Hi, glad you all enjoyed the last chapter. Sorry it took so long to get the last one out. A brief explanation as I just wanted to get the last chapter posted as soon as it was finished. Life has been busy and stressful, new business up and running but also relationship issues meaning I am now single again which is never easy to deal with, especially over the holiday period. Life is settling down now so we will see how much spare time this allows me for writing...only time will tell how much but I am committed to getting the story finished.
Previously on The Collar
"So," Emma exhaling as she stood, placing her laptop back on the desk for later use. "As we are staying for a least a little while let me give you the tour," Emma winking at the brunette in an effort to break the tension that she had inadvertently caused. "And no offence but I'm getting out of these clothes," she muttered, walking towards the back of the apartment, stripping as she went.
Regina's brows raising into her hairline and she smirked, always happy to see a naked Emma so she wasted no time in following. The trail ending in a large bedroom, the floor was covered in a plush carpet, the heels of the queen's boots beginning to sink in as she gazed around the room. A large wooden framed bed that would not have been out of place in one of her palace's finer suites stood against the back wall but Emma had disappeared. The rest of the room was familiarly furnished, the furniture heavy and expensive but the queen approved of the style, it seemed to fit it in this foreign looking space, minimal with clean lines and lacking the ornate carvings that typified the furniture in her palace.
A noise catching her attention, Regina only now noticing an open door set off to one side of the room, it was now obvious where her pet had ended up. So, curiosity getting the better of her, she followed, finding herself in the doorway of a good sized closet, the blonde standing stark naked, tattoo resplendent over her muscled back standing facing away from the queen and sorting through clothes on rails.
"Here, try this on," Emma turning to thrust a dress at the queen, holding it until it was taken from her. "No offence but people only dress like that here on stage, actors I mean," the blonde gesturing to the brunette's outfit, skin tight silk and dark curves but totally unfitting for their current environment.
"If this is yours then it is unlikely to fit," Regina eyeing the dress in question suspiciously, the material looked to be of good quality but the cut, well it was scandalous.
"It's not mine, something I bought for one of my slaves to accompany me to a dinner but it was never worn," Emma had great pleasure informing the queen of this fact, smirking as she enjoyed the look of horror that crossed the brunette's face.
"I shall not -," a growl Emma surging forwards, pinning Regina to the wall with the weight of her naked body.
"Yes, you shall," the blonde countering as she bore down on the queen, green eyes locked onto brown. "You are not the queen here. Remember, your magic doesn't work here?" Regina scowling at the reminder. "So, this makes me the stronger one and the one who knows their way around this place. We can do this the easy way or the hard way," the tone of voice the slave was using was not one Regina had heard her use before. It was empowered, its owner having no doubt in themselves that their commands would be obeyed.
"And the hard way is -?" Emma laughing at the challenge the arched brow of her mistress wrought.
"The hard way is that I will treat you like my slave for the duration of our stay. I will be your mistress," she purred, reaching up to cup the brunette's cheek, thumb softly stroking the soft skin.
"This is outrageous," Regina growling and attempting to free herself, to push the insolent blonde away from her but she was trapped. Hand on her hip, strong body holding her down, smirk firmly in place.
"Is it?" Emma was really, really enjoying herself as the queen started to get flustered.
"Yes! You will be severely punished when we return!" Regina hissing, biting down on the thumb she had caught between her teeth causing the blonde to yelp in shocked surprise.
"You little bitch!" Emma swearing, releasing her captive as she examined her now bleeding thumb but the words incensing Regina, slapping the blonde across the face only to receive one right back. Both women snarling at each other, Emma's lip bleeding as it had many times before and she surged forwards, her hand around the queen's throat, anger barely in check.
"We play by my rules!" Emma hissing, squeezing as she did. Regina was actually scared, helpless and scared as her airway was constricted but her body was also reacting as it always did to the blonde's displays of power. She was getting aroused. Emma took a shuddering breath, relaxing her grip, head coming to rest against the queen's. "I am a very different person in this world, respect that and I will return with you. Continue to treat me like your slave and I will refuse to allow you to use my magic to take us back," the words were soft but their meaning was not. It was a threat and Regina could not be sure how serious a threat it was.
