Hi, first to answer a question about previous chapters regarding the queen's use of magic on Emma.

The oath said that the queen could not use magic to influence Emma in any lasting way. So, a bit of magic here and there is allowed but nothing that would affect her mind, eg make her feel false love for the queen.

Hope that clarifies things?

Xxxxxx

"In my world we have a story, a fairy tale, a children's story," Emma spoke as they settled themselves at a small table surrounded by chairs, it was warm and sunny, not like the winter she had left behind. "It tells of an evil queen and her quest to kill her step daughter, Snow White." Red froze and looked up from the food she was eating.

"You know of this?" She queried, amazed.

"I know the story but it doesn't quite fit with what I'm seeing here. Is there a Snow White?" Emma asked the seemingly innocent question.

"Yes, there is. She is the Queen's step daughter and enemy but the Queen does not actively seek to kill her, any more." Red provided but did not seem to want to expand on the subject so Emma just nodded.

"There is also a tale of one they call Red Riding Hood," Emma looked up from her food to see her companion frowning. "It's the story of a little girl that defeats a wolf who eats her grandmother." Emma flinched as the bone handled fork in Red's hand snapped, the wolf looking up with a snarl, teeth elongated and eyes fully yellow.

"Never speak to me of that again," she growled. Emma sat still, frozen, genuinely afraid of the change in her companion, the beast in her fully visible. Red forced herself to calm down, her features regaining their humanity. It was a lot for the slave to take in. Firstly learning that the stories held some truth and also seeing Red transform before her very eyes. Now she knew why people looked at her with the respect they did and how she would have been capable of making those marks in the blonde's room.

She was also astounded that she really was eating lunch with a real-life werewolf. Had someone from her world visited this one before, to write the stories?

The rest of the meal was eaten in silence, Emma finishing all her food, much to the wolf's surprise.

"Do you have hollow legs?" Red enquired gruffly of the slave, not quite back to her usual cheerful self but Emma would take anything she could get.

"High metabolism," the blonde shrugged.

"Me too," Red agreed and there was silence again as they finished their food.

"We will go to the seamstress next," Red decided as she gathered their plates and they made their way back to the kitchen.

"Here," Cook thrust a still warm pastry in each of their hands as they passed. "It's a new recipe I'm trying for the Queen. What do you think?" Emma took a bite and considered the taste.

"Less nutmeg, more cinnamon," she suggested without thinking. Cook frowned but took a bite of her own pastry before studying the slave.

"You're right," she admitted with a nod before turning her attention back to her mixture. "Go, there will be some more served with the evening meal."

"Thanks!" Red called after them as she led the way out of the kitchens and back into the castle. "Sorry, about before," the wolf apologised quietly as they walked side by side down yet another long corridor.

"No, I'm sorry these were stories to me, I had no idea things like this were real," Emma apologised and Red nodded, leaving that conversation there, neither woman wanting to discuss it further.

"Here," Red pushed a door open and they walked into a large, workroom. It was light and airy, large windows lining one wall and the tables inside covered in all kinds of fabric.

"The queen wants this one measured, Lucy," Red explained to the woman who looked up as they entered. She was an older woman, hair speckled with grey, a pair of half glasses resting on her nose.

"She does, does she?" Lucy asked, looking down her nose at the two young women with a slightly disapproving glare.

"Yes, but you are to go and see her with a selection of silks and designs before starting anything. I think she has specific ideas for this one," Red chuckled but Emma didn't respond.

"Well, come here then," the woman waved the slave forward and Emma came to stand where she pointed. Strip! I can't measure you when you're still dressed!"

Emma looked to Red for permission and began to remove her clothes, stopping when she got to her underwear. She was only wearing panties, no bra had been provided.

"Hmm, you're taller than most, like that damn wolf," the woman muttered, her back still turned on the blonde. "Oh!" She inhaled sharply as she turned as saw Emma's collar for the first time. "Well, that explains it," she muttered under her breath. "You're the one the whole place is gossiping about." Emma didn't quite know how to take that so kept silent and let the woman stand in front of her and measure her waist and hips before moving behind the slave.

