"Let me go, you spineless pigs!" screams a woman with fiery red, curly hair and a temper to match. She's forced to sit on the wooden floor below deck, her hands bound in front of her by rope, eyes full of fury as the two turbaned guards show her their scimitars in case she decides to grow violent again. There are two other women sitting to the right of her; both have been docile, but no less frightened, and therefore their hands are not tied.
"These will be your companions for the trip to Neverland, and they will also be your roommates at the palace, so I suggest you become acquainted," Nemo tells Emma before leaving them to chat among themselves.
One of the females is very tall with a long, slender body, shimmering blue eyes and silvery blonde hair that's pulled into a lengthy braid laying over her shoulder as her arms are around a younger girl, who looks very frightened. She is curled up against the silvery blonde, her cheeks stained with tears as she rests her head on the other girl's shoulder. She has auburn hair and wears a braid on each side, her eyes are a light hazel color and she is at least a few years younger than the silvery blonde. Perhaps they are sisters? Emma thinks as she sits between the younger girl and the redhead.
"I am Elsa." The silvery blonde removes her hand from the other girl's face and sticks it out to Emma.
"Emma," she murmurs softly, shaking Elsa's hand.
"This is my sister, Anna."
Anna looks over at Emma and sits up a little, also shaking her hand.
"It's nice to meet you both, although I am sorry it's under these circumstances." She turns and looks to the other girl, who is now curled up into a ball, shocked to silence. "What's your name?"
The redhead is slow to look at her, but eventually, she regards Emma with a permanent frown on her tear stained face. "The name is Merida. I am a princess," she grumbles, her bottom lip trembling. "I am not supposed to be here."
"I know what you mean, I am a princess as well," Emma says; she's just as angry and sad as Merida, but unlike her, Emma is able to subdue her emotions.
"So, we are all princesses, is that why they took us?" Elsa asks no one in particular.
Emma is not surprised as she turns her head to look at her.
Elsa is staring vacantly at nothing in particular, distracted by her thoughts. "I was supposed to be the queen of Arendelle, and Anna was supposed to be married, but the Lost Boys invaded our kingdom and raided the cathedral during the wedding. They killed our parents and took us away."
Emma's heart goes out to them. At least her family still lives; these two women are now orphans, even if they were to make it back home. "My deepest condolences to both of you." She turns back to Merida. "What about you? How were you captured?"
"I was betrothed to a man I didn't want to marry." Merida goes on to tell a long tale about how she was betrothed to one of her father's allies and how she ran off into the woods where she was captured and imprisoned by an enemy of her father's and then sold at an auction house.
"What about you, Emma?" Elsa asks her curiously. "How did you get here?"
Emma closes her eyes, trying to find the courage to tell her story, but in hindsight she should feel better than she does, knowing her family is still alive, unlike Elsa and her sister. "I was betrayed by one of my own men," she finally says, opening her eyes. "He was a bodyguard charged to protect me and instead…" her voice cracks as she wills herself to continue, "instead he was an imposter who was hired by an evil countess to murder me." A tear slips from Emma's eye when the words leave her mouth.
"This man… did you love him?" Elsa asks, and the words make Emma's heart hurt.
She nods. "I loved him as a friend. I cared for him, and I thought he had felt the same about me."
"But he didn't kill you. Perhaps he did love you and that is why he sent you away instead of murdering you?"
"It matters not. He betrayed my trust. He lied to me, and now I will spend the rest of my life hating myself for ever leaving my heart unguarded."
Anna offers a small smile and takes Emma's hand. "I can empathize your fear, believe me, but you should not let one man prevent you from trusting again. We are going to a terrible place where women kill for their master's affections, but if we stick together and trust each other we can make it a more bearable and peaceful place."
Emma appreciates this young woman's optimism—Anna sounds much like Emma's father, full of hope—but she's reluctant. She doesn't see this palace in Neverland as a place she will ever enjoy residing, no matter the company. "But if we submit ourselves to these Neverland pigs and comply with them and their customs, then don't they win?"
