Blueeyeddevil06 thank you for being my beta!

"Sir Dalton?" Killian stared at the knight across from him. Everyone in the training area had gone quiet at that announcement.

Nathan ran his fingers through his hair nervously. "I am now." He gave a nervous smile and added, "After my… well, technically he's no longer my brother-"

"You must hate me!" Killian cut him off.

He shook his head, "No, I suspect once news of my brother's disgrace makes it to our holding, the people will throw a party. He was not… liked." He put diplomatically. "As for hating you, he was the one who slandered you. You did nothing. As far as I'm concerned, he got what he deserved." Then he smirked, "And now, I'm heir."

"Oh yes, you will be the ninth Lord Dalton now." Killian laughed at that. "You're nothing like your brother."

"Thank you for the compliment," Nathan said. "I've spent a lot of energy trying to be his opposite."

"I guess that's why I like you." He teased.

"I'm sorry for what my brother said. Our family disagrees with him."

"I believe a man is responsible for his own actions. You shouldn't be apologizing for your brother. Now, dropping your guard on your left side, making it so I can beat you, yet again. That you can apologize for." Killian reached out his hand and shook Nathan's. "I'm glad to count you as a friend."

"Same here, Prince Killian."

Killian scoffed, "My friends call me Killian."

"Killian, my friends call me Nathan."

"I was liking 'Hey, Knight.'"

Later in the day, Emma was waiting for her mother to bring the dress she was to wear for the large formal dinner that night. She let her mother have her little secret. She knew if she pressed her, she could find out what was so special about the gown, but she let it go.

When Snow walked in with a servant following her and carrying the most beautiful blue dress she'd ever seen, she gasped. "Where did you get that fabric? And what a gorgeous design."

Her mother smiled at her, and Emma took the dress. It was a beautiful blue with gold thread running through it. Killian would love it on her.

Snow said, "Killian gave us the fabric. Apparently, he picked it up in Agrabah and brought it back to be made into something special for you."

Emma almost burst out laughing. Her mother had no idea the fabric was part of a large quantity that was smuggled. Her heart then took in what was really said. He'd put this fabric aside for her without ever being asked or taking credit. He was so thoughtful.

"He's going to love what was done with it. It's beautiful."

She was dressed and had her curled hair put up with diamond hair pins. She sparkled. In the candlelight, after the sun went down, she would shimmer in her gown and pins. She was excited to see Killian's reaction to her.

Killian had been pacing when it was time for him to get ready for dinner. He didn't want to look like a stuffed shirt. He knew he'd have to wear whatever Queen Snow wanted him to. He didn't want to get on David's bad side when he seemed to like him, and upsetting his wife would do just that.

He was surprised when he walked into his dressing room and saw a Naval Captain's uniform hanging up. He stopped short and smiled at it. It seems his mother-in-law understood him after all.

He dressed and exited the room. David was waiting for him. "I didn't hear any fussing in there."

"No, Mate. It seems Snow picked the one set of clothes we could both agree on."

"She didn't pick that for you. She's making a point."

"And what is that?"

"You're a Naval Captain, not a pirate." He smirked. "Some there tonight object to pirates."

"Should I expect any trouble?"

"No," David said with conviction.

"And why is that?"

"You're a pirate."

"You aren't making sense." Killian looked confused.

David just smiled and said, "I don't expect they can give you any trouble. I didn't say they wouldn't try anything."

"How do you know I'll be provoked?"

"I saw the dress Emma will be wearing and the guest list." David looked smug.

Killian sighed. "I'm going to have to knock at least one guy unconscious, aren't I?" David just nodded. "And what will you be doing while that happens?"

"Smiling," was David's response before walking off.

Killian's initial irritation bled out once he realized what David said to him. He had the king's permission and support to punch anyone who bothered him. He was really looking forward to the dinner now.

That all changed when he knocked on their bedroom door, and he saw Emma. She was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen, and the dress just made her even more attractive. He muttered a curse under his breath.

