Emma was frustrated with herself. All day long all she could think of was Killian. His lips, his voice, his eyes, his tall, well-proportioned, clad in all black leather body that looked really good nude as well. Considering the enormous problem she had trying to overcome the evil Queen, someone that studied magic for years and was an expert, while Emma had only practiced for the last three days, seemed like a gigantic task. She really needed to get Killian off her mind. Rescuing her father was more important.
Unfortunately reproducing the panic from picturing the ogre almost eating Killian helped her conjure her magic so there was that dilemma. She still needed to think about Killian in order to defeat the evil Queen. Thinking about the evil Queen, the odds were against her if she wanted to duel with magic against the queen but she needed to try. She just hoped she wouldn't be too late. That her father was still alive and her mother was not captured yet.
Elsa taught her all she knew which wasn't that much since Elsa herself had no one to teach her magic. Emma was grateful for her assistance nonetheless. She would travel on The Grinder back to the Enchanted Forest where hopefully she could take on the evil Queen unawares. Elsa was generous enough to send some of her own troops to assist her.
She sent a message to Graham and Killian telling them what dock and what time they should meet to depart Arendelle. She was hoping they would be delayed and miss the scheduled departure so her pulse wouldn't quicken at the sight of Killian's sexy smirk and her gaze wouldn't get lost in his azure blue eyes.
She said her goodbyes to Elsa, Anna and Kristoff and arrived on The Grinder way ahead of the time they would castoff. She wanted to prepare herself before coming face to face with Captain Jones. Actually more like hide. She would stay in her cabin for as long as possible, not just to stay away from Killian but also to avoid Graham. He was handsome and kind but he did not have the same effect on her that Killian had. She needed to talk to him about just being friends, but she also knew she could use Graham as a shield against Captain Jones should she need one. She would rather avoid both men altogether and concentrate on saving her father and finding her mother.
As soon as Graham and Killian introduced themselves and Smee & Fitch to the Captain of The Grinder, they boarded and immediately scanned the decks for a glimpse of Emma. Both men were disappointed not to see her.
Graham had not spoken to Killian since he punched him for ruining his date with Emma. He couldn't blame Killian for not being attracted to Emma. She was so damn beautiful, smart and sassy but he wasn't going to win her. It's game on for him.
Killian, from asking a few strategic questions of the crew, realized Emma was on board the ship but had no desire to show herself. Well, she couldn't do that the entire trip, could she? Maybe she needs some time to herself, he thought. But then he hadn't seen her in a couple of days and he'd been looking forward all day yesterday and all morning long. He had spent most of his time getting himself acquainted with the streets of Arendelle in case he found himself in the city again, he wanted to learn how to navigate the city. Each time he caught a glimpse of blonde hair, his pulse quickened, hoping the blonde hair belonged to Emma but he was sorely disappointed when the blonde turned around and it wasn't. At night he imagined what it would be like to run his fingers through her silky, blonde tresses; to press his lips against her throat and listen to her sighs of pleasure. It had only been a short while but he felt the separation acutely agonizing.
Now his blood began to pump with excitement at the thought that Emma was on the same ship as he was. He had been fighting with himself whether or not to find her room and knock on her door. He was a pirate and he was used to getting what he wants but then again to woo someone like Emma he needed an abundance of patience. He felt the ship moving, they had cast off. He saw Graham, Smee and Fitch at the forecastle of the ship staring at the bow. He looked off to the sides and saw the ship slicing through the ice in the water. The hull was made of metal that was strong enough to cut through ice but not heavy enough to cause the ship to sink. He was thinking of reinforcing the hull of the Jolly Roger with the same light metal but dismissed the notion because the ship would lose speed and speed is necessary when you're captaining a pirate ship, either chasing other ships or needing a fast getaway.
Killian continued to cast his eyes around to see if he could spy blonde hair. Blast patience! He was a pirate and pirates took what they wanted and what this pirate wanted was to feast his eyes on a beautiful blonde. He took the stairs down to the passenger section and knocked on each door until he found a face he was yearning to see.
When Emma heard the knock on her door, she assumed it was one of the troops that Elsa sent so she answered her door and when she glimpsed Killian's face her breath halted. He was leaning languidly against the doorframe. She watched speechlessly as his gaze wandered over the full length of her and his azure blue eyes unabashedly displayed approval and a slow, sensual grin that followed sapped the strength from her knees. She snapped out of the trance he put her in.
