So I was a little inspired and finished the 11th chapter already lol. I hope you guys enjoy!
Please Read and Review!
I could feel our passionate kissing cool a little, our lips moving slower together, so I started to move away from her.
She hummed against my lips before I dragged them from hers and slid them over her cheek. After firmly pressing them against her cheek, I pulled back and ran my thumb over her bottom lip. She was flushed, her face and neck a deep red color while her eyes were still closed.
"Are you alright, love?" I asked softly.
She opened her eyes before nodding her head, both her thumbs stoking my cheeks.
"Of course. You just . . . Sometimes I have to take a moment to recompose."
I grinned and pressed a quick kiss to her lips again before we moved away from each other.
"Glad to hear it, Princess," I chuckled, turning my horse around so they were side by side facing the same way.
She snorted before we nudged our horses forward to start walking back toward the castle. We were both quiet but it wasn't an uncomfortable silence. We occasionally glanced in the other's direction, exchanging small smiles.
We approached the stable and I dismounted, quickly making my horse disappear, before I grabbed Emma's horse to steady her while she dismounted. I knew she didn't need my help but I still held the horse steady and offered my hand up to her in case.
"Thank you, Captain," she told me sweetly.
I smiled and bowed my head letting her take the reins back. I followed and watched Emma unsaddle and unblanket her horse, giving it a thorough brushing before she put it back in its stall. I put away the blanket and saddle quickly turning just in time for Emma to approach.
"Shall we?" she asked.
I nodded and offered my elbow to her, feeling her wrap her arm around it quickly. We started back up toward the castle, the sun slowly rising higher in the sky.
"I wonder if Henry is back yet," she mused quietly.
"I hope he is," I replied though she wasn't really talking to me, "If not, give the word and I will search for him."
She gave me a relieved smile, tightening her hand on my bicep.
"Thank you."
We had walked a few more feet when I could feel the pull of someone trying to summon me. I listened for another moment to realize that Emperor Huang was the one summoning me.
"Apologies, Your Highness but Emperor Huang is summoning me. I must depart."
I watched a frown replace the smile that was there so I turned her toward me, grabbing her chin between my fingers.
"I'm sorry, love. You know I would stay but . . ."
"You also have responsibilities," she finished for me with a sigh.
She blinked slowly before looking up at me again this time with a reassuring smile.
"It's alright, Killian. I understand. Will I see you later?"
I shrugged and looked around quickly, making sure there was no one around. When I didn't see anyone I leaned forward to rub our noses together.
"I certainly hope so."
She darted forward and pressed our lips together tightly. Her left hand buried its way into my hair, gripping the strands tightly. I kissed her back, my right hand reaching around to settle on her waist.
Pulling away reluctantly, I gave her one more peck on the forehead before taking a step back. I pulled her hand to my mouth using my hook and kissed the back of it a few times.
"Thank you for an event filled morning, Your Highness. It's always a pleasure."
She grinned and gave me a small curtsey, "Thank you for making it more interesting than it was. I hope to see you soon."
Giving her one more kiss on the back of her hand, I snapped sending Emma closer to the castle and sending myself to the Emperor's castle.
"Captain Jones," Emperor Huang greeted me as I poofed myself into his throne room.
"Your Majesty," I greeted, bowing low before straightening myself out, "how might I be of assistance?"
"General Mulan received reports of men going missing from the different villages surrounding the kingdom but no one knew where they were disappearing to. When she went to investigate, she believes she found evidence of a Bao Xiao attacking the villages and taking the men."
"A Bao Xiao?" I asked, thinking to the book I read on mythological beasts.
"Yes," he said slowly, nodding, "it is an ancient creature that usually hides in the mountains. They are said to eat anything but mainly they like to feed on the flesh of men. General Mulan believes the creature came down after its food supply in the mountains ran dry."
"Would you like me to kill the creature or relocate it, Your Majesty?" I inquired. The Emperor's voice held a certain respect for the creature so I didn't want to offend him by killing it.
"This creature has spent many years in the mountains, never bothering us until recently. If possible, Captain, I would like you to relocate the Bao Xiao."
"Very well."
"General Mulan has the creature pinned down currently in a village. She caught it in the act of trying to kidnap a man for its meal. Her last report told me it was barred inside a house. It's in the East quadrant of my lands."
