AN- So I went super hard on the blood and violence and sex. So if you are squemish just turn the fuck around. If you are into two people fucking in blood next to dead bodies have at it. Very unsanitary I'm sure but for a pirate that is just a casual Wednesday. Please adhere to the warnings if you are squeamish. I have marked the start and end to the scene so if you want to avoid it you can. I wish you brave souls luck as you read it. I won't be offended if you don't. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea.
Dashing Pirate Rescue
Chapter Eleven
Emma fought against her captor, thrashing and screaming, kicking the air, pushing her body against them to shake him off — just about anything she could think of to get him to release her.
"Stay still bitch." The man behind her said as he grabbed her by the shoulder and slowly lowered her down until her knees hit the ground.
The man crouched down, a leg on either side of her as he fiddled with the monocles behind her. The other two men looked on as they guarded the door, grotesque smiles splitting their faces as they listened to her struggle.
She narrowed her gaze and she inhaled sharply as she closed her eyes in a silent moment of contemplation before she spun out, placing herself on her back. Slipping the dagger from the concealed spot in her sleeve, letting the steel slip through the palm of her hand until her fingers curled around the handle, she lifted the blade. With a wild scream, she brought the blade to the pulse point in his neck and pierced his skin.
The man howled as blood filled his mouth, his entire body convulsing as his hand flew to his neck helplessly.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she beared down on her jaw and with all the force she could manage pressed the blade further into his neck. Blood dripped down her hand, the thick crimson rolling down her arm and soaking her sleeve as he gasped and sputtered above her sending droplets of blood scattering across her face.
She averted her gaze to avoid the spray but was helpless against it as the man choked and coughed, his legs giving out underneath him. Emma panted, releasing her grip on the blade and lowering her hand as the man fell to his knees and collapsed on top of her, crushing her with his weight.
She heard the sounds of footsteps approaching, his companions advancing on her to pry his body off of her. Emma moaned as they lifted his lifeless body off of her, his blood smearing her chest. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as the blood pooled out around her. She shook violently, blinking tears from her eyes, her vision hazy and painted red from the life she had just taken in order to preserve her own.
She tilted her head to the side as they dropped the man's body beside her, his lifeless gaze penetrating her as the two remaining men stood above her. Emma balled her hands into her fists at her sides, her lip curling in anguish as she tried to resist their grasp on her.
Killian sprinted down the corridor, a fural growl ripping from his throat as he viewed the splintered wood of the door to his cabin and the axe buried within it. He hurled himself against the remnants of the door, drawing his revolver and pulling the trigger.
Emma flinched at the sound, her hands flying to her ears to muffle the sound echoing in her eardrums.
The bullet hit its intended target and the man arched his back as the bullet impaled the middle of his back. The man dropped to the ground and Killian paused for a single moment, taking in the sight of the blonde laying in on the ground, covered in blood.
The pirate captain was absolutely manic, red flashing underneath his dilated pupils as he flared his nostrils. Killian seethed, his shoulders moving rapidly as he tried to control his breathing. He threw the useless pistol to the ground, its magic rendered pointless as his fingers curled around his cutlass and he flung himself forward.
The enemy standing over Emma barely had time to register the sound of the gunshot when his head was being savagely thrusted back by his hair and felt the cold unforgiving steel of a blade gliding into his flesh.
Killian screamed in fury, his fist around the man's hair as he jerked him toward him and drove his cutlass through his chest. With a fearsome and dangerous scowl, he pushed the blade in further, propelling the steel until it was visible from the other side.
He tossed his head back, groaning with satisfaction as the intoxicating coppery scent of blood filled his lungs. His mouth parted, his chest thrumming as his cock twitched in his leather trousers. The mixture of the testosterone pumping in his system and his body's lust for blood and vengeance creating a longing and demand for more.
Her eyes widened in horror as she watched the expression of sheer power and sexual desire that only the taking of a life provided him with. Her hand flew to her mouth and she trembled where she laid, unable to take her eyes off the flood of raw unadulterated pleasure in his eyes.
Even underneath the dried blood on his face she could see his unsated hunger and unquenched thirst for flesh. She couldn't tear her eyes away from him even if she wanted to. The gruesome display was drawing her in, caging her in with the temptation it held.
She watched, transfixed as he rubbed himself against the man, delighting in the way he coughed and sputtered for life. Killian breathed him in — his eyes wild and untamed — completely unhinged as he reveled in the last tremors of life that left the man's body. It was deranged and savage to behold — she didn't know whether to be disgusted or turned on by his brute force. After the rush of what she had just experienced for herself, she imagined it was a little of both.
"Killian…" She whispered horsely, drawing his attention. Her chest heaved with every breath she took as she gazed up at him with a questionable range of emotions.
Killian tilted his head slowly at the sound of her voice, a look so cold and heartless it chilled her to her bone. His face faltered as he took in her state, concern immediately crossing his features. He snarled as he slowly dragged the blade out of the man and tugged him backward until he landed on his back away from him.
Killian stood for a moment, his eyes trained on the ceiling as he breathed sharply. He dropped his cutlass, the metal scattering to the ground beside him before falling to his knees before her. Scooting himself toward her, he reached for her cautiously, his hands trembling with fear accompanied by range as he surveyed her sympathetically.
He caught her eyes with his, his distraught gaze piercing hers as he lowered his hands to her bloody chest, carefully inspecting her for injury. His palms patted her, pressing and prodding for any sign of a wound. He was frantic and thorough in his search as he tried to curb his anger.
"Killian…" She tried to reach him — to break him from his obsession. "Killian…" She said more forcefully this time, her voice cutting through his haze of self-loathing and dire need to protect her. "Killian, Killian. Look at me." She demanded softly.