"Maybe so, but if we let the palace turn us against each other, then nothing good can come of it. We will show them they cannot break our spirits."
Emma nods, but she's still pessimistic. The worst thing she can imagine is to submit to the Sultan, because what kind of man buys women like cattle just so he can have his pleasure when he demands and gain an heir out of it? He does not sound like a man at all. Only the scum of the earth and she will never give herself willingly to him.
The four women ascend to the upper deck to watch as the ship pulls away from the harbor, and while the others gaze out over the open sea, Emma looks in the opposite direction, watching as her father's ship from Misthaven becomes further and further away. A tear slides down her cheek as the hope of seeing her family again is washed up with waves of the sea.
As the ship approaches Neverland, Nemo explains what's expected of them. They must behave themselves and listen to their supervisor, Mother Superior. She is essentially a paid odalisque instead of a slave and oversees the women of the harem.
When they arrive at the palace, they are forced to line up in the harem courtyard.
"Stand in line, chins up, ladies." A petite, dark-haired woman commands, whom Emma quickly learns is Mother Superior, and although her words carry a demanding tone, she seems kind.
"See? It's not so bad," Elsa whispers to Emma as she stands next to her.
"We have seen nothing yet," Emma grumbles, a scowl on her face.
The harem servants and eunuchs bow their heads when a woman enters the courtyard. Emma gets a look at her before bowing her head. Judging by her elaborate clothing—a dark, velvet gown with a pointed collar that stands upright on the back of her neck and opens in the front, and a crown set atop her head with ruby jewels—she is very powerful and wealthy, perhaps the Valide Sultan Nemo had mentioned. The woman walks up to each new concubine and gently lifts her chin, studying her features carefully.
"You have done very well, Nemo. These women appear to be exquisite and lovely, just as I had asked."
"Thank you, Sultana. They are indeed."
"Take them to the baths and have the physician examine them," she commands the eunuchs and starts to leave as they grab each of the four arrivals.
Emma becomes enraged when they put their hands on her. "Do not touch me!" she shouts, struggling against them.
This gains the Sultana's attention and she whirls around, glaring at Emma. "You will do as you are told. You are Sultan Killian's property now, and if you do not bow your head and obey, you will be punished." She looks to the eunuchs holding her. "Take her away."
"I am nobody's property! I will never submit to him!" Emma shouts as she is hauled from the courtyard along with the other three girls.
The bathing area is constructed of grey-veined marble walls and a domed ceiling with high windows, allowing light to filter through. Here, the four women are stripped of their clothes and given a towel and a pair of pattens to wear on their feet while forced to endure a physical examination to make sure they are physically fit and presentable to the Sultan. The physicians check their eyes, inside their mouths and ears, examine their breasts and have them sit back, opening their legs to prod around their lady parts.
It is the most degrading experience Emma has ever endured. Being ripped from her home, sold and hauled off to some barbaric empire ruled by men and forced to stay docile while being examined like cattle. Then the concubines are meant to serve their master and breed if they are lucky enough. Never in Emma's life has she imagined being treated like this. She is a princess for heaven's sake!
And yet she briefly wonders if this is not better than the life she would've had with Baelfire. It is a bittersweet alternate perhaps.
After the exams, the four gediklis move to an adjacent part of the bathing area, their pattens clip-clopping against the marble floor. There is a large fountain in the center of the room with water that has been heated in the massive boiler below, and the girls sit around it, scooping up the water in large copper basins and pouring it over their heads. Each of the four gediklis is attended by maids who scrub and bathe them before giving them manicures, pedicures and massages. One of Emma's attendants is a slender, beautiful woman with long ebony hair and red lips, whom Emma learns has a very fitting name—Ruby.
The silvery moon illuminates the inky blackness of the sky, it's light spilling over the terrace as Killian sits with James on an outdoor couch drinking forbidden wine and soaking up the stars that sparkle and glitter over the sea.
The wound he'd sustained from his father's passing is still fresh, but if he's being honest with himself, Brennan was not a good man, or at least he hadn't left this world as one. He let power and wealth consume him, he let his position muffle his conscious. Killian swears to the gods above he will be better. He will be morally sound, demonstrate good ethics and wisdom, he will be kind and fair-minded, and not let his power and position change him into something unrecognizable when he looks in the mirror.
