Emma could feel the thumping of her horse's hooves in her chest as she galloped across the field The warm spring breeze combed through her hair the faster she rode the first tiny rays of sunlight blinding her as the sun rose in the sky. Quietly she escaped the castle seeking freedom from the pain building in her heart the past week. Not wanting to risk her dream coming into fruition, she had sent Ruby to find Killian that day and advise him to stay away from her until further notice. Not being able to touch or speak to him would hurt, but seeing him die would destroy her. She couldn't run the risk any longer of them being caught together.
Unlike normal girls of her age who had lost a beau, Emma was not allowed to hide in her room and cry until there were no tears left; there was still a prince to entertain. Every morning she dressed and spent the day with Neal, who always seemed to have something planned for them to do. Understanding it was her duty, she had endured her own personal form of hell with a smile, except for the day before when he took them to the docks, claiming he wanted to understand the kingdoms Naval prowess. Neal had paraded Emma up and down the docks several times as she explained the history and facts about certain ships. It was not until Killian had seen them that Neal was tired of hearing Emma speak. Neal grinned like a spoiled child who had successfully taken away another boy's toy when he saw the heartbreak in Killian's eyes, and the defeat in his shoulders as he turned away. In that moment Emma remembered a line in a book she once read: she had gone from the mountains to the moors in her decision to keep company with Neal. Suddenly she felt no better than a wretched Queen trying to save her own head.
The morning sun illuminated the sky behind old castle ruins by the time Emma reached her destination. Climbing off her horse, she tied him to a low hanging branch before walking towards the apse of the entwined trees. Her fingers ran through the shreds of fabric left by others who prayed to the lovers believed to be buried under the tress. The story of their doomed but passionate love affair was one every little girl was told at bedtime. Later as young women they were told of the power of the lovers trees. With a torn piece of fabric from a garment of each person tied into a knot, they would hang it on one of the entwined branches and ask the lovers to bless their love and make it unbreakable. Emma never truly believed in the legend, but she was fearful that she would lose Killian. The power of fear could drive the most logical person to desperate measures. Pulling the fabric knot from her cloak pocket she clenched it tight in her hands until finding the perfect spot for it.
"I ask you Tristan and Queen Ysuelt to...this crazy, what I am I doing? This is just a story. There's no truth behind this." Disbelief was in her voice as she scanned the tree. Out of the corner of her eye she caught the sight of fabric she knew all too well: an embroidered SW on ivory white fabric with gold trim knotted to a dull brown piece of fabric. This was the fabric of a future queen and shepherd who had fallen in love. Smiling at the thought of her mother standing in the very same spot Emma pushed away all disbelief and placed her knot made of Killian's naval shirt and her muslin gown next to her parents. "I ask you Tristan and Queen Ysuelt to make the love Killian and I have as unbreakable as your own. May it be able to cross all realms and time."
With haste and hope Emma climbed onto her horse and rode back to the castle. The ride back was more peaceful and calming. It was strange how having faith in a simple superstition that could instantaneously make the world a little brighter. Not once did she think of what Neal could possibly have planned for them that day. Her thoughts were consumed by the chance at happiness her and Killian would have once Neal was gone and how beautiful the world would be if she never had to see him again or hear of his kingdom. Emma wanted nothing more to barge into his room and tell him to leave but that would surely not be in anyone's best interest. It was time to stop entertaining Neal and leading him to believe there was a chance. Emma needed be honest that she had no interest in no matter how much of a perfect alliance it would be to have them marry it would never transpire.
Upon returning to the castle Emma was pleased to find out that Neal had errands to attend to that morning and she would be free of him until the ball that night. Enjoying some peace, Emma sat under a large oak tree in her garden attempting to read. The simple act became nearly impossible, every time she looked up from her book, she would see where Killian climbed to make his way into her room. This would lead to thoughts of them in her bed, kissing and touching. Giving up on her book she laid on the blanket and let the images dance behind her eyelids, spotlighted by the suns beams shining on her face. The apples of her cheeks began to hurt from the intensity of her smile. Emma hadn't been this happy all week and she didn't want the feeling to fade. Bringing it all back to the beginning, she remembered the very first day she had seen a young officer Killian Jones in her father's throne room. She could see his flushed cheeks and bright blue eyes. She could even hear him stumbling over her name when he greeted her.