"Hello Captain," Emma greeted him. "Is there a reason you knocked on my door and disturbed my privacy?"
"I didn't mean to disturb your rest, dear lady," Killian answered. "I felt it right to give you proper greetings and desired to be in the company of a vibrant, stunning woman such as yourself."
"And was there no woman in Arendelle whose company you monopolized?"
"Truthfully I grew bored viewing the feminine sights in that city," Killian's mouth twitched with amusement and his eyes gleamed into hers as he added, "They don't hold a candle to you."
As much as Emma flushed with pleasure at hearing his words, she tamped it down, "Did you have nothing better to do than to ogle women?"
"I suppose I could find something else to keep me busy but I can't think of anything nearly as enjoyable, unless I find myself in your company."
"I wonder how many women you've charmed with those words."
"Several, I suppose, but I've never lied. Each had their time and place but to date you are the most captivating woman I have had the most blessed fortune to be around," he said giving her the sexiest smile she had ever seen.
She really needed to get away from this pirate before he charms the clothes right off her. She somehow knew he could be a really good time.
She cleared her throat trying to shake the sensual thoughts from her mind when she saw some dark areas around one eye that wasn't from the kohl he used.
"Is that remnants of a shiner?" she asked looking pointedly at his right eye.
"Ah, yes. Your other suitor expressed his displeasure at me for interrupting your date," Killian explained.
"If Graham is one suitor, then who would you say is my other suitor?" Emma inquired. "I have two suitors?"
"Why me, of course," Killian answered with a grin. "Though, a beautiful woman such as you must have men in droves after you. I can only hope you have a special place in your heart for me."
She had to smile at that. Emma knew she was a much sought after woman because of being a princess and being a beautiful one. Many men flirted with her hoping for a sought-after response. Sometimes she enjoyed responding if the man was handsome and intriguing enough. Had she not had so many worries on her mind, she would have enjoyed entertaining the dashing Captain Jones in her cabin.
"I have too many to choose from," Emma answered.
When he saw her smile, he started wondering. Did she have men in droves after her? He just said that to appeal to her vanity but it had been the truth. Just who were these men and how many would he have to kill, maim and beat? Other than Graham, of course.
Then he stepped in her personal space and gave her look full of lust and wanting, which caused her heart to skip a beat, her pulse racing and stare at him wide-eyed, incapable of remembering her own name.
"Do you have a place in your heart for me, Emma?" he whispered in that sinful voice that made her shiver.
On a deep level he knew she had a physical attraction to him, it was a matter of coaxing her true nature hidden behind her inhibitions and persuade it to come to the surface. Once he conquered her self-restraints, she would be his. It was a dance he knew well. Some women just folded sooner than others. He knew she would be a challenge and he loved a challenge.
"Do you think of me as much as I think of you?" Killian spoke softly into her ear as he placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. "I can't stop thinking about you. Can't stop thinking how your lips felt on mine. I can still taste you. "
Emma felt like she was on fire and she was going to burn up into nothing. He was so close, his masculinity overwhelming her, leaving her weak. She turned her face to him with her lips open.
His arm slipped about her waist and brought her full against his hardened frame. In the next instant his lips were on hers, and his fiery kiss warmed her to the core of her being, twisting, tasting, demanding. His tongue played up on her lips, then slipped within to leisurely taste the full sweetness of her mouth. Her soft breasts crushed against his chest, his hand slid over her buttock, pressing her to him until she could not ignore evidence of his burning passion.
His mouth left hers and slid down her throat, and her senses consumed her in a ball of flame that followed his lips downward. She could not draw a deep breath or free herself from his sultry, hot kisses. She shook her head lamely in denial, wanting him to stop before she was set ablaze on the spot.
Suddenly she heard the sound of cannon fire but thought it was the sound of her heart beating out of her chest. Her eyes flew open, her senses jolted from the noise.
"What was that!" Emma asked.
Killian was still occupied with moving his lips over her neck.
"What was what, love?" Killian murmured against her soft skin. "Oh that, well, when a man desires a woman very much, his lower body gets stimulated-"
The sound of cannon fire interrupted him.
"I meant that!" Emma yelled pushing him away to rush into the hallway.
