AN- The struggle to focus my mind to write this chapter was torture. My ADHD has been killing me these last few days as I try to change my sleep schedule in preparation for the start of school next week. But here, have this chapter that I decided to split because it was getting too long and there was a logical place to cut it.
Dashing Pirate Rescue
Chapter Fifteen
The steady sound of the horse's hooves on the pavement filled the air around them. Its heavy footfalls clacking against the cobblestone causing the woman dozing against him to stir in his chest. She whined into his chest, her warm breath sending a slight shiver down his body. Gripping the reins in his hands, his arms wrapped around her sleeping body as he guided the horse down the path, he leaned into her golden hair and whispered, "We're here."
Emma blinked rapidly, the afternoon sun that was slowing starting to set overhead burning her eyes. She peered up at him with tired eyes, which were shining with childlike innocence to see him cluck his tongue against his teeth to urge the horse further.
She wiped her eyes, groaning in irritation at having to wake in that moment. Sure, she was anxious to finally be reunited with her parents, but the child in her womb was draining the life out of her. Her body no longer belonged to her — it was now a vessel for the life growing inside her.
"Sorry to wake you." He whispered into the top of her head, breathing in the scent of her hair that was uniquely all Emma. "I thought you might like to see for yourself."
"See what?" She wondered, bright-eyed.
"Look around." He nodded forward with his chin, guiding her line of sight to align with his own.
Poking her head out from the safety and comfort of his leather encased body, she stared in wonder. Never had she seen a more breathtaking sight. The snow covered mountain ranges overlooking the castle were spectacular to behold. Below was a large lake protecting the castle with its towering walls and borders. It was connected by a long cobblestone bridge that welcomed its guests to the grounds.
"Welcome home, your majesty." He exhaled longingly, his breath heavy in his chest.
She let out a gasp as she looked over her shoulder to see the guardsman glaring behind them at the opposite side of the bridge where they had just entered from. "Wha—"
"Just pretend like they aren't here." He gritted his teeth in annoyance at having to mention their unwelcome nuisance of a presence. Killian wrapped a covetous and protective arm around her waist and held her closely to his body like an animal marking its mate with its scent.
"Have they been here the whole time?" She asked hesitantly, her mouth slightly agape as she contemplated what they might have witnessed between them.
"In a manner of speaking — yes." He answered, doing nothing to settle her raging nerves.
"Does that mean—" She gulped, unable to even finish her sentence as her stomach lurched forward at the thought that they may have seen them together in a most intimate position.
"If they value their lives then they would have wisely kept their distance." He hissed at the thought that they might have intruded on such a private moment between them. "I swear on my honor as a pirate that if I find out anything to the contrary, I will divest them of all thought and memory for the foreseeable future." He vowed with a ruthless smirk.
"Since when do pirates have honor?" She piped up curiously, a hint of amusement in her voice.
Killian shook his head in exasperation, keeping his eyes trained on the bridge before them. "I threaten to brutally dismember those that caught even the faintest glimpse of what is mine, and you are focused on the 'honor' part?"
"I was under the distinct impression that there was no honor amongst thieves." She brought up the common saying that she had often read in the pages of one of her books.
"There isn't." He acknowledged truthfully. "However, there is honor when it comes to pirates and their treasure."
All of the words died in her mouth, his words bringing her spiraling back down and doing well to ground her. Closing her mouth, she trained her eyes to the archway leading into the main yard of the castle. They passed through it silently, nothing save the sounds of the horse against the rock and Killian's steady breathing filling the void between them.
Emma's eyes widened as they pulled up in front of the grand entrance of the castle with its tall impending wooden doors and the guards flanking it that barred their admittance. They were jolted back as Killian pulled the reins hard, the horse bucking in impatience as the man that commanded it sneered aggressively at the men lined up before them.
"I'm going to assume there was a lapse in communication and believe that you are unaware of the agreement that was made… so please allow me to jog your memory." Killian scoffed smugly, rolling his head in mild agitation while taking the enticing challenge in stride.
She was aghast as he brazenly pulled his side arm from its place on his belt and stroked his thumb over the trigger as he caressed the barrel against her temple. "Killian…" She stammered uncomfortably, her heart thundering in his chest due to the sudden threat.
"Now would you care to stand back or shall we see if royal's bleed the same as you and I?" He taunted coldly, a sinister grin on his lips as he stroked the cool unforgiving metal of his revolver against her forehead like a scorned lover.
"Do as he says." She yelped, wriggling against him as he pressed his prominent erection into the crease of her ass.
Killian opened his mouth, awestruck by the tenacity in her voice. "Quite amenable, isn't she, lads?" He seized her by the chin, tugging her slightly as he presented her to the men. "Just so agreeable and obedient…" He licked his lips salaciously.
"Do as he says." One of the guards called out, directing the assembly to drop their weapons and stand down. They loosened their grip on their bayonets, placing them in an 'at ease' position as they slowly parted away from the entrance.
The horse whimpered, shaking its head while trotting in place. Killian nodded his head in approval, dragging his trusty revolver from her head and tucked it back into his belt. Releasing the young royal feigning fright, he urged her forward to give himself enough room to dismount the horse. He swung his leg across the horse, the leather encasing his legs stretching tightly as he maneuvered himself to the ground.
He whirled around with a dramatic flourish, his leather duster fanning out around him and positioned himself against the side of the horse. He met her anxious eyes with his confident ones, his blue eyes seeping into her green ones to reassure her. "You alright, lass?" He asked gently, his voice dropping down into a low whisper.
Sucking her lower lip between her teeth, she nodded her reply as her blonde curls whipped around her face. Using the pummel of the horse for support, she slid back until her back hit the seat with a slight grunt.
Killian softened his expression and extended his hand out for her to take, which she apprehensively accepted. He coaxed her to hoist her leg over the saddle until she sat at its edge. Leaning forward, he placed his hands at her waist and lifted her from the saddle and onto her feet.
She stumbled forward slightly but was held steady by a pair of strong familiar hands at her shoulders. She looked up at him gratefully, smiling sheepishly for his support.
"Ready?" He lifted his eyebrow in question.
"No." She croaked. "But who could be?"
"It's just like the tower before. I will be here to catch you should you fall." He reminded her sincerely, dragging his hands down from her shoulders before offering her his elbow.
Threading her arm through his, she tugged herself into his side leading her toward the entrance. She relaxed at the feel of his warm touch covering her trembling hand and sighed shakily.