"Princess Emma." A stern but familiar voice came from up above her. "Princess Emma." The voice was a little softer this time, snapping her out of her dreams.
"Killian." Emma foolishly grinned as she slowly opened her eyes. The bright sunlight behind him making him appear as if he just walked out of her dream. Killian cleared his throat, reminding her that she couldn't be so informal with him. The smile quickly vanished as she sat up. "Lieutenant Jones."
"Your mother sent me to find you. The Queen said that no one had been able to locate you since before dawn." Staring past her at the roots of the tree he did not look in her eyes once. He as well as Emma knew this was some ploy that the Queen had come up with to get them to speak.
"Did she say why she was looking for me?" Emma bowed her head, hiding a coy smile.
"No Princess Emma but I would assume it would be in regards to the ball tonight and the Prince." Killian put out his hand to help Emma off the ground. "If you please, I would like to take you to your mother."
"Is that what you are to do? Take me to my mother." Killian began to walk once Emma was off the ground. There was a haste in his step Emma had never seen but she tried to keep up.
"If you prefer I can take you to your Prince." Dripped out a Killian's mouth like the milk of the Oleander.
"My Prince?!" She stopped short in front of Killian, angry and hurt. "I want nothing to do with him. I hate him near me. I hate that our first encounter in a week is an argument. I hate that it's him that I have to dance with tonight and not you." The dam of tears began to break. "I hate that it was you I was dreaming of on that blanket because that is as close as I can get to you." Tears raced down her cheeks and onto her dress. "Now do you think he is still my Prince."
"Emma." He wanted nothing more than to pull her tight into him, comfort her and kiss away the tears. Instead he grabbed her hand in his and kissed the top of it. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. Seeing you with him yesterday and knowing I have to watch you both together tonight, I lost my temper. Please forgive me." Emma shook her head yes as he wiped the remaining tears from her face.
"Did my mother really ask you to find me?" Emma asked as she held in the laughter from the silliness of her mother's request.
"Yes. She told me she was tired of seeing her daughters sad face so could I please make her happy before the ball this evening. Does she know..." Emma interrupted him before he could finish.
"All mothers know the happenings of their daughters, no matter how quiet they are kept." Killian looked perplexed. "Ruby." Understanding what she meant he nodded. "I was out riding. I need to clear my head. All of this is just overwhelming. I rode out to the castle ruins." Fighting the urge to grab Emma's face and kiss her, Killian flashed a sly smile. Even men knew of the lovers tree though they never admitted it.
The gate of the garden opened just as Killian laid his hand on it. A very pleased Neal stood in the archway of the door, his Cheshire grin brightening the darkness. Emma wasn't sure if he had the best timing to ruin her stolen moment with Killian or they had the worst timing for getting caught.
"My princess. I had heard you were unable to be located this morning." Grabbing Emma's hand he pulled her towards him. "I hope the Lieutenant wasn't the reason for the disappearance."
"No your Highness. I was just sent by the Queen to find her but I entrust that you will make sure the princess gets to her mother." Unwillingly Killian placed Emma's hand in Neal's.
"Of course Lieutenant." He purred as Killian bowed and took his leave, squeezing passed the pair in the archway.
Rushing Emma back into the garden, Neal sat them on the little stone bench from the first time they were in the garden together. Taking both of her hands he kissed the tops of them before laying them palm up on her lap. The smile from the doorway had grown on his face. Keeping both eyes on Emma he dug through his pocket and pulled out a simple necklace with a silver swan charm hanging from it. Delicately he placed it in Emma's hands. Eyeing the simple gesture laid before he she wondered where it had come from.
