A/N Yes, it's been ridiculously long but thank some recent readers for reminding me how annoying unfinished fics can be. Got a few more chapters ready to post and a personal commitment to get this finished asap despite these crazy times. I don't know if anyone is still reading but I hope someone out there gets some enjoyment out of it.
Previously in The Collar
"So, are we still in agreement about we discussed this morning?" Regina nodding as Emma returned to the living room. "We are, I think it is a promising plan." "Great." Emma stretching out her neck to ease the tension just as there was a knock on the door.
Xxx
Emma and Regina exchanging glances before Emma went to open it to reveal their visitor and Emma recalling what had brought her there...
"Maggie?" Emma answering her phone just as their driver set off from the club's mansion.
"Hi Em, I have a note here from Regina and delivered by the slave you selected last night," Maggie explaining the reason for her call and Emma's brows raising then she turned to look at Regina.
"And what does it say?" Emma holding Regina's eyes as she listened to her friend.
"That I should arrange a contract for the slave, if she wants to take it," Maggie pausing, "a contract with you."
"Why -?" Emma frowning.
"There is a way, if you both agree," Regina explaining to her -. To Emma. "There is magic enough for the three of us to return. I saw how you enjoyed her and she is a very fine specimen," Regina shrugging, faking disinterest but Emma not looking away as she tried to figure out what the fuck was happening here.
"So you sent her to Maggie?"
"I understand that she is your adviser on such matters so thought it prudent to involve her. Was I wrong?" Regina refusing to back down.
"No," Emma admitting, still feeling the satisfaction and the inner peace that came after an intense session with one of her slaves, one that she had complete control over, not the queen.
"Bring it with the other paperwork and send her over before we leave," Emma's decision made she ended the call and they rode the rest of the way home in silence...
"What have you been told?" Emma getting straight to the point the moment she opened the door, eyeing the bag 116 was carrying slung over her shoulder, the young woman taken aback by the greeting and wondering if she'd been misinformed.
"Mistress Alves offered me a contract on your behalf but she said you'd discuss the details with me now," 116 explaining but keeping her eyes down, Mistress Swan already seeming less welcoming than she'd hoped.
"Alright, come in," Emma pushing the door fully open and stepping back, allowing the young woman inside. 116 entering the penthouse, astounded that she was even here in Mistress Swan's home and casting her eyes around (subtly) until they settled on Mistress Black and her heart stuttered.
"I can offer you a contract but it's not based here, in the city," Emma cricking her neck and rolling her shoulders, preparing herself for the explanation as she stood before the slave, her tone catching 116's immediate attention. "It's somewhere you can't come back from without Mistress Black's help, if at all," Emma pausing. 116 standing perfectly still as she listened intently.
"What I can offer, what Mistress Black can offer you, is an experience like nothing you'll ever find here. Total immersion in the life." 116's eyes lighting up, lifting to meet Mistress Swan's in question. "It's just the way things are done there but you will leave all this behind. All of it," Emma gesturing around her apartment but meaning to encompass the city and its life. "It is not without risks, the greatest being that you will never return to the world you are used to but I will do everything in my power to keep you safe from mortal harm but I cannot guarantee anything."
"Is that something you might want?" Emma posing the ultimate question.
"Yes," the answer coming without hesitation as they locked eyes.
"Here's the contract. It only pays out after you are released at a time of Mistress Black's choosing or if you do not survive. So please nominate someone to receive the payment should that be required. Sit, read it carefully, this is not a joke," Emma impressing on the slave who was now warily watching the blonde as she retrieved a contract from the table and passed it to her where she had chosen to sit on a large arm chair. Mistress Black had been silent and remained so but 116 cold feel those dark eyes on her as she read.
The terms were non-standard as she had been warned. A 24/7 arrangement under Mistress Black, no list of limits was requested, no get-out clause and no autonomy so why was her body humming with the anticipation of giving everything to these women? This women, 116 realising Mistress Black would be in control of her life if she signed, not Mistress Swan.
"Ask," Emma seeing the conflict the slave was experiencing.
