Sea Horses:
Chapter Twenty Five:
"Amaira?"
Amaira paws distractedly at her ear. The muffled voice calls again, and Amaira's nose wrinkles in annoyance as she edges closer to Killian. Distantly, she hears footsteps coming down the hallway. The knock on the door gets her to blink open her sleepy set of eyes.
"Hook are you in there?"
She knows that voice. Oh shit she knows that voice. Panicked, Amaira hits Killian's shoulder none too gently to wake him up.
"Bloody hell love-what?"
Red opens the door, and Amaira and Killian just have enough time to pull the sheet up to cover her chest, so that she doesn't give Red an eyeful.
Red blinks in surprise, "Ooo-kay. You know what, I'll just come back later. Morning sweetie!"
Red backs hurriedly out of the room, shutting it loudly behind her.
"I'm never gonna hear the end of this."
Killian chuckles, "Well that was quite the wake up call."
Amaira hits him again.
"Ouch love, watch the claws."
"What claws?"
"I'm grievously injured now!" Killian's brows waggle suggestively, "Kiss it better?"
Amaira rolls her eyes, but relents and places a chaste kiss on his lips.
There's another knock on the door.
"If you aren't too busy, there's clothes in Amaira's room, so that you can join us for breakfast." Red's voice is laced with her amusement.
Amaira groans.
"Come now sweetie, I know he's delicious, but Snow has blackberry muffins-your favorite!"
"Not what I meant Red, but thanks!" Amaira calls back half-heartedly.
Amaira shifts into her leopard and trots to the door, waiting for Killian to let her out. He walks towards her, eyebrow raised in question, but he opens the door regardless. Amaira chirps her thanks and dashes into her room, Red having left it open just a smidge. Killian has closed the door behind her however, and she swats the door in annoyance. He's quick to open it, and discovers why she left. Clasped in her jaws are the clothes delivered by Red. She shifts back after he closes the door and passes him his clothes. Amaira takes one look at the gown intended for her and sighs.
"You hate dresses."
"Apparently that doesn't matter if you're breakfasting with royalty."
"They can't be serious."
Amaira looks up from sorting out the skirts so she can put the damned thing on. She claps a hand to her mouth to hold back a snort. On his hook is an honest-to-god tunic.
"Love no."
"No," she agrees.
Amaira bites her lip.
"I don't want to wear mine either. Could we?"
"Yes. Yes we could."
She chew her bottom lip guiltily, "We shouldn't."
"And that's ever stopped us?"
She sighs, "You are a horrible influence."
She pitches the dress and takes up yesterday's riding pants.
"If anyone asks this was your idea."
"So long as I don't have to wear...that." Killian's voice drips with disdain as he pulls his black shirt over his head.
Dressed, Killian offers her his arm.
"Shall we?"
"Absolutely! Any longer and I'm sure Red'll give us hell. As is she's going to give us an earful."
Killian smirks, "Worth it."
Amaira nods, conceding his point and they start down the stairs that lead to the dining room.
"There you two are!" Red cries ushering them in quickly. "Snow's just about to join us."
She inhales sharply, "Those are pants. Amaira. Where. Is. Your. Dress."
"Currently slung over the back of a chair. Put your teeth away she-wolf."
Red blinks angrily.
"Sit!" She orders the pirate.
"Shouldn't that be my line?"
Red looks like she's about to strangle him, and Amaira wisely tugs him towards his seat.
"Sorry" she mouths back at Red who nods curtly.
The doors open, and Charming and Snow enter.
"Good morning, did you all sleep well?"
