Sea Horses:

Chapter Ten:

Amaira and Killian arrived back at the stables just as the sun set. Amaira bid a tearful farewell to the horses and followed Killian back into the crazy city. They were both mostly dry. Killian's hair was still damp, but Amaira's waves were still drying, the ends still dripping.

"Stay close love." He grabbed her hand and pulled her into the tavern. Some of the men eyed her up and down, one of the only girls in pants, and riding pants at that. A few barmaids cast her dirty glances, and she shrunk closer to Killian. They arrived at the table for the crew and were greeted with raucous laughter and shouts.

"Captain, glad to see you." Called Smee, he looked at them closer, "Landsakes what did you two do? Fall in the damn fountain?"

"Swimming," Killian smirked.

The crew chuckled. Killian motioned her into the chair next to him, and she sat.

He turned to her, "You're right."

"I'm going to say thank you, I usually am,…but I have no idea what you're referring to."

"I am sore."

"Riding'll do that to you." She patted his thigh. "don't worry, it gets easier the longer you do it."

Judging by his grin, Killian was about to respond with something completely inappropriate, but he was interrupted by a serving wench.

"What can I get you, handsome?" She was smirking and bent over just enough to give Killian an eyeful. Amaira narrowed her eyes at the blonde.

Killian's eyebrows rose up, and he turned to face her, "Well I'd love to have you, but I guess I'll just have to settle for whatever you're serving."

"Maybe you can."

She smiled mischievously. Amaira rolled her eyes.

"I may just have to take you up on that offer."

"See that you do."

The serving girl walked away adding even more swish to her hips.

"Are you serious?"

Amaira raised an eyebrow, amusement written across her features.

Killian pretended to be hurt, "What I can't talk to a pretty young blonde?"

"Talking, sure, that's what you were doing."

"Absolutely, a pirate of my standing, what else would you expect from me?"

"I don't know, it kinda looked like blatant eye-sex to me."

"I am the king of blatant eye-sex."

"Is that so?"

"See that girl over there?"

He pointed across the bar.

"Red head?"

"Mmm hmm."

Killian stared at the girl across the room, blue eyes smoldering.

"Now she is going to come over here-"

"No,"

"In 3-"

"You ego can't possibly be that big."

"2-

"She just turned around. She's not even looking at you."

"1."

The redhead flipped her hair and headed towards Killian.

"No."

The girl approached their table.

"Sorry do I know you?"

"No, I'd remember someone as pretty as yourself."

"Aww you're sweet." She glanced at Amaira, "come see me if you get tired of horse girl over here."

Amaira bristled.

"Oh I will."

The girl smirked and walked back across the bar.

"Horse-girl?"

"Well you are in riding clothes, love."

"Well at least I don't look like a hooker."

Killian grinned, "Interesting word choice."

He waved his hooked hand.

"Not what I meant."

The waitress came back with their food. She bent over ridiculously far, all for Hook's viewing pleasure of course, as she set their food down.

"Anything else I can get you, handsome?"

"Not sure about 'handsome' over there, but you can get me some water." The waitress glared daggers at Amaira who looked completely unfazed.

"Just water for her then, and maybe something…else a little later." Killian winked.

The waitress smoothed her hair back, "I'll see what I can do."

As her heels clicked away, Amaira turned to look at Hook before putting her forehead against the table.

"She's totally gonna spit in my water."

"Probably."

Amaira chuckled mirthlessly into the table before sighing and sitting up.

"See, if I had just sat next to Smee I wouldn't have this problem. You, Killian Jones, are nothing, but trouble."

"Ah, but I'm the best kind of trouble!"

"I sure hope you are," The waitress had returned. She set Amaira's water down on the table.

"Well you'll just have to find out."

The waitress sauntered away and Amaira inspected her water carefully.

"Think it's safe?"

"No."

"Me neither." She took a long drink, "but I'm too thirsty to care."

Killian chuckled.

Dinner was winding down, and Amaira yawned.

"Tired love?"

"Just a bit."

"You can go wait outside; I'll be out in a moment, just have to talk to Smee real quick."

