Chapter 15: Ghosts that we knew

AN: I'm sorry it took me so long to update, but I really wanted to get this chapter right. A special thank you to Natalie for editing this chapter! Thank you to all of my readers and to all of those who review! This chapter is named 'Ghosts that we knew' by Mumford and Sons.

"You've left me no choice, Captain," Emma whispered, watching a smirk of amusement cross Killian's features. Lust and rage consumed his vision as he moved down towards her. She returned his smirk, raising her knee high to kick him in the groin and send him flying off the bed. She kicked at the cracked headboard and, after several attempts, broke the wood. Now she just needed to get the ropes off her wrists to be free. While she searched for a knife to cut herself loose, she could hear Killian's loud groans of pain as he lay on the floor, stunned by force of her kick.

Emma saw Killian slowly get up from the floor, his blue eyes still black with rage and pain. It was plain to see that her husband still was nowhere to be found. "I want my husband back, Hook." Emma then punched him, hitting him in the jaw and knocking him out cold. He fell backwards onto the bed, but she rolled him on his side and then grabbed the rope to tie him up so he couldn't get loose, knowing he would need time to calm down just like she did.

Emma pulled on a pair of black pants, one of Killian's shirts, and a pair of boots before she walked over to kneel on the side of the bed. Her husband was out cold, his lips bleeding and swollen. He looked so handsome and peaceful unconscious, but she knew he was going to be as furious with her as she was with him when he woke up.

"I love you, but I'm still pissed as hell at you," Emma sighed, running her fingers over his lips to wipe the blood away before she got up, leaving the room. She walked up to the deck to see Killian's father leaning up against the railing of ship, tilting his head in confusion when he saw her. "Killian needed some time to cool down. I could use a drink ― do you have any rum?" she asked him, raising a brow at him.

"Of course I do, lass," Captain Jack grinned, pulling out a flask from his coat pocket, "What kind of pirate captain would I be if I didn't?" he winked, handing it to her. When she reached out for it, he finally noticed her bloody and swollen knuckles. "Ah, I see you and my lad had a row that got a little physical ― you're my kind of lass, one that's not scared to throw a punch or show a man who's boss. Elizabeth was the same way." His dark eyes shined with affection and amusement when he spoke her name.

"Were you in love with her?" Emma asked him, raising the flask to her lips and taking a big drink of the rum. She needed to calm down as well after her fight with Captain Hook, thinking rum and conversation might just do the trick.

"Every man who met her either loved or lusted after her ― it was bloody impossible not to. Lizzie was beautiful, fierce, and one hell of a pirate ― and Will Turner was a lucky man," Jack replied, taking back the flask. He had not really answered her question. "Every woman paled in comparison to her until I met Killian's mother, Milah. I swore I'd never be a one-woman man, but she proved me wrong." His gaze reflected love, hurt, pride and guilt as he took a large swig of rum.

"What was Milah like?" Emma leaned on the railing, curious to know about Killian's mother and Captain Jack Sparrow's lost love.

"She was beautiful, adventurous, determined, loving, a fighter ― and one hell of a lass and mother." Jack smiled, remembering his dead love. "Milah and I had a very passionate relationship. When it was good, it was bloody fantastic." His grin grew larger, memories rushing over him that he normally didn't allow himself to remember. "But when it was bad, we almost loathed each other. After quite a few fights, I swore that it was over between us and not bloody worth it." He knew his words were relevant to what was going on between her and his son.

"Why didn't you give up?" Emma softly asked him, looking down at the deck as sadness rushed over her. After today, she was wondering if she had gotten over her head in getting involved with a man like Killian Jones.

Captain Jack's hand moved under her chin, pulling it up gently to make her eyes meet his. "There is a thin line between love and hate, lass. Passion drives both of them, and both of them can be really bitchy. When you love someone, you love all of them ― the good, the bad, and the bloody ugly. But you can't let the bad and ugly make you forget all of the bloody fantastic things about love," he whispered to her, smiling. "Sometimes in life, you have to fight for what you want ― and if you just give up and don't fight for it, then you don't deserve it."

