Ok, so this went off on a bit of a tangent so the teaser from 33 has been moved to the next chapter. Hopefully you will enjoy this more in-depth chapter.
Thanks to all of you who had suggestions for what they might like to see in the future. I've taken them on board and weaving them in throughout the story but it might be a while before you see them as we have a way to go yet :)
Enjoy xx
Xxxx
"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.
Emma woke slowly. She felt weightless, it didn't take her long to realise why. She was strapped up in the queens favourite position, spread open for her mistress, she shifted slightly then groaned. She hadn't? She had. Emma whimpered, finding herself fully impaled, resting on a large phallus set deep inside her. She also felt an intrusion in her other passage and groaned again half in pleasure, half in discomfort for neither were small. She opened her eyes, the slightly raised position giving her a good view of the room. This time the moan was loud and called the attention of the figures on the bed. Emma was looking at the queen and Red, the wolf on all fours.
"This is her favourite position," the queen chuckled as she continued to thrust into the wolf. Emma knew that she must be using the magical version of the strap-on she had used on the blonde more than once. Maybe some things about this world were better? Emma watched as Red locked eyes with her for a second before dropping her head back down again in response to a particularly hard thrust from their mistress. Emma saw Red's back arch, welcoming the fucking she was getting, dark hair held off her face by the queen's hand twisted in in the dark silken locks as she anchored herself, hips violently fucking her wolf.
"You've both been such good pets today," Regina commented through panting breaths as she neared her own climax and knowing that when she came Red would as well, if she was given permission of course. "That's enough, wolf," she purred and Red gave a final buck underneath her mistress and came, collapsing onto the rumpled covers, totally spent. The queen rode out the remains of her own climax before gracefully rolling off the her pet and falling onto her back in the centre of her bed.
As she lay there, thoroughly satisfied by her sexual encounters of the evening Regina observed the blonde, she looked exhausted. As much as she had pleasured her pets it had been an emotionally taxing day for them both. A wave of her hand and the blonde fell to her knees, released from all her bonds.
"Come, it is cold tonight," Regina murmured, an arm thrown over her eyes blocking the scant bit of light from the moon that was bothering her. Emma was stunned, firstly from the abrupt drop and secondly from the obvious invitation to join the queen and Red in their mistresses bed. "Now!" Regina commanded forcefully and the blonde was spurred into action, almost stumbling in her haste then cautious as her knees brushed the edge of the bed. "In!" The queen removed her arm as her pet was now blocking the light with her body. "Close the drape first."
"Yes, Mistress," Emma murmured, wondering why the queen didn't use her magic but did as she was bid before returning to the bed and sliding onto the mattress in the space next to the queen. No more was said and soon the blonde was accompanied by quiet, even breaths from her companions that indicated the queen had also fallen asleep. Out of her comfort zone but bone tired Emma closed her eyes and soon joined them.
Regina awoke to find herself wrapped up in two warm bodies, one curled either side of her as she laid on her back. It had been an unexpectedly cool night but a thought and the fire flared to life, quickly removing the slight chill from the air in her bedchamber. Both her pets were still deeply asleep, only the lightest of contacts where their skin brushed hers here and there, Emma's knee and forearm were pressed against her and Red's thigh. The touches were not claustrophobic, it did please her though that even in sleep they respected her boundaries.
Deciding it was not yet time to rise Regina turned and settled herself on her stomach, head cushioned by her pillow, under which she had slid her arm. A few breaths and she was sleeping.
Emma was woken by a sharp pinch on her forearm. Green eyes flicked open but a hand on the slave's arm restrained her natural, defensive reflex to leap to her feet.
"Shhh," Red hissed and her eyes widened and looked down to the body sprawled between them. Emma's own eyes widened in shock when she looked down and finally realised the position she was in. The slave had been lying on her side, facing the middle of the bed and its other occupants. What was so shocking was the way that the queen was draped over the blonde, leg hooked over the longer, leaner ones of her pet and arm slung possessively over her waist and head nestled into her chest, dark hair mussed and hiding their mistresses features. Deep, steady breaths indicating that she was still deeply asleep.