"It was my mothers. It's the only thing I have of hers before she..." The lump in his throat stopped him mid sentence. "She ran off with some man. This happened before my father became king. My mother decided she didn't want him, a coward, for a husband. Years after my father became King she returned again claiming she would take me away in the morning. As a token of her promise she gave me this necklace. She never returned that morning or any day after. My father said she forgot all about me because that's what selfish women do." Amazed at the tenderness in his voice and face, Emma was lost at what was taking place in the moment. Under all the arrogance was a broken little boy longing for the love his mother. "My father killed her the night she gave me this, one of guards told me. She deserved it for leaving us, for abandoning me twice." As quickly as the coldness and arrogance had disappeared it had remerged uglier and more aggressive. "Let me put it on you."
Emma put her hand up to stop him but he pushed past it, doing once again as he pleased. As he closed the back of the necklace he saw the blanket on the ground under the tree. Thoughts of Emma and Killian on the blanket rushed through his mind.
"You and the lieutenant are close?" The question filled with the hate Neal seemed to have growing for Killian.
"We have known each other for years." Emma swallowed hard, thinking of the next words to say. "We enjoy talking to each other about books and his travels. As a princess I don't really get to travel much outside of the Kingdom."
"Really? I didn't think the lieutenant had the time to speak to a princess about frivolous fairy tales. Makes you wonder if there isn't another reason for his visits." Neal played with the charm, his fingers brushed along Emma's skin. "Most men spend time with a beautiful woman like yourself to bed them through means of marriage or pretty words that make them open..."
"I assure you that Killian is not such a man. He is honorable and a gentlem..." Anger in Emma's voice cut through Neal's laughter. "May I ask why you're laughing?"
"Emma, the man clearly is pining for you and if you think he isn't or better yet doesn't want a taste of you than you are naive child." The laughter stopped. "Even if he has had you, it wouldn't matter because in the end you know it would be a better choice to take me as a husband than him. I'm a prince and he is nothing more than a pirate in a military uniform. Dead mother, fugitive father and a brother that begged your father to allow him into the navy as a teenager." Emma's held back her shock of Neal knowing about Killian's past. Very few knew of the Jones' parents and Killian's entrance into the navy." He's nothing compared to me and you being a smart girl would always choose what's best for her kingdom. Always." Tilting her chin he placed a kiss on the corner of her mouth before taking his leave. "I look forward to tonight. I have such a surprise for you, it will change your life."
Unable to move Emma sat on the bench replaying the words over and over in her head. What monster would say such a thing to a person? Neal didn't value her for more than just what he could take from her. The stone on the necklace began to burn against her skin. Emma removed it and slammed it onto the bench. Staring at it, she felt remorse for the death of Neal's mother at first, and then envy that she had escaped a monstrous son, who without a doubt learned his behavior from his father. Hearing her named being called by Ruby from her room, she got up from the bench, leaving the necklace behind.
"Deep breath." Ruby pulled at the corset strings one last time before tying them. "Done. You can breathe now."
"I don't think I can." Emma said while holding onto her vanity chair.
"Maybe you being unable to breath is a good thing." Emma raised an eyebrow in confusion. "So Killian can catch you if you faint."
"I won't be around Killian very much. I'll have to entertain Prince Neal all evening." Emma stepped into her dress. "At least I will have you there to rescue me from Neal." There was a frown on Ruby's face.
"I'm sorry Emma but I won't be there tonight." Ruby turned Emma around to tie up the dress. "Granny has gotten ill and I need to take care of her."
"I understand." Emma tried to disguise the sadness in her voice with empathy.
"Emma, I know you wanted me there to help you have at least one dance with Killian but you have your mother there." Emma went to say something but Ruby stopped her. "Trust your mother. She understands more about your situation that you know. Let her help you." Finding comfort in Ruby's words Emma smiled. "Now let's finish getting you ready."
The corset under the red gown cut into her skin. Under her breath she cursed the damn thing over and over until she was greeted at the ballroom doors by her parents. It was tradition for the royal family to enter the ballroom together to greet the guests. The king nodded his head to the guards as they opened the doors. A blast of string and wind instruments greeted them immediately as they stepped through the doorway. The family walked towards a table at the north side of the room where four chairs waited for them, three for the royal family and one for Neal. Emma and her mother took their seats on either side of the king. Before Emma could get any form of comfortable three loud bangs echoed the room and all went quiet.