"My world, my rules," Emma reiterating, dropping her mouth to Regina's collar bone, nipping the skin she found there with sharp teeth, the queen inhaling a hissing breath. "I will treat you as my equal if you extend me the same courtesy. Treat me as your slave and it will be you that is enslaved, Mistress. Do we have a deal?" Regina staying silent but her heart was hammering as that mouth kept up its explorations, now sucking at her neck.
"Oh! Alright then!" She begrudgingly agreed, this time the push to separate the blonde from her working and she was met by wicked green eyes.
"Good! We are going to have so much fun!" Emma drawling. "But first let's get changed and find some food. I'm fucking starving!" She declared before stealing a kiss that quickly became heated and hands began to roam, Regina beginning to see why this might not be such a bad position to be in after all, it proving that her slave was attracted to her of her own free will. That thought gave the queen pause but disappearing as Emma pulled away.
"I quote 'the things you make me want to do,'" Emma throwing the queen's words back at her but overall the blonde was pleased to find how receptive her companion was, despite their change in roles. But then they did always have mind blowing sex, all that remained to be seen was whether it was as good when the tables were turned on the queen, when she had no magic, but Emma was extremely willing to find out. "Right, go get dressed," she grinning as she took in the queen's scowl but not missing her hardened nipples, now visible through the sheer dress, or labouring breaths.
"And from now on you must call me Emma or if you prefer Mistress Swan," oh this was so much fun, dark eyes glaring back at her. "And I will call you Regina," the woman in question was extremely put off by this.
"Mistress Swan?" She grated from behind clenched teeth.
"It is a mark of respect and what all of my slaves call me," a shrug and a grin. "But, I will let you call me Emma," a peck on the lips, the blonde brushing passed the queen, entering the bathroom to freshen up and change. "Oh," the door opening again and a tousled blonde head hung out. "There's another bathroom in the other bedroom. Don't touch anything," the last said with a glare before disappearing again.
Regina glaring at the now vacant space, resenting being treated like a child and with a huff gathering the dress she was to wear to her body and stalked into the hallway in search of the other bedroom. She found it immediately but stopped dead when she reached the threshold.
Oh.
Her eyes roving around the room as she stepped inside, the dress abandoned on top of a dresser just inside the doorway. This was fascinating, a plethora of bondage and other curious but obviously sexual torture devices filled the room. Benches and various frames with cuffs and chains hanging from them. Many Regina recognised, or a variation on them at least, some she did not. Some she had used on the blonde on more than one occasion but these were solid things, not created by her magic. She took her time examining things in great detail, fascinated by what she was seeing.
"Like what you see?" The sudden voice behind her making her jump, Emma laughing as the queen struggled to keep her cool. "You're still not dressed, would you like me to help with that?" Emma watching as the brunette blinked. "Here," stepping forward, expertly beginning to remove the queen's dress, slipping it off and laying it carefully over the spanking horse, chuckling internally at the irony of the action.
Deft fingers removing the other dress from the hanger and Regina standing still, submitting to the attention, just as she had many times before. The actions very familiar, the roles not. She was soon stepping into the dress and Emma carefully zipped it up before running her hands over the fabric to settle it in place.
"Your boots suit it well," Emma placed her hands on the brunette's shoulders and turned her towards the large mirror that took up almost an entire wall of the room. "I like to watch," she purred in the queen's ear. Regina shuddering as the hot breath hit her skin but kept her eyes on their reflection in the mirror, the blonde looking over her shoulder and she couldn't help but think that they made a very attractive couple.
Emma was thinking the same thing, pressing against the queen's back, thoroughly enjoying being able to do as she pleased, her dominant side totally free to act as it willed. She watched as the smaller woman fussed with the skirt of the dress.