Amaira knows Killian's thinking up something wonderful to say, so she kicks him under the table. For his credit he barely reacts, only allowing his hand to drift down and squeeze her thigh. The royal couple settle in as the first course is ushered in through the kitchen doors. Heaps of fruit lieing on silver platers are set on the table as pears glisten with dew and grapes fall over themselves. Amaira notices the lack of apples but wisely doesn't comment; she'll just swipe carrots from the kitchens later for her horse friends. After Snow selects a banana for herself, Amaira reaches forward to take some of the berries before her. Strawberries ripe and ruby colored, rose tinted raspberries, small juicy blueberries, and the most delectable dark treat of black berries. Red looks bemusedly at her friends plate, "Told yah," she mouths over Killian's shoulder. The pirate himself snags a bunch of grapes with his hook, enjoying the prince's wary glance at it. No sooner than the group has taken their fruit, fresh breads, warm and crackling to the touch, are brought in along with a dizzying amount of spreads and jams. This the prince reaches more towards, along with Killian. Snow and Amaira meet eyes right as their respective men do. Although Killian and Charming just look annoyed, whereas smiles are just barely held in check by the ladies. Amaira grabs a small sweet roll and smears it with jam and honey. There's a spot of it on her finger, and she lifts it to her mouth, sucking the stickiness off her thumb. Killian's hand tightens on her thigh, and she looks up at his smirk with a matching one of her own. The next course interrupts their little moment as eggs and breakfast meats come in and are set on the table. A servant comes in then bearing pitchers on his tray. He gestures to Amaira's glass.
"Oh um, juice if you have it, but water's fine too."
A deep red liquid is poured into her glass, and she almost thinks it's wine for a second. She brings it to her nose, sniffing cautiously.
"Cranberry juice."
Amaira nods her thanks to Snow before taking a sip of the drink. She smiles.
"It's very good."
Snow returns her smile with a bright one of her own before having the servant pour her tea.
They eat in silence for a few moments before Snow and Red break the slightly awkward silence and begin conversing. Without the threat of group discussion looming over them, Amaira and Killian turn towards each other.
"Bit better than the ship?"
"Well..." she glances around the almost empty dining hall, "I think they're missing a bit of the atmosphere."
"Not complete without pirate chatter eh?"
"Nope."
"All berries love?"
She blushes, pink lightly staining her cheeks, "I've a bit of a sweet tooth for them, and I'm not exactly a breakfast person. I um nibble I guess. Plus I try not to eat my friends often. Don't get me wrong I eat meat, just only when I really want it."
She reaches for her plate then, picking up a strawberry. She lets out a soft little moan when she bites into it.
"So good."
Killian tries and fails to hold back a smirk at exactly what that noise reminds him off. She glances back at him, rolling her eyes and hitting him lightly.
"Pirate."
He snaps a grape up at himself, catching it easily.
"As always love."
"Grapes?"
He shrugs, "They're good."
"Really? They always seem to be sour."
"Sour?"
She nods looking at him curiously.
He tosses a grape at her, and she surprises him by catching it between her teeth. She pulls it into her mouth then, the skin crunching as she chews. Killian raises an eyebrow.
"Those are good."
"Not to what I was referring, but yes."
She points at herself, "Shifter."
"And that apparently explains everything."
She shakes her head, snagging another grape from Killian's plate.
"Hey Red catch."
She lobs the grape over Killian's head and watches Red catch it with a smirk of her own.
"See shifter."
"Yes love you're both amazing."
Red and Amaira share a look before swatting him.
"You know I think I liked it better when..." he trails off, eyebrows arched knowingly.
"Finish that sentence pirate."
"Go ahead Hook, finish it."
Ruby's eyes flash yellow, and Killian's head jerks back in surprise.
Amaira and Red laugh.
"Can't be blamed can I love? S' not like yours little miss can't-pick-a-color."
"That's just cuz Amaira's got so much damn power. We can't all be full out all the time."
Amaira grins sheepishly.
"So what do you want to do today? And I demand at least an hour pirate free sweetie. Preferably more, but I'll take what I can get."
"Maybe show me around this morning? You can go to your crew?" She looks at Killian questioningly.
He nods reluctantly.
"And then meet back here for lunch?"
Red grins, "Sounds good. But first," Red looks at Amaira pointedly, "we're getting you out of yesterday's clothes."
"No really I have some on the ship-"
"Sweetie I haven't seen you in what might as well be forever. You will let me play dress up."