"You see, James, our dreams are slowly coming to life. After all the war, death and raids we have reached this night."
James smiles and offers a nod. "The future will be a great one. You will be an excellent emperor, just as you have dreamt about."
"We shall see." Killian takes a drink from his goblet of wine and looks at his friend who appears to be in deep contemplation. Though James seems happy, forcing a smile whenever he deems necessary, Killian can sense there is much to be desired for his friend in the palace. And he is not to be blamed. "My first order of business as Sultan is to have three wishes granted from you."
James looks at him compliantly and nods. "Of course."
"My first wish is for you to build a family. It's long overdue."
"But, Your Majesty, I already have a family."
Killian cocks a brow at James, an amused grin dancing across his face. "You have a family you haven't told me about?"
"No, I assure you, I do not," James replies, his lips cracking into a small smile, "but you've once told me I was like a brother to you. Is that no longer true?"
Killian saddens at the question, wondering why James would doubt him. "Of course it's true. Which is why I hope to see you marry and have children."
James can see Killian is sincere with his words and nods softly. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"My next wish is for you to be the master of my privy chamber. I am appointing you concierge of the palace."
James regards Killian with wide eyes and a gaping jaw. Even though he seems to be in shock, he manages to stand from the sofa, and kneels before the Sultan, kissing the skirt of Killian's robe. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Killian chuckles, patting James on the shoulder. "I will inform Gepetto to let it be known after I ask him to keep the emperor seal and remain Grand Vizier of Neverland."
James stands, bowing his head. "You have bestowed upon me a great honor. What is the third thing you wish for?"
Killian responds by nodding to the guards, and they move to the doors of the terrace which leads to his chambers.
James watches as they open the doors, a maiden emerging onto the terrace. She is beautiful, with long, ebony hair, white porcelain skin and ruby red lips. Killian stands and approaches her as she bows her head. When he'd first seen her he could not bear to look at her and had asked her to leave him, for she had reminded him too much of Milah. His heart was black and he was angry and sorrowful, building an iron cage around his heart. But now he can look at Ruby and appreciate her beauty from afar. "James, I would like you to accept one of my lovely maidens as a gift. Her name is Ruby."
James is stunned in his spot. For a Sultan to present another man with one of the odalisques of his harem is an extremely huge honor.
"I can trust you will cherish and treat her with the utmost respect."
James nods, his mouth opening and closing a few times before he is able to speak again. "My apologies, I am at a loss for words."
"There is no need to say anything more. I only hope you will make one another happy."
James approaches her and kisses the back of her hand. Her lips are pulled into a grin, showing off her pearly white teeth as she allows him to lead her from the terrace. He says a thank you to the sultan before disappearing to his chambers with Ruby.
Killian feels a sense of calmness knowing his friend will be happy with her, but he goes to his study, feeling the loneliness envelop him as he decides to play a game of chess against himself.
But when he moves the first white pawn, he is flooded with the memories of Milah and how she used to wrap her arms around him from behind when he had sat at his chess table or at his desk trying to work. She used to distract him, always craving his attention. A tear slides down his cheek and he stands up after making his opening move, deciding to call it a night.
Though his heart is slowly healing, he fears that without Milah, he will never be able to love again.
Mother Superior escorts the four women to their living quarters explaining the harem hierarchy of the palace.
"Odalisques are women of the court and are general servants assigned to the oda of a harem mistress. If they are considered extraordinarily beautiful, they are seen as potential concubines and are given the opportunity to prove themselves worthy enough through their training to become a concubine. You all have been chosen for a special purpose and are gediklis, maids-in-waiting. You have the privilege of being presented as gifts to the Sultan, per the request of the Valide Sultan.