His head snapped up, and she took in his disheveled appearance — his hair was sticking up in odd angles and it looked like it was being held together by blood rather than a pomade. She swallowed as she searched his face, which was smeared with a mixture of blood and sweat. His breathing was coming out in short breathy pants — there was something dark simmering just below the surface just begging to be released.
"I'm fine." She told him. "I'm fine."
He sighed in relief, his shoulders sagging at her words. His hand immediately went to her face, stroking the soft skin of her cheek as his hand glided through the blood. He lowered his head to hers, pressing his forehead against hers. Sweat dripped from his lips as he opened his mouth in silent scream, his face wrinkling in anger.
Killian swung his leg around, settling himself between her legs. She looked at him, bewildered and unsettled by his sudden reaction. Straddling her, he hoisted himself up onto his knees and gripped the hem of his shirt and began to slide it over his body.
She gasped, her eyes widening at the realization of his intention to rid himself of the torture of his bloodlust and divest himself of his demons by laying with her. She raked her eyes over his well-muscled chest, inhaling sharply, watching his sweaty muscles flex as he pulled his shirt over his head and discarded it.
She reached out to him with a trembling hand, needing to feel his skin underneath her fingertips, craving the contact she desperately desired. Her skin felt like it was on fire, itching for his touch to make the pain of the day's events disappear — but that wasn't his intent.
No — he needed to quell his demons and sate his raging libedo governed by his bloodlust and his dependence for vengeance. That much was certain to her as he seized her hands and thrust them above her head. But Gods, she would be lying to herself if she didn't need it just as badly as he did — the consuming rush he had described to her rearing its ugly head and threatening to corrupt her.
*START OF BLOODY SEX SCENE*
She swallowed hard, her eyes fluttering shut as he curled his fingers around the hem of her shirt and gliding it across her heated skin. His fingertips skimmed her curves leaving a trail of blood in their wake. She could feel the rough scrape of his fingernails against her skin, gently tickling her as she arched her back at the sensation.
His thumb caressed the rounded flesh of her breast eliciting a whimper from her lips. He stopped when the material met her neck and he growled in annoyance — his patience wavering. Killian reached for his boot and pulled a concealed dagger from it.
She caught the flint of the sharp steel in his hand, her eyes widening as she squirmed expectantly underneath him.
He captured her wrists, sealing his grip on them with one hand as a low snarl escaped his lips. "Stay still." He rasped his instruction, lowering the small blade against her flesh, teasing it across the skin just above her breasts. He taunted her, running the cold steel against her flesh.
Emma inhaled sharply as he trailed the blade against her, watching with hooded eyes as his eyes narrowed in concentration.
He drew the blade toward her throat, dragging the blunt end down the valley of her breasts until it reached the opening of her shirt. He flipped the dagger over and lined the sharpened edge and made a small incision, the material ripping underneath it, the material surrendering to his will.
Abandoning his grip on her wrists, he brought his hand to her shoulder to hold her steady as he slid it through her shirt. The cotton shredded underneath the sharpness of the blade. He could feel her body tense underneath him as he reached the end of the shirt, the blade dragging against her navel.
She gasped in relief as the material split open, hanging limply at her sides. The dagger fell beside her — still kept in arms reach should he need to use it. That's when she realized that they could be interrupted at any moment — the battle was still waging above them and the door had been destroyed — hell, they were still surrounded by dead bodies. This was absolutely insane, she thought to herself.
"Killian…" She opened her mouth to speak but was cut off when he shushed her.
"Shhhhh." He pressed his finger to his lips as he thrusted himself against her. He made quick work of the laces that secured the leather pants to her body, plucking at them with a practiced ease. His fingertips ghosted the skin sitting just above her pubic mound and then tucked his hands into the opening of her pants to shimmy them down her hips.
Emma instinctively rose, tilting her pelvis up to aid him in his efforts of ridding her of the last article of clothing that obstructed her from view. She hummed as his fingertips caressed her skin as he used the heels of his palms to drag the rest of the leather down her legs until it pooled at her feet.
He curled his fingers at her pant legs and tugged it until she was finally free. He rose his hand, moving it up her body then lowering it to her neck. His bloody hand delicately stroked the column of her neck, trailing his bloody fingertips across her creamy skin as she shivered underneath his touch.
His fingers danced over her skin, dragging the blood across the length of her body until he settled his hand at the apex of her thighs and cupped her in his hand.
She gasped, something heady and forbidden about his choice of bloodsport.
He rubbed the heel of his palm against her clit, groaning as he watched skin flush and delighted in the sounds that left her lips. Killian dragged a single finger through her dripping folds, coating his finger in her essence and mingling it with the blood of his enemies.
The sight of her most intimate flesh bathed in the blood of his victims was more than he could stand. He could feel himself throbbing with impatience, his entire body tingling with the need to possess and claim what was rightfully his — the woman wriggling beneath him that was responsible for his current state of mind. He retreated his finger, the loss of contact causing her to groan in frustration.
Killian scrambled to his knees, holding himself strong and erect above her as his hands worked the laces of his leather pants free. His movements were confident and proud, rushed yet purposeful. He wore a crazed expression, his eyes barbarous and lecherous as he stared down at her with a sinister leer. If looks could kill, she would be spent in a pool of her own blood.
He pushed the material down to his knees before gathering himself to his feet to remove the rest of his clothing. Gripping her legs, he tugged her body across the floor until he was sitting between her splayed thighs, his swollen cock straining against his abs.