"When I looked into Killian's eyes, it was like looking at a complete stranger," Emma softly replied, biting her lip. "I love him, but I won't let him treat me like that or just use me." Her voice became stronger, determination filling her eyes. "I'm sure tying him up and knocking him out showed him that."

Captain Jack Sparrow laughed loudly. "Oh princess, remind me never to piss you off. You are a brilliant lass ― and this calls for more RUM!" He grinned, grabbing a bottle full of rum and handing her one before taking one for himself. "Let's drink to strong, beautiful Swan women!" He clinked his bottle into hers, then took a large drink.

The Captain's cabin

Killian groaned, pain shooting through his jaw and his groin as he tried to remember what had happened. He tried to move, but he felt ropes tightly tied around his arms behind his back and his feet as well. Panic hit him, worrying that someone had dared to come into his cabin and take Emma. But then an image of her punching him in the jaw rushed over him ― and her kicking him in the groin.

"SWAN! SWAN!" He was furious as he yelled out for her, his body shaking from anger and the hurt of her betrayal. "Swan!" He continued to yell for a long while, but Emma didn't appear, nor did his crew. Killian eventually stopped, not wanting his men to see him look weak again because Emma had bested him once more.

Hours had passed and fury was bringing Captain Hook to the surface again, although it died very quickly when Killian remembered the look on Emma's face. She had been looking up at him in terror, the thought of it making his stomach roll with nausea. Many people had looked at him like he was a monster or were simply terrified of him, but he never wanted Emma to see him that way.

"Bloody hell," he rasped out, repeating it over and over in his head. He wouldn't let this take Emma away from him. Killian was torn between wanting Emma to appear more than anything and not wanting her to appear in case she looked at him like he was a monster. He heard the sound of footsteps and the doorknob turning. "Emma," he said in a low whisper, his eyes looking towards the door to see her standing there with her chin raised high and anger in her eyes.

"I see Hook is gone," Emma replied coldly, walking towards the bed and stopping a few feet away to stare at him. Relief rushed over her on seeing her husband again in his beautiful blue eyes, but the fact was that she was still beyond furious with him. She narrowed her eyes at him, unleashing all of her fury. "If you want a whore, Killian, or someone to use for your own amusement, then you picked the wrong girl. You're lucky I just kicked your ass instead of using my magic on you," she whispered in a low voice, smirking at the last part.

Killian couldn't decide if he was angrier she had bested him so easily and was gloating about it ― or if he was proud and aroused by the fact his wife was truly a pirate and a hell of a woman. He decided it was the latter. "I lost control of myself when you let my crew see me so vulnerable ― and I'm very sorry I frightened you, Emma." His eyes were locked on hers, guilt and regret shining in them. "I promise I wouldn't have hurt you or took you against your will ― and I never will."

Emma bit her lip, her strong façade crumbling down slowly. "It scared me that when I looked into your eyes, I couldn't see any part of the man I love. I didn't want to hurt you, but you left me no choice," she replied. Killian's eyes closed slowly, shame running over him and no longer able to hold her gaze.

Killian racked his brain, trying to find the right words to stay to take away the hurt, betrayal, disappointment and anger in her eyes. "I deserved what you did to me, and much worse," he whispered to her, feeling her sit on the bed next to him. Forcing himself to look up, he saw her glancing at him, the emotions in her green gaze making his breath catch. "I promise it will never happen again," he added, feeling like more of a monster for having to say that to her.

"You're right ― it won't," Emma agreed, reaching out to the rope and beginning to untie him slowly. "Because next time, I won't be so gentle or forgiving," she added so quietly he almost didn't hear her say the words.

"There won't be a next time, Emma," he replied. He was horrified by the disbelief in her eyes. "You don't trust me anymore. You're scared of me." Killian Jones and Captain Hook loved being feared, but the idea of Emma feeling that way made him sick.

