Long break but I'm still plodding on when life allows me time to write. Unfortunately I lost a lot of work when my laptop fried over Christmas and it's taken me a while to get back to where I was. My 19 year old dog also died which didn't leave me much in the mood for writing either :( .Longer than usual re-caps as it has been a while since the last chapter.
Umm, just some shopping The Collar style among other things ..
Edit - if this story ever gets taken down by fanfic I will post of Ao3
Xxx
Previously in The Collar
"Wha-, you want to do a blood oath here? Without your magic? That's soon going to hurt more than you think it will!" Emma shaking her head, the queen's wound appearing quite deep.
"Then hurry up, I do not break my promises either!" Regina hissing, annoyed as the blonde's words began to prove true, her hand beginning to throb a little.
"Ok, you lunatic queen," Emma muttering as she made a purposely shallow slash in her own palm. "Is there still a point in this, here without magic?" The blonde was sceptical.
"We shall soon see, my pet," Regina pressing their palms together. "I promise to send Emma back to her world when our wager expires and I release her."
"And promise she will be of sound mind and body when I do." Emma adding for her own benefit.
"And promise she will be of sound mind and body when I do," Regina willingly mimicking the words, lip curling in amusement at her pet's knowledge of how such pacts could work . "So it shall be."
"So it shall be," Emma repeating the words to seal the pact. "See I -. Oh fuck!" The blonde gasping, blinking as her magic raced from her and down her arm, its progress from Emma and into the queen a visible glowing force.
"Oh!" Regina's heart racing as the magic entered her body, the rush was -. Gone, as fast as it had come leaving her breathless and feeling weaker than she ever had before, the visitation a stark reminder of what she had lost by coming here.
"Hey!" Emma's reflexes catching the queen as she fell from the stool. "Easy, I got you," steadying the brunette until her feet hit the floor and she regained her strength. "That was a little unexpected, did I hurt you?" Confusion reigning in brown eyes until Regina comprehended the question.
"No, no it was more akin to the feeling I imagine a poppy addict must feel when they have been denied it for some time," Regina explaining, eyes down.
"Ah, I get it," Emma sighing, a gentle squeeze of her hand attempting to convey her sympathy.
"No, I am sorry but you cannot 'get it'," Regina replying, no malice in the tone but eyes meeting the blonde's. "And I hope you never do."
"You're right," Emma judging the queen steady enough to release her. "I'm sorry, that was thoughtless."
"No mind, the worse has passed," Regina's chin tilting, back straightening. "Thank you for your concern." A sniff, dark eyes roving around the room, eyes flicking down, hand stretching, the wound was healed, not even a faint scar remaining. Regina reaching out, taking Emma's hand and confirming the same was true of her pet's cut.
"Come on, let's find you some clothes, then would you still like to go out?" Emma not wanting to dwell on the experience and attempting to distract the queen from her brooding.
Xxxx
"Where would we go?" Regina raising her brows, unsure of what was required of her. "We have just eaten, we do not require more sustenance so soon."
"Well," Emma answering from where she was loading the dishwasher, an appliance she had just briefly described to the queen. "I was thinking that we could go shopping. To find some clothes you liked. Especially if you're still interested in going to a club tonight? It's Saturday and the best one will be open tonight. And tomorrow is the last Sunday of the month so if you wanted to see where I work there is an open event we could attend?" Regina not replying right away but taking a moment to consider the options.
"Yes, I would feel more comfortable in clothes of my own choosing, not the cast-offs of your whores," a sniff and tilt of her chin showing her disdain for the thought. But, Emma knew she was just attempting to hide her insecurities.
"Sure, the dress you wore last night is a bit fancy for a shopping trip but I'm sure one of my shorter skirts and a top would fit you fine," Green eyes appraising the queen's build (not that she didn't know it by sight and touch). "Come on, we can shop then have lunch. Maybe come back and relax a bit and I'll cook us some dinner unless you'd rather eat out again? I just don't want to overwhelm you, especially if we plan to go out later."
"We shall procure me some suitable clothing then I shall inform you on my preferences for the rest of the day," Regina replying with a nod, belaying more confidence than she felt but obediently following Emma into her bedroom when the blonde beckoned.
