Chapter Text
Chapter Fifteen
Emma was settled in her favorite white velvet chair by the warmth and glow of the fireplace. She sank into the firm yet soft cushion with a contented sigh. She was warm and comfortable despite the weather outside finally giving way to winter. The days were shorter and the nights were frosty. Emma kept her eyes on the red and orange flames that were crackling and dancing in front of her. She stayed focused on them for a moment as she let her mind wander. She had so much on it.
Her thoughts began with her mother. Well, her parents but more so her mother. Her father was just simply one of Snow White's pawns. Not much of a threat. She could easily get him out of the way but the Queen was the bigger issue here. Emma had made a very clear threat to her face. Whether her parents took it seriously or not was up to them. She warned them of what she was going to do. Perhaps the two of them not taking her warning seriously would work in her favor.
That just brought her to whether if she really wanted to go through the process of overthrowing her own parents. They have proven themselves less than worthy on more than one occasion since Emma's birth and it must have been worse before then. Emma had always taken care of their people and they knew that no one would ever care for them the way she does. She knew that her people's loyalty stayed with her. It always will. As for her knights. She was sure there would be a division but a majority would stand with her. Her worries didn't lie with her rule being supported or accepted; what worried her was whether she was ready to have an entire kingdom dependent her. Sure, she was the princess and she was already handling the king and queen's responsibilities but was she ready to put queen before her name?
It wasn't like she had much of a choice. Her parents were running their kingdom into the ground. Their people deserved far better. The idea of having all that weight on her worried her just a bit since she was hoping to retire after her defeat of the Queen. That would put a damper in her relaxation for sure. But it was the right thing to do.
Perhaps she could take her time in her decision making. Maybe her threat would cause her parents to pull their shit together. She could only hope but she doubted they would change their ways. They were stuck in them like an old hound dog. Regardless, a dethroning takes time and lots of planning. She was patient. She had waited twenty-one years to fulfill a prophecy. This time she can wait, carefully plan and make sure that all of her ducks are in a row before she makes any moves. A good warrior always uses the information provided and plans each attack, that's what her father taught her.
He probably never thought there would be a day when his white knight would wise up and turn on him, in turn using his words against him.
He was the one who told her to always expect the unexpected. It was no one's fault but his own if he didn't take his own advice.
Emma dipped her hand into the bowl of blueberries settled on her lap. She pulled out a handful then stuffed it into her mouth. The berries popped as she chewed, the sweet juice exploding in her mouth. She groaned. They were so delicious especially to not even be in season. She reached back down into the bowl and ate a few more. She glanced at her pet who was kneeling beside her seat. The woman was focused on the fire as well. She had been behaving so well lately but Emma still didn't trust her. Emma picked up a blueberry and brought it to Regina's mouth. The woman stared at the offered berry with a furrow of her brow. Emma pressed it against her lips and when Regina opened her mouth, Emma put the berry inside. Her pet then shut her mouth and began eating it.
"Delicious, huh?" Emma asked with a smile. Regina simply nodded in reply. Emma patted her on the head, affectionately and gently then she ran her fingers through her hair. "That's my good girl." She whispered as she scratched at her scalp.
Regina's eyes fluttered closed as Emma touched her so gently. She found that Emma was finally not being so brutish towards her for a change. Regina had submitted to Emma but she didn't like it. A part of her wanted to scream at Emma that she was still the queen as she drove a knife into her heart but another part wanted to curl up at Emma's feet and beg her to stroke her. It was odd. It always felt like there was a war raging within herself.
"You should see the beautiful dress I got you for the ball..." Emma muttered as she fed her pet more blueberries. She brought her palm to the woman's mouth. She tsked when Regina tried to pick one up with her fingers. Regina gave her a look and began eating directly from Emma's palm. Emma watched the woman eat quietly for a moment before speaking again, "It compliments my suit and I'm positive you will be the talk of the ball."
Regina looked up at Emma with confusion. "There's a ball?"
Emma chuckled. "Yes, I thought I told you that my parents are throwing a disgusting ball to celebrate your capture and my birthday."