"I shall return once the creature has been relocated and the villages made secure," I simply told him, giving him another bow before disappearing.
I found myself standing next to General Mulan and a handful of soldiers surrounding a small cottage.
"General Mulan," I greeted, bowing my head.
"Captain Jones," she replied coolly, bowing her head before gesturing to the house in front of us, "We have successfully trapped the creature inside this house where it can no longer hurt the villagers."
"Very good. Emperor Huang requests that the creature be relocated not destroyed. Do you know where in the mountains it was making its home?"
The soldiers around us shook their heads but General Mulan tipped her head to the side for a moment.
"I believe someone reported the creature coming down from the West side mountains. There are caves all over, it probably made its home in one of those."
"Keep the monster inside. I will search for its home and create a barrier around its territory so that it cannot come back down."
"And its food source?" she prompted me.
"I will supply the creature with enough food to last it a while. On top of that I will watch over to make sure it is fed at all times."
She nodded her head, seeming to accept my answer. I disappeared and quickly scanned the sides of the mountain, looking for the cave the Bao Xiao made its home inside. Once I finally found it, I moved any nearby resources that the kingdom relies on and placed a large and very powerful barrier around the entire territory of the creature. I verified that there were no places to escape before sending myself back to General Mulan's side.
"Is it still inside?" I asked.
Her nodded was short but I could sense the tension of the surrounding soldiers.
"Yes, but it is starting to get restless. It started destroying things in the house and trying to break the windows out."
"I want a perimeter made around the house. We're going to open the door and let the Bao Xiao out. Once it's in the open I'll capture it with magic before transporting it back to its home."
"Do you need us to do anything?" General Mulan asked.
"Once the perimeter is in place, have every solider point their weapon inward. We want to avoid its escape so it can cause more problems."
She barked the orders at her men and they quickly followed direction, forming a circular perimeter around the house with all their weapons pointed inward. Once she was standing next to me again, her sword also withdrawn and pointing toward the door, she gave me a nod.
I waved my hand and moved the large tables that were pushed against the front door. The door slammed opened instantly and the Bao Xiao jumped out of the house, letting out a loud cry that mimicked the sound of a newborn.
Its large body stood in the middle of our circle and we all took its moment of observation to look over the creature.
It had the body of a ram, its fur the color of night, while the head of a lion rested upon its shoulders. The long mane almost dragged along the ground. When it bared its teeth to snarl at us, the Bao Xiao didn't have the normal teeth of a lion but instead had the razor teeth of a tiger. It let out another newborn mimicking cry that had some of the soldiers shivering where they stood.
I lifted my hand and caught the Bao Xiao in an unmovable incantation. It roared at me, it's loud cry now echoing through the forest.
"Now to return home where you belong," I told the creature gently, snapping and making the beast disappear. Once I verified the creature was back in its home I spoke again, "the Bao Xiao has been returned to its territory. It will not venture down here again."
The soldiers around us cheered and I shook General Mulan's hand. Before long the other villagers were coming out of their houses and surrounding us.
"I should report back to the Emperor," I said, tearing myself away from the grateful and clinging villagers.
"It was a pleasure to see you Captain Jones," General Mulan bid goodbye.
"You as well, General," I said before disappearing.
I appeared back in the Emperor's throne room, bowed low.
"Your Majesty, we have successfully relocated the Bao Xiao back to its home. I have erected a barrier surrounding its territory so that it cannot venture down from the mountains again."
"And what of its food supply? If it is trapped in one area, how will it eat?"
"I have provided it enough food to last a while. I will monitor the creature to make sure it always has food available."
Emperor Huang let out a sigh of relief before he smiled at me.
"I appreciate your assistance with this, Captain Jones. And I appreciate your willingness to spare the creature and relocate it instead of killing it."
I bowed low to him again, "Your wish was my command, Your Majesty. General Mulan and the other soldiers stayed behind to secure the villages and make sure they are all well."
He nodded his head and waved his hand, ushering a servant toward me. A small girl rushed forward holding a large scroll with ancient text littered all over it.
"Please accept this ancient scroll passed down from generation to generation. This sacred ritual will only work for someone who is pure of heart but it will allow the user to summon the Great Dragon that protects all. I give it to you."
