A/N A slightly longer chapter but slower update as I only have so many free hours per week to write. For example this chapter is the equivalent of 7 pages of a word doc so the time involved is still considerable. Please let me know if you'd prefer longer breaks and longer chapters or shorter chapters and quicker updates as it's hard to judge from guest reviews what the overall preference would be. Lately I've been cutting them off as the scenes dictate but have had some criticism for their length which is disheartening given my commitment to finishing the story as quickly as possible, therefore feedback would be appreciated.

Previously in The Collar

"Hasn't the Queen given you any of her potions?" Cook frowning as she busied in a nearby drawer to pull out a length of linen.

"We've not really spoken today, she left early." A half truth.

"Hmm, she's probably avoiding you because she feels guilty," Cook hypothesising and Emma's brows rose, surprised by the remark. "Oh, she's come to care for you, if she admits it or not."

xxxxxx

"Enter, Emma!" Eva calling our at the knock on the door.

"How did you know it was me?" Emma slipping through the door looking puzzled.

"I recognise your tread. Come in. How can I help?" Eva placing her latest stack of papers down and folding her hands across the top. "Are you alright?"

"That seems to be a common question today," Emma huffing and taking a look around. Papers everywhere but seemingly in order. "May I?" Emma gesturing towards the chaise lounge style couch off to one side of the table Eva was sitting at.

"Of course!" Eva jumping up to move her jacket from the end but Emma waving her off, it wasn't in her way.

"Do you know where Red has gone?"

"No, she stated she had business but would return within the day and be sure to take an escort, to be safe."

"Good. There is too much going on for her to be attacked again," Emma settling herself into the crook of the arm and easing her muscles, slowly relaxing and hoping it wouldn't hurt too much when she had to get up.

"You're in pain," Eva noting the rigid movements and recalling the sounds of the cane on Emma's flesh.

"I am but I've had much worse," Emma giving a wry half grin before bracing herself and leaning back fully with a sharp exhale.

"I'm sure you have but it was foolish, you knew what would happen." Emma narrowing her eyes at the challenge before giving a huff, not wanting to be drawn into that conversation. "The Queen was out of sorts during the meeting."

"Was she Ok?" Emma reacting on instinct now that Regina's well-being was in question.

"Mmmm, she was brusque and spoke to no-one either before or after. She looked tired. So do you."

"She was up early."

"I suspect I know what is going on but I will not press you for information. Please, just let me know if I can assist in any way or you have anything you wish to discuss," Eva offering but watching Emma shut down even as she spoke, becoming closed off and that all too familiar aloof expression taking up residence. "Believe it or not I have some experience of wanting what I am not permitted to take."

"What if you were permitted, and that was the issue?" Emma's question surprising them both and she baulked, not meaning to have spoken aloud and Eva blinking at the unprecedented sharing.

"Oh!"

"Exactly!" Emma grumbled more to herself than Eva.

"Then I would call you out as a fool if you did not accept," Eva's eyes flashing with magic at her vehement response, their amber intensifying to a golden glow before dimming, palms slamming down on the table. "If she offers such a thing I am sure she will allow you time to adjust, she knows you well and you both seemed happy when you returned?"

"It was a pleasant interlude," Emma admitted with a sigh. "But then she allowed me to be beaten, I wasn't really in the head-space for romance."

"You're solely to blame for that action!" Eva's attack immediate. "Had you stilled your tongue I imagine your evening would have been a lot more pleasant, instead you acted like a child for whatever your reason was! You're still a slave, she could not let it slip from you or any other in the kingdom, free or otherwise. Thinking on it like that you got off lightly, she has killed for less."

Emma silent after the reprimand, brooding and sullen as Eva's words struck home, knowing she would have acted the same as Regina had didn't help her this time because she also knew how hard it would be to hurt someone she cared about. How would she have felt if it had been Regina strung up? The surge of protectiveness and guilt that rose made her feel sick, and extremely guilty. Maybe that was how Regina had felt, maybe not but she had seemed upset when they had talked and -. Fuck! Fuck this place and its archaic rules.

Eva let Emma sulk or whatever she thought she was doing as she scowled out the window, deep in her thoughts, and turned her attention back to the scout reports from the neighbouring kingdoms. Hmm, it seemed one of the mountain mines had opened a new vein of silver so it may be prudent to send a trade caravan up there to facilitate things, take the trade to the mountain not bring the mountain to the trade. It may be a good time to unload the southern wine the queen had shipped in last month, not as fine as her own vineyards produced but a nice contrast to the dwarven ale and the dwarves really like to drink!

