So I got this idea stuck in my head after I saw a prompt on Tumblr about Dark Hook meeting Princess Emma.

So this is my first attempt at a slow burn fanfiction about two very different people meeting each other and falling in love.

I don't own the characters, just want to write things to hopefully make people happy.

Please read and review! Let me know if you think it's worth continuing! Thank you!


I heard the humming and singing and I felt myself drawn to the sound before I even saw who the voice belonged to. I slowly walked around the large tree I had been settled against, my eyes darting around, trying to find the owner of the beautiful voice. I suddenly saw her come around the corner of a tree across from me, dressed in an all-white dress with a shite shawl on her shoulders with fuzz on the top, bottom and end of the sleeves of the dress.

I knew immediately that it was Princess Emma of Mysthaven. She looked like a swan . . . a graceful and beautiful swan.

In all my 300 years of living, I had never wanted someone in my life so badly. The future of her life passed through my eyes quickly and blinked, my tongue slipping out to wet my lips.

I didn't know what she was humming, a word or two slipping out every few verse, but she stopped suddenly when she looked up and saw me standing here, just . . . staring at her.

I raised my right eyebrow at her but didn't say anything. I knew I must look scary in a dark grey cloak, with crazy black hair and wild ocean blue eyes.

She took a step back in surprise, her eyes wide but she still didn't speak. I felt like I should calm her down.

"No need to fear," I cooed to her in a soothing voice, raising my hand slowly, "I swear I will not hurt you."

I watched her throat bob with a swallow before I finally heard her speak and realized that I would listen to her talk for days without stopping.

"And who are you exactly."

A smirk I had developed over the years being the Dark One slid across my face and got on my knee and spread my arms out.

"Apologies, love. May I introduce myself. I am Captain Killian Jones, also known as Captain Hook or -"

I wasn't able to finish my sentence because she finished it for me.

"The Dark One," she whispered fearfully.

I swallowed and stood quickly before stepping backward and away from her, keeping my head down.

"You have nothing to fear from me, Princess Emma. I just heard you singing and honestly . . . it was entrancing. With your permission, I will take my leave of you now."

I had started to raise my hand to poof myself far, far away from her but her singsong voice stopped me.

"Wait. I've never met . . . I-I mean . . ."

Her stuttering made me look up at her and I could see the red blush staining her cheeks but I only found it endearing.

"Your Highness?" I asked.

She swallowed, nervously before she wet her lips quickly.

"I've heard stories of Captain Hook; who was looking for vengeance against Rumpelstiltskin, the previous Dark One, and when he helped Snow White and Prince Charming defeat the Evil Queen he finally got revenge on the man who took his love and his hand. And then he took on the . . . valiant responsibility of being the Dark One." She paused for a moment before looking up at me and when she curtsied it only surprised me. "It's a great pleasure to meet you, Captain Jones. Or Do you prefer Captain Hook?"

I swallowed before a let a gentle smile spread across my face for the first time since Milah.

"You may call me whatever you wish, Your Highness. Your wish is my desire."

She smiled nervously at me, reaching up to twirl a price of her hair around her finger, a blush spreading across her cheeks.

"I think I prefer Killian or Captain Jones," she finally admitted to me and I nodded my head in acceptance.

"As you wish."

We stared across from each other in silence for a moment, each of us shuffling on the other foot. I didn't know what I was supposed to say to her that wouldn't make me sound like a fool so I kept my mouth closed. I kept my eyes on hers, completely entranced by her emerald green eyes, drawn so far in that I didn't want to look away.

Suddenly there was a snapping noise not too far from us. I turned my head sharply and sensed it was a shapeshifter coming our way.

"We're about to have company," I told her, clenching my jaw torn about what I should do: stay with her or leave.

She looked toward the direction I looked in before swiveling her head back toward me, something unexplainable in her eyes.

"You should go."

I raised both eyebrows at her and slowly started to raise my hand to disappear but I met her eyes again and swallowed harshly.

"Go," she urged softly.

I liked my lips and nodded, waving my hand and disappearing to my castle, settling into my chair and leaning against the arm and putting my chin in my hand.

Princess Emma was something else. But I couldn't wait to get to know her better.

