Thanks as always for the reviews :) I know that I have opened up as many plot lines as I have closed recently but everything raised in your comments will be addressed in time. Some things I want to cover have to fit into a certain time frame in the sq relationship so please be patient, everything is however designed to strengthen their bond whether obviously or not.
Glad to see so many new followers and thank you to those who may not appreciate the darker elements but enjoy the story for sticking with me.
Xxx
"Do not think that I have needed you," the queen retorted, releasing the slave and striding to the door way. "I have been very well taken care of by my other pets. That young wolf is proving to be a quick learner, she takes the lash well," Regina purposely baited the slave.
"I am glad, Mistress. I eagerly await the time when you deem me fit to resume my duties. If it pleases you," Emma replied, knowing exactly what her mistress was trying to do.
"If I deem you worthy," tossed casually over the queen's shoulder as she left the room and Emma fell back on the pillows, considering the queen's words. What would happen if the queen had already replaced her with Greta, the wolf was beautiful and eager to please, to learn.
xxxx
Regina exited her bedchamber and sat by the fire in her usual chair, a finger beckoning to Red who was fidgeting as she waited for news of Emma's recovery
"How is she, Mistress?" She had purposely not eavesdropped despite her wolf hearing having the capability.
"Be still!" The queen hissed and Red stopped pacing and dropped to her knees in front of her mistress. A glare at the wolf caused Red to drop her eyes, feeling guilty that she had added to the stress her mistress was under.
"Sorry, Mistress," the wolf mumbled her apology before looking up hopefully, still wanting to hear how Emma was doing.
"She seems well, there was a little problem with her memory but I have seen to that," Regina sighed and leaned back against her chair, patting her knee in indication that Red should rest her head there. The wolf obliged and enjoyed the attention from her mistress, it calmed them both and she knew Emma was the same. "But, she will be attending the trade banquet with me so she must rest now." This surprised the wolf but she would never question her mistress. If the queen wanted Emma with her then she would have her favoured pet with by her side even thought he banquet was set for the day after tomorrow.
It was so frustrating for Red not to be able to discuss the queens' feelings for Emma with her mistress but that would be a conversation that would not end well for the wolf. So instead they sat quietly until Greta returned with the food she had been sent for. Regina was extremely pleased with how the young wolf had been behaving since being allowed to join her harem. She was still a novice compared to Red or Emma when it came to sexual games but then training a slave was also very satisfying for her especially one as keen to learn and naturally talented as the wolf girl.. Breaking them though, Regina smiled and Red shuddered at a particularly hard scratch, breaking a new slave was very, very, pleasurable.
Both Regina and Red watched as Greta carefully placed down a tray heavily laden with food, the queen reaching forward and piling one of the plates with a small selection of food, bread, fruit and some lean meat.
"Make sure she eats all of this, if not immediately then before noon," she instructed and held the plate out for the young wolf to take.
"Yes, Mistress," Greta bobbed into a curtsey and took the proffered plate and backed away from the queen before disappearing into the other room.
Emma had been dozing but struggled to sit as the noise of the plate being set down on the stand by the bed disturbed her, then watching as the young wolf straightened the bed covers.
"You are to eat," Greta informed the slave as she placed the tray on the bed for the slave to eat from.
"Here?" Emma questioned, brows raised in disbelief causing Greta to frown, looking back towards the main chamber, unsure.
Wait!" A stern finger was pointed at the blonde who managed not to smirk, too much, at the attempted authority, instead finding the energy for a cheeky two fingered salute.
"Mistress?" Greta trotted back through to the queen but Emma was now alert and could hear the conversation although it was muted.
"Yes?" Regina looked up from the ledger she had been reading and looked at the young wolf, brows raised.
"I, um, Emma, no I wish to know where Emma should eat. It seems inappropriate for her to eat in your bed, Mistress," Greta stumbled but eventually managed to find the words to convey her question.
"Indeed it does but for this one time it will be permitted. You shall change the bed when Emma bathes after eating and resting. Then she will move to her own bed," Regina waved the girl away and Greta dashed back to Emma.