Emma let out a yelp of surprise, her arms limp over her head as they dragged through the puddle of blood beneath her. With pupils blown wide, she watched eagerly as he took himself in his hand and began to pump himself into his fist. He fucked himself with languid strokes, his bloody hand tugging himself in earnest as he tilted his head back in pleasure.
With a hand wrapped around his cock, he crawled toward her, settling himself between her legs and guided himself to her entrance. Killian hovered over her, his heated gaze boring into hers as he sank himself inside of her without warning, burying himself in her tight wet heat in a single thrust.
He released fural howl, the muscles constricting in his back as he began to thrust vigorously, setting a brutal pace inside her. He seized her by the back of her knee, his bloody handprints leaving a blueprint of his touch against her silky skin, and hitched it over his lower back.
She cried out, back arching at the new angle it created. She angled her thrusts, fucking back against him as she wrapped her arms around him. She heard him hiss violently as she raked her bloody fingernails against his back.
Killian seethed, grabbing her wrists roughly and thrust them over her head, holding them in place with a firm grasp as he pounded into her. His strokes inside of her were cruel, the drag of his cock inside of her bruising. He held her leg against him as he snapped his hips mercilessly, the sounds of wet skin slapping filling the room around them.
There was no give — only take. He rutted against her, his movements punishing and unyielding inside her. His body thrummed with need as he took her, his skin buzzing with every pass of his cock inside of her. He fucked her with unrestrained thirst, her helpless whimpers only fueling the fire raging inside of him.
He looked at the woman beneath him, her once angelic face painted in a deep crimson. She was a vision — a sculpture of violence and passion. Her walls squeezed around him drawing a torturous moan from his lips. He grinded against her voraciously, his thumb gliding against her lips, rubbing blood on her chin as she nipped at his finger.
His movements against her were frenzied. He fucked her without remorse, taking what he needed from her and giving nothing in return. He groaned, his knees slipping in the blood underneath him as he fucked in and out of her, his body crying out for its recompense.
She felt his hand at the column of her neck, his fingers caressing her throat, applying the barest amount of pressure. Her eyes snapped open to see him glaring down at her with dangerous eyes and his jaw clenched as he pumped in and out of her. Her eyes watered as he stroked her neck, decorating her skin with another man's blood.
He was unreachable, far too gone to make sense of the world around him. "Fuck." He groaned, propelling himself forward into her welcoming heat, her walls rippling around him and dragging him down into the abyss. Feeling his balls clench with his impending release, he sped his thrusts, driving himself inside of her vivaciously — not letting up until the violent demon inside him was satisfied.
Emma thrashed below him, a bloody grasp around his wrist as he used her for his pleasure. She tried to fight back against the intense pressure coiling inside of her, her body a slave to its desires. She had no say in the matter, her body accepting his retribution despite how much it terrified her. But perhaps that is what made it so much more tempting — the bridge between pleasure and pain bending her to its will that she has no choice but to succumb to it.
"Killian!" She cried, handing herself over to him implicitly, her body gripping him and holding him inside of her as she came hard — her body convulsing, her sticky toes curling in mind numbing pleasure. She offered herself up as a sacrifice — a lamb to the slaughter of his body and beckoned him to take what he needed from her.
He released a horse scream, his body staking its claim on her, ravaging her as he plunged in and out. He rocked forward with a grunt, his orgasm crashing over him violently. He emptied himself inside of her, transfering all of his aggression to her willing body, using it as a vessel for the corrupt thoughts in his head, which were fueled by his insatiable bloodthirst.
She bucked against him encouragingly, urging him to stake his claim over her and make her his until his body was sated. She whimpered as he pulled himself out of her, feeling his seed drip warm and sticky down her thighs.
Locking his arms underneath her legs, he lowered himself to the ground before her. He looked her over with a torturous hunger, his mouth salivating from the sight of him leaking from her core. Her inner thighs were smeared with dried blood and she couldn't have looked more desirable. Something inside him snapped, his possessiveness taking over and he hauled her against his mouth and greedily began sipping from her.
Emma cried out at his mouth latched onto her clit, her bent legs slipping in the crimson liquid beneath her. She grinded against his mouth, her fingers threading in his hair, pushing herself against the unrelenting drag of his tongue. She had to bit down on her lip to keep from screaming as he groaned against her wet flesh, the sound reverberating against her sex.
She watched with hazy awareness as he indulged himself. She could feel the delirious feel of his stubble against her thighs as he fucked her with his mouth. Tears rolled hotly down her cheeks at the intensity of the sensations he was making against her. She was trembling against him as his tongue lashed vigorously against her core to drain her of every last agonizing drop.
He lapped at her arousal, swallowing it eagerly down his throat and getting drunk off their mingling tastes. He slipped a finger inside of her, impatiently collecting the moisture to feed it into his waiting mouth.
She wriggled against his face, smearing herself across his lips as he devoured her. She threw her head back in ecstasy as she fucked his mouth, riding his face with abandon. She thrust his head against her cunt, burying his tongue inside of her as he pumped his fingers in and out of her.
He slurped her down with fervor, savoring her with a covetous growl when the sound of bodies clamoring against the broken door reached his ears. A possessive growl tore through his throat, something insidious and dangerous in nature — a warning to whoever dared to interrupt him.
His hand curled around his dagger and he licked a long languid stripe against her cunt before raising his head slowly from between her legs. He curled his lip as he snarled, regarding his unwelcomed audience with contempt.
Their mouths were agape at the sight of their captain between the princess' thighs, his mouth and chin erotically splotched with her wetness. Smee wore a look of shock on his face as he pushed the men behind him to block their view of him in such a precarious and compromising position.