Amaira shoots Killian a horrified look.
"Have fun love."
He stand up, before his hand wraps around the back of her chair, tilting her so that she looks up at him.
"But not too much yeah? I'm not one for sharing."
He kisses her quickly, and darts away before she can hit him. As it is her hand, hits the edge of his coat.
"Pirate!" She calls after his retreating form.
Red grins, mischief in her eyes, "Now sweetie what are we going to do with you."
Amaira gulps.
"No Red I don't want too!" Amaira cries, as Red ties up yet another corset.
"Last one I promise!"
"You said that about the last three!"
"There." Red pulls back to look at her handiwork.
"Smile sweetie, you're not dying."
"Might as well be," she grumps.
"Hmm."
"Don't hmm. Please don't hmm. It's fine. Perfect. We can go now."
"Can we see that one?"
Amaira deflates as the shopkeeper bustles off to pull another gown from the rack.
"Reeeeeeeeeedddddd," Amaira whines.
"Hush, you'll thank me later when you're pirate can't take his eyes off of you."
"No because I'll be in a dress. If I want him to pay attention I'll just strip naked."
"Oh yeah, speaking of, what's panther been saying about all this?"
"Like you wouldn't believe."
"Not an acceptable answer sweetie. Now arms up."
Amaira huffs, but lifts her arms obediently. She's learned by now it's far better to let Red have her fun then try and argue.
"Can't you just find me pants?" Amaira's voice is muffled by the fabric.
"Or pajamas? I'm sick of sleeping in a dress."
Red grins, "The later, most definitely. But I am not putting you in pants when you're in a palace. You can have them in the stables."
"Killian and Charming get to wear pants."
"That's because they don't have boobs. Turn."
Amaira mutters something under her breath, but it's not like Red cant hear it.
"Is he giving you a filthy mouth as well? I'm gonna have words with this pirate of yours."
"Red leave Killian alone." She pauses, "How come you call him Hook?"
"Because that's what he's known as, and until he instructs me to call him otherwise that's his name. It's not polite."
"Since when've you cared 'bout beein' polite?"
"Since I joined the Royal Court and got my hands full of uptight nobles."
Red stands back, "Pink is not your color."
"You put me in-" she looks down.
"Red!"
"You are hard to work with. Pale beyond belief and your eyes just won't quit it will they."
"Red. Pleeeeease. You've had your fun. You want more, you can get me something to sleep in, but no more dresses!"
"Fine."
Amaira sighs in relief, and tries to get the dress off, but she needs Red's help.
Finished and dressed once again, Amaira and Red return to the kingdom streets. Amaira grabs a carrot from her pocket, slipping it to their carriage horse.
"Saw that sweetie."
"Well you wouldn't let me see the stables, so I'll spoil Bunny here all I want."
"Red this is still a dress."
"Sleeping pants are for men, not ladies of the court."
"Good thing I'm not a "lady of the court" then."
Red holds up the blue nightgown again.
"Bet your pirate'd like it."
"No, it's got buttons. He'd end up ripping it."
Red raises her eyebrows.
"You asked."
"This one then?"
Amaira looks at the white gown uncertainly.
"That's awfully short."
Red nods pointedly.
"If I say yes can we go back to the castle? We are soooo late."
"Yes."
Red hands over a coin to the seller, placing the nightgown in Amaira's bag.
"Castle?" She asks hopefully.
"Castle."
"Sweetie wait up! We're not all horses!"
Red meets her at the carriage, climbing in gracefully to sit by her friend. They start off, sitting in comfortable silence, as the carriage sways slightly with the horse.
"You know for all your crap, I really missed you."
"Mmm sweetie I missed you too!"
"Red release, I think Killian'd like me back in one piece."
"So we've got at least a half hour back, and I'm sure I've chatted your ear off. You're turn sweetie, spill."
"Um I was on a pirate ship, and amidst the occasional storm, things trying to kill us, and a ridiculous amount of innuendo...I kinda fell in love. There may or may not have been horses, lip biting, and a dragon involved."
