Sea Horses:

Chapter 2:

"Rise and shine m'lady, you're needed in the kitchen."

Amaira grumbled as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. When Smee opened her cell, she strode forward, intent on handling whatever Hook threw at her.

"Um, m'lady?"

Her head turned.

"Kitchen's this way."

She turned bright red, and meekly followed Smee into the kitchen. It was too early to rebel anyway.

It's not so bad, she thought. Smee had her chopping fruit and slicing bread. He wasn't bad company per se, but he also wasn't Red. He also hadn't stopped talking for more than a minute since he had roused her.

"The Captain's not so bad once you get to know'im. Real storyteller that one. Spins a tale a deaf man would listen to. His crew sure loves him though. He does right by'im. He's a good man," Smee blanched, "but don't tell him I said that."

"Course not," she smiled.

"Smee!"

"Captain calls, back in a tick."

Wonder what his highness wants, she thought dryly.

"Here, you can wear this."

Smee held out a beautiful red dress. The red fabric parted in the middle of the skirt to reveal gold, as well as in the middle of the corset.

"You can change in the closet, and you can help me bring the trays to the table when you're done."

Amaira slid the dress on. It fit perfectly, hugging her curves like a second skin, except for the bust line. It was slightly too snug, so it perked her breasts up just a little too high for her liking. Amaira exited the closet and picked up a tray laden with fruit.

"You look lovely."

She blushed at Smee's compliment, and followed him to the dining area of the ship.

Amaira was bright red as she set her trays down thanks to the whistles and comments from Hook's crew. As she walked by Hook with her last tray, his hand snaked down and pinched her ass. Amaira slammed her tray down, and turned to the captain, eyes alight with blue and green fire.

"Listen here Hook, I don't care if you're the captain of this ship, I don't care if you're the king of the damn kingdom, you keep your hands off my ass. Clear?"

He smirked, unfazed by her reaction, "Just one question. How do you feel about seats?"

"What are you tal-"

"Time's up." He nodded to the pirate behind her, who shoved her down into the seat next to Hook. His crew erupted with laughter, their captain having turned the girl's words from yesterday against her.

Amaira stood up. Killian caught her wrist with his hook.

"Sit down love," he said his tone warning.

"No." she ignored his hook, and crossed her arms.

"No?"

"No."

"Last chance love, sit down, or things are going to get messy."

"Oh are they?" her hand went to her mouth, "in that case, no."

Hook stood up.

"Sit down girlie."

"First of all, not a 'girlie,' and answer's still no, 'Hookie.'"

Killian saw red. How dare she undermine his authority in front of his crew! He'd show her, he'd, he'd-SLASH!

Before he knew what he was doing, his hook cut in between her breasts, her blood coloring the silver tip bright red. She yelped, tears pricking her eyes. She slapped him, and stormed back into the kitchen.

Killian glanced at the rest of his crew who were stunned into silence.

"Well don't just stand there, get ready to set sail!" he yelled.

His crew leapt into action, not wishing to further anger their captain.

Amaira dabbed at the blood between her breasts, tears trickling down her cheeks. Smee handed her a fresh cloth, "I've never seen the captain use that hook of his on anyone who didn't deserve it before."

"Smee! Find the girl, and put her back in her cell."

"Aye, Captain."

"Come with me before he finds you himself." Amaira allowed herself to be locked in her cell once again.

All she wanted to do was cry. She sat on the mattress and leaned against the wall, just letting her tears fall. Smee came down at noon with lunch, but then she was left alone in her prison again.

Hours later Killian came down. "I'm sorry I hurt you."

Amaira scoffed. "You know Smee called you a good man but he was wrong, you're just a brute with no self control of his own. You're a boy playing with his father's knives."

Killian held out a wet cloth, "Is it still bleeding?"

"No," she replied sullenly, taking the cloth from him.

"Here let me-"

"Don't touch me!" she snarled, head shifting to a wolf ever so briefly.

