Another chapter for you, a little more plot than the last and I hope to get you more chapters to this story and Crimson Bonds soon for those that are reading both.

As with all writers reviews encourage me to write an also give me ideas for the story so feel free to review ;) Yes, sorry that was blatant but I'm feeling shameless today.

Enjoy, LD

xxx

Emma had no idea how much time had passed. Suddenly she felt the gag release and a cup at her mouth, the cold relief of water against her swollen lips shook her into full wakefulness and she sputtered as the liquid hit the back of her parched throat.

She knew better than to try and speak, her experience taught her that the water may well be removed if she attempted speech so she stayed silent, taking long swallows of the water, hoping it would relive the burning of her flesh. It did not and as soon as the gag was replaced Emma allowed herself to sink back into her stupor.

Regina frowned, she had no intention of cutting the slave's punishment short but this was very frustrating, very frustrating indeed! She huffed, this was always so much more entertaining when they screamed, she thought. But, it should not surprise her that the blonde had developed an extremely effective coping mechanism for such times, it seemed her previous mistress had given her plenty of opportunity to do so.

The thought displeased her, greatly. If she ever met the woman she would be hard pressed to decide whether to kill her or thank her for providing such a high quality product. She sneered; no, it was her pet that was unique, not the trainer, she decided with a smile of self-satisfaction, a smile derived from the thought that the blonde was or soon would be hers, completely. No-one had survived this punishment with either their sanity or sense of self intact, sometimes neither. That could get messy but that is why she had Red and Braxas.

Regina checked on the slave at sporadic intervals in and amongst her daily duties. It was normally a job for Red but as the wolf was still out of her favour she took it upon herself. Plus, it gave her the opportunity to observe her pet. Unfortunately, it was much of the same, she roused to take water then even before the gag was replaced had vacated her body and retreated into the depths of her mind.

Three days had passed and Regina now stood before her pet, the blonde's bodily functions had been suppressed by magic so only the breaks for water had interrupted the punishment. She manually unwound the binding covering the slaves eyes, revealing tousled blonde hair then shadow darkened eyes.

"Look at me," the command was firm but calm.

There was no response. Regina frowned.

Slap!

The force of the blow rocked the blonde's head to the side and stung the queen's palm but still those green eyes remained closed, she appeared to be unconscious.

"Well, this is disappointing," Regina murmured to herself. Usually, once the gag was removed her captives were extremely vocal in their desire to be released from their torment. The blonde was limp in her bonds, deep inside herself it seemed.

"No matter," Regina muttered to herself. Raising her hand she let her magic flow out and around the slave who remained bound.

Emma felt the heat again, the burning and she moaned, thinking she had been successful in her attempts to block it out.

"Pet." The voice was strong, the queen's voice, her mistress. Emma shook her head, or attempted to, the bindings still secure. "Open your eyes," the voice softened. "Open. Your. Eyes." Still low but compelling, as was the magic crawling over her skin.

"Emma!" Green eyes jerked open and met those of the queen, staring back at her, breath tickling over her face. "There you are, dear," Regina smiled as her slave looked back at her. "Now," she paused and the slave inhaled sharply as she felt phantom hands caressing her body, " how about we get you out of there, hmmm?"

Emma didn't reply, just stared dispassionately back at the queen. She had no hope of being released and was not going to play the game.

"No?" A twitch of Regina's lip, it was almost a smile as she observed her pet's stoicism in the face of her adversary. "There is usually begging now," she stopped herself from pouting, it was very unqueenly.

Again that look from the blonde.

"I -," the voice was hoarse from dis-use. "I won't beg, Mistress." Those green eyes sparked and lips curled in a snarl at the thought.

"Oh, there you are!" Regina couldn't contain her smile as she was greeted by the woman she had come to know relatively well. "Are you ready for this to come off?" She reached up and toyed with the collar around the slave's neck, magic flowing through it and into the blonde as she did so, lips meeting as the magic continued to flow.

Emma moaned, she couldn't help it. The contact soothed and cooled her aching body, the magic welcomed as it coursed through her, extinguishing the fire that had tormented her for days. Regina deepened the kiss, enjoying the return to physical intimacy with her pet, the blonde was satisfying on so many levels. The cross Emma was suspended on slowly sunk to the floor and reverted to a fully vertical position, the slave's feet now resting on a fur rug.

The queen pulled back and locked eyes with the now panting blonde, a click of her fingers and the clamps disappeared, the pain of the blood rushing back into the abused peaks made the slave issue a muffled cry. Regina slid her hands over the tortured breasts, her hands offering a cool relief as she massaged the full globes, fingers cruel as they pinched and twisted the blonde's nipples. Emma held back another cry, the sharp pain exciting her and along with the softness of the queen's hands her arousal began to rise. Regina sensed this and smiled into the kiss she offered the slave, lips greedily accepting as the queen continued her ministrations on the blonde's breasts.

Emma was able to think clearly enough to realise what she was doing, how she was welcoming the woman she now undeniably considered to be her mistress and yet she couldn't find the will to challenge the emotion, the ownership and contentment she now felt as she kissed the queen. It was as though it was all worth it for this meagre contact. A contact that was soon broken as the queen stepped away from her .

