Not a lot of time today so here you go, enjoy...I hope!
Previously in The Collar
The slave blinked, only a rush of air announcing the queen's magical departure. What the hell was going on with her mistress? Emma taking a quick scan of the surrounding room to confirm that she was alone, posture slumping as she was left feeling incredibly empty, as she always did after an encounter with the queen's magic, however small. But after that performance?
Regina appeared in the stables, clean and dressed, magic barring the door from the inside ensuring that she remained alone. The scent of the horses and tack always calmed her but today even that was lacking its usual soporific qualities. Reaching up to caress Rociante's ears she winced, back sore from her pet's nails. A suitable punishment would be found.
Something had to be done...
xxxx
Red had not slept, instead listening intently to the sounds around her, the sound of Greta in her chambers next door, sleeping but restlessly. Her pet, still out cold in the outer room where Red had discarded her -. That had been -, an experience. Red's wolf growled its agreement and her sex clenched at the memory. She had not felt so satisfied since she had last laid with the queen, her amazon had performed admirably and had been so eager to please, so obedient yet enthusiastic.
And attractive, the light musculature very pleasing to the eye although the girl did need to practice her drills, she was so damn clumsy...when not focused on pleasing her mistress and again Red's mind began wandering - to pleading cries and how she felt inside -.
Trying to sleep was pointless and the wolf rose and bathed, pausing to drop a fur over her pet who was still sleeping on the rug where she had fallen. A lingering glance at the girl, hair half covering her face, swollen lips parted in sleep, feint bruising to her throat then browsing rose tinted buttocks. A shake of her head. No, she had business to attend to, then she was on her way.
"Pup, listen for when she wakes and offer any help that may be needed!" Red spoke at her normal volume, knowing Greta would hear her, softly closing the door to her own rooms. A low growl of acknowledgement and a projection of extremely disgruntled thoughts the reply, the young wolf having had no choice but to leave her room last night or hear her sister wolf fucking that amazon Greta was so fed up of having follow her around the palace. Now she had to babysit, again!
Ah! Emma, Red's keen hearing easily locating the slave now she was moving around the palace, the wolf catching catching Emma out at the same early hour and managing to thank her friend before leaving the blonde's company to seek Braxas.
Hmmm,she'd better go check on the amazon today. Maybe take Belle down to the dungeon with her? Her thoughts had taken her through the punishment courtyard adjacent to the kitchen and out to the drill fields, keeping to the shadows, a silent observer as the queen's captain put his troops through their paces. He was worried by recent events, Red concluding from the set of his shoulders, he carried the responsibilities of the Kingdom's safety as heavily as the queen. But, the troops looked good, moving as a tight unit, Braxas pitting two groups against one another, swords clashing and bodies falling, the enchantments placed on all the queen's soldiers' armour not allowing the blows to penetrate. She really was a mighty ruler, Red biting her lip and frowning at the thought of having to follow in her queen's footsteps.
A pause in the exercise and she stepped forward, immediately catching the captain's eye, a tilt of his head acknowledging her presence, their trajectories matching until they met on the edge of the field.
"Red, what brings you out?" Braxas greeting his friend with a smile. He had always respected the young wolf, ever since he had been part of the extraction team that had freed the child from her prison. It took great strength of mind and character to overcome such abuse, some never did. The queen never sharing the exact details of the girl's captivity but few crimes brought out such cruelty and inventiveness in his mistress as had the punishment of Red's captors. It did not take much to jump to the correct conclusion, that and the way the queen sequestered the girl away for weeks, allowing her to fully recover before presenting her to the wolves. Red was also an excellent drinking partner, in the odd times when she was not required by the queen.
"What are your thoughts from last night?" Red not wasting time with small talk, neither of them being the type. "You look tired," the wolf commenting on the dark circles marking the man's eyes.