"You're not named as my mistress. Mistress Black is, you crossed your name out and put hers," 116 stating, the fact highly noticeable as she'd been reading. Mistress Swan's name, Emma, crossed out and neatly initialled to be replaced by that of Mistress Black's, handwritten in its place.
"Where we are going Mistress Black is the highest authority. I do not have seniority," Emma's explanation brief. "But you've experienced what she has to offer and I believe I will be on hand to aid your training?" Emma phrasing the question and a slight nod from Regina indicating she was correct.
"You shall have time to train her among your other duties," Regina conceding. In truth she was looking forward to seeing her pet in action with this one.
"But where are we going?" 116 voicing the most pertinent question for her safety. Emma sighing and looking to Regina who could only shrug, leaving it up to Emma to handle this.
"Is it better to show her?" Emma asking. "It was an accident with Maggie and I don't want to waste it," the blonde biting her lip. Worried that she would deplete her magic and be unable to activate the orb.
"Well, are we ready to leave?" Regina questioning, brow raised.
"I have my stuff packed, I just need to grab it and a couple of bits," Emma confirming.
"She can make her choice then," Regina deciding.
"Alright, give me a moment," Emma moving efficiently around her apartment, shutting off unnecessary electrics and gathering the last of her belongings, and the orb which she passed straight to Regina. 116 watching, confused about sudden activity but waiting as she had been instructed.
"Emma?" Regina questioning her companion, holding the orb in her hand. The blonde standing by her side dressed in skinny black jeans, a pair of her well-worn boots and a beat up brown leather flying jacket. "Do you now have everything you need?" A polite enquiry, Regina eyeing the bags slung over Emma's shoulder.
"Yep," the blonde hefting her luggage, having filled it with a few items she deemed essential for her continuing health and well-being in the queen's realm(and a few luxuries). A nod, Regina lifting the hand which held the orb to fill the space between their bodies, her other hand seeking Emma's breast bone where the low scoop of her top left it exposed.
"I shall use the magic left in the orb to draw on your own magic, you may feel a pull as I do so." Emma nodding at Regina's words, bottom lip caught between her teeth.
Magic? 116 standing awkwardly and wondering what the fuck was going on. Had she mistakenly fallen in with a couple of crazies? She didn't think so given Mistress Swans reputation but -.
"Ready?"
"Yes." Regina closing her eyes on hearing Emma's confirmation, focusing on the orb, using it as a conduit to push its magic into Emma where their skin was in contact. Emma felt a warmth press into her, eyes locking on the queen's face, observing the concentration she was exhibiting. After the influx had steadied the next sensation was the pull Regina had been describing, Emma now closing her own eyes to ensure that she did not involuntarily hinder the extraction in any way, neither did she try to assist, fearing her lack of training could impede Regina's progress. Instead remaining passive, breathing steadily, focusing on staying calm and only opening her eyes again when she could feel her magic being actively drawn from her.
Relaxing, Regina opened her eyes, focusing on the orb that was now pulsing with magic.
"Hold my hand," the queen instructing and Emma tangling her fingers with the hand that had just dropped from her chest. "Now, focus on the orb and will it to expand, do not rush, slowly and steadily until the portal is large enough for us to pass through.
"Ok," the blonde's acknowledgement quiet but steady.
"Now push!" Both women exhaling (as Emma had been taught) pushing their will through the orb, Emma blinking when it began to expand. "More, slowly," Regina guiding her and Emma trying not to lose herself in the much missed sensation of feeling Regina's magic so close to her, invading her.
They kept pushing and pushing until the portal had formed and eclipsed the view to the outer hallway.
"Mistress Black is from another world, I've been living there and we're going back," Emma explaining to the slave who was absolutely, undeniably stunned by what she had just seen. "If you want to come you need to decide now, we're not sure how long the portal will hold," Emma warning. "Or you can leave out the door right now, I'm not going to force you to do anything."
"I'll sign," 116 making her decision and rapidly scrawling her signature on the contract, leaving one copy on the table (presumably for Mistress Alves to collect later) and clutching the other in her hand.
