Alone and deserted, Killian yearned for air. The room he is kept in is massive enough for his entire crew to join him. Strangely, he was kept inside alone.

Inside is pitch dark if it wasn't for small light shining from the crack underneath the locked door, he will be unable to see the color of his skin. With no windows, he could only breathe the stench of the foul odor of running vermin, dried blood, and puddles of urine.

Killian has been kept inside for the past four hours. The last he saw his crew was when they miraculously transported from the sea to Emma's village within seconds.

The best he could do is counting the ring on his fingers while there is still light from the doorway. His wrists are shackled and connected to a chain; the last ring nailed down onto stonewalls. For exercise, he could only manage to stand and reach as close to the door but not close enough to even touch the frame.

The battle of thoughts in his mind served to be another distraction to pass the time. He cannot help but wonder how he was brought here, who was responsible of causing this, and how is it the village is taken over by the Queen's soldiers.

Frustrated, he raked his fingers deep into the root of his hair, pushing it back. The cold temperature from the stonewall leaves his back stiff and cold. With a shiver, he folded one leg close to his chest and rested his forehead on top of the knee.

What in the hell is going on?

Abruptly, the door opened.

Being kept inside by darkness for so long, Killian's eyes were sensitive to the light shining through the door. With a squint, he shielded his eyes but his gaze at the threshold of the door.

A woman stood with a tray of food and a pitcher of water in her hands. Her hair is covered in a cloth. Her head is bowed low so he cannot her face.

A young soldier kept hold of the door open. He gave one long look – expressionless but cold as steel – at Killian.

"If anything happens," the soldier turned his attention to the woman. "..just scream. I like having my head attached, not rolling on the floor, sugar."

The woman raised her head. Killian's vision is now clear and immediately stood to his feet once he saw who she was. His beloved Emma.

"You've said this before. Say it again, it might come true."

"Then think of it as a warning for both of us. Ten minutes. Not a minute more."

With that the door shut closed. Emma rushed to Killian's side. She kneeled in front of him and laid the tray beside him.

Out of eagerness, Killian took her by both cheeks and leaned forward for a kiss. Emma grinned widely feeling his familiar lips against hers. After not seeing her for so long, he could not help but deepen the kiss and his hands moved down to her neck.

Emma opened her eyes and broke it before it could get any further.

"Killian, we don't have much time. I-I have so much to explain."

"I understand. But hell, I have missed you."

The smile on her lips remained. It felt remarkably meditating to be in the company of someone she loves and respect. Despite only having a few minutes left, she can only savor how precious every second is.

"I have missed you too. So much. You have no idea."

Emma reached her hand to his cheek and stroked his cheekbone. Killian lovingly leaned the side of his face deep onto the palm of her hand and laid a kiss to one of her fingers.

"How did you get here? Surely, Kester didn't agree so easily for you to get here."

An instant feeling of sadness washed over her. The thought of Kester and Amy has been further from her mind for the longest time. The reminder of their existence only depresses her because she still does not know when she will reunited with them.

"We have less than ten minutes together. So, listen carefully, Killian."

Emma told Killian about Graham and the Dark Wolves invasion to her village, along with other villages victimized under the reign of the Queen's men. Killian held back asking anything else when she continued her story to the part where Graham had taken her as his own and has kept her prisoner ever since.

Rage burns inside Killian. Even without Emma telling him specific details of what went on between her and Graham, he already knew she had suffered many misfortunes with the newly declared General.

"I know this is a lot. But lastly, how you were brought here was a result of…great sorcery by Rumplestils – "

"Stilsken!" Killian breathed the words aloud.

Emma arched a brow in confusion. Killian closed his eyes for a moment and leaned his head back against the wall.

"You know him?"

"That..that is another long story. Tell me what else is there that I need to know."

How does he know him?..Am I not the first person he encountered with magic then?

Emma shook her head and brought back her to focus, reminding herself time is growing shorter by the minute.

"The point of him bringing you here is because I..well, let me first say, Pan is stealing my powers. He cast a spell on Graham and me somehow – in his sick way – to get my powers so he can be invincible. He is after anybody with magic – people like me, Killian. The only way to stop him from taking mine is to..is to…"

The words cannot pass her lips. There is no guideline on telling any living being in a rational or rather kind manner of "I need to bring you back to life from the dead." But how desperately she wishes she could have such a non-existent item in her possession.

Killian gently took her hand off his cheek and squeezed it tight. "Whatever it is, tell me, love. Time is so precious.

"Yes. Time is precious…Well, Killian, the penalty of using magic and getting caught is death. Your crew is probably being tortured to have one of them confess who is responsible of magic because you were seen when your ship magically landed here. You must confess it was you so you will die on behalf of them."

Any sane person in the world, even somebody who is not interested in living, would react with shock for being advised to pose as a sacrificial lamb on behalf of others. However, having a supernatural healer of a girlfriend like Emma, Killian has been comfortable with the idea of getting hurt, and now dying for he gave his utmost trust that her gift will aid him without fail.