"Hmm, our colouring is different but this should work," Emma now rifling through her closet, Regina standing watching her progress with narrowed eyes.
"Please make it suitable for my status, I do not wish to be put on display for the populace."
"Here, look" Emma holding out a silk blouse in a midnight blue. "It's expensive, well cut and will fit your curves well without seeming gauche. Acceptable?" Regina reaching to feel the material before nodding her agreement.
"And a skirt -, hmmm" Emma once again sorting through her clothes trying to find something suitable. "Ok, this?" A skirt that would be knee length on the queen was thrust forward. "See, it's a wrap around as I think my hips are generally slimmer than yours so the fit might seem off on most of the others."
"It should do," Regina taking it from the blonde and draping it over her forearm. "As will my boots?"
"Yes, they are classic and will go with most of the clothes here. I'd stick to them rather than buying new shoes that may not be comfortable at first. We don't have the luxury of magic or the time to break new ones in or have them hand made for you," Emma confirming with a shale of her head. "Here, these are stockings, nylon not silk like yours but clean and what women wear on their legs, especially in winter." Emma handing the brunette an unopened pack which she regarded curiously. "They are a medium so should fit you fine."
"Thank you, Emma. I shall change and may I also have some khol, rouge and lip paint for my use?" Regina pleased with the outfit that had been loaned but not wishing to go without her mask.
"Of course, get dressed and I'll bring you some make-up through to the other bathroom so you have plenty of space. I have colours that will suit you. Sometimes I have to go all 'Evil Queen' so don't worry," Emma smiling at Regina's slightly baffled look. "How about I show you tomorrow, hmm?" Her eyes hooded and tone seductive.
"If it suits you, then yes." Regina looking down at the garments she held before nodding to herself and leaving Emma to change, the blonde's look not lost on her. She was intrigued but It really was quite crowded in the closet. After dressing and applying the make-up Emma had given her she was ready to leave. The beauty products being very impressive and easy to us compared to her own artisan supplied ones back home The clothes had been simple to dress in and she had not required Emma's assistance at all. Even the stockings made of the shiny material were easy to figure out and looked surprisingly sleek and elegant, Regina thought, admiring herself in the large mirror before leaving the room. Seeking out Emma who she found in the living area, dressed in a pair of those black, ridiculously tight thick cotton trousers she had been wearing when first retrieved from this world.
"They are called jeans and extremely comfortable but suitable for what we plan to do today. And, they make my ass look great!" Emma smirking as she caught Regina' eyes dropping to the body part in question, along with her own hands as she smoothed the fabric over her toned ass. "But you look good too, really hot – as in extremely attractive," the blonde clarifying, winking at the queen before dipping in to peck her on the cheek, not wanting to disturb the perfectly applied dark red lipstick that was the queen's trademark. With her tanned complexion it would look striking but not out of place on the streets. Regina startled by the action but not repulsed but unused to such impromptu demonstrations of affection except from Red whose habits persisted from her childhood and allowed as the affection was reciprocated, although well concealed.
"Wait," Emma giving her companion a quick once over, appraising and approving, "you'll be too cold with just that blouse, would you prefer a fitted jacket or a sweater to go over it?"
"A jacket please," Regina opting for the familiar. She had no idea what a sweater was but it sounded decidedly inelegant, at least a jacket should be similar to what she was accustomed to. Indeed, Emma quickly returning with a medium grey tailored jacked, less fitted than her riding jackets but once on it fit her shoulders well and the longer length was novel but flattering.
"How do you manage to look so good in everything you wear?" Emma marvelling at the sleek, sexy woman standing before her looking as though the clothes had been made for her, the dark blue blouse setting everything off perfectly. She had left her hair down, a look which was only usually reserved for her bedchamber.
"Because I am beautiful," Regina commenting with a tilt of her head, as though daring Emma to disagree. The blonde only shaking her head and letting out a low laugh.
"Come on then, My Queen," Emma's tone teasing, "let us unleash your beauty on the unsuspecting public. After dressing in the same heavy coats as yesterday the two women took the lift down to the ground floor, Regina still wary but the contraption was at least familiar now and she did not need coaxing inside the metal box. There were other people surrounding the desk in the lobby so Emma did not stop and banter with the security guard just led them out onto the street. It was daylight and Regina noting that there were so many more people around than there had been the previous night when they had been met by the car.