I swallowed and reached out to grab the scroll gently. I could feel the power radiating off the scroll and it made my hand shake with power. I clenched my teeth at the emotion filling me and I looked back up at Emperor Huang.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for this most amazing gift. I am honored by your generosity and I will treasure this scroll."
"I know you will. This is why I gave it to you, Captain."
I cleared my throat to clear the emotion built up before addressing him again.
"Is there anything else you required my assistance?" I asked, putting the scroll within the robe of my Dark One cloak.
He shook his head and waved me away.
"You have done enough for now. Thank you again, Captain Jones."
I bowed low and responded, "Your welcome, Your Majesty."
I disappeared from his throne room and sent myself to my downstairs room back at my castle. I opened the door with a wave of my hand, stepping inside and looking for somewhere to put the scroll I was given. When I couldn't find something suitable enough, I created a box – each piece imbued with protective magic – and placed the scroll inside. I placed the box under a large desk before exiting the room and making my way up to the kitchen to eat.
I thought of Emma and Henry, hoping the boy returned home without any incidents, and what they were currently doing. Were they eating lunch too? Or did Prince Shaun drag Emma somewhere around the castle to talk about himself.
I gritted my teeth at the sudden anger that flooded me but took a deep breath to calm myself. I didn't want Emma to worry if she didn't have to.
Moving around my kitchen, I quickly carved some roast beef and cut some rye bread making a sandwich with fresh veggies and a cup of rum. I sat at the large table and slowly started eating my lunch, pulling a couple drinks from my rum.
After finishing my meal, I made my way to the part of my castle that kept my dark magic to try and find a spell to take away my prisoners magic. I found an old tome that I started flipping through, landing on a section for specifically taking away magic.
I sat in the chair behind me and read through the pages, jotting down notes on a separate piece of paper so I could remember the ingredients needed.
As I was finishing my last page, I could feel the tugging in the back of my mind again. This time it was from a village located in Oz, a place I've never travelled to before. They were frantically reporting they were being attacked by flying creatures.
I put down the book and quickly sent myself to the village.
"Oh, thank the gods you're here!" a man yelled, running toward me as my form solidified on the ground.
"Do you have any idea what they may be?" I asked, looking up and seeing the dark flying shapes in the air.
"They move to fast when they swoop downward that no one has been able to see what it is."
"Very well. Please stand back."
He skittered away from me and I stepped out into the open, looking up at the sky.
I could hear their cries that sounded like birds as they communicated with each other. Suddenly one was swooping down at me quickly, its talons raised and ready for the kill.
As it got closer I could clearly see the flying creature was just a monkey. I heard tales of the Wicked Witch of the West creating such a creature but they were announced extinct after the demise of the witch. These must have been the handful that escaped and were hiding until they thought it was safe enough to come out.
I pushed my palm at the flying monkey, sending an instant fireball its direction. The creature saw the fireball too late and was immediately disintegrated.
The others got louder, circling faster and faster around each other. One by one they flew down toward me, trying to change directions and surprise me. But with every flying monkey that flew my direction, I sent a fireball in theirs, hitting each one directly.
I sensed there was one more somewhere and I spun around to find where it had gone. It was quiet now, no more echoing cries of the remaining flying monkey.
I felt the sudden sharp pain of talons slicing across my back and I let out a groan of pain. The flying monkey suddenly changed direction and started flying my direction, zig-zagging to miss my fireball.
Gritting my teeth my hook raised and caught the creature in mid-flight, now hovering above my head. It screamed loudly at me, it's long arms trying to reach me. I conjured a fireball in my hand before pushing it toward the creature's direction. With one final cry it slowly disintegrated into nothing.
I let out a sigh of relief when I couldn't hear anymore wings flapping. I waved my hand over my back and healed the scratch marks before turning to address the villagers.
"Is everyone alright?" I asked.
"A few of us are injured but we thank you."
"Your welcome. Now please bring forth your injured so that I can heal them."
A handful of people stepped out and one by one I healed them of all their wounds.
"Thank you, Dark One, for your help."
"Your welcome," I spoke just as I departed.
I fell heavily into a chair in one of my day rooms and rubbed my fingers over my forehead. It was only midafternoon and already starting to look like a long day. Sighing I summoned a mug of rum into my hand and took a large swig of it.