"I've got you." He tapped her knuckle softly as they took a few careful steps toward the staircase ahead. "Make yourselves useful and unpack the horse." Killian ordered from over his shoulder as he gingerly helped her up the steps.
Emma jolted, her eyes widening as the doors creaked and swung open for them to step inside. Once over the threshold, they were greeted by a lanky man dressed in a formal uniform. His presence immediately put Killian on guard and his hand closed around the hilt of his sword.
The man bowed gracefully, an arm against his lower back and another on his lower chest. "My apologies, your highness." He acknowledged politely. "My name is Jasper. I am the head of the household and I was sent by his majesty, King David to escort you both to the throne room."
Killian exhaled in annoyance with a slight roll of his eyes at the pomp and circumstance to which the royal family was catered to. "If you insist." He offered with a thin smile.
"Right this way." Jasper spun around on his heel and began leading them down the lengthy corridor lined by a grandiose burgundy rag extending the entire hallway.
They followed a few paces behind their tour guide while their eyes darted about the hallway, taking in the numerous pieces of art and sculptures decorating it. Emma placed her head into the crook of his neck as they walked, her body trembling with uncertainty against his leather skin.
"You're going to be alright." He whispered into her hair encouragingly as they closed the distance between themselves and another pair of doors stretching up toward the ceiling. His eyes narrowed curiously as the man in front of them placed both of his hands on the handles and pushed the doors open to usher them inside.
Releasing a timid breath at the appearance of her parents sitting upon their thrones at the opposite side of the room, she pressed on until they finally came into view. The first thing she heard was a gasp from her mother followed by a faint sob.
David shifted, reaching for his wife's hand to clasp in his own as they steadily approached them. He raised her knuckles to his lips and placed a single kiss to the top of her hand supportively.
Killian tore his eyes off the royals sitting on their thrones, momentarily taking note of the armed guards that stood nearby. He eyed them intently, his lips pressed into a thin line in opposition to their presence.
Snow withdrew her hand from her husband's, flinging herself from her seat and lifting her skirts as she descended the stairs to meet her daughter — the daughter she hadn't set her eyes upon since that day seven years ago. "Emma!" She cried out, her skirts brushing against the carpeting as she launched herself toward them.
Emma's eyes widened with trepidation at the woman rushing toward her and she looked toward Killian for encouragement. Her forehead wrinkles at his stern expression, his blue eyes cast out toward her parents expectantly but the subtle brush of his thumb against the top of her hand soothes her.
He slowly loosened his grip on her, his limbs disentangling from hers to push her toward her mother.
Snow threw herself into Emma's arms, her own wrapping her protectively into her embrace as she cried into her daughter's shoulder. "Emma. Oh, my baby." She placed her hand at the back of her head, rocking Emma in her arms.
Emma wore a bewildered expression, clearly unsettled and uncomfortable by the display — she couldn't have felt more distant from her loving parents. She looked toward Killian longingly, a sharp breath catching in her throat as her eyes began to water.
David turned his attention away from his newly reunited wife and daughter, staring menacingly at the pirate that had surrendered her back into their arms.
Killian stood off to the side, holding the other man's hard stare as he tilted his head as if trying to read his mind.
David inhaled raggedly, nodding toward the pirate with his chin to signal one of his guards.
Emma noticed the exchange and immediately panicked. She separated herself from her mother just as a blade was placed against Killian's throat. Her hands flew to her mouth at the sight of his cruel and uncompromising smirk — one that had sent many a man to an early grave. She could see the cogs turning in his head in contemplation, his hands twitching at his sides ready to retaliate.
"Papa, no!" Emma shrieked in terror — fearful that her parents would witness the bloodthirsty pirate she had spent the last few months with.
Killian bit down on his lower jaw, swinging his elbow into his attacker's chest to knock him backward. With a swift knee to the gut, the man doubled over and dropped his sword, which Killian collected in his hand before it hit the ground. Turning his palm upright and lowering his chin, he positioned the tip of the blade to the neck of the disarmed man on his knees in front of him. He glowered over him, a slight chuckle on his lips as he curved the blade inward.
"Killian, don't!" She exclaimed, drawing the attention of her parents.
David looked between the pirate and their daughter, their eyes shifting from side to side in silent appraisal. Snow stood by dubiously, watching on as her daughter flew to the pirate's side to urge him to release the man.
Flaring his nostrils, he regarded the cowering man before him with discontent when he felt her presence at his side.
"Killian, please." She begged, gazing up at him with worry as she placed a shaky palm on the thickest part of the sword to lower it.
Killian snapped his head in her direction, seething in anger at the disruption. "Let it go, Emma." He growled in warning.
"No. Not until you back down." She refused with determination. "Look at me." She reached out for him, silently pleading for him to lower the weapon. "I'm not going to let my parent's first impression of you be the one of the murderous pirate covered in the blood you spilled in their throne room… so release him." She demanded, her eyes darting to the man cowering for his life.
"As you wish." He relented with a low and dangerous rasp while slowly removing the sword away from his victim.
Emma breathed out a sigh of relief, her shoulders sagging as the sword clambored noisely to the ground next to them.
Using the bottom of his foot, he pushed his boot into the man's chest, sending him backward. Gathering the leather lining his inner thigh, he crouched down in front of the man. "If this is your greatest defense, I have little hope for the future security of this so-called stronghold…" He remarked, flashing his teeth to further antagonize the sovereign.
"And why should I take advice from a pirate?" David spat furiously, his arm crossed over his body to reach for his own sword strapped to his hips.
Placing his wrists on his legs for support, he slowly stood back on to his feet and turned around to face the king. "Such spiteful words coming from the man that abandoned his daughter." He clicked his tongue against his teeth as he sauntered to the right while speaking. "This pirate did what you couldn't and rescued your discarded spawn at my own peril. And so far my tenacity for protecting her with my life has been treated with nothing but discontent."
"Killian—" Emma hissed in warning to tread carefully so as to not anger her father further.
"Your blatant lack of hospitality leaves little to be desired… your highness." Killian bowed dramatically, a teasing grin playing at his lips.
"Emma, is this true?" Snow interjected, her skirts swishing as she moved over toward her daughter to confront her and her disgruntled rescuer.
Emma gave him a bittersweet smile, her face drooping slightly as she answered, "It's true. Killian risked his life to rescue me from the tower and has been nothing but accommodating and considerate since." She turned to face her father, challenging his authority. "Without him I wouldn't be standing here… I trust him with my life."