Emma swallowed hard, not answering him as she continued to work the knots of the rope loose. She didn't know what to say to him because she was still too furious and hurt over his behavior towards her. Once Killian's hands were loose, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and buried his head in the crook of her neck, holding onto her like he thought she would disappear.

"Emma," he rasped out, sorrow and guilt in his tone, "I will earn back your trust." He knew she would need time; her silence and the fact she wasn't holding him back was confirmation that he would have to do just that. Killian worried she might not be able to get over her fear or trust him again ― but then he felt her place a hand on the top of his back. "I can't lose you, Emma." His whisper came out muffled against her shoulder, but he was certain she had heard him as he felt her thumb draw a small circle on his skin.

He never imagined he would be vulnerable or weak in front of anyone. Yet that was exactly what was happening at this moment. Ultimately, he decided his pride was less important than his need and love for Emma. Emma had swallowed her pride in coming to him when she thought he'd been with another woman ― and now it was his turn.

She let Killian hold her, feeling torn between telling him everything would be okay and running out on him. She was unable to do either, so she decided to stay silent. Killian was right when he said he needed to earn her trust back after his behavior today. She wasn't sure how he could do it, but she knew she needed to give him a chance to try. "I'm going to get some fresh air and rum. I'll be in later," Emma told him as he let go of her to give her the space she needed. She walked out of the room, not bothering to look back at Killian on the bed. He let out a sigh when she left the room.

Killian untied his feet and then grabbed a shirt. Opening the door, he saw Juliet walking towards him. "Captain, are you alright?" she asked, concern in her eyes while they flickered over his handsome features. "Can I tend to your wounds or assist you in any way?"

"Yes," he said, grimacing when he noticed her eyes light up with excitement and lust. "Send Captain Jack to my quarters," Killian finished, successfully snuffing out the girl's vain hope to have him bed her. He wanted her away from him all the more, knowing this girl's attraction to him would just cause more tension and problems between him and Emma.

"Yes, Captain," she said to him, forcing a smile on her face before walking off to find the other captain. Men had always thrown themselves at her feet, desperate to have her, so Captain Hook's disinterest was hard for her to swallow. She spotted Captain Jack leaning against the railing, drinking rum with his gaze locked on the blonde girl whom Juliet viewed as her competition in capturing the hearts and attention of the pirate captains. "Captain Sparrow, Captain Hook asked to see you," she smiled at him, moving in closer. "What do you say I spend the night in your cabin tonight?" she grinned, running her fingers down his chest seductively.

"I will see you later," he winked at Juliet and then headed to his son's quarters.

Juliet walked over to Emma, who was leaning on the railing and looking out at the water while lost in her own thoughts. "So how did you do it?" Juliet asked her, gaining Emma's attention. She looked at her, confused. "Are you a witch? Did you put a spell on Captain Hook so he would only desire you?" she glared at Emma accusingly, getting a laugh from her. "You think that you alone can satisfy Captain Hook? He's bound to get bored with a girl like you, spell or no spell."

"I know I can satisfy Captain Jones," Emma retorted, trying to compose her anger and resentment from the incident earlier ― and if that weren't enough of a burden, this woman's smugness that she could take her husband away was beyond irritating. "The last girl that tried to take him from me lost a tooth when she came after me. Killian had no interest in her, like he has no interest in you."

"It's disrespectful to address the captain by his first name," Juliet said to her, holding her head up high. "Captain Hook deserves better than an inexperienced girl like you. The Captain only wants your money and power because you're a princess." To Juliet, it wasn't fair that a princess was going after a pirate that could save her from a life of misery when a princess could have any prince she desired.

Emma felt all of her insecurities about not being enough for Killian strike her once again, but she wasn't going to let this tavern girl know she had wounded her. "You wouldn't understand what is going on between us, so I'm not going to bother to explain it to you." She walked away from Juliet, not wanting to look back at her. A part of her ached to go to her husband and hold him in her arms, but she refused to give into the need. Emma settled for climbing up to the main top, wanting to be alone and take in the beauty of the ocean.

