Garnet awoke on the floor. She brought her hand to her head. It was pounding, pulsing with pain. She felt a knot that had started to form on the side of her head. I must have fallen? She tried to put the pieces together. She remembered Amber binding her to the wall and how horny she’d been. She was still aching for Amber to touch her, but… She looked around the room. She was the only person here. Where could she have gone to?

Her legs felt weak. I don’t even remember falling, but something is wrong with me. My arms and legs feel like they’re made of jelly. She sat up and shook her legs, trying to get them to feel more awake. “Amber? Are you here somewhere?” She looked around the room. After a few moments, she got herself to her feet. Should I bother putting something on? She ran her hands up her thighs, feeling the skin come back to life under her hands. Or I could… No! No, I need to focus. This is the clearest my head has been in weeks.

She smiled. Amber had been so good to have around. And with Mistress Emilia teaching her, Garnet was finding it harder and harder to do anything on her own. But it was such a good feeling, too. She loved letting Amber take care of her, to let her tell her what to do, where to be, how to act. It was so good to be here, to both belong to Mistress Emilia. But I don’t… I don’t want to stop thinking forever. Not all the time. It just feels that way when they’re all around. They made it feel so good to just let them… She stopped. Where’s Amber?

Garnet went and retrieved her blue dress, pulling it over her head. It was such a strange feeling to her now to not be within the influence of Mistress Emilia, Amber, or Selene. She went to the door to her room and poked her head out, looking up and down the hall. “Amber? Are you out here somewhere?” Her voice echoed in the hallway. The guards who had been patrolling all week were gone now. The room suddenly felt very lonely. Garnet closed the door and went back inside.

“What do I even do now…? Mistress Emilia is gone, Amber disappeared, Selene isn’t here…” She frowned. It would be a bad idea to start wandering. Last time that happened she ended up in a confrontation she’d never wanted any part of. She looked around the room. I feel so helpless. When did I become so dependent on them? “Why would Amber leave?” She asked aloud.

“Because she’s a traitor, Garnet.”

Garnet hadn’t heard the door open, and it spun to face the voice. Selene walked in, a frown on her face. “You must understand by now. She was trying to kidnap you, Garnet. She wanted to take you away from Mistress Emilia and I.” She walked up to it, putting a gloved hand on its cheek. Garnet blushed. Selene reappearing made her want to sink back down to serve her every whim. It was only right that it do anything for her.

“She didn’t want to kidnap me! She was enjoying her lessons with Mistress Emilia! She… She…” Garnet frowned. She said she still wanted to save me. She said she wanted to take me away from here, away from Mistress Emilia and Selene. Was Selene right? Garnet felt an ache in her chest.

No. She wasn’t. Amber wanting to take you away was for your own good. She was trying to help us.

A shock of pleasure shot through Garnet, bringing it back to the present. “I caught her trying to steal from the Empress. She put you to sleep and tried to break into her secret library. I caught her in the act, Garnet. And when I confronted her, instead of submitting herself to me for her punishment, she chose to run. I was fortunately able to save the journals that she wanted to steal.”

How did she know you were asleep if she found Amber in the library?

“It didn’t seem like she was coming back for you though, if I’m being honest. I think she thinks you’re a lost cause.”

Garnet’s heart sank. It felt sick hearing Selene say that. “What do you mean, a lost cause!? She loves me! I know she does!” She looked desperately at Selene for an answer.

“I mean, Garnet, honey… look at you. You’re a depraved slut. You can barely function without someone around to tell you what to do.” Selene seemed strangely out of breath. “You need the Empress and I to take care of you. Amber doesn’t want you.”

The pink sections of Garnet’s eyes slowly crept back over the flecks of blue. There was a part of it that believed the words that Selene was saying, especially when they were so strong. Especially when they made so much sense.

But there was still a part of it filled with doubt. The part of it with the fundamental belief that Amber loved her. It would never be able to let go of that. It was desperately in love with Amber, it was completely devoted to her. No words could possibly change the way that she felt about her love.

Selene coughed, holding a hand to her chest as she did. She sounded horrible. “Are you okay?” Garnet wrapped her arms around Selene, helping to hold her up. “Can I do anything for you?”

Selene pushed it away and stumbled towards the door. “No. You’re to stay here until I need you. The Empress will return in a couple of days, and I need to make sure you stay in perfect shape for her. Do you understand me?”

“Selene, I… Yes, I understand.”

