PROLOGUE

Present Day, Enchanted Forest

When Captain Hook arrived at the gates of Snow White's kingdom, none of the guards knew what to do. He was a pirate, but absent from the kingdom's wanted list—odd. Was he to be allowed admittance?

Killian watched in amusement as the knights whispered back and forth to each other trying to address the current problem. "Call your Queen, mates," he finally advised. "She'll be able to clear it up."

And so the Queen was called. Killian sat on a nearby rock sharpening his sword as he waited (he enjoyed how nervous it made the scrawny watchmen) and taking occasional swigs of rum. Captain Hook was usually an impatient man, but not today. He waited over a year for this moment: a year of planning, a year of research, a year of pain.

Killian knew Queen Snow White arrived by the sudden squeak of royal armor jumping into a salute. Killian sheathed his sword and dropped into a bow. "Your majesty."

Queen Snow White trained her suspicious eyes on him. "To what do I owe this surprise visit, Captain?"

Killian stood up straight. "No pleasantries then?"

The Queen remained stoic.

"Right. You may recall that I am owed a favor by your family." Killian chose his words carefully, trying to avoid upsetting the Queen.

"Are you referring to the favor granted to you by my dead husband?" Snow said lowly.

Killian winced. "That would be the one, your majesty." In reality, he was owed no such favor. The trade (or curse, as he liked to refer to it) Hades made with Emma instilled fake memories in people to replace old ones. He was the unlucky person chosen to have both sets of memories, the real and the fake. It was like two parallel lives swimming side by side at all times. This fake memory just happened to help Killian. "And I am deeply sorry for your loss." Killian gave another bow. He truly was sorry, more than she could possibly understand.

Snow nodded curtly. "If you had not saved the Kingdom and my family by telling us of Regina's plans to curse our realm and aided in her capture, I would banish you for being so insensitive." Killian noticed for the first time that Queen Snow White's outfit was entirely black; she had not stopped mourning.

"Yes, your majesty," Killian agreed dutifully.

"However, we all do owe you our lives. So what is this favor, Captain?" Her voice was harsher than Killian had ever heard it, and her eyes were colder, more distant. The wave of guilt almost crushed his tongue to the back of this throat. It was all his fault David was dead. Which is why he had to make it right.

"I need an invitation to tonight's ball."

If Queen Snow White was surprised she didn't show it. "And why would that be?"

"There is someone in attendance I need to see." That was close enough to the truth.

She moved a few steps closer to Killian. "Tonight is not just any ball, Captain. Tonight is—"

"Emma's birthday, I know," Killian breathed out quickly before he could stop himself.

Queen Snow White raised her eyebrows and it took Killian a few moments to realize his mistake. "Princess Emma's birthday," he corrected. If he couldn't control himself at the sound of her name, how the bloody hell would he control himself tonight in Emma's presence?

Emma doesn't know you exist, his nagging brain reminded him.

"I didn't know pirates kept such track of the royal social calendar." The Queen's eyes never left his face. She was searching for deception; thank god she didn't have Emma's super power.

"The legends of your preparations have reached even the most lone sailor's ear, your majesty." Killian took another bow, hoping to hide his face.

"I don't know, and really don't care what your intentions are, Hook." She finally used his moniker, and spat it out like it was something dirty. Killian used all of his self-control to not flinch. "This is a surprisingly easy favor to repay. But if you in any way ruin my daughter's birthday, I will have you thrown in our deepest cell and forgotten. Is that understood?" Her voice was cruel and Killian gave a stiff nod. Her eyes softened for a moment, "Emma has been through enough this year."

She didn't know the half of it.

"I completely understand, your majesty. You have my word I shall not interfere with tonight's festivities." Killian had a bad taste in his mouth. He never had knowingly given a false word before, but it was necessary and hopefully she would forgive him at a later date.

Queen Snow White nodded and turned to leave. "Captain, this is a formal affair. Waistcoats and jackets."

Killian chuckled for the first time in months. "Not to worry. Us pirates do know how to clean up well."

He almost thought he heard a low laugh from Queen Snow, but more likely it was the wind rustling a tree.