"Huh! Emma looking over at the sound of self-satisfaction Eva uttered, seeing the faye looking pleased with herself.

"What?" Emma's reverie now broken and she realised how anti-social she was being, considering she had been the one to interrupt Eva's day.

"I think I've just figured out a way to get the dwarves to spend their money," Eva explaining happily. "They are remarkably self-sufficient for most things but they never turn down good alcohol and the Queen traded a cellar full for one of her stallions."

"Do you enjoy being here?" Emma now giving her cousin her full attention, cousin, that still seemed an alien concept having been alone all her life, more so than knowing she had actual parents.

"Yes, I really do," Eva sitting back in her chair, hands falling relaxed on the chair's arms. "It's a better life for me than I ever could have hoped, more challenging and fulfilling than living at my father's court had been. I've been privileged, extremely. But I also enjoy the darker side of life here, what the Queen offers is extremely seductive and I believe I've developed a taste for it, for right or wrong."

"It is easy to, whichever side of the coin you fall," Emma agreeing.

"But you enjoy both?" Eva questioning daringly.

"It appears so," Emma sighing. "I never considered I could. I knew I used it as a means to an end but it was a job, this has always been different." Her words weighty with their truth and the impact they had on her psyche.

"That sounds hard to reconcile?"

"Yeah, I think I'm only just realising how hard."

"You should talk to her, be honest. I'm sure she is more fretful than she will ever show. I happened upon her in the garden this afternoon, she seemed contemplative and obviously wanted to be alone."

"But she was well?" Emma now concerned.

"Seemingly so, she did not look distressed. It is a place she feels close to my mother, I believe," Eva revealing and Emma could only nod. Sensing she had said enough for new Eva let her be and re-focused on her work until the hour passed. Emma's sudden jerk of movement startling her.

"She's calling me," Emma's hand going to her collar as she felt it warm.

"Then go!" Eva shaking her head and wincing in sympathy as she watched Emma rise from the chair, a groan escaping the slave. "Good luck."

"Thanks, I'll take anything I can get."

Before she reached the queen she came across Red in the atrium at the top of the grand staircase leading to the queen's and nobles' suites, where Eva's rooms were located.

"She's called for me but Belle wants to speak to you," Emma remembering her conversation with the Amazon that morning. "She wants to talk to you but she didn't want to burden you because she's worried that you're too busy and tired. I said she should speak to you not me but that I would let you know so you can bring it up. Talk to her, she cares about you but she's nervous too," Emma keeping her promise to Belle and breaking the ice for her.

"Really?" Red glancing to her rooms where she knew Belle would be, waiting.

"Yes, she's always so respectful of you when she speaks of you. That should be rewarded," Emma winking as she slapped Red on the shoulder in farewell, hiding her trepidation before she met the queen.

Xx

"Slave," Red striding into her chamber and finding Belle standing ready, posture now perfect and eyes down.

"Mistress?" Belle raising her eyes, anxious now they were alone and she suspected she knew what the unintelligible but audible between the two in the hallway was regarding.

"Emma told me you would like to speak with me?"

"I would, if you would permit?" Belle straightening and standing a little taller as her mistress stood in the centre of the room, unbuckling her sword belt and placing it down carefully on the table.

"Do I scare you?" Red coming to stand before her slave, close but not touching, and looking down into her eyes. Belle shaking her head but seeing a hint of yellow in the iris which usually meant the wolf was close to the surface. "No? You smell afraid."

"I'm afraid of speaking with you, not of you," Belle trying to explain.

"Oh?" Red stepping back to give the girl some air and electing to sit in her favoured chair opposite the fire, Belle turning to keep her in her direct line of sight. Once Red had settled herself she gave Belle her full attention. "And what do you wish to speak to me about, hmm?"

"How you make me feel and how wrong I felt this morning," Belle forcing her voice to stay steady.

"What felt wrong?" Red leaning forward, elbows resting on her knees as she frowned.

"I'm not really sure. I have spent enough nights here alone to be comfortable without you, not scared of being alone I mean. "

"But?" Red frowning as she studied her pet for signs of malady.

"But when I woke things felt -, off," Belle feeling foolish as she tried to explain.

"How did you feel?" Red knowing she needed to be patient so keeping her tone gentle.