"How do we do this?" Emma once again worrying her lip between her teeth after 116 had signed. "Do I go first again, or what?" The blonde not hiding her nervousness.
"Together, I think would be best," Regina inhaling, "That way our magic will be linked and there is no risk of one of us being left here, alone." Neither woman wanting to contemplate the shit that would leave them both in.
"Ok, together then," Emma reaching for the brunette's hand, clasping it firmly in her own and Regina curling her fingers to complete the bond. Emma reaching behind her to take the hand of 116, her grip warm and firm. "It's Ok," Emma turning to reassure her only to be met by a look of calm curiosity.
"Come," Regina the first to move forward, stepping into the glowing surface. "There is nothing to it," a tug on her hand and Emma was following her through, the sensation making all the fine hairs on her body stand on end as she was surrounded by the translucent iridescence that marked the passage between two worlds. One viewing the other side of the portal, the mirror in the queen's laboratory, would have seen the queen step through, foot landing squarely on the stone floor, her other following to land by its side, arm stretching behind her attached to Emma who came stumbling through, barely catching herself before she fell and took the queen down with her, dragging 116 through as she did.
"Oh!" Regina gasping loudly as her magic rushed back into her, leaving her panting but on such a high -. The feeling was exquisite. Emma also feeling a less intense but still intoxicating rush.
"For one with such innate grace you are entirely graceless at times," Regina murmuring bemusedly as she took in Emma's stumble.
"Well, novice here, unlike you and your world jumping," Emma huffing and releasing the queen's hand before straightening her clothes (already having dropped 116's). "And you really need to tell me about that sometime," curious green eyes beseeching.
"I shall when we are more settled." Emma's warm smile her acceptance of the agreement.
"Slave, you will answer to Emma in all things."
"You may address her as 'Your Majesty or 'My Queen'," Emma interceding quickly.
"Yes, My Queen," 116 answering, eyes down, hands still holding onto her bag, knuckles white with the force of her grip.
"This is your last chance to return," Regina gesturing to the still open portal behind them.
"I wish to stay, My Queen," was the resolute response as she looked up at her new mistress.
"Then we shall not be needing this any more," Regina waving her hand and the portal closing in on itself until it was gone, leaving no evidence of ever having been there.
Emma clearing her throat before speaking. "I didn't know how much time we had before, and I know that technically I no longer have the power to speak to you freely but would you grant me a few moments before -."
"Before you return to being my pet? Hmm?" Regina teasing and 116's eyes going wide at the revelation, looking between the two women. Mistress Swan was Mistress Black's slave? It just didn't fit in with what she'd witnessed to date.
"Yes before that," Emma's tone reflecting in her stormy eyes. "Please?" The request startling the queen, knowing how much such a plea cost the blonde, especially as they were not alone.
"Of course," Regina nodding her consent, a heavy pause filling the space before them until Emma spoke, head down, not meeting the queen's eyes, Regina's conclusion was that the blonde was nervous or at the very least unsure of herself which was uncommon in itself.
"It's going to be hard for me, out there," Emma's hand gesturing beyond the ornate door marking the boundary between them and the wider expanse of the world. "I don't expect any leniency as I re-adjust, as that would show weakness on both our parts," green eyes now raising to meet the queen's to acknowledge the fact. "But I would like to ask you for two things," Emma now resolute.
"Well, you may ask I suppose," Regina unwilling to commit to the unknown but extremely curious.
"Firstly I would like my collar back, as a reminder. I think I'm less likely to slip up with it on."
"Agreed," Regina nodding. Truthfully the thought was arousing for her, knowing that seeing Emma wearing it again would be incredibly erotic.
"Wait!" Emma, holding up her hand to stall the restoration as the item in question appeared hovering above the queen's left hand. 116 not able to withhold her gasp at its appearance, as though the portal had not been enough proof of magic's existence.
"Your other request?" Regina's brow arching, waiting for the blonde to present her secondary petition.