"Oh my goodness," she whistled and Emma tensed, the slave assumed she had seen her tattoo. "That's the Queen's work?" The seamstress asked Red.

"Yes, she has been marked as well as the collar," the wolf responded.

"I see," was all that was said to that and the tape measure came out again.

Once the seamstress had finished measuring her Emma dressed quickly and stood to one side as Red gave the woman final instructions.

"Let's go. I'll give you a tour of the outside of the palace," Red motioned for her to follow and they once again set off through the long corridors. Emma hesitated when they passed the throne room, recalling the last time she had been this way, they were headed out to the yard where she had witnessed the queen punishing those men.

Red spared her companion a glance, the blonde's face was unreadable so she let her be and continued out into the yard.

"This is where the Queen inspects the troops and briefs them for battle. And also where she metes out punishment for those that have failed her." Emma nodded, easily keeping pace with the wolf's long strides. They continued through a large stone archway set in the corner of the yard, previously hidden by the assembled soldiers. "This takes us to the garrison and training yards," Red gestured to the smart two story stone buildings to their right, set away from the palace but still within its walls. There were ten in total and all had soldiers coming and going on their daily business, some in their armour, others in lighter clothing doing chores or returning from the training field which was on their left.

Emma stood taller as she walked, curious eyes were on her, she wasn't uncomfortable, rather wary as her environment was unfamiliar.

"I'm afraid you're the latest curiosity," Red murmured as she turned her glare on any that lingered too long. "The Queen hasn't taking a liking to a new slave for a while and as I explained her moods affect everyone around here." Emma just snorted, wishing for anonymity but realising that just wasn't an option. "They have no idea how strong you are," the wolf complimented the blonde. "If they did they wouldn't be looking at you the way they are. They see a beautiful woman, but that's all they see."

"Yes, but that can often be an advantage," Red turned and caught the predatory smirk that crossed the blonde's features before the mask returned. "I see that as an advantage, not a disadvantage," Emma confirmed. "It has served me well in the past." Red narrowed her eyes, trying to discern the meaning behind her words but couldn't, she didn't know enough about the woman to figure it out but she had to admit she was becoming more and more impressed with the queen's pet as time went on.

They passed the last of the training fields and the sounds of swords clashing and voices shouting died down and the smell of animals took over as they approached what could only be stables.

"These are the general stables, the Queen loves horses and all soldiers must know how to ride but not all are mounted for battle," Red explained and Emma looked around, there were four squares, each surrounded by stables with a large paddock in the middle where soldiers were currently going through drills on their mounts. The horses were big and strong looking, beautiful creatures, Emma mused.

"The Queen also breeds horses and they are kept through here," their long legs soon took them further round the palace to another group of stables, only two yards this time but the horses were leaner, of a racing build. "She races against the other lords. There are festivals held through the spring and summer months. There are races and entertainment. The Queen puts on feasts and everyone in the kingdom is invited to attend."

Emma nodded, her overall impression of the queen adapting to each new piece of information. Her soldiers were clean, well fed and seemed disciplined. Her animals were in excellent heath, the palace grounds were clean and well maintained. It seemed that her wealth was not just used to maintain her quality of life but also those around her. In Emma's eyes that marked her as a good leader, despite her personal deviancy.

"These are the officers and Queen's horses," Red led them into one of the stable blocks which was spotless and Emma inhaled the smell of horse and leather, it was not unpleasant. There was a flurry of whinnies and snorts as they entered but it quickly calmed down. "They recognise the wolf," Red explained. "But once they realise it's me they calm down."

"This is the queens horse, Rocinante." They came to a stop before a huge black stallion. Red reached into the pocket of her cloak and pulled out an apple which she offered to the horse, he took in gently and crunched on it happily, reaching his head over the stall door to nudge Red in the chest. "No, I only have one!" She admonished before reaching up to scratch him behind his ear. "He's a big softie if he likes you but I've seen him trample men to death in battle," she informed the slave with a grim smile.

