Thank you all so much for the reviews and messages about the last chapter. I love that you're all so invested in the characters although many are non canon.
This whole chapter appeared from nowhere but I feel it adds additional depth so I went with it.
Enjoy and review if it pleases you! :)
L'D
xxxxxx
"Belle!" The amazon queen called and Emma watched as the young amazon who had admitted to shooting Red stepped forward and towards the queens. "This is the one that injured your wolf, Majesty." The formal address had returned but Emma overheard a whispered "do not let our discussion influence your actions, Regina," from the blonde queen, audible to only the three of them. Emma ensured her mask was in place as she received another searching look from the amazon monarch.
"Red!" Regina echoed her counterpart's call and the wolf stepped forward, eyeing the young amazon suspiciously, lip curled in a snarl and pointedly revealing a sharpened canine. The guilty young amazon going wide eyed as she caught the flash of fang, her gulp of anxiety both visible and audible as she was held between her sister amazons. "I should just kill her now," the queen sneered, eyeing the girl in question, "nothing can repay me for what you did to my wolf." Red's chest rumbled in agreement.
Emma watched the scene play out, extremely curious to see what the outcome would be.
"The last men who laid hands on one of my pets were tortured with razor sharp wire until they bled out, it took over a day and they suffered greatly," Regina sniffed. "That was the incident your amazon was first involved in," the dark queen casually informed the amazon queen who paled at the revelation.
"But you! You nearly killed My wolf," Regina roared, incensed as she remembered the panic and worry she had experienced when she had felt that flicker in Red's life force. "The wolf that has been in my employ since she was a girl, not a slave who has been here mere weeks," a glance was sent towards Emma before returning to the amazon girl who had fallen to her knees before the dark queen.
A murmur of shock went through the amazons as the dark queen grabbed Belle's throat and lifted her effortlessly off the floor so the girl was dangling from the queen's grasp like a toy. Regina's magic was racing through her body, barely in check as she snarled at the girl.
"Your life is forfeit, it it now belongs to my wolf and she will treat you how she pleases," no-one was more shocked by the decree than Red as the girl was tossed towards the wolf. "However, you may not kill her until I deem her debt to me repaid," Regina added which both relieved and horrified the amazon queen in equal measure. How could life be so cheap to her friend?
"I will discuss full terms with your queen, leave us!" The doors to the throne room crashed open and wind howled through the massive chamber. A clear dismissal, Emma thought as her hair whipped around her face, skin chilled by the wind.
A moment later and Emma observed that only seven remained. The two queens, Emma, Red, Greta, the amazon girl and the dark haired warrior had come to stand beside the blonde queen
"Pup, take her away until I summon you. The adults need to talk," Regina sneered.
"Yes, Mistress," Greta acknowledged the command. "Where shall I take her? The dungeon?" Belle squealed in a very un-amazon like fashion when the young wolf snapped her teeth and growled right by the girl's ear, eyes yellowing and making her wolfen heritage known to all present. Regina had to try very hard to hold back a laugh at the action.
"Pup! Behave!" She had to growl for appearances sake but both Red and Emma caught the slight lift at the corner of their mistresses mouth.
"My apologies, Mistress," Greta murmured, suitably cowed by the reprimand and cursing herself that she had showed the queen up in front of visitors. Stupid, stupid wolf!
"I will deal with you later," the dark queen growled and Emma's sex clenched at the thought of how she may choose to punish the attractive young wolf and wondered if she would be involved in any way. "Yes, take her to the dungeon, she can have Red's cell until you are free to educate her. If you do not require it, wolfstime is fast approaching?" Regina queried of her wolf. "Or she may have my pet's cell as she should not be requiring it," dark eyes turned to Emma who bowed her head in acknowledgement.
"No, Mistress. If I require my cell at least I will have company," Red's ruby lips flashed sharpened teeth in a wolfish grin, suitably terrifying the young amazon.
"That you will, my wolf," Regina chuckled, noting how the whole conversation was affecting the amazon queen. "Go, I have much to discuss," the queen waved her hand. "The young ones are such a handful," she muttered as Greta escorted Belle to the dungeon.
"They are," the amazon queen replied with a sigh. "Which is why I wish to discuss the terms of Belle's punishment with you."