The next time we met, she was being robbed by a bandit and I wasn't going to let him hurt her.

The man had a sword drawn and pointed at her, while he demanded she hand over anything she had of value on her. He knew that Prince Charming's daughter would have the proper training of any knight in the kingdom of swordplay but his Princess didn't have a weapon on her and that was dangerous.

He watched her shake her head defiantly, raising her chin. The bandit raised his sword and I poofed right in front of her with my sword drawn and parried his thrust, flinging his sword away from us and into a tree.

"The Dark One," he said fearfully, dropping to his knees while his whole body shook with fear.

I pushed my cloak aside and sheathed my sword before turning to Emma, knowing the man wouldn't run.

"Are you alright?" I asked her tenderly, tipping my head down to meet her nervous eyes.

She nodded quickly and I turned back to the man who was shaking on the ground. Snapping my fingers, I bound him hands behind his back with chains and a piece of cloth over his mouth.

"What should I do with him, Your Highness?" I asked Emma, stepping to the side so she could look at him.

She quickly looked up at me, her eyes wide with alarm and just stared at me. Neither of us said anything but I jerked my head in a yes motion and she looked down at the man.

"I would like him to be punished but the right way. He shall go to trial in my kingdom." She turned toward me to see my reaction.

I bowed my head in acceptance and replied with three simple words.

"As you wish."

I waved my hand and poofed the three of us and her belongings back to the palace, sending her horse to the stable already taken care of and sending us and her prisoner to the throne room where her parents were conversing, with Emma's son Henry.

They all looked alarmed, instantly raising their weapons at us but lowing them when Emma stepped forward.

"Mother, Father, Henry its ok, it's just me."

"Hello again, Your Majesties. Sir Henry, congratulations on your knighting," I said with a low and respectful bow.

They both looked relieved at seeing that it was me who was standing beside their daughter.

"Captain, we weren't expecting you," Queen Snow said surprised, standing and walking down the steps with King David following.

Henry rushed to his mother's side, who hugged him tightly before turning toward me again.

"My apologies for intruding but your daughter was in danger from this bandit. She was not prepared for this onslaught so I stepped in and rescued her. She requested bring her assaulter back to the kingdom to stand trial for his crimes."

Both parents looked at their daughter with both worry and pride before pulling her into a hug.

I took a few steps back from them, watching the happy family hug and converse with each other. I met Emma's eyes and smiled briefly before snapping and disappearing quickly.

She didn't possess my Dagger but I found myself helpless but to respond to Emma's summons.

I had flashed myself home after dropping Emma and her bandit captive off at her Kingdom, sitting down and enjoying a glass of rum and a good book. I didn't mean to just disappear like that but that was a private family moment and I was under the impress I was intruding.

But it was only hours later when I heard her calling my name echoing in my head.

"Killian Jones. Killian Jones. Killian-"

I didn't let her say it a third time before I was suddenly standing in front of her in a beautiful garden.

"Princess," I greeted with a short bow.

She jumped, her hand raising and setting on her heart.

"Gods, you scared me," she exclaimed.

A brief smirk flew over my face before it disappeared and I stared straight at her.

"Apologizes. How may I be of assistance?" I asked her.

She smiled and stepped closer to me, interlocking her fingers and settling her hands in front of her.

"I just wanted to say thank you, for saving my life earlier today. You left before I got that chance though . . . I wasn't sure you'd come," she confessed.

"Of course, I did," I murmured, "and you are very welcome, Princess."

"Emma," she quickly said.

I cocked my head at her and she beamed up at me.

"I insist you call me Emma. Please."

She was smiling so sweetly at me and I couldn't help but smile softly back at her, bowing my head.

"As you wish, Emma."

We stared at each other for a moment, and I was overwhelmed of the feelings I started to feel for this woman. I cleared my throat and sweeped my arm out to the side in an invitation.

"Would you like to take a walk with me, milady?"

She smiled and nodded her head. We started to walk side by side in the gardens and I was surprised when she looped her left arm through my right and grabbed my bicep.

"Why do you dress like this?" she asked curiously.

I shrugged and replied, "When I was reborn as the Dark One, I was in these clothes already."

"You didn't want to change back into some of your old clothes? Perhaps the pirate garb?"