Emma's hand drifted from his head and moved it to clamp over her mouth as she looked at them in horror.
"The next person to take a single step forward will have the pleasure of my blade in his chest." Killian threatened, sneering at the members of his crew gawking at them from the door.
"My apologies, captain." His first mate stuttered, his voice cutting through the silence. "I just wanted to let you know it's over."
Killian clenched his jaw and he glared at him with a murderous intent. "Get. The. Fuck. Out!" He screamed in fury.
Smee's eyes widened at the threat and he immediately began to usher the men away from the door. They were practically tripping over themselves in their attempt to escape their captain's wrath.
Killian unceremoniously sunk back down between her legs as the sounds of their footsteps drifted from existence. He took up his previous attentions with a renewed sense of purpose, his desire to coax another orgasm from her body his singular driving force for existing.
He buried two fingers inside her tight wet heat, twisting them toward himself to stroke the place inside of her that would send her over the edge.
She felt him circle his tongue around her clit and her eyes rolled back into her head as he feasted on the swollen flesh at the apex of her thighs. She thrust herself into his mouth, her body crying out for release from his worshipful attentions.
"Come for me." He commanded, his skin whispering against her sensitive wet flesh. His mouth closed around her clit, sucking it into his mouth as he fucked her with his fingers. He felt her clench around his fingers, her body hugging his intrusion, drawing him in as her orgasm washed over her.
Emma screamed as wave after wave of pleasure rolled through her. She was absolutely glorious as she wantonly rocked against his fingers, taking her gratification from him until she was deliciously and blissfully spent.
*END OF BLOODY SEX SCENE*
After cleaning themselves up, Killian laid Emma, who was drained and exhausted from the events of the day, down to rest on the bed. He could sense the internal conflict waging inside her and she would need to recuperate if she was going to confront it when she woke.
Killian dispatched several members of his crew to see to the mess in his cabin. They took the clothing to launder, scrubbed the blood on the floors, and removed the dead bodies. Above deck, his men were tending to the same. When he arrived, several bodies were being hauled over the ship to their final resting places.
"How is she?" Madden asked as he came to stand beside him as Killian surveyed the men scrubbing the deck — the blood, diluted with water and soap running in a crimson river underneath their feet.
"She's fine. A little shaken up but she will be okay." Killian told him, not taking his eyes off the ship right in front of him. Killian tilted his head, regarding the ship curiously as if trying to speak to it telepathically.
"You know…" Madden placed himself against the ship, his arms resting against the railing as he addressed his captain. "There were quite a few men rattled when they left your quarters earlier." He alluded, keeping his voice low.
"Tread carefully." Killian tilted his head toward the man.
"They spared me the sordid details, but quite a few of them got a good look at the princess' body." He relayed, trying to keep his voice devoid of emotion so as to not anger him further. It was his job to report any murmurings onboard the ship and he took his job very seriously.
Killian growled in warning, his face as cold as ice at the fact that members of his crew were walking away with images of her and spreading it around the ship.
"Do you think it wise to be bedding the prize?" Madden met his gaze with the utmost seriousness. "I don't think the royals would look too kindly on you when they find out she's not intact."
"Well it's a little late for that now, isn't it?" Killian clenched his jaw in challenge. "So I fail to see your point." He scowled.
"Deflowered by a pirate." He shook his head at the thought as he rested himself against the edge of the ship.
"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that." Killian crossed his arms over his chest.
"I'm just worried is all." Madden concluded. "After what the men witnessed, they are concerned as well. We have a lot riding on this and if this isn't seen through to the end, they might… retaliate. This might plant the idea that you aren't a fit captain." He alleged.
"They can challenge me if they have the votes, but if they are still left breathing after remains to be seen." Killian stated like a promise. "And I don't see why my exploits are just cause for alarm. And you can tell them that anything that happens in my bed is none of their concern. Unless they would like me to return the favor—"
"I think we both would agree that that won't be necessary. They value their privacy." Madden told him plainly.
"As do I." He barked, his eyes narrowing.
"They fear that you've grown attached." Madden acknowledged. "They need to be sure that their near brush with death just now wasn't for not." He urged. "They need to know that you are still their leader."
"Bloody hell." Killian rolled his eyes in annoyance and rubbed his temples. "Smee!" He called for his first mate, who was at his side as quickly as his name left his mouth.
"Sir?" He inquired.
"The damage to the ship will need repairing. We will need to stop at the nearest port town to mend it." Killian told him relentingly.
"I don't understand—"
"Listen very carefully." Killian directed, his patience wearing thin. "When we reach port, I need you to arrange for the men to be serviced." He put emphasis on the last word that left his mouth.
"Oh." The man blushed, his face growing hot.
"See to it that their needs are met." Killian pulled out a leather purse and pushed it into the smaller man's chest.
Smee opened his mouth to speak but was immediately dismissed when Killian gestured to the ship still floating beside them, signaling his quartermaster to follow him.
Madden followed him closely as they crossed the plank bridging the two ships and jumped down, landing on the deck. They witnessed several men carrying ammunition, weapons, food, and casks of meade while his boatswain shouted his orders to move them on to the Jolly.
Killian curled his fingers toward Madden, urging him to lean in closer so he could assess the current state of things. "What have you found so far?"
"We've been pouring over the logs and the ledgers, but we haven't stumbled upon anything as to how they tracked us or how they even knew of the cargo." Madden relayed. "My guess is that they followed us out of port and if they knew what we had onboard and why, it isn't difficult to figure out our heading." He reasoned.
"That doesn't explain why we weren't able to see them until it was too late." Killian asserted with bared teeth.
"I don't know." Madden shook his head in dismay.
