The room was still. Nothing more than two bodies entangled in sheets. Emma's head resting on Killian's chest. Rising and falling with the motion of his lungs breathing in the fresh morning air. The rain had gone and left the scent of a new day behind, ushering in hope and luck for the journey. Beams of light began to creep into the room, causing Killian to stir. Slowly opening his eyes. All he could see was a bright light shining atop of Emma's head. She appeared as the beautiful goddess he saw her as. He began to place kisses on top of her head that trailed down to her lips so that the sun was not the only one paying worship.
"Good morning love" Killian tilted Emma's chin so that he could place the perfect kiss on her lips. "I hate to leave you but I have to go before I'm caught."
Emma stretched he body upwards to burying her face in the crook of Killian's neck. "But it's not morning. Listen, the nightingale is still singing. If it were day we would hear the lark."Tempting him to stay with her words and sweet delicate kisses.
Breathing in her scent Killian laid his head on top of hers. "But it is the lark. Love, it's morning. That is sunlight filling the room. All the candles from the night have burnt out. I have to go or your father will have me killed if he knows I am here." Words suggesting his departure but his stillness saying otherwise.
Emma didn't want Killian to leave. If she could live in that moment for all of eternity she would. Killian leaving meant that he would return with the Dark King's son and she would be forced to stay away from him. "That's not sunlight. It is some strange meteor to help guide you to the Dark King's realm. Stay, please don't leave yet." Her voice danced sweetly on the line of desperation and playfulness.
Not wanting to upset his love, Killian pulled the cover over their heads and moved his body on top of hers. Kissing every inch of exposed skin his lips could reach. "Then I shall stay. I rather die than bring you your new prince." Small laughs escaped Emma's lips. "Come death and welcome. My love wills it so. You're right, it's not day." His lips sucking on the pulse point of her neck.
Death. Emma quickly pulled the sheets down and sat up. "You need to go. I'm wrong . It is the lark and the sunlight. Killian you need to go, now before you are caught." The words rushed out with concern and fear.
Suddenly the door swung open. Emma pulled the cover over her naked body as she unapologetically pushed Killian off the side of the bed so that he could hide underneath it from whomever was entering the room. If she had any luck it would be the nearly blind maid her mother didn't have the heart to ask to retire. All she would see is a blur and for all she knew it would be Emma reaching for her robe.
"EMMA!" Ruby stormed in and slamming the door behind her. "Tell me Killian is gone. Your mother will be here soon to take you to see the Captain and Lieutenant off." Killian popped up with nothing but his trousers on. Ruby shot Emma an approving smile. "Lieutenant Jones." He nodded awkwardly. "If you would like to leave here with more than your pants I suggest you grab everything and go. I hope you can climb down as fast as you did up the palace walls."
Emma grabbed her robe and quickly put it on as she hurried Killian out the balcony. Closing the curtains behind her. She could hear Ruby tidying up the bed. The outside world was bright and warm. It enveloped them. With the same fumbling fingers and trembling hands from the night before, they quickly redressed Killian. He made it nearly impossible. Stealing kisses off of Emma's lips every moment he could. The last kiss god-bye her nearly took Emma with him down the balcony wall. Killian's strong hands held on to each side of her face. His palms and fingers imbedding the beauty of her face into his skin. Feeling how the apples of her cheeks became full when she smiled brighter than the sun.
The Queen's voice began calling out Emma's name as Killian's feet hit the ground below. Emma began to walk towards the room when a feeling of dread fell on her. It came over her like the darkest rain cloud on the bluest day. Scared that Killian had been captured by a guard she quickly turned her head towards him. Like any lovesick fool, he was running backwards and mouthing what appeared to be I love you. The feeling of dread overwhelmed Emma even as she smiled at his words. Mixed in with the joy of that moment and night before, Emma felt so far from Killian. Farther than she had ever felt before.
"Good morning." Emma stepped into the room. Pulling the belt to her robe tighter. "Beautiful day to watch the Jewel of the Realm set sail." She hurried to the wardrobe.
"Yes. It appears Captain and Lieutenant Jones will be blessed with a safe journey to the Dark King's realm. " Snow's hands pulling Emma's hair that was tucked inside the robe. She could sense her daughter tensing up. "It will all be alright. HE will be alright."
Emma took a deep breath in, releasing the tension in her shoulders. "I'll be dressed shortly."
