Little bit of a shorter chapter this week, hope you guys enjoy!


While they were enjoying the nice day on deck Emma and Killian chose to use their time to exercise and spar. After one particularly thrilling round Killian smirked, knowing Graham was watching them, jaw set.

"Do you want to make this fun?" he teased her. Emma wiped the sweat off her forehead.

"How so?" she raised an eyebrow. When the sun hit her right, he could see through her white shirt to the black and blue scars on her arm. He knew she hated them, wanted them covered, but he couldn't care less about the scars. He had his own scars. Emma's gaze never lingered on his scar the way other people's gaze did. He gulped down some water.

"For each hit we land we get to ask the other a question and the answer has to be the truth," he wiggled his eyebrows at her.

"No," she shook her head, laughing, "A hit is too easy, and you know it. Disarm the other," she challenged him. Being out in the sun was beginning to tan Killian's skin and she can't deny he looks at ease with the sun on his face and the sea breeze flowing through his hair.

"Very well, Princess. Before we start, I don't suppose you'll tell me why your knight looks like he wants to slit my throat," he said, so only she could hear.

"Nope. Worried about your life, Your Highness?" she said, just as quiet.

"Not at all. Only on a former enemy's ship and headed into their capital," he chuckled. Emma rolled her eyes and they took their positions before they began. Both of them giving their all. Emma had questions about him. She wanted to know more about him as well, but her questions seemed too blunt to be asked on their own without prompting.

"You're not actually worried, are you? Because you'll be safe in Misthaven. I'll be sure of it," Emma said between blows.

"It's a risk," he said after dodging her.

"I know. This whole thing is a risk, but I think we can both agree it's worth it," Emma grunted their blades meeting.

"As long as Graham isn't in charge of my security. I don't care how many times he calls me pretty," he chuckled, forcing her weapon to the deck. Emma sighed, but picked up her weapon.

"Of course not, August naturally. And that's one think hard about your question."

"Aye," Killian nodded, "I will." They continued on for an hour more, Killian with three questions and Emma with two. They agreed to not ask them here on deck for all to hear. Both of them spent and tired they headed down to their cabin. Killian fetched water for them to wash with and graciously let Emma go first while he waited outside. Once she was done and dressed, he made quick work while she waited outside for him. Little did he know Emma left to grab dinner for them.

When she entered the cabin, Killian was lighting the candles. She cleared her throat and he spun around.

"I got us dinner; I figured the crew would be alright without us for the night."

"Quite right they will," he smirked and took the tray from her setting it up on the desk. One bowl of stew for them each, some bread, and a bottle of wine. Not a bad dinner overall for being at sea. Emma picked her engagement ring off of the desk, slipping it back on her ring finger. She refused to wear it while sparing, not wanting anything to happen to it.

"Please take the chair, love." Taking one of the bowls and leaning against the cabin wall. They ate for a few minutes exchanging small talk, sipping the wine, all the while dancing around the questions that hung in the air.

"The questions…" she trailed off before sipping her wine.

"What about them?" he raised an eyebrow.

"I'm ready when you are, Prince." Her gaze never leaving his, the intensity of it almost blinding.

"I take that to mean you want me to go first. Well enough I suppose I'm ready," Killian crosses to sit on the edge of the bed, finally resting. Emma turns to face him.

"What really happened on deck with you and Graham?" he asked, slowly, unsure of her reaction.

"He apologized for his behavior at the ball and we talked about well…" her eyes widened.

"The fact that he loves you," he stated, knowing she can't bring herself to say it.

"Yes, it was the first time he ever really admitted it to me. It went poorly. He needs to accept that we're getting married. He might brood for a while, but he'll move on eventually. They all do." She muttered the last part into her wine glass and he almost didn't catch it. He frowned at that, how she could believe that is beyond him. Half the men on this ship were in love with her.

"We'll see about that, I believe it is your turn," he nodded to her.

Emma stalled for a second even though she already knew what she wanted to ask him.

"How did you get your scar?" Emma gestured to his hand. Killian frowned looking down at the jagged scar that ran across the back of his hand. It was an ugly thing, he didn't much care for it, or people staring at it. Emma was one of the first who didn't glare at it constantly. It was refreshing.

"Ah well am I afraid it came from a string of poor choices." Killian wouldn't look at her. Emma set her own scarred hand over his, knowing he needed a reminder of her own scars. A reminder of how they were similar, of how she would understand.

"Most scars do," she urged him, but patiently waited.

"The night I let Milah go, well rather she left, I got absolutely drunk and no one really stopped me. Probably the only downside to being royalty you never have anyone tell you you're being an idiot. Anyhow, I was mad and had no one but myself to blame, so I punched a window. Seemed like a great idea at the time, now I get random pains before it snows." He shook his head in disbelief at how utterly stupid he was. Emma gave his hand a squeeze.

"Love makes us do stupid things." He saw nothing, but empathy in her eyes. It took another couple minutes to gather himself to ask the next question, one that's been bothering him.

"Why did you agree to a deal with the Dark One?" Emma sucked in a deep breath. She didn't know what she expected him to ask, but it wasn't that.

"Oh well, it was war time. Regina, she was my parent's biggest fear. Her unfulfilled threats made them feel helpless like a knife over their head that could drop at any moment. She became the thing that went bump in the night for my brother and I. When her threats became reality, it felt like a giant joke. Regina was smart and bided her time until we were weak, our attention elsewhere. The Dark One wanted her out of the picture and I had already seen such bloodshed on the battlefield that the thought of killing her seemed like too much. It was something I couldn't do and the Dark One offered a way out and like a fool I took it without questioning. Everyone warned me, but I was young and wanted this one thing to go right when everything else was falling apart." Killian understood her all too well. During this war there were a great number of stupid things he had done to protect his people, himself, and his brother.