"It is very short," she commented with a frown. "Do you wish me to look like a common whore?"
"No, you look like a very expensive whore," Emma retorted with a chuckle at the glare that she was receiving.
"You will be very, very sorry for treating me this way," Regina hissed as she pulled away.
"Oh, I'm counting on it," the blonde smirking, green eyes flashing with a challenge, one that Regina's body reacted to, reaching out for her magic to make it her will before the emptiness reminded her how powerless she was in this alien place. "And don't worry, it's a very exclusive dress, not at all whorish," Emma reassured her as she took the brunette's hand.
"I know I'm enjoying this at your expense but I respect that this is all very new to you and I promise not to put you in a position where you would come to any harm, or be ridiculed," the blonde sounding sincere but Regina was so used to having her own way, backed up by immense power she was feeling -, vulnerable, and it was not a position she had been in since she had become queen. "After all, you belong to me and I protect what's mine," again that possessive tone of voice and it sent shivers down Regina's spine.
"As you belong to me," the queen countering, a slight growl in her voice.
"Indeed," Emma responded to the kiss that was forced on her as the smaller woman pressed her body against the blonde's, the slave's acknowledgement of her continued ownership exciting the queen.
"But," Emma was the first to pull back, lipstick now smudged and pupils blown. "I am well known and we may see people who will approach me either for business or pleasure. I have to demand that if that happens you show me a professional respect and let me deal with the situation without interrupting or staking your claim," Emma cut-off the disgruntled response before it arose with a finger to the brunette's lips. "If my integrity as a Domme is questioned in public then my professional integrity is questioned. I cannot and will not allow that to happen. Do you understand?"
"I do, I might not appreciate it but I do. You have never challenged my position although I believe you are capable," Regina countering. "We have our roles to play, dear. And I will play mine as long as you continue to respect me."
"I will," another kiss then Emma stepping towards the doorway. "I need to go touch up and change my underwear," she winked at the raised brow and self-satisfied smirk on her companion's face. "Then we shall go on a date," another wink and she was gone.
A date? An engagement perhaps? Dinner could be classed as an engagement she supposed and she was rather hungry. Regina shrugged, turning back to the mirror to review her own appearance, finding it acceptable after primping her hair and adjusting the black silk of the dress to highlight her assets slightly less gauchely. It was a nice dress she admitted begrudgingly, the cut was exquisite.
"Ready?" Emma re-appearing, lounging in the doorway. Despite the dress she was wearing she still managed to convey a predatory grace that was often apparent in the more formal movements she used in the queen's world. In actuality Regina was secretly looking forward to seeing her pet unfettered by her servility, as long as she did not try and abuse the privilege. The skin tight dress, slightly longer than her own but sporting a slit up either thigh almost to indecency. A very tantalising indecency but one she wished to explore fully.
"Yes," a nod and she followed the blonde down the hallway towards what she had been shown was the exit. Sure enough they met a heavy wooden door.
"Here," another door, hidden in the panelling of the hallway, was opened revealing several jackets and other outdoor wear neatly ordered, a heavy coat held out to the brunette. "I've ordered us a car but it's going to be cold out, I think," Regina nodding and sliding her arms into the unfamiliar garment, it was heavy and would be warm and surprisingly flattering to the figure despite its bulk. A car? She knew they were chariots that did not require horses but she was curious none the less. Emma slipping her own winter coat on, longer than the one she had given Regina but the choice suited their comparative heights. A buzz of the cellphone in the blonde's pocket told her the driver was outside and she grabbed her spare keys from the hook by the door and opened it, holding it open for the queen.
"Your Majesty," mocking lightly as she gestured for Regina to precede her from the apartment. The door closed and locked behind them, leaving them in the deserted hallway. "Now, this is an elevator," Emma explained as she pressed a button on the wall that lit up with a red light. "It's basically a metal box that moves up and down on wires so we don't need to use the stairs."
