Ok, so this chapter ended up longer than anticipated so the teaser that was on the end of chapter 26 does not actually appear here, it will be in chapter 28 instead. Sorry about that but I had fun writing this. Thanks for all your reviews last chapter and nice to see so many new followers too. As you can see from this chapter the plot is really starting to get going now. Yes, there will be plenty more sex but I feel the 'relationship' between Emma and the queen has been well established for this stage, enough to make the plot-line flow at least and make the character motivations clear.
Always happy to answer any questions you may have.
Enjoy x
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Greta took her time rinsing the slave's body, careful not to bruise the abused skin but still ensuring it was totally clean. She hesitated when she came to the blonde's breasts, pulling back until an eye cracked open, Emma giving her a faint nod before her head fell back and her eyes closed once again. She had been enjoying the wolf's gentle attentions and she really didn't have the energy to be doing this herself, a tentative pressure covered her chest then firmer as Greta gained the confidence required to clean the previously tortured flesh.
When it came to Emma's sex Greta refused the task and pushed the wash cloth into the slave's hand and Emma made a herculean effort and completed the task, extremely aware of the shaft still buried inside but she knew she better than to remove it, that would be a task for the queen. When she was done the blonde slid under the water, hair spreading out in a golden slick as she wetted it, Greta on hand with a handful of shampoo when the slave resurfaced and presented her back to the wolf.
"Head back," Emma obeyed and gentle hands rubbed the shampoo into her hair, massaging her scalp in a way that had the blonde leaning back against the wolf. Greta surprised by the contact but supported the slave's weight against her chest as Emma relaxed against her.
"Um, Emma?" The even breathing indicated that the slave may have fallen asleep. "Emma?" Greta jostled the blonde slightly and she jerked awake, fully alert and standing to her full height as she rapidly scanned the room for any threat, eyes coming to rest on the girl "You fell asleep," the wolf explained softly. A grunt and the slave stepped out of the pool, wringing out her hair as she did, Greta startled into action and boosting herself out onto the side and holding out a towel so Emma could dry off. It was taken with a narrowed stare but no words followed as pale but still bruised flesh was efficiently dried.
"Your tattoo is amazing," at that green eyes widened and sought out the full length mirror to the side of the chamber. Emma turned her back and saw her tattoo for the first time since the queen had created it. "It's changed, even since the other day," Greta informed her and Emma scowled. Damn this magic! "The wings were not there before," the wolf explained.
Emma stood and examined her tattoo, the branches of the tree had extended and opened out on either side, forming rudimentary wing shapes, the tips of which now covered her shoulders, in the centre a shape had formed with relative detail, a long slender neck rising out of of the confines of the branches and an elegant head.
"A swan," Emma murmured, her awe overcoming her continued distaste for the brand that had been forced on her.
"It's beautiful," Greta marvelled and couldn't help herself from reaching out to touch Emma's back, the slave flinched at the touch, her skin was still marked from the cane, almost healed from the whipping she had received when she first arrived but still sensitive. Emma tolerated the girl's touch as she knew it was innocent curiosity, sure enough Greta soon pulled her hand back and mumbled an apology before sheepish blue eyes met calm green.
"It's alright," Emma smiled at the girl who blushed. "Thank you, for helping me."
"The Queen requested I do so," the comment made the blonde issue a small smile.
"I know, but I appreciate it." Greta blushed and bit her lip. Emma smiled to herself, it seemed the young wolf had developed a bit of a crush on her.
"I shall tell her that you have cared for me admirably," the slave praised which only served to deepen the blush. "Am I permitted to eat?" Emma inquired as she walked towards her own room in search of clothes.
"Yes!" The wolf chirped enthusiastically. "I will bring you food!"
"Thanks," Emma couldn't resit the urge to reach out and ruffle the girl's thick curls. "But, um Greta?"
"Yes?" Wide blue eyes turned to her.
"You might want to get dressed first?" Emma suggested with a chuckle, her humanity returning now her skin was no longer on fire and thanks to the youngster's cheerful company. She could not offer the insight or support Red could but her personality was infectious.
"Oh! Yeah," the wolf looked sheepish. "Wolf," she pointed to herself, stating the obvious, "we run around naked a lot," she added with a grin.
"Not in the palace," Emma cautioned her. "You belong to the Queen now," she reminded Greta of the pledge she had overheard her offer the queen. "Bring us food and we can talk."
"Thank you," the wolf sobered and gave a nod before going to gather her clothes, Emma entering her room and quickly selecting some panties and a loose white linen shirt that she would be comfortable sleeping in, even as she heard the outer door close and Greta went in search of food.
A sigh as she collapsed onto the bed, emotionally and physically exhausted but she knew food must be had before she slept, keeping her strength up in this place was extremely important. Who knew what the queen had in store for her next? There was no time for her to analyse the experience as the wolf soon returned, the clatter of dishes on a tray announcing Greta's return.