***

It had been two days since Selene had forcefully removed Amber from Emilia’s castle. She had barely been in her right mind when she’d been handed over to Brynn. The commands that Selene had given to her had left her dazed. If I hadn’t been toying with Garnet so much, I probably would have been able to defend myself better… But Selene ended up helping me, rather than hurting me or killing me. Now, Amber was lying in a cot in a tent beyond the Empress’ castle. She still hadn’t been able to figure out what Selene was trying to do. Her last words had been petty and jealous. Even if she removed me from the castle, it’s not like Mistress Emilia would suddenly change her mind about whether or not she wanted to take her on as her apprentice!

She stood and got dressed. But I can’t just leave Garnet there. I just need to make sure I can get her out without having to confront Mistress Emilia again. Amber stepped out of the tent, taking in the cool morning air. I can’t afford to try to fight her. She’s stronger than I am, and she can clearly wrap me around her finger faster than I’d like to admit. Beyond that, I don’t think I could convince Garnet to leave her if we were all in the same place together. Mistress Emilia’s control is so overwhelming.

Amber had taken a day before truly coming back to her senses. She didn’t realize that just being within the castle walls was having such an effect on her until she had been outside for an extended period. She was glad that she hadn’t been staying there longer. With what she’d seen happen to Garnet and Selene, she was sure that she wouldn’t have been able to hold out much longer. Mistress Emilia just seemed… perfect.

“How are you feeling, Commander?” Brynn asked. They were standing in front of their own tent nearby.

Amber’s first impulse was to reach for her magic, to try and get a read on Brynn. She resisted it. “I think I’m okay, thank you.” She pulled the cloak she was wearing tight around her. She’d already explained what had happened to her in the castle to Brynn, and what had been going on with Garnet. They hadn’t yet decided on their next course of action. “I’ve been thinking this morning. I need to go back and free Garnet. I can’t possibly stay here and not try again.”

Brynn sighed and nodded. “Yes, I expected you would say that. And I do not blame you for it. Are you sure it is wise to return so soon? I was not exactly sure what I would find when I responded to the message telling me where to find you, so I did not bring much for us in the way of supplies.”

“I’m not sure of anything right now, Brynn.” Amber chewed on her lip. She didn’t want to look at Brynn. She was ashamed that she’d been so completely unable to oppose Mistress Emilia while she was in the castle, and she was even more ashamed that she couldn’t help herself from calling her Mistress Emilia. The Empress had seemingly left that mark shockingly deep in her. She loves being in charge. She loves the adoration she forces on people.

“That is not exactly a helpful answer, Commander.”

“I understand that, but it’s honest. I don’t like it any more than you do.” The situation was less than ideal. She was horrified that she’d immediately just fall back under Mistress Emilia’s thrall, but what other choice did she have? “If we go today, if we go quickly, we can make it inside before M- before she returns from the north. If I can guide Garnet to the same location we discussed last time, we can get her out. I’m just… I worry that she may no longer be the leader of the Rebellion once she’s back. They’ve done so much to her, Brynn.”

And you enjoy it. Don’t lie to yourself. It’s no wonder Mistress Emilia took such an interest in you.

“And this is where you tell me that it would be much too dangerous for me to accompany you back into the castle, is it not?” Brynn ran their hand through their hair as they rolled their eyes at Amber. “I understand. I do. If you are compromised again it will fall to me to continue our work. And I will not attempt any further infiltration into the castle. We cannot afford to allow this to continue happening.”

Amber nodded. “I’m sorry, Brynn. I truly am. I wish I would have stopped her from accepting the challenge in the first place, but this is the best I can do now. I think I have a good chance of surprising Selene by returning so soon.”

“Who am I to argue with the Commander?” Brynn smiled, offering a hug to Amber. She took them up on it, wrapping her arms around them. “I will remain here until daylight tomorrow. If you and Vivian– Or, Garnet– fail to return before then, I will consider the mission a failure.”

***

Garnet was anxious. Selene had returned to Garnet’s room a number of times, and Garnet couldn’t remember what had happened during many of them. This wouldn’t have caused her much alarm normally, but the air about Selene felt wrong every time she entered. She’s scared of something.

She was also anxious to see Amber again. She had become used to having her within arm’s reach at all times, and she ached to have her partner close to her again. Selene had been trying to hurt Garnet’s connection to Amber– She could feel it. She didn’t claim to understand magic at all, but she could tell that Selene was trying to harm her with it for the last day. It had begun to make her resent Mistress Emilia’s attendant.

But that resentment didn’t compare to the devotion she still felt. She couldn’t help but feel warm and trusting whenever Selene was nearby, even considering the situation they found themselves in now.