The tone in her voice as she mentioned my old pirate clothing made me look down at her curiously.

"Why so interested in the pirate clothing, love?" The endearment slipped out but neither of us commented on it.

Her cheeks flushed red and I tipped my head down when she looked away from me.

"I just thought . . . they were handsome clothing on you . . ." she slowly said, almost hesitantly.

I smirked widely at her before straightening out and continuing down our walk.

"Isn't that interesting to know," I said in a cocky tone.

I could feel her face get hotter but she didn't say anything.

"Did I embarrass you?" I asked.

She shook her head and I could feel the slow weight of her head leaning on my shoulder. I tensed up reflectively, no longer used to the intimate feeling of a woman this close.

"Perhaps I am a little embarrassed," she confessed, "however you are correct. I can't deny the truth."

"No need to be ashamed milady," I comforted her, wishing I had my other hand to reach over and pat her hand in a soothing movement.

She stopped us when we reached a brook and stopped to sit on a bench. I sat beside her and we both folded our hands across our laps, well I folded my hand over my hook but not before the dangerous glint of it flashed across her face.

She turned toward it and looked down at his hook curiously, licking her lips nervously before she looked away. She didn't say anything at all and I half wondered if she was going to but the other part of me was glad that she didn't.

"Do the King and Queen know where you are, Princess?"

She nodded and was quick to reply, "Yes. I told them I wanted to thank you for rescuing me earlier and they thought it was a good idea."

"And do they know we are spending time alone together?"

She giggled like my question was funny to her before she nodded.

"Yes, sir, they do know we are alone together right now."

"Good. I would hate for the King and Queen to demand I stay away from their daughter."

She giggled and shook her head before she soothed my concern.

"I don't think they would do that. My parents have always trusted my judgement so if I believe you are a good man then so will they."

I turned to smile at her and we both looked out over the scene in front of us.

"It's very peaceful out here," I commented softly.

"I've always enjoyed coming into the gardens. When Henry when born I used to bring him out and walk down to isles of flowers and he always enjoyed it."

"You are a wonderful mother, Highness," I told her and a gentle half smile.

She smiled, almost hesitantly before looking down.

"It was difficult when Neal died but I know his son inherited the good soul his father had."

I swallowed the question that threatened to come out of my mouth and stared across the water again. We sat there for hours, taking turns asking the other a question or making a comment. I couldn't help the compliment or term of endearment that slipped out while we were talking. She was very easy to speak to.

When the sun was setting, I cleared my throat and stood while reaching my hand out to help her up.

"May I escort you back, Princess?"

She smiled widely at me before reaching her hand up to place it in mine.

"I would be honored."

I helped her off the bench and immediately wrapped her arm around mine, feeling her hand grip my bicep again on her own before we started walking.

"Thank you for coming today. I quite enjoyed it," she confessed quietly and she brought a smile upon my lips once again.

"I enjoyed it as well, Emma. And you are quite welcome."

We stopped in front of the doors and turned toward each other, my right hand swiftly grabbing her right hands, sliding my hand under the bend of her fingers and holding it a hand-kissing gesture before pulling it up to my mouth, an inch away from it.

"If you need anything," I told her in a soft voice, a very different tone in my voice than most people were used to hearing.

She sucked in a sharp breath, her eyes lit up brightly and the most beautiful smile spread across her face.

"You'll find me?" she asked in a curious and what sounded like elation in her voice.

I swallowed nervously before pressing my lips to the back of her hand firmly, taking a moment to take a deep breath of her scent. I let go briefly but grabbed her hand tightly, our palms lying flat together before I let go.

"Always," I finally said before I raised my hook and poofing myself away.

Dark Ones don't sleep so I had to find other things to fill my time. So, I picked up the habit of making all kinds charms, each charm having a different function and ability. I just finished a swan charm for Emma, with green eyes that matched her own, that she could put on a necklace or make into a bookmark or on a bracelet.

Whatever her heart desired.

I also decided that I would change my clothes and dress in my pirate outfit with red vest so that when she called me or needed me I would arrive appropriately dressed.

She called my name a week later, out on her own in the forest with a horse. I flashed myself right in front of her in my pirate garb and already in a low bow.