"If you are fortunate enough to be summoned by the Sultan, to walk the Golden Road which leads to his bedroom, and are taken to his bed at least once, you will become an ikbal. If you are successful in satisfying the sultan, you are considered a gozde, meaning favorite ." As they walk through the harem courtyard, Mother Superior gestures to a balcony of the second level which overlooks the harem, and the gediklis follow her gaze. "This is the Apartment of The Favorites. Currently, there are none, but we are hoping to change that, which is where the four of you come in. Perhaps the Sultan will choose one of you or all of you if he pleases. If you make him happy, this will be where you'll stay."
Emma cringes, having no desire to ever reside there.
Mother Superior moves along quickly, and the others break from their thoughts and follow behind. "An ikbal who gives the sultan a child, either a girl or a boy, is considered a kadin, which is equivalent to a wife. The sultan is only allowed four kadins at a time and will be moved to a larger apartment when she has the child."
Emma looks over at the other three and they seem to feel as she does —a bit perplexed and overwhelmed by this lifestyle in the palace and everything their supervisor is explaining to them; it's very different than where they are each from.
"The mother of the Sultan's heir is a bas-kadin and she is the most powerful of the concubines. When the Sultan dies, his bas-kadin takes the title Valide Sultan and holds the most power of the harem and is the most powerful woman of the empire. The woman you saw earlier is Kira, the Valide Sultan, and you must obey her every command. If you do not, the consequences will be grave, but if you do, your experience in the palace will be a pleasant one. Any questions so far?" Mother Superior asks, turning around when they reach a red, sheer curtain dividing their sleeping quarters.
"How did you become a supervisor?" Elsa asks her curiously.
"I entered as an odalisque and was promoted to Kalfa," she answers. "It is my duty to oversee each of you, keep you in line and make sure you learn as you are supposed to so that you can one day be summoned by the Sultan. Any more questions?"
"Yes," Emma replies. "How does one escape this hell?"
The others giggle, but Mother Superior glares at her sternly, causing the gediklis to silence themselves. "The only escape is death. If you chose to die you may try to escape. Otherwise, you may stay here and learn our customs, our music, our dances and most importantly, how to please you master. You will have four months of intensive training and then you will be presented to Sultan Killian on his twenty-fifth birthday."
"What do we do in our free time? Are we allowed to leave our quarters?" Anna asks her.
"Yes, you may. Each one of you will be assigned a household task that must be performed daily, you will all be expected to learn embroidery, and you will have exercise periods and of course your studies. You are not prisoners here, your lives will be very fulfilled."
Emma scoffs. "We are not allowed to leave the palace. That makes us prisoners."
"You are not prisoners by the laws of the empire. You are the property of the Sultan and therefore you must live within the walls of the Jewel of the Realm. But you have a limited amount of freedom. Leaving the harem is forbidden, gossip is forbidden and men are forbidden.
"If men are forbidden, then what about Nemo and the other men in uniforms?"
"They are not men," Mother superior answers.
The four women all look at one another, confused. "They certainly look like men to me," Anna says.
"They are eunuchs who have been castrated, which makes them less than men." Mother Superior makes a snipping motion with her index and middle finger.
The four gediklis giggle.
"I have one more question," Emma says before Mother Superior leaves the room.
She turns around, lifting a brow. "Yes?"
"If only the most beautiful women are presented to the sultan, then why is Ruby not a Concubine?"
Mother Superior's eyes widen and she gently takes Emma's arm, pulling her on the other side of the curtain, away from prying ears. "You must not speak of such things. The Sultan has his reasons, and it is not your concern."
Feigning embarrassment, Emma joins her hands in front of her, peering down at her feet. "My apologies, I was only trying to figure out this hierarchy of the harem, that is all. One can not gain further knowledge without asking the right questions."
Mother Superior sighs defeatedly. "Very well, if you must know for further understanding, Ruby entered the old palace as Killian's bath maid when he was a prince, but upon seeing her, he demanded another attendant. He said she looked too much like Milah."
"Who's Milah?"
"That is all I can say, my child, I have already said too much." She starts to usher Emma back to her bed, but Emma pulls back.
"Was she a concubine?"
Mother Superior looks around to make sure there is no one listening. "You cannot speak of this to anyone, you must promise."