"That wasn't the reaction I was hoping for, husband." She looked at him with concern.

He held up his hand for silence. "Hold on, I'm thinking."

She gave him an impatient look. "What about?"

"How many men I'm going to have to hit, and how long I can wait until I drag you to a quiet corner to bury myself inside you." He looked at her with lust burning in his eyes.

"So you do like the dress." She smirked.

"Oh yes. In fact, I can't wait to lift your skirt and take you while you're wearing it."

She swallowed hard, and her knees felt weak.

"Love, can you straighten out wrinkles with your magic?"

"Probably."

That was as far as she got before Killian was loosening his pants and then lifting her, pulling her clothing out of the way, and burying himself inside of her tight heat. Killian pressed her against the wall. He wasn't gentle, but she didn't want him to be. She was screaming out in pleasure, digging her nails into his shoulders. They both orgasmed together.

He then kissed her, set her down, and tried to fix their clothing. "It looks like we're both disheveled."

She waved her hand, and the wrinkles came out of both their clothes. "That's handy." She then stepped into his arms, and he held her.

"You look stunning, Love."

She chuckled, "I can tell." She smiled up at him. "You look dashing in your Captain's uniform." She then knit her brow. His statement from before sunk in. "Wait, you plan on hitting someone?"

"Don't worry about it at all."

"Why?"

"I have your father's permission." He then opened the door and escorted her out into the hall.

"Why would that make me feel better?"

He gave her a heated look, "You like watching me beat on other men."

"Don't be ridiculous!" She countered.

"Oh, so you don't sit in the stands while I spar with the knights?"

"That's different!"

He shook his head and gave her a sexy smile, "It really isn't."

"Damn, you figured me out," she sighed.

"I already knew that it turned you on, Love."

"How?"

"Everything I do does," he said with complete conviction. Then he added, "It's only fair, Swan. I feel the same way about you."

Sophie arrived at The Dark One's estate, and she was terrified. She was shaking like a leaf when she finally knocked on his front door. It was evident that he was shocked to have a visitor when he opened the door and stared at her.

"What the hell are you doing here? I should kill you for disturbing me!" he growled out.

Her knees went so weak she collapsed at his feet and cried. "Please save Belle," was all she was able to get out. Her hands were shaking, and she couldn't look at him.

"I did! Didn't you hear I let her go?" He was furious this woman came to beg for the release of a woman he'd already sent home.

She nodded, "You're not the one she needs to be saved from. It's her father." She tried to get herself under control. She had to try to help.

"What are you talking about?!" He was less angry at her and more confused than he wanted to admit. He couldn't fathom the idea of her being in more danger away from him than with him.

"She…" She tried to get her trembling under control. She thought of Belle throwing herself in between her and the man with the knife, and she calmed down. Belle didn't hesitate to risk her life. She couldn't fail now. "She made it home, and her father was concerned it was a trap that you let her go. She said not to worry and that there was good in you." She kept going despite the odd look in his eye at that statement. "He said she was corrupted by you and threw her in the dungeon. Everyone is afraid of her. I don't think she's safe there for long."

Rumple tried not to react to that news visibly. "But, you came to my estate. You aren't afraid of her?"

"I was her lady's maid. I served her after she saved me from being raped and murdered. I would do anything for her."

"Even come to my home."

She nodded. "I came knowing you will kill me, because I need to save her."

He shook his head, "Why would I kill you?"

"You're The Dark One," was her only answer.

This woman trembling at his feet, came all the way expecting to die. She did it all in hopes of saving Belle. It was apparent to him she wasn't sure it would even work. He was impressed. That and he didn't want to kill her. Belle had made him soft.

"I will save Belle." He looked down at her. "Get up. I won't kill you. It so happens I need a housekeeper. Belle will now be my guest. What's your name?"

"Sophie, Sir, Dark One, Sir." Her hand shook. "Sophie Potts."

"Well, Miss Potts, it seems you're my housekeeper now. You can continue to watch after Belle."