"Are you Ok to walk for a few minutes? The store I want to take you to is actually pretty close by so there is no point getting a car today," Emma explaining as they adjusted to the chill.
"Yes, these boots are extremely comfortable and warm enough to guard me against the air," Regina standing, feeling out of place in the alien environment.
"Here," Emma moving in close, "link your arm with mine, it is not uncommon for women to walk together this way and indicates nothing more than close friendship. You may feel safer than walking alone?" The blonde's keen eyes had picked up on the well hidden signs of the queen's nervousness.
"Mmm, if it is the done thing then you may escort me, Emma," Regina nodding her consent and linking her arm with the blonde's proffered one, allowing herself to be led past the building they had come from and along the paved walkway that ran in front of it. So many cars on the road and so noisy.
"We cross here then it will be quieter, no cars, only people," Emma explaining as she paused by the side of the road. " When the light goes green it is safe to cross, the cars have right of way and go so fast it is easy to be killed if you get hit."
"Yes, it's all very fast," Regina murmuring, flinching and tightening her grip on her pet as an extremely large vehicle passed them, not unlike the covered wagons used for moving goods in her kingdom except much, much larger. The queen allowing Emma to lead her across the road and into a quieter area, here there were only pedestrians, no cars or other vehicles whizzing by. It took them less than a few minutes before they reached what Regina could see was a more exclusive by the well kept appearance of the plaza. The men and women passing them by were wearing finely cut clothes, many carrying bags in with varying designs on them.
It wasn't just the cut of the clothes that denoted these people as wealthy or of import, Regina noting, it was the way they carried themselves, as though superior to others. A look the queen had perfected, Emma noticing her straightening and watched her eyes scanning then dismissing them just as she would do in her realm.
"Here," Emma stopping by a shop that appeared small by comparison to many of the others. The sign in the door read 'Closed'.
"Yes but it appears to be -," Regina about to point out the obvious but pausing as Emma released her arm and knocked once, a sharp rap of her knuckles against the glass of the door. Only seconds passed before it swung open, a woman opening it and stepping back. Regina watching in fascination as Emma strode through, gesturing for her to follow.
"Mistress Swan," Emma nodding at the greeting from the woman now closing the door and pulling a blind down over the glass. "Thank you for calling ahead, how may we serve you today?" Regina listening intently to the exchange and noting the use of Emma's title took a moment to asses their surroundings. It was a shop filled with racks of pre-made clothes, women's clothes, mostly dresses and racks upon racks of shoes. They were not alone, apart from the woman now speaking to Emma (she was dark skinned, with hair cut close to her head, highlighting her bone structure and overall very appealing) there were two other women kneeling at the side of the room. One with silky long dark hair and tanned skin and the other a typically pale red-head, they were both naked except their underwear. All three kept their eyes down, deferring to the blonde.
"Miss Swan?" Regina querying, wishing to be informed of the full facts in this strange environment.
"My companion is from overseas and requires several outfits for her stay here," Emma's nod acknowledging the queen's request but continuing her conversation. "Mistress -," Emma pausing, not knowing what title to use here but not wanting to call the queen by her first name in front of such an audience. "' - Black will require measuring and outfits suitable for both day and evening wear."
"Of course, Mistress Swan," their hostess nodding her understanding of the request. Regina following the conversation, honouring Emma's previous instructions not to question her whilst in the presence of others of lower rank, as these women obviously were.
"Mistress Black," Emma now addressing Regina direct. "this is a store of excellent repute and I believe will hold items to your liking. Are you content to shop here?"
"Yes, I believe that is acceptable," Regina's chin tilting up, eyes catching the minutest reactions from the three unfamiliar women as she spoke. The reactions of a slave to the voice of a mistress and she smiled internally. "Do you vouch for their discretion, Mistress Swan?"
"I do, they are beholden to me and would not wish to disappoint their owners," Emma informing her. "We have full use of their services while we are here."