A strong breeze swept through the upper deck of the Jewel. The wind was welcomed by the crew and Captain Jones. It meant that the journey to the Dark realm would be swift. Liam didn't want to be there any longer than he had to, especially after having witnessed his brother sneak back onto the ship. Tussled hair and a boyish grin could only mean one thing, he spent the night with a girl. Liam knew it was not any girl but Princess Emma. The desire to yell at his brother rose in his chest. He wanted to tell him how foolish he was for getting involved with the princess. Giving into their feelings had cursed them all and nothing good would come from it, but he didn't. This was his brothers one moment with the woman he loved before he would be forced to watch her be courted by another man. Maybe even marry him for the sake of the kingdom. Liam couldn't take away his happiness. If there was one thing he knew, Killian deserved one moment of happiness even if it would be short lived.
Emma stood proudly between her mother and Ruby. Her radiant eyes fixated on Killian as she watched him move about the deck. The memory of how beautiful his now pristine uniform looked crumbled and wet on her floor. Emma's check began to turn red and warm. Quickly she moved her hands upward to cover her face and pretend to yawn. Killian had noticed her behavior a few times and knew exactly what was rushing through her head. They were the same things rushing through his. It didn't help that the corset of her dress was so tight that images of the body hidden beneath began to take shape in his mind. Secretly, or so they thought, they would smile at one another. Speaking the words they couldn't and dare not even say. A few times Ruby had to pinch her arm lightly to remind her she needed to compose herself.
"Lieutenant" Liam stomped his feet in front of his brother. His hands reaching out to straighten Killian's jacket. "You are tempting fate every time you look at Princess Emma and if you care to continue looking at her I would advise you to stop." Warning him with a stern whisper. Killian nodded. "Now let us go bid the royal family farewell." Taking a deep breath the brothers walked down the plank and onto the docks. "Do not stare too much at the Princess."
Tall and proud the Jones brothers stood in front of the King. Stoic, the Jones brothers waited for the King to place the royal orders in their hands and be given a royal blessing. This was a mission that neither agreed with or wanted to embark on. They continuously reminded themselves, fetching the son of the Dark King and bringing him back to the Kingdom was their duty. There was no choice in the matter or refusing the orders. It is the Naval way. It is the Jones way.
Emma chewed the inside of lip as she watched her father raise his hand and place the royal orders in Captain Jones' hands. Welcome death. In that simplest of moments she felt like her death warrant had been signed and by her own father, all with the handing of a piece of paper.
"Captain, Lieutenant, I wish you and your crew nothing but luck on your voyage. " The King placed a his free hand on Liam's shoulder. Forcing the words out with false happiness.
"Thank you your majesty." Liam turned and faced Emma. "I promise to return with your suitor in one piece Princess Emma."
Why? Why did he need to remind her of her fate? Why did he feel the need to hurt his own brother with his words? "I would hope so as our fate lies in your hands." Her smile masked the anger that her words conveyed.
In unison both men bowed to the Princess. Killian's gaze caught hers. Each memorizing the color of their eyes and the tiny specks in them, the shapes of their lips, and every freckle that was perfectly placed. For it would be the last time they would get to look at them without fear. Painfully, he broke his gaze from Emma and faced the King and Queen bowing to them next. With that the brothers turned and made way for the ship.
"He will be back soon" Ruby leaned in and whispered.
"With a man I want nothing to do with." Emma began to choke on the tears she was fighting back.
Everyone around her went upon their way except for Emma. She stood in the very spot she had encountered him the day before. Slowly she closed her eyes to remember how he held in her and said as you wish to her. The same wind that brought her happiness on the dock would now bring her sadness. The joy that filled her heart drained and was replaced with fear and sadness. In one spot her world suddenly changed and for what she thought was for the better turned out to be for the worse. Happiness would be gone from her world until Killian returned.
For weeks Emma tossed and turned in her sleep and tonight was no different. Nightmares creeping into her mind as she slept. Fearing that something had happened to the crew of the Jewel or worse yet Killian. Scared that somehow the Dark King had sensed that Killian was not only in love with the woman his son was being sent to court but that he had taken her innocence. The sweetest moment of her life was slowly turning into a secret and fear that was consuming her. Emma needed to keep the secret little longer, just until the Prince was gone. Once he had returned to his realm, she would speak to her parents and plead her case for choosing Killian. They would surely understand as her father was not always of royal blood. Then she could openly display her affections for him and the weight of her secret would be lifted.