Regina frowned. "Oh..." She probably did tell her that but she wouldn't remember. She had so much on her mind that she couldn't focus on just one thought. "You are taking me?"
"Yeah," Emma answered kindly. "You are not my date but you will be my guest. I believe that you should be there to show everyone the progress we have made."
Regina accepted that. "So you are to parade me around like a prized horse?"
Emma hummed. "More like one of those ridiculously groomed poodles." She tilted her head. "But yes. I want everyone to see my beautiful, well-behaved bitch."
Regina made a face and Emma raised a brow in disapproval. The dark haired woman conceded then sighed. She was not in the mood to challenge Emma. "I am surprised that you are even taking me since the last time I was in a room with your mother, it didn't end well."
"She is not to address you," Emma stated firmly. "And you know better than speaking without permission. I expect the two of you to be on your best behavior. I would appreciate it if my pet made this thing a bit more bearable. Okay?"
"You seem like you don't wish to go..."
Emma laughed and sipped the whiskey in her cup. "I don't."
"Then why are you attending?"
Emma sighed. "Well, it is a ball in my honor so it would be rude not to show up. Also, it's better for my people to see us standing together..." She shrugged a shoulder. "Despite how I feel about my parents, I love my kingdom and my people and I wish them to feel safe. A united kingdom is a strong one. A strong kingdom keeps its people alive and happy."
Regina nodded. She didn't understand but she got that Emma was much different from her. She was willing to compromise for the sake of her kingdom while Regina believed that things should go her way or no way at all. "I'm sure Snow White had nothing to do with that."
Emma made a face. "You have good instincts."
"I know how to run a kingdom. I took good care of my people. They were never hungry and they were well protected."
Emma hummed. "I know. You told me this before. I conquered you so now they are the property of the White Kingdom..."
"They will be having none of that..."
Emma smirked then nodded. "I know but I'm sure I can win them over." She gave Regina a wide grin. "I've been told I could charm a snake with my smile alone."
Regina scoffed.
"That must not be true because I still haven't charmed you," Emma muttered.
Regina scowled. "That's rude."
Emma snickered. "So is slaughtering hundreds in an angry rage, or have you forgotten the gruesome things you've done?"
Regina wrinkled her nose and clamped her mouth shut. She would never forget the things she's done. She had enough of this conversation though. All it was doing was upsetting her.
Emma shifted in her seat. "Not speaking anymore?" When she didn't get a reply she shrugged a shoulder. "It's just as well. It's better if you're seen and not heard anyway." She delighted in the scowl she received. "Oh, you're angry?"
"I hate you." Regina spat.
Emma's brows rose and she looked amused. "Is that any way to speak to your Master?"
Regina said nothing and pressed her lips together. She stared up into Emma's eyes with a burning defiance. Emma stared back, wondering for a moment if the flames she saw flickering in the woman's dark eyes was the reflection of the flames in the fireplace or if her eyes had an actual fire in them. "Feeling defiant?"
"I'm tired of being treated with such little respect." Regina snapped.
Emma's jaw clenched at the woman raising her voice at her. "Oh." She said calmly. That seemed to snap Regina out of it. She immediately started panicking as she looked up at Emma with frightened eyes. Emma saw exactly when the woman realized her mistake. That pulled a smirk to the knight's lips. "Have you forgotten your place? Do I need to remind you?"
Regina shook her head. "No."
Emma grunted and grabbed the chain attached to her pet's collar that was laid across her lap. She yanked it, causing the woman to gag. She delighted in that as she pulled her close to her face. She leaned over the arm of the chair as she raised Regina up. "No what, bitch?"
Regina exhaled. "No, Master." She closed her eyes.
Emma yanked the chain again and Regina gasped at the pain. "Look at me when I'm speaking to you."
Regina opened her eyes and her gaze met Emma's. The knight looked pissed and she knew that she had pushed her luck too far. Emma grunted but said nothing for a while. She sat the bowl on the little table beside the chair. She did the same with her chalice of liquor.