I still hadn't heard from Emma since we'd seen each other this morning and I was starting to get anxious. I didn't know if Henry was home safe or not and I knew it was making Emma nervous. I could feel her nervousness through our bond, her emotions tugging at me like they were my own.
I finished my mug and made it disappear before I stood and made my way back to my dark magic workshop. I picked up the book I was in the middle of and finished up the notes I was taking before putting that book away. I skimmed through the other books and scrolls I had, looking for anything else helpful.
I decided that I would try and talk to him now that his magic was bound. Perhaps if I could figure out what he wants I can find a peaceful resolution instead of keeping him imprisoned or killing him.
Sighing I cleared off the large work bench, looking over the list of materials that I would need for the spells I found in here. I hummed to myself while I mixed the ingredients together, setting each different one aside with a different label to tell the difference.
On the last bottle, just as I put the label on it I could sense a tingling at the base of my neck.
"Killian?" I could hear Emma say through the ring suddenly and I caught the frantic tone in her voice.
I dropped the bottle I was holding and raised my hand to my mouth quickly to answer, "Emma? What's wrong?"
"Henry still isn't back and now it's after noon. He's never gone this long and I haven't heard any word from him."
"Where was he going today?" I asked instantly.
"Father sent he sent him to the north far side of the kingdom. There were reports of something sneaking through the forest. He left right after breakfast this morning."
"I'll head there right now Emma and I'll bring him and anyone else home safely. I swear to you."
"Thank you, Killian," she breathed out in a sigh of relief.
"Don't thank me yet," I told her before I dropped what I was doing and sent myself quickly to the north side of the kingdom.
I appeared in the village he was last seen in and where all the knight's horses still were.
"What happened here?" I demanded, looking around at the villagers gathered around.
"The Dark One!" a woman exclaimed before they were rushing toward me.
"What happened here?" I demanded again, raising both hand and hook to heal the injured people brought out to me.
"Prince Henry and his knights came into the village this morning. We have been reporting sights of some creature in the woods. They came to dispatch of the creature and disappeared into the forest right after arriving. Only five of the company has returned and the Prince isn't one of them."
"Has anyone ever seen this creature or know what it looks like?" I tried asking in more calm tone but I could feel my gut clenching at the thought of Henry hurt or dead.
"The survivors that came back told stories that the creature that attacked them was ash gray with its skin pulled tightly over its bones. They said its eyes were sunk into its sockets but they were black as night."
My brain sorted through the different books I read about mythological creatures and when I landed on the result based on its description alone I sucked in a hard breath.
"A Wendigo," I muttered under my breath.
I could hear a few shocked gasps around me. I raised my hand and suddenly everyone was quiet.
"Where does this beast make its home? Has anyone seen or know where it might be?" I asked slowly, trying to stay calm.
There were a few scattered no's and shaking of heads.
"Just tell me the last place you found someone and I will follow the tracks," I sighed heavily when no one spoke up.
I got directions to where the last knight was found – where he last saw Henry. I summoned a large dark brown thoroughbred, mounting him quickly and riding into the forest; following the directions the villagers and survivors were able to give me. I rode my steed hard through the woods, jumping over fallen logs and dodging large trees.
I skidded to a stop in the clearing the fight must have taken place in. I looked around at the blood splattered over the ground, the torn pieces of armor or fabric shredded on the ground. I dismounted and started walking through the devastation, sorting through wreckage.
I could feel my heart clench tightly in my chest at the sight of Henry's torn cloak on the ground. I picked it up and enchanted it with a locator spell before tossing it into the air.
I mounted my horse and followed the floating cloak through the forest until it started to slow down near the entrance of a large cave. I dismounted my horse again and tied it to a tree, placing a protection spell over it before following the cloak into the dark cave.
The smell of death was heavy in the air and I covered my nose to keep my senses straight. I kept my eyes sharp, looking around each corner before I stepped around it. The flying cloak slowed down before dropping to the ground in the heap.
I peeked around the corner and saw Henry and two of his knights strung up from the ceiling, their bodies bare of any metal and their clothing torn to shreds in sections. Their bodies were cut up in different places, blood pouring from each wound. I tried to see if they were breathing but it was too dark to see from where I was standing. The sudden echoing roar of the Wendigo approaching startled me so I quickly shrouded myself in a cloaking spell, pressing myself against the wall.