"Myself, the Queen and my daughter Princess Emma would like to thank everyone for joining us this evening as we celebrate the forming of a new friendship between our kingdom and Prince Neal's kingdom." The crowd divided as Neal made his way to the front of the ballroom. "I ask everyone to please raise their cups as we toast to the young Prince. May he accept this kingdom as an ally and my family as new friends." With that the king took a sip of his wine. "Now, everyone please dance and enjoy yourselves this evening." Over the excitement of the room the musicians began to play again.
Like a snake through tall summer grass, Neal made his way to the table. Avoiding his seat he stood in front of the table and bowed at the king and queen.
"If it would not be too much of an imposition for you Queen Snow, I would like to steal your husband for a moment." Emma rolled her eyes and the fake sincerity in his voice.
"As long as you have him back by the next dance I think I could allow it." Not once did she take her eyes off her husband. Her words allowing him to leave but her stare sent him a different message.
"She is the Queen and I must obey. Prince Neal." King David kissed his wife on the cheek before following the prince.
Unnerved by Neal's intention to speak to her father Emma rushed to her mother's side. Before she could let out one word of worry her mother spoke. "Trust your father." Emma nodded. "I see Captain and Lieutenant Jones have arrived. This might just be a perfect time to have at least one dance with Lieutenant Jones before the rest of the night is spent with the prince." Emma couldn't help but beam at her mother. "You should at least have a little happiness tonight."
With the push of her father's chair she rose with haste to find Killian but sadly it was all for nothing. The conversation between Neal and her father had been shorter than expected. Emma couldn't decided if it was a good thing or a bad one and the smiles on their faces were not about to give anything away.
Upset with her lost chance to dance with Killian, Emma slipped back into her chair, catching pieces of her mother and father talking about the 'good of Neal and Emma marrying'. She turned her head and ignored the rest of the conversation. She leaned back into the chair and watched the dancers spin around the room like snowflakes during the first snow. The women's faces all glowing from the rush of dancing and the men taking their hands delicately while leading them through a ceremonial courtship done to music. Her eyes searched the room for Killian. Finding him tucked away in a nest of beautiful young women who were making him laugh and smile. Killian seemed to be enjoying their company and he should Emma thought. It was only fair since he would have to watch Emma dance with Neal. Tired of watching everyone else's happiness Emma bowed her head and stared at her empty hands, she wishing they were filled by Killian's.
"If you would do me the honor my princess?" Emma looked up to see Neal's hand extended.
"Sadly I am still learning to breathe in this dress." It was a half truth and half lie but the only thing Emma could say to get her out of dancing with him. "Perhaps one of the other ladies would be happy to dance with you."
"My beautiful fragile princess, any other lady would be honored to have me on their arm, but I want no one but you. Can you blame a man for wanting to show off the beauty of his partner in such a large crowd?" Every word dug under her skin. Emma wanted to lash out at him but this was not the time or the place. Elegantly she took his hand and followed him to the ballroom floor.
Neal placed his hand on Emma's waist forcefully, branding her as his for all to see as he pulled her into him. With a stiffened back Emma stood her ground and managed to keep ample space between. Placing on hand on his shoulder and the other in his hand she could feel his coldness creep into her skin. With the upbeat of the music they began to dance. Neither spoke a word as he twirled her around the floor. This was not any dance between a prince and princess, this was a dance of wills. Neal fed off Emma's hatred of him invading her space and here he was a breath away from being flush to her. Emma could sense him pushing himself into her world so he could break her, but she was far from the fragile princess he called her. She could keep him at bay for a lifetime if needed. Like alpha beasts, the two never took their eyes off the other during the battle of footsteps. They learned all they needed to in the stiffness in their backs, the quickness in their steps and squeezing of hands: both wanted the other to bow their head in defeat so they could claim themselves the victor. One song lead into another and another as the relentless battle waged on. The longer they danced the more Emma could feel Neal wearing down, missing a step here and stepping on her toes. Finally admitting defeat, Neal bowed his head at the end of the fifth dance and released Emma from his hands.
"Tired of dancing already your highness." Emma teased, pour salt into his freshly opened wound.