"I had a dream about the beast, it was here and I was scared because you weren't here to protect me. It sounds so childish and foolish -," Belle dropping her eyes in shame.

"Come here," Red cutting her off and pointing to the floor in front of her. "Kneel."

Belle positioning herself between Red's spread knees as she knelt for her mistress, looking up into concerned eyes.

"You are safe here, the beast cannot come inside the palace walls, it is very heavily warded by the Queen and the guards are very alert. Nothing can get in without the Queen's permission. Nothing can hurt you here, except me," Red growling, reaching out to cup Belle's cheek briefly to caress the soft skin with her calloused thumb before dropping it back to her lap.

"I know, Mistress Red and I'm sorry. It was just a bad dream but it's lingered, I feel -," Belle banging her the heel of her hand against her chest to try and convey the distress she had felt when she had awoken alone.

"You feel?" Red batting away Belle's hand and pressing her left palm against the slave's breastbone, now concerned. The wolf closing her eyes and focusing, pushing her magic into Belle to try and gauge what may be wrong. At first she felt nothing, then she began to feel a dark churning that made her pull back, head foggy and stomach roiling.

"Come, now! "We must see the Queen," Red grabbing Belle's hand and pulling her out of the door and down the hall to the Queen's chambers where she knocked and sent a pulse of worry through their bond. The doors swung open immediately and she stepped inside, scenting for the queen's location and finding her n her bathing chamber. "Wait." A stern instruction to Belle to wait outside was received with a nod.

"Red? What troubles you?" Regina questioning from the pool where she and Emma had been bathing in silence, were still bathing, Red averting her eyes from the pair's nudity.

"Red! Look at me!" The Queen demanding and Red inhaled and turned her eyes to the queen. "What is so urgent?" Regina was concerned about the interruption, she had felt no disturbances so what had got Red in such a state?

"Belle, My Queen. She feels bad, here," Red placing her hand over her chest.

"Bad? How so?" Regina wading out of the pool, Emma following and holding a robe for the queen to step into.

"Her magic, it feels dark." Regina looking into panicked eyes and deciding to see for herself, striding through to the main chamber with a muttered 'cover yourself' to Emma who snagged a towel and wrapping it around her body as she shadowed the queen into the main chamber.

"Girl, here. Now!" Regina barking and Belle stepping forward hastily, presenting herself for the queen, feet apart hands behind her back. Regina wasting no time and slapping her open hand against the girls' chest, just as Red had done.

Regina did not need to look very hard to feel exactly what Red had felt. The magic inside Bella had not felt like this before, it had been dormant, barely detectable now it was a seething malevolent mass.

"You feel it too?" Red didn't really need a verbal confirmation, the queen's face said it all.

"Yes, how did this come to your attention?" Brown eyes flickering between amazon and wolf.

"Belle told me she's been feeling off all day, since she woke from a dream of the beast last night," Red keeping the facts pertinent.

"Is this true?" Regina scowling as she turned her full attention to Belle.

"Yes, My Queen. It is as Mistress Red says. It's never felt like this before, I've never felt anything like this before," Belle was becoming stressed as she saw how the queen had reacted, the monarch was staring at Belle's chest as though she were about to be attacked at any moment, as though a viper were to spring forth.

"Well, at least I now know what caused your predicament," Regina looking to Red. "It is as I suspected, the imp has tainted her." Red's sudden roar echoing around the stone walls, rage exploding at the thought of that evil creature even being close to her -.

"Easy, my wolf," Red leaning in to the familiar touch of the queen's hand against her cheek and taking heaving breaths to calm herself. "I will run some tests tomorrow but for now I will ward her collar," Regina's free hand grasping the collar in its fist and causing the metal to glow, Belle gasping.

"Are you alright?" Red's concern immediate, once again visually assessing her pet's well-being as she awaited her answer.

"Yes, that feels better. So, so much better, thank you My Queen. I hadn't realised how bad it had become until it stopped," Belle overcome with a relief she hadn't known she had needed and, muscles relaxing, Red stepping close to her side to offer support and taking some of the slave's weight as Belle leaned against her mistress gratefully.

"She's protected, as are you by your amulet," Regina reaching up to toy with Red's magical pendant, the one she had gifted her to help her control her change and strengthened with various magics over the years. "Go rest and I will call you to me when I am ready. It will be after luncheon on the morrow."