"I wanted to have a quiet evening." The knight muttered. She sat up and scooted to the edge of the large chair. She spread her legs then tugged Regina's collar and began pulling her. Regina had no choice but to walk on her knees around the chair. She stopped in front of Emma. The knight examined the very shaken and very naked woman before her. Her bare chest was rising and falling with her rapid breaths. She had begun sweating a bit. Emma sighed deeply and tugged Regina close until she was between her legs. She watched the woman for a moment.
"Okay. You say that you haven't forgotten your place..." Emma began calmly. "But your actions have shown me otherwise." She raised a hand silencing the woman's protest. "I need proof. Show me that you've accepted me as your Master and you will serve me."
Regina looked down and she feared that Emma was going to make her perform a sex act on her. She really did not want Emma in her mouth again. She made her gag so many times. She felt that she was going to vomit then her throat was sore from the coughing. "How?" She whispered.
Emma smiled. "Bow to me."
Regina jumped and she looked at Emma in surprise. "Pardon?"
Emma smirked. "Bow to your Master."
Regina frowned and looked like she wanted to protest. "Please..."
Emma gave her a look that made Regina want to shrivel up and disappear into the earth. "I said bow. Bow to your Master."
Regina sat there frozen as disgust settled over her. She felt physically ill at the thought of bowing to a Charming. Her stomach churned not for the first time that evening but this time she felt bile rising up in her throat. She just stared at Emma with wide eyes, silently asking her not to make her do this. Emma had taken every ounce of dignity from her and she was still finding ways to demean her even more. She started to scream for Emma to go to hell but decided against it. She bit her lip trying to fight off the wave of nausea she felt.
Emma raised a brow and gave her a warning look. "Regina, so help me."
Regina knew that she had pushed Emma's buttons enough for one evening. She was willing to compromise to survive but this was too much. "Please, don't."
"Show me, I can trust you," Emma said softly. "Either show me or I'll beat you back into submission."
Regina gasped and her heart started racing. She did not want that. Not again. She felt that this was the last shred of dignity she had left. She was born to be queen. She had royal blood in her veins. She wasn't meant to bow to anyone. She felt that she was disappointing her mother. She couldn't stand the idea of disappointing Cora. She was humiliating her family and entire bloodline but she had no other options. Either do what Emma commanded her to do or be manhandled. She was in between a savior and hard place. She just had to do what she had to.
She felt tears building up behind her eyes and the heavy pressure in her head. Her lip trembled as she did as she was told. She closed her eyes and shook her head. She inhaled deeply then she bowed her head.
Emma smirked in satisfaction and raised her chin. "That's a good girl." She praised and petted Regina on her head. Regina just kept her eyes on the floor. "You can look up." When the woman lifted her head, Emma saw it. Her pet had tears streaming down her cheeks and her eyes were glossed over with unshed tears "What's wrong?"
"You're Snow White's daughter," Regina said looking into Emma's eyes. The green ones stared back at her with openness as if the owner was preparing to hear her out and understand but Regina knew better. Emma had Snow's eyes. She was staring into the eyes of Snow White. "Submitting to you and bowing to you means that she wins. The idea of her winning after what she's done... after what she's done to him... it's sickening."
"Oh." Emma sighed. She understood what was happening. Regina was mistaken in thinking that Emma was still serving Queen Snow White. She leaned forward, holding Regina's eyes. She reached out a hand and Regina flinched but Emma didn't stop. She ran her fingers through Regina's silky dark hair affectionately.
The touch was so gentle that Regina let her eyes slip closed and she leaned into Emma's touch. The blonde woman hummed and brought her hand down and let her fingers trail down her cheek. She trailed her knuckles upward then back down.
"Listen, sweetie..." She began gently causing Regina to open her eyes. "I am not doing any of this in the name of Snow White or the White Kingdom. This is for me and you. It's for us." She pressed her hand to Regina's face, cupping her cheek. "You're submitting to me, not the Kingdom. You're mine, not the Kingdom's. You're bowing to your Master, not my parents." She explained. "Understand?"
