~Day 3~

Emma woke up that day, excited. After months of rigorous tests and training, she was finally going to learn Mounted Archery. Something she'd been begging Merida to teach her since her arrival at the castle six months ago. Merida was one in a long line of experts teaching Emma their various skills.

Emma was something of a prodigy, always learning, always adapting. It was just who she was. Given her parents' history, they were all too happy to provide her with anyone who could teach her something new, particularly in any way she could protect herself. It had been a while since she'd learned anything new.

And today was the day.

She saw Jones for a moment as she ran past him on her way into the dining room, before grabbing fruit and filling a canteen with water to take with her.

"Emma! Slow down!" Her mother laughed at her jollily.

"Not today, mama."

"Archery?"

"Mounted Archery."

"Good luck! Have fun!"

Emma eyed the bright red cap atop the man she needed a word with. His eyes were wide, staring at his thumbs as each circled the other nervously. Later, she reminded herself. Focus.

She nearly bumped into him again as she was leaving.

"Careful. A man could get used to that, Swan."

She rolled her eyes. "Bite me."

"Only if you're into that sort of thing."

She gaped at him a moment, trying not to think about that. It wasn't a threat. She could feel the blush creeping into her cheeks before moving past him again, shaking her head to clear it. Nothing was going to stand in her way today. Not even a ridiculously handsome pirate.

Especially not a ridiculously handsome pirate.