Song of the Storm
Chapter 2
Princess Emma threw herself onto the bed and looked up at the ceiling, her heart pounding hard in her chest. The night hadn't gone quite as expected. Better, if she was honest. She had gone there planning to be a quiet observer. A plan that had quickly been dashed and made far more exciting; not to mention dangerous, by one very charming Killian Jones.
"Killian Jones," She tested his name on her lips and sighed. For a dangerous pirate he came across as quite a gentleman. "He wanted to bed you," She scolded herself as she found her thoughts drifting to his face and the way he smiled. Swiftly she got off the bed and made quick work of the gown, letting it pool at her feet so she could slip into her soft night gown.
Emma knew her parents would be furious if they found out but she found herself too elated to care. Grabbing the dress from the ground she absently folded as she waked back and forth across her room. She could imagine the look on her mothers face; a quiet mixture of fear and disapproval. Her farther would be more verbal and most likely imprison her in the nearest tower. Not to mention that he would mostly hang Killian.
"He was fun though." She found herself thinking of how nice it might be to see him again. The rational side of her balked at the idea, full well knowing that she would be playing with fire if she met him again. But the other side of her, the more adventurist daring side of her wanted nothing more than to run out of the castle then and now and plead with him to show her the world. This was naive she knew. Such an adventure would not come free with a man like him.
Feeling strangely unsettled she through the dress to the back of her closet; making note that she had to return it in the morning, and headed straight onto the balcony. The wind was warm and comforting but did little to settle her. Leaning against the railing she looked out to the sea. The moon and the stars lit up the water and illuminated the docs. If she squinted she swore she could make out what ship was the Jolly Roger.
"Until next time."
After a sleepless night Emma had barely been able to remove herself from her bed let alone get dressed. She finally settled on a simple blue dress and through her hair into a tight long braid. No matter how tired she was she knew her parents would fret if something seemed amiss so she through on her biggest smile and headed towards breakfast.
By the time she had arrived her parents were already sitting at the small table eating breakfast. Her fake smile quickly became a real one as she saw her father whisper something in her mothers ear that caused them both to smile and Snow White to look at her husband adoringly.
"Good morning mama, papa." Emma scurried over and gave both of her parents a big hug and kiss. "Sorry I'm late! I slept in a little bit." She threw herself into the chair next to her father and reached for the toast and jam.
"Good morning, sweet heart" David chuckled as he watched his daughter slather a heavy layer of the fruit spread on her toast. "Hungry?"
"Famished!" Taking a large bite she listened carefully as her mother began chatting happily about everything under the sun.
"Your highness," One of the royal guard announced as he strolled into the room with his head up high. "Sorry for the intrusion." He bowed towards Snow then nodded his head at Emma. Without a seconds hesitation her moved swiftly to her fathers side and leaned down close and began whispering something that caused her fathers forehead to wrinkle with worry.
"Sorry, duty calls," David said. His smile was strained as he stood up abruptly. "Please enjoy the rest of breakfast without me."
"Love you, papa." Emma watched as her father left hastily and for a moment she swore she saw a shadow of something in her mothers eyes. "I wonder what came up?"
Snow White shuffled in her seat for a moment then looked over at her daughter brightly. "I have grand news! You and I are going to ball!"
"Oh?" Emma said slightly shocked at the sudden change of conversation.
"One of our neighboring kingdom has extended an invite to us. I thought it would be fun for you and I to go."
"No papa? I know how much he loves going to balls."
Snow snickered knowing full well that her husband had never got use to going to balls. "Your father feels that it will be best for him to stay here." Snow leaned forward and grabbed her daughters hand happily. "It will be just us girls."
"When is it?" Emma took another bite of toast as she stared at her mother with wide curious eyes. "It sounds fun."
Snow stopped for a moment and seemed to be deep in thought. "The Southern Isle, I haven't been there since your father and I were newly married. The king and queen have quite a few sons, a few are even around your age."
"Eligible bachelors? How am I not surprised?" Emma laughed. "When are you not thinking of marriage?"
"I am only thinking of whats best for you," Snow said slowly as she held her hand tighter, squeezing hard. "That much I can always promise you."
"I know, mama." Though she knew her mother meant what she said she couldn't help but feel something was off. Something that had buried so deep that it hit the pit of her stomach.
Heart racing, Emma found herself walking straight into the tavern from the previous night. Though still unfamiliar with her surroundings her did her best to keep her head held up high and act as if she belonged. The tavern was crowded tonight and it took her a moment to figure out a plan of action. Slipping towards the bar she caught the eyes of the bar maid who did nothing to pretend that she wasn't looking Emma over.
"You're the girl that the Cap'n was with the other night," The woman said pointedly as she pushed a drink towards Emma. "I'd watch myself around him if I were you." The woman looking Emma up and down. "You are... what do they say? A bit too pure for him." With that the girl slipped away with a quick smile and made her way to the welcoming arms of a man at the bar. The man appeared to know her well and if Emma was right so did the other man who stood next to them leering at the barmaids abundant cleavage.
Speaking of the Captain. Emma surveyed the room as she took a long sip of her drink. He wasn't here. The prickly feeling on the back of her neck told her that the barmaid was watching her closely and after shooting a quick glance over her shoulder she confirmed her suspicion. After that it didn't take long for her to to notice that more than one patron of the bar was watching her. Keep cool, Emma. They don't know who you are.
