2 years later...

''There you are, my little angel! Happy Birthday, honey!'', the King shouted while lifting and spinning his daughter. Ember laughed with all her heart, putting her hands in the air. To her it was just like flying with Jack. The King put her down and she run off to hug her mother, while the Guardians were standing around, smiling warmly at the scene, Jack with the biggest smile. He couldn't believe how fast she has grown. And Jack had to admit, she really looked pretty for one seven years old. Today she was wearing blue glittery dress with white endings on her sleeves, silver shoes and small silver tiara with blue sapphire in the middle of it. She told him she chose that dress because it was reminding her on him.

''Can you believe it? She is already of age!'', he heard Toothiana. His eyes went wide as he turned around.

''What are you talking about? She is only seven!''.

''Oh, Jack, I meant she is of age to start on her princess lessons, behavior, duties. She is still not of THAT age. But she will be soon!'', she whispered back. Jack sighed with relief. He still wasn't ready for letting his little 'sister' go and merry somebody. She was still afraid of the dark, for Moon's sake!, he told himself.

''Don't be so sure about that, mate. I heard a couple of those fancy kingdoms are interested in the possible marriage.'', Bunny whispered. Jack gritted his staff and narrowed his eyes.

''Any candidates?'', Tooth asked.

''Most possibly that it's the Lombardi Kingdom. They have a son about Ember's age, I think he's called Jamie, a very nice boy, as I heard.''.

''Yeah, and the Lombardi Kingdom also…''.

But Jack wasn't listening their gossiping. He was looking at Ember, dancing around the room with her mother, while her father was clapping. She was smiling, laughing and she was so happy Jack couldn't be sad or anything. He was so relaxed and content around Ember. Well, everybody was. She just had that kind of effect on the people around her. But he couldn't cope on giving her somebody else. She was his 'sister'.

But in the same time, she was the princess, and he was just the soldier.

Ember was running. The darkness was everywhere around her, and it was coming even closer to her. The light was getting further the more she run, and she was so tired and scared. Her dress was ripped and her hair was a mess, but she could care less. While she was running, she could always hear that creepy, evil voice calling her.

''Where are you, little Ember?'', the voice was crawling all around her and over her, making her shiver in fear. Tears were running down her face, but there was nobody to wipe them off.

''G-get away from m-m-me, please! Leave me alone!'', she shouted in the dark, but she only heard laughter, and somebody behind her. Ember turned around and saw a tall, dark man, in dark armor and crown on his black hair. The only sources of color on him were his yellow eyes.

''Now, why would I leave my future Queen alone?'', he said while coping her face and clenching her wrist to the point she screamed in pain.

''Ember, Ember… So tender and beautiful, even though you are just a child… But mark my words, princess… One day, you shall be mine.'', he hissed while ripping off the sleeve of her dress and stubbing his long nails into her shoulder, making her scream again. His nails were roaming on the surface of her shoulder, making X sign.

''Please… P-please let me go…'', she whisprerd.

''To mark my soon-to-be bride, just to get rid of the competition. See you soon, Ember.'', he said while throwing her on the floor and leaving her alone. She closed her eyes and started to run again, while tears running down her eyes.

''Ember!''.

''No! No, please, leave me alone!'', she shouted, but she felt a sudden change of the temperature. The space she was in was becoming cold. To most people this would be scary, but to her, cold meant comfort, home, safety, love and family.

''Ember, wake up!'', that voice called upon her again. It wasn't evil or creepy. It was gentle, strong, comforting. So familiar.

''Huh?''.

''Ember, wake up, snowflake.''. The light was becoming closer and closer, until it reached color blue, taking a shape of two deep blue, sparkling eyes of her Guardian. She blinked before jumping up and hugging him, while crying into his chest. Jack wrapped his arms around her and started to gently stroke her hair.

''Shhhhh, Ember, it was just a nightmare, nothing more. You're safe now, snowflake. Everything will be fine.'', Jack was whispering to her. Ember stopped crying but she wasn't letting him go either.

''Jack… I-i-is there anything on my shoulder?'', she asked him. He gave her a confused look, but looked at her shoulders. They were ok.

''They seems to be normal. Why?''.

''That man… He… he… carved something into my s-s-shoulder, Jack… He s-s-s-said I'll be his bride…''.

''What? What man?'', Jack asked.

''It was so dark… And scary, and you weren't there, neither were mummy and daddy…''.

''Ember, what man? Was he tall? With black hair and yellow eyes?'', he was praying not to be Pitch, but deep down he knew already.

''Y-y-yes… He was so scary Jack. Am I really going to be his bride?''.

''Never, Ember. As long as I live, he will not get any near you, I promise. I promise…'', Jack said while hugging her. He needed something to calm her down.

''Hey, Ember…''.

''Yes?''

''How about I sing you our song? It always makes you feel better.'', Jack suggested.

''Alright.'', she said.

''Close your eyes, come along,

Dream a dream, sing a song

From my soul to your heart,

If you're alone in the dark,

Just sing and I'll find you.

It's a magical thing,

We're connected like the wings.

While The Man in the Moon is sleeping,

You and I'll fly on, just believe it.

Where ever you go,

Where ever you are,

I'll always be right besides you

Listen, care and protect you.

When I hear your boo

I'll be right there to comfort you.

I'll be with you, friend of mine,

From dawn to dawn.'', Jack was singing quietly to Ember, still holding her tightly. She was smiling at him, her eyes still red from crying but at least she was smiling. Ember leaned her head against his chest, not caring for the coldness. She closed her eyes, feeling sleepy.

''Jack…'', she whispered. He carefully tucked her in her bed, putting back into her arms her stuffed rabbit she dropped.

''Yes, snowflake?''.

''I love you.''. He smiled and kissed her on the forehead.

''I love you too, Ember. Sweet dreams, snowflake.'', Jack said while going to the door.

''Sweet dreams, Jack…'', she dozed off. He smiled while closing her door, biting his lip and cursing inside his head. The reasons?

One, Pitch was back and he obviously remembered him. Two, his target was his 'sister', best friend and princess, Ember.

''Fuck.''.