"Then that is acceptable," Emma relaxing once she knew Regina was comfortable with the situation.
"May I take your coat, Mistress?" Emma allowing her coat to be taken by the woman she had been speaking with, the garment being passed off to the dark haired woman who stood to receive it, the same action being repeated for Regina before the coats were taken away to be hung.
"Please, follow me Mistress," their hostess requesting, leading the way further into the shop, holding back heavy curtains for them to pass through into a large deeply carpeted area, housing several mirrors and opulent couches.
"May I undress you to take your measurements?" The red-headed slave speaking up, having followed them through, all three slaves now present.
"You may, keep your eyes to yourself!" Regina hissing, asserting her authority.
"Yes, Mistress," the girl left with no doubt of her place.
"Bring us some red wine," Emma commanding, settling herself on one of the couches closest to the queen. Watching intently and with with pleasure as the slaves efficiently removed Regina's clothes, down to the underwear she had borrowed from Emma. The actions reminding Regina to question Emma about the garment she called a 'bra'. She felt naked without her corset but this was comfortable and offered a free range of movement, and it was visually extremely appealing, as was the entire underwear selection owned by her pet. Some novel but aesthetically pleasing designs.
"I would suggest three evening dresses, three outfits for day wear and at least one set of pants and a jacket and heavier coat," Emma now directing the slaves as the measurements were complete. "Bring a selection to suit my companion's colouring and figure."
"Yes, Mistress Swan," the slaves replied in unison and disappearing back into the shop to select the outfits requested.
"They are well trained and have excellent taste," Emma reassuring the queen as she stood half naked, unabashed by her body.
"I trust they do if you frequent this establishment," Regina smiling, she was feeling relaxed, the whole scenario one with which she was familiar. No more was said as the slaves returned with arms full of clothing. Emma content to watch as Regina was dressed and undressed, expressing her approval or disdain for each outfit as they went. She particularly liked the flattering cut of the breeches in this world, they were feminine but allowed for a great freedom of movement, she would have Lucy copy the design.
A sharp hiss rent the air as Regina's hair was caught in the zipper of a dress the red-head was fitting. The queen reacting on instinct and slapping the girl across the face, hard enough to knock her down, only then looking to Emma for her reaction.
"She deserved it," Emma stating dispassionately but aroused by the spark of anger in the queen. "She is serving you as a slave and should not injure her Mistress. Do you wish to punish her or shall I?" Emma deciding that the slap was not sufficient punishment in this situation. She had authority to maintain, after all.
"Hmm, well I wish to be finished here as soon as possible, I will require sustenance soon so I shall let you make her suffer," the last words practically spat at the girl now kneeling at the queen's feet, awaiting her fate.
"Tiana, the cane please," Emma addressing the lead slave by name for the first time.
"Yes, Mistress Swan," her swift response indicating that it was obviously not an unusual request as she left the curtained area.
"They are employed here by their owner who allows selected 'customers' a free hand over any indiscretions," Emma explaining to the queen who had admittedly been curious about the arrangement. Usually it was only a slave's owners who were permitted to punish their slaves. "And she paid me to train them." A shrug as the fact was stated.
"Then she should know better," Regina surmising with a tilt of her chin as she referred to the kneeling slave. "I think I am done here except a coat. Dress me and bring me a selection," she commanded the other slave who did as requested.
"Mistress Swan," Tiana returning with a thin, vicious looking cane.
"Lie on your stomach," Emma ordering the disgraced slave who did as she was told, lying down on the floor in front of the blonde. "Bend your legs as far back as you can. Hold her down," a nod to Tiana who did as she was told, hands placed firmly on the slave's shoulders" The red-head was breathing heavily but knew not to struggle. In fact she was excited, she had not meant to injure Mistress Black but if anyone was going to punish her she wanted it to be Mistress Swan.
Regina was standing watching the scene, fascinated by the authority her pet held, her effortless control over these women, they wanted to do as they were told. It was over quickly, ten hard strokes to the soles of the slave's feet leaving her gasping and crying, biting her lip as she counted them off for her mistress, for Emma. Regina knew the slave wanted more, a look to her pet showed the same needs there. Emma's eyes dark and skin flushed, darkness cresting the surface of her usually controlled demeanour.