"Killian Jones-"

"Emma," I greeted in a light tone.

She jumped from her spot in the shady grass, her hand flying up to cover her heart while she tried to slow her breathing.

"God's Killian, you're going to give me a heart attack one of these days if you keep sneaking up on my like that."

I was surprised but scolded myself for enjoying the way the red color of blush spread across her cheeks before continuing down to the exposed tops of her breasts. I swallowed quickly before standing and reaching down to pick her off the ground.

"Apologies, Swan," I told her, testing the term of endearment.

She let me pull herself off the ground before she tipped her head at me with a curious expression.

"Swan?" she asked.

I cleared my throat, rubbing my thumb over the back of her knuckles tenderly.

"The first time I saw you, I thought you looked as beautiful and majestic as a swan," I told her, reaching into my pocket and handing her the swan charm I made.

Her eyes lit up at the gift and took it from my fingers, before pulling it close and examining it.

"What is it?"

Smiling, I leaned back and stuck my thumb and tip of my hook into the top of my pants.

"Dark One's don't sleep so one of the things I do in my spare time is make charms for different purposes. I made this charm specifically for you. It will protect you from dark magic and it also . . . keeps us connected. That way, whenever you need me I'll know."

She smiled almost shyly at me, rubbing her fingers along the edges of the Swan.

"You may do whatever you wish with it," I told her, stepping an inch closer to her but not close enough to invade her personal space, "keep it on a necklace, a bracelet, make it into a bookmark, anywhere you desire."

She looked up at me quickly and held it out in the middle of her palm.

"Can you turn it into a necklace?" she murmured.

I nodded and picked up the emblem twisting my hand, red smoke surrounding my hand before it dissipated and the swan hung on a pure silver necklace chain that hung from my pointer finger.

"Your necklace," I said, holding it out for her.

She met my eyes and I was hypnotized by her emerald green orbs once again. She kept our eyes locked but tipped her head down, a clear indication that she wanted me to put on her necklace.

I swallowed nervously but raising my hook and opening the necklace chain up so I could slip it over her head. When the pendant rested perfectly between her breasts, my mouth went dry and I couldn't help but let it open a little.

She raised her head and looked down to examine the pendant and where it was hanging.

"It's perfect," she told me honestly.

"It suits you beautifully, Your Highness."

She rolled her eyes at my formal address but reached up to stroke the silver charm softly.

I cleared my throat and allowed a red puff of smoke appear in the middle of my palm, leaving a large blue stone in its wake.

"This stone is for your lad," I told her, "it will protect him from dark magic as well. And if he needs assistance he may call for me as well."

She looked shocked again before stepping forward and putting her hand in mine, pressing the stone tightly between our palms.

"Truly?" she asked breathlessly.

"Aye, love. I know how much your boy means to you and if I wish to take care of you then I will take care of your boy as well."

She sucked in a breath and tightened her fingers around my hand before just wrapping around the stone and putting it in a pocket.

"Thank you, Killian," she said smiling so sweetly that I couldn't help but smile back.

It didn't escape my notice that we were almost standing chest to chest and my eyes quickly darted down to her lips before darting back up to her eyes.

With the sudden desire to kiss her flooding my veins I stepped away and cleared my throat.

She also stepped away and stepped up to her pure white horse, petting its snout.

"Do you ride, Captain?"

I nodded and waved my hand, summoning my steed, a pure black horse. I stepped up and grabbed her horse's reins with my hook. I held her steed steady while she mounted her and I stroked her face with a calming touch.

"Come, Captain," she said, taking her reins and waiting until I mounted my steed.

She turned her horse and urged it forward into the forest and I was eager to follow behind her.

We rode side by side in comfortable silence, making comments and asking questions every few minutes. I rested my left arm in my thigh while loosely holding the reigns in my right hand, sometimes reaching down to pet the horses neck. I could see her eyes darting to my hook every now and again but she didn't ask any questions about it. One of the most endearing qualities of Princess Emma was just that: she didn't ask about sensitive subjects.

"It's a beautiful day for a ride," I complimented.

"Yes, it is. Henry is off on a quest for my parents, who are in meetings all day. So, I decided to come outside to spend my day."