"I'm sure it felt right at the time. Don't blame yourself," he tried to reassure her.

"That's just the thing there's no one to blame, but me. I took that spell and used it, me and no one else." She finished her wine in one smooth gulp. Killian desperately wanted to say something else, but he knew there was nothing left to say and placed a hand on her knee. The candlelight reflects on her ring, glimmering in the small cabin.

"This is your mother's ring." She blinked a few times, meeting his sea blue eyes.

"Not a question, love," he smirked.

"Why do I have it and not Elsa?" She searched his eyes, trying to understand him.

"Ah well when Elsa's parents died her mother left behind her ring, not wanting to lose it or gain too much attention on their voyage. One of her requests when Liam and she were negotiating their marriage was that she would have her mother's ring. Liam agreed since Elsa had little else of her mother's. He joked that I should have it anyway because I was mother's favorite." Killian chuckled and Emma lifted a brow to ask if he was. He understood her silent question.

"No, she loved both of us, but my father cared for Liam more as he was going to be the future king and she took me under her wing so to speak."

"As any good mother would," they were silent for a moment, "You have one last question, better make it a good one."

"Oh, it is. I know you don't have feelings for your knight now, but did you at one time love Graham?" Emma stopped breathing for almost a solid minute. She didn't want to answer him, but it seemed wrong to deny him after they had been so honest with one another.

"I did, briefly. Love might not be the right word. I thought he was perfect for me. He was there for me and strong, kind when I needed it. Then I realized something that was true then and it's true now." She shook her head and ran her hand through her hair, which was down for once billowing over her shoulders.

"Which was what?" He gulped; not sure he'd like her answer.

"That he might love me, but the crown will always hold him back. He couldn't accept that I was a princess and next in line to the throne. Despite him and I practically growing up together, he would always put the good of the kingdom before me. After that I lost all interest because he didn't love the real me not really." Tears pooled in her eyes and she bit her lip hoping Killian wouldn't notice. He did because really, he noticed everything about her in a refreshing, but still slightly unnerving in a way. His hand cupped her chin and their eyes met once more and Emma swore, she could get lost in his if she tried.

"Then he's a damned fool. You're more than the crown, most of us are." Killian wanted to sweep her into his arms and kiss her senseless. Killian knew she would not receive that well at all. There were moments when he swore, he could feel a spark between them, but maybe he was too hopeful. His hand fell from her cheek and he turned around quickly. Not wanting to show his face to her, not wanting her to see him like this. Not wanting her to see the lust in his eyes. Not wanting to ruin what was between them, not wanting to ruin the fragile trust between them.

"I'll take this back and we'll get some sleep. Tomorrow's a big day we need the rest," Killian said while gathering the dishes from their dinner. Emma remembered that they were finally arriving in Misthaven tomorrow.

Killian left the room with the door shut behind him. Once alone Emma let a solitary tear fall down her face. Their voyage home has been long and terrible, but what awaits them on shore is a whole new set of challenges.

The Snowbell docked in Misthaven docks early the next morning as August had informed Emma and Killian. They had less than an hour to get ready. They were prepared for the most part, set aside from changing into their formal wear. Emma had enjoyed wearing pants while on the ship and would loathe wearing dresses again. Killian was nervous to set foot on what used to be his enemy's land. Now, to not only be at peace with them, but to marry into the family and rule the people he once fought was an odd feeling.

Killian couldn't seem to buckle his belt, his hand kept shaking. Emma didn't notice at first until he let out a sigh as his belt dropped to the floor again. Without a word Emma picked up the belt and helped him put it on.

"I-um thank you." Emma laid a hand on his chest.

"Deep breath, it will seem daunting at first. Soon, you'll realize that Misthaven is quite normal." Emma gave him a soft smile, in an attempt to reassure him. Absentmindedly she brushed lint off his shoulder.

"And until then? It's not like I am walking into crowds of adoring fans." He had always used sarcasm as his defense when all else failed.

"No, you're not. Just look at me until then." Emma blinked a few times.

"Is that your way of telling me you're my adoring fan, love?" he teased her. Emma laughed and rolled her eyes. She realized how close they were and took a step back.

"In your dreams, Your Highness," she smirked. Emma turned back to the desk and placed her simple tiara on her head. When she turned back, Killian had his hand held out, "Shall we?" Emma slipped her hand into his.

"No time like the present." Emma sucked in a deep breath; Killian wasn't the only one who was nervous.

"Any tips for meeting your parents?" He led them out of the small cabin they have called home for the past couple of weeks.

"Keep your head held high and be honest. Oh, and don't back down if dad starts to stare you down," Emma shrugged, as if that were the simplest answer in the world.

"Oh yeah that's easy." He chuckled, even though he had a feeling of impending doom.

"You did fine when you met me." They made it onto the deck and the fresh air and sunshine hit them like a wave. They both reveled in it for a moment.

"You practically rolled your eyes when you met me!" He looked at her shocked.

"There is no way you could know that and well you were trying very hard to charm me, I had to check your ego somehow," she smiled at him.

"I could feel it. I was doing no such thing, but it's nice to know you do find me charming," he quirked his eyebrow at her. Emma shook her head looked out toward the docks and was not the least bit surprised to find a welcoming party consisting of Ruby and several younger knights.

"Ready?" She turned to find him already looking at her.

"No time like the present," he smirked and offered her his arm. She accepted it and they made it down the gangplank arm in arm.