"Now you must stand until you leave work today," Emma dictating. "As soon as you return home inform your mistress or your failure today."
"Yes Mistress Swan, thank you Mistress Swan," the slave stood shakily, breathing still heavy but her nipples were hard and her pupils blown. It was obvious the pain had aroused her, Regina wagering o herself that she would be wet between her thighs.
"Tiana, charge my account for the purchases and arrange to have them sent to my apartment immediately. Mistress Black have you selected a coat?" Emma was now bored and keen to leave, her eyes roving over the queen as she spoke.
"Yes, shall we leave?" Regina was also wanting to move on, wanting Emma to herself again.
"We shall," Emma agreeing and they were soon leaving the shop and back in the cool outside air.
"That was interesting," Regina looping her arm through the blonde's possessively.
"Mmm, one perk of being me," Emma chuckling. "I have trained all the store owner's slaves so she gives me a discount and private use of the facilities. She also trusts me to exert discipline if required, it is not the norm."
"Yes, I would never allow another to punish you, my pet," Regina purposely teasing the blonde who growled. "But the arrangement seems logical and mutually beneficial."
"Glad to hear it," Emma responding. "But it felt good to let loose, it's been awhile," making no effort to hide her frustration.
"I know, maybe when we return we can put you in charge of discipline in the palace," Regina musing. "Actually, on second thoughts nothing would get done, they would be queuing up to suffer under your hand," the queen frowning at the thought.
"Ha! Some definitely would," Emma laughing at the accuracy of the queen's assessment. "But now how about lunch and I show you some more of the city before we return?"
"That would be agreeable," the queen agreeing as they walked slowly past the other shop windows, pausing if anything caught Regina's eye. The fine dresses were giving her plenty ideas to scandalise her court with.
The rest of their day was spent in the outside world, Emma introducing the queen to various novelties. Heated glances exchanged over a light lunch at an upmarket seafood restaurant. They had spent considerable time in the electronics store with Emma providing as much information she could about each product (TVs an unsurprising hit, leading to a brief on the entertainment industry) and purchasing Regina a phone and instructing her on how to use it in case they were separated for any reason. Regina was impressed yet baffled by the technology behind it, a simple summoning charm would have the same effect, would it not?
Before returning to the apartment Emma took them to the local grocery store where Regina spent far too long (in Emma's opinion) examining and selecting items she wished to try as well as items she was familiar with, it seemed that an apple was still an apple even in this alien world. Emma also having to avert an apocalypse when Regina had taken offence to the fact that the grocery clerk had provided less than satisfactory service (in Regina's opinion). Emma managing to manhandle the queen out of the store before she started a fist fight. Once the queen had been distracted by a deep kiss (with whispered promises to thoroughly fuck her later) Emma was able to get a word in edgewise to explain that his wage would barely cover his living expenses. He was polite if disengaged and how would Regina feel to have his job? The queen then disparaging a kingdom where idiots were obviously in control of things and private enterprise was allowed to pay a very human cost for their success. Emma did not have the energy to delve into political history and philosophy but silently agreed. The queen was cruel but extremely fair, her kingdom was well run and people well cared for, including the minorities. Martial law aside.
"So." Once they had returned to the apartment Emma plonked the grocery bags down on the counter, emptying them out ready to put the food away, glad the queen's temper had died down and exhausted from battling her extensive intellect. "We can eat then get ready to go to the club."
"Yes, I am intrigued," Regina settling herself on a stool facing Emma as she worked, the blonde efficiently distributing the food, only leaving out what she was to cook.
"Will you take those to the cold room?" Regina pointing to the milk, meat and fish set to one side of the counter.
"Uh, no. They go in the fridge, here look," Emma confused for a moment before opening her integrated fridge freezer concealed behind a door in her kitchen.
"You have your own in here?" Regina was astounded, her palace had one such room and it took her magic to maintain it at a constantly cool temperature. Other dwellings relied on cellars but food could still spoil very quickly in the warmer months.
"Um, yes," Emma opening first the top section then the bottom. "Fridge in the top, freezer in the bottom."
"It really freezes?" Regina was astounded, what wealth must Emma have to have her own?
