a/n: Everything changes after this and after the story about the necklaces, you should have a pretty good idea of the direction things are headed in. I think you'll like me for this chapter. Hopefully you won't hate me too much for the next ones. I also really want to thank you guys for your reviews, especially those who've been commenting on each chapter. Except for a Snowing experiment (that I got bored with after resolving the central conflict halfway through), I haven't tackled a multi-chapter since I was in high school and while I'm finishing this sucker one way or another, your comments help to make it a little easier.
Killian stood at the helm of the Jewel of the Realm, watching as Prince Hans gave Emma a tour of the ship. She knew the Jewel already, of course, but the prince had insisted and so Killian stood at the ship's wheel while final preparations were made for their departure. Just as the princess had given them all a tour of the naval advancements made by her kingdom it was now Killian and Liam's turn to demonstrate the might of the Southern Isles Navy.
And for Prince Hans to take credit for it, he thought bitterly.
In truth, there was no excuse for his poor mood. He and Emma had parted ways late the night before and he was excited to finally show her the full range of the Jewel's power. His irritability could perhaps be blamed on the sudden switch from having been so open with her yesterday — her kisses, gods — to being stiff and official once more. That, and having to watch his prince practically drag her around the ship by the arm.
Killian's jaw clenched, and he reminded himself for the tenth time that morning that the treaty signing was a mere two days away.
"Careful, brother, you'll set the ship ablaze if you glare any harder," Liam said, coming to stand next to him. "I find it hard to believe that yesterday went as badly as your mood would imply."
"It didn't," he admitted. If anything, the excursion had marked a milestone in his relationship with the princess. Letters and kisses were one thing, but she had confided her secret to him and once he transferred to her navy he would finally be able to court her as befitted a lady of her station.
"Ah, so you're pouting again. You know, sometimes I'm glad I don't share a ship with you anymore."
Killian rolled his eyes, but had to bite back his retort when Prince Hans led Emma up to join them on the quarterdeck.
"Are we ready to depart, Captain?"
"Aye sir," he replied. "As soon as you give the word."
"I think it would be best if we observe the Jewel's maneuvers from the Nautica. The princess was ill yesterday and I won't take a risk with her health."
Emma frowned. "I assure you, I feel fine. I fail to see what difference one ship will make over another."
"The Jewel is like no other ship in the world, my lady. I would ask you to trust me on this."
Emma's lips pressed together and she met Killian's eyes with a frustrated look. This was the price for their day together, he thought. The ruse they'd perpetrated would cost him the chance to take her from sea to sky and back. Killian doubted that he would be authorized to hoist the pegasus sail a second time, particularly if the prince found out about his courting of the princess.
They were truly courting now, he marveled. Or would be soon, at least. In any case, whatever obstacles still kept him from proclaiming his feelings to the world were mere outside constraints. There was nothing anymore between he and Emma that would keep them apart.
Emma's sigh brought him back to the present. "I suppose if you insist. Will you be joining us on the Nautica, Captain?" she asked, turning to Liam.
"Aye, Your Highness."
"Very well, then."
Prince Hans placed a hand on her shoulder and Killian watched her stiffen. "Take us out, Captain," he said, guiding Emma away from the helm.
The winds were strong and favourable — they would have to be to demonstrate the pegasus sail — and they were able to sail away from the dock after casting off the lines. Nearby, he could hear Prince Hans explain the kedging technique they would have used under less ideal conditions. His prince seemed more possessive than ever of Emma's attention and Killian chalked it up to his not seeing her the day before coupled with a desire to impress her. At least, he wanted to dismiss it as such. His gut, on the other hand, insisted there was more to it than that. Drawing the Jewel up alongside the Nautica, he motioned for his brother as the lines were secured and the boards brought out.
"Liam," he said, lowering his voice. "Promise me you'll keep an eye on her today, make sure she's alright."
The other captain raised an eyebrow. "Are you also concerned for the princess's health, little brother?"