"Thank you, My Queen," Red leaning her forehead against her own and Regina sending a calming wave through their bond, the wolf allowed herself to relax, just a little.

"Slave, wake Red should anything change then you must both come to me immediately. Understood?"

"Yes, My Queen," they chorused before taking their leave, not before Red was awarded a deep kiss, Regina cupping her face with both hands before holding worried green eyes with her own.

"Be safe."

"I will."

Emma watching them leave, worried about them both.

"Mistress," the queen turning as her -, as Emma spoke. "I brought the book with the story of the beast back with me. I thought you might need it."

"Thank you, Emma. I will review it in the morn. I do not have the capacity now," Regina pinching the bridge or her nose before looking to Emma.

"It has been a long day," Emma agreeing neutrally. Their eventual meeting had been anti-climactic.

'I do not wish to speak of it.' Was all that had been said when mistress and slave met for the first time since Regina's confession. Emma having continued to the queen's rooms after leaving Red but not before collecting, 116 from Greta's room before entering the queen's chambers. It had been a very long day and she was exhausted so when the queen appeared only moments after Emma and 116 arrived, requesting Emma's assistance to bathe. The queen's statement made the second they were alone.

'Yes, My Queen,' Emma replying, grateful for the reprieve. She had been struggling all day to explain herself to Regina and now she knew nothing was expected of her she could slip back into her role and relax. No decisions to make and no thoughts to have. Instead she could cocoon herself in the familiar routine of undressing the queen and and assisting her to bathe, until Red's panic had interrupted.

As soon as Emma was naked Regina was remind of the slave's harsh treatment and silently cursing herself for being so self-centred as to have ignored Emma's injuries. Eyeing the welts and bruises and the way Emma winced when she moved with distaste despite her complicity in their occurrence. She did not speak of it but allowed her magic to flow into the water surrounding them, Emma's sigh of relief and visible healing of her wounds confirmation it was having the desired effect.

"Thank you," Emma's words soft, she was conflicted about the punishment but could only appreciate the relief as she felt her body heal. It seemed her own magic had also been kick-started and within moments all her paid receded and even her ribs felt healed when she tested her movement surreptitiously. A reach for the wash cloth on the side of the pool causing no pain whatsoever.

"We shall retire," Regina nodding towards her bed chamber after Red and Belle left. "Slave, you are not needed tonight. I fear in my current state you would risk permanent injury." 116 nodding at the admission but taking it to heart after Emma's warnings earlier in the day and watching the queen retreat.

"The rug is yours again. You will be called if needed," Emma taking a brief moment to offer instruction before following Regina to bed. Regina slipping in and turning on her side, the light extinguishing even before Emma had caught her up.

"In the bed."

"Yes, Mistress."

Emma was having trouble sleeping, the queen's bed was just as comfortable as her own but being in charge of her own space, in control of the minutiae of her life such as how she lay to sleep, was already being missed. Exhaling and rolling onto to her side to face the queen she was unsurprised to find brown eyes open and fixed on her.

"Mistress?" Emma whispering, a tone purposely huskier than usual.

"Yes, Pet?" Regina replying, wondering what she wished to discuss at this late hour, hoping it was not Emma's intent to discuss her morning's confession.

"It seems that I have quickly become used to having you close while I sleep. Would you indulge my weakness until I am fully re-adjusted to this world?" Emma careful with her phrasing, now understanding how (but not wholly why) Regina was scared of showing any weakness, however small and self-sabotaging it may be, especially given her recent revelation.

"You would rest better?" Regina querying, frowning at her slave's admission.

"I really would, Mistress," Emma confirming with a slight nod, hair rustling against the silk of the pillow.

"Then I will permit it on this one occasion," Regina turning her back to her pet and relaxing as soon as she felt Emma's arm drape over her waist. It was a novelty for her, Elizabeth had been petite (despite her strength of personality) so the way Emma curved her body protectively around her own was a new experience. But, she knew that is what it was, Emma's protective behaviours set free in her world and it was only the smallest stretch for Regina to understand why this may benefit her in this world. Her pet always willing to provide her additional safety and comfort when permitted. That was all it was, Emma had made it very clear it could be nothing more.

Xxxx

Next in The Collar

"Today can be that day," Regina murmuring but not turning round.

"What day?" Emma confused and still a little fuzzy with sleep.

"The time when we are not mistress and slave." Regina finally daring to twist her body round to face her bed-mate and they lay eye to eye.