The guests swirled in a dizzying scene of purples, golds and blues, as the royal orchestra swelled with melodic noise in celebration. Emma peered at the display through the large, imposing door that currently kept her hidden. In just a moment she would be announced, and once more put on display for her subjects.
She let the door close fully, taking a moment to smooth down the satin of her skirts. Her mother had taken extra care with this gown, and Emma had to admit her fair mother's taste was impeccable. Would he like it? Emma flushed at the thought, remembering the moment just hours ago when she'd nearly given herself up, losing her capacity for speech just at the mere sight of Killian's bare torso. It had been some time since she'd seen him in such a state, not since they had been small children sneaking a swim in the pond at the far side of the palace. But time had been good to Killian. Indeed, even in just the six months since she'd seen him last he'd changed, shoulders broadening and the lines of his arms appearing stronger, more commanding.
Emma shook her head quickly, aiming to clear her thoughts. It wouldn't do to appear before the whole of the kingdom with a flush on her cheeks. Besides, this was a big night for her, and she would find the capacity to act accordingly.
"There you are, dear."
The sound of her mother's voice alerted her to the fact she was no longer alone, and she peered over one shoulder to find her mother and father descending the great stairs from their rooms, ready to make a royal family entrance at last.
"Ready?" her father asked, looping her arm through his own with a warm smile. Her mother stood to his other side, one hand resting in the crook of his elbow. For some time now in had been King Charming's role to escort both the ladies in his life at official functions, though they all knew an end to the practice was nearing. Soon, Emma would have a new escort to stand at her side.
The blare of the trumpets interrupted the music and dancing in the ballroom, and two guards gracefully swept the large doors open, allowing the three royals to enter. Guests at the center of the room curtsied and bowed appropriately, as the little family made their way through the room, smiling and greeting subjects as they came to them.
Emma kept a practiced smile on her face, nodding her hellos as this person or that greeted her. Most of these people she'd known all her life, the local noble families, merchants and trade allies making up a colorful pageant of guests. To look at her one would believe Princess Emma to be fully engaged with each person she encountered, but it was merely the result of years of training. Instead, Emma's whole attention was on locating the presence of a certain lieutenant.
A hand at her arm stilled her and she turned, eyes filled with hope. She only showed her disappointment for a second, before smiling once more at Liam, who now stood before her, resplendent in his finely pressed naval uniform, all brass medals shined to their highest ability.
"Might I have a dance, highness?
Emma nodded and allowed Liam to guide her to the center of the dance floor. Those already assembled moved this way and that, clearing a spot for the new couple at the middle of the space. The band started up a sweet but traditional waltz, and Liam began to lead her about the floor in a manner he had done for some 10 years now.
"You seem displeased to see me, princess," he said lowly, for her ears only. "Might you have been expecting a different Jones brother?"
"Oh, please," Emma scoffed, teasing in her eyes. "You know I've always preferred you to your brother."
Liam let out a real laugh at that, the easy camaraderie between them something she could always count on. It had been such a comfort having him around the palace growing up, he filling the role of de facto older brother to the sibling-less princess. He'd seen her through so many slights and squabbles, soothing her when some misunderstanding with Killian meant she'd been at her wits end. And though it was Killian's return that she counted down to upon each mission away, it was never a surprise when she realized her relief in having Liam safely home, too.
"And where is our lieutenant, tonight?"
"His usual place, skulking about the gardens, trying to work up the courage to ask the beautiful princess for a dance."
"Why should that be such a frightening task?" Emma asked with affection. "You've both known me all your lives."
"Yes, well, we left this kingdom bidding farewell to a pretty, albeit clumsy and rough tumble girl," Liam replied, twirling Emma carefully under on arm as the music swelled. "And now we've come home to find this stunning woman in her place. It is enough to give a man pause."
Emma steadied her breathing, Liam's words and the swirling couples around her making her feel light headed all of a sudden.
"You seem to be managing it all right," she countered.
"Yes, well, like you as I do, I must admit is the younger Jones sailor and not myself who raced against stormy winds to return to your side as quickly as possible."
Emma nearly stumbled, Liam's words catching her off guard and causing a shudder through her entire body. Liam righted her, moving in such a way that no lookers-on would have had any idea that something had disrupted the dance. The music ended then, the song over so quickly Emma didn't realize it was time to move on to a new partner.
Liam bowed deeply, the customary send off to finishing a dance with the princess. As Emma curtsied in return, her eyes on Liam's boots, the captain whispered slowly, "Go find him, Emma. I think he has been waiting for you."
Emma didn't even pause, turning to leave so quickly she almost missed Liam's conspiratorial wink. She moves to the edges of the ballroom, aware that dozens of eyes are upon her, but caring not. Something in the honest way Liam had spoken just now, the image of Killian storm tossed on the seas as he hurried home, the thought of him now in the palace gardens, safe at last but still so far from her...she needed to see him, now.
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
The stars were out in full force tonight, and Killian fell back on an old tradition he'd had since childhood, mapping the constellations and counting their numbers as a way to ease his mind. It was a trick that never failed to calm him, though that calmness was working overtime this evening to evade him.
He sighed deeply, tossing a pebble in his hand into the still water of a small wading pool that sat at the center of the beautiful palace gardens. From where he sat perched on that low wall of the pool, he saw the pebble skip three times until sinking below.
He was poised to pick up a second pebble from the ground and try again, when a voice stopped him.
"Destroying palace grounds again?"
