Ok, so all the thanks and smiles for the number and depth of reviews for the last chapter but a point or two to mention. Emma is Not pregnant, simply unused to eating from being passed out. Interesting thought but I doubt Regina is ready to be a baby mummy or leave Emma alone long enough for it to be safe to carry a baby. As for Eva, the next chapter or so goes more to explaining her purpose and the origin of her name and other features.
Swan Queen is moving forward and the motivations for coming events will be explained shortly so don't be too concerned if I seem to be deviating a little. It's all part of the plan but there are certain things I wish to cover with this fiction and have always had them intertwined with the plot.
Enjoy and hit me up with any questions you may have. Reviews are good too ;)
xxx
"Here," a startled look as a cold weight was pressed into her palm. "This may be strapped to your thigh, concealed." Emma looked down in disbelief at the small but finely crafted dagger she had been handed. "I will have the wolves but experience has taught me never to be unprepared. Oh -," Regina placed a finger under the slave's chin and pushed it to an unnatural angle. "It will not harm its mistress," she cautioned the slave. "It may even curse the person who is so foolish."
"I understand, Mistress," Emma replied, knowing exactly what the queen referred to, just not the form the curse would take but she would never chance to find out. "May I?"
"You may," Regina watched as the weapon was deftly strapped to her pet's thigh, the leather strap expertly adjusted so that the weapon was invisible under her dress.
"Then we shall go,"
xxx
The queen liked to make an entrance, Red mused as she walked with Greta behind Emma, who was proceeded by the queen. They made an imposing picture as they entered the hall. The queen had selected a dress several shades darker than her pet's, the colour better suited to her duskier complexion. Red and Greta brought up the rear of the party, both wolves wearing dresses identical to Emma's, Red in black silk, Greta in white and both wolves had long daggers strapped to their waists, adding to the intimidating image as they advanced, sharpened teeth barely peeking over their bottom lips but more than human.
"Pet, I expect you to perform your usual duties tonight," the queen warned.
"Yes, Mistress," Emma replied.
"But, if you feel as though you may embarrass me by showing weakness you are to take this," another vial was pressed into the slaves hand and she quickly secreted in the knife holster.
"You know what to do," Regina purred as they reached their destination.
"Yes, Mistress," all three young women confirmed and set their game faces as the queen's guard opened the arching double doors.
Regina surveyed her subjects as she entered the smaller banqueting hall, the gathering not overly large but it was influential. Here were the queen's most loyal and favoured nobility, those that had pleased her and supported her reign, some from the old kingdom, some appointed by herself but all relatively trusted individuals. Men and women stood as their monarch arrived, bowing or curtseying as appropriate as she entered the room.
"Lord Archard," Regina instructed her wolf who bowed her head and cut swiftly through the crowd to the man in question.
"My Queen," the lord bowed deeply before smiling at the queen. "Beautiful as always," Regina rolled her eyes as her hand was kissed by the undoubtedly attractive man. Emma tensed at the physical contact and narrowed her eyes, on full alert. Although the blonde didn't show it externally, she was put out by the man's familiarity and favour with her mistress. She was not the only one, Greta let out a threatening rumble before a sideways glare from Red silenced her. "I am sorry if my admiration for your mistress upsets you," he turned a charming smile on the young wolf who simply bared her teeth.
"My apologies, Asher," Regina smiled, "she is enthusiastic but in the early stages of her training."
"Well, she is another exquisite addition, Your Majesty," he replied, curious eyes roving over the younger wolf. "As is your new slave," now his eyes turned to Emma who was standing just off the queen's right shoulder, her customary position. "She is extremely beautiful and I am sure, very talented?" He chuckled.
"Oh, extremely," Regina joined in with a smirk. "You have no idea. Maybe a demonstration later? What do you think, pet?" The question directed at Emma.
"Whatever pleases you, Mistress," Emma replied, looking the man in the eye but not conveying her true feelings on the matter. It had been a long time since she had been forced to touch a man sexually but if she had to again, she would. After all she had given up that right when she had taken the collar.
"Your Majesty, I have someone I wish you to meet," Regina raised a brow, curious as the lord searched the crowd with his eyes before a summoning wave was executed. "May I present my daughter, Eva," he bowed and the young girl that had appeared from the crowd performed a delicate curtsey before standing demurely in front of the royal party, hands clasped in front of her, eyes down.
