Chapter 5: Of Risks and Rewards

AN: two updates in less than two weeks? my muses have been cooperative. let me know what you think!

One afternoon, she climbed down the wall, as was her usual, and plopped onto the sand, dipping her toes into the water. He smiled in hello but wrinkled his brow when he noticed her face. And her twisting fingers. And the tension in her shoulders.

"What's wrong? You seem bothered."

"Who says I'm bothered?"

Killian rolled his eyes. "You're jumpy today. On edge." He eyed her fingers until she noticed his stare and gave him a look. "Open book, Emma."

She huffed. "Fine." He waited patiently as she resumed twisting her fingers, the urge to reach out and grab them almost unmanageable.

"My mom is planning this stupid ball."

"A ball? Like…a dance?"

"Yeah." She laid back into the sand. "It's…it's for my birthday." He glanced down at her, she had never brought up her birthday before. "Big celebration, lots of people and music and noise and…" she made a noise of discontent.

"I take it you're not excited."

It wasn't a question but she answered him anyways. "I hate these sort of things. Which she knows full well. But it's a big birthday and allies like this sort of nonsense and," Emma bit her lip, not wanting to say the words out loud.

"And…?"

She sighed. "And they're all going to bring their sons." She knocked her head against the sand. "It's going to be horrible."

Killian's heart lodged in his throat. Suitors, she was talking about suitors. Young men, of good breeding and family, were going to vie for her hand. The very thought made him sick, made him want to punch something, made him wish he could split his tail in two walk across the sand, throw her over his shoulder, and never ever have to share her.

He coughed, breaking the pause. "Why? Not a fan of all the attention?"

"You know I hate the attention. And with this kind of stuff I'm a prize to be won, not a person. And even though my parents would never arrange my marriage, they're not those kind of royals, I just…" She released an aggravated noise. "I tried appealing to Dad but he told me once Mom's made up her mind her mind is made up and- "

"Well that doesn't sound familiar at all."

She glared at him. "And that I should just grin and bear it. That's not my style but if I make a mess of this she may never forgive me. I already denied her my eighteenth."

"What did you do for your eighteenth?"

"Remember the day you took me out to sea? Showed me that lagoon place?"

"Yeah?"

"That's what I did that year. Far better than this stupid thing."

He had to try and hold back his beaming grin as he recalled that day by ducking his head. Something warm bubbled beneath his ribs as he thought about her words. She had chosen to spend her birthday with him, him of all people instead of her family. She'd trusted him to make her day special and gods below he felt another piece of his heart fall into her.

Killian took a moment to study her. She had closed her eyes but was frowning slightly, a line forming between her eyebrows. His finger twitched to smooth it out but he held back. "You'll be fine. How many years do you have pretending to enjoy the time of dignitaries?"

"It'll be twenty-one in approximately two months."

"Exactly! And you can tell any prize-mongering fool to bugger off if you'd please." He grinned when she cracked an eyelid open. "You're more than capable of handling a few royal numskulls. If you recall you made me sit through an entire afternoon of watching you master your hand-to-hand skills."

She smirked, remembering the day. He had complained the whole time but had never once swum off while she worked on her footwork.

"See! It'll be fine. Just dance to a few songs and spend the rest of the evening with your Godfather by the punch bowl." Her face dropped at the word 'dance' and she frowned again. "What? What did I say?"

"I…" she closed her eyes, cheeks flushing in embarrassment. "I can't dance. It's part of why I hate these. I either look like a fool or people assume I'm being rude."

Killian chuckled. "It can't be that hard."

"I'd like to see you try, fishboy." He smiled at the name despite her scathing tone.

"I'd love to princess, but this," he motioned to his tail. "Poses a problem."

Emma nodded with a sigh, dropping her head back into the sand. "I wish you could go. The night would be so much more tolerable." She stretched her arms above her head and his gaze fell to exposed skin and he swallowed thickly.

"Would if I could, you know that."

"I know." She grinned up at him, drinking in the sight of his profile and his shoulders and chest. "I know you would."

