Chapter 31

Emma

Walsh had a satisfied grin, seeming amused and somewhat disappointed after a moment of staring at me. He ticked his eyes to Killian, then at Stanom, and back to me as if waiting for a reaction.

Walsh asked me smoothly, "Why are you here?"

"Good question," I replied in a smooth tone. I attempted to appear confident and not fearful. I was certain that he didn't particularly like me anymore after our past. I added, "We don't know why. Hook and I were brought here by tornado, but we don't know who sent it or why."

Killian ran his fingers over my hand. I squeezed my fingers around his hand to hold it. He stepped closer to me.

Walsh sneered and lifted his chin a measure as he took in our hands. His gaze fell to my left hand where I wore my wedding band. "Well, I take it you at least said yes to him, Emma." He pressed his lips together in disappointment, but he quickly concealed it and looked at Killian with hard eyes, then looked back at me ruefully. His artificial smile faded. His eyes held a slight bit of torment and regret and also bitterness.

I said flatly, "So are you going to help us, or not Walsh?" I stared at him optimistically.

Walsh evaluated us as if pondering his decision and enjoying it. He gave Killian a hard look and then swung his eyes to me. He smirked a little bit.

When Walsh didn't respond, Killian said softly, "Come on, Mate. I know you two have a past, but please don't hold it against Emma. You've already demonstrated that you care about her, even though you did hurt her head."

Walsh gave my husband a cruel look and then gazed at me with dissatisfaction, although there was pride in his small smirk.

Walsh said to me, "Who says I care for Emma?" He slid a dark look at Killian and then looked deep into my eyes. I stared back and then took a daring step forward to search his eyes for the truth. I sensed he was lying because I knew his facial features that much to know he hid his feelings.

"Walsh, please. Don't do this," I whispered. "You work for Mombi don't you?"

"It's Princess Mombi," Walsh corrected evenly as if he was not deterred by mention of our past relationship. "And yes. I am part of her royal guard," he tacked on. He lifted his chin, proud of his status.

Killian tightened his grip around my hand and tugged me backward so that I would get away from Walsh. I only took one step back, but I kept my eyes locked on Walsh's.

I whispered in a soft, sweet, pleading tone, "Please Walsh. Please let us go. Please don't hand us over to her."

Killian added, "Princess Mombi will kill her, Mate."

Walsh stared at me for the longest time. I sensed he was in battle in his mind, electing what to do next with us. His eyes ran all over me right before he said, "Princess Mombi has given me an order."

I sighed sharply, feeling like the wind was knocked out of me. I slowly shook my head and mouthed, "Please, I beg you." I felt slight tears in my eyes, knowing he wanted to help us. He was pretending to be tough. "We loved each other. We dated for eight months. I'm sorry I hurt you. But please don't. I know you care about me. Don't you?"

Walsh's face hardened a tiny bit, but his eyes seemed like he was straining to not demonstrate the emotions he held. It was like regret and sadness was fighting with anger, which boiled inside of him. I could tell that by looking into his tortured eyes.

He snorted and shook his head to the side. "No. That's what you said to me, isn't it? When I asked you for something?"

Killian exhaled behind me and wound his arm around my waist while he glowered daggers at Walsh.

But Walsh wasn't paying attention. His eyes were still locked with mine. It was as if he was trying to communicate with me, but I couldn't read what he was wanting to say. I detected that he was lying about wanting to turn me over to Mombi, but he didn't act on it. Possibly he was deciding what to do with me.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and said to Walsh softly, "I still cared about you. Deep down I know you care for me too. I saw the look in your eyes when I hit my head. It's the same look you have right now," I whispered privately to him, wanting to not make him feel exposed.

He didn't speak, so I said quickly under my breath with a begging helpless look. I sniffled and said, "Walsh. I have not one but two children. I have a brand-new baby girl. Please, don't make them orphans." I shook my head with passion as I spoke. My voice cracked. I knew I was laying it on thick, but I also meant my words.

Walsh's eyes melted and softened like ice in the Phoenix sun. He rapidly blinked them and stiffened his shoulders. I knew I had cut through to him using emotional connections.

Walsh said, "Is that supposed to make me want to help you? I seem to recall that I wanted children with you. I even helped father Henry." He shrugged like he could care less.

I drilled my eyes into his, not believing his words. "You're trying so hard to be strong. But do you loathe me now this much?" I threw a glance at the double doors behind him where I knew was the royal room where the Princess waited.

