A/N Thank you for all your replies relating to the chapter length. Mixed preferences which is understandable but I appreciate your support. I'll continue to update as quickly as possible and her is another one for you. Let me know what you think.

Previously in The Collar

"Then I will permit it on this one occasion," Regina turning her back to her pet and relaxing as soon as she felt Emma's arm drape over her waist. It was a novelty for her, Elizabeth had been petite, so the way Emma curved her body protectively around her own was a new experience. But, she knew that is what it was, Emma's protective behaviours set free in her world and it was only the smallest stretch for Regina to understand why this may benefit her in this world. Her pet always willing to provide her additional safety and comfort when permitted. That was all it was, it could be nothing more.

xxx

That was how she woke, still wrapped up in Emma's arms, light puffs of breath blowing against the back of her neck, arm still holding her close to the body behind and soft breasts pressed against her back.

"Regina?" Emma waking slowly, tightening her grip and nuzzling into Regina's neck until she opened an eye and realised the light was coming from the wrong angle. "My Queen," voice still husky from sleep Emma carefully drew herself back until a hand grabbed her wrist and held her.

"Today can be that day," Regina murmuring but not turning round.

"What day?" Emma confused and still a little fuzzy with sleep.

"The time when we are not mistress and slave." Regina finally daring to twist her body round to face her bed-mate as they lay eye to eye.

"It's only been a day!" Emma protesting even as delicate but strong fingers reached up to tug at her collar, a warmth and a feint glow and it released to fall open but still trapped by golden curls and the pillow she rested against.

"It has, but I want this. I want to give you the freedom to be with me the way we were," Regina's heart was pounding as she spoke, magic crackling through her in a nervous tirade.

"I asked for an evening, you're offering me a full day?" Emma frowning as she considered the ramifications.

"I am, respect me as you did in your realm and I shall respect you equally," Regina pledging.

"We need to talk, not ignore things," Emma not specifying what things but knowing they shouldn't be ignored, however much it seemed they both wanted to.

"Have dinner with me? We can discuss - , everything -, then," Regina suggesting softly.

"Tonight then," Emma nodding her agreement. "Neither of us is allowed to make excuses."

"Agreed," Regina pledging and a silence fell as they observed one another. Regina daring to rest her palm against Emma's breast bone and their magic connecting with a fierce tug. "Oh!" Regina gasping as she felt Emma's magic amplify her own.

"Oh, wow!" Emma now breathless as she was assaulted by the same rush of energy then Regina's lips as she was kissed.

"That was an extremely nice way to wake up," Emma lying on her back, grinning up at the ceiling as Regina lay on top of her, both post orgasm. Extremely pleased that their chemistry and earned familiarity remained in this world. And that Regina continued to be enthusiastic about ravishing her, she felt extremely well ravished.

"Delectable," Regina smirking, pleased Emma was so happy. "What do you wish to do today? I have some business to attend to this morning, there is a council meeting scheduled for after luncheon and then I must spend time investigating Red's pet's curse," ending her to-do list with a sigh.

"Do you think you can help her?" Emma worrying her lip between her teeth and gently stroking the tousled dark hair under her hand while Regina lay with her head on Emma's stomach where she had collapsed, a luxury she was taking advantage of while she could.

"I think so. It will not be easy but I am capable."

"Oh, you're an extremely capable woman, my cunt is still singing your praises," Emma chuckling contentedly.

"Such a foul mouth!" Regina gasping, genuinely shocked by Emma's words.

"Well, you are the one that scheduled to let me out of my cage today so don't blame me if I'm a little feisty!"

"Indeed," Regina huffing to herself but secretly pleased to see Emma in such good humour, such a change from the sullen slave she had been yestereve.

"I should spend some time with the young ones, they need some more training. I was thinking weapons drills today, under strict supervision."

"That sounds productive," Regina musing, far too content to move just yet but knowing she had a busy day ahead of her. "Your day is yours but when I prepare my tests for the Amazon -, well it may be of interest to you?"

"Yes, I like watching you get your magic on," Emma purring and tugging Regina up into her arms for another kiss. "It. Is. Extremely. Arousing." Each word punctuated with a kiss.

"Oh!" Was all Regina has to say in retort, preferring to lose herself in the kissing. She liked the kissing, Emma was extremely proficient and if she hadn't already been away from her duties for too long she would have had no compunction about spending the entire day in her bed chamber.

When it really was time for the queen to resume her duties she left Emma alone to dress and make what she would of the day.

"Slave," Emma acknowledging the young woman kneeling naked in the outer chamber, waiting.