"Don't fret my princess I shall return for more but right now I need a little wine."Neal stepped close to her, his lips brushed her ear." I noticed you are not wearing my mother's necklace tonight."
"It did not go with the dress." Her mind wondered back to the bench where she had left it.
"Such a pity. It laid perfectly on your porcelain skin." The back of his fingers brushed her neck. "I must say Emma you are a passionate dancer. I hope you are just as passionate in other activities. We won't find that out until later, though, will we?" With a kiss on her cheek he walked away.
Rage coursing through her veins, Emma walked towards the open balcony doors, her fists balled up in the fabric of her gown, each step closer to the doors adding to the fire in her veins. Passing the guards, Emma signaled them to shut the door. Loudly they clicked behind her as she slammed her hands on the cool stone. Neal was willing to endure every obstacle Emma placed in his way. This would make him accepting her not wanting him as husband more challenging than expected. Trying to calm her anger Emma peered into the night sky. The moonlight forced itself through the cloud cover night, extinguishing the fire in Emma's veins.
"It's best to make sure the balcony is empty before having the guards shut the doors." Emma whirled around to the dark corner where the voice emerged from. "You never know who is hiding in shadows waiting for you." Killian and Emma walked towards each other with ease.
"I'm not afraid of the darkness. She has a way of bringing me gifts." Emma's hands slide up the front of Killian's dress Naval whites. "Do you want to know something else about the darkness?"
"Aye." The single word brushed across Emma's lips.
"It is where lovers meet and exchange vows of affection. They are protected by night's cloak so no one's eyes may see them." Killian's hands pressed into Emma's back as their lips parted, their tongues slowly enticing the other for more. The kiss became wilder as the lovers deepened it. Emma could feel the bruises forming on her mouth the harder Killian pressed. "We have to thank the darkness for a great many things."
"Aye love." Killian kissed the side of Emma's head. "Are you enjoying the ball as much as I am?"
"Unlike you having beautiful women vying for your attention, I have an arrogant prince who enjoys making inappropriate comments and hinting ever not so subtly that I am his." The fire began to ignite again.
"It is flattering and I would be lying if I said I wasn't enjoying it a little." Killian admitted with a smirk.
"Well then, you should leave and return to..." Feeding off the fire Emma began to stomp away.
"Emma, the only attention I want is yours." Grabbing her arm Killian spun Emma around. "I haven't even danced with any of them because I the only one I want to dance with is you."
"I wish I could dance with you, but getting me away from Neal is impossible. I hate dancing with him to be honest." Her fingertips fiddled with the buttons on Killian's coat.
"Of course you hate dancing with him." Killian took Emma's waist as he pulled her in. "Dancing is only enjoyable when you have the right partner."
Under dim starlight and moon beams Killian and Emma danced to the faint traces of music slipping underneath the balcony doors. Effortlessly the pair danced to the music, their bodies moving in sync to the rhythm of the violins. Knowing exactly when to step back from each other and back in before Killian took to a knee as Emma walked around him. His hand followed hers with each step as she circled him. Standing again he took Emma's waist and swayed her gently like a summer blossom in the wind. The music may have started to guide them but it was Emma's laughter that had become their music. At the lulls Killian placed both hands on her waist to pluck her delicately from the ground. Like petals falling to the ground the soles of Emma shoes touched the ground. Eyes fixated on Killian she placed her hands back in position as they continued to dance. Wanting more of the music of Emma's laugh Killian twirled her like a child does the stem of the flower to watch the colors of the petals blur. The last twirl brought Emma flush to him. He could feel her heart beating against his chest and the heat from her cheeks on his own. Sweet notes of laughter tickled his ears as the balcony doors slammed open.
Thunderous footsteps rushed towards Emma and Killian, but it was too late to part, for Neal had witnessed their private moment. Unafraid Emma stepped into Neal's path of anger. No longer would she cater to him. They had been caught and it was only fair that Neal heard the truth of her intentions towards him. Emma cleared her throat to speak but never got a word out. Gripping her arm tightly Neal tossed Emma aside like a weed. Neal set his target on Killian and with quick hands he pushed him against the stone wall.
