Sorry for not updating for so long. Hope you enjoy.
By sunrise, the army arrived. Peter was in control while Graham was still bedridden back in the bakery. The sound of screaming and begging erupted loudly outside. The villagers were forced to exit their homes and gather around at the town square. Kester and Amy too were forced to leave the bakery. But Graham ordered Emma to remain inside.
She wanted to leave with her two friends but one of Graham's men held her back and even locked the door.
By the time all the villagers were gathered in one place, Peter climbed on top of a tall wooden stand and announced to them aloud the new laws they must follow - the laws the villagers have heard through the rumors from other villages, saddening them that they were not rumors at all but facts.
Emma desperately looked out the window, watching everyone. But she could not hear what Peter was saying for he was too far away.
A gloved hand suddenly grabbed Emma by the arm. She turned around and faced the soldier who was ordered to have her inside.
"Hey, don't touch me," she hissed.
She pulled on her arm to break free but he did not let go.
"The general needs assistance to change. He demanded you to help him."
"He's well enough to change himself."
"Go to him, girl."
"I will not."
"Then would you prefer me to throw you over my shoulder and have you carried all the way to that room."
"I'm heavier than I look."
It was the only card she can pull. The revealing of her pregnancy may easily earn her a little respect from this man. But on the other hand, she did promise Kester she'll keep it a secret. She'd just have to deal with the negotiation without it.
"I've separated many women and children in over five villages, girl. If I can carry a woman who weighs nearly a ton, then I can most certainly be able to carry you. Now move."
He gave her a good pull by the arm and she walked on to her room. She did not speak when he gave her arm a last squeeze before letting it go. But she gave him an irritated glare from behind her shoulder when he wasn't looking.
~ Denying the idea of danger was not easy to ignore. Emma desired to have someone burst into her room, or have a sudden cannon ball shoot out at her wall - have any interruption to occur to save her.
From the very beginning when she walked into her room, Graham was in bed and waited for the solider to close the door. By the time the two were alone, he comfortably rose to his feet and walked toward with no struggle. Fear stroke her at that moment when his hand took her wrist and pulled her away from the door.
He was well hidden behind the screen now in order to change into his clothes while Emma nervously busied herself with her bed. She rolled up the bloodstained bed sheets and took cautious steps as she headed to the corner of the wall, minding the creaking of the floor from each step she took. For some reason, her efforts to silence her every movement felt like the prowl of a wolf preying at a hare. She the hare. He the wolf. And danger not nearly warm.
She dropped the filthy sheets on the floor and returned to her bed. Silently, she sat down and embraced her arms around her legs, resting her temple on her knees.
The silence was a good comfort for her. But it was broken by the sound of Graham's voice from behind the screen.
"I deeply appreciate for all you've done. I will reward you handsomely very soon. I will be pleased for you to accept my gratitude."
Emma lifted her head up and gazed straight at the screen. "A reward is not necessary. I don't want it."
"Do accept. I feel the great need to repay you, after all, you have saved my life. Don't reject it."
"You can repay me by leaving this bakery and never tell anyone that I saved your life."
"I will promise to keep your secret, Emma. You have no need to fear."
"That and..I just don't want anyone to know I was the one who helped you escape death. They all hate you. I don't want Kester nor Amy to be hated equally like me. Repay me that way."
"From my experience, money has always been the ideal reward. Are you certain this is what you want instead of money, or anything else?"
"Yes."
His heavy footsteps started and Emma's eyes were not staring directly at Graham himself.
"Very well."
Her arms tightened around her folded legs when he walked toward her. Once he was near enough, he extended both his arms out with his hands open, offering assistance for her to stand. But she rejected by looking the other way.
There was no rejection Graham was able to accept the minute she saved him. He still could not accept it, including his offer to feel the touch of her hands. He kneeled before her and grabbed both her arms, pulling them apart from the hold of her folded her legs.
She gasped as his hands were now on her very own and his fingers intertwined with hers.
"I reward you for saving my life, Emma. You are dedicated for now on as my savior. But it ends there, your mind must never forget who I am. I am the general and the ruler of this village. Know your place."
