When Emma falls in love

Chapter 18

"And then he told me to pay better attention to my horses because I should've known better than to ride in a bad mood."

Emma chuckled, "And did you scream at him for that?"

The Evil Queen smirked, "No, I wasn't like that back then. And he was right because horses are extremely sensitive — when they feel your nervousness, they become nervous as well."

"Crazy how these huge animals are total softies, huh?" the blonde remarked with a grin.

The other woman couldn't help but laugh at Emma's choice of words before nodding in agreement and taking a sip from her red wine.

It was way after midnight, and the two women had been sitting on the couch for the last few hours, immersed in a conversation that spanned various topics, most of them related to the Enchanted Forest and the Evil Queen's life before turning dark. And Daniel.

"So, what happened after that?" Emma inquired, a playful glint in her eyes. "Wait, don't tell me! You became a horse whisperer, of course. A side gig to your Evil Queen duties."

The brunette chuckled, her voice tinged with a teasing tone. "A horse-whispering Evil Queen? Now, that's an image."

Emma smirked, her eyes gleaming with amusement as she brought her glass to her lips. With a small sip, her gaze remained fixed on the woman beside her. Behind those captivating dark eyes, a fleeting sadness surfaced, especially when the conversation touched upon Daniel. The smirk on the blonde's lips faded, replaced by a subtle concern. Her hand instinctively sought out the brunette's, fingers intertwining gently.

The Evil Queen couldn't help but release an audible sigh, her attention wholly captured by their now connected hands. The warmth exchanged in that simple touch spoke volumes, transcending the playful banter and revealing a deeper layer of understanding between them.

Emma's expression softened further, her eyes reflecting both empathy and a growing sense of connection. "Hey," she whispered, her voice gentle.

The brunette gave her a watery smile before clearing her throat, determined not to come across as weak. "So, uhm," she began, her voice raspy, "How is Henry doing? Is everything alright at school? Or would you like a bit more from the mousse au chocolat? I actually made plenty-"

"Regina," the blonde whispered, interrupting the other woman's attempt to conceal her pain. Her eyes were glued to the brunette's, watching as they released a single tear. Immediately, Emma reached out, gently wiping away the tear with her thumb. "It's okay," she said softly.

The Evil Queen suddenly forgot how to breathe as a wave of emotions crashed upon her. The deep sadness and hurt over Daniel's death, paired with the sensation that the blonde gave her. The fear of losing her heart to Emma completely and her not feeling the same. Everything was overwhelming for the woman who had cut out strong emotions like these for a very long time. The brunette was scared—scared to feel exactly like after Daniel's death when Emma would reject her. But at the same time, she was really, really in love again.

Emma, sensing the Evil Queen's inner struggle, shifted closer. Of course, she didn't know the extent of these struggles, but a second tear rolled down the brunette's cheek. Without a word, Emma enveloped her in a warm embrace, pulling her into the circle of her arms. The Evil Queen hesitated for a moment, surprised by the unexpected tenderness, before allowing herself to lean into the comforting embrace.

Finally finding her voice, Emma whispered, "You don't have to carry it all alone, you know?"

The brunette swallowed, her throat tight with unshed emotions. "I... I haven't allowed myself to feel like this in a very long time. Actually... I shouldn't be able to feel anything more than hate. But I feel so many emotions."