"Where do we eat?" The young wolf queried anxiously as she surveyed the main chamber of the Queen's quarters.
"We shall sit here," Emma pointed to a low table next to the queen's favoured chair by the fireplace, where she would sit and read and take her evening meal. "This is where she takes her meals," Greta nodded and mimicked Emma as she sat down, crossed legged at the table and helped herself to a large plate of assorted breads, meats and cheeses.
"Cook sent you these too," Greta pushed forward a plate of pastries, "she said that she adjusted the recipe and to let her know what you think." Emma nodded and eyed them hungrily, also pleased that the woman had taken her advice on the flavouring.
"So, you pledged yourself to the Queen?" Emma spoke up after a few moments to curb the worst of the noises emanating from her stomach. "Why?"
The question startled the young wolf who took her time chewing the meat in her mouth.
"I have always served," she began and Emma settled her back against the side of the queen's chair as she listened. "I was orphaned at an early age and the Queen placed me at the inn with an older wolf and I earned my keep. The woman was always kind and took care of me but I was not her daughter, her children had grown, I knew, I know that I have to work to survive." Emma nodded, suddenly feeling a lot closer to the wolf, she was as pragmatic about her life as Emma was about hers. A bad situation but it was up to the individual what they made of it.
"Red has always taken an interest in me, since she came to the palace that is. I did not know her before, she lived in the White Kingdom," Emma's brows raised at that piece of information. Red had not shared that with her. "She was my friend, my big sister and used to play with me and take me around the palace with her. Of course that stopped when I reached my womanhood," Greta paused and in two bites had devoured another piece of meat.
"I don't want to work at the inn forever and I see that Red is happy here, the Queen respects her and she gets to travel and meet all kinds of people," Emma frowned and Greta caught the gesture. "I am not naïve, I saw my mother butchered before me and I have heard of and seen first hand the punishments the Queen metes out to those who cross her," Emma nodded, shocked by the wolf's experiences but relieved she was aware of what she could possibly be letting herself in for.
"I also see how you please the Queen, you challenge her but Red says you also clam her and that is a great skill. I admire that," a shy smile was turned to the blonde and Emma smiled back. The wolf was supremely confident in some areas but seemingly very reserved in others, again Emma could relate. "I have a good education thanks to the Queen and feel I can be of better use here than serving soldiers and merchants at the inn. I mean, if the Queen tires of me she will release me and I will be found a job in the palace or city," the wolf shrugged but Emma frowned.
"She would? She told me that it was a hard life for one of her slaves if they were freed," blue eyes widened at the comment and another pastry disappeared before she spoke.
"It is, look at Alexis, the armourer," Greta began to explain. "The Queen tired of her but she is very skilled so is extremely well compensated for her work. She served the Queen for over a year, was favoured, now she has a good life but not the Queen," Greta shrugged. "It is something I hear one never really overcomes. I mean, no-one really compares to our mistress, do they?" Emma inhaled and gave a slow shake of her head, knowing for some time now that she was spoiled for anyone else.
"I feel I can learn a lot from serving her, about the kingdom and about myself," she finished shyly, blue eyes seeking out the slave's.
"You will, but it will also be hard. I know you think you are strong but it takes another kind of strength to survive her attentions. Although I will admit our mistress is extremely skilled at what she does," Emma acknowledged.
"As are you," the words were candid and a long look was levelled at the slave. "I want to learn from you, I am wolf, strong of body but also of mind. I will be a good student," Greta calmly informed the slave. "It also seems that I have an inclination towards pain which I am sure will help." Emma nodded, knowing the same was true of herself, another similarity. "If I fail then I will return to the inn or join one of the packs in the kingdom. But I am also alpha, as is Red, we are stronger than most but do not give out loyalties easily. I feel the Queen has earned mine." The words offered a finality and the rest of the meal was consumed in companionable silence.
"You need to sleep. There is a banquet tonight and I am to inform the Queen if you are not fit to attend her there," Greta explained. "Go to your room and I will clear these away." Emma stood and nodded.
"Thank you, for the food and the company," a smile and another blush from the wolf. "I will teach you well," Emma swore and her words were accepted by a gracious nod of dark curls.
"I will return and be here if you require anything," with that she gathered the try and headed for the door. Emma, now full, felt her exhaustion hit her like a truck and was face down, passed out asleep on her bed within moments.
She roused once because she was cold, the past few days having taken a toll on her body. But, as soon as a soft warmth settled over her the slave relaxed back into a dreamless sleep, hands curled up in the thick fur that had been placed over her.
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Regina had finished her administration duties for the day, the palace closing down regular business shortly after lunch so that the banquet could be prepared for. It was what all the planning over recent weeks had been gearing up for. A celebration of the kingdom's affluence and visits from it's own dignitaries. All in all a chore for the queen to endure but a necessary evil.