"With Lektricity?" Regina enquired, pleased with herself that she has remembered the word for what passed as power in this world.
"Electricity, yes," Emma kindly correcting her, the queen's pronunciation of the word was adorable, not that she would admit to it. "So," she stopped speaking as the elevator doors slid open and Regina stared warily into its interior. "Come on, it's Ok," Emma took her companion's hand and gave a gentle tug, the brunette eventually stepping forward and through the doors. A wince as they closed and a gasp as her stomach lurched as they began moving down. "Relax," the blonde murmuring, Emma reaching out for the queen's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze before dropping it. Neither of them were the hand holding type, however their 'relationship' was to be defined.
Regina appreciating the act of comfort, finding herself willing to accept it along with her weakness but so far feeling secure in the blonde's company. A jolt and a sharp inhalation as they stopped.
"It's Ok, we're here," the doors opening, Emma leading the way out into the lobby of her building, it was well appointed in marble and chrome, having somewhat of a Deco feel to it that Regina did not recognise but appreciated, marvelling at the high polish achieved on the metal and high buttressed ceilings, that at least was vaguely familiar architecture.
"Miss Swan!" A friendly greeting from an ageing gentleman in a smart uniform caught the women's attention.
"Hi Max," Emma greeting the man with a smile, pausing to speak to him.
"I haven't seen you for months," he commented, crossing the lobby from behind his desk and walking towards them. "Everything alright, Miss Swan?" His eyes flicked to Regina with mild curiosity but did not linger, the attention or rather lack of it riling the brunette's vanity.
"I've been overseas, business," Emma explaining, on their records her true occupation was replaced by that of a free-lance journalist. "And will be going back for the foreseeable future, in the next few days," she added with a glance at the queen beside her. "Any problems while I'm gone contact my lawyer, but you knew that." A winsome smile and the man was fighting a blush.
"Indeed, it's just nice to see you around. You're much easier on the eyes than Mrs Deacon in 4B," he
chuckled.
"That's what your wife says!" Emma retorting with a wink. Max having the decency to look scandalised but the smile following showing that he was in on the joke. Regina couldn't really grasp how such banter was possible. The man was obviously of a much lower status than the blonde, he was employed to mind the building not consort with its occupants. "Sorry, gotta go. My car's waiting," giving a polite nod and a small wave Emma leading the way towards the external doors, Regina baulking slightly as they opened automatically. "Electricity," Emma murmuring in the queen's ear, picking up when her companion tensed and reassuring her, steering them through the doors and into open air.
"Shit, it's cold," Emma looking to check if Regina was feeling it too. The seasons were different here, in the queen's world it was early summer, here is was the middle of winter.
"Indeed," Regina grumbling but her complaint was soon replaced by wariness as she took a moment to look around her. The first thing that struck her was the noise, not one she was accustomed to, hundreds of sounds all jumbled up to form a dull roar. And the lights, everything was lit up, colours glowing on buildings and on the strange machines that moved without horses on the black roads.
Cars.
"We can have a walk around later but the car's here so let's get you warm, huh?" Emma frowning at the slightly apprehensive look on her companion's face. "Here," this time Emma did take her hand and Regina was led towards a large, shiny black car that was parked outside the building. The blonde holding the door open but the brunette looked to her for guidance after eyeing the seemingly cramped interior, the action unfamiliar in its vulnerability. "It's Ok, I'm right behind you," Regina nodding but keeping hold of the blonde's hand as she gracefully manoeuvred herself inside the vehicle, Emma only a second behind, closing the door with a bang that startled the queen. "It's Ok," the reassurance was repeated and a hand settling on her knee where it was exposed below the hem of her dress and it stayed there, offering a tacit comfort.
Emma lowered the town car's divider to give the driver directions to the restaurant she had made reservations at, one of her favourites and she had really, really been missing the food it served. Regina looking around the interior of the car and although the ceiling was low the seating area was surprisingly spacious, the seats upholstered in a fine leather and it was clean. Also once inside the noise had died down, a fact she greatly appreciated.