"Emma, wait! It's too dangerous for you!" Killian yelled. He grabbed her hand and yanked her back into her room.
"Stay here!" Killian ordered. "I'll find out what's going on."
He closed the door behind him and drew his sword. When he went up to the deck, he saw they were being attacked by a similar ship that was reinforced with metal that cut through the icy water. He saw the grappling hooks being launched and prepared himself for battle.
As soon as he saw one man swing himself towards the Grinder, Killian kicked him into the icy water as he came closer and took the rope away so no one from the other ship would use it to board the Grinder. Swords were clanging, men were yelling and chaos ensued.
Emma, not following Killian's orders, came out on deck with her own sword and started fighting what looked like troops from Hans's brother's kingdom.
Killian spotted Emma's hair out of the corner of his eye and as soon as he knocked out the sailor he was fighting with, he made his way toward her. He noticed she was an expert swordsman so he positioned himself on her weak side, making sure no one had an opening to attack her. Graham was fighting the intruders back. Smee and Fitch were happily hacking away since they had not seen some action in quite a while.
"Princess Emma!" Prince Hans called out. "Oh sorry, I forgot. You're not a princess anymore having lost your kingdom."
"I should have known it was you, Hans," Emma exclaimed. "Call your troops back now or face the consequences of your actions!"
"It's Prince Hans to you, Emma"
"You're still a dummy!" Emma yelled back. Practicing hitting Hans's dummy with her magic made it easy for her to conjure her power and hit him with a white light that hurtled him back to his ship where he landed on his tailbone. He screeched from the pain and Emma knew he would be laid up for days with a sore backside. Emma then sent more bolts of magic out to stop the intruders from attacking and blasting them back towards their ship where they also unceremoniously landed with a thud. She even picked up a few enemy sailors that landed in the water and whisked them out to land on Hans's ship, shivering with cold but at least not drowned. She then shut a pulse of energy towards the other ship's mast and sent it crashing down. The troops from the Grinder also cut the ropes from the grappling hooks dislodging other ship's hold on the Grinder. They sailed away leaving Han's and his sore butt behind.
"So you're Princess Emma of the Enchanted Forest," Killian came behind her, overhearing the brief exchange between Hans and Emma.
"Like Hans said, I'm not a princess anymore," Emma retorted.
"Princess Emma, you can't go back to the Enchanted Forest," Killian pleaded realizing what she was so desperate to go back for. "It's too dangerous. Is this why Elsa sent her troops with you? To fight the Evil Queen?"
"Yes, I am going to save my parents, the rest of my family and take back the kingdom," Emma said resolutely.
"You just recently discovered your magic," Killian reasoned. "The Evil Queen has had years of practice. You can't think to spar with her if that's what it will come to."
"I am determined to at least save my family," Emma said. "I can't stand aside and watch while my family and friends get destroyed. It's either fight or be hunted for the rest of my life and I'd rather die fighting than live in fear."
"Then at least, let me help you," Killian offered. Her bravery increased his admiration and respect for her.
"And what's your price?" Emma asked remembering he is a pirate and pirates love gold.
"I'll do it for free!" Graham interrupted.
Killian rolled his eyes in aggravation. He had all sorts of fantasies of Emma coming to his bed to repay him for his service, but he knew Emma would balk at that. She wouldn't be some pirate's bedmate for any price unless she wanted it, she was a princess, not a prostitute. Still, it was a fantasy he could take to his bed at night.
"Let us off at port where the Jolly is and we'll take her out and follow in the Grinder's wake," Killian determined.
"It is just as dangerous for you too," Emma said. "Following in the Grinder's wake doesn't guarantee you won't get stuck in the ice or hit a growler. I can't let you do that."
"I'm following you," Killian said resolutely.
"No, I won't allow it," Emma replied just as stubbornly. "Leave me to my fate, Captain and go back to your precious Milah."
Emma turned around and went back to attending the troops. She hoped there weren't too many injuries. She needed as much help as she could. It was going to be an uphill battle and winning the war was a long shot.
The Grinder left Killian, Graham, Smee and Fitch at their stop and even when Killian tried to convince the Captain of the Grinder to wait for them at port to launch the Jolly Roger and follow them, Killian saw that they were leaving, not giving them a chance to follow. Princess Emma must have overridden his pleas. He ordered the Jolly Roger to be launched anyway, taking his chances in the frozen river.