"So, once you do that, does that end the spell?"

"Yes. But Pan will still have his other powers. I will have to think of some other way to stop him. He must be stopped. But if this all works, my powers will return to me..and even, I'm hoping, my memories."

"Your memories?"

Emma gazed deeply into her beloved's eyes. As beautiful and comforting this reunion may be, the heavy guilt of betraying their relationship weighs heavily as stones in her heart. She had once forced herself to be with another to save Killian's life. Killian had no reason to hate her or seen that as a betrayal. But this time she was not sure. Furthermore, with her powers unquestionably weak, if she truly was incapable to help him escape death, the last thing she would want was for him to ponder what Graham had done to her since he was gone down to his grave.

"Y-Yes, my memories came back..as my powers weakened. My mother, Killian, I saw her. I saw her calling for me, loving me. I look so much like her."

Killian smiled widely and kissed her temple. "That is wonderful, my love. Just you wait, every one of your memories will return. This is a good sign. But why is there still worry in your eyes? Everything is going to work out."

"Because of this."

Emma untied her cloth and revealed her hair. Her long brown hair fell down to her shoulders. Self-consciously, she searched for her small braid of blonde and laid it out on her left shoulder for Killian to see.

Strangely, Killian was still not upset or worried. He chuckled lightly and reached for her new hair. Twirling a strand between his fingers and raking it down to her shoulder.

"What is this? No yellow. I can get used to this. The brown rather makes you look so sexy, love."

"Killian, the yellow is gone because my powers are fading. This little bit of hair left is the only magic I have. I-I know leaving you worried in this cell is the last thing I should be doing, but this is your life, Killian. This can kill you."

Killian's smile remained. But, by now, Emma can read through his walls of carelessness and can see this news broke through him this time.

"Graham is a horrible man. He does not spare anybody. He has nothing inside him but..all that you can think of to hate him. He will not let you live. There really is no way out of helping you. I'm sorry to say if this is selfish of me wanting my powers back, but if we fail, Pan will possess them and..and Killian, I'll never know completely who I am."

"Then, so be it."

"Killian…"

Tears welled up her eyes. Killian took her in his arms and held her tight. Despite the color change, her hair was still familiar to him; it was soft to the touch and the scent, despite no longer it being sweet of bread and sweets, smelled of lavender and sage. He laid his cheek on the side of her head, the chains jingled as he rubbed his hands gently on her back.

"I don't want to lose you, Killian," she whimpered.

"Emma, from the moment we met, you have never failed to save me. Fate has brought us back together after years of being apart. Our journey will not end here. I believe in you. I will not lose my trust on you now. But..Emma, there is one thing I question most at the moment."

"What is it?"

"Last I saw you, you were with child. Are you this blessed to show signs of pregnancy this late? I can wrap my arms around you twice if I could."

Emma slowly pulled back and met his eyes once more. Killian managed to give her a smile and wiped the tears that fell down from her eyes.

"There is no child..anymore. And quite frankly, that was the happiest news I've heard. I know it's horrible. But I want Pan to completely be gone from my life, I'm relieved I have a chance to make that happen."

"Then that is all that matters. My beautiful, Emma, despite all this, I am genuinely happy to see you. If this were my last or a new beginning, I would not continue on peacefully without seeing you."


~ Rodger rushed Emma out of the dungeon before Graham returned. Despite the sleeping syrup Emma slipped into the guards' wine, Rodger could not help but give a quick glance at the sleeping guards as the two ran out to the exit.

Emma breathed in deeply of the evening air as they ran out in the courtyard, not knowing the next time she will be allowed to step out of her room again freely.

Finally they reached the corridor that led to Graham's bedroom, the close was clear of anybody passing. Rodger took Emma's arm and ran two steps ahead till they reached the room.

Swiftly, she swung the door open and both entered inside. Out of breath, Emma collapsed against the wall and panted for air.

Rodger was relieved, seeing that Graham has still not arrived back to the room.

"I hope this was all worth it. The next time you'll see him will be in hell."

Emma rolled her eyes. "Just because he's a pirate you believe somebody like that can end up in flaming damnation. I don't understand people like you."

"Regardless, his trial is tomorrow and such trials like this never ends well."

"That may be the case, but for him, I plan to see him in the other side."

Rodger immediately broke to worry. He stepped forward to Emma and laid a hand on her arm.

"Push the thought of suicide as far from your mind, sugar."

"Oh don't act like you care about me, this is where my trust in you ends, and I see you as my enemy."

The worry in his eyes was replaced with confusion. His eyes followed her hand snatching his wrist and roughly pulling it off her arm.

Emma straightened her skirt and walked across the room to reach the changing screen. She stepped behind it to be out of his sight.

"Whatever you heard and saw, take it to your grave. I know you practically kneel down and kiss Graham's ass to save your own. But I also know you have the heart of not risking me to get hurt or get executed. So, this is it, we're done."

