AN: The only comment from the previous chapter I want to address is the fact that the prologue was confusing. There are going to be unanswered questions. I have a way I intend to answer those questions and I just ask for patience and until then, just sit back and enjoy. Thank you for reading. This chapter is un-beta'd.
Chapter One
Present Time
Killian woke with a start, his breathing labored, his body soaked with sweat and hair matted to his head in various angles.
He had dreamed of her again.
It seemed that every time he closed his eyes the same hypnotizing green eyes would stare back at him.
It had caused him plenty of restless nights and in the morning he would have deep circles under his eyes as a daily reminder that his nights were inhabited with something he just couldn't seem to escape.
The image was meaningless and if the universe was trying to tell him something, he couldn't care enough to listen to it.
Sometimes the dream would only serve to stir his raging libido that lately couldn't be satisfied with a fast fuck from a tavern wench or even his own hand. Only the woman with the green eyes would suffice.
Killian groaned, his hands raking through his hair as he tried to erase the shadowy figure haunting him. Reaching blindly beside him, his hand closed over his pocket watch which he rose to the moonlight filtering in through the window.
3:34
He growled deeply kicking off the covers in hopes to cool his overheated body, his sheets uncomfortably saturated with his salty sweat, the erection between his legs heavy with need. Killian scrubbed his hand down his face, his eyes raw from having closed them for a mere two hours before his abrupt wake.
Killian reclined back against the soft embrace of his mattress, a hum of approval slipping past his lips as he gripped his throbbing member and began to slowly pump it with his fist hoping to ease the ache his dream woman had left behind. His hand glided against his cock worthlessly, reminding him of his inability to sate himself.
He released another growl of frustration, burying his head into his pillow as the hold on his cock loosened. He hammered his fist against the pillow with a muffled, "fuck", a few feathers escaping it's confines in the process.
Flipping himself over he took a few deep breaths, relaxing himself as best he could without the help of alcohol but it was no use.
Killian lazily rolled up and out of bed, aiding his tired steps across the room to his discarded clothing by holding onto pieces of furniture until he had finally reached his pants.
The leather felt cold underneath his fingertips, his feet dragging slightly as he tugged the material up and over his legs before carefully sliding the button into place. The next article of clothing was slipped on carelessly over his head, draping loosely over his chest and exposing a generous amount of his dark chest hair, the material clinging in spots where his sweat still lingered.
He cracked his neck, twisting his head from side to side while his hand skimmed the top of his desk for his flask which he found resting on its side from his earlier attempts to drown himself to sleep.
Lazily he carried himself up the stairs, his flask hanging limply in his hand at his side as he climbed, the sea breeze hitting him instantly as he made it top side. The smell of the sea hung strongly in the air encompassing him in its potent scent that seemed to relax him instantly, the tension in his shoulder blades melting away.
Killian slung himself over the railing of the ship, resting his forearms on the wood and staring out into the dark abyss, nothing but the moon and constellations in the sky to light the world around him.
It was eerily peaceful, the water still as the ship rocked back and forth in place.
He soaked up the sea, it's calming effect washing over him before he popped the cork of his flask with his teeth and spat it out across the deck and lifted it to his lips. He downed its contents as if he were consumed by thirst, the reality only far more painful as he sipped greedily.
The liquor burned his throat as he swallowed, each drop bringing him closer to his intended goal.
When the flask was empty, he wiped his mouth on his sleeve savagely and slipped the empty flask into his spacious back pocket for safe keeping.
The ship rattled violently tossing him backward with the force but managed to hold himself up with a steady grip on the railing. "What the bloody hell was that?" He questioned to the wind that was left unanswered when the ship quaked again.
Killian steeled himself, slowly making his way up the deck to the captain's wheel with the help of the riggings and rang the bell, "get up you bilge rats we're under attack!"
The first to the deck was his first mate who immediately began barking orders to the crew and situated them for battle while he called for them to hoist the anchor.
Killian turned the wheel an entire 380 degrees as the sails caught the gusting winds and they began to glide across the water, the predators hot on their trail.
Thunder rolled and lightening crashed across the sky, the brewing storm that came with a mermaid attack fast approaching.
"Who is attacking us captain?" His first mate asked over the shrilling shrieks coming from the hungry sea causing each man to double over and cover their ears.
"Not what. Who." He corrected as the rain slowly started to fall overhead.
"Mermaids." Jack answered, swallowing thickly in recognition and Killian gestured with his chin to the raging waters below, the waves lapping against the edges of the ship and spilling water onto the deck.
