Here is the next one for you. Not sure when chapter 16 will be posted due to me not being around next week.

Thanks for the feedback on the last chapter, glad to see you're liking the direction this is taking at the moment.

LD x

xxxx

Emma woke, she had no idea where she was. She knew this wasn't her own bed, although she had yet to sleep in it, all her time spent in the queen's presence. She was lying on her stomach which was unusual as she was more of a side sleeper. A cautious turn of her head brought her face to face with a plate of food next the the bed which immediately made her stomach react, protesting it's emptiness. After a moment she turned on her side and it was only then she remembered why she was feeling the way she was.

The queen.

The slave raised her head, wincing a little and swung her legs over the side of the bed. It was then she realised she was in Red's room but there was no sign of the wolf. Leaving the food for another moment Emma stood, standing tall and looking down at her body to take stock of her injuries. The ones on her ribs had been dressed with a wrap around bandage but a quick peek under it showed raw skin but nothing that caused the blonde any concern.

The rest of the cuts would heal Ok, they were neat and now Emma vaguely remembered Red putting something on them but nothing was visible now. She also recalled the wolf bathing her and giving her tortured muscles a massage. At that thought the slave gave her shoulders an experimental stretch, they were sore and tight but much better than she expected them to be. She would have to thank Red for her help.

At that Emma frowned. She wasn't used to accepting help, from anyone. She also wondered if Red had done it because she was ordered to? She wasn't sure how things stood between the two of them after yesterdays session. The wolf being rejected in favour of her, the queen's new toy. Emma could see how that might make things awkward between them, in her experience slaves often got jealous if their master or mistress showed favour to another. She hoped that would not be the case with her and Red but one never knew, especially as she had been allowed to dominate the wolf.

Emma frowned as she recalled Red's reaction to her punishment. Then a vague memory stirred of the wolf being kind to her, reassuring her, that did not seem like the actions of a jealous rival. Her thoughts were disturbed by her stomach and she grabbed the plate and made quick work of the bread, cheese and fruits provided then downed the water in the goblet next to in before downing two more, she needed to re-hydrate to replenish the blood she had lost.

She felt Ok and the food would help but she needed to get her hands on some meat and veg high in iron if that was to be a regular part of the queen's playtime. The thought didn't freak her out, she had survived and cum harder than she ever had in her life, the queen was skilled in such play it seemed. But, she hadn't been overly sadistic, which also reassured the slave that she would be able to survive this, survive the year she had pledged to her mistress.

With that thought she reached up and touched her collar, it was body temperature, no indication that the queen required her but then she didn't think her mistress would appreciate her slave laying in bed all day when she was fully capable of being up and about. But, she was naked. Now that her stomach was full she took a few minutes in Red's small bathroom, Emma wondering how the hell the toilets stayed clean as they had no flushing mechanism.

Deciding she didn't really want to know she finished off and ran her fingers through her hair to make it presentable before tying in off her face in a knot that was simple but elegant and highlighted her cheek bones. A style she used frequently back in her world. She frowned, it did expose her collar much more than leaving her hair down did. But, she spotted a change of clothes laid out on the chair, she assumed they were for her, and reasoned the shirt would hide it from casual observation.

She dressed quickly and exited Red's rooms, pausing in the hallway when she wondered where she should actually be going. Resting her hands on her hips she pursed her lips in thought. Maybe her collar would help? It worked for the queen, maybe it would help her find her mistress? Emma reached up and curled her fingers around the unidentified metal and thought of her mistress. The slave gasped as it heated rapidly but then cooled to a bearable warmth. Deciding to test it out she first walked towards the queens' rooms and felt her collar cool. Did that mean she was going in the right or wrong direction? A few steps down the corridor towards the main palace had it warming again but not burning . With a sigh Emma continued on the same direction, straightening up to her full height and pulling her shoulders back as she went in search of the queen, a cool, aloof expression in place as she threw up her walls.