Blue and green met over their sleeping mistress. This was not good, they communicated with shocked looks, each dealing with their own internal panic. If the queen woke and found herself in such a compromising, vulnerable position there would be hell to play, for both of them. Red, who was free of encumbrance from a slumbering, volatile monarch, frantically indicated that Emma should try and extricate herself from the entanglement. The blonde nodded and did a practised lift and roll manoeuvre that left her free and balancing on the edge of the bed. They held their collective breath, the queen looked as though she was about to wake. However, a mumble as she readjusted her position and continued to sleep.
"What time is it?" Emma whispered.
"Mid-morning," the wolf replied with a shrug causing the blonde's brows to lift in surprise.
"Mistress?" Emma laid her hand tentatively on the toned back of the queen. "Mistress?" This time Emma dared shake the older woman ever so lightly, chancing her wrath in favour of certain reproval should the queen miss any engagements.
Regina woke with a start and flipped herself over so she was seated and glaring at her pets who had matching expressions of shock on their faces.
"Yes?" She hissed, slightly disorientated.
"Mistress, the hours pass and it is mid morning," Red politely explained from where she knelt on the bed, eyes down as she faced the queen. Regina scowled at the information but couldn't deny that she had slept deeply and felt extremely refreshed, however the late hour concerned her.
With that thought she was off the bed and strutting in all her naked glory to her bath.
"Attend me," the words called to the young women still kneeling on her bed. With both her pets aiding her wash and dress it wasn't long before the queen was ready for her duties of the day.
"The execution will take place mid afternoon. It will be in the public square and I will require your presence, wolf."
"Yes, Mistress. And Greta?" Red enquired as she stood, still naked and hair damp from the bath, curling slightly from the water. Emma thought it suited her, softening the refined angles of her face.
"The girl is also required to be there," the queen confirmed as she gave herself one last look in the full length mirror, midnight blue dress clinging to every curve and neck dipping between her breasts to show ample cleavage. It was a good look, Emma was certainly transfixed. Regina noticed how her slave's eyes lingered and smiled to herself.
"Red, you are dismissed for now. I will summon you if needed. Go dress and inform the girl."
"Yes, Mistress," Red offered the queen a bow and padded through the doors, leaving Regina alone with her slave.
"Go dress, comfortably," Emma was instructed and went to obey. A quick wash and she slipped into a pair of her favoured black leather pants and a green silk shirt that really made her eyes stand out. Her hair was the next to be dealt with, a plait snaking down her spine, nimble fingers finishing the task promptly. A moment to apply a small amount of make-up to highlight her eyes further and she emerged.
A pause in the doorway of her room as Regina raked her eyes over her slave's body.
"You will do," the queen commented, the corner of Emma's mouth quirking before she hid the expression. In fact Regina was always impressed with how well her pet cleaned up, her features refined, royal even. That thought caused her to chuckle to the slave's confusion, brow furrowing as she looked quizzically at her mistress. "Nothing that concerns you, dear." Emma nodded, filing it away as yet another of the queen's secrets.
"What does the day require of you, Mistress?" Emma enquired politely as she waited instruction.
"Not too much today, the late hour has not caused any inconvenience," Regina informed her pet, studying her closely. The blonde appeared well rested and the queen realised that this was actually a change from the norm due to the intense schedule of punishments that her pet had taken since accepting the wager. Ones that Regina knew had taken a physical and emotional toll on the slave, despite the pleasure. Ones that all but the most resilient would have failed to complete without becoming useless to her.
Emma dropped her eyes under the surveillance, submitting to the gaze.
"I promised you some time today, for questions," the queen continued, eyes narrowing as the blonde's head shot up. "I have not forgotten and I keep my promises. I will make time for you."
"Thank you," Emma replied, the words of her mistress unrolling the series of events from yesterday and overwhelming her once again.
"There will be time," Regina reiterated, the slave's expression now conflicted. "Tell me, how do you feel physically? It has been a trying few days for your body." Emma was surprised by the question and it took her a moment to mentally assess herself as the queen looked on.
"Weak," was the blonde's final answer. "I need to build my strength back up. I need to eat more and work out," the slave flexed her hands as she looked down at them with a frown.
"You are anything but weak," Regina strode across the room and grasped the blonde's chin in a fierce grip. "You, my dear, are the strongest person I have met, bar Red. And she has an unfair advantage," the queen chuckled before pressing her lips against the slave's, surprising Emma with the contact. The kiss was brief but domineering before lips were torn away.