"E-Emma, I don't understand why you're behaving like this."

"I'm not going to repeat myself. I strongly suggest you to leave my room now. Your General will have the wrong idea if he sees you here alone with me."

I don't know how. But you are still on Graham's side.


~ The trial of the accused pirate was decided to start after breaking the first fast.

Emma remained quiet and behaved oddly submissive to Graham. It felt as if it was a dream for Graham to be able to hold Emma in his arms in bed without her fighting back, kissing the top of her head to feel her hair against his lips, and share their food together without her objecting to some of the food she was not familiar with. By surprise, she ate oatmeal without objection, a further shock to Graham.

However, he strongly sensed her wanting a favor in exchange of this good behavior she was portraying.

After the servants cleared the plates and left Graham and Emma alone, Graham rose to his feet to get ready for the trial. He normally dressed lightly in his white tunic and black trousers. But for trials, it is required of him to show to the people of his status as the general through his choice of fashion. For this, the Queen gifted him for his position with a large silver pin he must wear with pride at the front of his cloak.

Emma sat on the middle of the bed and watched Graham put on his cloak. At first, he pretended not to notice of how much odd attention she was giving him with her expressionless face, but by the time he secured the cloak on his body he lifted his gaze to meet her eyes. He expected her to look away, but she bravely continued to gaze at him.

"Help me with this, Emma."

She stood from the bed and approached him. He lifted a small wooden box out for her to see. She looked down at the box as he opened it, revealing a shiny large broach with a swirl of vines embroidered around the capitalized letter S.

"Pin it for me."

She carefully removed the pin from the box. Gently she gathered a small handful from the front of his cloak and pinned it right at the center. She could feel his eyes glued to her. For his satisfaction, she returned to meet her eyes to his.

"Do I look descent?"

"Well, you kept me here for so long, I haven't seen anybody yet to compare you to. Might not be the best person to give you the answer to that."

"A perfect excuse to dismiss the question."

"Take it as you will."

His arms circled around her waist and pulled her close to his chest. She tightened her jaw as his lips planted the top of her head.

"What is it you want from me?" He whispered against her hair.

"Let me go out."

"You think a little obedience will convince me to let you out as you please. I have not forgotten your behavior the other day, love."

"I know you have not forgotten a single bit of it. But surely, you want me healthy after being responsible for the loss of my powers. Never in my life have I thought I'll have to worry about getting hurt or sick. So, thank you oh so very much for that."

He paused for a moment. Emma was in triumph to provide a valid point of giving her more freedom. However he viewed this as, she will take any way to be granted her freedom from this room.

"I suppose I owe you a little of that. But not today, I will be away due to the trial. And from experience, you tend to disappear far easily when I'm preoccupied."

"Then take me with you. It would be easier for you to babysit me. By now, I managed to leave this room with one of your strongest men. I don't think his replacement will be any better."

He chuckled. "The idea of having you exposed to a public place of a crowd of people fails horribly to maintain this health of yours. Who knows what disease such vermin carry."

Emma bit down her tongue instantly before any word of defense pass her lips. There truly was nothing Emma could think of to like this man. Sure, she has been negatively received by many of the villagers. But to call them "vermin", including her own family, she could only physically release her hatred to such comparison by balling her fists tightly.

"Well, I think you should bring me with you. I know it's not a pretty sight – I've seen parts of this trial once before. But let me come with you. I want to..for fuck sakes, be in a place that is not the same as before. I could grow mad – fucking crazy the longer you treat me like this. Honestly, Graham…could you endure what I am going through just as willingly as you expect me to be."

His smile melted as heard her words. The second he looked into her eyes, he has never saw anything close to a drop of happiness because it was him she was looking at. Looking at the now, it was no different. She was unhappy. Even further, the dark circle her eyes are dark enough for even a blind man can easily read her exhaustion. His hand went to her cheek, for the first time, acknowledging how slender her cheeks have become, feeling the bone of her cheek so firmly by the gentlest touch.

He was a dog. A follower. An obedient servant. His former master and his former mistress treated him no differently to how he treated Emma. But he never returned to the idea of disobedience. He never turned his back away from his leader. Yet, his very own follower, his pet, his lover, his bird in a cage, stands before him, no matter what he does, she always fights back and there is almost nothing he can do.

He let out a deep sigh and lowered his lips gently on her temple. "Very well. You may join me. But you must hide your hair."


Hello, fellow readers. I hope you are safe and healthy during this quarantine. Deeply thank you for sticking around. I have been crafting a rough draft to end this story. But in the mean time, I have made a poll on my author's bio for you readers to vote. I have been thinking about creating a soothing peaceful audio of some of my fanfictions. I have days where I like to listen to someone read at times. So thought this would be a good idea. If you guys like the sound of that, please let me know. And hope you enjoy this chapter. More to come. And please please leave a review on your thoughts.