"Good morning, Emma," 116 noting the smirk the blonde was sporting and wondering what had happened to put her in such a good mood.

"I'm off the leash today," Emma shrugging as she lounged in the doorway and observed the slave, wearing only the black silk robe the queen had given her, Emma's long legs making it barely decent. "Go bathe, use the queen's pool but be quick."

"Yes, Emma," 116 doing as she was bid, only now noting the absence of Emma's collar,

Emma entering her room and rifling through the clothes she had hung in her closet she selected some tight black leather pants and a white silk shirt with a low neck, almost regency style, Emma musing to herself as she slipped it on and adjusting it to show a modest amount of cleavage. She also strapped on her sword belt and scabbard then fastened her dagger to her thigh. When 116 returned from bathing she was just pinning up her hair in a style she knew the queen liked yet was going to be practical for the day she had planned. Some light blush, darkening around her eyes and a light gloss to her lips and she was done.

"Carry. Follow." 116 nodding and falling in to step behind her as they left the queen's chambers, Emma's duffel bag over her shoulder.

A knock on Red's door received no reply so they continued on to Eva's rooms which were also empty.

"Hmm," Emma frowning, wondering where everyone was but it was later than usual thanks to their sexathon that morning so wasn't unduly surprised.

116 dutifully following Emma through the halls of the palace as she searched for the other slaves. It was different today though, today Emma was prowling, her demeanour very different to the one 116 had witnessed only yesterday. Limbs loose and posture much more relaxed, the hand on the hilt of her sword as it hung by her side made her look -, dangerous as she strode through the hallways and it seemed 116 was not the only one to think that as the palace's inhabitants cleared her way and greeted her with extreme politeness as she passed by.

"Emma!" Cook greeting her warmly as they entered the kitchen, none daring to gossip in her presence but all eyes on them.

"Cook, it's good to see you," Emma returning her smile and boosting herself up to sit on the table next to where she was writing in her ledgers.

"You look well," the older woman eyeing her shrewdly and noting the absence of her collar that she'd been wearing the day before.

"I feel good. All fixed up, thank you," Emma reassuring her with a smile. "I was wondering if I could give you a recipe? The Queen really enjoyed it while we were away," Emma reaching into her pocket and pulling out a folded piece of paper. Cook opening it and finding a recipe for 'pancakes' and directions for making it accompanied by the most beautifully sharp illustrations, so good they looked real, albeit foreign in design.

"Where did you get this?" Cook asking.

"I printed it," Emma not elaborating as they were not alone in the kitchen.

"This is printed?" Cook gently stroking the picture with her fingertips. "It should be on the wall and not screwed up in your pocket.

"Bag," Emma beckoning 116 to hand her the bag which she hefted until it was sitting on the table next to her. "I got this for you," Emma rifling through the bag and handing a thick glossy covered book to her, Cook staring at it open mouthed. "I've marked recipes the Queen enjoyed but it's got a lot of good food in it. Especially the baking section, here see?" Emma leaning over and opening the book at the relevant section.

"This is for me?" Cook staring at Emma, unbelieving.

"Yes, it's one of mine but I can easily get another copy if I ever need to."

"But Emma, this is far too valuable to give to me!" Cook protesting, awed by the gift.

"Umm, how much does a loaf of bread cost?" Emma clueless but trying to find some point of reference.

"One silver for a large loaf," Cook answering immediately.

"Well, then this book cost me fifteen silver," Emma explaining, chuckling at the look of astonishment on the woman's face. "Pay me back by cooking something for a special dinner for the Queen tonight?"

"Of course! Shall I make the pancake?" Emma grinning at the phrasing and 116 also tamping down a smile, the woman was adorable in her enthusiasm and was cradling the book to her chest protectively as she looked up at Emma.

"No, that's actually a breakfast food but the recipe wasn't in the book so I printed it off separately. I've marked a few pages and the recipes have really good descriptions of their flavour so I don't think it will be too hard to substitute if anything isn't available."

"Thank you, I'm sure you'd be happy to taste test for me?"

"Always, as long as it's not that liver bread. That was just awful!" Emma grimacing at that unfortunate memory.

"The wolves seem to love it but I can see why it offended you, I've no taste for it either!" Liver bread? 1l6 thinking that sounded vile.

"Speaking of the wolves, have you seen Greta or Belle? I've tried Eva's rooms but they weren't there and I know Red is with the Queen so would probably have no use for Belle," Emma questioning as she slipped off the table and brushed off her ass in case any stray flour had stuck to her pants.