Unable to sleep Emma ventured to the balcony. The curtains swaying lightly in the wind. She reached her hand out to open them and let the moonlight in. Abruptly, a rough hand grabbed at her wrist, first puling her forward and then pushing her back into the room. Panicked Emma opened her mouth to scream but was instantly silenced with a pair of familiar lips crashing upon hers. She knew this kiss, the taste of salt, and what seemed to be a new taste of, rum. Killian. Making certain this was not a cruel dream she pushed her tongue past his lips. The sensation of her kissing Emma again elicited the slightest of moans out of Killian. A sweet sound she knew all too well. The tight grip around her wrist releasing and moving into her hair. Fingers entangling themselves in golden locks at the back of her neck. Needing to see him with her own eyes, Emma unwontedly broke the kiss. They were Killian's tired blue eyes that still managed to shine through the darkness. This was no dream, he was standing in front of her tired and disheveled.
"What are you doing here? Did anyone see you?" her voice low and full of concern as much as happiness.
He cupped her face and gave her a chaste kiss. Never in his life had he been so happy to risk his life for someone. "I needed to see you one last time before we brought the Prince to the castle in the morning." Killian kissed her again. The power of his kiss drawing her body upwards. "I dreamt of you every night. Emma, you were all I could think of." His lips gently kissing her eyelids. "The way you look at me with these beautiful eyes. The way you smell of lavender. Your kiss." Again he kissed her. Nipping gently at her body lip.
Perfect words that made Emma's heart swell with happiness. Her arms wrapped around his neck and embraced him with every bit of strength in her body. He was safe. Everything she had feared was all in her imagination. "You can't even imagine how much I missed you. How worried I was. I was so scared the Prince would get some inkling of what was going on between us." His ears being the gateway to the sad words his brain did not want to process. There was a sudden shift in Killian's body.
Killian swallowed hard "The Prince, he may have overheard a conversation Liam and I had about the night before I left." Emma dropped her arms and began to step away from him. "Love, please." Wanting to comfort he reached for her hand as he watched tears form in her eyes and her head drop. "Emma, I don't think he heard anything. He couldn't have been there long. As I left my brothers cabin the prince was on his way to his quarters. At most he may have heard me being told to return above deck to the men. Emma, if he had heard what Liam and I were speaking of he would have notified his father and I would be dead." Finally taking her hands in his own he pulled her close to him once again. "But I'm not dead. I'm here, with you."
"I was so scared you would die." Emma lifted her head to look at Killian. Her cheeks were stained from her tears. "I was so scared you'd never come back to me."
"Emma, I'll always come back to you." He leaned his forehead against hers. "Even if they killed me I would find a way back to you. True love lives through death."
Feeling comforted, Emma whispered in his ear. "Stay the night with me." Her hand gently brushing the inside of Killian's leg, slowly making its way up the front of his trousers.
"I wish I could." Killian stopped her hand before the tiny jolts of electricity racing up his spine reached his head and made him change his mind. "I need to return to the Jewel before they notice I am gone." Emma frowned but she understood. "You're new husband should be passed out drunk by now. " The words new husband made Emma grimace. "I must say he can hold his rum rather well. I'm surprised with him being a Prince and all."
"You got the Prince drunk?" Emma laughed.
"It was the only way I could escape to see you. Actually the men got him drunk. I merely suggested he enjoy one last night of freedom before taking the steps to be a married man." Emma crossed her arms in disbelief and anger. "I just pretended to drink and retire early." He explained with slight laughter in his voice. "All so I could have one last moment with you."
"I have no intention on marrying him Killian Jones and if you dare call him my husband one more time ..."he kissed her before she could finish her sentence.
"I know. I need to go now." Killian rushed towards the balcony.
"Be careful." Emma opened the curtain to let him out.
"I will be hidden by night's cloak." Killian gave her his final kiss before taking his leave from her and this time for good.
The moonlight lit up the garden and created a path for Killian to follow, helping him vanish into the night. Emma kept her eyes on him as she begged the night to keep him safe. The guards that would be walking around the grounds and Killian afford to get caught. Her heart was pounding against her chest. Trying to break free from its cage. As Killian passed the last hedge she let out a sigh of relief that caught in her throat before she could fully let it out. A shadow appeared out of nowhere and cast itself on the ground. Her eyes following the lines to another hedge but she could see nothing. There was no movement or person that she could see. Afraid of what it could be she thought of calling out for the guards but if she did so they could find Killian. It was not a risk she was willing to take. Letting out the rest of her breathe she told herself the mysterious shadow was nothing more than the moonlight playing tricks on her. Without any further thought of the shadow she returned to bed.