"It's Ok, I heard," a nod from the pup and Emma began to pick at the food she had been given. It was all the finest quality as usual but her appetite was lacking. After only a few mouthfuls she fell back against the plush pillows, exhausted.
"Have you finished?" Greta asked, surprised by how little the blonde had eaten. She could usually keep up with the wolves portion wise which was saying a lot for a human.
"Yeah, I'm done," Emma pushed the plate away from her and Greta darted forward to move it off the bed.
"You have to eat it all before noon, you know?" The wolf informed her patient who narrowed her eyes. "Queen's orders!" Greta held her hands up in self-defence and Emma sighed, knowing that leaving any food was not really an option so unwillingly pulled the plate forward again and forced herself to eat half of what was left, the rest would have to wait as she was beginning to feel nauseous.
"I can't -," the plate pushed away again and Greta noticed the slave was a little pale.
"Are you alright?" The wolf was a little worried now the slave looked really -. "Emma!" Greta cried out as the blonde practically fell out of the bed, scrambling for the bathroom as her stomach rebelled. She didn't' even make it as far as the doorway before it emptied itself on the floor of the queen's bedchamber.
As soon as Greta had cried out Regina was on her feet, Red following as they went to investigate.
"Well -," Regina curled her lip in disgust as she came across her slave kneeling on the floor next to a pool of her own vomit. A wave of her hand and that mess was thankfully cleaned up but it just left the slave to be dealt with. "That was unfortunate," a sniff and she held her hand out, Red interpreting it as a request for a towel which she quickly retrieved and passed to her mistress. Regina tossed the cloth down to her slave who weakly managed to wipe her mouth.
Even as Regina watched her pet clean herself up she was amazed when the blonde struggled to her knees.
"I am so, so sorry, Mistress," green eyes looked up to the queen's and waited to receive her punishment.
"So you should be," Regina sniffed again as she appraised her pet, the pointed toe of her boot flicking out to nudge the slave who rocked a little unsteadily before managing to hold her position. A frown as she realised another route may need to be taken regarding her pet's recovery. "Red, lift her back into the bed," at that Emma turned panicked eyes to her mistress and tried to stand.
"Do not even think about it," Red growled as she swooped in and scooped up the blonde's gangly limbs before she could offer any further protest, a very severe glare from the queen quelling further protest from the slave. The wolf plopped her load down on top of the bed covers and Greta darted around until she had manoeuvred the blonde under the furs.
Emma was mortified, yes she was weak but being treated like a child in front of the queen was -.
"Open," Emma blinked as the queen appeared by the side of the bed, mysterious glowing bottle in hand. The look the queen was giving her made the blonde drop her jaw immediately, still extremely embarrassed over the vomit incident. "Swallow." Emma made sure to swallow everything in her mouth, thankfully the potion of whatever it was had little taste and she didn't gag again. "Now you will sleep," Regina proclaimed and as her pet was about to protest green eyes drooped and closed, body relaxing into slumber.
"Well, that was eventful," Regina sniffed before turning to leave.
"Pup, she is to have one potion," a click of the queen's fingers and a rack of identical potions appeared by the bed. "One every three hours. Then tomorrow she should be strong enough to eat solid food." Regina reached out and laid her hand across the blonde's forehead and frowned when she detected a fever. "She is not to leave this bed, understood?" She barked at Greta who was to be left in charge again.
"Yes, Mistress," the young wolf replied looking equal parts proud and terrified with the charge.
"Come, we have an Amazon to see," Regina stalked from the room, Red on her heels as they made their way to the dungeons. When they arrived at the palace's more exclusive cells the guards on duty stood to attention and saluted as the queen and Red passed them by. Regina only ever permitted her royal guard to monitor these particular cells as it was where the most nefarious or valuable prisoners were kept
"So." Regina smiled to herself as the amazon scrambled to her feet, raising a brow as she saluted the queen and stood behind the bars, hands behind her back as though ready for inspection. And inspect the queen did, noting the ragged appearance and dark circles under the woman's eyes.