"They came for breakfast then Miss Eva sent them to the school rooms again until you were free. They were mutually unimpressed by that," Cook chuckling as she recalled the looks of resignation she had seen.

"I'm not surprised, thanks. I'll go find them. It's been good to see you, and thank you again for your help yesterday," Emma offering a genuine smile which garnered a slight blush form the older woman and Emma politely ignoring it as she led the way from the kitchens. 116 Wondering how the cook had helped Emma, maybe with her injuries?

"Cook has always been very kind to me and cares for the Queen a great deal," Emma explaining as they slipped out of a side door and into the fresh air, 116 relaxing now that they were out of the kitchen's stifling environment.

"She seems nice, has she got a crush on you?" 116 also having noted the blush.

"I don't think so," Emma shrugging as she led the way towards the school rooms, long legs eating up the distance. "But I'm pretty hot so -," wriggling her eyebrows as she joked.

"And she has eyes," 116 retorting before she could stop herself and Emma coming to a halt and observing her.

"As do I, you're exquisite," Emma complimenting her. "I have so many things I want to do to you," voice dropping to a husk as she stepped into 116's personal space and noting the slave's breathing hitch and deepen. "With the Queen of course."

"Please!" 116 whimpering, Emma was one thing but with the Queen as well -.

"Did that make you wet?" Emma holding her eye and receiving a frantic nod. "Good. I'm dining with the Queen this evening and we shall discuss what to do with you then." Emma observing the slave through narrowed eyes and liking the arousal she saw.

"Come, I have things I need to do," Emma whirling on her heel and leading the way to the chaos that was the school yard at mid morning break. Greta the first to spot them, her nose picking up their scent as they approached but still hidden by the building, gesturing to Belle who looked up in time to see Emma and the new slave rounding the corner. Emma lounging against the wall as she beckoned to them, both taking their time to safely deposit their little riders having been roped into giving piggy backs by overly persistent youngsters.

"Thank the packs!" Greta groaning as the two sprinted over to where Emma was waiting. 116 once again noting how Belle's style of dress differed, it was what she would describe as tribal in its styling, a linen tunic with leather skirt made up from overlapping leather strips and very Wonder Womanesque and then a harness over that but built for practicality (not pleasure), 116 noting the empty sheaths and holsters where a variety of weapons could be stored. Only one was filled and that was with a long dagger worn at the girl's waist and she'd noticed Greta wore a similar weapon.

"I'd rather run drills or clean out the stables than do that again!" Belle protesting. "I really do not like children!"

"Well, it's usually either that or the library and you hate that even more!" Greta reminding her.

"Well it's hard when you've forgotten how to read. Assuming I ever knew! I hate it," Belle sniffing and toeing the ground with her boot. 116 now having the context to fit the comment and she felt bad for the girl.

"If you feel that badly off I can think of a lot of ways you can be put to use," Emma narrowing her eyes as she spoke. It was only then that the two noticed her mien, it seemed -, dark.

"Where is your collar?" Greta daring to ask.

"I have an agreement with the Queen since we returned. Once a cycle I get to have an evening where I am not beholden to the Queen as I usually am. It seems she woke in a good mood and has allowed me the whole day," Emma straightening to her full height and suddenly seeming to take up more space Greta and Belle stepping back to accommodate it despite its lack of physical presence. This was different. This was very much the way Emma was with them when they were training, the two exchanging a glance before giving Emma their whole attention. 116 noting their reactions and also feeling the change.

"Come, I have things I need to do today and I need your help pup. I need to see Alexis. You can all come, the exercise will do you good and if the Queen or Red needs you, you can run back."

"Yes, Emma," Greta bobbing her head and falling in behind her, next to Belle and the new slave at the rear.

"We don't have too long, after luncheon the Queen is going to be working on identifying your curse," Emma turning her head to address Belle.

"Oh!" The girl blinking and looking worried.

"You'll be safe. The Queen's magic is more powerful than you know," Emma reassuring her. "And I don't think your mistress would let you come to harm. Her wolf is very possessive of you."

"Thank you, Emma," Belle blushing at the thought. She liked Red's wolf a lot, it was extremely arousing to catch the yellow glint of an eye or sharpened tooth. She was having trouble keeping to her usual pace today such was the tenderness between her thighs. She had woken, startled by the giant wolf wrapped around her but deciding to enjoy the feel of the soft fur against her naked body.

"Whore," Great fake coughing and nudging her friend as she smelled Belle's arousal and far off look. She knew exactly what had her friend daydreaming like that. She was not expecting the slap as Emma whirled and caught her across the face, crying out in surprise as the force of the blow turned her head and reddened her cheek.

