Thanks for all the messages asking if I'm still alive. Yes, I'm fine just very busy with real life and this took a while to put together as it needed to be done right. I realised what I had drafted was not enough to do the chapter justice so it took longer than planned.

Please help me keep on track by leaving feedback. I value your comments and opinions and if there is any element you'd like to see more or less of let me know and I may incorporate it if it fits with the overall story/motivations.

Thanks for all your support, Lil'D xx

xxxxx

"Keep him under heavy guard," the queen instructed Braxas as he ran towards the queen's party, calling the guard to attend as he did.

"Yes, My Queen," the Captain snapped to attention and motioned for his guards to lift the prisoner off Emma's horse. Emma noticed it was the queen's wolf guard that were put in charge of him, Red was also hovering, her eyes never leaving the queen as she gracefully dismounted.

"Red," Regina summoned the young woman to her, out of earshot of the blonde but the slave watched the exchange intently.

"Mistress?" Red approached, unsure of her reception.

"You did well today, with everything. I appreciate how hard it must have been for you to go back there," the queen praised as she reached up to cup the wolf's cheek, Red leaning in to the caress. "As did you," dark eyes appraised the young wolf girl who ducked her head shyly at the compliment. "I need to attend to my pet now, assess her injuries, but I will send for you when I am done. Your sacrifices have not gone unnoticed."

"Thank you, Mistress," Red replied and allowed herself to relax, the queen's previous displeasure had been playing on her mind and adding to the stress of the day.

"You are both free to do as you please until I send for you," Regina dismissed the wolves and turned her attention to her pet.

The blonde was exhausted, bone tired, in pain and totally drained form the experiences of the day. She had understood very little of her mistresses dealings with the one who called herself Snow White and no idea what the queen had been talking about just before they left. Yes, she did have a small, pale birthmark on her ass but she was surprised the queen had noticed, it had been much darker when she was a kid.

"Emma, come." Her name, again? Emma was both confused and a little concerned but she did as commanded and after exchanging a look with Red she followed the queen into the palace. The wolf watched them go, wondering what was going to happen next.

The slave followed her mistress to her chambers. When they reached the familiar doors they swung open, allowing them both inside and closing securely behind them. The blonde recognised the golden glow that lasted for a few seconds after they closed which signified the queen locking them against any would be intruders. It was also usually followed by a lot of pain for Emma.

Regina began to undress as she walked towards her bathing pool, glad to be out of the restrictive clothes that she was required to don to keep her persona striking fear into the masses. And her step-daughter and insipid, idiot of a husband, of course. As she undressed she heard her slave fall to her knees, a look over her shoulder saw the blonde waiting on her designated spot, the rug by the queen's favourite chair. Still dressed, face covered with dried blood, shirt too. She looked so -, so noble kneeling there in the clothes the queen had chosen for her, bloodied from battle. From a battle with her own parents. Oh, the irony.

Regina entered the pool, the warm water slowly rising up her body. As she turned and settled against the side of the bath her gaze returned to the blonde whose own eyes were dutifully on the rug. The queen was struck, in that moment, with how the blonde had integrated herself into her life. It had been effortless, seamless, filling spaces she never knew existed.

Emma. So different from Red. So different yet so very similar. She was incredibly strong, both physically and mentally. She was also vulnerable in her position here and yet was not afraid to give herself wholly to the queen in a way no other had before. But, she wasn't broken even though she had admitted to now feeling owned by the queen. Everything she did, had done was of her own free will, never by force, and rather than frustrating the queen she found herself growing to like it. To like her. Emma.

Emma's collar called her to her mistress, even though the queen was in the next room and the blonde could feel her mistresses eyes on her, still she used the collar, not her voice and Emma obeyed. Regina watching as the blonde rose and padded towards her.

"Undress," Emma did as she was bid, her movements efficient and pleasing to the queen's eye. First the bloodied shirt was dropped by the side of the pool. She was bare under the shirt, except for some blood smeared on her breastbone. Regina inhaled deeply, trying to relax her stiff muscles as she watched her slave unfasten her pants and peel them down those endless legs, black leather caught on her boots. Next would be that little hop as the boots magically came off in one smooth movement, the queen still marvelled at the action even though she had seen it many time before. Somehow it just epitomised the blonde.