The words felt like venom in his mouth. It resembled the same words Regina spoke to him when he rejected her demand for a more sexual interaction other than a distant relationship. But he has never learned the delicate way to treat a person in the most respect. This is all he can offer to a person for now - almost a second skin that has been forever within him.
"You can call yourself whatever you want. But I am still a person just as you are. Whether you're some general or not, it's not right for you to treat me this way."
She fought to have her hands free but he tightly held them both.
Her hands were cool and growing warm from his touch. His fingertips pressed lightly on her knuckles and his eyes dawned at one of them. He observed every little detail of her hands: the completion is pale, her fingers are long, and there is not a single evidence of a scar - clean and smooth.
Her attempt to rise to her feet broke his focus. He released her hands and allowed her to freely rush toward the door. He slowly rose to his feet and locked his hands behind the small of his back.
"I wouldn't go out there if I were you." He warned with an amused grin.
"Just watch me."
She opened the door and went out to the front of the bakery. The soldier was prepared to stop her but Graham ordered him not to by the lift of his hand.
Emma tried to open the door from the front. But the door was locked for good. She sighed in frustration to return back to Graham in order to demand him for the key, but by the time her feet turned by a half of the circumference of an oval, Graham was right there - only an inch away.
"Give me the key."
"There was a reason why I didn't take you out there."
"What's that damn reason?"
"I like you. I would hate to have you distressed out there with all the others."
"I rather be with my family right now other than stay here and breathe the same air as you."
He chuckled. "I'm beginning to understand why you are still single. How can any man be able to deal with such a behavior?"
"You're one to talk. I don't kill people by an order of a woman who wears a crown every day. There is no blood in my hands at least."
"But you are cursed with a serpent's tongue, you must not deny that."
"Don't talk smart with me, you ass. Let. Me. Out."
A smirk started to form on the corner of his mouth. It forced Emma to restrain her hold on the doorknob - how she missed Killian deeply, and here, out of all the men in the world, this hated man has to be the one who reminds her beautifully little of her man.
"I told you, I want to save you from distress."
"I am not that weak. I'm sure I won't get distressed."
"Emma, you don't understand. Just wait. You can witness everything from here, out your window I'm sure."
She walked past him, hitting him deliberately on the shoulder with one of hers. She returned to her spot near the window and came to a realization the scene was different from where she last left off. The villagers were outraged and combined together as a whole; their arms angrily out at the center stage where Peter stands.
Emma looked closely and saw that Peter was holding a small child by the throat - a little boy clothed nothing but a potato sack and a filthy yellow cap on his head.
Her back felt warm. She rolled her eyes from the corner and saw Graham's cheek so near her left ear.
"There they are. Just as expected. Angry. Furious."
"Step back. I'd appreciate personal space if you don't mind?"
"I'm allowing you to watch out from here, Emma. The least you can do is not speak against of what I decide to do."
"Well, you're under my roof. From my experience, the owner of the house can do whatever she damn wants, the guests should respect that and accept the boundaries she appreciates those fucking guests to clear off of."
"You're wrong there." His eyes rolled to engage with her own. "By law, this bakery belongs to your cousin. But I have the authority of domination over this business because your cousin is still indebted to the queen."
"Fine, you're right that this is Kester's bakery, not mine. But the queen has got nothing to do with this. Kester paid for this place, it's his. Not the queen's."
"That's what you think. But he lives in her land, and the longer he lives here the longer he has to pay for her. It is by law the legal way for all citizens to follow. Including you."
"That's the stupidest thing I ever heard. Where I come from, money has never been demanded before. Authority, yes. But wealth was never a subject to speak of."
"Where are you from, exactly? I would very much like to know about that for I never heard of such a place where money was never a problem."
Shit. What's the matter with me?
Emma retuned her focus back to the window, hoping her silence can cause the subject to change.
The villagers were growing madly out of control. Some soldiers pushed many villagers to step back, but the villagers swallowed the fresh fears they had towards them, and pushed on forward.
"Why are they so angry?"
"What you're witnessing now is an execution, Emma."
"Execution. Execution f-for th-that kid?"
"Don't let his disguise fool you, Emma. That is not a child."
"Are you blind?" She turned around to face him. "He is a kid. What has he done wrong?"