Regina smiled at the girl, a pretty red-head of around seventeen or eighteen.
"Aren't you a pretty little thing," the queen purred, running appreciative eyes over the girl and her three pets had to agree. Her features were refined but not too delicate to dismiss her into the realm of simply being attractive, there was more to her than that and it seemed to have caught the queen's eye.
"Look at me, dear," Regina commanded, reaching out to tip the girl's chin upwards. "Oh, my!" The queen smiled as the girl looked up.
"An unusual feature, my Queen," Archard murmured.
"Indeed, her mother?" Regina queried, knowing the lord's wife had passed several years ago.
"Yes," the group watched as the queen pressed her palm against the girl's breastbone.
"Hmmm, interesting," Regina murmured but made no further comment. Emma wondered what the queen had detected, the girl did indeed have curious golden eyes, maybe some magic in her? Wolf? She didn't know very much about the other races that lived in this world, a book perhaps?
"Ah, My Queen?" The lord straightened. "The other matter? I would very much like to -." a raised hand cut him off.
"Yes, of course," Regina smiled before turning to Emma. "Pet, these are the people you so heroically saved from their carriage." It was a toss up between who was more shocked, Emma or the lord who was standing there, mouth agape. "He wishes to reward you," the queen chuckled. "Archard, you are very lucky I haven't killed you for the inconvenienceyou caused me."
Your Majesty!" The man apologised. "I had no idea our rescuer was your personal slave, I had assumed she was simply -." He finished as comprehension dawned and gave a nervous chuckle. "Ah, the palace gossip mongers were tight lipped on that one... but why else would you have been out in a storm -," he tailed off nervously.
"Indeed. But, as the accident was just that, an accident. My pet here holds a misplaced sense of nobility so you are not being held responsible," Regina decreed magnanimously.
"Lucky me," Archard replied drily but his tone made it clear that he was mocking himself. "I am pleased to see your slave looking so well after what must have been a traumatic ordeal."But my offer still stands, My Queen. However given the circumstances please act as you see fit." A bow.
"It is a very good job I enjoyed your wife's company so much," the queen purred, leaving very little to the imagination.
"And she enjoyed yours, My Queen," Archard replied with a smile. "I am sure it was a welcome break from my own."
"Indeed, come sit with by me for dinner." Emma was still surprised and off balance by the, well friendliness the queen was showing this Archard character and her own involvement in his rescue, she wondered how the rest of the night was to pan out but was distracted when the queen strode to her throne like chair at the head of the table,"Be seated," Regina waved her hand as she settled herself in her seat, Archard and his daughter on either side much to the disgruntlement of the other guests but no-one would dare question their ruler on her choice.
A click of the her mistresses fingers and the slave dropped gracefully to her knees on the cushion located on the queen's right side, Red and Greta positioned to either side of her chair but a pace or so back.
"Good girl," a light hand came to rest on the blonde's hair but then she was ignored as the queen lorded over the banquet. Emma had been studying their guests intently, not missing the looks, both open a covert, thrown her way, the slave meeting each one dismissively but not missing the compliments paid to her mistress over the fine quality and beauty of her pets.
It had been a relatively peaceful evening so far, minor bickering among some of the lower lords but a stern glance from the queen had quelled these. They were relatively trusted individuals, all having earned their posts via demonstrations of loyalty to their queen. However, it was the first time Lord Archard had bought his daughter to such an event and Regina was intrigued, she was a beautiful girl, very much like her mother had been but unfortunately she had passed a few years ago, a bed mate the queen missed.
Ever since she had been received by the queen Emma had felt the girl's eyes on her. She could feel them now as the she knelt by her queen's feet, delicately accepting morsels of food from her mistress, strong white teeth taking each piece and chewing it slowly, bringing attention to her mouth. Regina was very pleased with her pet's behaviour, she was unobtrusive but everyone present was very aware of her, eyes blatantly studying the blonde slave and Regina noted every one. One set in particular intrigued her but she would see how that played out.
"How is your boy?" Regina queried one her guests were occupied.
"Ah, he proves extremely able and has been promoted to my consort," Archard replied with a smug smile as he took in the queen's surprise.
"And your daughter?" Regina was curious about how the girl had reacted to having her mother replaced by a charming, attractive but definitely male companion.
