1760 Words

Part Three, Conclusion

An hour later, the duke held the door to his chambers open as his visitor walked in. "Hello my dear," he said, bowing.

Emma walked slowly inside. The room was decorated in the finest furniture and linens she had ever seen. It might of well have been as bleak and cold as a tomb, however.

She stood still as the duke ran his eyes all over her. She cast her eyes down, shuddering at his attention. She felt like vomiting. She willed herself not to shake, not to cry. Finally she looked up and stared defiantly at him.

He smiled and walked toward the fireplace. He stopped in front of a large table.

"Let us start with some champagne," he said, picking up a bottle. He popped the cork and poured a glass. He offered it to her but she shook her head.

"No? Very well," he replied, downing the glass himself. He then picked up a plate. The food was so fine and extravagant that Emma didn't know what most of the dishes even were. He smirked wickedly at her. "Have something. We will need our energy, after all," he said cruelly.

She stifled a sob and shook her head.

He sighed. "I've tried to be coureous," he said, setting down the plate. "I had thought to remove some of the...trauma for you."

She scoffed.

He glared at her. "Fine. If you want to make this unpleasant, we can. Lie on the bed."

Her entire body shook. She almost stumbled several times as she crossed the large room. The short walk seemed as long as a several day trek. It was as painful as walking over shattered glass..

She felt sick as she sat on the red and gold bed. She blinked back tears.

"Wait."

For one brief, desperate moment she thought the nightmare was going to end. Perhaps even he wasn't this depraved.

"Remove the veil," he said coldly.

Her heart felt like stone. Why had she dared to hope? Now she felt worse, like she was drowning.

"It was not a request," he said, lunging forward and wrenching the veil off. Several strands of hair came off with the comb.

Emma yelped and held her head.

"Let that be a lesson to you. Do as I say or there shall be pain."

She glared at him with raw, red hatred. If she had any doubts of her plan, she was now reinvigorated and even more determined. Some human beings did not deserve life.

"Now you may lay down."

She kept his gaze as she stretched backwards onto the bed without another word or sound.

The duke smiled. "You are beautiful." He said, moving toward her. "That damn sailor is lucky." He licked his lips. "Now though, I shall have my taste."

He bent over the bed, as he leaned over her she could smell his overpowering cologne.

She felt his body heat and heard his ragged, excited breathing.

She moved her left arm down her side. She needed to get into her stocking. She pulled both her legs up.

"Yes, good girl!" he cried, laughing with glee. "I knew you actually wanted me. All women are teases."

She choked down the rising bile in her throat as his fingers caressed her thighs. She felt the cold steel in her fingers. Before he knew what was happening, Emma grabbed the knife and stabbed with all her might into his back.

He howled in pain. He tried to pull away but Emma held firm, pushing the knife in as far as she could.

"Your unjust, murderous, and lecherous reign ends now," she told him, looking him in the eyes. "I am the wife of Killian Jones, a man a million times your superior. I will never betray my love for him."

She thrust one more time and watched as the life bled out of him. She then rolled him off her.

She stood, shaking and panting. Blood covered her wedding gown. She dropped the knife and ran to the door.

It opened.

She'd been discovered, caught in the act.

She froze.

The door opened wider and a tall figure in white entered.

Both of them stood still, staring.

"Bloody hell, I'm too late."

"Killian?"

The figure nodded.

Despite all she'd been through, she laughed. "What are you wearing?" she asked.

"Obviously it's my wedding dress," he said, lifting the veil.

She howled with stress-induced laughter and ran into his arms.

He hugged and kissed her. He saw the red on her gown and looked to the bed.

"I did it," she said solemnly.

"Aye."

They stood silently for a moment.

"Are you alright?"

She shook her head. "I took a life, Killian."

"That monster did not deserve the gift of living."

"I know, but…"

He hung his head. He looked at her. "Did he…"

A tear ran down. "He touched my thighs," she said.

He stared, simply frozen. "Your thighs?"

She nodded, hanging her head in shame. "I had to get the knife hidden in my stocking and I needed a distraction so when he touched me I didn't try to stop him, but I swear it was only the outside of my thighs and just the tips of his fingers and it wasn't very long and then I, well, stabbed him."