I smiled and moved my horse closer to hers. Ours horses leaned their heads close to the other, sniffing and greeting the other before my steed stretched his neck out and rubbed their faces together.

"It seems our horses like each other," she said happily.

I nodded and we continued along our path. I let out a contented sigh, looking around at the beautiful scenery. There was something about being out here with her that made me feel relaxed.

"Are you alright," she asked.

Clearing my throat, I turned toward her with a smile.

"Aye, milady. Just enjoying the moment."

"Do you not have very many quiet moments?" she asked me.

I shrugged and raised my hook to scratch my chin before resting it on my thigh again.

"Some days I'm busy, some days I'm bored. Depends on if people want something or not." My tone hardened and I cursed myself, hoping she didn't think me selfish.

She cleared her throat delicately before she responded.

"Are . . . are you busy whenever I call you?"

I pulled my horses reins to make him stop, reaching out with my hook and stopping her horse. She wouldn't look up at me, biting my lower lip nervously. I turned my horse around so we were facing each other side by side before I reached out with my right hand to cup her cheek and pull her face up to look at me.

Her eyes blinked quickly a few times before they were suddenly staring into mine and I could see they sparkle of unshed tears in her eyes.

I blinked slowly, swallowing nervously before I open my eyes and fixed what I knew were hypnotic deep ocean blue eyes back on her hypnotic vivid emerald green eyes and held them firmly.

"Emma, you never have to worry about that. Anytime you need me, you call me. It doesn't matter what I'm doing, I will always come to you."

I rubbed my thumb across her cheek and felt her lean into my hand. Her left hand lifted and cupped over my own to further our intimate connection. My arm tensed a little when her fingers slid between my own, intertwining our fingers but I was quick to relax when I realized how nice it felt.

She broke our spell by closing her eyes and letting out a sigh of relief.

"Thank you, Killian. To hear someone say that . . . Someone like you is . . ." She trailed off and her eyes slowly opened.

"It's the truth," I told her softly, rubbing my thumb again and tightening my fingers around her own.

She smiled at me, tears gathering in her eyes but refusing to fall. I smiled back at her before we moved our hands to hover between us.

"We . . ." are started to say but stopped, licking my lips to wet them before speaking, "we should continue onward, aye?"

I could read the understanding in her eyes before she nodded and released my hand. I took my horses reins again and turned him around before aligning side by side with her. We nodded simultaneously and continued our ride.

After traveling for a few hours we stopped by a river, green grass on either side and shaded by large trees.

I dismounted first and held her horse steady while she dismounted. We tied the horses to a low hanging branch before walking to the bank of the river.

"Our kingdom is a very beautiful place," she said in a breathless tone.

I shrugged and smiled before turning toward her.

"Mysthaven is very beautiful true but there are other beautiful places in the world. The Sahara's of Agrabah and the mountains of Arendelle, to name a couple."

She suddenly turned toward me, her eyes wide with shock.

"You've been around the world?"

I nodded and replied, "Part of the Dark One responsibility, is to make sure all the realms are safe so I will travel to all of them occasionally to make sure everything is alright."

She pushed a piece of hair behind her ear and looked out over the water again.

"I've always wanted to travel, since I was little and heard about the adventures my parents went on."

"Perhaps one day you will."

"The only other realm I have been to is Arendelle. My parents and the King and Queen over there were good friends so we spent a lot of time over there and them over here. Princess Elsa and I are good friends, as we have things in common."

I chuckled and gestured to her hands.

"The magic, of course. One the product of true love and the other unique ice powers. Princess Else's ice magic is some of the strongest I've seen."

I watched a flash of some strange emotion fly over her face before she looked away from me and out onto the water again. I was pleased to recognize the emotion was jealousy and I was quick to make my true feelings known.

"Of course, there is no stronger magic then the kind born of True Love . . ." I murmured.

She looked at me from the corner of her eye and I continued, looking out over the water again.

"Even my magic of the Dark One has no chance against your magic, Emma. You are not someone people should trifle with."

She finally looked up at me with a half-smile on her face and I felt myself grow determined to make it a full smile.

"Are you comfortable about your magic, Princess?" I asked, tipping my head to the side curiously.