"Tell me how you wish to regain your strength," Emma paused, the closeness of her mistress and the memory of the kiss clouding her thoughts.
"I, I need to exercise. Rebuild my muscle strength," the blonde managed to respond in time to prevent her mistresses being displeased by a slow reply. Regina nodded, stepping back and turning away from her pet.
"Then you will seek out Red, and the girl she needs work. She has the strength of youth but not the discipline," the queen surmised. "Try the kitchens and feed yourself while you are there. I will summon you when required. For now you are dismissed."
"Yes, Mistress," Emma offered a half bow before leaving to find the wolves and the queen avoided the trek to her study and simply magicked herself there to begin her working day, hoping she would not have to deal with too many idiots during its course.
Emma paused as she left the queen's rooms and studied the door that had closed behind her, a slight frown on her brow as she re-ran the conversation she had just had with her mistress, not forgetting where she had slept the previous night. A sigh as the slave began to head towards the kitchens, eyes down as she walked, trying to make sense of it all.
"May I speak with you? Are you on an errand for the Queen?" Emma's head jerked up, startled as she walked down the hallway close to the kitchen. She had been too lost in thought to notice the approach of the guard. Green eyes narrowed as she realised it was the female guard that had been part of the group that had accosted her, the ringleaders now dead on order of her mistress. Their deaths a gruesome reminder of the queen's ownership of the blonde.
The slave's instant reaction was to tense and take quick stock of her surroundings, eyes cataloguing possible weapons and escape routes then flicked back to the guard, the blonde's hostility evident in her expression and posture.
"No! I -," The guard sighed and stepped back, hands held up in a gesture of surrender. "I wanted to apologise to you." Emma blinked, not really registering what she was hearing. "She could have had us all killed but you spoke up for us, for me," the woman explained. "I didn't really think about what I was doing, when your commander tells you to attack we are taught to follow orders, without question."
I know," Emma nodded, still wary but she could see no harm in hearing the woman out. "Which is why I spoke up to the Queen."
"You're a brave one, I'll give you that," a rueful chuckle followed and now there seemed to be no immediate threat Emma took a moment to take stock of the woman. She was a little taller then herself, a slightly heavier build but one would be carrying that armour round all day, the blonde mused, attractive oval face with intelligent grey eyes framed with caramel hair bound back in a plait was visible beneath her helmet.
"Not brave, I was very aware that she may have had me killed as well," Emma admitted. "But the way I saw it some of you would have been happy to let me get where I was going," she finished with a shrug.
"We would," the guard nodded her agreement. "But woman, you really can fight!" A wide smile lit the soldier's face, increasing her attractiveness dramatically.
"I can take care of myself," another shrug from the slave.
"Indeed you can," Emma flinched when she received a clasp to the shoulder, before narrowing her eyes at the action.
"Shit! No touchy!" The guard stepped back and poked a finger under the back of her helmet, scratching nervously.
"You didn't hurt me," Emma confirmed, "It's just the Queen -.."
"No, I know, you're hers and hers alone. I just get a little carried away sometimes," now the woman was biting her lip and awkwardly studying the rush mat on the floor.
"No harm, no foul," Emma shrugged just as her stomach grumbled causing the guard to blink in confusion until the blonde pointed to the offending body part. "I was on my way for breakfast," she explained ruefully, trying to remember when she'd last eaten a proper meal.
"Breakfast? It's nearly midday," was the confused response.
"Well, I've been otherwise engaged for the past few days," the blonde's lips curled into a wry smile.
"Oh, oh!" the guard suddenly clued in to what Emma's engagement may have entailed. "Sorry! I heard what happened with Snow White. You're a legend, all the barracks are talking about you," she enthused. All Emma could manage in response was a brow arched in disbelief coupled with a snort. "Um, yes, so everyone seem to think you make the Queen happy which is good for us all so -"
"Emma!" The blonde's head shot up as she saw Red striding towards her, giving the guard a suspicious frown as she approached.
"I wasn't causing trouble!" Raised hands were shown to the wolf who bared her teeth as she approached.