"Aye, lass," a snort. "I did not bother entering my bed last night. I know she tells us not to worry but-"
"I trust her, but I know that every angle cannot be predicted," Red bowing her head in thought before meeting the captain's eyes as he nodded his agreement, eyes focusing on a distant point.
"Then we shall be ready, eh lass?" An average strength woman would have been knocked sideways by the heavy, companionable hand landing on their shoulder but Red barely feeling it.
"Indeed," the wolf nodding but realising how much time this was taking him away from the drills. "I need my slave training, she is fit but extremely clumsy. I would ask Emma but she -."
"She has her hands full with the Queen, and everything else," Braxas finishing for her. "I'd never have thought those entitled pricks could breed such a strong un." Red meeting the comment with a raised brow.
"You have no idea how strong Emma is, no idea," the wolf countering the comment with a truth.
"All respect Red, the Queen is a hard and cruel mistress when mood strikes. All may envy you her attention but few are fools not to respect what you do for her and the peace in the palace. Before you came many were broken. She was distraught after Lady Archard passed. Elizabeth was a unique woman."
"I have heard the stories," Red sighing. "Now she has Emma and we will protect them," the companions sharing a smile, no words needed to confirm how compatible the queen and her slave were.
"I will send one of my best to train the young one, I'd rather not have her in with the rest of them. Best she train alone, she belongs to you and any weakness should be hidden, for her own safety. Or strength for that matter. Gabrielle keeps a tight ship, she shouldn't take too much work, girl." A wink and he was gone, jogging back to his troops.
"I hope not," a sigh and Red stalked back towards the palace, still a lot on her mind.
"Have you seen the Queen?" Red approaching Emma as she sat at the table in the queen's outer chamber.
"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, Emma seated at the table in the queen's outer chamber, Red only then truly observing her friend. "You're glowing, literally," Red smirking as Emma's eyes widened, glancing down at her hands.
"I'm not!" The blonde scowling at the wolf.
"Oh, you are. Your eyes just cannot see it," Red smirking, watching Emma frown as she held her arm up for closer inspection. "Good fucking then?" The wolf teasing.
"Yes!" Emma retorting petulantly. "Then she poofed, gone," a sigh, the slave slumping back in her char and removing her glasses. Red watching as the blonde pinched the bridge of her nose.
"It's your magic, I think the Queen recharges it, to be fair though I bet she looks the same. Or would if I could find her," another sigh, Red copying Emma's position, head lolling back as they both took a moment for themselves.
"Something is bothering her, she got upset right before she left, I felt it. And angry," Emma speaking softly, eyes looking out of the balcony doors, propped open to let in the sun.
"I think she is struggling with your magic, she thinks your bond makes her weak. She cannot control it fully and that scares her," Red spoke frankly, studying her friend's face closely, the tightening of the blonde's jaw the only visible reaction to her words.
"I -, I like it, it feels. It just feels, more -. Ugh!" Emma bringing her head down to rest on her knees, face hidden by cascades of gold.
"You can't deny it any more, Emma," Red taking that moment to push. "You both feel it and that is what is making her run. The magic pulls you together but there is more, you intrigue her, match her, challenge her like no-one else. You terrify her."
When no answer was forthcoming Red stood to leave, one last contemplative look at her friend, still hiding her face, before walking from the chamber. Her travels taking the wolf through the palace halls to the guest wing.
"Miss Eva?" Red knocking on the girl's suite, knowing from their bond that Greta was inside, Belle too by the scents she had tracked.
"Mistress Red," the noblewoman greeting the wolf with a smile. "Please, come in, although I already have company. Greta was kind enough to bring me food to break my fast."
"Thank you, I will not take much of your time," Red replying with a polite nod of her head.
"Ah, I think we have much to discuss. The Queen has visited me this morning, a rather early hour but it was of obvious importance," Eva informing the wolf as they crossed the spacious chambers to where Greta and Belle had situated themselves, Greta in an armchair by the table, Belle standing offset, arms held behind her back.