Emma nods. "I promise."
Mother Superior moves closer, speaking in almost a whisper. "She wasn't just any concubine, our prince at the time was in love with her. She was his gozde, his favorite, and supposed to be his kadin, as she was pregnant with his child."
"What happened to her?"
"Her life was taken by a jealous concubine. Milah and her unborn child were poisoned with a medicine meant to cure anxiety. A lethal dose of it was sprinkled into her food by one of her maids after it was tested by the prince's tasters and delivered to her apartment. Milah unknowingly consumed the poison before she went to sleep and it ruptured her heart."
Emma's mouth falls open slightly and fear consumes her. If that could happen to the Sultan's favorite, then what could happen to her and the others when they are presented to him? "That's awful."
"You must not worry, my child. After the incident, Killian has established a strict policy that all kadins of his harem will never have the same attendant for very long to avoid forming a friendship that will eventually turn into partisanship. The maid who poisoned Milah was a very close friend of a former favorite, whose status became irrelevant when Milah entered the harem and quickly became the prince's one and only. All of the maids in waiting were jealous when he only summoned Milah and no one else. So the ikbal rebelled and decided to take fate into her own hands."
"That is a foolish policy," Emma scoffs. "If friendships are avoided, will it not be easier for one to hate another and act out? Jealousy and hatred flourish in environments when there are no friendships, no understanding or empathy of one another. It is much easier to hate a stranger than a friend, is it not?"
"I suppose you are right, but it matters not. It is what the Sultan has decreed and therefore it cannot be changed. Now you must go to your bed and get your rest. A long day awaits you." Mother Superior leaves the girls, closing the curtain behind her.
Emma seethes with anger as she returns to the others and changes into her nightgown. Women are murdering each other just so they can give their master an heir, and for what? So they can be tossed aside after the pregnancy while the Sultan moves on to the next maiden? It's incredibly absurd!
"What did she say?" Elsa asks Emma as the silvery blonde takes a brush through her unbraided hair.
"Nothing, she only told me to behave and not make such foolish inquiries." Emma shakes off Elsa's question with a fib to avoid the temptation of divulging what Mother Superior had just told her. She looks between Elsa, Merida and Anna as they get ready for sleep, thinking of their earlier words on the ship. "I want the four of us to make a promise."
"What kind of promise?" Anna asks as she and Merida pause from their tasks of preparing the bedding on their mattresses and walk over, the four of them gathering around.
"We shall make a promise right now to never let our new fate tear us apart. We shall promise to remain friends, no matter what happens," Emma says, glancing between the three girls. "This way the Sultan will never be able to get in between us. Do all of you agree?"
They nod. "Of course."
"Good," Emma grins, knowing that she will not let this Sultan win, no matter what. She will not let him control her, nor her new friends. "Now let us get some sleep, ladies."
Emma slips into bed, clutching onto the necklace Leo had given her, and she prays for her family, hoping they are well. Her parents are undoubtedly stricken with grief at the loss of their daughter, but she knows her brother is strong enough to help them through it.
"Where are you going?" James pouts as Ruby slips out of bed and starts dressing.
She smiles, her cheeks still flushed with a lovely shade of pink as she leans over and kisses his lips. "I have a very early day tomorrow. I have been assigned a new gedikli and must attend to her before her training. Nemo has brought four gifts for the sultan to be presented for his birthday."
"Ah, I see."
"And you might be interested to know she's from Misthaven."
James lifts a brow and sits up, his interest highly peaked indeed. "From Misthaven?"
"Yes, a princess. Her name is Emma. Perhaps you know her?"
James shakes his head. "Unlikely. As young as the maidens typically are when they enter the harem, she would not have been born yet when I was taken. I was only eight"
"You are correct, she is quite young, not yet eighteen years old." Fully dressed, Ruby starts to leave, heading for the door.
"Wait, can I see you again?"
Ruby turns around, her brilliant grin assenting. There's a twinkle in her eye as she offers a wink before prancing out the door without saying another word.
He will definitely see her again.