"Do you have a horse?" Emma enquired, wondering exactly how well treated Red actually was when it came to possessions. Food and shelter were one thing, possessions were another matter altogether.

"I do," the wolf beamed. "Here," she reached for Emma's hand and pulled her further into the building. "This is Ivy," Red proudly introduced her own mount. She was a dark chestnut colour and was big for a female but not bulky.

"She's beautiful," Emma praised as she looked the animal over. She could appreciate a good looking horse when she saw one.

"Here you go sweetie," Red held up another apple which was met by a happy snicker then promptly disappeared. "She's the fastest in the stables, for long distance riding," Red confirmed with a proud smile, Emma could tell she genuinely cared for the animal. "I often go on errands for the Queen and she doesn't like me to be away too long."

Emma nodded, she was coming to see how the queen was dependant on Red for a lot of things, not just sexual pleasure.

"Do you ride?" The wolf questioned as she saw the way the blonde was looking over her horse.

"A little," Emma shrugged, "I've ridden before."

"Good, then you won't have to be embarrassed when the Queen insists you have lessons. Thankfully I learned as a child," Red confirmed, "but I've seen a number of slaves passed by simply because they looked like a sack of potatoes in the saddle no matter how many lessons she gave them."

Emma nodded, absorbing the information, hoping she wouldn't be subject to such a public embarrassment. She was more used to riding her Harley, it had been a while since she'd been in any other kind of saddle.

"Sometimes the Queen and I race," Red smirked, "but I leave my horse at home," she winked and it took Emma a moment before she realised that Red must mean she raced the queen as a wolf. "Rocinante is better over short distances but I can run all night," she announced proudly to which Emma snorted.

"I bet," the blonde murmured and raised her brow. Red blinked before shrugging and letting out a laugh.

"Don't you know it, sometimes I think my wolf is the only reason I've survived this long." She stopped, realising what she'd said and how it could be construed given the slave's current position. "Sorry, but you're going to be fine. She's ordering you clothes and she wants me to make sure you stay fit and strong. Speaking of which, she wants you to train. How would you normally do that?" Red turned curious eyes on the blonde, eager to learn more about her and her strange world with teevee and where her kind were only myth.

"My job was pretty physical and also my bedtime activities," Emma smirked to convey her meaning. "I'd go for a run a couple of times a week and then do some MMA once or twice a week. I'm lucky, doesn't take me much to keep up with it," she explained.

"What's MMA?" Red queried, confused.

"Oh, mixed martial arts," the wolf shook her head, still non the wiser. "A mixed variety of hand to hand combat," Emma broke it down for her at which she nodded understanding.

"I would like to see this sometime? Maybe when we go back inside? I think you would prefer to practice in there rather than in front of the soldiers? There is a room in the palace we can use, the Queen won't mind." Emma frowned at that.

"Are you sure?" Red smiled at her uncertainty.

"Yes, I think the Queen would rather keep her slave's talents under wraps, for now at least," the blonde just shrugged at that. She was still too new here to know what the queen would want.

"Come on!" Red bounced along, excited at the thought of a sparring session with the blonde. She wondered if she had any more surprises in store.

"Ok, alright," Emma relented and held her hands up and they left the stables and headed back towards the main place. They didn't' retrace their steps, instead entered via another door. The tour had taken then around the perimeter of the palace and not any great distance away, the barracks and stables flanking the exterior defensive walls of the palace compound. This door was guarded by four soldiers, one female, who stood to attention as they passed, keeping their eyes to themselves after a low warning growl from Red as they had approached. The sound sent a shiver down Emma's spine even though it wasn't directed at her.

Once back inside the castle Emma found herself in grander corridors than those they had previously been traversing, except by the throne room and queen's chambers. Here there were people moving about their business, mostly well dressed, but all moving with purpose.