Oh my god. Amaira's eyes went wide, and she started coughing. She clutched her throat. Killian opened the cell, hand going to her back, as she doubled over.

"Are you alright?" he asked in alarm.

She tried to push him away from her, but she wasn't getting any air. Killian dropped to the ground with her as she crashed down on her knees. Then the sensation was gone, as quickly as it had come, and she fell forward, catching herself with her hands, as she sucked in great gulps of air.

"What happened?"

"Choking," she panted, "felt like hands, heh, round my throat."

Killian glanced at her wound, "you're bleeding again."

He picked up the dropped cloth and dabbed at the blood.

She batted his hand away, "I'm fine."

"You're hurt," he reached forward again.

"Stop it!" She pushed at his chest.

"Just hold still!" he leaned over her.

"Get off!" she shoved him.

His hook slipped on the wood.

"Ooof!" He fell forwards onto Amaira, which in turn made her fall backwards with a squeak.

"Damn hook," he muttered into her chest. He looked down at her mouth quirking upwards, "Did you just squeak?"

"I most certainly did not!"

"You did, didn't you!"

"Shut up!"

Killian got a devilish glint in his eye. He tickled her sides making her explode in a fit of squeaks and giggles.

"Stop!" she gasped out.

"What's the magic word?"

"Please!"

"Actually it's oh Killian you're the most handsome pirate captain ever, but nice try love," he sat up with a grin.

She laughed, "First of all that's more than one word, and secondly who's Killian?"

"Uh me?" he looked at her like she was crazy.

"Wait, I thought your name was Hook?"

" You thou-" he laughed at the absurdity of the situation. "You actually thought," he chuckled, "That my name was Hook?"

"Stop it!" she pushed him, laughing in spite of herself.

He laughed again, "No love, Killian Jones." He offered her his hand.

She shook it, blushing at her ignorance. She thought for a minute, "Killian, huh, suits you."

He liked how his name sounded coming from her lips.

She shifted under his gaze and he was reminded of why he had come in the first place. He picked up the wet cloth and slowly began to clean the dried blood from her cut.

Killian felt sick. He had done this. He had marred the creamy skin between those two perfect breasts.

He was reminded of where her cut was when her breasts bounced slightly as he rubbed at the dried blood.

"Uh Killian?"

"Hmm?

"Blood's gone."

He tore his gaze away and looked at his hand, "so it is."

She bit her lip, and her eyes' flickering increased.

"Ahem," Smee cleared his throat averting his gaze, "Sorry to interrupt captain, m'lady, but there's a storm coming, and the crew would like to know what to do."

"Of course," he got up off of her, and offered Amaira his hand. She accepted it and he pulled her to her feet.

"I just have to take care of this, and then we'll have dinner. You'll join us won't you?"

"Are you going to keep your hook to yourself?" with a pointed glance at his hand.

Killian shifted guiltily, "I swear I will not use my hook on you," he said sincerely, meeting her gaze.

"Then it would be my pleasure."

He grinned, and shut the door to her cell as he went to speak to his crew.

Amaira bit her lip. He may have apologized, but he's still holding me prisoner. Although what else would he do. I did attack him. And I'd do it again if it would help me escape. Although there's not exactly anywhere to go, we're in the middle of the ocean, and I'm not comfortable relying on a shift. They haven't exactly been…reliable. I mean even just a second of shifting, and I'm doubled over. Where are we even headed? I should ask Hoo-, Killian. What was I thinking? He must think I'm an idiot. I don't even know what I thought; I just knew he was Hook. Well, too late now.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Smee as he came down to her cell, brandishing a new un-ripped dress. This one was maroon with black and white underskirts and finishings.

Why do they have so many female clothes on a pirate ship? It doesn't make sense. And Killian won't give me a straight answer.

She accepted the dress with a small smile, and changed when Smee had left. Again the dress fit perfectly except for the bust line. She gritted her teeth, and forced the dress to fit. This is worse than a corset, she thought bitterly.

Killian came down, just as she finished and was fixing her hair. He looked her up and down, blue eyes dark.