The Captain's quarters - Later that evening

Emma opened the door and was stunned at the sight before her. Lanterns lit the room dimly, along with the moonlight streaming in through the open curtains. Killian's desk was clear of any maps, covered instead with a feast and a bottle of wine. The delicious aroma of the food reached her nose, then her attention shifted to the sound of a piano playing softly. She looked to see Killian sitting at the piano, looking down at the keys as he played them. Her eyes flickered over him to see him wearing a long-sleeved white shirt and black pants instead of his normal black-only attire.

"I didn't know you could play ― I thought the piano was just decoration," she said, walking over to it as he looked up at her but continued to play.

"My mom taught me how ― she was an amazing piano player. I could have listened to her play for hours," he shared, seeing surprise in her eyes at the fact that he could really play. "I haven't played in a very long time...until I found the piano at your castle," he confessed to her when he stopped playing.

"That was you? It was the most beautiful music I've ever heard," Emma said, remembering the sound of the beautiful song on the piano from her room.

"Aye, I'd thought I'd be rusty after three hundred years of not playing, but it turns out I wasn't," Killian replied, taking her hands in his as she sat next to him on the bench. "We need to talk about today ― I do not want it to come between us, Emma."

"Can we talk about it later, Killian?" Emma asked, not wanting to face their problems yet and just enjoy this moment with him. "Play the song you played that night in the castle."

"I'll play anything you wish, Emma." He raised her hand up to place a kiss on it before he let it go so he could begin to play. "The song is by Beethoven ― his 'Moonlight Sonata Adagio Sostenuto'," he told her as he began to play.

Emma couldn't take her eyes off her husband while he strummed the piano keys. Everything about this man was a walking contradiction: one minute he was a fierce, rage filled, dominating, vicious pirate, and the next he was her loving Killian, who looked at her with worship, love, and devotion. She leaned her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes and trying to block out the day's events and just enjoy this moment in time.

Captain Jack's room

Jack grinned, listening to the music floating throughout the ship as he lay on his bed with Juliet snuggled up against his chest. Images of Milah flashed before his eyes ― ones of her teaching a very young Killian how to play the piano. He quickly shut them out of mind because it was too painful to think about, especially now with another woman in his bed. "They must teach all princesses how to play the piano. My mother was going to teach me before my parents were killed and I was shipped off to work at a tavern," Juliet said, looking up at him.

"It's my lad you hear playing, not the princess," Jack said to her, watching surprise appear in her eyes at finding out Captain Hook could play the piano and was Jack's son. "My son and I are much older than we look, lass. His young age is due to a long stay in Neverland, but mine wasn't so pleasant."

"How old are you? Have you been to Neverland? If you weren't in Neverland, how did you manage not to age?" Juliet asked him, excitement lighting up her eyes with almost a child-like innocence.

"I'm close to four hundred years old," he replied, chuckling on seeing Juliet mouth fall open. "I know I'm quite well preserved," Jack winked at her before continuing, "but I spent most of my time enslaved on a cursed pirate ship. I recently visited Neverland to see my boy."

"Almost four hundred years," Juliet whispered, running her fingers over his cheeks in awe. Jack couldn't help but smile back her. She bit her lip and then the awe was replaced by sadness in her dark green eyes. "I was only 12 when they sent me to the tavern. I would pretend I was in Neverland when I first started working," she confessed to him, fighting back tears. "I'm sorry, I should go," she apologized, angry at herself for getting emotional in front of someone after she had perfected keeping all her emotions invisible. Juliet started to get out of the bed, but Jack stopped her.

"Neverland is the most beautiful place you can image. It's known to heal even the blackest and saddest hearts. Would you like to go there, love?" he asked, eliciting a huge grin from the beautiful brunette who nodded enthusiastically. "I just have a few requests to ask of you in return."