"It won't take long, about ten minutes," Emma explaining and although she kept her hand on the brunette's knee she was a little unsure whether it would be welcomed.
"It is a very noisy place," Regina murmured, her eyes glued to the cityscape passing by outside the window.
"Yes, I live in a very popular area of the city. I like it as everything is convenient, well the things I need and the places I go," Emma explaining with a shrug. "But it's pretty busy most of the time."
"I had no idea how different it would be," the queen commenting, finally taking her eyes off the window and turning to her companion. "I think I expected it to be like home but with cars and e-lektricty, this is just -."
"Very different?" Emma smiling but pleased by the level of communication they were managing, the queen so often closed off in her own world.
"Indeed," a nod of dark locks added emphasis to her agreement. "Is this how you have felt, in my kingdom?" Brown eyes surveying the blonde and she took a moment to think before answering.
"Yes and no," Emma shrugging again, Regina noticing how much freer her movements were now that her role had changed, that this was Emma and not her slave. "This world used to be a lot like yours, without the magic of course," she grinned. "But that was a couple of hundred years ago so it was strange but familiar, from what I've seen in movies and on TV and from the books I've read."
"Mmm, Red told me about this teevee. She seems fascinated by the idea of moving pictures," Regina sniffing but Emma sensing that the action was to hide her own interest in the subject.
"Well, I can show you some later, then you can tell her what you think," this idea appealing to the queen who hummed her agreement.
"That is acceptable," she commented and Emma immediately began to think about what movies she would show the queen. What would really impress her? Before she could come up with a decent idea the car pulled to a stop.
"We're here," Emma opening the door, climbing out of the car before reaching back and extending her hand for the queen to take, Regina accepting the aid and following her out of the car. Once clear of the vehicle it immediately pulled off, Regina taking a moment to straighten her clothing and review her surroundings. A glass fronted building stood before them, overlooking a lake. Visible through the glass were diners seated at tables with a view over the water.
"They serve spectacular food here, some of the best I have ever eaten, it is very exclusive so should not be too overwhelming for you," Emma waiting until the queen had found her bearings, then nodding for the blonde to proceed. Regina followed the blonde to the entrance and was pleasantly surprised to see the door held open for them by a smartly dressed and extremely handsome man.
"Mistress Swan," he murmured as they passed.
"Michael," Emma greeting him with a brusque, dismissive nod and the brunette observed as the man shadowed them into the restaurant then gesturing for another to take their coats.
"It has been too long, Mistress," the man commenting with a polite bow of his head, leading them past other diners, Regina noting the women were all similarly dressed as herself and the blonde, assuaging her fears that she would look out of place, or whorish as she had feared. "I have reserved you and your companion your usual table," he cast an eye at Regina and she detected a glint of jealousy in his gaze.
"Michael," Emma catching the man's attention, her voice cool. "You are here to serve me and not pass judgement on who I choose to associate with. You are disrespecting me and my companion by doing so," her words were frigid, the man wincing as she spoke, Regina was enthralled by the change of persona exhibited by the blonde. Gone was the casual care she had been treated with on their journey to be replaced by a cold façade, one Regina had become well versed in herself.
"I'm sorry, Mistress," he apologised hastily. "I meant no disrespect, she is very beautiful," he commented and Regina glareing at him.
"Who is his owner so that I may inform them of his failure to treat his betters with respect?" The queen hissed, projecting her typical demeanour, one that left others with no doubt that they were beneath her and his eyes went wide, sure that Mistresses companion was a slave and not a domme, realising his error as soon as the woman spoke.
"Oh, don't worry," Emma giving a wicked smile. "We shall tell her in person," exchanging a glance with the brunette and they turned to survey the man as one disapproving front. Both women pleased to see the abject fear on his face. "Ensure that we receive the best tonight and I will be sure to inform her of that fact also."
