So, as you know recent chapters have marked a turning point in the story and here we have a more solid view of Regina's thoughts, also known as dark queen brooding. I hope it comes across well as it's tricky to get the mood right for such pivotal chapters.
Thanks so very much for all of you who have reviewed and for those that had been waiting patiently for us to reach this point.
Chapters will continue to be short but regular as that is currently the way the scenes are falling.
As always let me know what you think!
xxxxxx
The ride back was tortuously slow. Both her horse and the wolves were exhausted but Regina didn't leave them. They had run hard for her and they would return together. She did not deserve to rest before they did.
Before they were even half-way home Red found them. Her pet was covered in mud, fur matted and she was favouring her right forepaw.
"Are you injured?" Regina swung off her horse and approached Red who had collapsed on the ground, panting. A quick examination showed the pad had been cut, on what it was impossible to tell but with the constant running dirt and small stones had become embedded in the wound and even Red's accelerated healing had not taken effect.
"Oh, you brave wolf," Regina praised, knowing how much pain her wolf must be in. Red whined as her mistress petted her gently behind her ears, the touch soft and reassuring. "Let me take care of that," Regina murmured, fetching her water flask from her saddle and dousing the wound in clean water. Red nuzzled the queen's hand to show her appreciation and the action raised a smile from the the monarch. "Hold still," Regina commanded, cupping the massive paw in between her hands and pulled from her magic reserves, a purple glow emitting from between her palms. Red let out a puff through her nose as the pain abated. "There, it is not completely healed but will be enough to get you home."
Regina took a deep breath as she stood, surveying the remaining wolves.
"Move out!" A raised arm signalled the wolves to resume their journey.
"Emma?" The thought ghosted through Regina's mind, looking down to see Red's yellow eyes turned towards her as the wolf kept pace with the queen's horse.
"No sign of her," Regina sighed as she answered her pet,speaking out loud as she had nothing to hide. "Nothing from here back another ten miles." Red whined her disappointment at the news.
"We shall find her," Regina uttered reassurance. "Something is wrong, the collar should let me track her even -." She didn't finish the sentence but there was no need Red thought, the collar should be trackable, even if Emma was dead.
The exhausted pack eventually made it back to the palace and Braxas, who had been left in charge of the palace's security, ran to greet his queen.
"Send word to the kitchens that the wolves need food. Tell cook not to stint, give them the best, plenty of meat. They are exhausted," Regina dismounted gracefully and led her tired mount towards the stables, her captain following. "The wolves will be using their quarters to change but will eat in the dining hall. Send food to my rooms for myself and my pets."
"Yes, Majesty. And Emma?" The queen turned to observe the man, curious that he had referred to the slave by her given name. "No," a shake of her head dismissed the captain and he left them to go and carry out his orders.
Regina paused to watch the wolves cleaning the mud off their coats in the pond beside the stables, it constantly refilled but even in the heavy rain still ran clear. A barn that was attached to the side of the palace, near the kitchens, was put aside for such mass transformations, it could get a bit messy with all the naked bodies as they changed back. All the wolves kept a change of clothes there so they could re-enter the palace clothed and clean without upsetting the decency of the more staid nobility. The naked state was natural to them but it had caused a few issues and fainting ladies until they had been given their own space for such things.
After dropping her faithful steed off at the stables Regina began to walk back to the palace, too aware of her own fatigue to risk tapping into her magic reserves, who knew what was to come and when she might need it?
"Mistress," Red and Greta left the pack, falling into step behind her.
"Come you must eat and rest," was all the queen said on the entire walk back to her chambers. A veritable feast of meats, breads and warm dishes was awaiting Regina and her companions when they reached their destination. Cook had really come through and she would check and see that the wolves were being just as well fed."Eat," a wave of her hand and the wolves began inhaling the food as they knelt by the small table, they had expended a phenomenal amount of energy during the search.
The queen watched them eat but did not take any food herself. She was too tired, too sore, she had been riding for over twelve hours and every muscle ached, especially that weak damn muscle in her back. Red glanced over at her mistress and saw the pain etched on the queen's face.
"A warm bath, Mistress?" The wolf queried as she put her food to one side. "It would help you relax?" Regina considered rejecting the idea but she was tired and sore and filthy. Dirt was embedded in every pore. She didn't bother to speak, simply stood and entered her bathing chamber, waiting for Red to come and undress her. The young wolf assisted and soon she was neck deep in water, Red also stripped and slipped into the pool to bathe her mistress.
A sigh escaped the queen as Red began to wash her hair, the older wolf exchanged a look with Greta. She was worried, about Emma obviously, but also about her mistress, she was pushing herself too hard and she was beyond exhausted. It wasn't a safe state for anyone to be in. Let alone the queen.
As soon as Red had finished Regina pulled away, walking out of the tub and standing in front of the full length mirror that currently stood by the pool. Dark circles surrounded her eyes and made them look ghoulishly sunken, the effect enhanced by her unusually sallow complexion that drew attention to her cheekbones. However, it was not her reflection she saw but Emma's, the blonde standing before the very same mirror but at the time it had been located in her bedchamber. Her pet standing respectfully, obediently awaiting her mistresses pleasure. Then minutes later allowing the queen to ravage her, possess her, green eyes locked on her own as she fucked the girl into oblivion. So different from her wolves who submitted so naturally but -.