"The princess is not yours Lieutenant and the sooner you understand that the better. Princess Emma is mine and I will not let any other man lay their hands on her. You think because you took her once that she's yours." Giving nothing away Killian stood stoic and allowed Neal to ramble on. Angered by Killian's lack of reaction Neal pulled a dagger and pressed it against his throat. "I heard the conversation with your brother that night. I hope you enjoyed her because never again will it happen. Relive it in your head on cold nights. Remember how she took pity on you one night because from now on the only name Emma will be calling out is mine. Do you understand Lieutenant Jones?"
"No. I will never call out your name. You have tavern wenches to stroke that over exaggerated pride of yours. " Stunned Neal turned towards Emma. "I am not your property or some business transaction. Understand this Prince Neal, never will I be your wife or your Queen. I do not care how much your father threatens my kingdom." As Emma walked to Killian and Emma she felt a surge of power in her. "From my understanding of things it is your kingdom that needs this marriage more than ours so once again if you did not understand the first time, there will be no marriage." Grounded in her words Emma made them loud enough for all to hear.
"Oh Princess Emma." Neal laughed darkly. "I understand perfectly. " He grabbed her forearms and looked her in the eyes. "Make no mistake you will be mine." Letting her go he stormed off, marching through the flabbergasted crowd.
Head held high Emma walked back into the ballroom. Fierce green eyes stared straight into the room, afraid of losing her composure she fixed them onto a painting of her grandmother. Killian followed behind her, proud of how Emma had saved not only him, but herself from a hate filled marriage. Feeling Liam's disapproving eyes on him from across the room, he looked at his brother with not an ounce of shame for what had happened. Liam lived by a code and made sure to instill it in Killian, but it was time for Killian to obey the code in a way that spoke to him.
Stopping in the middle of the ballroom Emma faced Killian and extended her hand for him to take. She placed the free one on his shoulder and smiled at the musicians to start up the music. It didn't matter to her what everyone had witnessed or that Neal had stormed off. This was her kingdom and her life, and she would rule them both to the best of her ability. Following the order of their princess, the band began to play again and not more than three steps into the dance the rest of people followed. Laughter, discussion and music demolished the tension in the room that had come from the scene on the balcony. As quickly as it had risen it was forgotten. Emma had even caught a glimpse of her parents dancing not far from her. Smiling at their happiness, Emma began to wonder how long it had been since she had seen them so carefree and all a glow.
The night seemed to go on with no sign of Prince Neal. Emma had wondered if he was off in some tavern drinking away his sorrows and hoping some pretty thing would take pity on him for being treated cruelly by the princess. Going on and on about how cruel she and her family were until he his lie coiled itself tightly around the poor girl and made her his meal.
Pushing away any thought of Neal, Emma returned to listening to some conversation her mother and father seemed to be happening with the Jones brothers. The innocence in her mother's laughter resonated off the marble pillars. Suddenly that same laughter turned dark and surrounded Emma. It couldn't be her mother. Following the sound of the laugh she noticed a puff of dark purple smoke appear in the middle of the ballroom. Inside it was Prince Neal and two other people Emma didn't recognize.
"You are a foolish girl Princess Emma." The purple smoke impishly laughed.
"The Dark King." King David whispered. Stepping forward he pushed his wife and daughter behind him. "Your majesty..."
"Silence" The Dark King cried out. "Come here dearie. I won't harm you. Not yet anyway." He laughed again. Solemnly Emma walked to the King. Her eyes moved between Neal, the King and the young shaggy brown haired boy behind them. "My son tells me you have chosen not to marry him. Bad choice in my opinion, but then again you are the daughter of Twue Wuv." Emma turned back to her parents to see their faces. The carefree aura was gone and fear filled the air around them."Ah your parents. HEHEHE."His laughed echoed in Emma's ears. "Did they tell you that they knew Neal was sent here to marry and form an alliance. Attempt to end the hate between the kingdoms. Instead you REJECT MY SON!" The Dark King yelled.