"Anything," Juliet said to him, meaning it more than any other time she had agreed to something.

"I need to know I can trust you, first of all," he replied, getting another eager nod from her. "The second is that my lad is off limits to you ― he's very attached to the princess, and I can't have you coming between them. His happiness is very important to me," he said, able to recognize shame in her eyes at him pointing out that he knew about her pursuing his son.

"I'm sorry," Juliet whispered, swallowing her feeling of remorse. "You have my word that I will leave him be ― but the only reason I didn't was because I can't go back there to that life. I'd rather die than spend the rest of my life as whore," she explained to him, pausing. "I owe Princess Emma and Captain Hook an apology."

"The third request is that I'm not a commitment sort of man, but I despise being slapped for being quite the ladies man," he added, getting a laugh from her. "Do you not believe me? I'm sure I demonstrated my skills very well," he inquired, rolling her underneath him.

"Captain Jack, I was a tavern girl. We are used to men just wanting to bed us ― I yearn for freedom, not a marriage. I've just thought marriage was the only way I could get it," she said, smiling up at him and crashing her lips onto his. She was thrilled that she could be free without having to trap a man.

Meanwhile

Emma sat across from Killian, both eating their dinner in silence. Unable to take it any longer, he broke the silence. He felt like nothing he could say would make up for his behavior, but he needed to try. "I met Graham today," he said softly, causing Emma to drop her fork and make a soft clanking noise when it hit her plate. Her mouth fell open in an 'O' as her breath caught in her chest, and shock filled her features. "You must find beards and accents sexy," he added, trying to lighten the mood in the room.

"How?" Emma choked out, her hands shaking as tears filled her eyes. Hurt ran through her that Graham wouldn't appear to her but had appeared to Killian instead. She knew Graham must be jealous, despite his reassurance in her dreams.

Killian pushed back the jealousy rising in him at Emma's response to his confession. He got up off his chair and walked around the desk to kneel next to her, taking her hands in his. "He used your magic to come to our world ― Graham wanted to come to you, but he didn't want to upset you. Besides, it was me that needed convincing about the Dark One, darling." He watched tears fall down Emma's cheeks. "Please don't cry, Emma," he whispered to her, reaching up to wipe away her tears.

"Does he hate me?" she asked, closing her eyes and terrified that his answer was going to be yes.

"Emma, my love, look at me," he rasped out, hating to see her heart break ― even if it was over another man. Emma opened her eyes and he cupped her face, staring into her eyes. "He doesn't hate you, Emma. I know he loves you ― because not only did he tell me, I also saw it when he looked at you and touched your cheek," he reassured her, pushing aside any petty jealousy he felt. Killian vowed to himself to be a better man and husband to Emma after the events of today.

"I felt it in my sleep," Emma's voice cracked out, new tears running down her cheeks. "I'm sorry Killian, but it still hurts so much," she whispered, attempting to compose herself.

"I know, love," he said, drawing her into his arms and holding her as she began to cry harder. Emma clung to him, giving in to the anguish she felt at remembering Graham's last moments in this world. She felt Killian trying to soothe her by rubbing circles on her back until her crying stopped and her eyes closed, exhausted from the long emotionally draining day.

Killian felt Emma's breath even-out and knew she was asleep in his arms. He carried her over to the bed and laid her on it, taking off her boots and pulling the covers over her. Killian wanted to hold her in his arms, but he restrained that need, taking a seat instead in the chair next to the bed to watch her sleep. He vowed that he would put his wife first before anything ― even his revenge. Tomorrow he would tell his father he was taking Emma back to Neverland once they acquired the dagger. It would be up to his father to avenge his mother, because he needed to protect his wife.

The next morning

Emma opened her eyes to see Killian sleeping in the chair next to the bed, his neck craning to the side. She remembered him consoling her without any signs of anger or jealousy as she mourned her lost love. His actions had been the complete opposite of his Captain Hook behavior yesterday. She remembered her promise to him in the tavern: to love all of him, even his Captain Hook side. Emma climbed out of bed, shaking Killian softly and calling out to his name.