I glanced around the corners of the doors, realizing he was the only guard here. That was comforting.

Walsh sneered. "Yeah. I do." He said as if we were talking about a restaurant we ate at once. He flippantly stepped back like I had no meaning to him. Like I was easily forgotten and easy to kill and let go.

My eyes fogged with tears, feeling the rip of pain that he would betray me, even when things ended badly. Killian gently pulled me back to his side. I let him do so, as I gazed at Walsh, my eyes desperately trying to convince him to help me.

Walsh turned his head to Killian and said, "I wouldn't help you either. You were the reason she left me." He ticked his eyes to me as he shot Killian another cold look before he turned promptly and touched the golden doors, which swung open to reveal another golden polished room with silver walls and mirrors everywhere. No emerald hues. I thought maybe Mombi didn't like green.

"Walsh," I said in a hushed voice, "She wants me. That isn't a good thing." I gave him a warning, frightened look. He looked at me like I was saying things that he wasn't interested in.

Walsh looked at me with a cold stare and replied in a silky tone, "I'm well aware."

I could see a woman with light blonde wavy hair sitting on a plush throne, which sat on a beautiful rug and silk pillows. Walsh glanced back at me, made quick eye contact and gave me a look like nothing I had said mattered. Like he was pleased to hand me over to the demented princess.

Walsh said to the young woman, "Your Highness. Emma Swan. And Captain Hook." He waved his hand like he was presenting the next courses for the meal she was about to enjoy.

The young woman who I imagined was Princess Mombi was strikingly beautiful. She had gold eyeshadow and long lashes and icy blue eyes. She looked to be about twenty-five, perhaps even younger. Her body was thin, and her hair was in wavy curls around her shoulders and behind her back. She wore a light pink satin gown of black with diamonds all over it, which reached her feet.

Princess Mombi smiled curtly at me. She reminded me of a plain young woman who I may see anywhere on the streets or stores. She was elegant and seemed sophisticated although I knew inside she was hideous. She lifted her gold-silver polished fingernail to me and said in a light feminine voice, "Emma Swan. Come here to me." She moved her fingers, curling them to herself. She exuded confidence and royalty.

I didn't move. Walsh reached for my arm and gripped me with his hand, his face stern and assertive. "Obey Princess Mombi," he commanded me with authority.

Killian clenched his grip on my hand. "She's not going unless I go with her," he said angrily to Walsh.

Princess Mombi said evenly, "You. Captain Hook. You can wait out here with the army of Oz." She flicked her wrist at the men and smiled at me, but I sensed no pleasure or joy that I was here. She at least seemed friendly to me, but I didn't believe her cordial words. She put out her hand in a dainty way. Walsh held his hand out for her, and when he did so, Princess Mombi rose to her feet. She was about the same height as me. She flashed me another courteous, sweet smile but her eyes weren't as nurturing as her pink colored lips.

"Let us go for a walk," said Mombi to me as she lifted her chin and walked with composure and elegance. "Come, Emma. Allow me to show you something."

"Emma don't," Killian whispered reluctantly.

I turned and quickly touched his cheeks with my palms, trying to memorize his handsome face and warm, dotting eyes. "I have no choice," I said under my breath, "I have to play nice. Wait for me. I got this." I kissed him like it was our last kiss in case it was. He drew it out a little longer before I touched my nose to his and searched his brave yet fearful eyes.

Walsh said harshly, "Emma. Enough. The Princess is waiting on you."

I turned as I gave Stanom a farewell look and then joined Walsh, who gave me a long, disgusted look before he led me behind Mombi down a long corridor. Everything was ornately polished until it shined like glass, but all made of gold and crystal. Mombi must have a thing for mirrors, because they were what made up most of the walls and doors, except for another set of golden doors in which Mombi opened with a lift of her feminine, thin dainty hands. Her heels clicked on the golden floor as we walked down another corridor full of mirrors. Walsh strode dutifully next to me. I sensed that he kept looking sideways at me.

I took a stab of luck and muttered to Walsh, "Where is she taking me?"

Walsh didn't respond. His eyes were softer now, but I also sensed he wasn't going to reply much less help me. My heart sank as I thought about what I could do to escape and get us out of this crazy mirror maze. I tried to catch Walsh's gaze, but I knew he was avoiding me. I tried to play on his emotions again as I whispered, "Walsh." I softened my voice like honey. "Do you really want this?" I swung my eyes at the back of Mombi, then back to him as we walked. Princess Mombi had led me to a large closet with white carpets and guilded mirrored cabinets.