"Emma" King David rushed to Emma's side. "Your mother and I knew but we wanted you to decide if you wanted to marry him. This is my fault..."
"This is my fault David. I'm her mother and knew she would never agree to this marriage. Not when her heart belongs to someone else." Snow glanced over to Killian who had stationed himself in the crown near Emma.
"The well dressed pirate. Tell me dearie do your parents know about him sneaking into your room at night. Or that you are, oh what's the word I'm looking for..." The impish man walked around the family teasing them as he looked for the perfect word.
"Stop." Killian shouted. "If you want someone to punish for Emma not wanting to marrying your son then punish me."
"HEHEHE. Well alright." The Dark King plunged his hold into Killian's chest and began to squeeze his heart. Neal laughed as he watched Killian descend to the ground in pain.
"Let go of my brother's heart or I will put my sword through your throat." The tip of Liam's sword was inches from the side of the Dark King's neck.
"Here comes big brother to save you." The Dark King began to squeeze harder. "I am not going to kill him that's not punishment enough. " Abruptly the King let go of Killian's heart making him drop to the floor. Emma fell to his side to see if he was ok. "You love him don't you Princess Emma." Her eyes glared up at the King. "Foolish girl. Regardless of what your parents have taught you and you feel for Lieutenant Jones, love isn't real and everlasting." Ushering the brown haired boy in front of her he magically made a large cauldron appear. "You should have picked my son." The King plunged his hand into the boys chest and retrieved his heart. "Now you well be punished and understand the pains of love Princess." The Dark King crushed the boys heart in front of everyone causing the room to gasp. The ashes fell into the cauldron making a dark plume of purple smoke appear. "Remember this princess, you made me kill my favorite son. My Bae." Tears welled in Emma's eyes. She never intended for anyone to die for her decision, especially an innocent little boy. "Enjoy the curse. HEHEHE" A large rush of wind from the dark plume covering the room separated Emma and her parents from Killian and Liam.
Fearing the unknown Snow and David clung to their daughter as the winds picked up. Snow's head was buried under David's chin as she looked at her daughter. Snow knew what it was like to fight to be with the one you love. The nonstop fighting with King George, David's pseudo father, to allow them to be together and to accept he would not marry Princess Abigail like his twin brother James was intended before his death.
"You need to be with Killian." Snow grabbed her daughters face.
"What? I'm not leaving you." There was a tremble in Emma's voice. She began to fear the worst of the curse.
"Your mother is right Emma. Listen to her." David mumbled into her hair after kissing the top of his daughters head.
"Emma you need to be with man you love when this thing hits us. We love you more than anything and know you will find us when this curse hits. Go to Killian." Placing what Snow thought would be her last kiss on her daughter's forehead she let Emma go.
Obeying her mother Emma hugged them one last time before fighting the hurricane storm winds. Pushing her way slowly to Killian's side of the room, she could already make out Killian fighting his way towards her. Liam was tugging at the back of Killian's coat, obviously forcing him to stay put. Catching a glimpse of Emma struggling against the wind, Liam pulled his brother into a hug before pushing him towards Emma. The harder Emma and Killian fought the wind the stronger it became. Bolts of lightning illuminated their path. A gust of wind swept through the room knocking both Killian and Emma to their knees and forcing them to crawl to each other.
"Doesn't matter how much you fight for each other you will be mine!" Neal screamed through the storm. "Give up Lieutenant Jones!"
"Fight all you want but you'll never reach each other in time. Listen to my son and give up." The Dark King laughed into the storm.
"A man unwilling to fight deserves what he gets." Killian forced through the wind as he stared at him.
"I can reach you Killian." Emma stretched her hand as best as she could while protecting herself from the wind. "Almost there." Their finger tips fighting to grab hold of each other's hand.
The sound of glass crashing all around them intertwined with the screams of people and howl of the wind. Dark smoke enveloped Emma and Killian so they could no longer see each other. Pushing their hands through the smoke they fought harder to grab onto to each even if it was by a mere fingertip. Their love was worth fighting for and they were not about to let a curse keep them apart.
"Emma!"
"Killian!"
One last time Emma felt Killian's fingertips before they were gone.