"Keep digging." Killian commanded. Killian walked past his quartermaster without further exchange and made his way to his boatswain to get an understanding for the haul they were carrying.
"I didn't find anything out of the ordinary, I'm afraid. They were equipped with everything you'd expect to find on a ship such as this." Bradley stated, waving his hand in reference to the vessel they stood on.
"I expect the ledgers to be updated by the time we leave." Killian ordered, wagging his finger at him. "You've done well." He patted him on the back as he turned his attention to what lay below deck.
Killian placed his hand as he ducked through the narrow opening leading into the bowels of the ship and slowly descended the stairs. He stopped at the last step, a hand on the railing as he took in the large stockpile of cannon balls lining the passageway. He bulked at the sight of it and ran his fingers through his hair, stunned by the sight. They had been heavily armed and prepared to take on an entire fleet let alone a pirate ship such as theirs.
"What were they doing with this much ammunition?" Killian wondered as he crept through the corridor, his eyes darting from left to right as he saw the large cannons stationed at their wooden portholes.
Not only had the ship been well stocked with heavy artillery — it was transporting several crewmen. The ledger had indicated that the ship bore near 250 men. They were grossly outnumbered but still managed to put them out of commission. By pure rational thought, they should have been shark bait.
Killian shoved his way through the hallway and descended the stairs below to see the living quarters, the gallery, several storerooms, and at the end of the passage was the captain's quarters. He spent time ducking into each room to see what it held, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
He trudged down the length of the ship, avoiding the low hanging beams until he reached the open door to the captain's cabin. He glanced inward before crossing over the threshold. There were papers littered across the floor while several men hovered over the desk while they combed through the captain's journals.
"Captain." They halted what they were doing to acknowledge his presence.
"As you were." Killian nodded as he began to slowly traverse the room.
It was far larger than his own. Its captain had most likely preferred the grandeur of his captaincy and used his power to his advantage. Any captain worth his salt would bend over backwards to share his wealth with his crew in fear of them turning on him. Killian crept up to the massive windows looking out over the ocean and sighed longingly. It was quite the view.
There was nothing modest about the space. The bed was generous to say the least. It was large, carved out in expensive mahogany and covered with the richest of satin's. It was rather garish for his own tastes, but he could respect a man with such lavish tastes. It had all the trappings you would come to expect from captain's quarters, but there were certain things that were certainly eye-catching and bewildering.
During his inspection he found a chest of jewels, freshwater pearls, and a few gold bars — all of which would be joining him. But there was something disarming about the possession of such treasures. These weren't ordinary treasures — this was payment.
"Any one who dares pilfer anything from this cabin will be flogged within an inch of his life. Do I make myself clear?" Killian threatened, his voice shrill and authoritative.
"Aye, captain." They responded in agreement.
"You!" Killian called over one of the men and gestured with his arm to come over to him.
The man gulped as he slowly closed the distance between the desk and his captain, afraid to look him directly in the eye. "Yes, sir?"
"I need you take this to Mr. Randell." Killian instructed, digging his finger into the wooden chest. "You are to only put it in his hands, is that understood?"
"Yes, sir." He nodded his head fervently in reply before he was shoved toward the chest and lifted the heavy box into his arms.
The treasure chest might provide him with some much needed insight as to what their plan was and if nothing was gained from their search, at least they would have something valuable to fund the remainder of their journey, pay for the damage to the ship, and give a handsome bonus to his men.
Killian scanned the bookshelf, reading the titles in his head when his eyes locked with a peculiar yet familiar object resting in the corner of the books lining the window seal. He didn't know how he could have missed it before — it was the most out of place item in the room.
He walked over to it, eyes it intently as he cocked his head to the side. He plucked the stuffed toy off the shelf and brought it to eye level, looking it over precariously. It was a worn out stuffed bear — its innards unevenly distributed, leaving bits of it without. Everything down to the ratty faded patchwork to the missing eye — this was Emma's teddy — the one he saw in the tower when he rescued her.
But how the bloody hell did it get here?
"Captain?" His quartermaster interrupted him.
Killian turned his head to look at him, his face betraying his thoughts.
Madden looked at him then trailed his vision to land on the object clutched in his hand. "What is it?" Madden shuffled forward and came to stand off to his shoulder.
"What does it bloody look like?" Killian pointed out the obvious.
"It appears to be a children's toy. Seems a little out of place here, don't you think?" Madden observed. "Do you think he had children?"
"No." Killian answered stoically. "This belonged to her." He told him, tossing it slightly in his hand to bring it forward for him to see. "It was in the tower when I rescued her…"
"Then… how—" The man seemed mystified by the find.
"That's what I would like to know." Killian replied as he caught a whiff of an unusual scent embedded in its matted fur. He brought it to his nose, tilting his head curiously as he inhaled deeply.
It vaguely smelled of her but there was also something else he didn't quite recognize. He flared his nostrils, taking a few shallow passes with his nose to try and verify the scent. It was familiar — he had smelled it before… what—
His eyes widened, suddenly aware of what it smelled of.
"What? What is it?" Madden's face creased with worry.
He lifted his head, lowering the stuffed animal and turned to his quartermaster. "It's magic." He proclaimed assuredly. "It's imbued with magic."
"For what?" Madden wondered, lifting a curious brow.
"I haven't the faintest idea." Killian shook his head apprehensively as he tugged at the fraying ends of the bear.
They ransacked every corner of the ship before leaving it dead in the water. It had taken them nearly three days to reach the nearest port town once they departed — but they made it without much issue and prevented further damage to the ship.
"Hi darling. It's time to wake up." Killian sat beside her on the bed, rubbing soothing circles on her back to get her attention.