Regina understood perfectly but she didn't know if she could believe that Emma had gone completely rogue. When they had first met, Emma was breathing in the name of her Kingdom and now she was supposed to believe that Emma was no longer torturing her under her parents' order. Regina may be almost broken but she wasn't stupid.
Emma took Regina's chin between her thumb and forefinger. She leaned in until they were mere inches away. Hell, Regina could have thrown her head forward and broke Emma's nose but honestly, she didn't feel like it. "What are you thinking?"
Regina sighed. She shook head. "I don't know if I can trust you."
Emma smiled a bit and her eyes remained soft. "Have I ever lied to you?"
"Well, no," Regina admitted. "But you did masquerade as Mal."
Emma laughed softly. "I did, didn't I?" She tilted her head and rubbed her thumb over Regina's bottom lip. "I needed you back here."
"But that's a lie."
"Not exactly." Emma smiled. "It was sort of like a masquerade as you said. My words have never been untruthful to you. Knights are honest."
Regina knew this was true. Even her own knights who had done truly awful and unmentionable things in her name were honest and true. It was just in their nature. "I know."
Emma nodded. "So you know you can believe me when I say what happens between us is just for us?"
Regina looked into Emma's eyes and she saw honesty there. She was compelled to believe her. She sighed. "Yes."
Emma grinned. "Good. So, do you trust me?" She asked softly. She knew that regardless of how Regina replied, their relationship would change drastically.
Regina hesitated as she stared at Emma. She knew that she shouldn't but it wasn't like she had much of a choice. She nodded. "Yes, Master."
Emma's face lit up. She smiled wide. "Fuck, you're being a good girl now?" She chuckled. "I thought I was going to have to spank you."
Regina gasped and shook her head. "Please."
"I won't." She raised a placating hand. "You did as I said. If you keep this up, there might be a reward for you. One you will like very much."
Regina's curiosity was piqued then. "Like?"
Emma chuckled. "You'll see."
Regina nodded.
Emma hummed. "Hey, I want you to do something else for me."
Regina looked unsure but nodded anyway. "Okay?"
Emma grinned. "Get on all fours." Regina did that without hesitation then Emma picked up the chain. "Come this way." She held it outward so that Regina would have to turn sideways. Emma then dropped the chain. Regina furrowed brows. "Okay. Don't move."
Regina didn't move. She waited, keeping her eyes on the warm fire in front of her. They were a safe distance from it but she could still feel the heat on her face. She felt a weight on her back and gasped. She looked over at Emma. She found that the knight had put her feet up on her back.
Emma crossed her ankles and leaned back. She had been dying to use Regina as a footstool, now here she was. She needed to show Regina that she was hers and she will use her however she sees fit. She needed to put her feet up and so she would put them on Regina's back. "Don't move," Emma ordered again.
Regina caught Emma dig in the side of the chair and produce a whip. It was short and it appeared to be made of braided leather and hide. She audibly swallowed. She needed to behave so that Emma wouldn't be compelled to use that.
Regina huffed in frustration. This was a lot of humiliation for one day. Now Emma was using her as furniture! What was next, a toilet? She looked over her shoulder to find the knight closing her eyes. She exhaled again. There was nothing she could do. She was at Emma's mercy. She just hoped Emma would free her soon. For now, all she could do was wait.
Regina heard another page turn on Emma's book. Regina had no idea how long she had been on all fours with Emma's feet on her back. She wasn't allowed to move a single muscle and whenever she did, Emma would pop her backside with the little whip. Even though it was small, it packed a punch. It shouldn't have hurt as much as it did on her bare sensitive flesh. She tried her hardest to stay still but she was wobbling. Her muscles and joints were pushed to their limit and she was becoming sore. She couldn't take much more before she just about collapsed.
Emma must have sensed this and took pity on her. "You're pathetic, you know that?" Emma grumbled as she took her feet down. "I expect so much better from you."