Walsh's expression was stern and void of emotion. His eyes were blank but again, he wouldn't look at me. I sighed and rolled my eyes. "Might as well be one of the statues outside," I muttered to myself, but loud enough for him only to hear. He didn't flinch.

Princess Mombi turned and faced me and said, "Come, Emma. Help me with something. I need you to assist me to choose…something to wear." She had a smile on her face as if gloating.

About to show off her clothes I assumed. I arched a brow at her as she turned and led me down a small hallway of square-like cabinets. They were all numbered at the top of each small cabinet door. Out of her pocket she slowly produced a ruby red key and stuck it into one of the beautiful gold and white mirrored cabinet doors.

Princess Mombi sighed in pleasure and said to herself and probably to me as well, "I think number four will do for this afternoon." She smirked as she reached inside the cabinet and slowly pulled out a woman's head, but it was alive. I gasped and involuntarily hopped a step back, taken completely off guard. I should have seen this coming. I felt my lips open to speak, but there were no words for this.

Walsh straightened his posture and elevated his chin to demonstrate that this didn't make him uncomfortable.

Was this normal for the Princess? I would ask Walsh, but he probably wouldn't respond to me. I managed to seem cool and content, and not frightened at all.

Princess Mombi eyed me carefully and said, "What do you think, Emma?"

I think you're ludicrously insane and psychotic. I said coolly, "Very beautiful head. Gorgeous hair." The other head she held was blinking at me as if this was perfectly all right and nothing to be afraid of. As if I was commenting on a dress she wanted to wear.

"That's not creepy at all," I whispered to myself and wayward to Walsh.

Princess Mombi set the dark-haired girl's head in her hands back down into the cabinet and then strode to a cabinet at the end of the house of horrors' weirdest closet. Princess Mombi slid her ruby key into another cabinet at the end of the corridor with a mirrored door. At the top it said number 31. What, for 31 flavors?

I felt my body grow hot, adrenaline coursing through me as I watched the strange routine of this deranged princess. She reached back behind her head with both hands, lifted her own hair and just as if removing a hat, she lifted her head that she wore and set it in cabinet 31. She closed it with the key, locked it, and then turned and walked with the same regal poise back to the choice of heads today. She picked it up and carefully placed it on her shoulders.

If Mombi was trying to frighten me and demonstrate her ludicrous powers, she had succeeded. I needed to be vigilant before I struck at her with my power to learn about her powers and weaknesses before I did anything stupid.

I stole a glance at Walsh, who watched Mombi like he was bored and used to this every day. I tried to break the tension and whispered to him, "Really?" I swallowed hard, realizing he was very good at ignoring me. I added lightly, "You couldn't just kill me now? You're making me watch this?" I lifted my fingers at Mombi, who now stared at me with a totally different head, one with black hair, which was half up, half down, pinned behind her head. This head was much more intimidating, because the eyes were earnest and not as soft as the last one.

Once again, Walsh snubbed me and pretended I hadn't spoken to him.

Princess Mombi strode confidently to me, now staring critically at me with hazel eyes. She lifted her perfectly shaped brows. "Well?" asked the new Princess. "And now what do you think of this one?"

She stopped a few feet away from me. I did my best to hide my fear. She wasn't one to mess with, because she was insane. Personality disorder much? This brought that diagnosis to a whole new level. I wouldn't be shocked if she wanted my head in one of those cabinets too.

I mustered a soft smile of approval. "I think you're very beautiful, Princess Mombi. I love the eyes." I kept a kind smile on my face as she analyzed me. There was a glimmer of a smile as she lifted her finger and traced it on my face under my chin and across my cheek. I cringed, trying to pretend that this touch didn't bother me.

Walsh watched us with interest.

Princess Mombi said to me, "Who are you exactly? And why did you come to my kingdom?"

She ran her finger down my long hair. I cleared my throat, realizing I forgot to breathe. I said respectfully, "I'm from another realm. Storybrooke. I apologize but I don't know exactly why I'm here. I was brought here along with Captain Hook."

She smirked at me like I was a child. She cocked her head to one side. "But are you not the Savior?"