"Storms? Eeesh how'd that go?"
"I wound up in his bed."
Red's eyebrows skyrocket.
"No! I mean he, um, kept me safe. I kinda accidentally bit him though."
"Please say you were human, please say you were human." Red chants.
"No, wolf and leopard actually."
Red pouts.
"You and the panther, I mean really."
"Why do you think you like both of us?" Red smiles cheekily.
"I do not like panther."
"Don't lie sweetie, you're bad at it."
"Do you want me to tell you or not?"
"No, no please continue. Things trying to kill you?"
"A crazy crewman who knew I was the Dead Wolf, Blackbeard- some pirate Killian knows-er knew, a Kraken, oh and some drunken skirt-chasers."
"Eeew. I take it Killian didn't like that?"
"Well I was kinda a horse-in a port I didn't know-and I maybe actually, um, got lost in the woods, but-"
"He took you to ports? What were they like!"
"Well Silverfire was gorgeous. The booths were so colorful, and I mean just everywhere. Even more so than here. And the horses! He took me riding Red."
"The pirate. On a horse. I would've killed to see that!"
"It was pretty funny. He didn't know where to sit."
"He didn't-Sweetie even I know how to ride. Although, I doubt you would've let me live if I didn't."
"Well like I said I taught him to ride."
"And apparently so did he. Last night."
"Thank you, thank you Red."
"I walked in on it, now you have to tell. So..."
"I don't know Red what do you want me to say?"
"He was your first right? I mean was he gentle?"
"Oh gosh of course he was! It was..."
"I, I get it sweetie," Red smiles warmly at her friend, "My little Amaira all grown up."
"We're the same age."
"Now I mean I gotta ask..."
"I thought I was going to explode."
"Right? And I imagine he's got a killer chest."
"My god his abs! I just-ugh! And the eyes on that man!"
"Mmmm sweetie I know. They're as pretty as yours!"
Amaira giggles.
"Spill."
"He always says one hand, but a very talented mouth."
"Aaaaand."
"Oh gosh he's so right-aaaaaand if you tell him that I will kill you."
Red smiles smugly, "Don't worry sweetie, I'm your best friend. I'll be sure to mock him every chance I get!"
"Of course you will. You realize he's probably throwing a fit right now."
"Why?"
"Killian's a bit... overprotective."
"Him? No, I can see it. Not too bad though? Cuz I'll kick his ass."
"I know you would, and I can handle Killian. Most of the time."
"High-strung?"
"Like a racehorse. My god if he's not busy trying to control everything he's angsting over something that for god knows why he thinks is he fault."
"Hmm who does that sound like? You know I can't quite put my finger on it."
"Ha ha, very funny."
"Sweetie," Red warns.
"I think he fixed me Red."
Red's eyes brighten, and she grabs Amaira's shoulders while she searches her eyes.
"I mean I don't think I'll ever be able to completely let it go, but who could. I just, I'm content."
"Damn pirate got through and not me? It was the accent wasn't it."
"Maybe it's because you couldn't leave it behind either."
Red looks away.
"We tell ourselves we're monsters, but we're, we're really not. Maybe you can't see that just yet, but we're not."
Red swallows thickly.
"Well when'd you get so wise?" she tries to joke.
"When my panther and pirate knocked some sense into me. Now it's my turn to fix him."
"Oh?"
"His, his true love was killed. And he thinks it's his own fault, but it's really not. Now? Now he's planning on killing that man in some sort of vengeance."
"Well is he wrong? I'd kill someone if they killed you."
"It's not that simple. The woman was the other man's wife. She ran off with Killian and left their son behind. The man found Killian and tried to kill him, but Milah traded a magic bean for their lives. Only the man tricked them and killed her. He took Killian's hand too. Killian thinks it's his fault because he wasn't able to protect her."
"So he's got as much baggage as we do? Damn. Why isn't it ever easy?"
"I have no idea."
The carriage pulls up to the castle then, and Red and Amaira hop out. Amaira pats Bunny goodbye before following Red.