"Just because you have enhanced senses it does not mean that you can insult the heir's slave. You are friends but that was just plain rude and disrespectful!" Emma growling. "The Queen and I have discussed how lenient your training has been and that is changing today!"

"Yes, Emma. I'm sorry!" Greta whimpering and lifting her chin to expose her throat showing her submission, Emma's hand darting in and gripping it tightly and flexing her fingers, holding her immobile. "I'm sorry!" Greta also issuing an apology to Belle who looked as shocked as Greta by Emma's actions.

"A lot is going to change," Emma muttering to herself as she released her hold. "She can tell you how easy you have it. Tell her what the Queen and I did to you," instructing 116 and the young slaves listening in rapt attention as 116 gave a clinical breakdown of what had occurred that night as they continued their walk.

"You!" Emma wagging her finger at Greta when 116 had finished. "You will be punished as the Queen sees fit when I tell her of this. Understood?"

"Yes, Emma," Greta sighing and head hanging low, avoiding eye contact as she submitted. The rest of the walk was in silence; Emma brooding, Greta and Belle agog over 116's retelling and 116 herself wondering if, hoping that, some of Emma's darkness would be directed her way at some point during the day. Her skin was itching for a good beating.

"Alexis," Emma's arrival into her shop taking the armourer by surprise and she appraised the queen's slave and noted her entourage. Who was the new slave? She thought (bitterly) but made no comment.

"Come through, people like to gossip," Alex pulling back the heavy leather curtain that separated the shop area from her workshop behind. It was a large space with a small forge, a variety of anvils and several tables all covered with works in progress.

"I need you to make me some things," Emma announcing the purpose of her visit and pulling out some folded paper from where she had tucked it in to the waistband of her pants and hidden by her shirt until now.

"What does the Queen need?" Alex always curious about the queen's requests.

"She needs nothing, these are things I need," Emma explaining.

"And does the Queen approve this? She usually sends written orders," Alex being stubborn and Emma eyeing her up but deciding to play nice, for now.

"I have full authority to train the Queen and Red's slaves, I require these items for their training so they are authorised by proxy," Emma placing the papers down on a clear spot of workbench. Alex relenting after a glance at Greta and seeing a hint of fang. The young wolf was wholly loyal to the queen so would have spoken up if Emma had been misleading her in any way.

"I need one for each of them, set to their measurements and also one of these each," Emma swapping the drawings over, "for those two," gesturing between Greta and 116.

"Alright, I'll just need a few minutes to measure up," Alex nodding as she ran her fingers over the pages, cataloguing her requirements before straightening and grabbing her measuring tape.

"Stand there, legs apart, lift your skirts," Emma ordering the three who did as they were told and let Alex take the measurements of their upper thighs and hips.

"Done?" Emma querying as she watched Alex record them in her notebook.

"Yes, it will take a few days, there is some delicate work there but I will prioritise it for the Queen."

"Thank you. I'd also like to give you these," Emma pulling an object from her pocket, a hard oblong box. "The ones you made for the Queen were exquisite but are very delicate. This is a design I find more durable and practical for everyday wear. It may help you if you ned to make more for anyone."

"Oh!" Alex exclaiming as she opened the box and found a pair of eye glasses but the design was very different than the ones she had made for the slave and other nobles. "They do look stronger, what are they made of?" Alex tapping the brown translucent material with her fingernail. It was hard but extremely light.

"The material is from another land, I doubt it can be replicated but you're very skilled so I'm sure whatever you come up with will be suited to purpose," Emma being vague as she had no way of explaining what plastic was. Alex pursing her lips as she listened, knowing she was being fed only part truths.

"Is it created with magic?"

"Of a sort, yes," Emma shrugging, magic could explain pretty much anything here.

"Thank you, I shall copy the design and return it to you as soon as I can."

"Alright," Emma agreeing, she had brought three spare pairs with her but it was always better to have more than she needed. "I also want a dagger, like those, for her," gesturing towards 116 then pointing to the ones worn by the two other slaves. "She'll be training later and I don't want to bother Braxas or use any of the heavy ones from the barracks. "It needs to be ornamental but practical as they don't carry swords every day."

"I have a few to choose from," Alex moving back into her shop and Emma following, beckoning the others to follow her. "Here," a rack being retrieved from the far wall and placed on the counter. Emma unsheathing each and examining the blade in the light coming in through the door before hefting them to assess their balance.