"Come here," Emma nodded and waded into the pool until she was face to face with her mistress. She tried not to frown, something seemed off. The queen seemed introspective, morose even. She had been that way since they had returned and Emma suspected that it had everything to do with their encounter with Snow White and her prince today.

Regina reached for the wash cloth on the side of the tub and dipped it in the water. She frowned as she caught the blonde's chin, immobilising her head as she reached up and began to clean the blood off her skin. Emma froze, unsure what to make of the act but submitting to her mistress's will, just like nearly ever other time since she had arrived.

"Those were your parents, I think. Snow White and Prince Charming." A derisory snort escaping as the queen spoke. "I am not completely sure but the indications make it most likely, " Regina informed her slave, using magic to prevent the blonde puling away from her grasp. Emma's heart pounded, she couldn't move, couldn't speak as the queen continued to clean her face. "They sent you away because they thought I was going to curse you. The worst I would have done would have been bringing you here to live," Regina explained as she focused on the blood.

"You were the one I wanted to retrieve," Emma listened intently, her mistresses magic allowing her to do little else, although the queen's words made no sense to her. "But, I was looking for a six year old." The blood was gone and Regina gently touched the blonde's nose, checking for breaks. When she detected none she used her magic to reduce the swelling. Emma gasped as she felt a warm tingle enter her, pulsing and taking the pain away with it. "I won't have that woman spoiling your beautiful face, only I get to do that," the queen growled so possessively that Emma's sex clenched, despite the revelations from her mistress.

"Turn," Emma did as she was told and turned so that her back was facing the brunette, still trying to get her head around what the queen was telling her. Was it a lie? She was inclined to think not as it would serve the queen no purpose and at least it would explain why she was even here, in the land she was slowly becoming accustomed to.

"Hold still, this my sting a little." Regina laughed. "Or not, I have never seen anyone control their pain the way you do. It is quite impressive," she complimented her slave as she placed both palms against the torn flesh of the blonde's back and allowed her magic to flow from her into her slave, the skin healing slowly, leaving only the pink tinge of new skin, the tattoo undamaged beneath. Hands on hips urged Emma back round to face her mistress.

"Imagine my annoyance when I get you, instead of the child I sought," Regina moved her hands, no longer restraining her slave as she brushed the back of her fingers down the sides of the blonde's ribs. Emma shivered at the touch, her skin was very sensitive there. Regina noted the reaction and smiled internally. "But it didn't last long. You impressed me. Having a willing slave, a very talented slave at that," the queen pushed her open palms across the blonde's ribs until she was framing the underside of her slave's breasts. "Was, is, a lot more satisfying than having to cater for a child." Regina smirked as she looked into her pet's green eyes.

"Then to discover your name was Emma, the same as their lost child -. Well, it was a revelation to say the least." The queen was now fully cupping Emma's breasts, taking some of their weight in her hands, thumbs ever so lightly stroking the nipples, soft brushes, each touch being felt by Emma's clit as it throbbed in response. She was dazed, lost in the uncharacteristic ministrations of her queen, hypnotised by her voice. The words being heard but still not making sense. "A little magic confirmed your parentage. Well, you appear to be a child of true love. Whose though remains to be proven but it's unlikely you were birthed by anybody else." Emma was so confused but she didn't really care, the queen's hands were too distracting.

"Then, today," Regina slipped one hand down. Slowly trailing it down until the pad of her finger was circling her slaves now erect clit. Emma threw her head back and moaned, her thoughts clouded but the queen's touch vivid, real.

"When you defended my kingdom against that smug bastard," a growl and she entered the blonde, thrusting two fingers inside, pushing the tight muscle open as her pet collapsed across her lap, weight partially supported by the ever warm water. "You made me proud, Emma. You were also extremely arousing in your violence," Regina smiled as the blonde moaned, breathy and hot across her neck from where her head rested against the queen's shoulder. "I was furious when she dared touch you!" A growl from the queen and another finger entered Emma, the blonde pushing down, taking it eagerly, hot muscles drawing it in deeper and deeper.

