Fair warning- This was rated M for a reason. I've been asked to add the disclaimer that this chapter contains the start of a sexual assault scene. If this should bother you for any reason, I have provided a short summary of the chapter at the bottom so you won't have to read it and won't miss the important points. This will be the only chapter at present to which this warning applies.

Chapter 13.

As he stood at the helm, the Jolly humming under his fingers, the wind in his sails and the sea calm around him, for the first time in three decades he felt a small modicum of peace. In the hours since his break down, he felt as if a tight knot in his chest had loosened, and he could breathe a little more easily. The air tasted fresher and the sky seemed bluer. The darkness that thrummed through him seemed to have been buried in the wake of his introspection.

He considered what exactly lay before him. The Lady Regina, "Evil" as she may call herself, was a child compared to what he knew and what he had seen. Getting the Princess' family back should not be difficult. It was finding a way to incapacitate her beyond the rescue that would pose the greater problem.

He sighed as he reviewed various artifacts and curses he could utilize that would neutralize Regina. You could just kill her.

And suddenly the day was no longer as bright, nor was the sun warm. He tried to shake off the idea, for some reason finding he had an aversion to it, but now that the darkness had managed to worm its way back up from the depths of his mind, it refused to be banished so easily. Just imagine how nice it would be to rip the pretender's heart from her chest and listen to her screams as you squeeze the life from her. Imagine the power.

He blinked, feeling a sudden wave of dizziness come over him, and he staggered slightly, clutching at the helm to keep upright. He tried to breathe deeply, but he felt the darkness coiling around his chest, tightening fiercely.

Dear one?

"I can't… I…" he was trying to get the words out, but his throat refused to cooperate. He felt his thoughts clouding and an anger he could not control welling up inside him. He wanted to hurt. To be hurt. Anything to allow this vicious upwelling of emotion to be unleashed from his chest.

He clawed at his chest, trying in vain to dig it out as he attempted to get his feet under him. He couldn't seem to coordinate his balance with his movements though, and he ended up in a crouching stagger that had him reeling wildly away from the helm towards the rail. He was breathing in ragged gasps, feeling as if this air ways were being ripped apart.

DEAR ONE!

He heard her, but couldn't answer. Just burn her. Let her know who is the true master of this vessel. Show the world that is should not forget the fear of the darkness. That they are right to fear the shadows. Right to fear the starless night. This blasphemy of a creature is not worthy to bear you. Burn it and free yourself.

He was trying to keep him mind in the present, but the darkness spoke in such tempting tones, slithering across his mind that almost against his will, his darker nature was agreeing with it. The ship that dared defy him was burn so gloriously in the night. First that damn horse, then the demanding frail little princess, and then the hunk of wood beneath his feet. He could show them all who had the true power of his life. He bowed to no one's wishes. Never again would another be master of his life. He was his own master.

The craving in him grew deeper. He needed to find a way to fill the void that was growing where his heart should have been. He clawed at it more vigorously. He had to fill this void.

The princess. She is here, bound to serve you. Get her, take her. Destroy her. Imagine how she will break under your hands. Such a frail thing. So pure. So innocent. Ravage her. Make her yours. You are her master. Make the royal brat bow to you, bend to you. Gorge yourself on her screams.

He felt a feral grin creep across his face. Yes. The princess would rid him of the yawning void that was consuming his chest. He could make her feel it instead. He got his feet under his body and once he was upright, he staggered forward to the stairs, making his way to the Captain's Quarters. He needed to hear her screams. Regina could wait.

He felt drunk on the power coursing through him. It felt as if he was reliving the moment after he had stabbed The Crocodile with the dagger, watching as the black engravings melted into his name, and the sensation of eons worth of dark hatred and black spite poisoning his veins. With every step, he was falling more deeply into the cesspool it had created in his mind.

He thought, vaguely, that he could hear something calling to him, a plea carried on the wind and echoing around him. But the darkness was whispering such sweet nothings in his mind that he paid it no head. Once he reached the cabin door, he heard it lock, but with a flick of his wrist and a mirthless laugh, the door sprang open and he stalked inside.

The room was quiet, except for the faint breathing of the Princess. He could see her sprawled out on his bunk, acting as if it were her own. Of course she would. She is a royal. They believe everything belongs to them, even the lives of their subjects. They pretend they are the masters. Show her. Show her who is truly in control.

The tray of food was picked clean, and the napkin thrown haphazardly on top of the plate, as if she were expecting a servant to come and pick up after her. That's how she sees you. A servant. A nothing. A SLAVE.

His limbs were shaking with rage as he approached her. She seemed to toss restlessly, as if she could sense something approaching. You see, even in her sleep she feels your power. She fears you. His sadistic grin grew wider, as he came to the edge of the bed, looking down at her.

Her brow was furrowed and she was breathing hard, a layer of sweat making her golden hair stick to her forehead and neck. The ache in his chest was burning, like he was being eaten alive. He clawed at it even more violently, feeling his blunt nails break skin.

TAKE HER. USE HER. DO IT. DO IT!

Yes. He would use her before she could use him. She would satisfy the void in him. She would make him feel whole. He climbed up onto the bed, straddling her form on his hands and knees before he lowered his nose to inhale her sweet scent. He felt the moment she woke, as her body went absolutely rigid. He leaned back, grinning down at her, taking in her sudden shaking, hard breathing, pale face, and wide, terrified eyes.

Isn't it glorious? The darkness within him crowed as it coiled around his mind, Demanding satisfaction.

"Captain?" came her terrified whisper.

He sneered down at her. "Aye, princess, that I am," he crooned to her as he reached down to rip her skirt away. Abuse her. Master her. CONSUME HE-

Killian Jones, Dear One of my heart, I command thee.

After his breakdown, he is beginning to feel better, the ghosts of his past finally gone. But when the darkness sees an opening, it takes it, and it throws him into a fit he cannot remove himself out of. As the darkness urges him to give back in and he is on the brink of doing irreparable damage to the princess, The Jolly Roger acts.

Killian Jones, Dear One of my Heart, I command thee.

After his breakdown, he is beginning to feel better, the ghosts of his past finally gone. But when the darkness sees an opening, it takes it, and it throws him into a fit he cannot remove himself out of. As the darkness urges him to give back in and he is on the brink of doing irreparable damage to the princess, The Jolly Roger acts.

Killian Jones, Dear One of my Heart, I command thee.