"Of course, Mistress Swan," the man mumbling before leaving them alone in a secluded corner of the restaurant.
"Regina," Emma holding the chair out for the brunette who narrowed her eyes before seating herself, the blonde quickly sliding into the seat opposite.
"You are well known," Regina acknowledging, although she had been informed of this it had not seemed real until she had witnessed it in person.
"I am, in certain circles," Emma dipping her head to emphasise the fact. "In this city there is a large community, many of its members are wealthy and powerful people. I just happen to be at the top of the pile," the blonde sitting back in her chair and Regina was subject to an extremely predatory look, causing her heart-rate to double. "Although I have no official status I am well respected and that has its perks," a raised brow and then she fell silent as a woman approached the table. She was impeccably dressed in a light grey dress and she was undeniably beautiful, a blonde but with hair much paler than Emma's.
"I apologise for Michael," the woman commenting as she reached their table. Regina watching as Emma smiled up at her, a relaxed smile that had the queen narrowing her eyes and imaging the most gruesome tortures she could come up with. Emma recognised that look, it was usually followed by someone losing their life so she attempted to soothe the darker woman by slipping her foot out of her shoe and running a stockinged foot up a naked thigh. The look of shock and rapid readjusting of
Regina's body showing that it had its desired effect.
"I'll have him dealt," Emma sighing but addressing her friend with a smile.
"Well, if you're handling it then I'll leave it to you," a nod and the topic was dropped.
"Are you going to introduce me?" The queen querying with a regal raising of her brow.
"Regina, this is my friend and owner of the restaurant, Claudia. Claudia this is my -," Emma pausing for a second, "Date, Regina," she finished but Regina frowned. Claudia sensing the tension and quickly taking their order, Emma confidently ordering a vintage wine and ordering food for them both, Regina perturbed but grateful as there was little on the menu before her that she recognised. But the printing was exquisite, eyes following the printed article as it was removed from her sight.
"I assure you I am not some common whore for you to parade around!" Regina hissing at the blonde, eyes flashing dangerously as soon as the woman left them alone.
"I know, which is why I referred to you as my date. Claudia knows I don't often date and I would never bring one of my pets here so don't worry, your honour is intact, Your Majesty!" Emma smirking infuriatingly.
"And I suppose you have bedded the woman?" The thought irking the brunette who was beginning to feel more and more out of control the longer they stayed in this world.
"Of course, wouldn't you have?" Another smirk and Regina felt like slapping it off her pet's face. "Relax, it was fun, but nothing compared to you." The comment surprising the brunette whose eyes widened, not just because of the words but because of the tone the blonde used, quiet but sincere and not one Regina had heard her pet use before. Silence fell, Emma's eyes roving the room, Regina studying her companion's countenance until wine was brought to their table by one of the waiters, he didn't linger just poured and waited for Emma to taste the wine before leaving the two women alone.
Regina inhaled, levelling her stare at her pet.
They were at an impasse, neither speaking or holding eye contact until they were served their appetiser.
"Everything Ok with your food?" Emma asking a little anxiously as she watched the queen pick at the offerings on her plate.
"Yes, it is actually quite delicious," the brunette reply "This, this is just very different."
"I know," Emma rapidly finishing her appetiser, enjoying the food so much it was practically inhaled, before neatly placing her cutlery on her plate then leaning back in in her chair. "I'll take you back whenever you want, just say." A nod of acknowledgement and Regina concentrated on finishing her food, the shellfish extremely delicately prepared.
"I know you like to eat similar things at your banquets," Emma murmuring, watching the brunette expertly dissect the food before pushing it past plump lips. It was only then that Regina noticed the attention and smiling to herself, purposely began to draw out each action to tease the blonde. Emma huffing when she realised she had been caught out.
"Touché, My Queen," Emma chuckling and signalling to the attentive waiting staff that they required more wine, the waiter also removing their plates. Regina was enjoying the wine, it was of a very high quality, glad that the art seemed to have transcended worlds. She was also finding herself a little light headed and wondered if it was to do with the lack of magic in her system, usually the two combined in an intoxicating, but controllable, way.