She cleared her throat and shook her head quickly, looking back over the water.

"I have had some training from Lady Blue to control my magic but it is not something we continued on. The power has fallen to a dim light since I don't use my magic."

"Magic can be a powerful protector, Highness. If it's used by good people, magic can bring light to the entire world. Your magic is the purest of them all."

I swiped my tongue over my bottom lip to wet it briefly before speaking again.

"If this idea pleases you, Emma, I would be honored to teach you about your magic. I can help you learn how to control it and use it."

She snapped her head in my direction quickly, so quick I was sure she would hurt her neck or give herself whiplash. Her eyes were wide, full of shock but there was also happiness and a sparkle of something else before she blinked and it was gone. I kept the smile on my face and let her process my offer.

"That . . ." she started to say before cutting herself off and wetting her lips quickly, "that is a very generous offer, Captain. Are you sure it will not interrupt with your other duties."

"I believe we had this conversation earlier. If you require anything from me, Princess, then that shall come first before anything else."

I could see her hand reach out, like she was going to grab my hook so my body slowly tensed while it waited for her disgust to appear on her face.

But no such thing happened. She grabbed the sleeve of my leather jacket on my upper arm, obviously noticing I tensed up and keeping away from my hook, and stepped closer to me.

"Killian . . . I . . ." she stuttered, not knowing what to properly say.

I swallowed and bowed my head respectfully. She smiled at me and looped her arm around my own and I bent my elbow to keep her arm up while her fingers gripped my jacket.

I pulled Emma back to the shade where we sat next to each other. As we settled I waved my hand and poofed a picnic for us.

"I thought you might be hungry?" I asked.

"I am," she said happily, opening the top and peering inside.

I watched her face as she pulled out her favorite meal and mine: roasted quail, a large turkey leg, some strawberries and a bottle of sweet wine.

She sat back and peered up at me, an embarrassed blush on her cheeks.

"How did you know?"

I shrugged nonchalantly and reached down to grab a strawberry holding it up to my mouth.

"Perhaps I did my research, Princess," was all I said before popping the strawberry into my mouth and chewing it slowly.

She pulled her bottom lip into her mouth and I watched her sink her teeth into it while her eyes darted down my mouth before looking up at my eyes again. It could have been just my imagination but I could have sworn I saw a flicker of attraction pass through her eyes before it was gone and replaced my gleaming curiosity.

"Research?" she asked in a high voice.

Smirking I swallowed the strawberry down and waving my hand, a wine glass appearing in both our hands.

"Aye, research."

I used my hook to hold my glass while I opened the wine and poured us both a half glass and setting the bottle aside. I grabbed my glass and held it out for her.

"To new relationships," I told her, a large and genuine smile covering my face.

She matched my smile and raised her glass to mine, bumping them softly to entice the clingnoise.

"To new relationships," she copied and we both took a drink.

"Delicious," she said and took another drink.

"Thank you. I hoped you would enjoy it. You don't drink often so I was guessing on the wine."

"I do enjoy it, thank you. This is very thoughtful."

We both gave each other another smile before digging into our meals, commenting occasionally on the scenery or the animals passing by.

When we had both finished our meals we rested both our backs on the large trunk of the tree. I had stripped off my jacket a while ago, leaving myself in a black cotton shirt and red vest. I let my right arm lay across my stomach while my left arm relaxed in the grass between us.

"May I ask you something? And feel free to refuse."

I lolled my head on the tree to look at her, raising an eyebrow at her.

"Of course."

She swallowed nervously and cleared her throat before she spoke.

"Does it hurt?" she asked.

I raised my head to look at her better but I noticed she wasn't looking at me. She was looking at my hook.

I lifted my hand and scratched the back of my neck before lifting my hook to show her.

"It used to hurt and bug me all the time. But over the centuries the pain has faded and now I don't even really notice it."

"Whenever you think I'm going to touch your hook or when you must get it close to me, you tense up. I was just . . . I was just wondering why that is?"

I took a deep breath before letting it out in a sigh.

"Please forgive me if that was rude," she rushed to tell me.

I shook my head and looked up at her, smiling comfortingly to reassure her.