Killian snapped his head toward her father, a hand tucked into his belt as he smirked smuggly. "You heard the lass." He flung his hand in the air in agreement.
"Well then we are grateful and indebted to you for her safe return." Snow acknowledged sweetly, rubbing her daughter's hair. "Right, David?" She hissed at his stubbornness.
David scoffed and rolled his eyes before swallowing his pride to thank the man responsible for having his daughter back. "We appreciate your chivalry and bravery—"
"Captain." Killian finished for him. "Captain Killian Jones of the Jolly Roger." He introduced himself, his arms spread out dramatically.
"Captain Jones." David gritted out as he descended the stairs to meet his wife and daughter. David walked in front of the pirate, snarling lowly as he came to stand before his family.
"Emma…" He murmured softly, extending his arms to take each cheek in his hand. He gazed upon her with a tearful smile, regarding her with awe. "Look at you." He inhaled in disbelief. "You've grown so much... you're so beautiful." He pulled her face to his shoulder and wrapped his arms around her.
Snow sighed contentedly as she joined their embrace. "You found us." She wept, brushing her daughter's long locks.
"I really do hate to break up this little reunion but my crew is quite anxious to get back out to sea and I believe there is still the matter of my reward to settle." Killian interrupted, disregarding the uncomfortable display of emotion.
David frowned and loosened his grip on his family to turn toward the pirate. He moved his mouth to speak when he was stopped by Snow's hand on his chest. "David, they've been traveling for quite some time now, why don't we let them recuperate and we will discuss this at dinner?" She suggested.
"With all due respect my lady I can't—"
"Nonsense. I insist." Snow expressed warmly. "Jasper will see you to your quarters and you can freshen up." She nodded toward the man lingering off to the far right side of them. "Come on sweetheart." Snow grabbed Emma by the shoulders and escorted her toward a set of doors on the right.
Emma opened her mouth to protest and exchanged looks with Killian as she was ushered past him.
David stepped forward toward Killian, narrowing his eyes in skepticism. "Jasper, why don't you show our guest to his rooms?" David tilted his head, his lips pursed in distaste. "I'm watching you pirate." He growled threateningly.
"Your majesty." Killian retorted with a charming smile, which he held as the king passed in front of him.
Her overly excited mother led her down a long hallway where at the end stood a room behind a set of dark green painted doors. Reaching around, she grasped the handle and pushed open one of the doors to reveal a bedroom befitting a mature princess. "After you." She couldn't contain the smile that spread across her face as she gestured Emma inside with her arm.
Glancing at her mother one last time, she stepped into the room until she stood in the center of it. Emma circled around the room, her eyes darting from left to right in order to take everything in. It resembled that of her former nursery located in the highest point of their castle — yet different.
There were no toys or trinkets from her childhood — anything from her previous life really, which was to be expected given her family's hasty exit to the palace they now stood in. She smiled sheepishly as she walked about the room, noticing the slight draft emanating from the open window, which brushed the gossamer curtains from their place.
Sitting below the window was a dressing table with a large vanity and a blue crushed velvet upholstered stool tucked underneath it. On top of the table was a porcelain jewelry box with gold accents that when opened doubled as a small music box and contained some of the most precious family jewels for her to wear.
It stood opposite a large mahogany wardrobe with a generous selection of dresses that had her longing for her leather breeches. On the far wall was a large bookcase, which housed several novels that she adored from her childhood — replacements for the ones she had left behind.
Next to it was a much smaller chest of drawers with numerous undergarments, including stockings, chemises, and corsets. At the center of the room was a large mahogany four-post canopy bed with several pillows at the head of the bed and adorned with a white comforter with gold leaflets. Lastly, there was an adjoining door off to the back of the room leading out into the bathing quarters, which she was positive she would make use of.
"I hope it's to your liking. We've redecorated it every year since—" Snow couldn't bring herself to finish her thought, choking on the memory.
"It's great mother." Emma assured her softly, running her palm along the silky bedspread with her hand wrapped around one of the bed's columns.
"I'm glad." Snow sighed in relief. "We've taken the liberty of bringing in your things. They are in there." She directed her to the door to the bath. "I'm sure you'll find everything is there."
"Thank you." Emma chriped her reply, not meeting Snow's face as she placed her palm against the feather mattress to test its structural integrity.
"Emma, we are just both so glad that you are home." Snow told her, reaching out an arm only to retract it when she noticed that her words were falling on deaf ears. "You know you must be tired from your journey." She acknowledged, wiping her hands on her skirts. "Allow me to fetch your chambermaid to draw you a bath."
"That would be nice." Emma smiled wistfully.
Several minutes later Emma found herself wrapped in a silk dressing robe laying on a chaise lounge while watching the chambermaid fill the tub with warm water.
"My lady?" The woman captured her attention from the porcelain tub. "Do you mind testing the water to tell me if it is too hot?"
Emma gave her a small polite smile and swung her legs off the lounge. She crossed in front of the chaise and sank to her knees next to the tub to run her hand through the water. She studied her reflection staring back at her in the tub and noted the dark circles under her eyes.
"I didn't want to make it too warm because—" She spoke, her eyes drifting to the other woman's stomach.
Emma clutched the material to her body protectively and frowned. "Please don't tell anyone." She murmured, tilting her head to the ground below shamefully.
"Your secret is safe with me, your majesty. Every woman, royal or not, is entitled to a secret."
"Thank you." Emma sniffled at the woman's kindness.
"Come now. Let's get you in the tub and I will go through the wardrobe to find something that will cover you nicely." She prompted her to stand to her feet and helped her remove her robe before leading her into the tub.
She moaned presently as her body was submerged into the water's warm embrace. Leaning back against the back of the tub, she rolled her head to the side while the water worked her sore muscles. She sighed longingly as her mind drifted to Killian, wondering what he was up to at that very moment as she cradled her belly.
Blue eyes fluttered underneath the water, his vision hazy as the water rippled at the surface. The colors above him blurred together from the steam rising up from the depths of the tub. Dark hair floated out around him and he closed his eyes from the glow of the chandelier overhead.
He was simply content to just let the large tub swallow him whole — it would be easy and painless to surrender himself to its hold. The grim thought left his mind just as quickly as it had entered it and he emerged from the water with a gasp.
Water rolled off his body in unique shapeless patterns while he pushed the soaked curtain of his hair off his face. He sighed languidly, soaking in the heat wafting from the tub as he scrubbed his hand down his face and stroked the dark stubble lining his jaw.