Now, if I were a queen, where would I be? Emma mused to herself before making her way towards the area of the castle she had passed through yesterday, the administrative area. She took a left past the throne room where she saw two guards standing to attention. They didn't acknowledge her as she went past but didn't try to stop her either so she continued on her way, thankful when she recognised were she was from her tour with Red yesterday. All this time the collar had remained at a constant temperature, a little back-track experiment had it cooling down so she assumed warm was indicative of the right direction.

It wasn't until she was in the main administration hub that the problems began. For starters she stood out like a sore thumb, there were other women around but they wore long skirts and tight bodices of varying colours. There were also more guards around, not guarding rooms as such but on their daily business. It was when a slightly rowdy group of six guards bumped into her as she was crossing the large lobby, that Red had brought her through the day before, that the trouble began.

Emma was all set to ignore the incident and go on her way when the lead guard, a tall dark haired, well built man with a chiselled jaw took a second look at her and narrowed his eyes. He glanced around, looking for the queen.

"What so you think you're doing, slave!" He spat, literally spat as saliva hit the blonde in the face. She froze and squared up, glaring at him though narrowed eyes. She didn't answer him as it was none of his business what the hell she was doing.

"Answer me!" He growled and the other soldiers with him, three men and two women straightened up behind him. They were relatively impressive, well muscled and looked fit and disciplined.

Emma refused his request and turned her gaze to her surroundings, they were drawing a lot of attention and that was never good. Then things went downhill, fast. The man made a move to grab her arm, as did one of his companions, tight grips on her upper arms. Emma may be a slave but she was the queen's slave and nobody else was going to be touching her.

"Get your hands off me, now!" She growled soft but cold. The soldiers smirked and showed no signs of letting go. Instead their grip tightened, hurting her.

"No, I think we'll take you to the Queen and see how she decides how to punish you," he jeered, obviously the ring-leader of the group as the others joined in his laughter. "I can see you were on your way out, trying to escape were you?"

Emma refused to answer, her jaw clenching as she tried very hard to fight her body's reaction to being touched. It did not like it, one bit. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath and it wasn't until one of his hands dropped to her waist that they flew open and she snapped, completely losing control.

First was a head-butt to the lead guard's face, the one that had dared touch her where only the queen, or possibly Red, was allowed. He went down with a howl as blood spurted from a very broken nose. That left her left arm free and the heel of her hand took care of the other guard's nose and he also went down. Now she was free she stared at the renaming four, daring them to try something, wanting them to. A look at their incapacitated companions spurred them on and they attacked as a group. Emma dropped to the ground in a crouch, the sweep of her leg taking down the first two, a surge to her feet and chop to the throat took out the fifth leaving only one still standing.

He drew his sword as Emma stepped away from the groaning mass of bodies lying on the floor. A glance around showed her that everybody had stopped to watch but no-one else seemed to want to intervene and as yet there were no other guards present. A shift of movement re-focused her attention just as a lunge was made but she easily moved out of the blade's path, dancing out of it's reach and behind it's wielder. A spinning kick to his head had him joining his comrades.

It was only then that more soldiers arrived, these were dressed differently. Their armour carrying the queen's insignia and this made her wary. She stood still as they circled her, wondering whether she should fight her way out of this one too?

Regina frowned as Braxas burst unannounced into her current meeting, she had decided to humour Red and enjoy a light meal as she read over the latest accounts from the merchants who traded with the palace. She needed to ensure prices were fair and accurately matched the supply and demand. She would not overpay for goods if they were plentiful. But, she made sure to pay a fair price for all good purchased as this benefited the economy of her kingdom and kept the gold flowing.

"Your Majesty!" He blurted before he collected himself. "Your Majesty, we have a disturbance that requires your attention."

"And what might this be? Hmm?" She raised her brow, seriously doubting anything of that nature would require her personal attention.

"It is the blonde slave, Majesty." He answered and that drew an immediate frown. "She attacked a group of guards and they are holding her in the atrium," he explained. Both he and Red were left in the dust as Regina magicked herself to the scene.

Emma blinked as her mistress materialised out of nowhere, neat trick she thought to herself before she was reminded of the severity of her predicament.