"I - ," green eyes dropping again and fingers twisting themselves around each other as Emma studied her hands. "I would like to be able to spend some time with you, as we are now. As Emma and Regina. Not mistress and slave. It doesn't have to be often but maybe once a month or so. I know it has done me a lot of good and I think it has benefited us both in ways we didn't expect. I think it would be a shame for us, for you, not to be able to put aside the queen and just be the woman." The appeal falling into silence but Emma refusing to relinquish any ground, eyes fixing on the brunette's face even as Regina looked away, dark eyes roving sightlessly over her apparatus before coming back to her pet's.
"Agreed, at a time of my choosing but no less than once a lunar cycle."
"Thank you,"Emma's words carrying on soft breath then closing her eyes and falling to her knees, waiting. Waiting until she felt the cool metal settle around her neck, waiting until the collar warmed then cooled as it sealed. The process familiar but stirring mixed emotions within her, looking up at her mistress, her queen and more recently her lover and her equal. But, right now, the overriding feeling was arousal and by the dark look the queen was giving her she was not alone in that. Once the moment passed Emma's curious fingers reached up to give it an experimental tug, the collar as unyielding as ever but comforting in a way at odds with her recent experiences.
"Does it work the same?" Regina watching the blonde tilt her head, fingers continuing to trace the etched designs.
"It does, with one notable exception."
"What exception?" Emma straightening to her full height and frowning, now wary.
"The exception being that it will not kill you if you attempt to escape because I know that you choose to be here so it is a redundant measure. The terms of your service to me will not alter but as you previously fulfilled that role without the physical badge of your position I am confident that you shall be able to in the future. This is only bestowed upon your request and I will remove it should you ask me to."
"Ok, thank you." Emma taking a moment to centre herself now that the conversation was over. She'd said what she wanted to say and was pleased with the result, boosting to her feet and positioning herself beside the queen but slightly behind. "Should I instruct the new slave, Mistress?" Emma querying, eyes flicking to their addition. Both feeling a thrill as the title was voiced.
"Yes, she shall fall under your tutelage as we agreed, as do the others. However, we will confer as to the path her training should take. I believe some harsher methods may be employed in her breaking," Regina musing, taking her time to observe 116 who had remained silent throughout.
"That won't do," Regina eyeing 116 and her otherworldly clothes and not wishing to bring attention to where they had journeyed, snapping her fingers and re-dressing the slave in a reddish brown leather bra style harness, bare midriff and matching short leather skirt of the style Greta wore. Emma's thoughts turning to Red and the slaves and realising how much she had missed them all.
"You also, pet," Emma's blood thrumming at the term and finding herself dressed in her familiar black lather pants, a green sleeveless linen top that scooped at the neck and back with her arms adorned with her etched armbands. Emma looking down to see her own boots were still on and she was wearing her sword belt with the engraved scabbards housing her dual daggers. On raising her eyes she caught the queen's nod of approval before she turned towards the laboratory door.
"My Queen?" Emma gesturing with finger at the queen's own outfit.
"Indeed," Regina muttering and immediately dressing herself in a blood red silk dress that flowed around her feet and the typical tight bodice, this one in black with silver embellishments.
"I have missed your dresses," Emma giving the queen an approving once over only to to receive a quelling look, the slave dropping her eyes but not without a slight smirk, knowing her compliment had been appreciated.
"I am glad to see a return of you in leather, my dear," Regina commenting to Emma's amusement but she got no time to reply. A split second later they appeared in the queen's main chamber in her private quarters, 116 staggering as they materialised.
"It's Ok, you get used to it," Emma murmuring whilst giving her a once over to check she was unharmed.
Xx
Next in The Collar
"She's back!" Red feeling the negative space in her chest fill with the return of the queen's magic to the palace. "Come," Red leaping to her feet and searching for the magic's location, Eva, Greta and Belle following post haste. Red quickly tracking the queen to her private quarters.
"My Queen?" Red pausing to knock at the outer door, waiting until it swung open of its own accord. Red rapidly assessing the interior and seeing the queen and Emma, both looking well, then her eyes falling on the third member of the party. A stranger and that caused Red's hackles to rise, who was this interloper and what did she want with their queen?