It's been far too long I know. Don't you just hate it when authors don't update for ages? ;) Thanks to all of you who have politely pestered me over the past months to update, it has kept me motivated and the story on my mind. No excuses, just real life demanding my attention pretty much constantly. New and exiting developments in the near future plot-wise and my time has freed up a lot so be getting those to you soon. Xx
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"Look, there's Red!" Belle pointed out, the first to spot the older wolf sprinting across the grass towards where they hid.
"But what's that?" Greta was more concerned by the black mass racing low over the palace walls and headed directly to where the queen and Emma had just appeared. As it passed over Red's head the wolf whirled to track its flight, a glance at where she saw the girls watching, safe for now, before changing her course and running back to the palace, shifting as she did, her goal was several hundred paces away and whatever it was, it was moving fast!
Xxxx
Emma baulked but held her ground, the queen had invited who or whatever this was to her kingdom, the slave hoping there would be no threat. The air pressure increasing almost unbearably as the dark mist cleared to reveal raven black wings, folding back to reveal the perfectly poised faye queen, Maleficent.
"Greetings, my friend," Regina stepping forward to embrace the faye. "I apologise for calling you here but due to recent events it is best I stay close to my palace."
"Yes, I was aware of Snow's presence," Maleficent frowning as she spoke. "Are you well?" The concern was genuine, Regina smiling at the consideration.
"Yes, an unfortunate incident but the royal idiots have been banished, though I anticipate further action, Emma has denounced her heritage but -," Regina waving her dismissal of the subject.
"Ah, I see," Maleficent turning her attention to Emma, head cocking to one side.
"Emma took the brunt of an attack on me and it has -, complicated matters somewhat," Regina sighed, eyeing her pet who stood straight backed under Maleficent's scrutiny, then to the massive wolf that had just reached them. "Red," the queen's hand falling into thick fur in greeting as Red came to sit by her mistress, almost as tall as the queen when sitting, tongue lolling slightly after her short sprint.
"A turbulent day then, my friend," Maleficent concluding.
"Indeed, I have matters I wish to discuss with you, in private," Regina raising a brow at her friend. "But first I have someone I wish you to meet." Maleficent was understandably curious, waiting for further explanation from her friend. "A few moments," Regina communicating telepathically with Red, the wolf dashing off immediately. "Please, come to my study where we can relax and gain some privacy."
At those words Emma glanced around and saw many of the non-guarded vantage points taken by the palace's inhabitants, eyes agog at the faye queen.
"Hmm, yes. I do not perform well under such scrutiny," Maleficent chuckled, a warm, deep sound that Emma found strangely comforting.
"Although, I do not think it is just you they stare at," Regina sighed. "Pet," the queen turned her attention to the slave, "your heritage is now known to all here. The news has spread faster than a wildfire it seems."
"Ahh," Emma exhaled, frowning as she narrowed her eyes, looking at their audience in a new light. "How do you wish me to approach this, Mistress?" The blonde deferring to the queen, as always.
"One moment," Regina holding up her forefinger until the door to her study was closed firmly behind them. "Let us sit," a gesture of the queen's hand bade Maleficent to sit in a low backed but comfortable looking chair, the faye queen able to arrange her wings comfortably around it. "Do you require food?"
"No, my friend," Maleficent smiling warmly. "The flight was long and fast but not taxing on my reserves, in fact, I thoroughly enjoyed it! It is not often that I get summoned."A teasing wink lightening the comment.
"I can imagine," Regina retorting, her mood not as light as it usually was in her friend's company.
"What has happened for you to seek my counsel again so soon?" Maleficent querying, sensing the shift in Regina's mood as the dark queen settled herself in her favoured chair, motioning Emma to stand before them.
"This one has magic," Regina sighed, hands steepling as she ran her eyes over her pet's body, coming to rest on the contemplative green eyes of the slave.
"I know," the faye queen shrugging casually in response.
"Well it is obvious, now," Regina hissing, the retort petulant but she felt no need to censor her reactions.
"She has always had it, but buried deep. Deeper than even you could sense, my friend," Maleficent acknowledged. "I did not see it as a relevance the last time we met," another shrug. Emma rather impressed by how such a mundane action gained regality, the faye queen's wings echoing the motion.
"And why not?" Regina snarling at the off-hand response. "I, for one, think it a very pertinent fact to be aware of!" The fire roaring higher as the queen's temper flared. Emma inhaling sharply, feeling her own magic spark, Maleficent's eyes snapping to her as it did and the slave now holding extremely still as she was scrutinised by glowing, gold flecked eyes. A sudden knock on the door interrupting the moment.