He stared a moment longer then laughed, not cruelly but with relief as he took her into his arms. "It's alright."

"It isn't. I made a promise and broke it. I let him touch me."

"Only on the thighs, yes?"

"Yes."

He smiled and kissed her. "I forgive you."

She cried in his arms, releasing all the tension, shame, and fear. "We can't stay here."

"No, my love, we must get to the ship. Liam and the crew are ready to sail away."

They ran out of the castle. "Where are the guards?" she asked.

He shook his head. They ran through fields and into the village. The streets were packed. The villagers were dancing and shouting with joy.

"Emma!" cried David. Mary-Margaret ran to them and hugged both Killian and Emma.

"What is going on?" she asked.

"The duke is dead."

"Yeah, I know," she said, gesturing to the red on her dress.

"Oh, Emma, your gown is ruined."

Emma looked dumbstruck. "Mary-Margaret, I killed him!"

"I know," her friend said sadly. "Everyone knows. It's ok, no one blames you. You've freed us. Yes, it's horrible that a life was taken, but sometimes...for the greater good, it's the only way."

Emma sighed. "That's what I decided, but.." she looked at the partying. "It's just wrong."

David took her by the shoulders and looked into her eyes.. "He was cruel, Em. You were just the latest and you wouldn't have been the last."

"I know."

KIllian looked at the celebration. "I am curious. How did you learn of his passing so quickly?"

"Yeah," said Emma. "We came straight from there."

David pointed to the duke's carriage, filled full of his former men, all of whom were partying and drinking with the rest of the village. "They brought us the news and they borrowed the duke's transportation to do it. They're free from that monster now too."

Emma and Killian went to her place so they could both change. They came out and greeted the villagers. The party turned from celebrating a death to properly and joyously celebrating a new marriage. Many other marriages could now take place without the horror of the First Night Law.

The party wore on. Emma had briefly lost track of her husband. She found him sitting with a group of guards. "So you're tired of me already."

He looked up, his expression instantly glowing. "Hardly, my darling," he said, pulling her into a hot kiss. "You were busy with Regina and the other women. I took this moment to thank some friends."

She eyed the men. "Friends? Really? Now you're friendly with the duke's men?"

"His former men, Love," Killian corrected. "I owe them much. The ones guarding me not only looked the other way so I could attempt your rescue but they procured my wedding dress."

She chuckled and shook her head. "Did you hear what some of the villagers are saying? How they're distorting the truth?"

KIllian smirked slightly. "I did and I swear that I had nothing to do with it."

She rolled her eyes. "It's just typical. I'm the one who stained my hand with blood. I committed the sin of murder but they're twisting it because I'm a woman and a woman can't murder."

"Emma, stop calling it murder."

She sighed. "It was," she said weakly. She took a deep breath. "Father Tuck has offered his counsel, to help me come to terms with what I've done."

"It's a good idea, Love." They walked back to the bakery and sat at an outside table. He sighed as he held her hand. "You know that I have taken lives as well." She nodded. "It helps to unburden your heart. I think speaking with the Father is an excellent first step."

"It is." She said. She leaned into his side. "Thank you."

"What else were you saying? Something is typical because you're a woman?"

She growled. "They're turning the cold, unpleasant truth into some sort of heroic, stupid tale!"

"Oh, that is your concern."

"Yes. It's not heroic to kill someone."

"No, however I do regret that the 'hero' of the story is no longer a beautiful yellow-haired woman with an incredible mind and iron will but is now…"

"You in a wedding dress."

He laughed. "Let history remember it this way if it must. I am content to live a long, happy life with my rebellious Swan. "

"Even though I did what I did?"

"You accept me for the things I have done."

She nodded and gave him a soft, thankful smile. "I do."

He gave her that light, teasing grin. "I shall even be happy to follow your orders in the bakery." She laughed. "I vow to you, Emma, I will strive each and every day to make our lives happy."

She smiled sweetly, her eyes filled with love. "I vow it too." They leaned in and kissed. She blushed as she looked at him. "Can we go inside now?" she asked. "I'd like to spend my first night with my husband.."

He broke into a happy smile. "As you wish," he said. He stood and offered her his hand. She took it and walked with him into their home to begin their new life.

The End