"Come!" Regina waved her arm and encompassed those around her. "Let us take this somewhere more private and more comfortable."
"Yes, that would be preferable," the amazon queen agreed and Regina eyed the dark haired warrior with suspicion. "My consort will be accompanying me, Regina," she confirmed before the dark queen could comment, her tone surprisingly authoritative despite being on away from her own territory.
"As you wish," Regina conceded, eyes narrowed as she took stock of the capable looking amazon her friend had laid claim to. "Then come," the party followed the dark queen into a luxurious room close to the throne room. It was new territory to Emma who quickly scanned the room but Red seemed relaxed so she followed the wolf's lead.
"Make yourselves comfortable, we have a lot to discuss and time to kill before tonight's banquet," the dark queen gestured for her guests to take a seat in any of the plush chairs surrounding the low chaise lounge style couch Regina chose for herself. A click of fingers and Emma was summoned to her mistresses side, kneeling as indicated in front but slightly to the side of the queen's position, still easily in reach of the queen. The amazon and her consort chose separate seats, facing Regina, positions chosen to re-enforce the amazon queen's autonomy no doubt, Regina mused.
"So, Gabrielle. How have you managed to tame the conqueror of nations?" The queen began but was interrupted when Emma spluttered and began to choke on hearing the amazon's name. They had to be fucking kidding? No, this had to be some sort of game, didn't it? "Pet?" Regina scowled, the lack of grace from her pet concerning.
"My apologies, Mistress," Emma murmured. "Another tale I have heard." The slave attempted to communicate telepathically and when she saw her mistresses eyes widen believed she had been successful. Red was on high alert, hand hovering over the hilt of her sword.
"I was defeated by her feminine wiles," the warrior rumbled, blue eyes glinting with unexpected humour.
"Of which she has many," Regina tilted her head in acknowledgement, seeing if she could bait the warrior.
"She does," was the only response and Regina left it alone for the time being. The nations had never come into direct conflict and she trusted Gabrielle's judgement on such matters. "But be warned, if you ever move against my kingdom I will end you!" The room shimmered with magic as the dark queen issued her warning.
"My conquering days are over, Majesty," the warrior's dark head bowed and white teeth were bared in what could pass as a smile. "Your kingdom can only be successfully ruled by one with magic so it has never been of interest to me." The answer fascinated Emma as much as the two women sitting opposite. They looked very little like the characters she had seen on TV but the general descriptions matched. The warrior was darker skinned and obviously had some asian heritage but the blue eyes were true to form, intelligent and missing nothing. The amazon queen, Gabrielle, was actually rather petite, lightly muscled with a fine bone structure not unlike the faye girl, Emma thought as she once again caught those green eyes on her.
"Pet, some wine," Regina sat back and waited for her slave to serve the drinks which she did, swiftly and efficiently. "Wolf, sit. Your fidgeting is annoying me," the queen ordered and although Red was surprised she took one of the spare chairs and the wine her mistress gestured Emma to serve her.
"Tell me about the girl. Why didn't you bring her to me sooner?" Regina got straight to the point and her friend sighed but Emma and Red were confused.
"She has been no trouble until recently," Gabrielle sighed. "But every now and then something happens and Belle is always in the middle of it."
"She's been cursed," Regina stated bluntly and the amazon queen nodded.
"Yes, I believe that she has. She's been with us over a year now but we still know very little of where she was before. A patrol found her wandering on the border and she has no memory of her life before that day." Gabrielle frowned, it troubled her.
"I sense she has magic in her, but it is not her own natural magic. If I were to make an educated guess I would say that the Imp has had his hands on her," Regina informed her friend.
"That never ends well," the warrior growled. "He cannot be trusted."
"Indeed," Regina agreed. "I shall see if I can deduce what he has done. Is there anything else that may be helpful in my diagnosis?"
"Belle wanders at night, she has no recollection of leaving her barracks and no-one ever sees her leave. It's troubling and at first I thought she may be a spy -." Gabrielle sighed. "But she is a genuine girl, a bit clumsy and full of foolish youth but not a malicious soul."
"Well, she is in Red's care now. Wolf, given this revelation I'm afraid I can't let you kill her. But had I not detected the magic she would be strung up by now for the injuries caused, am I clear on this" Regina hissed at her guests.