The silence was beginning to turn awkward. Regina had many questions but was unused to being the novice in any situation, unwilling to show weakness. Emma was very conscious of her surroundings and her date but her earlier confidence had waned slightly. She was never required to carry the conversation in the queen's world and she was a naturally taciturn person. Usually, here in her world, she led the dinner conversation but the subjects revolved around her work or a discussion on her companion's training needs. Or, with other dominants they would seek her advice on particularly troublesome slaves.
"What are you thinking?" Regina querying, noting the frown and introspective look her slave held. It was one she recognised well. Emma frowned and regarded her for a moment before speaking.
"I know you won't ask questions and there are few topics we can easily discuss," the blonde admitted.
"Yes, you are such a good pet," Regina purring, purposely baiting Emma.
"Maybe dinner was a bad idea," Emma sighing. "You don't seem to be sticking to our deal," she growled, green eyes turning stormy as she shifted forward in her seat. "Maybe I should have kept you in my apartment and played." Regina was assaulted by images of the paraphernalia that filled her pet's 'dungeon' and was not sure if she was scared or aroused, or both. She was saved from an immediate answer when their next course arrived, both women sitting back so that their meals could be placed in front of them.
"I wanted to show you some of my world, what makes me who I am. I was under the impression that it would interest you, I was obviously wrong," Emma eventually spoke but without making eye contact with the brunette. "So we will keep our visit as brief as possible and return tomorrow." Finally looking up but it was a brief flick of her eyes before turning her cold stare out of the window.
Regina was conflicted. She was extremely curious but also feeling very vulnerable and when she felt threatened she lashed out, a pro-active reflex. Also, seeing her slave, her pet, elevated above her own position in this world was unnerving her. Emma was very different here, of course Regina had seen flashes in her own world but here -. Here was a young woman to match her, challenge her in attitude and beauty but without her magic -.
A sigh, Emma receiving no response, cricking her neck in an effort to force relaxation.
"You drive me crazy," the blonde admitting and the confession startled Regina, finally meeting her pet's eyes. "It's the same here as in your world but here I have the control to do something about it." Brown eyes watched as her pet's fist flexed around her napkin, the fine linen crushed. "I am trying very, very hard not to play your games. Not to make this about power but you're making it extremely difficult."
"I'm sorry," the words were barely audible but enough to snap the blonde to attention.
"Excuse me?" Emma blinked, not actually believing what she was hearing.
"You heard me," Regina curling her lip in a very queenly manner.
"I did but well -, you've never apologised to me before," Emma replying, rapidly running through their interactions.
"Not when you have been conscious, no." Regina looking away as she spoke. The blonde blinking, taken off guard by the quiet admission. "There have been a few times where I have pitied the abuse you have taken, when not deserved."
Emma slumping back in her chair, the revelation leaving her deflated, all anger gone.
"You really do care about me." A statement.
"I would not have opened the portal if I did not." A reply.
Emma inhaled sharply, downing the remaining wine in her glass, absorbing the connotations of the confession.
"Come, this is not the place to discuss such things," the blonde regaining her composure and signalling for their coats, the meal would go on her tab. "Michael," Emma barely acknowledging the man as he held the door open. "Oh, I will be seeing you soon." A cold smile from the blonde made the man pale and Regina couldn't help but enjoy the moment, glaring at him as she passed.
"Regina?" Emma called to the queen, smiling to herself as she caught the intimidating look she had thrown the man.
"Thank you," the brunette murmuring, offering a small smile, sliding past Emma who was holding the door and then swiftly back into the relative familiarity of the car where it sat waiting She heard the blonde give muted instructions before her pet joined her, hand slipping back onto the queen's knee, the action not rejected but the tension between the two women was still high.
Xxxxxx
Next in The Collar
"Where are you taking me?" Regina's curiosity finally got the better of her.