There was a banging at the door. “Garnet, dear. I’ve come to collect you.”

That was odd. Selene didn’t often announce herself like this, especially the last two days. She had barged into the room a number of times. Garnet adjusted the red dress that Selene had ordered her to wear today. She walked to the door and opened it.

“You look beautiful, Garnet!” Selene put her gloved hand against Garnet’s cheek and she melted immediately. It couldn’t remember why it had been feeling so distrustful of Selene just now. She was one of its owners, and it needed to obey its owners without question.

It smiled and curtsied to the woman. “Thank you Selene. Has Mistress Emilia returned then?”

“No, not yet.” The hand on Garnet’s cheek traced down its body and took its hand. “But I need to get you ready. Follow me, dear.”

Garnet felt itself grow aroused the longer it held Selene’s hand. Its head felt like it was growing cloudy, and it smiled. It felt good to let Selene tell it what to do. How could it have forgotten something so simple? It really did need them to take care of it.

“That’s my good girl.” Selene led Garnet back up the hallways and through the castle. Its hand tingled with pleasure.

The pair of them entered the room with the large bath, and Selene stripped Garnet’s clothes away from it. Garnet happily complied with Selene, body throbbing with pleasure the more it exposed itself to Selene. It was overjoyed to obey, arousal encouraging its compliance. Selene undressed, then led Garnet into the gentle water. It sat down on a step when Selene pushed its shoulder down gently. “You need to be ready for the Empress to come back today.”

Garnet went to open its mouth, but felt Selene’s finger pressed against it before it could speak. “No speaking right now, dear. I’m not here to answer questions. I am going to get you prepared for the Empress to return, because she’ll want to see you immediately.” Garnet nodded. Selene dipped her toy’s head back into the water, preparing those wonderful relaxing shampoos for its hair. “You’re going to feel better once your Mistress Emilia returns. I have some recommendations for her about what we should be doing with you now.”

The way Selene said it made Garnet’s eyes widen again, even with Selene’s hands lathering her hair. “Recommendations? What do you mean?”

“Do you need me to explain the word to you?”

Garnet blushed and felt arousal pulse through her. “N-no, Selene, I… I just–” When Selene treated it like this, it became that much more difficult to ask any further questions. It couldn’t help but trip over its words, especially with the scent of Selene’s perfumes making its head feel so foggy. The fingers massaging its scalp left it completely helpless. “What was I…?”

“You’re still trying to think. You shouldn’t.” Selene’s fingers became rougher against its scalp, nails digging in. “I think we need to remove all of your memories, Garnet. I think you should forget everything that isn’t serving the Empress and I. Amber doesn’t deserve to keep her claim on you.”

Garnet’s fingers balled into fists, though it couldn’t bring itself to actually move with Selene holding it like this. It was too relaxed, and it couldn’t possibly hurt her. “But– But I–”

Selene yanked its hair. “Stop. Talking.” There was a feeling in its mind, like a connection had been severed. It wanted to tell Selene that it wouldn’t ever forget Amber, it wanted to tell her that there was no possible way that it would ever give her up. Garnet’s voice had been removed for the moment. Selene held Garnet still in the water, slowly regaining her composure. It didn’t try to fight the attendant.

A few moments later, Selene had recovered, though her breath was still heavy. “You’re an incredible toy, Garnet. But I think we’ve still left you far too much freedom. Far too much memory. I don’t think my revenge is as complete as I thought it was when I used you last,” she growled. “You’re not completely ours. I want to take everything away from you now. I don’t want you to have a single thought left that wasn’t placed there by the Empress and I. And frankly, I think you’ll thank me for it.”

She smiled down at Garnet, and it shivered in her arms.

“In fact, you will thank me for it.”

***

Garnet only realized she had lost consciousness when she finally regained it. She looked around to take in the unfamiliar decor around her. She was lying in a corner of an extremely ornate room. There was a large bed, bookshelves, a desk, and what appeared to be magical equipment on a desk. Garnet was lying among a great number of pillows arranged in a pile. It was comfier than she expected it would be from just looking at it.

She was slowly picking herself up when she heard a loud banging from the next room over. She went to a nearby door, cracking it open. Mistress Emilia was across the dining room, and she appeared to be furious. Selene was following behind her, though Garnet couldn’t quite make out what she was saying from so far away. Garnet wanted to cry out and greet the Empress, but found that she still couldn’t speak after Selene’s command earlier.