The next day, schooling begins and the gediklis are immersed with the knowledge of the traditions, history, manners and morals of the Neverland inhabitants. Emma is bright and a very quick learner, so it doesn't take very much time for her to catch on. She also studies music, dance and the erotic arts. An important part of her role in the Harem is to please the Sultan, whom everyone says is her owner. Who is this man and why does he need to buy slave girls to get them to his bed? He must be old, fat and ugly, Emma conjectures.
The girls must also learn other languages, and while Emma is already fluent in several different tongues, the others are not, so she tutors them. And since she is not as good at dancing as Elsa and Anna are, she learns from them and studies hard so she can dance as well as them. Emma does everything she is told and learns all that she can so she can pretend to adapt while finding a way for her and her new friends to escape the palace.
In her free time, she decides to test the limits of where she can actually go. Mother Superior had told her the Golden Road is only for those concubines who are fortunate enough to be summoned by the Sultan, but she shall see about that. If she is to be a prisoner in the Jewel of the Realm, no one will tell her where she can or cannot go.
She sneaks off, leaving the harem and wandering through the palace, noticing there are no guards on duty. So much for the palace being heavily guarded, Emma scoffs and continues down a vaulted road with plastered walls and stone pavement.
It's not until she hears voices when she ducks into a nearby room. She isn't allowed the chance to shut the door before some guards pass by, so she hides behind it, leaving it cracked open. When she's certain they're gone, Emma looks around the room, taking in her surroundings. The walls are covered in rich textiles and hung with cabinet paintings, and there are many incunables and works of art. Among all of the personal belongings of which Emma assumes are the Sultan's, her eyes are drawn to the middle of the room where there is a chess board table.
Her eyes light up as she makes her way over. All of the chess pieces are in their proper starting positions, apart from the white pawn which is placed in the center of the board as though someone had started to play but had been interrupted. This move not only claims control of the center, but it liberates White's light-squared bishop as well as the White Queen. It is a smart move indeed. Emma bites her bottom lip and decides how to retaliate. While White gets the opening move, Black only gains the advantage after equalizing the position and eroding White's opening position. With a carefully measured plan of where she shall go next, she makes a move that equalizes her position with the white.
"Excuse me, you are not allowed to be in here."
Her head snaps up, her hand flying off the black pawn.
Is that— No, it couldn't be. Or could it?
Her eyes start to well up with tears, for the sound of his voice is unmistakable. The same voice she has known since she was a baby. The voice that had once sang her sweet lullabies and filled her head with stories when she was a child. A big smile blossoms across her face, she's relieved her father has found her and will bring her home from this hell. Or is she only imagining this voice?
Her question is answered when she turns around. Or so she thinks.
James is still smiling after his night with Ruby when he sees the door to Killian's study cracked open and enters the room to investigate. There is a maiden with long golden hair at the chess table toying with the Sultan's game. She must be new in the palace if she thinks she can leave the harem and enter the Sultan's study.
"Excuse me, you are not allowed to be in here."
She jumps, startled by his words and spins around. When he sees her face, his heart stops. She is one of the most beautiful woman he has ever laid eyes upon and her smile makes him melt. Who is she and why has he never seen her before? Has the Sultan taken her to his bed?
"Father?"
He stands frozen as she says the one word that could cool the lust he had felt from merely gazing upon her. "Father?" he parrots, furrowing his brows in confusion. His mind is reeling as he tries to determine whether or not she is expelling truths. Could he have a daughter he does not know about? She looks to be about seventeen or eighteen and he certainly was not a virgin that many years ago. "Wandering into the Sultan's cabinet and mistaking me for someone else, you must be delusional. We must get you back to the harem before anyone finds out you are missing." He strides over and gently grabs her arm, attempting to usher her out of the room when he sees behind her that she has retaliated to the opening move Killian had made earlier. He will be furious if he finds out. James can't help but feel impressed though, for Emma is a clever one to have made that move.