"How is Emma?" Was blurted out before a desperate hand clasped over rebellious lips and the young guard dropped to her knees, head bowed, submitting to any punishment her queen decided to deliver upon her. Regina inhaled as she studied the repentant woman before turning to her wolf for her assessment. Red could only shrug, Thera was loyal but that loyalty was more than a little displaced, mistress should come before slave.
"She lives," Regina sniffed. "But I am still in doubt as to whether you helped me to find her or prevented me from finding her sooner," the monarch debated. "You found the item that allowed me to trace her but had that been left where it was my wolves could have found that much sooner. Do you have anything to say, hmmm?" The queen's tone was far too mild to be genuine and fear fluttered across the amazon's features but she rose to her feet and looked the queen in the eye before addressing her.
"It was on the very edge of the river, Majesty and may have been washed away with further rain but I cannot be certain. I will gladly forfeit my life if you believe that my actions hindered Emma's actions in any way."
Regina met the woman's, no girls gaze, she was placed in age between Emma and Red, still full of the foolhardy righteousness of youth. And an amazon, honourable to a fault. She did not need to hear more so swept from the narrow cell lined corridor without further word, leaving her prisoner non the wiser to her fate.
"That woman disturbs me," Regina muttered to her wolf, words low but easy for her pet to decipher.
"I agree, Mistress. Such loyalty is misplaced and could be dangerous if Emma -," Red didn't' finish her sentence, not wanting to upset her queen. Regina knew exactly what her wolf was getting at. If Emma ever decided to leave she would have an able assistant, the amazons were excellent hunters and trackers and could easily travel undetected.
"She will be suitably punished," Regina stated, an idea forming in her mind and a wicked smile accompanied the thought.
"As always, Mistress," Red deferred, knowing the lengths the queen would go to to ensure her balance of power was maintained. "And what about the other matter?"
"We shall attend to that now," the queen replied as they made their way back through the hallways of the palace. "I believe you arranged an audience?"
"I did, Mistress," Red confirmed with a nod, and the queen smiled.
"Then let us see what is to be said."
The pair proceeded to the queen's study, the audience was to be a private one so no need to use the throne room.
"Send them in," Regina was seated behind her desk, high backed chair framing her as Red opened the doors and ushered in her 'guests'. "Lord Archard, what is your business?" The queen enquired, sitting back in her chair, elbows resting on the arms and fingers steepled as she observed the man standing in front of her.
"I only wished to ask after the well-being of our rescuer," the man stood tall and confidently in front of his queen. He was one of Regina's more favoured nobles, a handsome but shrewd man who adhered to a very similar code of business as the queen. " Forgive me but it has been hard to avoid the palace gossip, Your Majesty. The hallways are full of news of her safe return."
"Safe?" Regina hissed, slamming her hands down on the desk as she shot to her feet. "She barely survived!" The lord baulked at the queen's sudden display of temper.
"And I am deeply sorry for the whole series of events, Majesty and I am aware that I owe you and our saviour a debt. We owe her our lives and I wish to offer recompense to both you and your subject. Please, name anything and it is yours." Regina slowly lowered herself back into her seat as she contemplated the offer.
"I will accept the debt and reclaim it when I see fit. As for your saviour I will arrange a meeting when she has recovered," Regina replied, already thinking of ways to turn this to her full advantage.
"Thank you, Majesty. I look forward to discussing further business with you at the appropriate time," the lord bowed and when the queen dismissed him with an idle wave of her hand, he left.
"Red?" The wolf gave the proposal some thought.
"Useful leverage, Mistress. But Emma?" she asked the obvious question. How can a slave be rewarded?
"Oh, do not worry, wolf. I have some ideas of how to proceed," Regina confirmed, relaxing back into her chair.
"Of course you do, Mistress," Red smirked and they exchanged a look.
Xxxxxx
Next on The Collar
"Sorry, Mistress. I just feel so bad about being here, in bed, where I am unable to fulfil my duties." Regina sensed only genuine fact in the words, no pandering.
"As am I, pet. But tonight I have need of your services. Wear the green dress and your hair up, the way I like," the queen ordered and Emma blinked, it was the first time her mistress had ever expressed a preference regarding her hair. "I want it clear who holds your allegiance" Ah, she wanted the collar visible, Emma concluded, of course that was it.