Greta snorting when Red entered the room, the amazon's arousal spiking, along with Red's although the wolf's was more controlled.
"Leave us, I have business to discuss. Take some food to Emma, she is in the Queen's rooms but has been up since dawn and should eat, take some of Cook's pastries too," Red ordering the younger women. "Then return to me here."
"Yes, Red," Greta obeying but not without a questioning look at her friend. Belle following obediently but not without inhaling sharply as she passed the wolf, the mistress that had claimed her, Red's unique scent intoxicating the amazon. Red did not dwell on the girl, who she has not seen since she left her rooms earlier that day, the slave still asleep where she had been fucked and left, but the girl had certainly enjoyed herself, Red musing, waiting for the door to close.
"The Queen discussed her intended role for me this morning," Eva slipping into a chair at the table, smiling at Red who followed suite. The two facing each other as equals.
"Then we have much to talk about. Our alliance must be close, cohesive," Red laying out the reason for her own visit, placing her palms flat on the table, the ancient symbol of peace during negotiations.
"Indeed, you have much to teach me, you run the palace effortlessly, and care for the Queen. In more than one way," a small smile indicating no malice was meant by the words. "She relies on you, I have so much to learn if I can become only half as useful to you as you are to Her Majesty."
"You bring the magic, I bring the wolves," Red shrugging.
"You bind everything together, almost as much as the Queen. Everyone respects you," Eva complimenting the wolf. "I speak little but see a lot, years in my father's court has taught me much can be learned by playing dumb."
"The Queen trusts you, I see no reason not to. She also sees your mother in you and I do not know if that clouds her judgement slightly, you are not your mother. I do not know if your youth is a disadvantage to you," Red was not pandering to the girl, just making it very clear where she stood.
"Yes, and I agree. If asked I would say I was not up to the task, but I will be if you teach me, I am smart, well read, have good connections with the nobility, with those who do not wish to bed me that is!" Shaking her head in disgust. "Such fools, they hold no interest for me."
"But the Queen and Emma do?" The question blunt but pertinent.
"The Queen enjoys my faye qualities and as you say, I remind her of my mother. Emma, she is skilled and as faye I am as strong as you, physically. That appeals to Emma, but Emma belongs to the Queen, that is undeniable. It was good but I think we all know that it is Greta who will be mine, when the Queen releases her," the words spoken with finality, Red's lip curling, canines elongating.
"You thought she would have hurt me?" A raised brow, golden eyes appraising the wolf. "I did appreciate your concern but I am strong enough to defend myself which is why my father gives me free rein to travel where I will." Red's eyes widening in shock, the faye girl casually reaching for one of the metal goblets on the table, small hand closing around the stem and crushing it as though it were paper. "She will be mine and I will control her wolf."
The room falling silent, Red having a lot to absorb but keeping her eyes on the girl.
"The Queen knows of all this?" A wave of Red's hand encompassing the verbal and physical conversation they were having.
"She knew my mother who was pure faye, I believe her bedroom exploits were also to test me physically, not purely for recreation. Although, all parties took enjoyment from the event," a shrug "Both Her Majesty and you have my complete loyalty. I shall pledge this in a blood vow to you as soon as the Queen gives her approval, and you deign to accept of course."
Red not speaking but critically observing the girl before her. A magical vow of loyalty was practically unbreakable, except by mutual consent of both parties. The girl was serious, to break such a vow would leave Red free to manipulate her magic, a powerful magic if the queen was correct, which she always was.
"When the trust is built the vow will be taken. There is no rush, the Queen is not relinquishing power, only strengthening her legacy," Red continuing the 'negotiations'. "It would place you at too great a disadvantage to pledge so soon. You do not know me, be sure in your role before you commit."
Silence fell, Eva taking time to digest the wolf's words.