“You allowed my apprentice to escape!?” Mistress Emilia howled, walking towards Garnet’s end of the room. If Mistress Emilia noticed that she was watching from the cracked door, she didn’t act like it. “I leave for three days and you immediately ruin everything we’ve worked for. You lost my property. Where is Garnet, then!? Don’t tell me you’ve lost it too!”

“No, my Empress! I prepared it for you as I always do, and I refreshed its programming! It’s ready for you whenever you’d like to use it.” Selene didn’t dare approach Mistress Emilia, clearly in fear of what she was capable of. “I’m sorry that Amber escaped, but…” She trailed off. Garnet watched her weighing whether or not to continue. “But, Empress, I was– I was thinking that perhaps, you could–”

Mistress Emilia looked up, facing the door Garnet was peeking through. The look on her face could have killed a weaker creature. Her aura, often present without being overbearing, threatened to suffocate her now. “Selene. If you dare try to finish that sentence, I will end you myself here and now.”

She would. Garnet could feel it. The air around Mistress Emilia was so dense with her magic.

She suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder, the cracked door closing silently. She turned to face the person touching her.

“Garnet, are you ready to leave?”

***

If she’d learned anything in her time studying with the Empress, it was that before, she had no idea how to use magic efficiently. After spending just a few days buried in the journals of witches past, Amber suddenly understood how much power she had. Now, as she stood in Mistress Emilia’s chambers, she knew that if she moved quickly enough, she could sneak Garnet and herself out of this castle. She’d stolen into the armory and acquired a new channeling glove, then snuck past the rest of the castle staff until she found herself face to face with her beautiful partner.

Garnet looked at Amber with her pink and blue eyes, a pleading look on her face. Even so, she didn’t reply, and she didn’t move.

“Garnet, did you hear me? I need to get you out of here. Every second we wait is precious time lost!” Amber tugged on Garnet’s beautiful red dress.

Garnet didn’t react again. It was like she was frozen in place. Amber tried to reach out and dispel any magic that might have been holding her still, though she was unable to find anything.

“Garnet, please, please, we need to go!”

The command at least provoked movement in Garnet. She stood, eyes blank. She opened the door in front of her and grabbed Amber’s arm. No. Garnet, no. She couldn’t escape Garnet’s grip, the strong hand keeping her in place. Don’t do this. Don’t give us up.

“Mistress Emilia!” Garnet’s beautiful voice, ringing out across the dining room.

The Empress turned to look back at the both of them, then smiled. She beckoned them forward, and Garnet pulled Amber into the room with her. “Very good, Garnet.”

Garnet shivered, and Amber could feel the arousal radiating off of her partner.

“And you, Amber. I had just been told that you actually escaped.” The Empress stepped forward, then tilted Amber’s gaze up into her eyes, hand under the woman’s chin. “I can’t allow such behavior from my apprentice.”

Amber’s head spun. She wasn’t Mistress Emilia’s apprentice. She’d been told so very explicitly. But the Empress’ aura was drawing her back in. She tried to resist the urge to give in, to return things to the way they were. I can't go back. Garnet and Brynn and everyone in the resistance were all counting on her, whether they knew it or not. “No, I–” the words died on her tongue.

Mistress Emilia put both of her hands on Amber's shoulders and squeezed gently, comfortingly. “Are you sure you're feeling okay? You look unwell, Amber.” She looked her apprentice up and down again. “And where did you get these horrible clothes?”

“I– I was–” Amber's mouth was as dry as it had ever been, and she was choking on every word. Her head pounded, trying to reconcile the commands that Selene and Emilia had both given her. “I'm not your apprentice anymore. Or– thats what Selene–”

“I told you! This traitor tried to escape with your journals, Emilia!” Selene cried. “Of course I told her that she wasn't your apprentice anymore! And look at her now! She's here trying to steal your Garnet away from you again. I've done everything I possibly could to keep her safe while you left, and Amber spat on all of it. You can't trust her!”

Mistress Emilia turned back to Selene, breaking away from Amber. Amber sighed quietly in relief. It was easier to resist her when there wasn't skin to skin contact between them. “From your story, Selene, it appears I would owe you a debt.” The Empress took a slow step towards her attendant.

And another.

And another.

“I don't like to owe debts, Selene.”

“That’s not– You don't owe me anything, Empress! I live to serve you.” Selene bowed, keeping her head down.

“Is that so?”

There was a long silence.

Emilia grabbed Selene by the throat, pushing her up against the wall. “Do you truly mean it, Selene?”

Amber's eyes were wide, watching this unfold. I need to leave. I need to take Garnet and escape. This might be our last shot. She tried to take a step back towards Garnet, but she found that her legs were rooted to the floor no matter how badly she wanted to run. Mistress Emilia must have done something to keep us still. There's still so much I don't understand about what she can do. Garnet’s face was still neutral, and the light behind her eyes barely seemed like it was there.