Bending his arm at the elbow, he placed his fist against the side of his head, propping himself up against the edge of the tub while the other lounged along the other side. He bowed his head slightly, staring absentmindedly into the water below, watching dauntingly as his charms hovered on the surface of the water before sinking back down.
Groaning solemnly, he shifted into the tub's embrace and leaned his head back, placing his neck over the edge with a long drawn out sigh. The water continued to dribble down his body creating a glistening sheen of moisture across his skin and the hair across his chest matted to his flesh while he bathed.
He couldn't even remember the last time he had indulged himself in an honest bath. Instead, he always settled for a casual soak in a tavern or bathhouse. He's even gone as far as to take a leisurely swim in the ocean or a lake to wash the sweat, grime, and blood off his skin. While other times he resolved himself to rub himself down with a clean cloth and a wash basin.
Inhaling deeply, filling his lungs with clean air, he drifted off to the foggy mirror sitting off to the corner of the room. Half the time he couldn't even recall what he looked like except for the times he caught a glimpse of himself in the water before diluting it crimson from the blood caked on his face as he washed it off.
He scraped his fingernails against his beard, enjoying the chaif it created against his fingers, the metal of his rings wrapped tightly around them slipping across his jaw from the water dripping from his face.
The last thing he wanted to do right now was waste his time in a tub when he could be collecting his reward and heading out to rejoin his crew on the Jolly. The longer he spent at the castle, the more it tempted him to rethink his position on Emma and his unborn child — his child. The idea that there was a life growing inside her still perturbed him to no end. He was no father — and that was what kept him stable and motivated to finish what he needed to do here.
He had barely registered the life that was beginning to take shape in her womb — had ignored the child as it had grown over the last several weeks. To acknowledge it would be to accept it and that wasn't something he was willing or capable of doing. He just hoped for his sake that he could escape relatively unscathed from the wrath of her father if he were to discover her condition.
He stayed in the water until his skin began to prune and some of the water had evaporated from the tub. It had gone cold around him, subjecting him to its unforgiving temperature and causing him to shiver. Bringing his hand to his face, he inspected the rivets in the pads of his fingers, noticing the way the lines stretched over his calloused fingertips.
He lingered for a few minutes longer before gripping the edge of the tub and hoisting himself out of the water with a slight grunt, the water sloshing around him as he moved. Once standing, Killian stretched over to the stool nearby and collected the towel laid out for him and dragged it over to him. He patted his body dry and ran it over his face before stepping the rest of the way out and padded off to the adjoining bedroom.
He wrapped the towel around his waist as he stepped into the room and ruffled his hair with his fingers to shake out some of the excess moisture beading his dark locks.
The room was far too extravagant for his liking. It made him feel trapped, like the walls were closing in on him. He felt vulnerable being in accommodations that could fit his preferred meager lodgings on the ship three times over. There was really no need for all of this space and its existence just seemed rather excessive and unnecessary.
He maneuvered himself over to the enormous bed centered at the very heart of the spacious room. The bed had four posts made from the finest walnut wood and bore scarlet red bedding flowing out from the feather mattress. Cringing in distaste, he viewed the garments laid out for him on the edge of the bed that the chambermaid had laid for him to wear this evening.
The ensemble consisted of dark brown breeches, a billowing white cotton blouse with a ruffled hem at the cuffs and a low neckline, and a regal looking red velvet doublet with interesting patterns and gold seaming. It was hideous and the brown color was ill-suited to his tastes and coloring. If he was going to have to join them for dinner this evening — he certainly wasn't going in this.
Killian tilted his head in appraisal, his hand roamed over the doublet with keen interest. With a firm grip on the edge of his towel to hold it on his hips, he strode over to his personal arsenal. He looked them over and seized the small blade he kept in his boot and flipped it in his hand.
This would do nicely.
Nearly two hours later, dinner was served in the formal dining room where Snow and David waited for their daughter and — the pirate. David paced the room with agitation, his fist against his lips.
"David, stop." Snow snapped at him. "You're going to burn a hole through the floor if you keep that up. What has you so on edge anyway?" She placed her hand on her hip as she questioned the reason for his distress.
"It's that damned pirate." David grumbled, flinging his hand in the air. "From the first moment I laid my eyes on him… I don't trust him, Snow. The guard told me he threatened to kill our daughter…"
"David…" She shuffled over to him. "Emma said she trusts him and I trust her. So if he's as honorable as she says he is, we should listen." Snow said as a voice of reason.
"There is something about him—" He protested with a shake of his head. "He's a pirate, Snow. Pirate's are—"
"I'm well aware, David." She acknowledged dismissively. "But pirate or not, we are in his debt."
"Mom… Dad…" They heard the meek voice of their daughter come from behind them. They whirled around to face her and David's heart skipped a beat at the sight of her.
Emma smiled bashfully, the color rising in her cheeks as she nervously awaited their response. Her lady's maid had managed to find her a suitable dress to wear for the occasion that did well to conceal her ever expanding stomach.
She was dressed in a floor length pale pink chiffon dress with a high waistline and ruched bodice, ruched capped sleeves, and a pale pink bow synched below her bust. It was pure and demure — the very vision of a dutiful and chaste princess.
"You look beautiful, Emma." Snow smiled brightly in approval as she closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around her daughter.
"Oh." Emma gave an uneasy smile as she awkwardly returned her mother's embrace. "Um… is Killian here yet?" She slowly pulled away from the older woman and searched the surrounding area only to come up empty.
"He is—" Snow started to speak when she was interrupted by a cocky masculine voice.
"Is here." Killian finished as he strode into the dining room.
Emma whirled around at the sound of his voice, her mouth slightly agape at how handsome he appeared in his royal attire. How they had managed to find something that fit both his body and personality on such short notice was commendable.
"What have you done to my doublet?" David gestured over to the pirate that stood in front of them adjusting his sleeves.
The red velvet doublet had been converted into a vest and the laces had been pried out the closure so it hung limply on his chest giving everyone around them an ample view of his chest hair. He had forewent the brown trousers for his own black leather ones and exaggerated the neckline of the white billowing blouse sitting underneath the redone doublet.
"I hope you don't mind but I made a few slight modifications." Killian turned his nose up in a conceited gesture that only angered the older man further.
"Actually, I do mind." David spat. "Look at it, it's completely ruined!" He exclaimed shrilly.
Emma looked at him pointedly and shuffled over to him. "Are you trying to put my father into an early grave?" She muttered into his ear. "Can we just try to get through the evening without you two going at each other's throats?"