She imagined Killian showing up in royal garb of her world, looking positively dashing and her heart beat just a touch faster. She pictured his wide grin as the two avoided her social obligations and a bit of a blush when he asked her to dance. She could practically feel the warmth he would radiate and his hand on her hip and she sighed. It was so unfair.

They spent the rest of the evening making up their own constellations while Emma studiously ignored the heat radiating off Killian and Killian tried his damndest to not reach out and grab her hand.

They were both completely and utterly in trouble.

The closer the date of the ball got, the more anxious Killian became. Emma's trepidation was slowly turning into excitement, if only a little bit. Yes, he knew she hated being the center of attention but she also enjoyed being with her family and friends. And though she loathed the big ball gowns, she loved her mother's doting hands leading up to the day of the event.

And the more he imagined her, in a flowing gown with her hair spilling over her shoulders, the more he ached to be there. To be the one holding her as she danced, the one making her laugh, the person by her side as she dealt with the ridiculousness of the evening. And the more he wished for that, the more it hurt to imagine her dancing across the floor, her laugh tripping over her lips, with some arrogant prince.

When she had dropped a note down apologizing for being too busy for the third time that week, he snapped. His heart clenched and his vision swam and jealousy reared its ugly head. He tore the note to shreds and began to swim as fast and far away as possible.

All he wanted was to be there with her, to be the one laughing as she tumbled over her own feet trying to master the steps, the one who caught her when she fell.

He wanted legs and…

And he knew exactly whom he had to speak with.

He had waited until it was dark to swim up under the main tower, guessing it was where their quarters were located.

Killian grabbed a handful of shells and began tossing them at the biggest window, hoping he had indeed picked the right room.

A flash of red hair informed him he had guessed correctly and he smiled to himself.

"Ariel!" He called out. "Ariel, down here!" The redhead stuck her head out the window. "Look down you dolt!"

Her eyes finally found him and he waved. "Killian? What are you doing here?"

"I needed to talk to you. You're the only one who can help me with this…thing I need help with."

He could feel her skepticism but exhaled in relief when she told him to wait until she joined him by the water, sitting on the old dock.

"Long time no see." She grinned widely and reached out for his hand.

"Too long," he kissed their entwined fingers. "Family get-togethers aren't quite the same without you."

Ariel smiled sadly. "I know. But," she motioned back towards the window he'd called her from and he nodded.

"I know." More than I'd care to.

"So," she eyed him carefully. "Why come see the family outcast for help? Last I checked human and merpeople contact was even further frowned upon."

"You're the only one who will help me." He drew patterns in the water and avoided her eyes.

"What are you talking about?" He shrugged and grunted incoherently and she gasped. Her eyes widened in realization. "You've done a me haven't you? You fell for a human."

Killian shifted in the water. "Maybe."

"Oh, Killian…."

"I know! I know, I know, I know. But she's…she's different. Even by human standards." Ariel smiled softly. "It wasn't supposed to happen."

"But it did."

He rubbed a hand over his face. "I just want one day, one night. Her birthday is in four days and…"

"And you want to be there," she finished for him. "I can't make it permanent for you. If I did I would lose my legs." He nodded sadly. "But you may be able to be there."

"How?"

"Four days right? When's the next highest tide? Is it four or fourteen, I can't remember?"

Killian stared at her as though she'd grown a second head. "The tide? You're asking me about the tide?"

"Calm down," she chided. "At the highest tide any merperson can leave the water and will have legs until the tide goes back out."

His heart was beating so fast he was sure she could hear it. "So- so I can see her? I can go on land and see her?"

"Only for that day. Then you'll be back to your fishy ways."

He rolled his eyes, excitement not quelling. "High tide is on her birthday. I'm," his voice caught in his throat. "I'm going to see her."

Ariel bit her lip against a grin, happy for his happiness but terrified for what the end of that day will mean for him. "You'll need human clothes. I can get you some in a waterproof bag if you come back tomorrow." He gave her the widest grin she'd seen in years and gods she'd missed him.

"You're the best cousin ever you know that?"

"I do try, but you're probably the only one who thinks so."