"This is where all the Queen's business is conducted, tax collected, accounts kept, business transactions dealt with. She has several stewards that deal with the day to day relations for her but she approves every deal. The kingdom has become extremal wealthy under her rule," Red explained as they walked briskly through the crowds which parted before her.

Emma nodded her understanding but as the halls became quieter she asked a question that had been bothering her since their meal.

"How did the Queen become 'The Queen'?" She asked, her words bringing the wolf to a dead stop as she turned to face the blonde.

"Not here," Red shook her head and moved to one side as a couple of men walked past, nodding cordially at them.

"Michael," Red acknowledged one of them then continued walking, Emma jogging to catch up at the wolf's abrupt motion. A dash up two flights of stairs and another long corridor and they stopped outside a door, Red selected a key off the ring at her waist and opened the heavy lock, stepping back so Emma could enter.

The slave stepped into a large room that was fully kitted out for training. There were mats half of the floor, the rest bare board, well marked from previous sessions. The walls were lined with weapons of various kinds including knives, swords and staves all in every variety known to Emma.

"This is where I practice," Red informed the queen's pet. "I have my solo drills but when I need an opponent I bring some of the Queen's guard in, they give me a good work-out." Emma nodded, watching as the wolf slipped off her cloak and corset, leaving her just in pants and shirt, as was Emma.

"So, how do you defend yourselves in your world. With swords?" The wolf questioned so innocently that Emma couldn't help but laugh.

"No!" She chuckled. "We have weapons but only fools rely on them," she shrugged. "I prefer to be able to rely on myself." Red nodded, the explanation fit the blonde.

"So, let's see what you've got," she grinned at the slave and after removing her boots moved into the centre of the matted area. Emma did the same and they stood to face each other.

"Only if you tell me about the Queen," Emma bargained, crossing her arms across her chest as she waited for a reply. Red studied the slave's look of determination before nodding.

"Yes, but I'm only passing on what is common knowledge, here in the palace." Emma nodded her agreement, that was fine, she didn't expect the wolf to reveal all the queen's secrets.

"Before the Queen became queen she was married to King Leopold, this was his kingdom." Emma's brows hit her hairline, she couldn't imagine the queen being second fiddle to anyone, let alone a man. "His first wife died, Snow White's mother," Emma nodded, having a bad feeling where this story was going. "When out travelling one day Snow's horse spooked and ran off, she would have been hurt if she hadn't been saved by the miller's daughter. As a reward," Red growled out the words, "for saving his daughter's life the King wed the millers daughter, making her his queen."

Emma frowned, it didn't sound like the queen had much say in the matter but she turned her attention back to red's story.

"It was common knowledge that the match was unwelcome by the girl, she was only seventeen, but it pleased the King and her mother so it went ahead. Snow gained a mother and the King a wife but there was no love there, he valued his daughter more than any other and made no secret of it. The Queen was a joke in the castle but served her duty. One day the King was found dead in his bed, a foreign emissary was blamed but suspicion was on his Queen."

"Did she do it?" Emma asked, wanting more detail.

"I cannot say," Red replied abruptly and Emma was unable to determine whether it was because she was protecting the queen or really did not know for sure.

"I'm sorry," the blonde apologised for her question. "It must have been a very difficult life," she acknowledged, seeing many similarities between her life as a slave and the queen's under the king's command.

"I imagine so too," Red dipped her head, recognising the blonde's gesture for what it was. "The kingdom should have passed to Snow but the Queen had developed a hatred for her and refused to relinquish control of the throne and banished Snow and any who sympathised with her. Most do not know if she was given magic at that time or had always possessed it and never used it but she came down hard on those who opposed her and her reputation became harsh and bloody.

"But, as time wore on and things kept changing, improving the people accepted her as their Queen and show a loyalty they never showed the old King. She's a better ruler by far. Snow has her own kingdom to the east of here, they share a border and there have been several attempts to reclaim the land from the Queen but with her magic and army they failed, miserably," Red chuckled at the memory.