"You look…" He shook his head and opened the door, "Shall we?" Amaira followed him into the dining room and took a seat next to him. It didn't escape him that she sat on the other side from his hook. Smee served dinner, and the hungry pirates descended upon the food and wine like they were starving. Killian went to pour her wine, but she stopped him.

"I can't drink." He looked at her like she was crazy.

"No really, I can't."

Killian filed away this comment away to ask her about later, and poured her juice instead. Amaira watched the crew quietly. They were rowdy and noisy, and Amaira felt herself missing Red's company even more. Killian seemed to notice how quiet she had become.

"Don't tell me you're scared love, us 'fearsome pirates' aren't that bad are we?" He grinned. His smile was infectious and she felt herself smile slightly in return. As the men drifted to tales and songs as the wine started setting in, her curiosity got the better of her. "Where are we headed anyway?"

Killian looked confused, "I tho- We're headed to Charming's kingdom." He studied her reaction carefully, but Amaira looked at him blankly.

"How would I know where we're going, you never told me."

"But the queen, I thought you were her-" he trailed off.

"Her what?" she asked wanting to know how he could've linked her to the queen of all things.

His mouth quirked, "Her assassin, but I'm way off aren't I?"

Amaira's eyes widened, "Her assassin! Gosh no! I've never even met her! Well, I suppose I must have at some point if she was the one who gave me to you. Who am I even being sent to?"

"Charming."

"The Prince! What does he want with me?"

"Dunno, but the queen's sending you to him."

Amaira bit her lip, "You said there was going to be a storm tonight?" Did she sound nervous?

"Yeah, just a little thing though."

"Oh." She sounded… relived?

Amaira looked away; there wasn't anything else to talk about really. Or you're just too cowardly to tell him how close he was to the truth when he called you an assassin.

They fell into an awkward silence before one of Killian's crew members captured his attention, and he fell back into his cocky attitude full of grins and innuendos.

As dinner finished, Killian excused himself to check the seas one last time before heading to bed. The crew stared at her unabashedly now that their captain wasn't there to scold them. Amaira fidgeted uncomfortably, the dress felt like it was cutting into her back.

The silence stretched on before one brave soul said, "So does the captain enjoy animal style then, sweet heart?"

Amaira narrowed her eyes at the man.

"The captain enjoys it plenty," Killian's voice rang out as he descended the stairs, "but one sailor," he clapped the man on the shoulder, "must really love washing the deck because that's what he's earned himself with that comment."

The pirate sank in his seat, "Sorry Captain."

"Better. Well goodnight men, if the weather's good we'll set sail in the morning."

He turned to Amaira, "Coming love?"

She bit her lip and followed him back to her cell. She saw him staring at the bars uncertainly, but she decided for him. She walked past him into the cell and closed the door behind herself. He frowned and turned the corner. A minute later he appeared with a thick blanket.

"Here, it might get cold tonight with the storm."

She nodded her thanks and spread it on her bed. She glanced back at Killian, "Why do you have these," she gestured to her dress.

He didn't respond, instead his gaze dropped because his boots were suddenly fascinating.

Amaira watched his reaction, "It has something to do with how you lost your hand doesn't it."

"Goodnight." He dismissed her coldly, his stormy eyes meeting her flickering ones for a moment. He turned and left, and Amaira watched lip, clasped firmly between her teeth.

When she was sure he was gone, she tore her dress off, sighing in relief. She slipped the soft nightgown over her head again, and sat down on her bed. She shivered. He's right, it is chilly. She pulled the blanket around herself. Why had she walked back into the cell? Oh that's right because she was an idiot. But what else was she going to do, sleep with the men? Yeah right. So let me get this straight. The queen captured me and is sending me to Prince Charming by means of Captain Hook. What have I gotten myself into this time? I mean really it's not like I could kill the prince, especially now that my shifts have gone weird. And it's not like I can ask Hoo-,Killian, either because he doesn't know. I mean he thought I was the queen's assassin for crying out loud. But I'm not, am I? I don't exactly go out looking for people to kill. But anyone you do go after is as good as dead. Stop it! I am NOT a monster. At least, I don't think so…But she had been wrong about Killian being a monster. Yes he had cut her, but he looked so pained afterwards. He regretted it, and it's not like she was one to judge about hurting others. There was so much hurt behind his laughing eyes. He had loved someone and somehow that had earned him that hook. But where was she now? Judging by the pain in his eyes, she probably left him. Or she's dead.