Moving quickly with her head held high she headed towards the back corner of the bar and slipped into a secluded booth. From there she could see everyone that came in but without looking hard no one could see her. After a few minutes everyone lost interest and began chatting among themselves and she let out an audible sigh of relief. The first night had gone so well she half expected that it was a one time thing and she would be surely found out this time.
"Captain!" The group of men in the center of the room cheered. As if he was a man in a play Killian Jones strolled through the tavern with a theatrical swagger to his walk and his hand and hook thrown out as if presenting himself.
"Mates!" He cheered and slapped one of his men hard on the back causing them both to roar with laughter. Emma cursed herself for sitting so far away as she tried with no avail to hear what the men were chatting about. The men cheered again as the barmaid came rushing over with a platter covered with glasses of ale and the largest smile she had ever seen.
The barmaid made quick work of the drinks then headed straight to Killian's side. Leaning against him she gripped his arm tightly as she moved her lips to his ear and whispered something to him. Killian's smile grew wider as the barmaid leaned back and looked directly at Emma causing Killian to follow suite.
"Killian," Emma said slowly and barely audible almost awestruck at the look on his face as he stalked towards her.
"Hello, love" He quickly slid into the seat across from her. "You are quite the vision." He eyed her up up and down as he gestured to all of her with his hook. "I must say," He said with a playful smirk on his face as he allowed his hook to touch his body lip. "This is the warmest welcome I have received all day."
"Pardon?" Just as it slipped out of her mouth she watched his gaze drift down towards her cleavage that she quickly noticed was practically spilling out. Blushing she quickly sat up straight and began adjusting her dress.
"Don't cover up on my account. I would be lying if I didn't say I quite enjoy the view."
"You have no shame."
He grinned as he licked his bottom lip slowly. "Yet you came to seem me."
"I came to drink," She said proudly as she grabbed her drink and took a long hard swig hoping that the momentarily distraction would help her hide the blush that was creeping up onto her face. "Why did that barmaid tell you I was here?"
He shrugged. "Probably to put me out of my misery." Killian grabbed his drink and chugged it back. "I've been hoping you would come back."
"Its only been a day."
"The longest day of my life." He waggled his eyebrows as he brought his drink to his lips. "Now tell me what you're here. Really."
The Princess blushed. "I told you. I'm here to drink."
The Captain laughed, a laugh that she was quickly becoming addicted to hearing. "Than we shall drink."
As the hours dragged on and the drinks came freely she found herself following him out of the tavern. Her arm threaded through his and her hand placed gently upon his arm. He was animatedly telling her about some absurd story about a sea monster and though she knew he must be lying she couldn't help but listen to every word.
"I must be naive."
"Pardon, love?" Killian whispered as he turned his gaze slightly so he could watch her head rest against his shoulder for a moment. "What has made you decide this?"
"I feel safe with you." Emma chuckled at the thought. "I feel safe with a wanted man. A man who makes his wealth off others, sword fights and defeats dangerous sea monsters." Sea monsters caused her to be rendered to inebriated giggles and a few stumbles as they continued walking.
Killian scoffed playfully as he began walking her down another street without any destination in mind. "I am always a gentleman."
"But you don't deny you're dangerous?" Pulling herself out of his grasp she sauntered forward until she was in front of him. Spinning around, she greeting him with a raised eyebrow and a unsteady stance that he was sure was supposed to display confidence.
"Aye." Taking a few long strides forward he reached forward and grabbed her by the waist and pulled her close. "I don't make a habit of endangering lasses. Woman..." His eyes darkened as he looked down at her, his hand running slowly down the length of her waist as if it belonged there. "Woman; such as yourself, deserve to be cherished."
"Pretty words." Emma blushed as she pushed herself hard against him with her hand resting on his chest. "Pretty words... from a pretty pirate."
"Pretty?" His eyes widened almost aghast. "I prefer devilishly handsome."
Sighing she found her body weaken as she slid up against him. "Your eyes are pretty... like the sea." Giggling she brought her hand up and poked his nose. "Pretty. Oh so pretty."
Chuckling he lifted pulled her to his side again and looked around slowly. "Something tells me it's time you retire for the evening. Now where, love, did you leave your horse?"
Sighing she pouted for a moment then whispered, "Same place."
"Let me get you home," Killian pleaded as Emma hastily and rather clumsily climbed onto her horse.
"No thank you," She said simply as she tried to get herself situated. "My parents wouldn't exactly approve of me being escorted home by a pirate."
"Something tells me they wouldn't approve of you coming home drunk either." He tried to grab the horses reigns but she pulled them out of his grasp just as another giggle escaped her throat.
Her smile almost turned sad as she began nudging her horse to turn away. "True," she admitted, "That doesn't change the fact that if you follow me how I won't be able to visit again."
He chuckled, "I am not sure if I understand, love." The pleading look on her face caused him to finally concede and step back.. "Visit soon then, love. So I know you didn't fall and break your lovely neck."
"Deal." She turned her gaze back to him as the horse began to move away from him. A small smile on her face. "Until next time, Captain."
To be continued...
I would like to mention that the last edit of this chapter came tonight while I was quite high on cold medicine. Haha.
Sorry about the late update, I am busy studying for my insurance exam so I have been concentrating on that. Hopefully you all enjoyed this chapter! I found that my writing has changed a little tad from the first chapter and I think that's just cause I'm getting a bit more confident in writing again.
Hope you continue to enjoy! Thanks!
Edited: This chapter was further edited and replaced at 6:15 Dec10/2015. I noticed there were some glaring errors that I missed and I couldn't stand to leave them there. I also rewrote the beginning a bit so it flowed a tiny bit better.