"Killian," she said, watching his eyes flutter open slowly. "Come to bed." Emma took his hand in hers and gave him a small smile, watching him give her a sleepy smile of his own in return. They went over to the bed and lay down on their sides, facing each other while Emma's fingers reached out to touch his neck. "Is your neck sore from sleeping in the chair?" she asked, rubbing it gently with her hand and getting a moan of appreciation from Killian.

"Yes, but I've slept in worse places," he reassured her, letting his eyes flutter shut on feeling Emma's fingers easing the ache in his sore neck. "You don't have to do that love." He forced his eyes open to see Emma's face closer to his.

"I want to, Killian," she smiled, pausing. "I told you that I love all of you and I do, but I married Captain Killian Jones, not Captain Hook. We are equals, and I won't be treated like a toy for you to take as you please." Emma had made herself address the issue that she had wanted to ignore, forcing out the words out and trying to be an adult about it.

"Emma, I do think of you as my equal and a bloody brilliant pirate, not just a wife or a toy. I fell in love with you because you're a hell of a woman. I'll give you the respect you deserve, love, but I just need the same in return." He reached out to run his fingers over her cheek. "My men must see me as a fearless captain with no weaknesses in order to keep them in line. They can't see utterly spent from the exquisite pleasure my magical wife has given me."

"It won't happen again," she smiled at him. He returned it, but then his blue eyes filled with panic.

"It can't happen again in front of my crew ― but I desperately want to experience it again when we're all alone," he clarified, a look of life-or-death desperation in his eyes that got a smug look from Emma. "You have every right to look smug, darling ― it was bloody amazing! I've never felt anything like that. Ever."

"Until next time, I'm learning how to control my magic and send it where I want it to go," Emma replied, making Killian groan at the idea of something more pleasurable than his last experience.

"I'd love a demonstration," he whispered seductively, moving closer to her lips before a pounding on his cabin door broke them up. "Bloody hell," he grumbled. " What!?" he yelled out, annoyed at the interruption.

"We are approaching the island, Captain," Smee called out to him. "We will be dropping anchor very soon," he added before rushing away from the door.

"You'll have your dagger soon." Emma softly said to him, nervousness in her eyes at the idea that she would soon lose Killian now that he was so close to acquiring the dagger.

Killian shook his head at her. "No, my father will have it soon. My vow for revenge comes second to my vow to you, my love. After my father has the dagger, we will return to Neverland, and we can send for your parents to visit us or go to them ourselves. Smee can get them to Neverland." His blue eyes were locked on hers, seeing utter surprise in them.

"Killian..." Emma whispered, kissing him softly and overwhelmed he was choosing her over his three-hundred-year need for revenge. "Can we go see my parents first? I miss my parents. My mom has to be very emotional with me gone and being pregnant."

"Your mother is pregnant?" Killian raised a brow, not remembering her telling him about it before. She nodded at him. "How do you feel about it?" he asked her.

"I found out before you arrived in our kingdom, relieved there would be another heir because I never thought I'd ever be in love again, let alone get married or have any children. It was hard because it brought back my memories of losing Graham and the baby," Emma sighed, running her fingers through his short dark hair. She fought back tears at images of what her and Graham's baby would have looked like. It made her wonder if Killian would still have wanted her if she didn't lose the baby. Killian didn't seem like the type of man who would want children, especially the child of another man. Her mind began to ponder if he would ever want to have children with her, but she stopped herself.

Meanwhile, Killian wondered if Emma still wanted to have a child after losing one already, but he couldn't get the words out to ask her. He wasn't sure if he wanted the answer to the question just yet, as the idea of Emma wanting children with him was terrifying. However, the idea she wouldn't want to carry his child bothered him more. "We will go to see your parents first before we go back to Neverland," he said, kissing her lips and then helping her out of bed so they could go above deck.