Regina said nothing because she agreed with her. She kept her head lowered and stared at the carpet beneath her. She knew she was pathetic and she couldn't even bear the sight of herself. She would probably be so disgusted. She had fallen so far and she had accepted this. This is who she was now... a failure. Nothing. Emma had earned her submission so she gave it willingly.
"Do you not have anything to say for yourself?" Emma asked sharply. There was a pause as she waited for a response and when she received nothing, she sighed in irritation, "Well?" There was a loud pop as the whip made contact with Regina's ass.
Regina hissed at the sharp bite then sighed. "I've already given you power over me. I've submitted. You've deemed me weak and defenseless. You've broken me and left me as nothing. What more do you want?"
Emma fell silent and the tension thickened in the room. Her Master seemed annoyed. "So that's it? You just gave up?"
"What's the point? I can't run, I can't fight you, you won't even let me die." Regina answered tiredly. "I have no choice. This is my fate."
"That you've brought upon yourself."
"Well that doesn't exactly matter now, does it?"
Emma sighed. "I suppose it doesn't. Sit up."
Regina did as she was told without much protest. She sat back on her heels and awaited further instructions from her Master. Emma stood silently. "It's late and I'm tired." The knight muttered. "I'm sure you are too."
It's true. Regina was tired. Everything ached on her and she just wanted to sleep forever. Not only because she needed to rest but also because when she was asleep, she didn't have to deal with this. She didn't have to acknowledge the fate that had befallen her. In sleep, she can be far away from this. In her dreams, she could be free.
Emma stepped away from her and headed over to the bed where the knight sat with a loud huff. She took her boots off and set them aside. She then cleared her throat and snapped her fingers. Regina looked over at her. Emma pointed at her boots. Regina furrowed her brow but she saw the impatient look on her Master's face and she didn't want to push it. She stood and padded across the room. Her joints and muscles were crying with every step. They were strained from being in the same position for hours.
She stopped before Emma and waited. The knight eyed her. "Put those in my wardrobe." She demanded. Regina hesitated only a moment before bending down and picking up the boots. She carried them over to the wooden wardrobe. She angled them in one arm then pulled the wardrobe open. She placed them inside and shut the door then turned around. She waited for Emma to tell her what to do next. "Well, good girl. Come here."
Regina headed over to Emma and stood before her again. Emma snapped her fingers then pointed to the floor. Regina understood that that meant to kneel. She obediently got down on her knees but she kept her head lowered. Not so much out of respect but she couldn't look at Emma. In that moment, she wanted to tear her throat out with her bare hands.
"You despise me now but you will understand soon enough that I was never your enemy," Emma said. "You are your own enemy. You've done more harm to yourself than I ever could."
Regina felt a tightening in her chest. So many emotions were building up inside her at once and it was overwhelming. She inhaled deeply as she was flooded with dread and regret. Emma was right. She always was. "I know."
Emma hummed and combed her fingers through Regina's hair. "I'm right?"
"Yes."
"Mmm..." Emma hummed. "I thought so. We have a long way to go."
Regina said nothing but stayed still. Emma patted her head then she stood. "Come on."
Regina looked up to find Emma undoing her belt and tossing it with her sword still attached onto the bed. Then came the suit jacket.
"What..."
"My pants," Emma answered. She just wanted to see how Regina would handle these tasks. If she handled them well, this would become a part of their routine.
Regina looked up at Emma's pants. She could see the very prominent bulge in them and she knew exactly what was making it. She had encountered it many times. She's even had it touch her and she's tasted it. Her eyes wandered up to meet Emma's. She knew that once she opened her pants she would free it. She felt like she was freeing a ravenous beast.
Emma patted her head and the expression on her face turned inpatient. "Let's go. I wish to go to sleep."
Regina nodded. "Okay."
She reached up and with shaking hands, she began undoing the tie holding Emma's pants together. She then bunched the material in her palms and yanked. She pulled the pants down over Emma's ass and down her thighs. As soon as her cock was freed, it sprang to attention. It stared the kneeling woman straight in the eye. Emma's hand moved to the back of her head. Regina tensed when the knight began guiding her closer to her crotch.