Xxx
"Come on, Red wants to see us so it must be safe," Greta jumping up and dusting random specks of hay from her bare legs and skirt, her companions doing the same, the young wolf responding to Red's telepathic summons. "Go down first, I shall follow," Greta urging, waiting as first Belle then Miss Eva preceded her down the ladder. "We shall find Red and see what has been going on!"
"I knew the Queen was acquainted with Maleficent but I never expected to see her here," Eva marvelled, never having met her distant relative but knowing her mother had. It felt strange, being so close to one who held such influence over her genetics but being unable to meet her face to face.
"You did?" The comment catching the attention of both slaves but it was Greta who spoke, eyes lighting up with curiosity, the small group pausing to brush errant lengths of hay and straw from their clothing.
"Hold still," Eva reaching out to pluck a seeded piece of hay from Belle's thick chestnut hair.
"Thank you," the amazon smiling shyly at the gesture.
"Well, Red is practically royalty so we cannot have you looking a scruff, now can we?" Greta teasing with an exaggerated wriggle of her eyebrows, Belle flushing before taking a great interest in the hem of her shirt.
"There you are! Hurry up!" Red growling as she came across the three young women dawdling in the barn. "The Queen wishes to see you, Miss Eva. Please hurry," the wolf barely glancing at Greta or Belle in her ire. "It does not do to keep the Queen waiting, let alone two of them," the words muttered under her breath.
"Sorry Red," Greta apologising for them all, "we were scared. The magic -."
"I know," Red sighing as she led the group at a swift jog across the grounds. "I will explain everything as soon as I can but for now go to your room," the wolf ordered. "Belle, wait in my chambers."
"Yes, Mistress Red," the amazon surprised at having been given an explicit instruction.
"You may retire for the night if you wish, I do not know what time I will sleep tonight," Red gazing at the night sky and estimating the hour to be past midnight, the palace still bustling due to the day's turbulent events. "If you would accompany me?" Red asking politely.
"Oh course," Eva was nervous but followed the wolf, both walking swiftly towards the queen's study.
"Enter!" Regina sitting back in her chair as eyes fixed on the door, opening to reveal Red and Eva. Red, now in her human form, bowing and Eva offering the queens a curtsey. "Kneel, Pet," the dark queen gesturing to the floor by the side of her chair.
"What do we have here?" Maleficent was genuinely curious, eyes lighting on Eva, taking in the slight form with great interest.
"Come closer," Regina beckoned, finger crooking to urge the girl forward. Eva obliged, eyes down as she came to stand before the two monarchs.
"Oh!" Maleficent smiled as she sensed her kin in the girl. "Regina?" Politely requesting permission from her friend to engage the girl in conversation. Eva registering the acknowledgement from the dark queen, an almost imperceptible nod of her head, before turning her golden eyes to those of the pure-blooded faye. "You are the daughter of Elizabeth?"
"Yes, she was my mother," Eva replying. Emma was close enough to feel the physical flinch of her mistress as the name was spoken, a tremor also passing down their magical bond, the sensation causing the slave to inhale sharply as she felt the queen's pain, still very bitter it seemed. Emma deciding that now was not the time to study the queen, her mistress was obviously emotionally vulnerable right now and she did not want to do anything to draw attention to the fact. Still, it was good to have a name for the still greatly unknown woman, who had influenced the queen so much.
"I met with her on several occasions, her magic was very strong. Unfortunately, not strong enough to heal her when it became necessary," Maleficent finishing in a whisper. The mood had definitely dropped, Eva and the dark queen dwelling on their loss, Emma and Red picking up on the vibes and not knowing how to step in to help alleviate the tension. "She was well respected in my tribe," Maleficent taking it upon herself to let the moment pass, "I also approved of her match to your father. A good man, for a human," winking at Eva who couldn't help but smile at the un-queenly action.
"I love him, he treats me very well," Eva adding to the praise. "Even Her Majesty finds it possible to tolerate his company," she added cheekily but not daring to glance at the dark queen. Emma heard a light snort of hidden laughter, smiling at the immediate bristling of her mistresses aura.
"Hmm, reeeallly?" A highly arched brow querying the comment, turning to survey the disdainful expression on her friend's face, exaggerated though it may be.
"So it seems, Your Majesty," Eva replying innocently, golden eyes blinking.
"And I see that you have your mother's sense of humour, young one," Maleficent chuckled.
"Oh, I am only so brave because you are here," Eva admitting with a shrug and a smirk. "But, if she chooses to punish me later it would be deserved."
"Indeed," Was all Maleficent commented, stepping forward suddenly to press her palm against Eva's breastbone where it was exposed by her shirt, Emma taking a moment to appreciate the change in her outfit from the typical noblewoman's attire. The girl wearing the trousers and tunic well, seeming comfortable with the sword hanging by her side.
Eva held still as Maleficent made contact with her skin, it was a warm touch, the heat seeping into her body from their point of contact, meandering through her veins until it reached her magical core.