Killian reached for her hand again. "They just miss you. They were hurt and angry and didn't think. You know we all love you."

"I know," she murmured, squeezing his hand. "Enough about me though. Tell me about her!"

"Well," he scratched the back of his neck. "She's smart and strong and beautiful and brave. Bloody out of her mind to be honest, but funny and honest. She doesn't care about this," he motioned to his fin. "She's brilliant. Completely and utterly brilliant. And she doesn't know it, hasn't got a sodding clue how amazing she is." He shook his head and Ariel held back a laugh over how smitten he was. "And to top it all off she's a princess. Really set myself up for that one didn't I?"

The redhead's eyes grew big as sand dollars. "A princess? And her birthday is in four days?" Her head was reeling. "You love Emma? Princess Emma? Snow's daughter?"

"Yes." He seemed perturbed by her sudden interest. "Do you know her?"

"Snow was the human who helped me find Eric. She helped me trick the Evil Queen into making the charm I use permanent." She grinned hugely down at him. "I've known Emma for years, she looks just like Snow but she's her father's daughter through and through. You couldn't have fallen for a better girl."

Killian ducked his head. "Sure I could have. One who I had a chance with would've been lovely."

"Hey," she whispered. "If I could find a way so can you. Snow and Charming beat all the odds, I doubt Emma will be different."

"If she feels the same way."

Ariel smirked. "Somehow I doubt she'd put up with you if she didn't feel the same."

"Rude."

"Honest."

"Still rude."

They laughed, the sounds mixing together in a way he remembered and cherished. "Will I see you there?"

She looked back up to her window, the light still on as Eric waited for her. "Of course. We wouldn't miss it for the world. Especially now." She winked. "Get going before they all start to wonder where you are. I'll have clothes and a plan for you when you come back."

"Thanks Ariel."

She shrugged. "You were the one who helped me get back to him after years of searching. It's the least I can do."

"Still. It means a lot." He tossed a shell up at her. "It's your favorite."

"Thanks, Killian." She held the shell reverently. Only a merperson could find these ones, and she hadn't seen one in years, they held the sound of the seas inside them. "I'll see you tomorrow night. Don't be late."

With a final grin, he flipped back under the water. "That boy…" Ariel watched the ripples subside slowly and tilted her head, wondering if the inky trail that followed was what she thought it was.

Emma had known he was hiding something from the moment she had seen him a few days before. But the stubborn man had kept deflecting her questions and distracting her.

(Since when was he a man?)

(Since he…grew up. Right in front of you. And did so rather nicely).

He had asked for her to meet him down at their spot before she made her grand entrance, and it was Killian so of course she had said yes.

Her mom was going to kill her if she ruined her hair. Emma had climbed down slower than normal, her corset and slip's skirt making it more difficult. She had considered putting her pants and shirt on but then the maid would tell Snow she'd had to redo it and Emma wasn't in the mood for questions about her whereabouts. Again.

"Killian?" He was usually already there. Especially when he asked her to meet him. "Killian? Killian!"

"Close your eyes." His voice echoed and she frowned.

"Why?"

"C'mon Emma, give a guy a break. Close your eyes just for a moment."

She acquiesced with a sigh. She strained her ears to try and hear what he could possibly be doing, but the water barely rippled and the sounds of the planning above was making it hard to hear.

"Okay." His voice seemed closer than usual. "Open."

Her eyes fluttered open and she stood face to face with Killian, his blue eyes dancing as he smiled down at her. Killian was standing in front of her. Standing.

"Oh my- "

"What do you think?" He took a step back and held out his arms. "Not bad for a fishboy, aye?"

"Oh my god!" She drank in the sight of him. He was wearing a blue coat with bright brass buttons and it made his eyes glow. The cream pants he was wearing were the right side of ridiculous and he wore them well regardless. "Killian you- you're…"

"On land? With legs?" He chuckled, shoving his hands in his pockets. "It's crazy right."

"It's brilliant!" And then she launched herself into his arms, nearly knocking them both over. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she buried her face in his shoulder. He was taller than she expected he would be, but she fit right under his chin if she stood on her toes and his arms tightened around her waist and gods.