"Younger brother," he muttered. "And no. I just don't want to see her hurt."
"She does have guards with her, you know. And we both saw how capable she is with a blade."
"It's not that, but something feels… off somehow. I can't explain it."
Killian didn't know how much stock to put in curses and prophecies but watching Hans while knowing of Emma's unfulfilled 'love coveted' condition made him not want to let her out of his sight, let alone off of his ship.
Liam clasped his shoulder. "She'll come to no harm aboard my ship. I swear it, brother."
He nodded. "Thank you."
Following his brother down to the main deck, he stood by while Liam led the princess's entourage over to the Nautica. Emma stepped up and Killian offered a hand to steady her.
"Captain Jones?" she said, gripping his fingers tightly.
"Yes, milady?"
Emma made a bit of a show of losing her balance and turned into him, her free hand landing on his shoulder, face tantalizingly close to his.
"Impress me," she whispered, breath hot in his ear.
Killian breathed her in and grinned, thinking of the pegasus sail that he'd managed to keep secret from her. "Trust me, Your Highness, I intend to."
Emma leaned against the bulwark on the port-side of the Nautica's quarterdeck and resisted the urge to kick something. Killian had played coy all day yesterday regarding the naval maneuvers the Jewel would be performing. He had something special planned, she could tell, but instead she was stuck on the anchored Nautica with Prince Hans.
"Princess Emma?"
She lifted her head to see Liam standing a few feet away, tapping his spyglass against his other hand.
"If you need anything while aboard the Nautica, my crew and I am at your disposal."
She nodded with a smile, glad that the elder Jones had come with them instead of staying on the Jewel with his brother. "Will you be watching the demonstration with the prince and I, or is there work that needs doing?"
"I'll be watching," he said, joining her. "I thought you might find use for this."
Emma accepted the spyglass, turning it around in her hands. "How far out is he planning on going?"
"It's... complicated. I'm afraid my little brother would kill me if I spoiled the surprise now. He's been looking forward to this since we received our orders from the king."
"It's a shame I'm relegated to the sidelines. Not that your ship isn't lovely, of course."
"It's for the best," Prince Hans said. Emma set her shoulders as he came to stand next to her, forcing herself to keep her posture relaxed.
"Captain Jones is a good seaman, but there's a degree of danger he's not considering and I will not risk the life of our ally's crown princess. Particularly when she is not feeling well."
"I feel fine, and I'm sure Captain Jones would not willingly put me in danger just to feed his ego."
"There is very little a man wouldn't do for the attention of a beautiful princess."
Her brows furrowed together. "Are you speaking of yourself now, or Captain Jones?"
Liam coughed uncomfortably and Emma turned away from Hans to face him.
"Your Highness," he said, "If you would turn your attention to the Jewel. I don't think you'll want to miss this."
Emma looked back across the water at the Southern Isles' brig, pulling open the spyglass and raising it to her eye. It didn't take long to find Killian standing at the helm, and she allowed herself a small smile before following the action on deck to where a large foresail had been raised that reached all the way to the bowsprit. She frowned, trying to make out the design painted on it. There was something different about the material that Emma couldn't put her finger on. The Jewel turned towards them and Emma lowered the spyglass, startled. It was a winged horse, she realized, and she watched transfixed as the ship continued to head straight for them.
Emma turned to Liam, her mouth hanging open as she tried not to sputter. If Killian didn't change course soon the Jewel would crash straight into them! Liam smirked at her and raised a brow, turning back to the water. His brother's ship continued to approach and Emma could only stare in growing horror. Just as she was certain that they should be bracing for impact, the Jewel suddenly lifted from the water.
She gasped, and nearly dropped the spyglass into the river. The Jewel of the Realm continued to rise, sailing directly over them in its ascent. Cheers rose on the deck and Emma turned to follow the path of the ship as it flew, letting out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.