Killian grinned and stood, straightening his naval jacket before turning to face the princess.
"Just rearranging, I assure you."
She moved to stand next to him, bending down and dipping her fingers into the cool water, causing gentle ripples to break out across the surface. He watched, mesmerized, as she stood straight again, so close to him that he could smell the sweet fragrance of her hair. It was intoxicating.
"You know, lieutenant, some say that when you are invited to a royal ball, it is considered polite to actually...arrive."
He chuckled, turning his face away from her for a minute. If she only knew. He had indeed arrived in a timely manner, waiting with the rest of the guests for their majesties entrance. And oh what an entrance it had been. Just one look at the princess and he'd been reduced to a stuttering idiot all over again, the vibrant red of her gown and the way her sleeves dipped along her collarbone, her shoulders left bare, giving him the impression of being a lad of 15 again. Gods, but he was a fool for this woman.
"My apologies, highness, if I have offended."
"Frightened some young lady might petition you for a dance?"
"You wound, Emma," he replied, clutching his heart in a mocking fashion. "You know my dancing skills are beyond reproach."
"Care to prove it?" she asked, raising her arms in the customary position for a waltz. From the ballroom not too far away, Killian could make out the faint sounds of the orchestra, and the music covered his swallow as he slid into position, taking Emma's hand in his, resting his other hand at the small of her back.
She seemed to melt into him, the two of them swaying in position, neither completing the full, formal moves of the dance, instead holding onto each other and moving only slightly around the courtyard. Killian noted with satisfaction that she had pulled herself closer into him than would be customary for a proper waltz.
"I always liked our dances out here."
"Aye, so did I," he replied, remembering fondly the many balls that he and Emma snuck out of, choosing in their adolescence to spend their time here in the moonlit garden where no ornery nursemaid could scold them for their raucousness. As they grew older, they would still steal to the garden from time to time, adding their own form of dancing to the evenings they spent here.
"You mentioned earlier you had need to speak with me," Killian said finally, his eyes searching her gaze as he recalled her words from before.
"I'm surprised you remembered, lieutenant, so perturbed were you with my fretting over you."
"On the contrary, lass," he said softly, pulling her even closer to him, drawing a low gasp from his princess. "I quite like it when you fret over me."
Emma lowered her gaze at that, her eyes settling somewhere near his mouth. It was just a moment and her eyes met his again, but it was a motion Killian scurried away into the deep recesses of his heart, intent on playing the moment over again in his mind later.
"Killian, there is something I need to say to you. But I fear now I have you here in front of me, the words are hard to find."
"I know the feeling," he said, noting the heavy weight of the ring box still in his pocket. He didn't lie when he told Liam he hadn't parted with it since purchasing it some four months ago. He'd wanted for so long to purchase such an item, but could never bring himself to go through with it, certain it was a wild hope that had no chance of fruition. But something about the delicate ring that day in Tortuga had called to him, as if he were the man meant to purchase it, and Emma the woman meant to wear it.
"Emma," he started, fully stopping their dancing and standing still with her, their arms still holding tight to each other. "There are things I need to tell you as well. All of these months without you I've-you see, it has been my hope that we-"
"Yes?" she breathed softly.
"I know it may sound ridiculous, but if you could only..."
"Your highness!" a yell sounded through the garden courtyard, prompting the young couple to immediately spring away from each other. Killian ran a hand through his hair as the dwarf Grumpy entered the space, realizing how untoward his actions would look to an outsider. Here he was, a lowly naval officer, practically manhandling the heir to throne under the chaperone of not a soul.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, your highness," the dwarf said, glaring at Killian and looking none too sorry at all, "but you are needed inside. Your parents sent me to find you."
Emma nodded her understanding and smiled apologetically at Killian, as he let out a deep breath and rolled his eyes. Would the two of them never receive a moment's peace?
She moved to walk back into the ballroom and Killian fell in step slightly behind her, using the small space between them to gather his wits. It was beginning to reach a point of now or never, and he was determined to get these words out to her before the night was done.
Upon reentering the ballroom, Killian noted with satisfaction that the princess's absence had gone unnoticed by most, the majority of the revelers content with their own romantic liasons and imbibing in too much wine to care about the actions of others, royalty or not. Killian saw Emma move steadily across the floor to join her parents, as Liam found a place next to him. He was glad for the calming presence.
"How did it go, brother?"
"It didn't go at all."
Liam raised an eyebrow in silent question, and Killian shook is head in a "not now" motion. Liam seemed to understand and let the subject drop, but Killian could tell it was only a momentary reprieve. The Jones brothers had a reputation of bravery to uphold, and Killian knew his brother and captain would not let him off the hook quite so easily.
"Ladies and gentlemen of the court, it is with great pleasure that we receive you here this evening," the King announced gaily, his loud voice commanding the room as the party goers hushed their previous conversations.
"My wife and I are delighted to welcome our courageous sailors home as well, and we thank you for your devoted service to the crown."
The King raised his glass in salute, prompting the other guests to follow suit, a few cheers of "hear, hear" sounding out through the room.
"And we have added reason to feel celebratory tonight," Charming continued, wrapping an arm around his beloved daughter and pulling her to his side. "The Queen and I are so happy to say that our daughter is soon to be married, and we gladly announce her engagement to Prince Hans of the Seven Isles!"
It would only be later that Killian realized his gratitude for the large, assembled party, who leapt into such a sudden cheer at the news, that it concealed his whispered plea of, "No."