A thoughtful look crossing the faye queen's face before removing her hand.
"A pleasure to meet you, Eva. I welcome you to my clan," the greeting formal but carrying the warmth that typified Maleficent's interactions with most.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Eva performed a semi bow, looking to the dark queen for guidance.
"You are excused but stay close, I will summon you," her words dismissing the younger women. "I have business to discuss, do not stray!" The last comment directed at Emma
"Yes, Mistress," the slave replying before following Red and Eva from the room
"Now," Regina sighed, slumping back into her chair, the exhaustion of the day catching up with her, "I demand an explanation."
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"You will wait in the Queen's chambers?" Red questioning her friend softly as she and Emma led Eva away from the queen's study.
"I'd better. I need to now what's happening to me," Emma sighing softly, looking to her friend.
"The Queen doesn't know?" Red questioning anxiously, a nod to the nearest guards had them clearing the hallways of all occupants so the pair could pass unaccosted by open mouthed stares as 'Princess Emma' walked the path to the queen's bed. It was a matter Red would discuss with the queen on the morrow when nerves were less frayed and heads level.
"No, she has no idea what is happening and why. Not my magic as such just -," Emma stopping mid sentence as what had occurred between the queen and herself was extremely intimate and she didn't feel comfortable discussing it without the queen's express permission. "Maybe Maleficent can help?" A shrug.
"Maybe," Red mimicking the action.
"And thank you, for -," Emma murmuring, avoiding eye contact.
"Everything," the wolf winking at her friend then a gentle push on the blonde's shoulder, a muted show of affection. Emma only offering a playful scowl as she shook her head.
"You're an ass," Emma snorting but saying no more and the friends walked in exhausted silence until a parting of ways outside Red's rooms.
"I hope you get some sleep, you look like shit," Red winking as she slipped into her room, wincing as a crash indicated that Belle's clumsy presence was still awake.
"Well, good luck with that one," Emma retorting over her shoulder as she trod the thick carpet and entered the queen's rooms, the magical seal of protection humming as she passed, the tingle now welcome, comforting even.
A sigh and Emma used the bathroom and freshened up, making sure to drink a large cup of water to stay hydrated before eyeing the room questioningly. Another sigh, deciding the best course of action was to wait in the outer chamber, a graceful drop and she positioned herself at the side of the queens's chair, body settling itself and breathing deepening as Emma set herself up for an unknown period of waiting.
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"It means what?" The queen screeched, the information not what she was wanting to hear.
"I never thought your hearing was poor, Regina," Maleficent blinking at her friend's distress. Regina turning to glare at the faye queen, features drawn in a fierce frown.
"My hearing is excellent, what is not excellent is this explanation. Unacceptable!" A magical shock wave, the dark queen its epicentre, moved through the entire castle, Regina releasing her magic in a pique of temper.
"Now, now, what else did you think might be causing you such troubles?" The faye queen speaking calmly, knowing how her friend's thought processes worked and attempting to ease her into acceptance.
"I had no idea, exactly the reason I sought your council on the matter!" Regina was furious, aura sparking wildly as she paced the floor of her outer chamber.
"Indeed," Maleficent inclining her head in agreement. "But my answer will not change because it does not suit you, my friend." another glower from the dark queen but no verbal barb was thrown.
"Then I must thank you but ask you to leave so I may deal with this on my own terms," Regina sniffed, turning her back on the faye in dismissal.
"I would be taking grave insult if spoken to by anyone else that way but I understand your concerns, so will take my leave," Maleficent sighing, wings rustling in echo.
"Thank you, my friend," Regina acknowledging the sentiment with an exhale. "This is just not -." A gentle hand fell on troubled shoulders as the faye passed, walking towards the balcony.
"Farewell but do not act rashly, Regina," was Maleficent's warning as the air swirled, wings unfurling as she stood on the balcony. "Farewell," A gentle kiss placed on the dark queens' cheek before she spiralled up to a dizzying height, wings reflecting the sunset before spinning away and flying towards home.
Regina watched her go, always fascinated and in awe of the majesty.
Dammit! Regina pinching the bridge of her nose, only now remembering she had not sought Maleficent's consul on Belle.
"No, mind," the queen muttering to herself as she sighed. What now? She had grown to appreciate the slave's, Emma's, company but this was -. Another sigh as Regina began pacing her study, unsettled and conflicted by the information Maleficent had provided.
Xxx
Next on the Collar
"Have you seen the Queen?" Red approaching Emma at a trot.
"No, she said she had business and wasn't to be disturbed. "She left me these trade agreements to review but that was straight after breakfast," Emma helpfully providing. "Has she left the palace?"
"I don't know, if she's here she's cloaking herself and that's rarely a good sign," Red sighing as she slumped in the chair opposite the blonde.