It was flying. Emma had long dreamed of sailing with Killian, but never once had she imagined that might involve sailing through the sky. She wondered if he could take her through the clouds, if it would feel different than when fog enveloped the forest. Beside her, Hans was talking about the sail, explaining how it was made from the feathers of a pegasus, how a larger ship would be too heavy to use it, how it was normally only used in extreme circumstances. Emma listened without paying much attention, using Liam's spyglass to track the ship as it grew smaller and smaller before turning and beginning its return route.
Gods, but she wished she could be up there with him. Wished they could take to the sky with a magical sail and leave everything else behind. Emma leaned back against the bulwark and closed her eyes, trying to imagine it.
When she opened them again she realized that Liam had stepped aside to speak to his lieutenant, leaving her alone with Prince Hans. Emma sighed, regretting ever letting him weasel her off of the Jewel.
"You seem far away."
His voice sounded suddenly tender and caring and Emma regarded the prince resignedly.
"I… I suppose I am."
"We understand each other, you and I," he said, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. She suppressed a flinch and furrowed her brow, unsure as to his meaning. "You don't have to pretend when it's just us, my princess. I can imagine it's difficult, feeling as though you must be both son and daughter to your parents — especially your father."
"My parents don't —"
"I know what it's like," he interrupted, "wanting to impress a father. You don't look happy out here, Emma. It's not where you belong."
Only because I'm on the wrong ship, she thought, but the words to correct him stuck in her throat.
"You need a partner. Someone who can unburden you from these responsibilities. I can be that man for you, Emma. Were we to wed, I would gladly handle military and diplomacy matters in your stead so you could focus your attentions on charity and other causes that bring joy to your heart." He paused and looked away briefly, almost shyly, before taking her hand. "And hopefully, one day, you will also turn your attention to the raising of our sons."
Emma stared at him, mouth agape. Surely, surely she had misheard. Surely the prince had not suggested she marry him and let him take over control of her kingdom!
Hans seemed to take encouragement from her stunned silence and brought her hand near to his heart. "I know you want the same love that your parents have, Emma, and perhaps our story will not be as stirring, but it will be no less true. Say you'll take me as your king and your husband and I will crown you the queen of my heart."
Fury like she'd never known shot through her. Emma had fielded unexpected declarations before, but never had her suitor also proposed to take her crown. Queen of his heart, she fumed, but not queen of her own kingdom! Her fingers flexed in his hold before she jerked her hand away, barely containing the urge to slap him.
"It's true I want the same kind of love that my parents have. When I wed, I want my husband to be someone with whom I share a bond of love, trust, and respect. But let me make myself plain: I will never consent to marry a man who would seek to steal my sovereignty and claim it for himself!"
"My princess, you misunderstand —"
"I understand perfectly. You may hide behind pretty words, but I see you for what you are. You are a snake who will never take the throne of his own kingdom and so you cross the ocean to try and marry your way onto one instead. No, I will not take you as my husband, Prince Hans. Nor will I ever take you as my king!"
"Princess —"
"You should go, Your Highness."
The prince opened his mouth before apparently thinking better of it, turning on his heel and storming away. Emma turned back to the water and balled her hands into fists, watching as the Jewel of the Realm began its descent from the skies.
Killian grinned as his princess stepped back onto the Jewel of the Realm. He knew that his hair was wild and his cheeks pink from the wind but he didn't care. The only thing he cared about was what Emma had thought of the sail. He would have to ask Liam later what her face had looked like when they'd taken off.
"Was that suitably impressive, Your Highness?"
"It was," she replied tersely, turning away as the rest of her party re-boarded the Jewel.
Killian cast a quizzical look to his brother, but the elder Jones merely shook his head. Don't ask, the gesture said, not here, not now.
"I think I'll watch the Nautica's demonstration tomorrow from aboard the Jewel, if that can be arranged. It seems only fair."
He swallowed thickly, pushing down his questions and trusting that she'd find some way to tell him if something were truly wrong. "Of course, milady."