"This one," Emma deciding on a moderately ornate one in a tooled black leather sheath, both sheath and blade bearing the queen's apple tree insignia duplicated in great detail. The handle was wrapped in black leather to match and the pommel small enough to fit comfortably into a woman's hand. "She needs a belt too, do you have any?"

"Of course, here," Alex eyeing up 116 to gauge her waist size and finding a slim belt made of a thick leather. "It's strong without being too wide to blend easily." Emma taking it from her and passing it to 116.

"Try it on," Emma urging and 116 slipping it around her waist.

"Perfect, here," Emma handing her the sheathed dagger to buckle on, Belle stepping in to help as 116 fumbled due to the angle she was trying to work from and unfamiliarity with the scabbard's fastenings. "Feel Ok?"

"Yes, thank you, Emma," 116 nodding, glancing down as she settled her hand on the hilt and liking the way it felt against her hip before looking up to meet Emma's eyes, smiling appreciatively as she did.

"You are not to draw that unless you are training under supervision or you need to defend yourself but without training you're more likely to have it use against you than win the fight, are we understood?" Emma laying down the law.

"Yes, Emma," 116 nodding and Emma trusting her word.

"She's bound to the Queen?" Alex asking, to be safe of course. She knew nothing of this newcomer.

"She is bound by blood to the Queen but is also loyal to me," Emma turning to give Alex her full attention.

"Is that permitted? I know what happened to the Amazon," Alex challenging as she referred to Thera, still languishing in the dungeons as far as she knew.

"It is if I say it is," Emma hooking her thumbs in the waistband of her pants and staring down the armourer. Again there was that shift in mood the slaves immediately picked up on, Greta letting out a subsonic growl that made Belle's ear itch although she couldn't hear a sound, just feel her friend's chest rumble where her arm pressed against Greta's and carried the vibration.

"Where's your collar?" Alex suddenly becoming suspicious.

"I left it in the Queen's bed this morning," Emma smirking as she saw the flash of anger in the armourer's eyes.

"Do not mock me!" Alex riled up and stepping forward, Emma coming to meet her until they were close enough to feel the other's breath. Alex was slightly taller and more heavily muscled from her trade, arms and shoulders exposed by her thick leather apron with only a chest wrap underneath it. Emma could appreciate the aesthetic but not the attitude.

"I stated the truth," Emma shrugging, still smirking. She'd not forgotten how confrontational Alex had been the first time they had met.

"She's released you?" Alex confused.

"Yes," Emma confirming bluntly.

"So she has tired of you already?" Alex now the one smirking.

"No, she released the collar before we fucked."

"You lie!" How dare she tell mis-truths about her relationship with the queen?

Alex didn't see it coming; throwing the punch in defence of her queen's honour only to miss as Emma ducked out of the way and swept her legs out from under her. Alex's head cracking against the stone floor as she fell suddenly finding Emma kneeling on her chest and a sword at her throat.

"I would never lie about the Queen," Emma growling as she pressed the tip of her blade in hard enough to nick the skin, reaching out to catch the trickle of blood on the tip of her finger before swiping it down Alex's face from forehead to chin. "My relationship with the Queen is none of your business, neither is her relationship with anyone else. She can act as she pleases. Respect that and the next time we meet and I will not have to do this again. Do we have an understanding?"

Alex looking up into darkened eyes as Emma waited for her answer, head cocked and sword still pressing against skin. She was scared, Emma was scaring her with her unexpected battle prowess and unpredictability.

"Yes!" Alex gasping as Emma put more weight on her knee, restricting her breathing to an uncomfortable degree.

"Good," Emma shifting gracefully into a standing position and looking down on her. "I will send one of the slaves for the goods when they are ready."

"I'll send a messenger to the palace," Alex just wanting Emma to leave now so she could regain some dignity.

"Come." Emma leaving and the three slaves following obediently and leaving Alex alone to recover and wonder what the hell was going on!

Xxxx

Next in the Collar

"Are you scared?" Red's brow furrowing with a frown as she listened to the slave's heart race.

"Yes. I trust the Queen's magic, I feel safer now but I am still scared of what is inside me," Belle replying honestly, biting her lip as she was enraptured by the piercing gaze of her mistress.

"Breathe with me, I will keep you safe," the wolf promising as she took a deep, slow breath, pleased when Belle mimicked her. "You are mine to protect. Nothing can hurt you here. You are safe. You are mine!" The last a low rumble of a growl, eyes shifting to yellow and teeth sharpening but Belle did not flinch, the sight both reassuring and arousing.