"She apologised," Emma intervened, stepping between the wolf and her prey. Red stopped when she reached the blonde, glacial eyes narrowed as she stared over the slave's shoulder assessing the truth of the statement. Greta was with her and both wolves did not look pleased. Greta was young but Emma agreed with the queen that she was a powerful creature and was actually flattered that her mistress trusted her to mentor the young wolf. Of course she would be working with Red, all in all the girl was going to be put through her paces.
"Um, yes, actually I wanted to ask -," a low rumble escaped the older wolf's chest as the guard spoke.
"Do not push your luck," Red warned. "Come, you have been delayed long enough." The wolf scowled at the cause of the slave's delay. Emma had no argument, she was fucking starving. A polite nod of her head towards the guard and she followed her friend to the kitchen.
"Bloody Amazons," Red snorted as they walked away. "They know few boundaries."
"Amazons?" Emma's head whipped round towards her friend at the comment, so fast her plait flicked out behind her.
"Yes?" Red seemed confused. "There are no Amazons in your world?" Her nose scrunched up, puzzled by the concept.
"No, well not unless you count on TV," Emma gestured towards her chest to exaggerate her breasts leaving Red even more confused.
"Tevvee has large breasts?" The blonde let out a bark of laughter as they reached the kitchen, drawing attention from the busy room, eyes on them as they progressed towards the food station that was beginning to be loaded with the midday meal by diligent cooks. Polatters being brought from around the large room to rest on the wooden trestles.
"No, TV isn't a person, it's moving pictures, I've told you that," the slave reminded the wolf with an indulgent smile. Red nodded, that is what had confused her. "But there is a character called Xena who is the epitome of what I imagine an Amazon to be, a strong skilled warrior that kicks ass and looks sexy doing it." Emma shrugged, knowing she was more than a little biased. I mean what self respecting lesbian hadn't had a crush on Xena? Or Gabrielle, or both?
"Oh, they are fine warriors but they get a little frisky and over friendly if given either the slightest encouragement. Or alcohol," Red added with a sigh.
"They're horny bitches," Greta snorted. " And that's coming from a wolf."
"I mean, Thera is harmless, a good fighter but not malicious. I just didn't want to encourage any hero worship, it's not something that is tolerated well by the Queen. Especially since she was involved in, well -you know," Red explained. There was a few moments silence as the slave digested the words, loading her plate for a more satisfying digestive experience.
"I realise that our mistress is protective, I was taking precautions," Emma tilted her head and offered her friend a wry smile. "I can be a cold bitch when I need to be," she added with a wink.
"Come, we shall eat in the light," Red chuckled in acknowledgement and nodded towards the window where the sun was shining, reflecting off the array of pans stacked ready for use on the shelves of the kitchen.
"Sure," the blonde gave a customary shrug and the group made their way into the fresh air to the table where Emma and Red had first shared a meal together.
"So, Snow White, huh?" Red mumbled as she shoved some bread into her mouth and chewed, eyes studying the blonde for her reaction, Greta had chosen to sit next to the blonde.
"Yeah," Emma muttered unenthusiastically. "The Queen said we could talk later." Red nodded, looking unsurprised by the revelation.
"She's good like that. I mean last night -," the wolf tailed off. Emma didn't respond immediately, just focused on stabbing her food rather than harder than necessary with her fork. Red looking on, sensing the slave's inner turmoil.
"She took care of you after -," Emma couldn't finish the sentence, the words sticking in her throat, too evil to be uttered.
"Yes," the wolf's response was quietly intense. "Her wolves found me and she came to take me back to the palace. Bathed me, healed me. Held me when I would scream in the night," Red threw her fork down, appetite vanquished by her memories. "I would wake and she would be there, take my hand and lead me to her bed." Emma was silent as she listened, her own emotions in conflict as she too stopped eating to pay utmost attention to her friend's story.
"In return I ran errands and became her handmaid but she never pressured me into her bed for more than sleep. I knew she had extreme tastes, I saw the men and women go in, heard them scream, saw them come out, broken," Red looked up and caught the slave's eyes. "I knew I was stronger than they could ever be."
xxx
Next on The Collar
"Red, fetch me the girl," the wolf nodded but paused with her hand on the door.
"Mistress?" The queen looked up questioningly from the book she was reading. "I -," the wolf stammered. "I would like to learn how to please you." Royal brows raised as the queen studied her charge.