Emma then gripped it with her other hand and brought the head to her pet's mouth. Regina eyed it warily. "Give it a kiss," Emma whispered. Regina tried to lean away but Emma's hand held her in place. "Pucker up."
She brought it closer and dropped it so that the head was rested on Regina's lips. She began moving it back and forth across her mouth before tapping her lips with it. "Come on."
Regina puckered her lips and Emma chuckled. Emma lowered it and pressed it to Regina's lips so that it could receive the offered kiss. Once it made contact, Emma smirked. "Good girl." She muttered.
Emma sat down again and began pulling her pants down all the way. She stepped out of them but she left them on the carpet. She then undid her blouse and dropped it on the floor. Then came her undershirt. Emma was left completely nude then.
Regina's eyes wandered over Emma's flesh. so much smooth, fair skin, muscles upon muscles. Her eyes traveled down Emma's full breasts to her abs and she unconsciously licked her lips. Her gaze fell lower and she couldn't keep her eyes off Emma's cock. It was large and very impressive. When Emma wasn't using it as a weapon against her, it wasn't so scary. She knew that she wanted to see how it would feel to take Emma deep inside of her but she was still repulsed by Emma after all she had done to her. She was horny, dangerously so but she wouldn't give herself to Emma. That was one way she wouldn't allow Emma to have her willingly.
"Wanna fuck?" Emma asked, snapping Regina out of her lustful thoughts.
"No," Regina said quickly. Although she knew that it didn't matter if she wanted to or not. It was only a matter of time before Emma forced her.
Emma stayed silent for a moment. Regina feared that she was planning to jump her. A while passed in a very tense silence before the knight said, "Very well... it's bedtime."
Regina breathed out a sigh of relief. Emma stood and she offered Regina her hand. The fallen queen slowly slipped her hand into Emma's and allowed herself to be helped up. She stood before Emma. The knight held her eyes for a moment. "Come on." She said breaking the silence. Regina allowed Emma to walk her across the room. She tensed as soon as she saw the cage. "Miss your cage, Love?"
"I can't say that I have," Regina admitted. She had gotten used to Emma's bed. The warmth of her, her lovely scent, her soft skin. She didn't think she would be able to sleep alone again. She would never admit that aloud though.
"Well, this is your cage," Emma said as she pushed her inside. "This is your space. Master sleeps in the bed and my pet sleeps in her cage. That's the way it goes."
Regina poked out her bottom lip as Emma removed her collar. "I want to sleep in bed with you."
Emma smirked automatically. "Yeah? and what will you do to sleep in your Master's arms?" At that, Emma stroked the length of her shaft.
Regina frowned. "I..."
Emma snorted. "I thought not. Maybe next time."
Regina pouted as Emma shut the cage door. "Sleep." The knight demanded. Regina wrapped her hands around the bars.
"It's cold." She whined.
Emma hummed, "That's what your blanket is for."
Regina huffed. "Don't make me sleep alone."
"Regina," Emma sighed. "This is the way things are. You don't even like me. Why do you want to sleep in bed with me?"
"Because..."
"Because what?" Emma asked with a raise of her brows. Regina said nothing else then sank to the floor and crossed her arms over her chest. "Regina..."
Her pet said nothing and looked away from her. She was furious with Emma. How dare she make her sleep in a cage after letting her get used to sleeping in a comfortable warm bed.
Emma chuckled and stepped away. "Fine. Be that way."
Regina said nothing and turned away with her back facing Emma. She then laid down on her side and rested her head on her pillow. She's had enough of this stupid cage, she thought grumpily as she pulled the blankets up over her.
She stared at the back wall but she could hear Emma getting ready for bed. The room fell dark and she realized that Emma had blown out the candles. The fireplace was casting a light on the wall, shadows danced within it. There was a creak as Emma settled in bed and pulled her own blankets on. The knight let out a long contented sigh.
"Good night, Regina. See you in the morning."
Regina said nothing and shut her eyes. She was still upset with Emma for making her sleep on the floor of the cage again. The room fell silent and Regina just continued to glare at the wall.