Regina reached out and clasped a small length of the leather used to bond the slave in her fingers and pulled, ever so slowly feeding it through her hands and unravelling her latest masterpiece. Slowly but surely Emma felt her body freed from its bindings, the burn still there but lessened as the fresh air reached her overheated skin. She was still immobile, the magic holding her in place but she began to have hope that the punishment was over.

Regina kept working, her eyes still locked on those of the slave who remained silent. Normally this was when her pets begged her for mercy and pledged themselves to her, giving her their unwavering loyalty and their collar, if she had graced them with one, would release. That didn't seem to be happening.

"It seems we are at an impasse," Regina purred, never taking her eyes off the blonde. "Do you not crave release?" Emma did but she was not going to admit that to the queen. "Give yourself to me and all this will stop," she urged and Emma felt her heart pound at the words. It sounded so easy. It should be so easy.

Regina stood back and watched the blonde's internal struggle, her weakened state giving her an uncharacteristic view into the slave's thought process, one usually hidden behind the mask she so successfully presented. It was when desperate green eyes met her own that she sighed, it seemed that it was the slave's damaged psyche that was causing the issues and not a conscious, rebellious refusal to give in to the needs of her body.

"Oh, my pet," Regina reached out to cup the blonde's cheek and Emma couldn't help but lean into the caress. A click and the invisible bonds holding the slave upright vanished and she fell to her knees with a gasp and a crash, Emma too exhausted to stand, body supported on her hands and knees. It was silent as the queen observed her slave, her still unbroken slave and she felt an emotion that was not common to her, pride. Pride and -.

A cough and Regina was distracted by the blonde's movement as she raised to her knees on the rug and settled back on her heels, eyes down, blonde hair hanging forward and brushing the top of her breasts, awaiting her mistresses command as though she had not just been subject to one of the most physically and mentally debilitating punishments the queen had devised.

Emma hung her head and waited, her mind able to compartmentalise the pain she was still experiencing from the coating on her skin. Despite those things she still had a role to play and her battered psyche took solace in the fact that no-one played it better.

"Remarkable," Regina murmured under her breath, unperturbed by the resilience of her pet. She found it surprising that it did not anger her but that was a thought to analyse another time. For now she was intrigued, her curiosity piqued but she had other things requiring her attention so she summoned her wolf, waiting in the outer chamber and leaving the slave alone.

"Send me the girl, I will call you if I need you," The queen's tone was dismissive and Red could not help hanging her head as she left the room, still in disgrace and she wondered how long much longer it would last.

"The Queen requires your services," Red announced as she knocked on Greta's door, the young wolf having made herself at home in the castle over the past few days since she had arrived.

"She does?" She squeaked as she wrenched the door open.

"Indeed." Red gave a brief nod. "Let me look at you," she ran an appraising eye over the pup and had to admit she liked what she saw, her dark curls fell onto a burgundy leather corset and a black, flared leather skirt that fell to mid thigh. The outfit was finished off with knee length leather boots, also black. "You'll do," Red allowed a small smile to turn the corner of her mouth, they had spent a few hours gathering suitable clothes for Greta in case she was called upon to attend the queen. It seemed that time had come, neither wolf had been required by the queen since they had been dismissed. "Don't keep her waiting, listen carefully and it is better to ask a question than to complete a task incorrectly," Red warned as she stood back and let her friend pass.

"Thank you," Greta paused to peck the taller wolf on the cheek and trotted off towards the queen's chambers.

"Enter," the young wolf's polite knock was met with the abrupt permission and she stepped tentatively over the threshold. Regina looked up from her paperwork, the sight before her caused her to place the parchment down on her desk and sit back in her throne like chair, fingers steepled as she observed the young wolf.

Greta forced herself not to fidget, hands clasped behind her back, eyes down as she had seen Emma do when by the queen's side.

"You clean up well, wolf," Regina remarked and smiled to herself as wide blue eyes looked up to meet her own before the girl realised her mistake and hastily looked back down as she bit her lip.

"Stupid wolf," Greta muttered to herself.

"Pardon?" Regina queried, the words not as quiet or internal as the wolf had hoped and the question struck fear into her.

"Um, I said, uh 'stupid wolf'," the girl eventually managed to utter, heart pounding as she spoke, not quite believing that she had been in the room less than two minutes and had already angered the queen.

"I see," Regina paused, enjoying the effect she was having on the girl who seemed absolutely terrified of her. "Why did you say that?" She relaxed back into her chair as she waited for the answer.

"I-," hands came round to fidget before Greta realised what she was doing, then when she did they clenched into fists by her side before she cleared her throat. "I do not want to disappoint you, My Queen," she looked up as she spoke then became transfixed by the brown eyes surveying her. "I see how Emma pleases you and realise how little I know," she continued, "Red has told me things but -. But I have already angered you, I'm sorry," she apologised in a whisper, head hung as she stared at the ground.