"They are good friends, Majesty. No ill will is borne between them," he confirmed with an affectionate glance towards the girl in question. "Indeed they conspire towards what they believe to be best for my continued well-being. Don't you my dear Eva?"
"Well, papa, if we did not you would barely leave you bedchamber," she replied with a roll of her eyes, the response making the queen consider her more carefully. She was not the shy, demure girl Regina had first assumed.
"Yes if I did not know better I would assume you were courting my boy," her father teased only to receive a raised brow in return. Emma envied their relationship, it was obvious they cared deeply for one another. Regina felt her pet shift and laid a settling hand on golden locks, her fingers scratching gently on the slave's scalp. Emma relaxed under the touch and wondered how her mistress read her so well, it was just another thing that drew her to the queen.
When dinner was almost over and the guests were simply talking over goblets of wine Regina .
spoke quietly to Archard.
"The usual entertainment is available, Asher" she informed him, "but I do not think it suitable for your daughter."
"Of course not, your Majesty," he agreed, thinking to the titillating shows the queen arranged; some of the local whores, both male and female, to put on for the visiting gentry. They were paid extremely well for their services and everyone gained something from such events.
"She does however seem to be taking a great deal of interest in my slave." Regina murmured to him.
"She does, Majesty." The lord nodded, having noticed this himself. "It's not a new thing, she also has her preferences among her handmaidens," he informed the queen in a whisper. "Perhaps she would appreciate some guidance on the matter?"
"This is why I like you, sex is nothing to be ashamed of." Regina sighed, happy the lord had taken absolutely no convincing to allow her some alone time with his daughter.
"It is not, My Queen. But, she is young and inexperienced." He cautioned. "I wish her to be married someday if she finds a match." Regina smiled at the man, he showed women proper respect and had always intended to allow his daughter to choose her spouse, male or possibly female it now seemed.
"My slaves are clean," Regina confirmed, "and I make a promise that she will be returned to you in sound body and mind if she accepts my offer." Archard looked thoughtful but then nodded his consent.
"Please, but she must choose this, Majesty, of her own free will," her friend qualified. He knew exactly what the queen did for pleasure and was not going to let his daughter be used and broken for her amusement but if she showed an interest -. she was old enough to make her own decisions.
"Alright Asher, you have a deal," Regina swore and they clasped hands, the queen's magic sealing it. "Have fun," she called after him as he led the other men and women out of the room, leaving the queen alone with her pets and his daughter.
"Up." Regina commanded her slave and the blonde stood next to her, the younger girl eyes watching every movement. "She is beautiful, isn't she? "Regina questioned.
"Yes, very," the girl answered after clearing her throat. She seemed very nervous.
"Your father tells me you seem to have a preference for women?" The queen enquired politely, as though she were asking the girl's favourite colour. At that the girl blushed and looked down.
"I do," she mumbled, eventually looking up to meet knowing eyes.
"As do I," Regina confirmed as she ran her palm up the back of her pet's thigh until she was cupping the blonde's buttock, then kneading it gently. Emma moaned at the touch. It felt really good to have the queen's hands on her. "As does my pet."
"Your father has given me permission to discuss this further with you, in my private chambers. If you wish?" The girl hesitated, she had heard the rumours about the queen's brutality but she seemed nice and she was so curious about -, about women and their bodies and her own -.
"I promised to return you to him in sound body and mind," Regina smiled. "He would not see you be forced into anything you did not consent to." The girl nodded, seemingly relived. "I can answer any questions you may have, as can my pet." That caught the girls interest and her eyes flashed the blonde. "Can't you, my dear?"
"Yes, Mistress," Emma answered, holding the queen's captivating brown eyes for a second before turning her attention to the girl. Regina noted her interest and saw the rare spark in those green eyes, one she now recognised as the slave's dominant side showing itself, it seemed they saw the same thing.
"Will you accompany me to my rooms?" The girl nodded.
"If you wish, Your Majesty," the girl bobbed her head in deference to her queen.
"I wish." Regina smiled at the girl who smiled shyly back.
Xxxx
Next on The Collar
"So, do you have any questions, dear?" Regina asked, raising a brow at the girl. "You may speak candidly and without fear of upsetting me," she added, noting the way she was biting her lip in hesitation.
"Does she do whatever you ask?"
"She does."
"Anything?"
"Pet?"
"Anything, Mistress," Emma murmured, looking up to meet the queen's eye.