Emma doesn't budge, too focused on the spitting image of her father. When he turns his head away from her, she notices the scar on his left cheek. A scar her father did not have. With his grip still on her arm, Emma lifts her hand, her thumb gently tracing the line of his scar. He shudders under her touch, and he places his hand over hers to stop her, his eyes full of pain as she reminds him of his past.
"Uncle James?" she murmurs, her eyes wide with shock.
"How do you know my name? And why do you refer to me as such?"
"You are my father's brother. He… he thought you were dead. We all did."
The man's eyes widen as he studies Emma's face. "You are… you are David's daughter?"
Emma nods, a smile making its way across her lips. "I am."
James draws out a breath and pulls her into a hug, much to her surprise. "I am relieved. For a second I thought I had a child I did not know about," he laughs.
Emma sighs contentedly as she rests her head on his shoulder, feeling safe and secure in the arms of the man who has all the same physical qualities as her father. "My apologies. I just… I was taken away from him, from my family and taken here."
James pulls away, his features clouding with apology. "I am sorry..."
"It's Emma."
The name sounds familiar, and then he remembers Ruby mentioning her. "Ah, yes you are the princess from Misthaven." James puts the pieces together when he recalls everything Ruby had told him. "Wait. David is king?"
Emma nods. "Yes, my father was adopted by King George and ascended the throne when he died."
"Wait, you mean, I could've —I could've been a king?" he asks, anger lacing his words.
"Perhaps, but that is neither here nor there. You are alive and well and everything will be fine." Emma's eyes light up in excitement. "We can both escape and go back to Misthaven."
"I am sorry, Emma, but we cannot leave."
Her features fall in confusion. "And why not?"
"Because you will be killed if you try and I will be killed for helping you escape. Even if we do succeed, the guards will come after us and we will be killed then. Besides, this is my home. I do not wish to leave."
Emma is completely appalled and baffled by this. "But you are a slave, how can want to stay here?"
"I came to Neverland as one, but I am a slave no longer. I am the concierge of my Master's palace. He is my friend, my family."
"But you have a family… in Misthaven."
"Who? A brother I have not seen in thirty years? Our parents are dead and I know nothing of David's life or yours, so how can I call Misthaven my home?"
"Because he still loves you no matter how much time has passed. And I have always wished I could've met you."
"But I didn't even know you existed."
"Well, you do now. We can be a family again," Emma pleads with him, hoping she can change his mind. Surely life in Misthaven will be vastly better than his life here in Neverland as a servant to the Sultan.
"Emma, don't you understand, we can not leave this palace. This is your fate now, and the sooner you accept that, the happier you will be."
"But I will never be happy here," she snaps, growing angry.
"You will, Emma. You were chosen for a special reason."
Emma rolls her eyes in irritation. "I would hardly call birthing the Sultan's prince so I can then be tossed aside while he takes another wife, a special reason."
James doesn't reply for a minute, perhaps he knows she is right. She can almost see the gears turning in his head. "What if I told you, I can help you change that?"
Her eyebrows furrow together, displaying her confusion.
"I can help you get in his good graces."
She scoffs in amusement. "I do not wish to be in his good graces, and even if I did, I do not need your help."
"I'm aware. I'm not saying you couldn't woo the sultan on your own. I can tell you possess all of the qualities he will adore."
"Then what is it you are trying to say, Uncle James?"
He raises a finger to his mouth, shushing her as he looks behind him and shuts the door. "Let me ask you something, were you David's heir?"
"I am second in line. My younger brother is first."
"So, your brother will be king, and if you weren't taken from Mistahaven, you would've been a spare to the throne?"
"I was to be queen of the Dark Kingdom," Emma replies defensively. "I was betrothed to Rumplestiltskin's heir." She tries to seem proud of her statement, but she knows she's not fooling him.
"And that is what you wanted?" he asks skeptically.
"Of course," Emma huffs, crossing her arms over her chest.
James raises a brow, not believing her.
"I would not feed you lies," she claims while looking away from him to avoid eye contact. Even though she can't see him, she can feel the heat of his stare burning her skin; she knows he isn't buying her words. Not that it matters, for even if given the chance to return home, she would never again agree to a marriage with Baelfire.