"Oh, you can buy them at the electrical store, everyone has one," the blonde shrugging. "Electricity," Regina nodding, she should have guessed as it did seem to be the answer to everything.
"Oh!" Emma breaking off what she was doing and striding towards her bookcase in the living room. " Here," she placed a large, cloth bound book down in front of the queen. It was covered in blue cloth with gold lettering spelling 'Grimm's Fairy Tales'. "These are the authors of most of the famous stories. From what I now and from what you have told me they seem to originate in your world but were really gathered and assimilated from regional folk lore dating back hundreds of years. These stories were originally published about two hundred years ago."
"Really?" Regina was shocked, "Not that much time has passed surely? Red only came to me a few years ago. You were a baby when you left, six years passed in my kingdom but nearly twenty four in yours. You've been gone three months but only six has passed here. It makes no sense, there is no logical correlation!"
"I know, I've given myself a headache thinking about it," Emma grumbling as she went back to prepare the vegetables for their dinner. "My only thought was that whoever is travelling between the worlds, if they actually are, is possibly travelling between more than two and therefore the timeline gets messed up a lot more. I'm also concerned that our visit here not be too long, we don't want to miss months in your kingdom."
"Mmmm, a lot to consider but I do know those who make world hopping their pastime," Regina musing. "But do not worry, the orb tethers us to my world so we shall only miss the amount of time we spend here. No more, no less. In theory of course I have not tested this before."
"Ok, well that takes the pressure off a bit. It's been on my mind," Emma admitting but not really wanting to think about such things right now. Her brain was well and truly fucked.
It fell quiet, Regina reading, Emma cooking and the women only exchanging a few words here and there as they were in the habit of doing when alone in the queen's world. It was companionably domestic, Emma snorting to herself at the thought but eyes lingering on the brunette who was deeply absorbed in the book.
"So, are all the stories true?" Emma questioning as they took the lift down to meet her driver. Dinner had been enjoyable and relaxed, kisses had been exchanged whilst changing into their dresses for the evening, nothing else had happened but Emma knew she was a horny drunk and seeing the queen in a sheer blood red dress wasn't cooling her libido. Regina was thinking along the same lines, Emma looked delectable in the black dress she was wearing, scandalous splits up either side and it left most of her pet's flesh on display. A pleasure to look at but Regina knew that she would have a hard time reigning in her possessive nature this evening. It had been difficult not to slap the lecherous looks off the people they had encountered during the day and Emma had been dressed conservatively by comparison.
It was going to be a long night!
xxx
"Yes, it's different since Emma's magic awoke but what -?" Red was frowning, recalling the dark of the queen's magical aura, spiked with the silver tendrils that could only be Emma's magic.
"Their magic has bonded, they are inseparable now, they are one magical force. To separate them would eventually kill them, it's quite rare but it does happen, it makes them incredibly powerful," Eva explaining faye lore to the wolf.
"Yes but why -," Red was struggling to get her head around the implications of -.
"In the eyes of the faye, they are married."
"They are what?" Red hissing, grabbing the girl by her upper arm and shoving her back against the stone wall of the corridor, now in the Queen's private wing so unlikely to be overheard
"Married, but I don't think the Queen has told Emma of this -," Eva frowning at the implications that threw up but not attempting to free herself from Red's firm grip.
"No. No -, I agree. Our Queen is one to keep her cards to her chest until the last possible moment. I know things were different between them, the Queen more distant with Emma since -." Red releasing her and turned to pace the hallway, fists clenched.
"Since Maleficent visited?" Eva querying, head cocked as she observed the agitated wolf.
"No, before -," Red turning her full attention on the faye. "When Snow attacked Emma, when the Queen took her to her chambers. I saw their magic bonding, it threw me away. It's what caused the tremors," Red filling in the gaps in the light of the new information she had been given.
"Ah, I assumed it had been the Queen's anger, that the fairy had attacked Emma, not that the bonding had occurred then," Eva pausing. "But I do not think the Queen knew the implications until Maleficent visited."
"I agree. But this! Going off to another world to run away from - ," Red growling deeply in frustration.