The lanky creature slunk past me slowly, pausing right before the doorway to sniff at the cloak that magically appeared in its home. It made a screeching noise but continued toward Henry and the other men strung up, stopping in front of the knight to Henry's left. Its long claws reached up and swiped across his stomach, leaving large gouge marks that had more blood falling out onto the floor.
I grimaced when the man coughed loudly, more blood flying from his mouth, and struggled against his bonds. The creature hissed its disapproval and slashed at the man's face this time, leaving more gouge marks across his face. The knight groaned in pain before he slowly passed out from the intensive blood loss.
The creature sniffed the knight, satisfied the man was passed out before it reached up and cut him from the roof. His heavy body hit the ground hard and I watched the Wendigo move to the next in line: Henry.
I quickly lifted the cloaking spell, the creature spinning instantly when it finally picked up my scent. Raising my hand quickly I shot a bolt of lightning at the creature. But the Wendigo was fast as it jumped from one side of the room to the other side.
I growled in frustration and shot another bolt at it, slowly walking toward Henry and the other knights. But the closer I got, the louder the creature screamed at me and lunged in my direction.
I grabbed the creature and pinned it against the wall, keeping it from attacking me or the other men in the room. Large roots came out of the rocky side and wrapped around the Wendigo's arms and legs, spreading it wide and pulling it flush against the wall.
"Stay there for just a moment," I spoke to the Wendigo like it could understand me before I walked to Henry.
I raised my hand and pressed my fingers against his neck, feeling for a pulse. When I felt his feather light pulse, my body sagged in relief. I reached over and felt for the pulse on the second knight, trying to make sure he was still alive. He wasn't. So I kneeled down and felt for a pulse on the remaining knight, letting out a breath of air when I could feel it.
I looked back up at the still pinned and still screaming Wendigo. It struggled against the roots, trying to lunge toward me. Its black sunken eyes stared directly at me, its teeth bared with salvia dripping from them as I stepped toward it.
I twisted my wrist and brought forth a fireball to throw at the creature. It screamed louder at me, at the fire that was slowly getting closer and closer. So I flicked the fireball in its direction and watched with satisfaction as it was consumed by the flames before turning into a pile of ash.
Moving more quickly now, I healed the more severe wounds on the first knight before transporting him outside next to my horse and under the protection spell. I waved my hand and burned the other knight's body, making sure to grab the emblem on his chest. Finally, I moved to Henry and cut him down from the ceiling.
He groaned in pain but I just swept him into my arms and transported us both outside.
"Dark One?" the first knight breathed as I laid Henry down on the ground.
"Yes, it is me. How do you feel?" I asked him, turning my attention to him.
"Better now but everything still hurts," he whimpered.
I nodded and ran my hand over his body, healing more of his wounds.
"I healed the worst of your wounds before sending you out here so I could grab Prince Henry. I'm healing the rest of your wounds now so stay still," I told him in a calming voice.
"Is Prince Henry okay?" he asked suddenly, moving his head around to try and see him.
"Yes, he is."
I finished healing the knight's wounds – warning him to stay lying down – before moving next to Henry.
"Your Highness?" I tried prompting a response, placing my hand on his forehead, "Prince Henry can you hear me?"
He groaned again but this time I watched his eyes slowly open.
"Killian?" he asked in a weak voice.
I let out a sigh of relief, smiling down at him while brushing some hair from his face.
"Yes, it's me. I want you to stay completely still, Your Highness. I'm going to heal your wounds now."
He swallowed harshly but nodded his head. His eyes slipped closed again when the soothing healing magic washed over his body and I made sure to cover every inch of him, so as not to miss any wounds.
"How did you know I was missing?" he coughed out the question.
"Your mother is very worried about you," I told him softly, thinking of Emma and how relieved she will be to know her son is safe, "she asked me to come find you."
"Thank you," he whispered brokenly, but I could see a small smile on his face.
I smiled at him and finished healing the last of his wounds.
"You're very welcome. Perhaps we should get you a shell phone so you can also communicate with your mother in case something like this happens again."
He laughed at my suggestion but that only widened the smile on my face. I helped him and the knight sit up, leaning them back against a tree.
"We need to head back to the village to grab the other knights. Then I've been requested to bring you home," I told them, standing from the ground.