She moaned and shifted restlessly on the bed. "Are we there?" She groaned sleepily.
Killian laughed at the sound of her voice — full of reluctance and misery from being interrupted. "We arrived near an hour ago. Why don't you get dressed and we will head into town." He suggested with a gentle pat before rising from the bed.
"We're going into town?" She shot up in question, wrapping herself up in the sheets. Her hair was sticking up in impossible directions — she had been tossing in turning listlessly for days on end.
"Well I can't very well leave you here while the ship is being maintenanced, can I?" He provided with a slight cant of his head.
Emma's face flushed with excitement at the thought of getting off the ship and she jumped up at the thought of it.
"Don't get too excited now." He cautioned from over his shoulder while placing his waist coat over his shoulders to prepare for the night ahead. "I still can't have you walking out and about where you can be seen." He spun around, still slipping the buttons into the respective holes. He watched her face fall in disappointment and he cursed himself for having upset her once again. "We will find an inn to stay in during the duration of our stay. The repairs shouldn't take more than a couple of days. We will be back in the water before you know it."
"An inn?" She bulked. "An inn that you are going to stash me away in again?" She pouted, her shoulders sagging with betrayal.
"I know you aren't fond of the idea. But I'm going to do everything necessary to keep you safe." He reasoned with her.
She bowed her head, tugging her lower lip between her teeth and nodded her head. "Okay." She agreed.
It took them several hours to deboard the ship given their recent haul they had brought with them — the most important of them being the treasure trove of jewels and gold that they planned to sell while in port. The jewels hadn't come up with much in the way of valuable insight, save for a small insignia etched into the gold bars, which they kept for themselves — just until they could ascertain its importance. In addition to the gold bars, he had managed to nab the strand of freshwater pearls for himself.
They ended up declaring several valuable items that would be unloaded and brought to the mainland for trade — everything from barrels of rum to all the gunpowder they had collected from the enemy ship. It was far more than what they could part with — they would be stocked for a good year or more. With everything combined, it would fetch a handsome price.
He sent his boatswain to see to the bartering and selling of their loot with the instructions that he was to return to aid him in the rationing and budgeting of their earnings. His sailing master was tasked with trying to track down the insignia on the gold bars, but to keep his business hush hush. The last thing he needed was questions — just their presence in town was enough to set his teeth on edge. It was far too risky but it was necessary to provide the men a much needed reprieve and reward them for their efforts, and at the same time have the ship repaired.
Smee had gone ahead of them to arrange a generous array of women at the brothel in town to be on call to manage his crew's carnal needs and set up a tab at the local tavern for the men to indulge themselves in until they were too inhibited to walk.
Killian managed to conceal Emma in a throng of his crewmen as they marched down the docks and headed into town. The men were placed under strict orders to keep their mouths shut as to their purpose in town and any man that defied them would be drawn and quartered at his pleasure.
While the others dispersed, Killian led Emma to the inn and covertly snuck her in after securing a room before departing the ship.
Emma plopped onto the bed with an exasperated groan, her body bouncing slightly as she folded her hands across her chest. "What am I supposed to do while you are down there carrying on with drunken sailors and prostitutes?" She pouted.
"Do I detect jealousy?" He recognized with an eyebrow raised in amusement. Killian bowed his head as he closed the distance between himself and the bed. He sat next to her, covering her hand with his own. "This isn't ideal, I know." He apologized. "I will try and make it up to you as best I can." He offered.
"You can't just bring me things to sate my boredom, you know?" She looked everywhere except his face as she spoke.
"I'm aware." He sighed. "For a princess, you certainly aren't very materialistic." He observed with rapt fascination for the enigma that was Princess Emma.
"Well I'm not your average princess." She afforded him a small teasing smile.
"You don't have to convince me. I don't know too many a lass that would kill a man by stabbing him in the neck." He grinned smugly.
She twisted her face in a mixture of shame and disgust. "Can we stop bringing that up? Just the thought makes me nauseous."
"It didn't seem to bother you when I was fucking you in the blood you spilled." He taunted, swiping his thumb over his lip. "I can still hear your voice begging me for more and I can still envision your face broken with pleasure as you writhed beneath me." He crooned sensually. "Admit it. You loved it."
Her breath hitched at the sound of his words, the memories flashing behind her eyes. "I will never admit to such a thing." She swallowed.
Killian got up suddenly, her eyes following his disconcerting movements as he placed his hands on the edge of the mattress and glowered over her. "You my dear princess… are a terrible liar."
"Pirate." She spat in accusal.
"Pirate I may be. But it's this pirate's cock you yearn for when you close your eyes at night." He smirked deviantly. "Tell me, can you still feel me penetrating you — your body welcoming me and molding to fit around me? It's called muscle memory, darling."
She gaped at him, unable to form a biting retort.
"That's right." He smiled cockily. "Stop denying what your body craves and just indulge its insistent desires."
"And what does my body need?" She asked humorously.
"It needs to be filled — worshipped — sated — drained of all of its needs until you are empty once more." He proposed, his voice dripping with lust.
"Does it?" The sound of her breathing quickened as she strained her head to meet his. She bent her head against his, pressing her forehead against him. Her lips ghosted over his, giving chase as he struggled to meet hers.
"Aye." He whispered against her mouth, his tone low and husky.
She baited him with her kiss, reveling in his growls of frustration. "Not tonight it doesn't." She smiled, pleased by her ability to completely unnerve the fearsome pirate captain. She pulled away from him, enjoying his torturous expression, his mouth sagging in shock at the fact she had managed to best him.