"Nice to see you too, Em." He dropped a quick kiss on her forehead before ducking his own against hers.. "This is my birthday present to you." She pulled away enough to give him a questioning glance. "Help make the night less boring, provide some entertainment. Maybe you can even show me how to dance." He winked and her heart sped up against her will.

Killian grinned down at her, his hands reflexively holding on tighter to he waist. "Have I rendered you speechless, princess?"

"You wish, fishboy." Her remark lost the desired effect when her voice came out breathy and soft.

He chuckled and she felt it deep in her chest. "Promise me a dance?"

"I- "

"Emma?" A voice sounded from the balcony and Emma's eyes widened comically.

"Shit. They sent them in early. Mom's going to kill me."

"Go," he nudged her forward. "I'll see you inside."

Emma's face split into a happy smile before she turned back to the wall. "Killian." He looked up at her, eyes soft and blue and I am so screwed. "I'll promise you two."

And it was his turn to be left speechless. For the first time that evening at least.

Emma's feet landed on the ground of her balcony approximately two seconds before her mother burst through the door.

"Emma Ruth!" Snow looked amazing in her deep purple gown, her hair flowing down in a way that matched Emma's when it was let loose. Her only downfall was the scowl she was wearing, currently directed at her only child. "What, in all the realm's name, were you doing when Rosie came to help you get dressed?"

Years of sneaking out had made Emma a pro at excuses. Unless her father was asking, he saw through her far too easily it was unfair.

"Avoiding her and all my responsibilities," she said with a shrug. "My usual."

"Emma," she scolded lightly, but smiled all the same. "You have far too much of your father in you sometimes."

"I'm taking that as a compliment." Emma shot her a saucy grin and Snow laughed.

"Look," she sighed, running her fingers over the dress Emma was to wear. "I know you're not a fan of the balls and fanfare and all that but…thank you. Thank you for being so good about all this." Her heels echoed around the room as she made her way over to her daughter. Snow cupped her cheek, pushing a curl behind her ear. "You know how proud we are of you right? How much we love you?" Emma ducked her head, nodding. "You're more than we ever wished for Ems." Snow leaned in to kiss her forehead. "Happy Birthday, princess."

"Thanks mom," she mumbled, feeling warm and happy and she really had the best parents anyone could ask for.

"Let's get you into this dress." Snow pulled it off the hanger and Emma gave her a rueful smile before stepping forward into the soft material.

When all the laces and clasps were done up Emma finally turned around and couldn't quite keep the smile off her face. She looked like a princess, not some romantic cliché but…she looked older and confident and regal and…

And Killian won't know what hit him.

"Here," Snow opened a box behind Emma, pulling something out. "This was my mother's before it was mine." She placed the tiara on her head and Emma's heart lodged in her throat.

"Mom…"

"It's heavier than it looks. But," she turned Emma around to face her. "I think you're more than ready to bear that weight."

At a loss for words, Emma pulled her mother into a tight hug. When she pulled away Snow gave her a soft smile, full of love.

"I'll see you downstairs." Snow kissed her cheek and walked out of Emma's room, her dress swishing along with her clicking heels.

Emma took one last look in the mirror. "Well," she inhaled deeply. "Here goes nothing."

Snow's heels clicked down the stone steps towards her husband who was already greeting guests. She felt a rush of happiness when his eyes found her and an unconscious grin settled over his features. More than twenty-five years since they'd met and he still hadn't lost a bit of charm.

"Hello, my queen." He reached for her hand. "How is she?"

"Stunning." Snow smiled at the naval officers entering before she continued. "Nervous but better than I expected. She hasn't actively tried to run off. Yet."

David snorted inelegantly. "That's my little girl."

"Not so little anymore," she reminded him and he frowned.

"Shh," he gave her a pained expression. "Let my denial continue for as long as possible. Please?"

A bright laugh escaped her lips and she leaned over to kiss his shoulder.

The next guest who appeared was a woman Snow had never met. She introduced herself as Mira, a queen from a far off land surrounded by the sea. Her skin was a beautiful deep copper tone that spoke of hours in the sun and her hair, long thick strands, was piled artfully atop her head.