"There you are." Killian's relieved voice greets them as they enter the hallway, and Killian stops his pacing.
"Easy pirate, she was with me."
Killian narrows his eyes at Red, "You're over two hours late."
Red waves him off, "We're here now, and that's what matters."
Killian looks ready to strangle her. Amaira bumps her hip against him.
"C'mon we'll go get lunch together."
As Red and Amaira link arms and walk towards lunch, Killian starts grumbling about "bloody she-wolves" under his breath.
"I can hear you," Red sing-songs.
"Brilliant."
Amaira laughs, "Lighten up, she's just teasing you. Although, she can in fact hear you."
Killian rolls his eyes, but follows the girls anyway.
Just like breakfast, a huge lunch is spread out before them, although this time the Prince and Snow are not there to join them. Killian still looks tense, and Amaira lays a hand on his arm.
"Everything all right?"
"Mmm? Yeah, crew's fine, enjoying their time off in the local taverns, but fine."
"Speaking of taverns," Red interrupts, overhearing their conversation, "I know one we can got to this evening. And no sweetie, you don't have to drink with me and the pirate."
Amaira smiles up at Killian, "That'll be fun yeah?"
Killian nods. Amaira frowns. He's still distracted. Red catches it too.
"Well I have to help Snow plan her party this afternoon-wasn't expecting you to drop in sweetie, glad as I am-so I'll leave you two to yourselves. I'm sure you can find something to do without me. I'll come find you when I'm done. Mmm I'll grab you invites too while I'm at it."
"Red that really isn't-"
"C'mon it's only 2 days away. You can stay for that can't you?"
Amaira glances at Killian, "I suppose so."
"Good. Well I'm off then. Have fun you two!"
Killian exhales as soon as Red leaves.
"Killian?"
He glances at her, rubbing his hand through his hair.
"Did something happen?"
"No, 'course not."
"Then what's wrong? This isn't about this afternoon is it?"
He shakes his head, "Worried me-new city and all, but I know you can take care of yourself."
"Then what?"
Amaira's worried herself now.
"Just antsy. I have a bad feeling I can't shake."
"Missing the death threats then, can't take the peace?"
He chuckles darkly, "Perhaps. Something just feels off."
"Not Red though?"
"Annoying as she is, I like your she-wolf. Prefer you obviously, but it's not her. This whole place," he gestures to the castle they're in, "just doesn't feel right. Feels like it's closing in."
"Well," Amaira bites her lip, winding her arms around his neck, "the shore's not that far from here. We could go, still be back in time to meet Red."
Killian looks at her curiously.
She draws back, "Or not. We don't have to. I mean there's probably-"
Killian cuts her off with his mouth. Amaira kisses him back for a moment, but her confusion is evident. Killian pulls away, resting her forehead on her own.
"I think that's a brilliant idea love."
"Yeah?"
He nods a smile on his face.
"Well you want reins then pirate, or can we go as is?"
He raises an eyebrow.
"I'm not going to bother one of the palace horses. You've ridden me before, I'm not that small."
Killian smirks. She hits him with a laugh.
"Well are you coming or not?"
"Definitely."
Author's Note:
Thanks to anyone who has followed, favorited, or reviewed.
Just a fun, fluffy chapter with character development, ect., ect. Hope y'all like my take on Red, let me know!
Reason for the delay in posting is because I've hit a block. I wrote my fun scene, and have the next one all planned out, but between them I have to write out what to me is a boring dinner conversation, charge it up with emotions so we can resolve shit, oh and put clever funnys in there so it's not so boring to read through, and I don't wanna! I just wanna skip ahead and write the fun part! But noooooo, so I'm trying to finish that up asap because as soon as I get past this wall I can write a lot of plot very very fast. It's like the last thing to write before the main plot appears and I want to be done! I'll stop whining now. Any motivation you can offer is much appreciated because right now I need it.
Until next time lovelies. Reviews are much loved and adoringly read over and over.
Thanks for Reading,
TheSparkedInfinity