So you don't have the power to sense other magic. That gives me a good an assurance. You are not a witch. But what are you, Emma? Just what other powers do you behold.
"I am not who is blind. It is you who is and along with all those other fools out there."
"You-son- of- "
Graham claimed both sides of her waist that caused her to gasp. He was pleased with a small smile for his hands can almost feel her warm skin from the thin layer of her dress. But he returned back to focusing his primary goal: let her view that she claims to be true, opening her eyes to the reality behind the spell.
"Look. Just look at him."
Emma was prepared to fight him again. The idea suddenly left her as the riot outside silenced and returned back to its original silence. Peter raised the sliced head of the child. Only the head was not the head of a child but belonged to the body of an old, ancient woman. The fresh skin was not youthfully intact but broken and stained fully in an unusual brown color that resembled the color of a pool of muddy water. The hair too was no longer young and fresh but white with a blend of gray that look so delicate as if by a small tap of a finger in one hair can cause all the last living hairs to evaporate into tiny dusts.
"What was that?"
Graham gazed out the window. "That, love, is a witch. One of the oldest ones known as Broomhilda. For years, she lived on eating reptiles and rabbit in a hut in the middle of the woods. Many started to disappear who crossed her home. But she was finally caught at last three weeks ago."
"How..How did she become a little boy? That's quite..terrifying."
"Magic. I greatly advise you to hide your powers as long as possible or else your fate will end just as fatal as what happened to Broomhilda. Her execution was meant as an example for these villagers of what can happen if magic is suspected. I plan to put adds for rewarding anyone who finds any investigation of magic. A payment so handsome this town will be bound to be free of magic."
"But, Graham, I..I.."
She craned her neck and looked directly at his eyes in such desperation. Words were lost from her mouth - she didn't know what to say, for the very first time of her life, she feared this village more than she can ever bear. From the beginning, many of the villagers viewed her as a terrible influence toward their daughters. However, now, there is genocide against those with magic - she will be the perfect target who can be executed by all means.
Yet, one thing puzzled her. This man is a general, the Great Hound of these pack of Dark Wolves. Why is he sparing her life and keeping her powers a secret?
"I told you this all will distress you. You feel alright?"
There was not a single hint of concern in his tone. A smile was still curved on his mouth and his tone neutral. But there was just a vague side of worry by his touch - his fingers moved and locked together until his palms touched the center of her stomach.
"Graham, I am not a murderer. I-I've never killed a person in my life. Believe me. I am no witch."
"I take your word for it if you be perfectly honest with me."
She nodded, but a little shakily. She can feel the rise of a harsh tremble start from her ribs down to the sudden coldness of her hands.
"What are you exactly, Emma? Are you from a breed of a lineage of witches or sorcerers perhaps?"
"Graham, I..I can't remember too much about my past. But please, I..don't want to die. I never thought having magic was a crime, or something to be frightened of possessing. I want to be reassured you won't rat me out."
"I told you I won't tell a soul. You have my word. Now answer me, who are you, who is your family?"
I can't trust him. Not this far..Peter for once is still right. I have to be careful. Anyone would kill for a chance to have something that'll guarantee the magical way to escape death.
Her eyes fell low, meaning to hide her face to think of some lie. But one of Graham's hands loosened and grabbed Emma's chin. She gulped as he pulled her chin up for her eyes to look at his.
"Answer me," he demanded. The smile no longer in sight nor the amusement in his eyes.
"I don't know. Kester and Amy are my only family. They're all I've got. I would have left them after hearing you and your army were planning to come this way if they're not related to me. Don't you think?"
"I never accused that the baker and his wife are not related to you. All I asked was who the rest of your family are. Where are they? Who are they? Are they here?"
"I lost my memory five years ago from a..a very bad accident. I continued with life with Kester beside me ever since. My memory never came back, though. Kester doesn't know anything about my parents either. All I've heard was that they..died."
"Does your cousin possess any powers?"
"The power he has is a gifted hand at baking."
"So you're the only one, then?"
"Yes."
"Who else knows of this?"
"Kester. Only him."
Graham smiled. His hand dropped from her chin and returned to lock itself with his other hand, returning the absence of the warmth of her belly.