She curtseyed to David who smiled politely back and then shook Snow's hand. Something akin to dread filled her stomach and she pulled back quicker that was proprietarily common. The woman dipped her head in farewell and glided across the ballroom. Her dress, black with a large skirt that seemed to roll across the ground, moved soundlessly with her away from them.

Charming sensed her unease and dropped a kiss on her lips. "She's not going to do anything. She's probably seeking out our trading posts because we offer such quality commodities." He nosed at the side of her jaw and she turned her face up to kiss him again. "Don't worry, my love."

"Isn't that behavior a bit indecent for a queen?"

Snow spun around at the voice, all thoughts of the strange woman forgotten, with David's quiet laugh rumbling behind her before a cheek-splitting grin broke across her face. "Ariel!"

The redhead released Eric's hand and rushed towards the brunette whom she enveloped in a warm hug.

"Hello, my dear."

Snow stood back, still grasping her hands and smiling. "How are you? You look wonderful!" Her hair was tucked into an elegant twist and her deep green dress made her eyes even more stunning. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you, too! And you Charming," she winked and he laughed good-naturedly. "We're good, happy." She beamed. "It's been pretty wonderful lately."

Snow grinned; overjoyed her friend had found her happily ever after. She released her hands and walked over to Eric who was now talking with her husband. He gave her a big hug and kissed her cheek, telling her she looked almost as beautiful as Ariel.

"Eric…" she warned.

"Oh hush," Snow guffawed. "It's fine. He looks almost as handsome as David."

Ariel laughed, shaking her head. There was a small cough from behind her and her eyes widened comically. Oh yes.

"Snow, David," they turned towards her. "I'd like to introduce you to my cousin. He's, ahh, visiting for a short while." The young man stepped forward with an air of nervous trepidation. "This is Killian."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, your majesties." He bowed formally and tried to smile confidently.

Charming quirked his lips and held out his hand. "And you, m'boy. Welcome to our kingdom." Killian thanked him before his eyes flickered to the queen nervously.

Her mouth was shaped in a small 'o' and her eyes darted between Ariel and Killian quicker than lightening. She knew he realized. She knew who and what Ariel was and therefore what Killian was.

"Your majesty?" He hedged softly.

"It's um…it's very nice to meet you." She mentally scolded her lack of grace. "Welcome, I hope tonight is everything you hope for."

Ariel hid a grin behind her hand. "For now you do," she muttered. "Come on, Killian." She wrapped her hand through his arm. "Let's leave these two to their greetings and mingle about." She mouthed later at Snow and walked off.

"What was that about?" Charming frowned down at her.

"Later," she intoned as their next guests arrived.

Emma felt ridiculous. She was pacing the length of her bedroom waiting for Rosie to come get her for her grand entrance. She had an entrance. She had to walk out, the center of attention, in front of every royal she'd ever met and probably a few she hadn't.

She was going to throw up and ruin her gorgeous dress and hair and fuck shit fuck fuck fuck.

There was a knock at the door and she felt like she was going to pass out. "One moment."

"Why so formal, love?" Her breath caught at that voice.

"Killian." She picked up her skirts and stood next to the door. "What are you doing here? Nobody is supposed to be up here."

"We both know how good I am at following rules." She rolled her eyes, hearing the wink in his voice. "Besides, I knew you were probably halfway towards a panic attack and figured I'd come say hello before you explode."

"How very thoughtful," she deadpanned.

He smiled cheekily though he knew she wouldn't see it. "I am quite charming." Emma snorted and he laughed. "How are you?"

Gnawing on her lip she traced the wooden panels of her door. "About where you thought I'd be, maybe a bit more than halfway." Her eyes slammed shut and she wished they were down by the water instead of in the castle. "This is going to be a disaster. I'm going to trip and fall or say something stupid and offend everyone. I should never have agreed to this, why did I agree to this?"

"You're going to be fine, Emma." She made a disbelieving sound and he sighed. "You will be. I know you don't like all the fanfare but you're brilliant; funny and smart and gorgeous and you'll charm everyone down there in heartbeat."