"No worries, love. When I first received this wound, I hated it and I was ashamed of it. But over time it slowly became a part of me and I slowly got used to it. I haven't been ashamed of it in centuries and then the first time happened the day I met you."

She sucked in a sharp breath and opened her mouth to speak but I shook my head and she closed her mouth quickly.

"I know I shouldn't because it's a part of me and I gained it doing something some people call heroic but when I'm around you Emma, I can't help but feel ashamed that I'm not a whole man in front of a beautiful woman." I swallowed and grabbed the tip between my finger and thumb, feeling the point of it, "I'm afraid that it scares you or that it will scare you."

I suddenly looked up at her, needing her to completely understand the meaning behind my next words.

"I swear on my life, Princess Emma of Mysthaven, that I will never hurt you with my hook, my hand, my sword, my magic or anything else in my possession. I will make any oath you choose to show you how serious I am."

She blinked at me and I waited for her to speak, biting my lower lip. Her eyes flickered between my eyes and lips in a quick circle. I looked down quickly just in time to see her tongue sneaking out of her mouth and wetting her lips.

"I could never be scared of you or of your hook, Captain Killian Jones," she said firmly, not letting me look away from her, "I have never felt safer than when I am by your side. I'm sure you don't hear this often but . . . I trust you," she whispered at the end.

I tried to swallow but it stuck in my throat with the heavy emotion I was feeling. Her eyes told me no lie and neither did her words. She did trust me and if I didn't know any better, I'd say she trusted me with her life.

I licked my suddenly dry lips nervously but a slow smile spread across my lips.

"And the oath of your choosing?"

She looked surprised before a contemplating look overcame her face.

"I don't know what different kinds there are," she confessed.

"I can write spell, create an enchanted object between us, we can create a blood oath. There are different options."

"A blood oath?" she asked, her head perking up with interest.

I nodded and explained, "It's the most intimate of oaths, some say. We would cut our hands open and when we put them together, it will bind our essences together and create a magical oath that can't be broken. That's why people say it's the most intimate; it binds people together forever."

"So, you and I wound be bound together? What are the limitations on that?"

I smirked inwardly because she was the first person I met who was seriously interested in creating a blood oath with the Dark One.

"Once we initiate the blood oath, there will powerful magic created between us and that magic is what will keep the oath and us connected. But the oath will bind us in a way that will connect our souls. It will allow us to . . . sense each other in a way."

She seemed to have a thoughtful look on her face, looking down at the blades of grass and I continued.

"There are no effects that you will be able to notice," I comforted her; "the oath will not prevent you from living your life or anything of that sort."

"Are there ways to break a blood oath?" she asked.

I nodded and replied, "Of course. It's just like any other magic, it can be broken if desired. To break a blood oath, the person who is making the oath would have to break it. In our case if we went with the blood oath, if we wanted to break it than I would have to hurt you-"

"Which you would never do," she finished my sentence in a teasing voice.

I smirked at her and rolled my eyes. She smiled sweetly back at me and looked down at my hook again, biting her lower lip.

"Can I touch it?" she asked hesitantly.

I swallowed heavily before nodding my head in approval.

She lifted her hand slowly and I kept my left arm completely still, determined to stay calm and let her touch the cold metal of my attachment. I watched her fingertips touch the curve gently, running them down the curve to the bottom and back up and around to the tip before she wrapped her fingers around the hook to grip it tightly.

"Does it come off?" she asked.

I nodded and twisted my wrist, unlocking the hook from its spot and letting her slide it out. She held it in her lap, her fingers dancing over different parts of it or flipping it over to look at the other side.

"It's heavier than I expected," she commented.

I shrugged, "I don't even notice the weight of it anymore since I've had it for so long."

She pursed her lips and I was filled with a desire to know what she was thinking right now. After a moment, she held my hook back out to me and I let her twist it onto the brace. We were both silent, staring at my hook before I laid it down on my thigh and looked up at her.

"You shouldn't be ashamed of your hook, Killian. Not anymore. I think your hook signifies something great and it's become a part of you now."

I smiled at her, happy that it was her telling me this and not someone else. She tipped her head at me and kept our eyes locked, taking a deep breath.

"I would like to do the blood oath," she announced.

I raised an eyebrow at her but she just raised one right back at me, almost like a challenge.