Emma caves with a sigh. "No," she mumbles quietly, reverting her gaze to James as she drops her arms to her sides. "The betrothal was forced; my fiance was a defiling swine."
James nods gravely, regarding her with a thoughtful expression. "Well, perhaps being the queen of Misthaven or the Dark Kingdom was never your destiny, but what if you are destined to be the queen of Neverland?"
Emma eyeballs him suspiciously. "But there is no such opportunity here."
"You are right. There currently is not, but you can change that."
Emma cocks a brow and crosses her arms again, itching to hear more. "Go on."
"If you can bear the Sultan's heir, you will become bas-kadin, but if you can continue to keep his favor and give birth to several princes, you will rule the empire. No other concubine will be able to touch you. Not even the Valide Sultan."
Emma's eyes widen, her mind reeling at the possibilities. If what he is blabbering about is feasible, she could be the ruler she's always dreamt of being and she can change the empire and their barbaric customs. "Really?"
"Really."
"And you will help me with that?"
"Who knows the Sultan more than I do?"
"I was not questioning your capabilities, I was questioning your willingness. What exactly would be in this for you?" she asks suspiciously.
James looks offended. "You are my niece, why must I need a reason?"
She studies him cautiously. "If this is a trick, I am in no mood. I have already been deceived and that is how I ended up here."
"Emma, I have no reason to deceive you. In fact, I am risking my life by helping you. If people even find out you are my niece, I will be banished from the palace to avoid partisanship. The Sultan is the only one allowed to show favoritism toward any of his concubines."
"I've gathered that much," Emma rolls her eyes.
"Then you know how important it is that no one find out about this?"
She nods her compliance. Her friendship with James appears to be a promising one, and if all goes according to plan, it will only be a matter of time before she turns the tables and makes the Sultan hers. She will make him bow at her feet and submit to her every whim.
With this knowledge, she leaves the room and returns to the harem with a devious smile on her face.
Yes, she will make Sultan Killian her slave, and soon all of Neverland will be hers.
Later that day, Killian and James return from the Audience Chamber where Killian had conducted interviews with his army officers of high rank, learning that his father had left behind a large navy before he had passed. His mind is reeling with the decisions he will make at his first council meeting the next day as he goes to his study to continue the chess game he had started. He enters the room, James following behind him, and approaches the chess board, stopping abruptly when he sees the black pawn has been moved. He frowns, his eyebrows wrinkling in confusion.
Perhaps James had seen the game Killian had started to play and decided to act as his opponent, although James would never open with this move. It is a risky one as opposed to something simple and safe —the complete opposite of how his concierge always played his hand.
Someone else must have done it.
"Who has been in my room?"
He turns to look at James who shrugs as he stands next to Killian and examines the chess table. "I'm not sure, Your Majesty. But whoever this person is, has certainly proved themselves to be clever because they have already equaled your position." James laughs, but Killian is not amused. Instead, he looks angered.
"You are responsible for all that takes place in the palace, I want you to find out who is entering my private room without my permission."
"And what shall their punishment be?"
"Just bring them to me."
"Of course, Your Majesty."
James begins to move about the room as Killian continues to consider the intriguing and daring move of his mystery opponent. Pursing his lips in careful contemplation, he makes his next move on the chess board.
Part of him wants to punish whoever is wandering into his study without his permission, but another part of him is curious as to how this person who dare challenge him would retaliate if given the chance.
He looks up at James and fingers the chess piece, "On second thought, tell the guards if they see someone enter again, they are to let them in."
James turns to face Killian with an odd look on his face. "Even if this person is one of the harem women?"
Killian raises an eyebrow at James and asks sharply, "Do you think it is?"
James affects an air of blase indifference, answering Killian's hard question with a shrug, "Perhaps a maiden who is new to the palace? No one else would be so daring."
Killian reflects on his friend's words for a moment. Is it possible a woman from his harem is disobeying the rules and sneaking into his room to play chess? The thought entices him more than he's willing to admit to himself.
"Well then, if it's a game she wishes to play, I will show her how to win."