The word gorgeous ran on a loop through her mind as she tried to steady her pulse.

"Plus you promised me a dance, two actually. I'd hate for you to die of anxiety before we had the chance to parade around ridiculously in front of every royal alive."

"I hate you," she said without any heat.

"Nah, you don't." His hand fell to the doorknob, just a flick of his wrist and he'd be able to see her. But he shouldn't, she had a grand entrance to make and a kingdom to impress and his heart to steal…again.

"Shut up," she mumbled, leaning heavily against the door. Without knowing she mirrored his actions and grabbed ahold of the handle of her door. She just wanted to see his face, to have him smirk at her and reassure her. But she couldn't.

She peered over her shoulder at her clock. "You'd better head back downstairs, Rosie will be up here soon."

He nodded, not moving away. "You're going to be okay, love. Don't think about any of them. Just find your parents or me and it'll all be fine. After all," he pressed a hand against the wood. "You've never been one to fail, I doubt it will happen now."

Emma's heart squeezed pleasantly and she felt lighter than air for a brief moment. "Thanks, fishboy."

"Anytime, princess."

"Now, go." She let out a breathless laugh. "It would be highly scandalous for the princess to be found conversing secretly with some unknown stranger."

Killian chuckled, hand lingering against the door. "If the lady insists." He could feel her tension through the paneled wood. "Relax, love. You'll be wonderful. And I'll be near the bottom of the stairs just in case you fall."

Too late she thought ruefully. "I'll see you in a bit, fishboy."

"See you soon, princess."

Snow had left a scowling Charming to go find Ariel. Her friend had been dancing across the floor with Eric with such grace no one would have guessed her legs hadn't always been a part of her.

"Hello again," Snow wrapped her around her friend's waist. "Is it later yet?"

Ariel laughed brightly. "You never were very patient were you, my dear?"

Shrugging slightly, the queen smirked. "You know I could never resist a secret. Especially one about my dear friend and her cousin." Snow gave her a pointed look. "He's from your side of the family, isn't he?"

"Yes," she answered quietly. "As far as I know they don't know he's here."

Snow pursed her lips. "I thought you said your family didn't," her tone became delicate. "Approve of your choices."

"They don't." Ariel smiled sadly. "But Killian has always been different. He was the one who helped me get back to land after we tricked Regina. We were always close, he didn't care that my love was a human. Still doesn't."

"You two carry the same spirit." Her eyes darted around but couldn't find the dark-haired young man. "It's in his eyes. He wants more than just the sea. Which, I'm guessing, is why he's here."

"Yeah," the former-mermaid smiled wistfully. "He wants something no ocean can offer. The poor boy, why do you think he came to me?"

"He's in love."

Ariel nodded before her eyes went wide. "Dammit! I wasn't supposed to say anything. How do you always do that?"

Smiling cheekily she shrugged. "I need enough tact to make up for David so it comes with experience." Ariel huffed dramatically. "Why is he here then? Why not go find her?"

She hummed to herself. "How do you know she's not here?"

Snow stared quizzically at her as she walked off with a wink to find Eric. She felt like she was just a few words short of an answer, she knew why Killian was here but she didn't.

Killian snuck back into the ballroom, snagging a glass of champagne before his favorite redhead assaulted him.

"So," she looked like the cat that ate the canary.

"What?"

"Where did you disappear off to?"

He stiffened, taking a long draw from his flute. "Nowhere."

"Hmm…" She barely concealed a smile. "Well, if I were to hazard a guess," he cringed internally. Damn her. "I would say that you were upstairs, probably in one of the towers, visiting our very special and probably devastatingly gorgeous princess." He grunted. "Oh? What was that? I was right?"

"You're so annoying."

"But lovable." She tapped his nose and he swatted at her.

She looked at him expectantly and he finally sighed. "Okay, fine. I went to go talk with her." He shrugged. "I knew she would be panicking about all the people and the ceremony and attention so I just…I don't know, I wanted to make sure she'd calm down and be okay."