All three women jumped when the mirror shattered. Regina startled out of her memories as her magic lashed out without her consent.
"Mistress?" Red approached the queen with a robe held out but hesitated. Regina turned from the ruined mirror and snatched the gown and savagely thrust her arms into the sleeves, drawing it around her lithe frame, pulling the belt unnecessarily tight. Without acknowledging either wolf Regina stalked through to her main chamber and out into the hallway. Gesturing for Greta to remain behind her, the older wolf followed her queen, surprised when she saw her mistress disappearing into her secret room in the tower.
Regina let the door swing closed behind her, she wanted to be alone. When she entered the room above she strode to the far wall, sparing a passing glance at the table on which she had caned her pet, pulled back the heavy midnight drapes and opened the glazed doors behind, stepping out onto the balcony. This room marked the highest part of the palace, bar the roof, and provided a spectacular view out over the surrounding countryside. Regina braced herself against the stone balustrade and stared out over her kingdom, it was all hers.
"So why can I not find one single slave?" She snarled into the cool morning air, knuckles paling as her grip tightened in frustration, then a gasp as the stone monetarily turned intangible beneath her hands causing her to tip forward before the stone solidified. This was Not good. No, this was very, very bad but she had no idea why this whole, whole -.
What was this all about? Why was it disturbing her magic so much? A deep inhalation to quell the rising disquiet and allow inner focus, control, before the exhale of the night's emotions. The tension remained, the unknown.
Where was she?
Emma.
The woman who had entered her world a stranger but effortlessly made a niche for herself. Even Braxas was concerned and he had come to blows with her pet. How had one so withdrawn become so liked amongst her staff? All her loyal employees had commented on the slave's attributes since her arrival. How obedient and well trained she was, how her attitude was courteous and professional. Her intelligence had also been noted, especially by her advisers who had felt the queen's wrath more than once for failing to spot errors the slave's keen eyes had easily picked up.
But they knew so little of what lay behind that façade. Of the darkness and power that the blonde held in her core. The twisted needs and desires that complimented her own so well. Strength and fortitude matched only by her wolf but stemming from similar recesses of their past. Both young women abused by life and willingly giving themselves over to their mistress, their queen.
Narrowed eyes stared out, catching sparks of light striking off the odd reflective surface, a helm, a window, the water's surface clean and unbroken.
Where was she?
Why did it matter?
It mattered because Emma was hers! The woman was her property and no one or thing had the right to take that from her! Feeling her anger rise again Regina just let loose and a purple ball of energy surrounded her then went shooting over a hundred feet into the air before exploding, macabre fireworks for all to see. The palace's inhabitants shuddered at the sight, it meant their queen was unhappy and that never boded well for the kingdom. Word travelled fast and although theories were varied it was common knowledge the queen's slave was missing.
Regina ran through the events leading to Emma's disappearance in her mind but no conclusion had been made. No indication found as to whether the girl had run, been taken or met an unfortunate end.
Taken.
Surprisingly the queen had few enemies. She was powerful but except from the spectres of her past her rule had been met with little resistance. However, the ones she did have were powerful in their own right and if any had a hand in Emma's disappearance she would destroy them! Another energy ball exploded in the skies just as the the wind picked up. Regina could not be sure if her magic was also affecting the weather, it was uncommon but had happened.
A shiver as the air's chill bit through her thin robe but still the queen did not return inside, knowing Braxas and Red could handle any situation that might arise in her continued absence.
How long until she began the hunt for her slave in the other kingdoms?
Not long.
The need to have her property returned burned strongly in her breast, the anger and frustration of knowing that Emma was not here to do her bidding, to take care of her desires, it was consuming her.
What to do if the girl turned up dead?
Regina's mind blanked at the thought despite it being a highly likely possibility. She would hunt down whoever had caused her demise of course and exact her bloody vengeance. Oh, she would make them pay, maybe flay them and keep them suspended in that state for as long as it pleased her.
A new toy.
A sneer.
It wouldn't be enough.
It would take too long to find another slave as proficient as the blonde. Red would step back into her place of course but Regina doubted if she would find another so intriguing. Maybe she would take another from the blonde's world?
No.
The thought did not appeal, she would find a girl and break her, mould her as she had Red. As Emma had been moulded by her life.
No.
It wouldn't be enough. It would be impossible to find such a slave.
Maybe a trip to the southern isles?
No.
A reflection caught her eye, a rider coming full pelt towards the palace.
Regina straightened, trying to see who it could be.
A commotion at the gate as the rider did not slow as the horse approached.
A swirl of purple as Regina disappeared.
Xxxxxx
Next on The Collar
Greta looked wide eyed towards the older wolf, she was extremely apprehensive. What was their mistress hiding in here? The question was soon answered as the doors opened, Regina striding forward and exhaling as she surveyed her innermost sanctum. The young wolf scanned the room and felt the fine hairs on her skin rise, magic. Lots and lots of magic permeated the air.