and I both know that she does and that's my worst fear." Said Mulan. I was shocked at the last part of what she said but I'm not surprised. Love is against the rules of being a Patronus Knight. It's one of the several harsh rules. "Don't you think Emma deserves some happiness Mulan?" I ask harshly. "It's not about deserving Regina. It's about what she needs to be successful. Love is not one of those things, it's a distraction. Emma has a bigger role in this world than you both know." Mulan argues.

"Love is something that she needs and you know that. Whether it's from me or someone else. Love is what Emma needs Mulan. Emma's not a knight at heart. She didn't choose this life just like you didn't!" I yell. "Well, this is the life that was chosen for her. I don't like it but it's just what happened. Love is not what she needs and once you both accept that the easier life will be." Mulan says getting up from her chair. "You know me denying my feelings for her isn't right," I say looking out the window.

"I know."

Mulan's POV

I walk to a lake away from the building making sure that I'm alone. "Pensieve," I say, the incantation over the water. After a few minutes, Master Cora's reflection appeared in the water. "Hello Master Cora," I say, kneeling to her. "You may raise Master Mulan. You aren't a neophyte anymore. Kneeling is not necessary." Master Cora smiles. "Why have you contacted me, is there something wrong with the mission?"

"The mission is fine. I have a plan of action and Senator Mills is safe. I contacted you to ask to switch Swan with another knight." I explain to Master Cora. "Why? Swan is the best Patronus Knight the order has had in a millennium." She asked confused by my request. "Swan and the senator have feelings for each other. Very deep feelings and we both know that Swan doesn't need any distractions." I expound to her. "This is very true, Swan is very important to the world." Master Cora says calmly. "She is still unaware of her destiny correct?" She asked.

"Yes, Swan doesn't know. She thinks she just another knight." I confirm Master Cora's question. "Good I'll have a talk with Regina. I'll make sure she won't hinder Swan's destiny. Is there anything else I need to know?" She asked. I shake my head. "Alright, then I have business to attend to so I must be going. Farewell Master Mulan." She said disappearing. I look up from the lake as I hear laughter. It was Emma and Regina laughing together as they walked.

"What am I going to do with those two?"

Emma's POV

It's now night time and I've been patrolling Regina's office all day besides escorting Regina to a meeting. Disobeying Mulan's orders of course. Normally I'd be bored with such a job but it's different now. Now I'm doing something to protect a person that I care about. I wish that I could be doing something more than just patrolling. Going out and investigating to find the person who's behind this should be what I'm doing. Mulan should be letting me take charge of this mission. I'm more experienced in this field than her. Mulan never lets me do anything, she's constantly holding me back!

"Then get rid of her." A sinister voice says in my ear. "What? Who said that?" I demand drawing out my saber. "Emma, who are you talking to?" I turned around to see who was talking. "Sorry, Regina I thought I heard someone," I explain putting away my saber. "Follow me silly." Regina laughs holding her hand out for me.

She takes me to her room and then snaps on a nightgown. "Come lay with me," Regina says with a smile. "I can't Mulan would have my head if she caught me," I say sadly. Regina and I haven't slept in the same bed since my first time at the temple. The feeling of laying with her would be sanguine right now but it's a no go. "You've been on my mind all day Emma. I just want to be in your arms." She says caressing my cheek. "As do I," I say touching her hand.

Our lips begin to inch closer until a knock at the door stops us. "Come in." Says Regina pulling away from me. A servant walks in with a cup of milk. "Milk to help you sleep, Senator." Says the servant. Regina looks at her confused. "I didn't ask for milk." The servant now looks spooked. "Who gave you the order to bring Senator Mills the milk?" I ask sternly. "Um um." She stutters. I take the milk and pour it into a plant that I see. The plant instantly dies. "You're under arrest!" I yell, pulling out my saber. She drops the tray and runs out the door. I start to run after her but Regina gets in front of me. "Regina move!" I yell.

"No, you need to get Mulan."

"I don't need her!" I move her out of the way and go after the servant.

"Emma noo!"

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