I summoned a large cart big enough to hold grown men being led by two large oxen. I helped Henry climb into the cart before helping the knight into the cart, making sure they were both settled before mounting my own horse.
I rode my horse in front of the cart, leading the oxen through the forest and back toward the town. I looked up and could see the sun setting further in the sky, the rescue taking more time than anticipated. I hoped Emma wasn't too anxious but the thought of her in distress caused my stomach to drop. I pulled the oxen through the forest faster, using light magic to create lighting for the road.
We finally got into the village, people swarming around to see the Prince and make sure he was alright.
"Bring forth the other knights that were injured. I'm going to heal them then take everyone back to the castle," I ordered, dismounting from my horse.
I quickly sent Prince Henry's horse and the knight's horses back to the stables where they belong and waited for the villagers to bring out the other injured knights that had made it back.
One by one they led out the injured knights, some with wounds on their arms on their legs on their chest. I approached as they brought them out, healing each one and letting the villagers help them into the cart. It dawned on me that they didn't bring out all five of the knights that had returned before us.
"Is that all?" I asked when no one else came out.
A somber look came over the villagers and that gave me the answer to my question. The village leader stepped forward and handed me a large bag.
"For your help getting rid of this monstrous beast," he told me plainly, "And for saving the young Prince's life."
"Just doing my duty," I gratefully said, grabbing the bag from him, "thank you for your generosity."
I placed the bag in the cart, telling Henry and the knights to hang on tightly. I mounted my horse and stood next to the cart, next to Henry who was looking up at me with a smile.
With a grand wave of my hand I poofed us all to Emma's castle, landing us at the front gate. The oxen snorted at the landing, their hands shaking off the effects of the magic. I could hear some of the knights groaning at the sudden change of scenery and the dizziness the magic can cause.
"Quick! Prince Henry and his company have returned!" I heard one of the knight's yell, some more rushing over to help.
I dismounted and helped Henry down, wrapping my arm around his waist to hold him up. We watched other knights come from different places around the castle, two to each injured knight, helping them to the medic's house.
"I've healed their wounds but the Wendigo has a devastating attack so they may be sore for the next few days," I said allowed for anyone who would listen.
I started leading Henry toward the main gates, nodding my head to those who thanked me for saving them.
"You saved a lot of good men today," Henry told me quietly as we walked.
"Not all of them though," I replied solemnly, feeling myself somber at the thought of the dead knights.
"Henry!" we heard Emma's sudden shout.
We both looked up to see Emma running toward us, King David and Queen Snow following behind her. I caught a glimpse of Prince Shaun behind them somewhere but he didn't seem to be in a hurry to come outside.
I stopped before Emma reached us and steadied Henry ready for his mother. Who practically flung herself at him, pulling the young prince to her chest tightly. I could hear Emma crying into her son's shoulder, but I could also hear the relief in her voice. Her hand petted the back of his hair soothingly when his arms tightened around her small waist.
"I was so scared," Emma whimpered desperately.
"So was I, Mom. I didn't know if I was going to make it back here alive. But then Killian showed up and he saved me."
I watched Emma's eyes look straight at me so I gave her what I hoped was a comforting smile. I told her I would find her son and bring him home safely; I was only relieved I could keep my word.
"Yes he did," she said softly, not moving her eyes from mine.
King David and Queen Snow finally reached us, the Queen immediately heading to her grandson to wrap him in a tight hold, while Emma relinquished her hold on him.
She was suddenly wrapping her arms tightly around my neck and pulling me into a tight hug. Her face buried its way into my neck.
"Thank you," she whispered in my ear, a desperate but happy tone to her voice.
I didn't care that her parents were standing right next to us. I wrapped my arms tightly around her waist and buried my face in her neck. I let out a shuddering breath, my eyes closing.
"I told you, anything you need," I whispered to her fervently, "I was scared I wasn't going to make it in time . . . That you were going to hate me because I didn't save your son."
She pulled back from me just enough so that we were staring at one another. I could see the tear tracks running down her face and out of reflex I reached up to brush those off her beautiful face before cupping her left cheek.
"Killian, I knew you would find Henry and I knew you were going to bring him home to me. I trust you. I trust you more than I have anybody else in a long time."