"I can try for your sake, love, but I make no guarantees." He replied flippantly with a shrug of his shoulders.
"I happen to think he looks rather dashing." Snow remarked kindly.
"Thank you, milady." Killian thanked her with a saucy wink, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Watch it, pirate." David scolded aggressively.
"Shall we settle in for supper?" Snow suggested, attempting to cut through the thick tension in the air between the competing masculine energies.
"That's a good idea." Emma agreed, trying to remain positive in the face of the display of toxic masculinity in the room. She rounded the table and Killian followed her to pull out her seat — a gesture that stunned her into silence.
"Love?" He offered, taking her hand in his to help her into her chair. She accepted wordlessly and settled into her chair while he pushed it in until she was comfortably situated at the table.
"Captain Jones, why don't you take a seat next to Emma." Snow gestured to the seat across the large dining room table as she took her own seat next to her husband.
"With pleasure madam." He answered with a seductive smile and placed himself in the seat next to their daughter's.
They sat around the table while the first course of the meal was served and ate in an uncomfortable silence. Snow was the first one to break the silence when she asked Killian how he had become a pirate.
"Mother!" Emma chided.
"That's quite alright." Killian dabbed his lips with his napkin with one hand while tapping the top of Emma's hand assuredly with the other. "I'm afraid it is a tale of death and woe. All of which might not be a proper dinner conversation."
"My apologies." Snow nodded her head in understanding.
The servers removed their first course from in front of them and placed the second in front of them, which consisted of a few thinly sliced pieces of cheese and grapes. Killian looked at his plate in mild aggravation. He had endured nearly half an hour at the table with nothing but a few bites of fruit and warm broth to line his stomach with.
He watched as the server refilled his goblet with wine and he breathed out a sigh of relief knowing that he could occupy his unfilled body with wine in the absence of food. Once filled, he brought to his lips and tipped his head back to down the beverage. He brought the goblet back down onto the table with an undignified thunk and motioned the drink attendant for another.
David glowered at him from across the table, flaring his nostrils at the ill-mannered display.
Killian's ears perked up at the sound of a loud rumble emanating from the woman sitting beside him. He leaned in toward her, dropping his worried voice lowly to see what was the matter. "You alright there, love?"
Fidgeting impatiently in her chair, she captured his hand in hers and slowly brought it subtly down into her lap before placing it over her stomach. "Hungry."
His brow furrowed in understanding at the realization that she had hardly eaten that day. Killian tapped her hand in acknowledgement and slowly brought it back up to crook his fingers toward him, calling over one of the servers.
"Yes, sir?" The man responded to his request.
Twisting in his seat to face the man, he rubbed his fingers together expectantly. "The lady is famished. Please tell the kitchen staff to send out a loaf of bread and more of whatever the bloody hell this was…" He gestured to the empty plate in front of him.
"Sir, the next course should be out in half an hour or so…" The young man replied.
Killian growled lowly, seizing the man by the collar to drag him in closer to him. He smirked at the man's response, reveling in the way his eyes widened in fear as he trembled cowardly in his hold. "Are we going to have a problem?"
The man shook his head fervently and he was soon released, stumbling backward. The server nearly tripped over himself in a rush to get back to the kitchen to fulfill the request.
"Is everything alright?" Snow asked intently after witnessing the tense exchange.
"Simple misunderstanding is all." Killian provided, waving his hand dismissively while his eyes were fixed on the doors to make sure they returned with the food he had sent him for.
Nearly three minutes later they were interrupted by the same man from earlier shaking, a silver tray lined with a fresh loaf of bread, honey, jam, and fruit. He approached the table cautiously and set it in front of the princess.
Killian met his eyes coldly and dragged his drink to his lips and downing the remnants. "Is this suitable?" He asked, looking down at the small feast in front of her.
She mouthed her thanks and speared a piece of melon on her fork before bringing it to her lips with a moan of satisfaction.
"What's all this?" David questioned in offense, leaning back into his chair.
"Our travels seemed to have taken a lot of her and she needed immediate sustenance." Killian answered quickly, without skipping a beat.
"The main course should be arriving shortly…" David retorted with a raised eyebrow.
"Well it wasn't quick enough, mate." Killian grumbled, reaching out to grip his sharp dinner knife on the table in front of him.
"That's very kind, Killian." Snow offered, glaring over at her husband. "Thank you for taking such good care of our little girl."
"She isn't so little anymore, your majesty." Killian defended.
"Of course. She's grown into such a capable and beautiful young woman — with quite the appetite it appears." Snow noticed uneasily.
"I'm sorry—" Emma managed between bites.
"It is my fault entirely, milady." Killian accepted the blame much to the princess' surprise. "We were in quite the rush to depart that we didn't eat before we left. I'm merely accounting for my mistake."
The evening carried on with boring dinner conversation that faded in and out of Emma's ears as she shoved food into her mouth ravenously until barely anything remained — and just in time for the main course.
Letting out an exasperated sigh, mentally steeling himself for whatever fresh hell waited for him when they lifted the lid on the platter before him. The dish was a small serving of cornish hen with roasted potatoes and asparagus. This wasn't a meal — this was an ill-conceived jest at his expense. How was anyone expected to survive on a few bites of food?
"Here." Emma offered, pushing her plate toward him with her elbow.
"Lass—"
"I've had my fill. Please, let me return the favor." She pleaded with him.
"Keep speaking like that and I won't be hungry for food much longer." He
"I will need something far more satisfying to sustain my appetite.
She flushed brightly at the double meaning of his words and clenched her legs together to hold in the rush of moisture that gathered between her thighs spawned by the heady sound of his voice. She had to bite her lower lip to keep from audibly moaning as his hand caressed her leg, bunching the material of her dress.
Killian continued to eat, tracing his hot palm over her inner thigh and giving it a firm squeeze and she had to stifle a soft whimper with her hand. He cocked an eyebrow in amusement and reached for his goblet or wine and took a generous sip.
"I would love to hear more about your travels since rescuing her from the tower…" Snow prompted the next topic of conversation.
"The details are rather boring, really." Killian swallowed what little he had in his mouth down his throat as he teasingly stroked her leg, working her up into a tizzy with the contact. "I'm sure Emma could regale you of her woes at sea…"
"Emma?" Snow directed her attention to the princess shifting uncomfortably in her seat at the pirate's wandering hand shoving the material of her dress up her thighs to give him access to the heat scorching between her legs.