"Not his wife? What a fine husband he is."
"He is a good husband, you ass." Her inner self returned just then. "Don't you dare speak of Kester that way. He's only protecting me."
"My apologies. I never meant for offense."
"Well, you're forgiven."
"Ah, what a shame. Your distress remarkably lasted for such a short time."
"Why is that a shame?"
"I enjoyed it while it lasted. It gives me an excuse to be close with you. Like this."
Emma's hands were ready to grab his wrists and pull them off her waist. But her hands only remained still, open and ready from above his wrists. As much as she hated to admit it, his hold gave her great comfort and the feeling of his heartbeat against her back was a lullaby to her ears.
She longed for Killian's arms to hold her like this. The same way as he did on the Jolly Rodger.
His voice. His hands.
Graham was intrigued to realize Emma has not done what he expected her to do. He waited patiently to see what she will do next.
She closed her eyes and laid her head back. Her long blonde curls buried from beneath Graham's chin. Her mind swarmed back to another world - a utopia where all there is to see is the Jolly Rodger with only herself and Killian.
The fantasy blinded her completely as if Graham's hold triggered her mind into a power hypnotism.
"Because you were my first love."
Her hand crept up to her chest. Still, she can feel the blood in her veins rush the same way as they did the night she stormed out of that terrible cafe.
Killian smiled and kissed the center of her nose. "I will make you happy, Emma."
Her mind flashed so clearly to the looks of Killian's face. Her memorization of each memory of Killian impeccable and far too dangerously real that's pulling her away from reality.
"I'm not going to abandon you. I won't."
Her eyes suddenly shot open when she lost the ability to breathe through her mouth. Graham practically devoured her mouth to great passion that left an uneducated lover as Emma speechless and appalled. The memory when she first shared her bed with Peter came to mind when she felt Graham's hands travel to the curves of her body. At that moment, she turned her head and broke the kiss.
Graham did not want it to end. He longed for more. But his chances slipped from his fingers when Emma broke free from his hold and ran toward her room. She shut the door behind her and melted to the floor in guilt with tears in her eyes.
She has betrayed Killian: the irony of her to be the one to warn him to ever lay a hand on another woman. It turns out she is to be the one to commit the wrong of their relationship.
~ Amy was in the worst, fatal state when Kester arrived home with her in his arms. Emma wanted to speak to Kester but kept quiet in her room as he took care of his wife first.
She waited a full hour for Kester to come into her room. Her wish was fulfilled at last after the last minute of the hour. He too looked terrible as his wife.
Emma remained seated on her bed. Kester joined her.
She licked her lips and gazed at his exhausted face. "Kester..I saw everything. I saw that boy die. You were right, I have to be careful."
His eyes were looking ahead. Emma can easily see how miserably worried he is over the entire situation She didn't feel the least bit of comfort when he took one of her hands.
"Soldiers are going to come here to live in the bakery. At least two of them. Three will be residing in Amy's dress shop. For now on, you'll be sleeping with us. Alright? I can protect you and Amy far better by that arrangement."
Emma nodded.
"No complaints?"
"No complaints," she responded.
"In the mean time, keep your promise, Emma. The disaster has now started. You are in grave danger. I cannot do anything if you are caught. But I will protect you, as best as I can."
"I have no doubts over your protection. Thank you."
"Don't thank me, Emma. You are my family, my friend. My offer is nothing. I only pray to God nothing will happen to you, or Amy. I don't care what happens to me. I just worry over you both. These are men of great power, Emma. Whatever crosses in their mind, it can be painfully fulfilled. Keep your eyes open and stay near me, no matter what."
"Does it have to be this..this serious though."
"It is this drastic, Emma. Keep your promise. If you do not cooperate with me, my protection will be of no use. Please Emma."
"Okay. I'll keep my promise."
"And look out for Graham. I sense that he has a fond liking towards you. If you please him, it won't be so easy to keep you away from him. Try avoid going outside as much as possible, alright?"
Should I tell him about this kiss?..Huh. No. It'll only worry him even more than he is right now. I just hope Graham will be away from me. It'll help Kester to feel a little assured that I am safe.
"I'll try."