She jumped at the first sound of thunder. I thought he said this was going to be a little storm! Already, the boat's rocking had increased. Lightning flashed outside. She was going to lose it, wasn't she. Why hadn't he told her! Well you didn't exactly ask. Thunder boomed again. Her heart beat quickened, the steady thump thump turning to a rapid tune in her chest. She got up, instinct taking over. She paced. Her palms were sweaty, and she wiped them on the nightgown. Thunder crashed again, and she whimpered. Human thought left her. She tried the door, but it didn't budge. Her breath came in quick gasps, and she felt her magic surge. She continued to pace, whipping herself around when she reached the wall. Little sounds were beginning to leave her mouth. Her eyes stung. The storm was closer, the thunder even louder. She sat on the bed, senses on high alert. On the next boom, she dropped with a yelp. It was so loud! She covered her hands with her ears, trying to escape the noise. Panic had whipped her into a frenzy. It was just so much. The rocking started to get to her. She braced herself on the ground on her hands and knees, desperately trying to find some escape from the horrible noise. Boom! She lost it, and started to sob. On the next blast she screamed.

Killian awoke to a scream. Amaira! He rushed out of his bed, not bothering to grab a shirt, just his sword. He ran to the corner of her cell, bare feet pounding lightly against the wood floor. As he drew nearer, he made sure his footsteps were silent. He readied his sword and burst around the corner. She was trembling on the floor, sobbing. He looked around for a threat, but there was nothing there. Thunder boomed and she screamed, hands going to her ears. A fresh wave of trembles shook her frame. Killian dropped his sword.

"Amaira?"

She didn't respond, just continuing to cry.

"It's okay love, just a storm."

No response. Another clap of thunder sounded, and she screamed again. Killian's heart stirred. The girl bold enough to challenge him was terrified, and of a bloody storm of all things. He opened her cell door and slowly approached her.

"You're alright, just a bit of thunder." He crouched down.

"Amaira, can you look at me?"

She didn't respond, just continued to tremble. He touched her, and her head turned to look at him.

"Make it stop," she whispered, eyes red from crying.

"Can't love, but you're safe. The storm can't get you." He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his chest.

"Make it stop," she wailed into his chest. She clung to his arms for dear life, her trembles shaking the both of them.

"Shh love. You're fine." She continued to cry into his chest, and he held her stroking her hair.

"Please make it stop, it hurts!" she sobbed.

"Hush, love. It can't hurt you; it's just a bit of noise."

"Killian please!" she begged.

He sighed and picked her up awkwardly with his one hand. It was freezing in here, least he could do was warm her up, and he didn't think the storm sounded as loud in his room. He carried her down the hall to his room. He stared at the door, trying to figure out how to open it.

"Love I gotta put you down for a sec, to open the door okay?"

She nodded into his chest. Slowly he set her on her feet. Her arms wrapped around herself as she trembled. Her sobs had gone raspy; she had lost her voice. Killian opened the door and picked her up again. She nestled back into his chest. He kicked the door closed behind them. He sat down on his bed still holding her.

"Shh love, you're losing your voice." Amaira quieted slightly, but the next boom had her back at square one. He lay backwards then; he could at least be comfortable. As her sobs continued he sighed and ran his hand threw his hair. He took his hook out, so it was just metal fitted to the end of his arm. He put his arm around her, just stroking her shoulder soothingly, before pressing a kiss into her hair.

"Shh love."

Author's Note:

On the list to be redone.

Thanks for reading,

TheSparkedInfinity