"Ah." She swallowed the moan that began to break through her parted lips. "It was interesting…" She croaked as his fingers slid against her trembling thigh, edging ever so close to where she craved his touch most.
The material of her dress was bunched at her hip and she arched her back, spreading her legs further to invite him in. She curled her hands around the table and wriggled in her seat impatiently at the sensation of his fingertips ghosting over her wet flesh. "The ship took a bit of getting used to…" She offered hoarsely.
"She just had to get her sea legs." He smiled impishly, parting her with his finger and sweeping it with a feather light touch that had her fisting the edge of the table. "Behind that demure royal persona beats the heart of a true pirate." Killian licked his lips decatantly, adding to the suggestive tone of his voice.
"She is stubborn…" He admired, brushing his thumb gingerly against her clit. "Outspoken…" Killian punctuated every heated syllable with a sensuous caress. "And so very impetuous." He husked, teasing her entrance with his finger with the barest amount of pressure possible.
Her hand disappeared underneath the table, prying him away from her and scooted backward in her chair, the wood skidding against the floor. "May I be excused?" She breathed out, bringing her hand to her hammering heartbeat to calm it.
"Of course." Snow looked over toward David, her eyebrows knitting in concern. "Is everything alright?"
"Yes, just tired is all…" She flung herself out of her chair, nearly knocking it over in her haste to leave the table.
Snow bulked at her departure, her long lashes fluttering at her daughter's perplexing behavior. She jumped slightly at the sound of the door closing behind Emma upon her brisk exit. "What was that all about?" Snow directed her question toward the pirate across from her.
"I haven't the slightest idea, your majesty." He replied coyly as he scratched behind his ear. "But I ought to go check on her… make sure it alright." He offered, lifting himself from his chair. "If you'll excuse me, your highnesses."
"Yes, please." Snow allowed. "Go."
Rounding the table, well aware of the piercing gaze of her father's eyes on him as he moved, Killian stalked toward the door, his thumb brushing the dip between his top lip in his nose to inhale her scent.
Once out of the dining room, Killian tracked her by her dainty footsteps moving toward her intended destination. He watched entranced, an engaging grin splitting his face at the sight of her hand wrapped around the corner as she turned — a bread crumb he had every intention of following. If it was a game she wanted, it was a game she would get and he hardly played fair.
Breaking out into a slight sprint, he wiped his mouth on his sleeve as he gave chase to the wanton princess, who was just begging for his attention. He came to a screeching halt at the end of the hallway, his eyes shifting to either side of him when he heard the distinct sound of a door slamming shut to his left.
His lips curled into a deviant smile and made his way toward the door. Reaching it, he placed his palm against the door, his other hand curling around the handle and pushing down to make it give way.
He poked his head in and then snapped his head back into the hallway to make sure no one had noticed before stepping fully inside. "Come out. Come out. Wherever you are, love." He taunted roguishly, looking around the room for any sign of his wayward princess.
She was playing with fire selecting a room such as the one he found himself in. The walls were lined with thick wooden shelves housing a number of books on them and in the very center was a desk crafted from a glossy maple. It was a room for a singular purpose and belonged to someone very specific — her father.
He proceeded with quiet and cautious footsteps but his attention was pulled to behind him at the sound of the door slamming shut. "It isn't wise to sneak up on a pirate, love." He murmured huskily, turning around slowly to see her with her spine pressed against the door wearing a naughty smirk on her lips.
"I'll take my chances." She drew out every letter as she stalked toward him to stand before him, a challenging expression behind her darkened green eyes.
"Minx." He hissed, wrapping his arm around her back to pull her into his lips. Massaging her lips with his, he canted his head while his fingers stroked her lower back. He angled his mouth, driving her further into his heated kiss.
She moaned into his mouth, her arms stretching around his shoulders while her fingernails raked against his neck. His kiss was impassioned, a sense of longing in every feverish brush of his lips against her own. Desire flowed into her mouth like an unspoken promise, stirring something so intoxicating inside of her that she could barely breathe from wanting him so much.
"Killian… please." She cried against his kiss bruised lips.
Her prayer was answered when he reluctantly detracted himself from her lips as his hands wound themselves around her waist to hoist her off the ground. Placing her forehead against his, she locked eyes with his as he walked them over to the desk.
Smirking rakishly, he lowered her down onto the desk and positioned her at the edge of it until her feet hung limply over it. Placing her palms flat against the wood behind her for purchase, she arched herself off the desk, beckoning him to sate her overwhelming need for him.
Without missing a beat or breaking eye contact, he sank to his knees in front of her. His hand slipped past the barrier of pink chiffon, skimming her ankle and gliding up her leg appreciatively. "What should we do about this silly little dress?" He drawled, brushing his nose against the material.
Killian grinned devilishly and raised a peculiar eyebrow as he produced the dagger he had concealed in his boot. Twirling it expertly in his hand, he stood to his feet and dragged the blade down the length of her dress, his hand steady in his approach.
"You have a strong aversion to clothing, don't you?" She noticed, rolling her head to the side as she parted her legs further for her own amusement.
He groaned and teased the sharp point of the dagger to the place he intended to cut into. "Darling you have no idea." He pulled the dress a safe distance away from her body and made an incision.
"You see, I'm a very impatient man and I don't have time for obstructions that keep me from what I want…" He alluded, the heady lilt of his lustful voice sending shivers of desire up her spine. There was a sharp tear as he dragged the blade down her skirt, leaving a large gaping hole in his wake.
Grabbing the hilt of his dagger, he flipped it around in a single flourish and buried it in the desk beside her, splintering the wood and leaving a deep gash as a proclamation and reminder of his conquest.
"I'm a very impatient man and I don't have time for obstructions that keep me from what I want." He rasped hungerly, placing a hand on either side of the torn fabric. "And right now it is your glorious taste on my tongue I desire…" He asserted boldly, his silver tongue dripping with pure unadulterated lust.
Fisting his hands into the ruined skirt, he peeled back the layers of the fabric and parted it to give himself an ample view of the delicate flesh that had tormented him with its existence. Sweeping his hand over her chest, his touch roaming over the length of her body, he slowly placed himself onto his knees to worship at her altar.
Emma wriggled against the desk, pushing her pelvis off the desk eagerly.
He clasped his hand around her lower leg, coaxing it over his shoulder to set up his place setting. Scooting closer to the apex of her thighs, he appraised the moisture leaking from her molten core, her arousal coating her inner thighs. "While I didn't entirely object to the food placed in front of me this evening… I would have much rather dined on your lovely cunt."