Regina listened to the young wolf and thought back to when Red was in a similar position, all nerves and good intentions. Of course that was after she began to regain her confidence and not jump at shadows. Standing, the queen stretched to her full height and Greta sensed her movements, tensing as she heard the rustle of the queen's dress and soft footfalls approach. A finger trailed on the warm, soft flesh of the wolf's upper arm before a hand clasped around the muscle there.

"You are strong, even for a wolf," Regina remarked, although she had some first hand experience of the girl's physical attributes when she had bedded her. "And you performed admirably despite your lack of experience," she purred and heard the sharp intake of breath as she scratched her nails down the length of the wolf's arm. "I feel with the right training you could live up to your potential." The word was ghosted into her ear on hot breath and the girl shivered, memories of her time with the queen and Emma still very fresh in her mind and between her legs.

"But for now," Regina pulled back, "for now I need you to attend to Emma. She is weak and I want her washed and fed. Then she may rest until this evening when I will require her presence at the banquet."

"Yes, My Queen," Greta answered, the title of 'Mistress' not yet granted by the queen for her to use. To presume such a thing could greatly offend the queen and have dire consequences for the young wolf.

"She may use my pool and sleep in her room if she desires. Tonight is an important event and she will need her strength and wits. It is your responsibility to see that she is aware of this and, if for any reason she is not up to this task, then you will inform me. Do you understand?" Regina growled the last and Greta nodded frantically.

"Yes, My Queen. I will take good care of her," she assured the monarch.

"Good. It is normally a task I would entrust to Red but -," Regina frowned, dwelling on the fact that she was still punishing her other pet. The rebellion was understood but not permitted to go unpunished, no disobedience would be tolerated, even from her favoured ones. Especially from them.

"I understand, My Queen. I offer you my loyalty and obedience," Greta pledged as she dared look the queen in the eye. "If you will accept it?" Regina pursed her lips, unsurprised by the offer but impressed by the confidence with which it was given.

"What makes you think I would want one such as yourself in my service?" Regina countered, curious to see what the response would be.

"Are we not all in your service, My Queen," the young wolf countered, her confidence rising and she stood tall, her answer drawing a chuckle from the queen.

"Yes, you are. All of you. But not all my subjects grace my bedchamber," the exchange continued, Regina indulging the wolf, impressed by the pup's audacity to engage her in such banter.

"Indeed, but you have much to teach, My Queen and both Red and Emma have already benefited from your expertise. As have I," Greta growled her appreciation. "However, I realise my skills are severely lacking in comparison. I want to learn, if you will teach me?"

Regina was silent as she contemplated the wolf's request. It was true, Red was too important in the running of the kingdom to be available to fulfil every whim she may have. Emma was too skilled to need training and it was refreshing to have such a pet but there were certain things she enjoyed about the process of breaking in a new slave.

"I will," the queen accepted and at the words Greta dropped to her knees.

"Mistress," the young wolf acknowledged as her fate was sealed.

"Now up, attend to Emma," Regina ordered. "I will speak to her about your training when I have time. Until then watch her, observe how she behaves. Mimic her and it will go a long way towards pleasing me."

"Yes Mistress. Thank you," Greta rose to her feet and bowed her head towards the queen. Regina waving her hand, indicating the girl was dismissed.

Emma had heard the conversation but had no energy left to form an opinion, she was exhausted so when Greta entered the chamber she did not move.

"Oh," the young wolf bit her lip as she took in the sight of the blonde slave, kneeling and ready to do her mistresses bidding even though she looked to be mere moments from passing out. "The Queen says you are to bathe, eat then rest." Emma looked up at those words, shoulders sagging in relief that the punishment seemed to be at an end. "I am to help you, she knows that you are weak but seemed in a good humour." Weary green eyes looked up at her and she smiled, receiving a simple nod in return as Emma stood, taking a moment to ensure her legs were steady before standing straight.

"Where -?" The word was hoarse and Greta jumped a little at the sound.

"Oh, um, the Queen said you may use her pool," Emma nodded, every action an effort and began to walk into the adjoining bathroom, the girl trotting behind even as the blonde waded into the pool. A sigh as the water began to give her instant relief from the burning her body had been experiencing for the past few days. She reached out for a wash cloth and began scrubbing her skin, the actions frantic but suddenly too much for her abused body. A muffled cry and her head fell back against the side of the pool, eyes closed and face marred with a frown as her energy finally gave out.

Greta watched the actions with concern. The queen had told her to help the slave, hadn't she? A look of purpose set itself and she hastily removed her clothes and stepped into the warm water, coming to a stop before the blonde.

"Emma?" A tentative hand reached out to take the cloth from the slave's grasp, it met no resistance so the young wolf took Emma's hand and pulled her arm taut so that she could continue the cleansing of her skin. Green eyes opened and regarded the girl warily but it was obvious she was not a threat to the slave so they closed again and Emma allowed her head to fall back against the stone of the pool's edge, totally drained but the collar still encircling her neck.

Xxx

Next on The Collar

Regina was shocked as the young wolf came charging past her and attacked, fangs bared and snapping at exposed flesh. Red rushed forward to intercept her but it was too late.