She nodded and yawned again. As she headed for the door, she heard a couple of rude comments from men at the bar. She ignored them and headed outside. She stood outside the inn by one of the large street lanterns. She watched the small tongue of fire leap and dance inside its glass case. She shivered; it had really cooled off. The bell on the bar door tinkled, and she turned expecting to see Killian. Instead, 3 drunk men stumbled out. They spotted her.

"Hello pretty."

Amaira narrowed her gaze. Surely they wouldn't be stupid enough to try anything so close to the tavern. The wind blew, and she shivered again.

"Look lads, the poor lass is cold."

They came toward her. As they advanced Amaira backed into the street lantern's post.

"I'm perfectly fine thank you."

"Oh very fine, in fact, we agree. But we need a closer inspection…just to be sure."

"Stay away, I mean it."

The men pressed in by her now. Amaira glanced around for Killian franticly. She yelped as she felt one of the men's hands on her waist.

"Leave me alone."

"Oh I don't think we will."

The speaker throughout, their leader, grabbed her shirt and started tugging it over her head.

"KILLIAN!"

Her scream was cut off as one of the men clapped a hand over her mouth. Frantic, she bit down on his finger.

"Ouch!" the man cried jerking his hand away. "She bit me!"

"Oh you shouldn't have done that doll."

"KILLIAN!"

The man smacked her across the face, and she gasped. The men were tugging at her pants now. The bell to the door rang, and Killian dashed out. He caught sight of the men and drew his sword, the metal reflecting the firelight. Amaira's panicked gaze caught his.

"Get the hell away from her!"

"Find your own whore buddy," The leader called carelessly over his shoulder, not bothering to look at the furious pirate.

Killian's sword slashed and the man cried out. The men's hands fell away from her and turned to Killian. Catching a breath, Amaira's magic finally kicked in with full force, and she was thrown into her horse shape. The whites of her eyes showed. and with a terrified neigh, she galloped away from the tavern and into the city.

"What the hell is she!"

"Freaking demon, let's get out of here boys!"

The men fled from the tavern, the leader clutching his side as blood leaked from between his fingers.

Killian debated following them and beating the absolute crap out of them, but remembering that Amaira had just run off in an unfamiliar city, motivated him to chase after her. Killian followed the dark streets, ears listening carefully for hoof beats. He heard the telltale sound of hooves against stone and turned to catch sight of her fleeing into the forest. Perfect. Killian sighed and went after her.

Amaira ran, stretched out her legs, powerful hindquarters propelling her through the dark forest, her bright coat a golden bullet in the darkness. Her breath came in quick snorts, her body built for speed and endurance, both of which were quickly waning as the adrenaline faded. I should have shifted right away, consequences be damned. Would've kept them far away from me and I'd be headed back to the ship with Killian instead of running in a forest. Speaking of which. She slowed to a trot. That's better. Killian. She had abandoned him to those men. He'd be okay though, one pirate against three drunks. Right? The thought almost turned her around, but her horse's flight instincts were still telling her to put more distance between her and the threat. After all, they might still come after me. That's ridiculous. They're 3 drunks looking for a skirt. They're not going to chase after a horse, so stop being silly. She halted and turned around. I have no idea which way I came. She lifted her nose to the wind. Wind's blowing it all this way, I have no idea. Dread pooled in her stomach. How am I going to get back?

Killian was just having a wonderful time traipsing through the woods, in the middle of the night, in search of a bloody horse. Brilliant idea love. Don't shift in the first place and then run off into the woods. Bloody brilliant. He was going to kill her. Sorry you had 3 drunks after you love, but you've attacked me enough. Where's all that confidence? Just bite their bloody heads off. But no, I'm going to scream and make the pirate find me. He knew he was being unfair, but there was no reason for her to have run so far away. He was tired dammit. He could've been in bed with the blonde. Or ginger. Or both. But no, he was in the woods all because he was stupid enough to let her out of his sight for 2 minutes. 2 bloody minutes and she had gotten herself in trouble. She had scared him stiff when her panicked gaze had locked onto his own. He couldn't loose her too. Not that he cared. He just needed to stay on the queen's good side. That's all. Yeah, because delivering her to Charming involved riding horses and going swimming with her. Oh shut up! Great. Perfect. He was talking to himself now. Oh he was going to kill her. Those thoughts left his mind as he heard some nervous snorts. Finally.