"She is a good ruler and shows an understanding of magical creatures not demonstrated by any other monarch so many choose to live in her kingdom, me included," Red finished with a smile. "Our Mistress is harsh but fair." Emma had seen that at work and now she understood the queen a lot better. How being in such a position would strengthen a character and also insert the hardened edge she had witnessed on more than one occasion.

Emma also knew that power was a drug and once experienced it affected you, keeping the need for it alive and she was self-aware enough to know she craved it. Emma shook her head at herself, power? In her current predicament? But, survival was her overwhelming priority and she would do whatever she needed to do to reach that goal.

"So, let's see what you've got!" The wolf was bouncing on the balls of her feet. "Come on!" She taunted, "I won't hurt you, much." Emma scowled before shaking out her muscles and they began circling each other, looking for an opening.

Regina felt her wolf's excitement and was curious to see what was causing it so she went in search of her pet, dismissing her advisers from the meeting room and making her way through the castle, tracking her wolf by Red's innate magic, it called to her. Regina soon realised where she must be and slipped into the training room, via the private viewing gallery that only she had access to, smiling to herself at the sight below.

Both her pet's were circling each other, their breathing heavy. She watched as Red lunged toward the blonde, only for her to slip away, the wolf unable to get a hold. Another lunge had the same affect, the blonde dancing back, smirking. Red moved faster this time, pulling on her wolf abilities, this time securing a hold on the blonde but it didn't last long. A twist of the slave's hips and she had the wolf pinned face down on the mat, arm stretched at a painful angle behind her back.

Red used her strength to break free, sending Emma flying but she quickly regained her feet and they began circling each other again. Damn! But she was strong, Emma mused, suspecting that she hadn't even used her full strength. This time Emma made the first move, darting forward and tripping the wolf who fell to her knees, the blonde's arm wrapping around her throat. Red tried to get to her feet, trying to dislodge her, all attempts failed and she resorted to the last ditch attempt of ramming her opponent's back against the wall. Emma's hold loosened as she was winded and it was the opportunity Red needed to reverse the positions, spinning and grabbing the blonde's throat, pinning her against the wall, snarling into her face.

The queen watched, fascinated by the blonde's fighting skills, it was impressive by any measure, let alone against her wolf. But now it seemed that her pet had lost, she was about to congratulate Red then paused, recognising the look in the slave's eye, one she had seen in the wolf's more than once. It was the way a wild animal looked when it was cornered, when it would do anything to be free and she wondered who had broken her slave so badly that she fought so hard to live. So, it was no surprise when the blonde lashed out, first kneeing the wolf in the crotch, punched her in the breast before head butting her so hard there was a loud crack as their skulls connected.

Red was so startled by the moves and in pain she released her grip and in seconds found herself on her back looking up into stormy green eyes, the blonde's teeth clenched as she snarled down at the wolf. Red was used to fighting men who would never have known how much those moves actually hurt but it was the blonde's hand at her throat that re-focused her attention as it began to squeeze. She couldn't help a small whimper escape as her airflow was constricted. It wasn't out of fear but the action was too similar to the queen's not to have any affect on her, Emma was in control.

A slow clapping immediately caught both their attention and they looked up to see their queen smiling down on them.

"I'm very impressed," Regina smirked as she looked down on her sweaty, dishevelled, surprisingly well matched pets. "It's good to see you getting a work-out, my wolf," she chuckled.

"Yes, Mistress," the wolf replied, slightly mortified that she had been defeated, in front of her queen no less.

"And well done, my pet," the queen praised Emma who held those dark eyes, her body rebelling against her and reacting to the appraising stare, Regina sensed both their arousal, Red's from Emma dominating her and the blonde's reaction to her mistress. "My chambers, now!" The queen commanded. "Both of you!" She disappeared in a puff of purple smoke, the scent of magic heavy in the air.

xxxxxxx

Next on the Collar

Emma and Red walked swiftly through the corridors, both on edge from the fight, both wondering what their mistress had planned for them.