"But, it gave me great satisfaction to rub their bigoted, smug faces in the fact that I have their daughter. That's she's mine." The queen was really fucking her slave now, fingers thrusting and twisting inside the blonde as her pet bucked against her hand, seeking more, desperate for more as she rode her mistress. "That you're mine, Emma." Regina bit down on her pet's nipple, hard, drawing blood and it was enough to send the blonde over the edge, a sharp cry of release as Emma came, she felt the queen's magic inside her, racing through her veins, taking her, claiming her. It went on and on and on, pure pleasure as talented fingers moved inside her, pressing and rubbing to prolong the passion more than Emma had thought was ever physically possible.

The slave rested against the soft curves of her mistress, totally spent. She had never received such pleasure from the queen and she assumed the almost gentle touches were a reward for her service today. Regina allowed the limp body to rest, not feeling the need to push it away, to free herself from its weight that was only partially supported by the water.

"You may ask me any questions you may have tomorrow. Tonight you are mine," the queen purred as she bit down on Emma's shoulder, the pain causing a breathy moan to escape.

"Yes, Mistress," the slave acquiesced, barely conscious and her brain overwhelmed by the day's events, totally unable to cope with the revelations regarding her possible parentage. So she blocked it out, compartmentalised as she was so adept at doing and focused solely on the hands once again moving against her flesh. Firm, demanding touches, spinning her round and pushing her forward until the blonde was facing the opposite edge of the pool, her mistress behind her, walking forward until her pet was forced against the stone rim of the shallower end of the pool, pinned by the pressure of the queen's hips against her ass. A hand gripped the slave's collar and pushed down, the queen's body covering her own until Emma was bent at the waist, upper body now out of the water and held down on the smooth floor beside the pool.

Regina was enjoying the totally complaint blonde who was usually obedient but focused. Today she was not, her pet was barely lucid after the intensity of the days events, vulnerable and open to her mistress in a way she had never been before. So of course she took full advantage, feet nudging the blonde's legs apart she reached down and began to toy with the blonde's sex, still engorged and sensitive from her previous climax.

Emma was dazed, all she could focus on was the way her mistresses body touched hers, skin experiencing frisson where it was in contact with the queen's. Fingers on her sex excited her and her body rocked back, wanting more, needing more. She had lost the usual control she had over her actions, over her emotions and could only respond as she was touched.

Regina spread her pet open with her hand, smiling when she felt how slick with arousal she still was despite the water of the pool, viscous fluid lubricating her explorations, spurred on by the unguarded moans expressed by the slave.

"Who do you belong to?" The queen's voice rang through the chamber.

"You, Mistress!" Emma gasped as the queen pinched her clit, the welcomed pain shooting through her stupor causing her to arch her back only to be held down by a firm hand on her collar.

"Oh, you're such a good little bitch," Regina couldn't help but smirk at the response, eyes narrowing as she fed her magic into the water.

Emma gasped as eddies of water wrapped around her body, caressing her skin as they became more tangible, then firmer, more of a full body massage swirling around her limbs and torso, slipping between and around her legs, rubbing over her sex. She had never experienced anything like it as the water cocooned her and pulled her back into the pool so her entire body from her chin down was suspended, weightless, bound with her hands by her sides.

Regina pulled her pet against her body by her hips and kicked her legs apart, she had full control of the situation. A hand sought out a breast and tweaked an already erect nipple and the slave moaned. The queen tightened the bonds but kept the water flowing in the column that was holding her pet captive, a little more...

The younger woman struggled briefly as she was constricted further but Regina was pleased to see it soon passed and she relaxed despite the now almost painful bond. Emma had no idea how her mistress was doing this, holding her in such a way, the water rising above the level of the pool to cover her neck and shoulders. A hand slipped between legs and as the blonde moaned her breath began to be squeezed out of her as the water 'tightened'.

Emma stayed relaxed, it was hard to breath but the sensation of being held so firmly and in such an encompassing way was a totally unique feeling for the blonde and not one she was disliking. It was as though her body was being touched by a hundred hands at once, constantly moving in an even pressure over her skin. Regina noted how her pet moderated her breathing to shallower breaths which increased in speed as the queen parted her sex, sending a jet of water into the slave. Emma cried out as she was filled by a solid mass, the water pushing her open even as she was held tighter in its grasp and she had to fight for breath.