The bush in front of her rustled, and she reared as the monster shot out to eat her.

"There you are love."

Never mind, just Killian. I didn't think he was a monster at all. Pshh, that's crazy.

Amaira dropped back to all fours and shoved her head into Killian's chest.

"Yeah 's alright. You're safe. I've got you."

She shifted back and Killian wrapped his coat around her. He noticed a tear on her cheek.

"Oh don't cry. Please don't cry. I'm trying really hard to be mad at you because you just made me hike through the bloody forest."

A watery laugh escaped her.

"You alright?"

"Mmhmm."

"Now please for the love of god, why didn't you just shift as soon as they started in on you?"

"Scared."

"You were scared. You attack me in front of a whole crew of pirates, all of whom have swords, oh so cockily, but you can't go after 3 drunks?"

"I wasn't scared of them. Was scared of the others," she mumbled.

"Others?"

"Villagers? Townspeople? City folk? Whatever you want to call them, they love the Dead Wolf. I've had enough pitchforks in my face for two lifetimes, thanks. SO I'm soooo sorry I made you stumble through the woods to find me."

"That's not what I meant and you know it."

"'M sorry, Okay!"

"Hey!" He grabbed her shoulders, "Calm down. It's just us. No one's coming to get you except me."

"Sorry."

"Stop saying that."

"Sor-"

He raised an eyebrow.

"Well what else am I 'posed to say when you're bein' so nice, and I'm just acting horrible."

"You're not horrible, you got scared and upset. Now I am exhausted and am going back to the ship. And you're coming with me."

She nodded mutely.

"Here," She passed him his coat. "I can at least make this quicker, just use your legs to guide me back okay?"

She shifted to a horse, and offered her back to him. Killian mounted her, slightly less clumsily this time. He grabbed her mane and lightly touched his ankles to her sides. Amaira started cantering. Killian's warmth spread across her back. He by no means had a good seat yet, but he was staying on and trying to adjust to the rhythm her legs set. He squeezed her left side lightly and she immediately turned for him, glad that he was steering. When they reached the city Amaira slowed to a walk. He brought them back to the tavern and snagged her boots, but her clothes were in shreds. They turned back the way they had come, and Killian steered her through the deserted streets and back to the docks. When they reached the ship, he dismounted and started to take his coat off, but Amaira the horse had already trotted up the gangplank. She headed straight for her cell and changed back, throwing her nightgown on. Killian delayed slightly to give her time to dress. He approached her cell.

"What's the verdict?"

"You're not good, but you're much better then you were your first time."

"Good because I'm pretty sure my bloody legs are about to fall off."

He flopped down on her bed next to her. He groaned and rubbed his thighs.

"How do you ride around on those things?"

"I don't know, I like having them between my legs-"

One of Killian's eyes snapped open.

"Oh god that didn't sound right."

"Who's got the dirty mind now?"

"Still you. Now go, I am so tired."

"As you wish love. Although I can guarantee I'd be much more fun between your legs."

"Stop it!" she whined and pushed him towards the door.

Killian winced, and Amaira stopped immediately.

"Oh my gosh I'm so sorry! I completely forgot about my bite! Here let me take care of it-"

Killian caught her hands and shook his head, "I've got it love, and for the record I've had a lot worse."

Amaira didn't look convinced, "But I could at least-"

"Really, I'm fine. Although I am seriously considering getting rid of my legs as well. Make it match the hand."

Amaira suppressed a smile.

"Killian?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks."

"Night love."

Author's Note:

Thanks to anyone who has followed, favorited, or reviewed this story!

And we have now passed 25,000 words. This monster has officially taken over.

Chapter Eleven Hint: A Charming Encounter with Chipped Cups. (C'mon guys I'm being dreadfully obvious here)

So as always, review my sunshiny readers!

Thanks for Reading,

TheSparkedInfinity