We smiled at each other, both lost in our own world, our forehead pressed together. Her right hand had slid down to rest over my heart while her left stayed tight around my neck. I kept my left arm firmly around her waist while my right hand cupped her cheek, brushing away the still falling tears.
I could feel myself slowly leaning toward her, wanting to kiss her desperately. I could see her eyes darting from my eyes to my lips and she was also started to lean closer.
But her father clearing his throat unexpectedly definitely had us stopping.
We both turned toward him suddenly, pulling away from each other almost reflectively. My hook remained resting on her waist while her hands dropped down to grip my right hand that fell from her face.
But there was a genuine smile across the King's face his eyes even had a gentle touch to them. He reached his hand out toward me and I slowly mirrored him unsure what he was going to do. When my hand slipped from between Emma's she moved her hands to grip my left bicep, her father's eyes flashing to the movement.
"Thank you, Captain Jones. You have brought our grandson home safely and you have made my daughter very happy by doing so. I am indebted to you for saving his life," he told me in a proud voice, shaking my hand firmly but not in a threatening way.
I smiled and bowed my head to him. "You're very welcome."
He released my hand and turned to hug Henry himself while Queen Snow approached us.
"Thank you Captain. We are deeply grateful to you for bringing him back safely. We all started worry when he wasn't back early in the day."
But instead of reaching her hand out toward me, the Queen pulled me away from Emma to wrap her arms tightly around me in a hug. I wrapped my right arm around her to give her a one armed hug before she pulled away.
"I insist you join us for dinner tonight," she announced, stepping back and letting Emma step up next to me again.
"Yes, I agree. Please join us," King David said, letting go of Henry who made his way to his mother's side.
"I would be honored," I agreed, bowing to them.
Both the Queen and King nodded before they turned and started walking back to the castle. Emma hooked one arm around my elbow and then hooked her other arm around Henry's elbow before the three of us walked into the castle.
We passed a brooding Prince Shaun who couldn't decide who to glare at between the three of us. But we ignored him, walking pass without a word and through the large doors.
"What did Prince Shaun do all day?" I asked Emma quietly.
"He followed me around all day, telling me I shouldn't worry and that there's nothing too dangerous in the world. Then he started listing of the other beasts he's defeated."
I scoffed and so did Henry at the same time so we flashed each other a smirk before looking straight ahead.
As I started to turn my head back around I caught a glance of Prince Shaun scowling behind us but his gaze was fixed on me. I flashed a half smirk at him before straightening my head.
"Sit by me, Captain?" Emma requested in a loud voice, knowing the prince was behind us.
"Of course, Princess," I parried, glancing at her from the corner of my eye.
I could see the beaming smile on her face and it made me smile in return.
We stopped right inside the doors so the servants could take my shawl before we continued walking toward the dining room. King David and Queen Snow were already seated, the King at the head of the table and the Queen to his left. I pulled out the chair on the King's right and offered it to Emma which she sat down in. I pushed in the chair when she was settled and sat down in the chair next to her. Henry took a seat next to his grandmother, who smiled broadly at him. We all ignored the huff of air Prince Shaun exhaled before he sat down a seat away from me.
I tipped my face in Emma's direction and gave her a small wink that made her giggle quietly.
"So, Captain what else did you do today?" Queen Snow asked folding her napkin on her lap before she looked up at me.
"Well, after I left here this morning I went to the Emperor's kingdom. An ancient creature was causing misfortune and he asked for my assistance. Then I was summoned to a village in Oz because they were being attacked by some flying monkeys that had been hiding for some time. After that I went home, then Princess Emma reached out to me and that's when I went to find Prince Henry."
"What was in the forest attacking the village?" King David asked, waving in some servants.
"A Wendigo," I replied, clearing my throat.
There were a few shocked gasps and King David scowled.
"To think, such a horrible beast plaguing the lands," Queen Snow exhaled, reached over to run her hand over Henry's head.
"There was only one Wendigo living there and it's been killed," I comforted the table, feeling Emma's hand reaching over and grabbing my hook under the table, "I also healed the wounded villagers and knights. I regret to inform you that there were some casualties."
I looked down at the table, ashamed at myself that I wasn't able to save everybody. I felt Emma's hand shift from my hook to the bottom of my brace, her thumb rubbing my skin.