How did she know this? I knew I had slipped up by not telling her this, but hopefully she would dismiss that item. I smiled at her like she was a friend now. "Yes I am. I'm also wondering if I might ask you a question."

"Emma. Shut up," Walsh hissed to me.

I gave him a look at his rudeness. His eyes were a bit fearful, which should be normal now given these circumstances. He worked for a lady who belonged in an asylum.

"And what might that be?" Princess Mombi asked me, her tone harsher than I had heard before.

I flinched. I felt my smile weaken but I maintained my calm. I needed to appear collected although I was afraid of this woman. I had never met anyone this brand of insane. Storing heads that she stole off of girls who were now stone, was ruthless and disgusting.

I felt Walsh drilling holes in me as he glared at me. I said to Mombi, "I would love to know how I can help you?" I wanted to seem as if I wasn't against her in any way.

Mombi took another step forward and smiled as if to be polite. I wanted to ask why I was here, but I felt like Walsh didn't want me to speak at all. Perhaps that was wise. Mombi ran the back of her fingernail against my chin and my cheeks. She gently pushed back a strand of hair, but her touches were so gentle that I wasn't sure how to take this. I watched her as she looked my face over.

Mombi smirked and said to me, "You know, you are very beautiful." She seemed awestruck. Her eyes widened a little bit as her eyes ran to my lips. I had an instinct to pull back, but I didn't want to anger her. I kept my eyes on hers, wondering if I should try to take her now. She was too close and could kill me now. I wouldn't be surprised. I tried to see Walsh in my peripheral vision. He was watching us carefully and stood right next to me, allowing this violation of space.

I fluttered my eyes and said in a silky voice, "Thank you."

Mombi looked into my eyes as if mesmerized and said, "You have such gorgeous eyes. And such perfect complexion. I wish I looked just like you."

Uh oh. Panic flooded through my mind. This psychotic woman probably meant just that. She might tear my head off here and now. I glanced at Walsh again, but his expression was unreadable. Mostly expectant and a little thrown off.

I felt uneasy and all my senses screamed at me that I needed to break free from this crazy psycho woman as soon as possible, but I needed to prolong my life too and not make any sudden, wrong movements that may set her off her edge. She seemed mentally unstable and easy to piss off. I needed to play nice and pretend to be collected. I feigned as smile and pretended to admire her new head. I said happily as if flattered, "I use skin care products."

Mombi sniffed a small, dainty light laugh. She stroked my chin underneath it with her nail. She said, "I think I shall lock you in my tower. Perhaps when I feel like it, I'll wear your head."

That's it. No sense in pretending anymore with this repugnant woman. I yanked my head back and moved backward out of her grasp. "You know that's a little creepy."

She grabbed my throat with her long fingers and squeezed hard. "I'm going to take your head, that wasn't a choice."

I jerked my head back out of her reach. It was time to fight and then flee. "Over my dead body," I retorted. I pushed my palms forward and without waiting, I shoved her backwards. She tumbled backward, her skirt flying around her. She screamed and then sat straight up, glaring at me with narrowed eyes.

Walsh cut me a cruel look before he ran to assist the Princess. He held out his hands to help her to get up. Mombi pointed at me with rage in her eyes. "Walsh! Lock her up in my tower, now!"

"Yes, Your Highness." Walsh complied with a nod. He let her hand go and ran to me. I broke into a run, recalling the way I had come. I put on a burst of speed, hoping I could outrun him.

I ran down the golden halls for the main chambers that Killian and Stanom were hopefully in. But Walsh grabbed my shoulders and slammed me against one of the mirrors and held me in place. He gritted his teeth and shook me as he squeezed my arms. His eyes were hard, frigid and full of fury.

I whimpered and stared at him in disbelief at the impact of his hands on me. His fingers dug into my skin of my upper arms. "What are you doing Walsh?" I muttered.

"You will listen to what I say. That's an order. Or you will get hurt," he growled back with determination in his eyes. He scowled as I struggled to break free of his hands. He was hurting me a bit and that scared me. The last time we saw each other, I had told him I couldn't marry him, years ago when I had lost my memories of who I really was. Then he had transformed from my resentful boyfriend to a flying monkey.

"You're hurting me," I said through clenched teeth. I knew I would have to hurt him to get free. I just needed to get my palms upward to use magic. Or I could use my limbs to injure him.

"Then stop running," he retorted as he pushed me harder against the mirrored wall. "Don't be stupid."