"Are you sure, Princess? After knowing all it will do? And knowing who you are making this blood oath with?"

She nodded her head vigorously and held out her right hand to me.

"I am sure, Captain. I trust that you won't hurt me but if you need this than I am willing to do it." She didn't say the "for you" but we could both hear it was heavily implied.

I looked down at her hand and reached out slowly, cupping my hand under her own gently but firmly. I ran my thumb across the lines on her palm slowly before I looked back up at her.

"Very well. We shall initiate a blood oath then."

I started reaching for the knife on my side but her left hand suddenly reached over and halted my wrist from grabbing the knife. I looked up at her quickly, the hot touch of her hand on my wrist sending a rush of emotion through me. She didn't say anything but smiled gently before she let go of my wrist and grabbed my hook instead, guiding it over until the point was pressed into her skin. My eyes went wide with shock and I opened my mouth to rebut against her but the warning in her eyes gave me a reason not to.

"Last chance to back out," I told her quietly and she shook her head.

"No, I don't want to back out."

Nodding, I raised my hand to cup under her own and we both looked down to watch as my hook dug into her skin harder before I yanked it across, a cut spanning from side to side of her palm in its wake. I didn't hesitate to move my hand from under hers and slashing a cut across it as well.

I looked back up and held out my hand for her. She met my gaze head on and I could see her right hand reaching out before she put it in mine. I grabbed her hand tightly, feeling both the magic I possessed and the magic she possessed intertwining and solidifying the oath, a bright light escaping between our hands.

When the light died down, I slid my hand under hers again to show the upside of her palm. The cut remained, blood smeared along the edges. I let out a little sigh and rubbed my thumb along the edges of the cut, the wound slowly pulling together and healing.

She was smiling broadly at me and I couldn't help but smile in return.

"There you are Princess. A blood oath that swears I will never hurt you."

She rolled her eyes and took her hand back, examining the skin before folding her hands in her lap and looking back at me.

"Thank you. Though, I believe it was you who wanted the blood oath."

I chuckled and lifted my glass to take a sip of wine.

"Blaming the Dark One, I see," I said in a teasing tone.

She giggled and took her own sip of wine. We both leaned back against the tree, a few inches closer to one another with our arms resting in the grass side by side.

When the sun started to set, Emma stood and brushed off her dress before looking down at me. I couldn't help but let my eyes wander over her face, loving how the setting sun lit up the curves of her cheek and how her hair looked more heavenly while in the sunlight.

I swallowed and peaked my tongue out to wet lips.

"Princess?"

"We should head back. They should be preparing dinner by now."

I nodded and stood from the ground, waving my hand and cleaning our picnic before picking up my jacket and we walked over to the horses.

I let her mount first, tossing my jacket behind my saddle and mounting my horse. We rode in silence, shooting each other a glance now and again. When we made it back to the castle we were greeted by Henry who was panting.

"Mother!" he said exaggeratingly, rushing to grab her horse's reins and hold her horse steady.

"Henry?" she asked.

"I've been looking all over for you. I arrived back around mid-afternoon but you were nowhere to be found."

Shaking her head with a small smile on her face, she looked at me before looking back at her son.

"Henry, I'm fine. I was bored in the castle so I decided to take a ride and asked Captain Jones to accompany me."

Henry finally looked up and I smiled at the boy, giving a small wave.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

"Hello, Captain," he greeted with a half bow.

I turned to Emma, meeting her eyes and reached out my hand, in a gesture to put hers in mine. She didn't hesitate to meet my eyes and reached out to place her hand in mine. I gripped it tightly and ran my thumb over her knuckles softly before pulling it up to my mouth.

"Captain Jones, thank you for accompanying me today," she softly said.

"Always a pleasure, Your Highness," I whispered, pressing my lips firmly to the lower part of her hand and knuckles.

I pulled her hand back and loosened my grip on her hand but Emma took her time sliding her hand out of mine, her fingertips tickling my palm.

"Farewell, Your Highnesses. Until next time."

I poofed myself away, putting my horse back into the stables and sending myself to my bedroom and onto my large bed.

There was something about Princess Emma that continually drew her to me and I knew that for the first time in centuries . . . I was falling in love.