"Well," King David sighed, leaning back as the servants finally came out with drinks, "it's a blessing then that there was someone listening to my daughter's prayers."
He lifted his filled cup and we all followed suit, waiting for the King to speak again.
"To Captain Jones!"
"To Captain Jones!" everyone echoed.
We all clinked glasses – except of course Prince Shaun who drank his wine ignoring us – before taking a drink. Emma and I both smiled at each other, just as the side doors opened and the cooks came out with dinner.
They set down the plates and revealed we were eating a large Crab Louie salad. We all ate in mostly silence, someone occasionally asking a question.
After dinner was over, the cooks brought out small plates with a piece of chocolate cake complete with cherry on top and set it in front of each of us.
"We didn't know what kind of sweets you like so we asked the baker to prepare something classic," the Queen explained quickly, noticing the shocked look on my face, "to thank you for saving Henry."
I smiled widely at all of them before bowing my head.
"It was my pleasure and I would gladly do it again, Your Majesty."
I put my cherry to the side before I started eating the main part, turning to inquire at Emma's giggle.
"Why not eat the cherry first?" she asked, popping her own in her mouth and pulling it off the stem.
My eyes drifted down from her eyes to her mouth before moving back up. She gave a sly wink before raising her eyebrow, waiting for my answer.
"I like the cherry the best so I save it for last. Why do you eat the cherry first?" I shot back at her, raising an eyebrow.
She giggled and we could hear her son and mother giggle from across us.
"Because it's my favorite part so I want to eat it first," she countered, sticking her tongue out.
I licked my lips but went back to eating my cake, shooting her glances from the corner of my eye. After the soft cake was gone I picked up the cherry, quickly pulling the stem off, and turned toward Emma.
She was leaning back in her chair and staring directly at me, like she was waiting for me. Smirking at her, I slowly and deliberately popped the cherry into my mouth. I closed and chewed languidly, my smirk growing when she raised an eyebrow at me.
The table burst out into laughter and Emma cleared her throat, pushing from the table to stand up.
"Father, may I take Killian to the royal treasury to let him pick a jewel as my thank you for saving my son's life?" she asked, gesturing me to stand up.
King David nodded, replying, "Yes, of course. Just ask the guard to unlock the door for you when you arrive."
Emma nodded and I quickly stood from the table, quickly pushing in both our chairs. She wrapped her arm around my elbow and led me out of the dining room. She led me down a new, darker hallway that had guards posted all the way down. When we reached the last door at the end of the hallway, Emma nodded to the Captain standing there.
He bowed and opened the door, stepping aside to let us in. I gestured for Emma to walk in first before I followed her.
"Leave us," Emma commanded, waving away the Captain.
He bowed in half before stepping out of the room and shutting the solid door.
As soon as it was closed Emma spun toward me, wrapped her arms tightly around my neck which hoisted her up my body a little and kissed me fiercely.
I gasped before I fell into her kiss, my arms wrapping around her waist tightly to hold her against me.
Our lips moved together in sync, separating every few kiss to alternate running our tongue across the other's lips. She let out a whimper when I slid my tongue into her mouth, running it over hers. Her hands slid up to grip the nape of my hair tightly, tugging the strands.
Our tongues started their familiar dance of dueling for dominance. I slid my right hand slowly up the middle of her back before it grasped the back of her neck through her hair. My tongue won our dominance fight but instead of exploring more of her mouth, I withdrew my tongue to nip her bottom lip. She pulled away from me but I didn't let her get far with my tight grip on the back of her neck. I kept our foreheads pressed together before moving my head to bury my face in her neck.
"Thank you," Emma finally breathed out after a couple of deep inhales.
I chuckled and pulled back to press our foreheads together again.
"That was a thank you?" I asked her, panting onto her face. I smiled widely, rubbing our noses together before continuing, "If that's what I get for a thank you maybe I should do more rescuing in the future."
She let out a giggle returning my nose rub and brushing our lips together again.
"Come and pick out any treasure you'd like. Then I suggest you go home and rest. It seems like you've had a long nonstop day."
I laughed but kissed her soundly, letting go of her and setting her back down on the floor. I ran my thumb over her bottom lip before my hand dropped and intertwined my fingers with hers.
"As you wish, Your Highness."
She rolled her eyes but I could see the smile on her face as she tugged me further into the treasury.