"How do you anticipate teaching me? The Queen has spoken of magic lessons, among other things she deems it for for me to learn," at that a raising of the girl's left brow hinting at less than noble pursuits. "I have been witness to Emma's training sessions with the young ones," the faye admitting.
"Emma has really been putting them through their paces." A smile but no further comment, if her suspicions regarding Red and her slave were true then -.
"Emma is an impeccable trainer," Red acquiescing with a slow smile but her demeanour changing in a flash. "Greta is a sister to me, that matter will be decided by the Queen, Greta is pledged to her and her alone."
"Understood," Eva smiling, feeling the conversation drawing to a natural end and sensing the return of Greta and Belle was imminent. "Once the Queen gives me leave we shall speak again, until then please do not hesitate to seek my assistance if I can be of help." Red covering the faye's proffered upturned palm with her own. The sign of a bond made that would later be made permanent by the queen if she saw fit.
"Farewell," a nod and Red stood to leave exactly as the door opened to reveal the young slaves. "Come, I shall take you with me, so Miss Eva may have some peace!" A disgruntled huff as the older wolf swept from the room, a cook of her finger having Belle and Greta hurry after her.
"We left food with Emma, she looks tired," Greta informing her friend but keeping a pace behind as befitted Red's status.
"It was a rough night," Red murmuring but not feeling talkative, her steps fleet, still too concerned about the queen's whereabouts to waste time dawdling.
"Well she -,"
"Enough!" A snarl cutting her off. "You will not discuss the Queens personal slave, your training mistress like a common gossip!" Red spinning on her heel and baring her teeth at Greta. "You are my pack but you must respect your position in it, young one!" A curling of her lip and the yellowing of her eyes giving no doubt of her ire. Greta taken aback by the harsh reprimand and Belle practically cowering, upset that her mistress was upset, fearful that she had angered her and aroused by the display of sheer power. Yellow eyes found their target, glaring unblinking until both girls looked away.
Exhaling Red cricked her neck, returning to her original goal and the small party continuing on in silence.
"You may speak for a few minutes," Red giving permission to the prisoner, nodding to the guards that this was to be permitted, Thea standing to attention and saluting the wolf only to receive a snarl in return. "You may stay until I return," gesturing to Belle and Eva. It would keep them all busy as she continued searching for the queen. There was one last place to try -.
"Yes, Red," the slaves replying in unison.
"Thank you," Thea crying out softly to the rapidly retreating wolf.
One last place.
Red both loving and hating the room she was approaching, a single embossed door looming at the end of a twisting corridor so long it took her out from under the palace itself and into the wood beyond. The queen citing a stronger connection to the earth's force for the choice of its location.
"My Queen?" Red not touching the door when drawing near, having seen first hand what the magical defences could do to to unwelcome guests. As though sensing her thoughts the door seemed to pulse outward in warning before flying open to reveal the queen.
"Red?" Regina taking a moment to look up from the vial she was pouring into another, larger glass beaker.
"I am concerned, My Queen," Red apprehensively acting on the queen's gesture to enter. " May I be of assistance?" Questioning politely, eyes flicking around the room , attempting to ascertain what the queen was in the midst of. Red remembering many days spent here observing the queen when she was still too nervous to leave her protectors side. But the things she saw here, the way her magic reacted to the queen's experiments, both failed and successful, made her skin crawl even now.
Not a lot had changed since she had last been here, the apparatus was active now, bubbling and dripping as the queen refined her potions, a chair prominent in the corner, its purpose to restrain the most nefarious of the queen's prisoners before forcing the potions down their throats, often unsure of the outcome.
"I would have informed you if I had required you, wolf," Regina's brow furrowing at the unwarranted interruption. " But as you are here fetch me Emma, I believe I have found a solution to a rather significant problem."
xxxx
Next on The Collar
"Sit!" A harsh command but Emma obeyed, sitting in the chair as requested, curious and a little nervous as to the intentions of her mistress.