Regina surveyed the scene, intelligent eyes missing nothing, the soldiers nursing wounds or propped up against the wall. Six in all, impressive. A glance at her pet showed her bloody but seemingly unharmed, in fact the queen was surprised to see her up and around at all after the state she'd been in this morning. She was strong, Regina thought as she admired the blonde's beauty and strength and smiled to herself as she noted the defiant set of her jaw, she also approved of the hair style, it was tasteful and enhanced her pet's natural beauty.

"Who laid a hand on my slave?" She bellowed, just as Red and Braxas arrived on the scene Everyone present visibly cowering as she spoke. Emma stayed silent, knowing the queen would come to her own conclusion in time and she sincerely hoped it would not lead to a punishment for her.

"Answer me!" Another roar and this time all who Emma had fought stood, or raised their hands if incapable of standing. Regina inhaled, her anger rising with every second, hadn't she just punished two men, hadn't they died for interfering with the well-being of her slave?

"Speak!" She pointed at the man who had first attacked Emma.

"My Queen," he addressed her and Emma saw the slight narrowing of her eyes as he dropped to one knee. Slimy bastard, the blonde thought as she watched. "We saw your slave roaming the hallway unattended and apprehended her, to prevent her escape," he explained. Emma withheld the snort that threatened to erupt, knowing it really wouldn't help her position. "Then she attacked us, My Queen."

"She attacked you after you had detained her?" Regina asked, wanting the full picture.

"Yes, Majesty," he confirmed and Regina inhaled as she gathered her patience.

"Have I not just put to death two men for touching what is mine?" She hissed but loud enough for the entire crowd to hear.

"Yes, Majesty," he sounded less confident now and Emma blinked, holding back a smirk. It was then that her mistresses eyes met hers.

"This is what happens to a slave who tries to run," Emma frowned, not really comprehending what was going on until her collar began to tighten, she was soon gasping for air but she didn't struggle, even when it began to cut into her flesh. she held the queen's gaze until lack of oxygen caused her to fall to her knees. It was then her collar relaxed and she inhaled deeply, quickly regaining her normal breathing pattern, the spots before her eyes fading slowly.

Regina smiled as her slave failed to struggle, she was so impressive and she caught the curious and surprised looks on the faces around her as they took in the slave stoicism.

"So, she wasn't running. In fact, she was coming to find me," Regina growled and Emma blinked, surprised at the accurate deduction. "And you prevented this and caused a scene and put my slave in danger with your moronic assumptions!"

"Leave us!" The queen ordered the assembled crowd and the other guards, the ones marked with her insignia ushering them away before returning to flank the now much smaller group.

"Come here, pet," the queen commanded and Emma obeyed, raising gracefully from her knees and walking towards her mistress. Regina grabbed the blonde's chin and checked her face over for any injuries. "Are you hurt? Is any of this yours?" She queried, pointing to the blood on her clothes.

"No, Mistress. I don't think so," Emma informed her.

"Good. I am the only one who should be drawing your blood," Regina growled possessively and Emma felt her sex clench in response. What this woman did to her! She still hadn't had any time to process her feelings from the night before. It was all locked away for future analysis, when she had some time alone to sort through her ever changing opinion of the queen, her mistress.

Red growled softly as she picked up the blonde's arousal, warning off any others who would look at the queen's prize with anything but respect for her mistress.

And Emma.

Regina heard the growl and appreciated the gesture for what it was.

"She!" Regina pointed to her slave. "Is only ever to be touched by me!" She hissed with such venom that even Red flinched, the wolf recoiling from her mistresses anger along with every other person present. "Is that now perfectly clear?" Her voice dropped to a sub zero temperature and Emma shivered at it's intensity. "How many more people do I have to kill to get this through your thick skulls?" The walls vibrated with the force of her words.

Then a silence fell. A heavy, heavy silence. Someone was going to get hurt, possibly die.

Xxxx

Next on the Collar

"Red?" The wolf turned to her friend with a smile.

"Yes?" There was that blink again, it seemed unnecessary but a habit, one that seemed to suit her for some reason Emma couldn't put her finger on.

"How did you get here, to the palace?" The slave asked.