I gritted my teeth and glared at him coldly. I gave him a harsh once over as if he disgusted me. I said icily, "You actually work for that psycho on purpose?"

"Are you trying to get yourself killed?" He said angrily. I wriggled and tried to push him away from me with all of my strength. He held me in place by pushing me hard against the mirror so there was no way to get out of his grip.

"No but you're sure not helping me," I said. I lifted my knee to drive it into his shin. I rammed my knee upward, but he somehow saw it coming and slammed my leg back and pinned me with his. "Stop it, Emma!"

"You'd better let me go, or I won't hold back," I spat back at him, glowering pure wrath at him. "That's a warning. You don't know how powerful I am. Don't make me use it on you." I narrowed my eyes.

He grabbed my mouth and held it over my mouth until I couldn't talk. "Shhh. I'm going to take you up to the tower. You and your friends. I'm giving you the chance to come quietly."

I frowned at him. "Hell no." I mumbled under his palm.

I strained to push him away from me, but he had me pinned. His other hand held my stomach against the mirror so that I was pinned in place, which had me unable to get out of his hands.

He snapped, "I said shut up, Emma. If you listen to me, you might live though this."

I slammed him back and wiggled as hard as I could to break free, and he moved his arm to pin my stomach with it. I nearly stopped breathing, wondering if I heard him correctly. I knitted my brows together imploringly.

He nodded at me. "Just do as I say. I will help you break free. But you have to come up to the tower with me." His eyes softened. He was telling the truth.

"What?" I said in a gasp. Had I heard him, right? Or maybe he had hit my head hard enough earlier.

"You heard me," he said with a nod of his head.

I nodded, excited now that he wanted to help me. I searched his eyes, his facial features, his mouth, but he definitely was sincere, especially his warm eyes. I could tell he was telling the truth. He let my face go slowly and arched his eyebrows at me in question. "Don't run," he said in a low voice. "It will not end good for you. Trust me."

I gave him a stiff nod, unsure if I should trust him and let my guard down, but I believed him. I took a long breath and replied, "You're serious? What about Mombi?" I muttered under my breath.

He glanced over his shoulder to see if she was coming, but she wasn't yet. He held me forcefully against the mirror and said, "Shhh. She won't come for you tonight up there. You have a couple days. It's going to take that long for her to…remove your head," he said reluctantly as if he truly didn't want that to happen.

I stared at him for a few beats to evaluate if he was genuine. I was still sure that he meant his words. Perhaps he had been battling with his loyalty with Mombi. I gave him a scornful look as I thought about Mombi and her head collection and frowned. "No, I definitely don't want that. So, what do we do?"

He stared at me like he wanted me to trust him with kind, softened eyes. He said sympathetically, "I don't want that to happen to you. I've seen it before." He shook his head and looked away for a moment as if reliving terrible things. His lips tightened and he met my gaze. He said, "Not you."

"Why are you being so nice to me now?" I asked quietly. I gave him a skeptical once over.

He sighed and checked over his shoulder. "We don't have much time. Because she's lethal and she will kill you. She was the one who brought you here."

My lips parted in awe, "She did?"

He nodded grimly.

"All right. So, what about Killian and Stanom?" I asked below a whisper.

He waved his hands downward frantically for me to stop talking.

I could hear footsteps down the corridor where Mombi's closet of heads collection was.

Walsh motioned with his hand and said quietly, "Follow me." He took hold of my arm in his hand, I guessed it was for show, and led me to another room straight across from where we were, where there was a tall, grand, polished golden staircase.

"Look, I won't go without my husband," I whispered softly. "You save me, you save him. I won't go with you otherwise."

He led me towards the spiral staircase and said in a low tone, "Ok. Later for that. Just follow me." I figured he was putting on a show in case the sick in the head Princess came strutting by. I frowned and pretended to go unwillingly, not that I wanted to go, but in this case, I trusted Walsh a little bit to at least want to help me. Unless it was a cruel twisted joke, but either way, he had caught me, and if I had his cooperation, we stood a better chance to get out of this house of horrors.

Playlist ~

When the Darkness Comes – Colbi Caillat

Under Your Scars – Gobsmack

I Know You – Skyler Grey

Far Away – Breaking Benjamin

I'll Follow You - Shinedown

Broken – Seether and Amy Lee

So Cold – Breaking Benjamin

Shattered (Turn the Car Around) – OAR

Insensitive - Jann Arden