Emma tensed when she saw Juliet approaching them, not wanting to deal with the girl today. "Good morning, Captain Hook and Princess Emma," she greeted them, her smile reaching her eyes. "I want to apologize for my behavior since I've come aboard your ship. Please accept my sincerest apology for any disrespect, Princess Emma." She bowed slightly, and her eyes were locked on Emma, who was stunned.

"Apology accepted, but please, call me Emma, Juliet." Emma nodded at her, able to see the girl wasn't lying about her apology and wondering what had brought about her new attitude towards her and Killian.

"My looks and reputation have been known to cause fights between many women," Killian smirked, receiving an instant blow from Emma's elbow in his stomach. "You're downright bloody violent, darling, but you're lucky I love that in a lass," he grinned at her wolfishly while Emma rolled her eyes at him. "Bring the prisoner to me!" he yelled out to his crew. His whole demeanor changed the moment he spoke to his crew, causing a few men to run off and follow his orders immediately.

He walked away from Emma and Juliet over to the railing. Killian stood on the deck of his ship, looking out at the land they were approaching and remembering the moment that a chink formed in his once impenetrable armor and led to losing his heart to Emma. This land held the one item that could bring about revenge for his mother's murder, which was all he had thought about for so many years. But now, protecting Emma was his first priority. He felt Emma's arms wrap around his waist from behind, and he put his arms over hers, relishing in the feel of her arms around him.

The sound of Prince Ethan's chains dragging across the deck of the ship broke their moment. Emma and Killian moved away from each other to continue the rouse of fooling the dimwitted prince. "Prince Ethan, we are nearing the island. Are you ready to prove you're not a coward?" Killian drawled out, baiting the prince as he approached him.

"I'm the bravest prince in all the realms. You will have your dagger, and I will have my princess." Ethan smiled and then looked over at Emma, winking at her.

Killian felt his blood boil at this stupid man winking at his wife, making himself look over at his father. If he didn't do something, he might be tempted to gut the no-good prince before he could scream. "Almost every prince I've met has said the same thing. I'll believe your bravery once you get the dagger. Don't forget our little wager ― because only a coward would go back on a bet." His blue eyes gleamed with mischief and glee, excited about watching Prince Ethan's reaction to Emma picking him over this lame excuse for a prince.

"You can trust the word and integrity of a prince. It's you keeping your word that I'm worried about, Captain Hook," he stressed, sticking his nose up in the air. Captain Jack smacked him roughly on the back of his head.

"Shut up and get my bloody dagger, you moron," Captain Jack hissed, unable to control his anger at his insults toward his lad. Being so close to the dagger had made him very anxious.

Emma bit the inside of her lip, turning her head to the side to keep from laughing and hide her smile. Killian's father was one of the most unique and interesting persons she had ever met. She wondered what her parents would make of him, thinking her mother would be entertained by him but her father very annoyed by him. "Let's get the dagger, so we can go back to my homeland and see my parents," Emma exclaimed, spinning around and forcing a look of annoyance on her face.

Two hours later

Killian, Emma, Captain Jack, Clark, Mr. Gibbs and Ethan approached the temple after a long trek through the forest. "I cannot retrieve your dagger or protect myself against any danger inside that awaits me if my hands are bound!" Prince Ethan said to the pirates, holding out his hands secured tightly with a rope.

"Untie him, Gibbs," Captain Jack ordered his first mate, who untied the rope around Ethan's wrists. "Now get my dagger," he whispered, pointing at the entrance of the temple.

"I will also need a sword," Ethan replied, holding out his hand and watching the pirates communicate silently. Mr. Gibbs suddenly thrust a sword at him, and Ethan took it before settling his gaze on Princess Emma. "Would you give me the honor of a kiss for luck?" he smiled, leaning in close and pulling her into his arms forcefully as if moving in for a kiss.

Killian's body went rigid, rage like he had never felt before running through him on seeing another man touching his Emma ― his wife. He lunged forward, unable to think about anything but killing the prince.