Ariel felt her heart squeeze. Her darling boy. He really had always been her very favorite cousin. "And did you succeed?"

"I think so." A small grin flitted over his lips unconsciously. "She's no longer ready to jump from the window at the very least. Besides," he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. Ariel bit her lip at the familiar gesture of his state of discomfiture. "She promised me a dance."

"You're adorable, did you know that?"

"Oh hush."

Snow had just finished speaking with some of their trade partners when warm hands snuck around her waist.

"You know I still carry a knife, right?"

Humming against her temple he kissed her there briefly before pulling back a bit. "If that's supposed to turn me off it's having the complete opposite effect."

She shushed him, slapping his arm as a small flush worked its way up her cheeks.

"Hmm," a laugh rumbled through his chest. "Nice to know I can still earn a blush from time to time." She hit him again but the blow was lessened by her warm smile. "Now," he tangled their fingers together. "What was the shocked face over Ariel's guest for?"

"Oh!" Snow's eyes scanned the room until she found her friend apparently teasing her cousin. "Well, you know Ariel's story, right? I told you about her…heritage."

"You mean how she was a mer– "

"Shh!" She chastised him. "Not so loud." He nodded for her to continue. "Well, if he's her cousin then he is also a…" She let the sentence drift off until recognition flooded his eyes.

"But if he's a," he mouthed mermaid, "Then how is he here? With legs?"

"It must be high tide. They're given a day every year where they can come on land. That was how I met Ariel, how I helped her really meet Eric." Snow bit her lip. "I just…I don't know why he would spend his day here."

Charming shrugged. "She's his cousin, they're clearly close. Maybe he just wanted to be with her."

Snow hummed. "I don't think so. Ariel said his reasons were the same as hers; he's in love. But I just…how could she be here? The merfolk aren't allowed to interact with humans…"

"Maybe he follows his family's rules as well as our daughter follows ours."

Something else clicked into place with his words, another piece of the puzzle surrounding their guest. Snow couldn't place it, the understanding that seemed to run through her and the sense of knowing rippling across her mind. She knew, she knew, and yet she didn't.

The clocks chimed six and Snow pulled David along with her towards the bottom of the stairs.

Killian turned away from Ariel as the hall went quiet, his heart thudded dangerously in his chest and his mouth went dry with anticipation.

Two loud thumps signaled total silence. "Presenting her royal highness, Princess Emma."

Breathe. Just breathe. Emma stepped forward towards the balcony and smiled down at the guests as her pulse fluttered dangerously against her throat. Breathe. She turned from the balcony and made her way towards the stairs, her most dreaded part. Everyone was staring at her and she had to walk down all those stairs in a big, poufy dress and high heels and I can't do this. She halted suddenly, standing at the top of the staircase with an expression she was sure was full of dread. Her mother would be so proud she thought sarcastically.

Her mother… Emma's eyes scanned below and found Snow's eyes. She was nodding with a smile, understanding written across her lips. It's okay, Emma. She could practically hear the words. Just take a step, one step at a time.

Her eyes lingered up again and she saw her father, grinning broadly at her. He winked and she could practically hear his laughter and it made her feel brave. That's my girl his voice echoed in her head and she moved closer to the staircase.

Then she saw him, standing just where he promised he would, and her entire world stilled. Killian was standing at the bottom of the steps without a trace of his usual grin. Instead he was looking at her like she was something he'd never seen before, like she was beautiful.

Emma smiled softly at him before finally picking up her skirts and starting her trek down the stairs. She did exactly as she remembered her mother telling her; head up, shoulders back, and just be herself. If she wanted to smile she could and if she wanted to look neutral ("Emma so help me if you glare at the entire party…") that was okay too. She smiled demurely as she walked down but every time her eyes found Killian a wide grin spread across her face without her permission.

He was looking at her in a way no one ever had before, in a way she never thought anyone could look at her. And gods she loved it. Almost as much as she loved him.

She arrived at the bottom of the steps, sending a wink his way before walking towards her parents.

"Okay," she whispered to them as they stood before their royal company. "Let the night begin."