"Crystal, Regina," the amazon queen agreed, disappointed in her friend's bloodthirsty ways but resigned to them.
"Wolf?"
"I understand, Mistress," Red nodded her agreement. She could sympathise with coming to terms with ones magic but to have no clue how it got there -. Magic was sacred to her race and the wolf shuddered at the thought of being invaded in that way. The queen was the only exception.
"Pet."
"Mistress?" Emma raised her head and looked to her queen.
"You will take over supervision of the pup's training as discussed and Red may use the amazon girl to assist her. I assume she is literate?" The question was directed to the amazon queen.
"Yes, passably but it is not her forte," Gabrielle confirmed, very pleasantly surprised at how reasonable her friend was now being. She always did have a soft spot for those with magic and other lost souls that appealed to her younger self but it was a side she kept well hidden these days.
"You may use your girl as you wish, wolf. You've earned the privilege," the dark queen decreed and her words shocked both Red and Emma. The amazon queen also looked disapproving.
"Mistress?" Red spoke up, her confusion obvious.
"Yes?" Regina looked to her pet.
"What if I do not wish to?" It was a loaded question. Being given free range by the queen to fuck the girl was one thing but it also meant that Red was no longer required to be faithful to the queen.
"Then you may seek my company," the queen replied, much to Red's relief. Emma could only agree. Who would choose to bed an unskilled teenager over their mistress? Unless it was to break and train her. Emma mused, that thought not unappealing, the girl was reasonably attractive.
"Thank you, Mistress," Red murmured, extremely anxious over the turn of events. Had the queen tired of her?
"Oh do not look so saddened!" Regina snorted. "I must loosen the reins on my heir one of these days!" Red choked on the mouthful of wine she had just sipped.
"Mistress?" The wolf squeaked and Regina chuckled at the looks of shock on the faces surrounding her. "Well, should I not bear one of my own but that is impossible." The queen stated bluntly. She was infertile? Emma deducted from her words. "You will need one with access to magic as your second but I believe I have found a possible candidate. We will discuss the matter another time, in private."
"Yes, of course Mistress," Red had managed to clear her throat but she'd had no idea-
"An excellent choice, Regina," the amazon queen congratulated her friend . "Your kingdom unites under the wolf tribes and Red is their Alpha."
"What if she is challenged?" The warrior butted in. "Wolves follow the strongest. I hear stories of rogue wolves challenging for leadership of packs."
"A none issue," Regina reassured those present. "The kingdom's constitution states that only the current ruler may choose their successor. Red has been chosen and her lineage may continue the line if she so wishes." Emma looked to Red who was looking totally overwhelmed. "You may leave us now," Regina released her wolf who seemed genuinely shocked by the news. Had she not guessed that was why she was given so much responsibility and trained so hard and long?
"Yes, Mistress. Thank you," Red stood and brushed her palms over the front of her leather pants, pushing out imaginary creases as she composed herself. "Majesties," a formal bow and she left the room. As soon as she was out her forehead came to rest on the cool stone. What had just happened? She wasn't all that much younger than the queen, ten years maybe, so why? The queen was barren, that much Red knew. She never bled like other women and it wasn't just her magic, she had heard stories but-. But maybe it was fortuitous that the amazon queen was here? Her mistress was stubborn but Red doubted the blonde queen would miss the interactions between Emma and her mistress.
Regina felt her wolf loitering outside the door.
"Excuse me," the queen rose and left the room, surprising her guests and leaving them alone with Emma.
"Wolf?" Red had heard her mistresses steps coming towards her but didn't look up, preferring to keep her eyes closed, focused on her thoughts.
"Mistress?" Red finally looked up and into those intoxicating brown eyes and both women were thrown back to the time they first made such contact.
Xxxxx
Next on The Collar
"My Queen!" Braxas burst into the throne room and as this was not his usual style of entrance Regina waved him closer. "Majesty, a situation has come to our attention but we should move quickly," he murmured into her ear. "It is one of our own, held captive in the White Kingdom." The words were enough for her to be off the throne and striding across the throne room, her captain at her side.
"How far in?" Regina queried as they walked, towards the stables.
"Not far, only a mile of so from the border, the local pack heard it and sent a messenger , they didn't want to act without your permission, Things could get nasty, My Queen."
"Summon the alpha pack," Regina commanded. " We ride out now!"