Sucking in a breath, he dipped his thumb down the center, parting her to his needy gaze. He looked possessed, deranged even with his pupils blown wide at the sight of how disgustingly wet she was for him. "Just look at you… so wanton and needy… slipping and sliding on daddy's desk. I wonder if he will be able to smell your potent desire or how long it will linger… What would he think if he knew that I defiled his precious daughter on this very desk?"
"Please…" She whined desperately, rutting against the desk helplessly for his mercy.
Peering up at her with lascivious eyes, he slowly attached his lips to her aching flesh. Using his fingers, he held her quivering lips apart granting him access to his sustenance. He drew his tongue across the length of her sex, bathing her in his saliva — the mingled tastes exploding on his tastebuds.
She bucked into his mouth, pushing herself aggressively in his lips as she buried her nails into his scalp. Her mouth parted on a broken sob, feeding him with a steady roll of her hips as he pulled the moisture from her body.
He lavished her with his tongue, her flavor with sinfully seductive on his lips. Driving his tongue inside of her, he circled her opening to coax the succulent desire down his burning throat. Closing his mouth around her throbbing sex, he suckled ravenously. He was like a man obsessed, gorging himself on her taste as his palms brushed against her inner thighs to accept more of her into his greedy mouth.
He growled, something devilish and covetous reverberating against her wet flesh while he fucked her with his tongue. Once satisfied, he moved up her cunt, his nose brushing against her swollen flesh to breathe her in. Finding her clit, he circled it with the tip of his tongue before wrapping his mouth around it.
She gasped as he sucked her clit into his mouth, meeting the fervor of his movements with abandon. She would never cease to be captivated by the veracity and the sheer determination of his manipulations against her — bending her to his will with every sensation he elicited from her body. It responded to his touch with an overwhelming familiarity that favored his touch, and his touch alone.
Abandoning his hold on her thigh, he sheathed his finger inside of her, pumping it in time with the movements of his lips against her clit. He slipped a second finger inside her sodden depths, working her up with every press of his fingers. Twisting them inside her, he curled them inward, his fingers brushing her inner walls, headlessly requesting the deliverance of her pleasure.
"Killian, please." She pleaded, writhing above him while she struggled to push him away from her. "It's too much. Please!" She panted, slapping her hand against the desk to starve off her orgasm.
He released a predatorial growl at her desperate pleas to cease his attentions against her. His cock twitched with desire, refusing to let up until he felt her flow down his throat. He wanted to feel his lips smeared with her release — to witness it pool between her legs and drip down her thighs — to see the fruits of his labor coat her father's desk and send a message that she belonged to him now.
"Killian!" She cried out. "I can't—"
"Do you trust me?" He murmured against her clit, his warm breath teasing her wet flesh. "If you trust me, let go."
She snapped her hips forward, riding his mouth as she felt herself tense and her inner walls clamp down around his stroking fingers. She ignored the hesitant feeling invading her insides, pushing past it to get to the crippling pleasure that waited for her on the other side.
Hot tears rolled down her face at the building pressure. She convulsed against his assault, the most debauched and delirious sound leaving her lips as one of the most powerful orgasms she had ever experienced washed over her.
It was the most intense feeling she had ever felt — it was shameful and the lack of control left her vulnerable — but most of all she felt a release like no other. It was indescribably powerful, her walls pulsing as her body drained itself of her orgasm.
Killian's mouth slipped from her clit, replacing it with his thumb to work her through her high. He drew her quivering cunt into his mouth, drowning himself in the pleasure her body divested itself of. He moaned around her, drinking her down his throat greedily to quench his undeniable thirst. It wasn't enough — with her it could never be enough. He had given her a climax that few had ever experienced, and he reaped the benefits of his efforts by sipping it straight from the source.
He savored the last few drops her body provided him with and withdrew himself from her sated flesh. His tongue made quick work of cleaning her off and he licked the remnants of her off his fingers with a muffled groan of satisfaction.
She collapsed against the desk, panting furiously. Her cheeks burned and her body shook with the aftershocks of her orgasm.
He stood to his feet, standing between her legs and hovered over her, licking her of his lips seductively. Placing a tentative hand against her chest, to feel the uneven thumping of her chest, he cocked his head to the side and gazed down at her in awe. "You are bloody marvelous, you know that?"
She offered him an exhausted smile, breathing heavily.
"Come on, darling. Let's get you into bed…" He insisted, wrapping her naked body up in the remains of her dress before placing an arm underneath her backside and the other beneath her knees to lift her from the desk.
Emma groaned in protest, shifting in his arms but quickly gave up because she lacked the energy to fight him.
With her cradled safely in his arms, he walked the hallway until he reached the door to her bedchamber. He closed the distance between them and the bed, and gently eased her on top of it. He removed her ruined dress and pulled the duvet over her naked body as she sighed contentedly, nuzzling her cheek against the pillows underneath her head.
"Rest love." He whispered reverently, stroking her blonde curls as she began to doze off.
He retreated from her quarters stealthily and found his way back to the grand dining room. When he slipped inside to see that the only person that remained at the table was the king.
"Great." He inwardly cursed himself, closing the door behind him to announce his presence.
"I see you've managed to find your way back." David muttered coldly from his place at the table, refusing to make eye contact with the pirate.
"The hallways and corridors proved a tad more complicated than I expected." He responded, taking a few careful steps toward the disgruntled royal. "Where is—"
David effectively cut him before he could finish the rest of his question. "She retired for the evening. So I guess you are stuck with me." David let out an exasperated sigh at the thought of entertaining the pirate alone in his wife's absence. "Why don't we adjourn to my office and we can discuss the terms of your reward."
Averting his gaze to hide his amused grin at the suggestion of the room they would conduct their business in, but agreed without objection. Killian allowed the sovereign to lead him down the hall to his office and once again he found himself back in the familiar room that vaguely smelled of the events that transpired not even an hour prior.
He stood near the door, not bothering to venture in further while David crossed in front of the desk and made his way toward the small bar off to the side. The sound of clinking glass filled the stiff air around them whilst he watched the royal prepare two drinks.
Killian's eyes shifted back to the desk, the memories of their latest tryst flooding his memory when a faint glint of steel captured his immediate attention — his dagger was still embedded in the desk.
Side stepping toward the desk slowly, he glanced back at David, who was still occupied with preparing the drinks. He inched closer to the desk, stopping just short of the weapon he had stabbed into the wood to stake his claim. He reached out with a trembling hand to remove the dagger but retracted it quickly at the sound of David's voice.