"Easy," The queen whispered in Regina wrapped an arm around her pet's stomach and pulled her close, enjoying how the water's movement over the slave felt against her own skin. "Focus on the sound of my voice," she whispered directly into the slave's ear, smiling when she felt the blonde shudder at her words. "You belong to me. I own you. I know this and I know that you've never given yourself to another the way you have to me." Emma heard the words even though she was becoming light headed from lack of oxygen. The queen was holding her right on the edge of true asphyxiation, enough to blur her mind and heighten everything she was feeling but leaving her cognizant of what was being done to her.

"I do not care what those people who may claim to be your parents think," a muffled cry as Regina manipulated the water inside her pet, pushing against her walls and filling her so insidiously. "They are nothing to you," now the queen concentrated on causing the water to pulse and swirl in an erratic rhythm. The slave's legs buckled but the water held her, caressed her so she was free to indulge her mind and body in the utopia her mistress had created. The water inside her sex was -, it had no compare, nothing, not even the queen's hand inside her had ever made her feel so full, so complete.

"They do not understand you. They do not know what you have done to survive. What you need to survive," Regina growled as her teeth bit down on the nape of the blonde's neck. As every word was spoken the queen fucked her pet, stretching, thrusting, achieving total fluidity with no restrictions, her magic making Emma feel so aroused, so in tune with what was being done to her body that it went beyond sex. This was something else entirely and yet she felt -, safe.

With that thought she let go, she stopped fighting her body's need for release and gave herself over to her mistress.

"Come for me." The command triggered the most intense climax Emma had ever experienced, body locking up, totally rigid as the magic manifested in every fibre of her being. When the first sensation abated the blonde was left gasping for air and barely conscious. It was then that one simple stroke from her mistresses hand against Emma's highly sensitised sex sent her over again, this time being hit by the more expected muscular contractions but on such an intense level that it was only moments before the slave succumbed to unconsciousness.

Regina felt the moment that her pet relinquished the last of her control, she was also shocked to see the slave's collar glow right before the slave found release and held her breath, wondering if her wager had been won. When the magical metal returned to its normal hue the queen relaxed. No, she was disappointed that her pet still had a chance at freedom but not surprised as she had been fully utilising her magic in the encounter which was against the terms of the agreement. However, the moment was not insignificant and it demonstrated that she was one step closer to winning the slave's mind, along with the body that she had already fully possessed.

Regina smiled contentedly when her pet collapsed against her, totally unconscious. The backlash of the magic she had used buzzing in her body, giving her a high of her own, yet another example of how her magic responded to the blonde woman. It was then she summoned Red, the wolf appearing only a minute or so later which indicated that she had probably been in her own chambers.

Red entered her queen's rooms and wondered what state she would find Emma in this time. Although today had been the first time the wolf had seen Snow White since her capture by the soldiers it wasn't the first time her queen had seen the royal couple. Red also knew that such meetings usually ended with the queen angry and frustrated, a frustration she usually vented on one of her slaves. Red herself had taken the brunt on more than one occasion and they were some of the beatings that stood out in her mind even now due to their brutality.

So, imagine her surprise when she found Emma passed out from pleasure and not pain, in the queen's lap in her bath. The wolf hid her surprise and waited instruction.

"Lift her out," Red did as she was told, her wolf's strength making easy work of Emma's dead weight as she carefully lifted the blonde into her arms, and stood cradling her, awaiting instruction.

"Take her to my bedchamber and string her up," the queen commanded.

"Yes, Mistress," Red agreed and carried Emma's dead weight into the other room. There she strapped her friend into the cuffs on the cross attached to the wall, her arms and legs spread in an X as she had seen the blonde many times before. Emma's head hung forward, a curtain of slightly damp golden hair obscuring her face.

"Red." At the command her wolf loped back into her bathing room and began to dry her queen as she stepped out of the pool. Red could never get over how flawless the queen's body was, except for that one, extremely sexy scar on her upper lip. Red had spent many hours marvelling at how such a small imperfection could increase the woman's desirability so much.

"I require your services, wolf," Regina commanded and Red followed her naked mistress into the bedroom.

Xxxxxx

Next on The Collar

Regina watched, fascinated, as yet another of her slave's skill was demonstrated.

"Enough!" The queen clapped her hands and brought the activity to an end. "We have an execution to attend," Red and Emma separated at the command. When they were presentable they followed their mistress through the palace to the courtyard where the queens' guard were surrounding the prisoner.