"You are a cruel lass." He loomed over her, his chest puffed out in aggravation at having been denied. "Two can play at that game and I assure you I don't lose often. Enjoy purgatory darling." He hissed, dragging himself away and leaving the room with a flourish.
He made it almost to the bottom of the stairs before he was met with boisterous cheers, applause, and whistles from his crew in the pub. Killian, never the humble man, greeted them with a slight bow and flashed them a smug smile. "You all are far too kind." He placed his hand over his heart, playing the part of the fiendishly captivating pirate captain they knew him to be, being sure to lay it on thick as per his quartermaster's insistence.
Madden met him on the steps, a tumblr of rum in hand, silently inclining him to take it. The young quartermaster extended his leg on one of the stairs, the other resting on the bottom floor as he leaned in encouragingly.
"To the most loyal crew a filthy pirate captain could ask for!" He raised his drink.
"To Captain Jones!" One man saluted and the rest of them followed suit, raising their beverages in honor of their captain's recent triumph on the high seas.
Killian gestured to them with his glass, peering at his crew scattered about the tavern below before lifting his drink and downing it in one gulp. He closed his eyes as it burned his throat, the amber colored liquid soothing his nerves and preparing him for an evening of debauchery. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve and flung the cup to the ground, the men screaming his praise around him.
With a hand stilled on the railing, he twisted himself to his quartermaster and leaned forward to allow the man to give his criticism. "Well I think that went well." Killian stated.
"It is going to take more than a toast and a couple of whores to win back their favor." Madden said gravely.
"What would you have me do? Fuck a tavern wench in the middle of the establishment?" He gritted his teeth.
"Well…" Madden tilted his head at the suggestion.
"I'm not bloody fucking a wench in front of my crew!" He exclaimed, his eyebrows knitted together in anger.
"It would certainly send a message." He acknowledged. "They already fear you. You just need to win back their trust."
"Fine." He relented, his hand gliding against the railing of the stairs as he staggered the rest of the way down the staircase. "Come on boys, we are celebrating!" Killian proclaimed in encouragement.
Killian engaged with his crew merrily, taking part in a few rounds of dice while conversing with them animatedly. The drinks were flowing, empty glasses and spilling liquor covering the tables along with half eaten plates of food. He watched a few men stumble into the pub, fresh from their time at the whorehouse with satisfied looks on their faces.
"They seem to be enjoying themselves." Madden leaned over the table to report to his captain.
"Smee did well." Killian agreed, sitting back and grabbing the nearly empty bottle of rum in front of him. He screwed the lid off and flicked it against the table before pouring himself another generous glass.
"To Captain Jones!" Madden tossed him a look as he raised his glass.
"Captain Jones!" The men cried, slamming their fists on the table.
Killian tilted his tumblr toward his quartermaster and then tipped it down his throat before throwing his empty glass on the table. "That's just cause for another round. What do you say boys?" Killian insisted gleefully, his head buzzing from the alcohol he had consumed.
The men in the pub cheered, pumping their fists in the air in agreement.
"Fuck." Smee closed his eyes, cursing his fragile memory. "I almost forgot." He pushed his palm into his face. "The men appreciate you taking such attentive care of us, that we chipped in and got you something… or should I say someone…" He drifted over to a woman in the distance, stalking in the shadows of the tavern.
"The madam assured me that she was the best they had. Paid top dollar for her too so you better show her a good time." Smee hollered so that everyone could hear. "I've also been told that she is quite good with her mouth… so enjoy." Smee patted his captain's back in excitement.
Killian slouched, shielding his eyes as he shot Madden a grievous look. The silent exchange led to Madden responding with a look of obligation. Killian's face creased in frustration as he closed his eyes, mentally berating himself for his predicament.
The woman sauntered over to him with bedroom eyes, her hips swaying seductively as she approached him. He tempered his emotions, swallowing them down along with another glass of rum and tried to sound pleased with their thoughtful gift.
The man howled, striking the table with their glasses in encouragement while others whistled lewdly.
"You have my thanks, gentleman." He forced a cocky grin to his face as he stood up and swung his leg over the bench. The woman regarded him with a heated stare as she grabbed his hand and began to lead him out of the tavern. "I shall come back with my recommendations tomorrow, that's if she can still walk after I'm through with her."
His crew cackled in delight as their captain passed them, meeting their faces with a lustful grin, nodding to them with his chin.
A man glared at his back, pursing his lips in distaste as he sipped leisurely at his drink. "Like he even needs it." He grumbled.
"What is that supposed to mean?" The man across from him asked.
"You know exactly what it means." He scoffed. "Leaving us with this leftover trash while he gets the cream of the crop. It's not fair." He huffed. "Isn't enough that he's had his fill with the royal cunt." He downed the rest of his drink and slapped it onto the table with an audible thunk.
"You know the word is that he's been bedding her long before she reached the ship. Lucky bastard." His companion agreed.
"I heard that she practically begs him to fuck her." Another man chimed, a crude smile splitting his face. "Have you seen her?" He asked suggestively.
"No. Have you?" The man next to him replied.
He bowed his head, shaking it from side to side. "Oy! Martin!" He shouted, calling the man sitting at the opposite table to them.
Martin turned around in annoyance. "What?" He demanded.
"You were there weren't you?" One man asked with a lick of his lips. "When ya found the captain between the princess' legs. How was she?" He laughed as the man behind him tugged him on the shoulder.
"I didn't get much of a look at her." Martin shook his head in disappointment.
"Well what did you see?" He asked with rapt excitement.
"Beautiful blonde curls… green eyes…" He described. "And her breasts…" His eyes rolled back into his head and he had to bite down on his fist to stifle a moan. "It must be nice to be the captain. I wouldn't mind dining on royal pussy every night."