"They will come back, together. Emma loves her, she will not leave," the statement full of conviction but Red was not so sure, dark hair swaying with the shaking of the wolf's head.
"No, she respects her but she does not love her. Or if she does she is blind to it. Neither Emma nor the Queen acknowledge their depth of feelings for one another, they see the transaction, not what has crept under the surface and taken root. Maybe now though, if they are forced to face it -?" Red musing, looking to her companion for comment.
"The Queen loved my mother, so she is capable of it. I am told they were very happy together until she caught the King's eye," the wolf listening intently, Eva's knowledge of the queen's early life greater than Red's. "They courted as girls, in secret, but my father claims my mother was heartbroken when their time came to marry. He loved her greatly, as a friend, and proposed to protect her from any potential backlash from the King should he ever find out about their dalliances." the faye clarifying with a sad smile. "I am assured that our Queen did not go to the King's bed a virgin."
"That does not surprise me," Red allowing a sad smile, as she had grown up she had come to realise why the queen was always so patient with her, so kind. It was because she knew what it was like to have no control over your own life, or body. It also partially explained the ruthless control their ruler exerted and wicked punishments given to those who would defy her, or hurt those who could not defend themselves. "But I am glad she had your mother, - before."
"As am I," the faye agreeing, head bowed. "And I know that is why she favours me, why she brought me here."
"But you are not your mother, you must not forget that in your dealings with her," Red warning. "She favours you but if you displease her that will not protect you."
"I know this, Red," amber eyes hardening as they caught the wolf's. "She took me to her bed to test me and did not find me lacking. I respect our Queen and that is why I sought an alliance with you, she trusts your council and I am aware that I have much to learn, from you." A nod from Red but the wolf had not exhausted the conversation.
"And Greta?" A growl, yellowed eyes and canines sharpening, Red once again challenging Eva's claim to the younger wolf.
"I will make no move to claim her until the Queen gives her permission," A dip of the girl's head. "The Queen is not here but her rules will be respected." Red stayed silent, not comfortable with the certainty with which the faye spoke. "But, as I have been privy to both Greta and Belle's training please let me keep them occupied when you do not require them, I know they can be taxing for you at times," Eva referring to the young slaves in training, knowing how frustrating Red still found the young amazon, Belle. "The scent of her arousal must be quite trying?"
"Yes," the wolf nodding. "Your senses are heightened, also?" A query raised but Red was intrigued by the young faye and from a tactical point of view it was sensible to know her strengths, and any weaknesses.
"Mmmm, less than a wolf's but more than a full human's," Eva tilting her head in acknowledgement. "Emma is stronger than the Queen, I am stronger than Emma but I did not struggle against her," she added, thoughts flashing back to that night in the Queen's bed chamber. "Well, only a little," a smirk showing she had enjoyed it.
"Ha!" Red snorted. "You say this but Emma fights smart, the way she fought for the Queen against the Amazons, never underestimate her. She took three of them down in nothing but underwear, and she has bested me as I made the same mistake," the wolf's tone rueful but admiring. "Even the Conqueror praised her skills."
"Fine praise indeed," Eva murmuring, taking the words to heart. Not that she had any intention of fighting the blonde slave but it was always best to be fully informed.
"Shall we find the slaves?" Eva hesitating before continuing. "You look tense, things are under control and I can occupy Greta for as long as you need -." The tone suggestive and Red felt her wolf was restless, it liked that idea. A lot.
"Yes, they should be back from their errands now, looking for trouble," Red shaking her head. "It's a good job they are relatively useful."
xxxx
Next in The Collar
"You two!" Cook called out to the young slaves who were loitering in the hallway. Not sure what to do with themselves, neither wanting to be in the way or to be too far away from Red when she called for them.
"Make yourselves useful and go pick up a package for Red," Cook passing on the wolf's instruction on a piece of parchment. "Don't dawdle, she may need you soon."
"Yes, Cook!" Greta replying enthusiastically, scanning the paper. "Come on, we get to go out of the palace," informing Belle with a grin.
"Aye, hurry back. It is only because you are known, pup, that you are allowed out unsupervised. Don't make me regret letting you go! Now shoo!" Cook flicking a towel in their direction to speed them along.