"I know that pirate's prefer rum… but I'm a whisky man myself…" David told him gruffly as he poured the contents of the bottle into one of the glasses.
"That's alright, mate. I'm sure I can manage for the evening." Killian replied with a clench of his jaw as he wrapped a hand around the hilt of the knife and pulled hard.
He stumbled backward upon its release, swaying slightly. At the sound of the bottle clinking against the metal cart, he thrust the blade behind his back and began to blindly tuck it inside his belt as David approached, drinks in hand.
Killian breathed out a sigh of relief when he felt the knife slip through the opening of his belt just as the king reached him and extended a glass in his direction. He gave him a curt nod, accepting the drink.
His eyes shifted back toward the desk, which still glistened with the arousal he conjured from his daughter while he defiled her on the very place he used to mark his correspondence with the royal seal. "Beautiful desk." He remarked wryly, gesturing to the piece of furniture with his glass.
"Thank you." David responded politely, admiring the fine craftsmanship as Killian lifted his glass to his lips and took a long languid sip. "It's an antique."
Killian sputtered at the mention of his age, nearly choking on the alcohol burning his throat and struggled to swallow. He lowered the glass from his mouth, coughing and gasping for air. "Went down the wrong pipe."
"And here I thought pirate's could handle their liquor." David shrugged, nursing his drink.
"It would appear that my body finds the sudden change to be less than agreeable." He offered with a sheepish smile. "But you didn't bring me here to lecture me on my taste in alcohol and make idle conversation, did you?"
Killian stared at him curiously as the man turned around and walked over to the unlit fireplace situated on the wall in front of him.
David looked down into the ashy pit of the fireplace below him and set his drink on the ledge above. He placed his arm across the edge and sighed heavily as he slid his hand over his mouth.
"They say that the day a man finds love is the day he goes from a boy to a man. It is no longer about you. Your entire life belongs and is dependent on that one person keeping your existence tethered to this earth." David explained wistfully.
"I wouldn't know." Killian chirped, swiping his tongue over his lips to collect the traces of liquor attached to his mouth before setting his glass down on the desk to hide the mark his dagger had left behind. "A pirate's heart belongs to his ship."
"Then you've never known the most incredible feeling in the world — to love and be loved in return. The love you feel for that person is overwhelming and indescribable, and you can't imagine life can get any better — that is until a man becomes a father. You then understand what it truly means to be a man…"
Killian swallowed hard, the air getting thinner around him at the passion behind his words.
"You would do anything for that child — even if it means giving your life for them…" He choked solumnely. "When that child is ripped from you, your entire reason for living is taken away." He stretched his neck out and tilted his head toward the pirate. "I died that day." He claimed, the muscles in his face trembling as tears welled up in his eyes.
"You can never know the insurmountable pain of losing a child." He said hoarsely as a few tears slipped past his defenses. "That is why I have to protect her."
"I—" Killian opened his mouth to concur with him, acknowledging his moral righteousness with his commitment to protect her over the last several months when he was interrupted.
"I have to protect her from you." David proclaimed with a grimace.
Killian was stunned into silence, his entire body refusing to move in that instance with the exception of following the man with his eyes as he moved his way behind his desk. Scowling defiantly, he narrowed his eyes menacingly, a low rumble emanating from deep inside his chest.
"There is a ball tomorrow night that is being held in the honor of her safe return." David gave him a wayward look before reaching for a key in his pocket and crouching down to reach the drawer the key unlocked.
"I tried to talk Snow out of it but she was rather adamant that it was cause for celebration. Once she gets something in her mind it is difficult to dissuade her." He pushed the key into the lock and twisted it until he heard a faint click.
"She expects you to be in attendance as a guest of honor and she would take offense if you didn't grace us with your presence…" He continued on as he propped open the drawer that contained a velvet purse with his payment inside.
"Let me guess? You want me gone before then?" Killian guessed, seething in anger at the king's bold demands.
"No. Quite the contrary, actually." David pulled the coin pouch from the drawer and tossed it toward Killian unceremoniously, which he caught with his fast reflexes. "I want you there. Drink. Dance. Enjoy yourself." He insisted.
Killian eyed him skeptically, his hands curled into fists at his sides as he struggled to temper his overarching aggression toward the man barking orders at him. He had spent far too long doing what he was told by ruthless rulers and he wasn't going to bend to their will now.
"But afterward — I want you to leave my castle, take your crew, and never return." David pushed another velvet coin purse toward him across the desk.
Killian looked down at the purse bearing the family crest in offense. "What the devil is this?" He growled roughly.
"Consider it severance." David provided, his eyes narrowing in challenge.
"Looks more like a bribe to me." He assessed, gesturing to the bag on the table. Even for a pirate, looking at it made him feel dirty.
"Then it's an insurance policy." The royal amended.
Killian pondered the man's offer insincerely, turning the purse over in his hand, his fingers rubbing against the velvet. "You presume too much, your majesty." He lifted his eyes to his, silently communicating that he wasn't one to be trifled with.
Leaning over the desk, he glared at the man savagely, while his hand reached around to pull the small blade from his belt. "I'm not so easily bought." Killian spat, swiftly bringing his blade down against the desk as the last syllable left his lips.
David's eyes drifted to the knife impaled in the wood of his desk and the corners of his mouth began to twitch in a mixture of amusement for getting a rise out of him and indignation that he had the audacity to ruin his desk.
"Good evening your majesty." He hissed, a hideous smirk pulling at his lips before he stood upright and turned around, leaving the dagger buried in his desk as a warning.
"If you change your mind before tomorrow evening, my offer still stands." David called out to him and Killian stilled his hand on the handle of the door.
"If I do leave…" Killian bared down on his teeth. "It will be of my own volition. Not at the behest of royal authority. I swore long ago that I would answer to no king and I refuse to do so now." He barked resolutely — and with that he angrily threw open the door and stormed out of the room, slamming the door shut behind him.
AN- I don't know why I tried to stick to a set number of chapters when my muse drags me in a different direction and I really can't refuse her. Before anyone panics as we are nearing the end of this. Given this chapter, there are still three more chapters plus the epilogue. It just keeps growing and I want it to stop because I want to finish two more chapters by Sunday before I go back to school on Monday.
P.S. I know a lot of you are going to hate David but just be aware that he is just doing what he thinks is best for his daughter, even if he is going about it the wrong way. We can't make it too easy for our lovers can we?