"Come on boys, let's go get something wet to sink our cocks into." One of the men announced, standing up on wobbly feet and seizing a bottle of rum off the table and finishing its contents before smashing it onto the floor.
The men sitting in the corner watched them leave, following their movements until the door to the tavern shut behind them. He looked over to the man sitting across from him, rubbing his hand together symbolizing his greed.
His partner nodded his head in accord and finished off his drink before leaving their payment on the table and headed up quietly to the rooms situated above.
Once safely out of the establishment, he guided her down the stone pathway until they were out of sight. "Here." He produced a small purse and handed it to her.
"What's this for?" She held up the small velvet bag in confusion.
"Your silence." Killian told her dryly. "If anyone asks, I fucked your greedy little cunt so hard that you lost consciousness. Are we in agreement?" He asked for confirmation.
She rolled her eyes in frustration and not being able to be fucked by the handsome pirate, but nodded her head regardless.
"That's a good girl. Now, go." He gestured down the pathway that led to the brothel.
In the room at the inn Emma was sound asleep, her breathing even and peaceful in the throes of her slumber. Quiet footsteps filled the darkness and her eyes fell open at the sound. She woke suddenly to the flickering of the lantern above her, the shadow of an unknown face staring back at her.
She opened her mouth to scream but a hand covered her mouth. Her eyes widened in fear, her cries for help going unheard as the hand captured the sound. She thrashed against the hand of her intruder, fighting him off and kicking at the bedding to alert someone.
The light closed in on her and she felt something blunt and heavy against her head. Her vision blurred, the room spinning before her world went black.
Killian had made himself scarce, choosing to avoid prying eyes that would question why he was alone in the streets with a flask of rum in his hand rather than entertaining the woman they had generously provided for him.
He scratched his head, contemplating how he was going to slip back into the inn without being seen. Emma would be waiting for him — no doubt wondering where he had been and what he had been up to.
He smiled longingly at the thought of being greeted by her with a hoard of probing questions. She was quite endearing when she wanted to be — even the things that annoyed him the most were starting to grow on him.
He could have easily taken that woman to his bed, but there was something about not wanting to see the look of hurt and betrayal on Emma's face when he returned to her the next morning. No, he had promised that he wouldn't take another as long as she was with him, and he was going to stay good on that promise. It wasn't like he needed another — he was quite satisfied with the one he had waiting for him.
She had shoved her way into his life and much to his chagrin he was actually starting to enjoy her company just as much as he enjoyed being between her thighs. She was slowly becoming more than a fuck to him and the thought scared him to death. He didn't need the distraction. And right now that was all she was to him — a beautiful distraction — one that he couldn't afford at the moment.
His lips trembled against the mouth of his flask and tipped it back, taking a swig before lowering it to his knee.
He was broken from his train of thought when Smee nearly came crashing into him, his hands on his knees as he gasped for breath. "Smee?" He inquired.
"Captain…" He wheezed. "We have a problem."
"What? What is it?" He placed the flask back into his innermost pocket and stood up, glowering down at him. He was becoming more agitated with every passing second that the man didn't speak. "Answer me damn you!" He fisted the man's shirt and hauled him up to his feet.
The man blinked as he trembled in fear. "It's the princess, sir." Smee winced.
Killian growled, lifting him off the ground, his feet dangling in the air as he was pushed flush against his face.
"She's gone." Smee closed his eyes, turning away from him to avoid his captain's redress.
"No." Killian staggered back, dropping the man onto the ground. He felt his heart constrict in his chest, an aching throb radiating down his body.
Killian bolted to the tavern and threw the door open, capturing the attention of everyone in the room who bulked at his sudden reappearance. "Get the fuck out of here." Killian warned, gritting his teeth. "Now!" He screamed. The word had barely left his mouth when bodies began to hurriedly shuffle out of their seats.
Killian glared murderously at his quartermaster, who sat still at a now vacant table in the center of the tavern. He pulled out his revolver, hoisting it against his shoulder as he rushed over to the man.
Killian threw himself over the table like a mad man and gripped the man in front of him by the collar and pulled him toward him. Killian tilted his head to the side as he looked the man over in spite, cocking his pistol and digging it into his forehead. "Give me one good reason why I shouldn't slaughter you, right here and right now." He demanded, snarling viciously.
"You. You were supposed to be looking out for her and you failed!" Killian roared as he shoved the contents of the table in a fit of rage.
Madden jolted in surprise at the display, the sound of a silver tray still clattering against the floor until it fell silent.
"The only thing keeping you alive right now is your ability to integrate the crew. Do what needs to be done and I might spare your life." Killian threatened, seething in anger as he retracted the barrel of his gun from the man's head. "Beat it out of them if you have to!"
"Yes, captain." Madden swallowed, squeezing his fist on top of the table to dispel his treacherous actions against his captain.
"The rest of you swine…" He addressed the lingering members of his crew. "Tear this bloody place apart." Killian kicked a chair over and the men before him flinched in terror. "I want answers or someone is going to die tonight!"
AN- That was a lot to take in. I know and it is actually somewhat a filler chapter of sorts and also got lazy toward the end. I wrote for like two days straight and it is probably super sloppy so forgive me. Hopefully you guys weren't too grossed out by the bloody sex scene. I realized that it was probably a lot bloodier than what I described but I exercised restraint. I am trying like hell to finish this fic before I go back to school in the fall so I'm trying to put it out as fast as I can. I don't want to let it linger or I will never fucking finish it. So support and encouragement is nice. See you guys next time!