She sighed, a hard burden to bear without her wolf who was extremely skilled in diplomacy and might just keep some of the nobles leaving the palace in bloody pieces. With that thought she summoned Red who was elsewhere in the castle, overseeing the arrangements for the evening.
When Red felt her pendant warm she hurried to find her mistress, catching up with her in the hallway that led to the Queen's private rooms.
"Mistress," she murmured respectfully but received no response from the queen. Regina continued on to her rooms, ignoring the wolf. When they reached her chambers the queen looked around for signs of the slave but saw none, striding across the room she gently opened the door to her pet's room and looked inside.
"Red!" She hissed and gestured for her wolf to come and look. "Care to explain to me what is going on?" Red, nearly a head taller than the queen peered over her mistress, eyes going wide.
The noises disturbed the blonde's sleep and she stretched, murmuring but not fully awakening. Red and the queen watched as the enormous light grey, almost silver, blue-eyed wolf lying wrapped around the slave nuzzled against her, the action seeming to settle the woman who fell back into a deeper sleep, arm wrapped firmly around the great beast.
"Um, apparently Emma was cold, Mistress," Red explained after communicating with Greta, in her wolf form. "And Greta did not know where the furs were and did not want to leave Emma to gather some from her own room, as you had instructed her to take care of Emma. She is sorry if she has displeased you but Emma has been fed and sleeping for a few hours now," Red relayed the information from the wolf, who's ears were down in submission as she watched the conversation take place.
Regina sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose. She had forgotten what a challenge it was having a puppy around.
"Fetch some furs from my bed and then you," She pointed at the wolf, "can come and attend to me." She waited in the doorway as Red went to do as instructed, momentarily returning with an armful of furs with which she covered the still sleeping blonde. Regina would allow her to sleep until it was time for her to prepare for the banquet, she would need to be fully refreshed to deal with the evening's events.
Turning on the her heel the queen stalked into the main room and took a seat in her favourite chair, the one close to where Emma and Greta had shared their meal. It was extremely comfortable with a high imposing back, throne like. Regina watched as the wolf crawled out of the room on it's belly, blue eyes fixed on her as it came to a stop by her feet, a shudder and a shimmer and there was the girl, kneeling before her, naked and eyes down.
"An impressive transformation," her mistress praised and Greta forced herself not to look up at the queen as she spoke. Usually even a full-grown wolf took much longer and was less graceful, more snarling and writhing as their bodies adjusted.
"Thank you, Mistress," Greta acknowledged. " I have been practising for many years, I never wish to be in the position my mother was in," she explained with a shuddering breath. Her mother had been killed when transforming to protect her from the hunter that was attacking them. Caught in the vulnerable in-between stage she had been mortally wounded despite having the strength to lead the man away from where Greta was hiding as she completed her own change and ran for help.
"Your thinking was logical if somewhat unconventional," Regina sighed. "You are a beautiful wolf," she praised and watched the girl's eyes light up. So like Red, she mused to herself and wondered if that was why she was indulging the girl more than she would a human slave? Not necessarily she thought to herself, human's were fickle creature's their loyalty harder to secure.
Once a wolf pledged itself to you that would only end if it died or she outright rejected it, even then they tended to harbour an affection for her. She saw it in her guards all the time, from the ones she had bedded that was, the female ones. She never took males to her bed, that had ended with Leopold, but she did enjoy playing with a fine male specimen from time to time. Males screamed so delightfully but still seemed happy to be beholden to her even after she released them.
Realising she was smiling she set her face and relayed her orders to Red, the wolf listening intently and feeling relieved that she was no longer getting the silent treatment from her mistress, instructions being delivered directly and not via a third party.
"Go," Regina dismissed the older wolf and relaxed back in her chair. "Now come, let me see your wolf again," she commanded the girl who obediently changed back, sitting before the queen as Regina reached out to touch the soft fur. "You are an interesting colour," she commented, "the alpha line seems strong." The silver in the girl's coat indicated this, Red was almost white, a stark contrast to her looks as a human but apparently this allowed them to blend better, a camouflage if you will disguising the alphas from humans.
There was a whimper as the queen scratched behind a sensitive ear, knowing from experience where wolves liked to be touched.
"Good girl," Regina praised. "I know you changed so I wouldn't be angry with you for sleeping with Emma in your human form, it still was not appropriate though," the scratching continued even as she reprimanded the girl. Wolves only needed to be told once, usually. A whimper of apology. "Your magic is strong, I think that must help you change so easily," she murmured, she could practically feel the magic coursing through the wolf's veins, it called to her like all magic did, those born with it, as she had been, shared a connection and it drew her to such creatures. "Now, change back and I will let you show me how sorry you are."
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Next on The Collar
Emma woke and dressed quickly, she could hear sounds in the outer chamber so knew the queen wasn't alone. However, when she opened her door she was not prepared for the sight before her.