Emma nodded, her eyes narrowing as Prince Hans stepped back onboard. "I'm feeling a little tired. May I borrow your quarters for a rest, Captain?"
"Aye, I'll have my lieutenant show you the way."
"There's no need. My tour earlier was quite extensive, thank you."
She turned again and headed for his cabin without another word or backwards glance. Killian stared after her, still perplexed, when Prince Hans called for his attention.
"Captain Jones! There will be no need for further actions today. Take us back to port."
Already? He wondered. What the bloody hell had happened on that ship? His eyes flicked over to Liam and he watched as his brother crossed his arms over his chest and nodded.
"Understood, sir. Back to port."
Killian tried to get lost in his crew's docking routine but couldn't keep from glancing over to where Prince Hans stood with his guards. It took everything he had not to send someone down to check on Emma. Her knights escorted her off the ship almost immediately after the Jewel tied up at port, Prince Hans and his men following soon after. Killian watched them all leave before dismissing his crew and heading below deck to check his quarters. He immediately spotted the letter left on his desk and recognized the handwriting before he was close enough to read the words.
The note was short and formal and he had just finished his second reading of it when Liam knocked on the open door, a leather satchel slung over his shoulder. Killian looked up and beckoned him in, tucking the paper away in his jacket for the time being. It may not have been as personal as the correspondence they'd exchanged over the last year and a half, but it was a letter from his princess nonetheless and would be kept with the others.
"From the princess, I take it?" His brother shut the door behind him, crossing the room and pulling out a chair.
"Aye, she apologizes for her curt manner but neglects to explain what upset her."
"I was not present for it, but I believe the prince proposed."
Killian groaned and pressed a hand to his forehead. "Well that explains his foul mood as well. How did he take her refusal?"
"You saw yourself — sullen and moody with a chance of rudeness. He spent the rest of your demonstration glaring at anyone who made eye contact." Liam paused. "You seem more concerned about this than I'd have thought, brother."
Killian sighed, knowing he couldn't share the true cause for his concern. "Royalty is complicated," he said instead. "I'm not sure I'll ever get used to it all."
Liam smirked. "Ah. But I take it you and the princess have spoken of matters and your course remains set?"
"Aye." It would be strange to watch his brother sail off without him when all was done, but they'd both known it was coming. Killian had brought a trunk of belongings with him on the voyage, and Liam would ship over the rest when he returned to the Southern Isles. Stranger still would be leaving the Jewel, which had been a constant in his life for years, even after being made captain and receiving different sailing orders from his brother.
To some one ship may be the same as any other, but Prince Hans had had the right of it when he'd told Emma the Jewel of the Realm was like no other in the world. New ocean-going vessels may be built larger, may carry more guns, may forever change traditional naval tactics, but with her enchanted hull and flying sail there would always be a place for the Jewel. The new ships King James and Queen Snow White had commissioned were beautiful, but would never come close to having the same hold on his heart. It would be far easier to let her go if Liam were still at the helm.
His brother lifted his satchel onto the table and pushed it towards him, leaning back in his chair expectantly. Killian reached out and traced the familiar insignia on the flap, the Jones name inscribed on the back.
"You're heading into uncharted waters for the Joneses, little brother," he said, gesturing to the reinforced leather satchel. "I thought you could use something to help fix your position."
Killian raised an eyebrow but opened the case, pulling out a brand new sextant. Its polished brass glinted in the sunlight streaming through the cabin. Constellations dotted the frame and he traced the familiar shapes of Cygnus, Corona, and the Great Navis while the stamped figure of a pegasus soared amongst them.
"Brother… thank you."
Liam grinned and produced a flask from his jacket, grabbing two glasses from the cabinet and pouring them each a measure. "To the Jones brothers!" he said, raising his glass and holding the other out for Killian to take.
Killian set the sextant down in its case and rose to take the drink, touching his glass to Liam's and raising it in toast.
"To the Jones brothers!"