"Don't get too close they will pull you overboard and I can guarantee you won't be coming back." He warned, his muscles flexing as he stirred the ship into the mermaid infested waters.
"They are getting too close to the ship captain!" Jack informed him.
"Ready the canons!" Killian bellowed, the same words echoed back to him from his first mate to his crew. "Brace yourself lads!" He called out over the treacherous storm that was now pelting them with stinging rain, soaking each crewman to the bone as they heaved their weapons into place in preparation to fire.
"On my count. One. Two. Three!" Jack roared to the sound of the booming canon meeting its intended target.
The wails grew louder from the injured mermaids and Jack, the first mate called open fire.
"It's not doing much." Jack noted to his superior.
"It won't kill them, only injure. Mermaids heal, I just want them away from my ship!" He bit down on his jaw in concentration as he jerked the wheel, putting his entire weight into keeping himself in place as he stirred the ship, the water biting against his skin like a hundred daggers.
"Did I tell you to stop? Any man neglecting orders will be shot dead on spot. I will not have the acts of a single man condemning us all to death!" Jack barked at the crew who began to load the canons despite the dangerous elements.
"Way to keep up morale Jack." Killian grinned teasingly that was answered with a simple shrug from his first mate who at the moment resembled a drowned rat.
His eyes trained on the ocean ahead as water clung to his hair and obscured his vision but still he soldiered on. "Come on girl." Killian purred to the ship as she cut through the water effortlessly, navigating himself and his crew to safety.
Killian breathed a long sigh of relief once they were clear of the threat, his crew giving him hoots and hollers of appreciation for his superior skills.
"Captain Jones! Captain Jones! Captain Jones!" The crew chanted to which Killian gestured them to silence themselves with his hands. "There will be none of that now, this victory belongs to all of us. I am but one man but as a unit we can achieve a great many things. Hershel, bring up a barrel of rum, this is cause to celebrate." He announced to a chorus of cheers.
Killian stepped down from the stairs and was immediately met with pats and slaps on the back from his thankful crew, none of the sentiments met with equal favor from their beloved captain whose eyes never lifted from that of the deck.
His feet carried him to the bow of the ship, the wind flowing freely and chilling him without mercy, his clothes heavily clinging to every curve of his body as he roughly dragged his fingers through his hair, slicking back his damp locks. Killian stood tall, his hands straddling the edge of the ship as he looked out over the ocean which had returned to its previous peaceful state, the sound of his crewman drifting in and out of his ears.
The anchor was dropped once again in an unknown location and the captain pondered their current whereabouts in light of the unexpected attack that had taken them dreadfully off course.
"Jack?" Killian called for his first mate which he expected to be met with a swift response from the eager man but found none. "Jack?" He repeated, his voice rising in impatience as he stroked the bridge of his nose in mild frustration. "Jack!" He hollered in hopes of drawing his attention but was met with a stone cold silence.
"Blood hell." He muttered under his breath, turning around to find his spineless second in command.
His anger quickly morphed into a state of confusion, his lips pressed tightly together as he lifted an inquisitive eyebrow in the direction of his crewman, each man beside his brother in a loose circle as they spoke in low whispers to one another.
Killian's boots cracked wetly against the deck as he stormed over to his men, his face not meeting their curious gazes as he noisily shoved people aside.
His fingernails dug into the skin of his palm, his hands curling into fists at his side as he snarled, his lip curling in anger at the sight before him.
His men had managed to defy his wishes and pulled an unconscious mermaid from the wreckage, the beautiful but deadly creature sprawled out lifeless across his deck as they feasted upon her naked flesh, her tail gray and limp, curled against the wooden floor.
"Are you all mad?" He screamed, addressing his crew. "This thing just tried to kill you all and you want to keep it as a house pet?" He pointed to the mythical siren next to him.
"I think it's dead." Someone said.
Killian jerked his head up towards the insolent voice that dared to defy him and he shot him a fierce and commanding look that had the man shivering where he stood at the blatant show of authority. "I don't care what it is!" He shrieked, nudging the fallen mermaid with his boot. "Get this thing off my ship!" He growled, walking out of the circle, the crew following his movements with their eyes as he left.
"Captain!" A voice called out to him and Killian turned his head swiftly, shuffling his feet to where he was needed. "Look…" One of his crewman pointed to the figure on the deck that now took on the form of a human woman.
Killian tilted his head, appraising the finless mermaid carefully, his eyes feasting over every sensuous curve of her body from her shapely legs to her rounded breasts "That is something."