Child of Destiny

Chapter 9

When the young couple finally arrived at Regina's home she was excited ready to show every little secret the manor house held to her newly found love. They spent almost a week in the quiet of the manor talking and getting to know each other even better now that they weren't aiming to get somewhere and Regina found herself falling even more in love if that were possible. She enjoyed Emma's company more so than she ever thought possible. The two shared everything from meals to a bed but nothing unsavory had occurred…at least not yet. Regina was hopeful though. Things would start to head that way and either she would get shy and stop them or Emma would because she sensed that Regina wasn't quite ready for that.

Tonight though Regina was determined she was going to be with Emma the way she now knew she wanted to. She was still a bit innocent when it came to sex but she was willing to try and that was all that mattered right? She brushed down her skirts as she stepped from the barn. It was beginning to get dark. After dinner they would retire to the library and Regina knew she would either play her piano or she and Emma would sit and read to each other as they had taken to doing each night they'd been here. Things were peaceful and even Emma seemed happy in her home which truthfully she supposed it was hers now since her father…Rumplestilskin she reminded herself forcefully was locked away never to get out again.

She stepped out of the barn the lush grass bowing beneath her boots as she made her way back to the house where she knew Emma was waiting. The blonde wasn't too terribly fond of riding but she was decent at it. She said she preferred something she didn't have to straddle. Regina had blinked at the small smirk Emma had shot her way but she figured it was just some sort of inside joke that she was missing out on again. She had shrugged it off and gone about her business none the wiser for what Emma had actually insinuated with her comment.

"Emma?" Regina called watching as the blonde woman descended the stairs. "What's wrong?" She saw the small leather satchel thrown over Emma's shoulder.

"I have to go."

"Go? Go where? What's happened? Emma it's late." Regina stared wide eyed as she watched her love come to stand before her in the grand foyer from the marble staircase.

"There's been an emergency Regina. I have to leave now. It can't wait until morning?"

"Did something to happen to Henry?" Regina asked reaching and lifting Emma's hands to hold in her own. She laced their fingers together in an attempt to get Emma to stop and explain this to her.

Emma paused studying Regina's pretty features before she nodded, "Yes."

"What happened to him?"

"He was kidnapped."

"Kidnapped? By who?" Regina asked watching Emma swallow. "My father." She said dully knowing the answer just by looking into Emma's eyes.

"Yes; he wants to make a deal with me."

"A deal? For what?" Regina demanded even as Emma tried to pull away and walk out the two large wood front doors with their thick iron locks and handles. "Emma wait! Tell me why does he want to make a deal with you?"

"Regina," Emma sighed her shoulders drooping in defeat. "You know my parents owed him me right? And I told you about my own son bringing us back here."

Regina nodded, "Yes you said this far away land was a horrible place and that you wouldn't wish it on anyone."

"My son has a book it tells all of our stories my cousin's, Cinderella's, everyone's. You're never mentioned because you weren't known but it does tell about your father and the son he lost."

"He wants to go there doesn't he? That's where my brother is." Regina read between the lines easily as Emma nodded.

"My son was born in that world and he has the book. It doesn't have any magical properties that I can tell but if your father thinks it's helpful he'll have taken it along with my son to find his own."

"Where do you think he would've taken him? He's magical he can go anywhere." Regina offered with a helpless shrug.

"I don't know but I can't just stay here while my kid is in danger."

"Of course not; give me time to pack my things and I'll come with you. I may be able to follow his movements."

"Do you have any idea where he might be."

Regina shook her head sadly, "No but I can at least try to track him by his magic. It's all unique and his is especially because of the darkness inherit within it."

Emma nodded, "Okay, you're probably my best shot at finding my son anyways and your father won't hurt you."

"We don't know that." Regina said sadly. "After all he may be after your son to get to his but I was never his child. He wouldn't do that for me."

Emma watched as the woman she loved slumped off to get her things together with a heavy heart.

Not many words passed between the two as they rode hard all night and day long. They only stopped to allow the horses to drink and to eat a little of the rations Regina had though to pack. They had a few hard days ahead of them and Regina knew they wouldn't get any peace until Henry was found. How her father could take a little boy she didn't understand. He wasn't the man she'd always thought him to be but then again he never really was a man to her either. He was her father be him an evil imp as she'd heard Emma curse at him or be he a powerful wizard that was imbued with the powers of darkness itself. She knew she had to stop thinking of him as simply her father. He wasn't that anymore nor had he ever been but she still couldn't help it. Even after all this time he was simply the man that raised her though he may not have truly loved her and he may have been using her for some greater purpose she knew not nor did she suppose it truly matter. She'd had a happy upbringing though admittedly lonely.

Regina looked up when Emma pulled the horse to a stop. She hadn't realized they had made it to Cinderella's kingdom until just now. She had been so caught up in her musing that she had failed to even notice.

"Come on Regina. Let's go and see what they've found out so far."

"How did you find out he went missing?" Regina asked softly for the first time. She had been wondering how the message had sought Emma out in the high fortress her father had raised her in but she never did really ask.

"My cousin uses blue birds to send communication sometimes. One of her birds found me to deliver the message. She and James were going to meet us here since Cinderella's kingdom is closer to the abandoned mine where your father was being held."

Regina nodded as they stopped right outside the gates and Emma swung down from the saddle. She spoke quietly to the guards standing near the large wood and iron gate before stepping back as it lifted. She hauled herself back up on the horse and they moved through the gates together. Regina couldn't help but wonder what they would be facing when they finally got inside but she knew whatever happened she would help Emma in whatever way possible. When you were in love that's what you were supposed to do right?

Right, her head and heart agreed. She would help and hopefully her father wouldn't be too angry with her. But then why should she care? He'd already shown her what he thought of her but a part of her still wondered if he'd done this to try and protect her from what he was going to do. She'd never really know she supposed. She'd just have to wait and see what happened and hope they got to Henry before any serious harm befell him.

Author's Ending Notes: damn it's been a long time since I posted on here. I almost forgot. I've been writing a lot of darker pieces that aren't getting posted here though I've been encouraged from a few people to try them out here. I just might but first this little update. I know it's tiny and I'm sorry I sorta got stuck with where this one was going and then I figured I'd give it a shot. For those waiting on Past Lives it won't be much longer. I hope to have it done here by tonight and posted. Oh and if you are interested in reading my darker pieces and you're of age, (I'd say they require a mature audience but hey I considered myself mature at sixteen so what can I say? Just follow the laws in your states or countries and all will be okay.) they are posted over on Tumblr under the name bellaheat. They are named Yearning and Helpless. Yearning is set in fairy tale land and features a more grey Emma and Regina. And Helpless is based in Storybrooke with some added twists. Okay enough about those and I hope you enjoyed this little installment and I hope you leave me some lovely reviews because I haven't really felt like writing either this or Past Lives lately and I'm hoping for some motivation. ~ Bella