I need to get her out of here.

“Of– Empress, of course I mean it!” Selene sputtered, Emilia’s gloved hand clamped around her throat. “Please! I didn’t–”

“Did you really think you could get away with attacking my apprentice? Do you think you’re special somehow and that I cannot read exactly what you’re feeling?” Mistress Emilia tightened her grip, stepping even closer to the girl she had pinned against the wall. “I know exactly what you did. I know exactly why you did it. You’re a fool, Selene.” The Empress let go of her attendant. Selene fell to the ground, gasping for air.

Mistress Emilia turned her gaze back to Amber. “But I do think she’s somewhat correct, you know.” The Empress took a step back towards her. Amber swallowed, panic swelling in her chest. “You want to steal my Garnet. You want to take her back from me, and I just can’t allow you to do that.” Mistress Emilia was in front of her now, and her hand caressed Amber’s cheek. “You want to stay.”

Amber closed her eyes, trying to resist letting her Mistress’ words sink into her, to change her. She needed to resist anything the Empress tried to do, no matter how good it might feel. She suddenly became very aware of how aroused she was. The Empress was working her magic constantly, and she loved to distract her victims with arousal. And she knew how to make it feel so good– FOCUS, Amber!

She opened her mouth, the words coming to her slowly. “I can’t stay. I need to rescue Garnet.” She slowly backed up against a display case full of ornate weaponry. She put an arm out, as if it would protect her from the witch approaching her. “I’m– I want to stay, but–” No she didn’t. That was the Empress. I need to leave. I can’t let her manipulate me.

Mistress Emilia put her hands against the wall next to Amber’s head, trapping her. Garnet barely moved, watching its Mistress reverently. She wants me to lose. I can’t–

“Amber, darling. I’m here to take care of you. You need to let me take care of you.” Emilia’s voice was sweeter than honey. Amber saw Garnet nodding behind Mistress Emilia. She can’t even protect herself. I need to get her out.

“I don’t need anything from you!” Amber spat. Her cock was straining against her pants, and it was becoming more and more difficult to ignore the need building inside of her. Garnet is right there. I could use her, and Mistress Emilia wouldn’t mind. She’d probably appreciate if I did, and–

Amber bit her cheek hard, bringing her back to reality. “I know what you’re doing now. You can’t just manipulate me like you can Garnet.”

Mistress Emilia smiled. “Oh, is that right?” She touched Amber with a gloved hand. Amber felt the paralysis take her. “You think that because I shared a few secrets with you, you’re suddenly strong enough to fight me?” She leaned in, breath hot against Amber’s cheek. “You’re not. You’re my apprentice. You will stay and study. You will let me do anything I want with you.”

Amber gasped, doing her best not to give back in to Mistress Emilia. The thought felt so good. The Empress reached down and grabbed Amber’s cock through her pants, stroking it. “I’m more than capable of turning your mind into nothing, Amber. I have half a mind to destroy you for thinking about crossing me. But… I try to understand. You miss your partner, who nearly willingly gave itself up to me. You want to rescue it from my care, something that doesn’t need to be done. It’s happier here. It needs us to take care of it.” Amber’s cock strained against her trousers, desperately searching for the hand touching it.

Amber’s head felt like it was spinning. She felt so good. The hand stroking her cock was soft, and it knew exactly the ways she needed to be touched. She wanted more. Needed more. If it needs us to take care of it, then…

Amber looked at Garnet, standing next to the displays. Emilia was standing in front of Amber, and Selene seemed to have quietly fled. Emilia reached up under Amber’s shirt, grabbing a handful of her breasts. She looked up pleadingly at Mistress Emilia. “I– I need–”

Mistress Emilia leaned in close. “You need me, too. You’re helpless without me.”

“No. I need Vivian.”

Glass shattered next to her. Emilia tried to jump back, but it was too late. The blade pierced her chest, driving its way through her heart. Mistress Emilia fell to her knees, looking up at Amber. Amber looked behind the Empress, and she saw ice blue eyes behind the handle of the sword.

Vivian pressed the sword in further, harder.

Emilia coughed blood. Somehow, she still had a smile on her face. “Fine. If I’m to die, so be it. Just know that I will haunt you. You will hear me every day echoing my commands. You are not free of me just because I have left this earth.”

Mistress Emilia crumpled to the ground, and Garnet backed away from the body before falling to the floor herself.