Killian inspected his face in the mirror to see the damage that was done. It wasn't too bad. He was still as devilishly handsome as ever, mayhap a bit more rugged looking with the bruises and the cuts. The swelling went down ever since Emma put the salve on it. Her gentle touch was healing him at a faster pace than usual. It was most likely due to her magic.
He didn't blame Emma's father for the thrashing he received. If he had a daughter and a pirate announced he'd ruined her, he would have done worse. That thought sparked a vision of Emma holding a little girl, their little girl, who looked like Emma with the same shade of hair and his blue eyes. His heart ached at the dream that one day they would be happy, live together and have a family.
He had to play his hand carefully if that dream were to come to fruition which was why he didn't fight back and let the man have at him. He just wished he could talk to her. Glancing down at the ring Emma gave him, he was told it belonged to her grandfather. Knowing that she gave him a family heirloom as a wedding ring gave him hope that everything would work out.
He let out a sigh as he carefully lay down on the bed. He was grateful Charming didn't get his way and he got a bedchamber instead of the dungeon. As his thoughts drifted to Emma, he noticed his wedding ring started to glow and he felt a tingling sensation go up and down his body.
Emma sat up in bed. It was useless trying to go to sleep so she stood up and started pacing around her room. Her mind was on overdrive thinking so many thoughts about the present and future. She really needed to talk to Killian about so many things. He needed to be informed he would be meeting with the kingdom's counselors who were expert at law that could mount a defense for him. He would need to be forthcoming with information as to the events that turned him pirate and what other misdeeds King George would accuse him of. He had to know she would do anything to free him of King George's charges. Then they would talk about their future.
Thoughts of their future filled her with insecurity. She knew he loved sailing the seas while as a princess and future Queen she would be mostly land bound. She couldn't make him give up pirating. He was a pirate and sailor deep down. She didn't want to keep her hopes high for the future in case they came crashing down. But who was she kidding? She would be crushed if he left. It would utterly destroy her if he decided she wasn't worth staying for. Just thinking about it made her heart hurt.
Yet there was a yearning in her to be with Killian. She dearly wished he could be with her now. Flopping down on her huge four poster bed, Emma pictured Killian lying with her. His lips moving over hers, his hard body pressing hers into the bed, her hands running through his hair, she could almost smell him.
And then it happened. Magically he appeared next to her.
"What in blazes…" Killian quickly sat up and looked over at Emma in a pale pink silk gossamer nightgown lying next to him looking rather bewildered.
Emma suddenly burst out with delighted laughter.
"I imagined you here with me and now you're here," Emma said smiling ear to ear happy at what she unwittingly conjured.
Killian realized he was in a bed with Emma who always had the capacity to steal his breath away with her beauty. Her skin was bathed in the glow of candlelight, her hair spread luxuriously over her pillow, her body laid out on the bed and ripe for the taking.
"Aye, love. I heartily approve of that magic trick." Killian remarked huskily. "And what could you possibly imagine us doing while you're lying in this big bed, love?"
Emma saw his eyes darken and that sensual smile of his spread across his lips.
She cocked her eyebrow the same way he usually did when he made some erotic innuendo and sweeping her eyes down his body with carnal appreciation, "Well, what we usually do when we're in a bed together."
He remembered exactly what they did when they were in bed together. He'd been thinking about it since she was taken away. He didn't care what kind of magic brought him there but he was bloody well grateful. It had been too damn long since they were both in a bed alone and he needed her.
It only took a moment until his mouth was slanted across hers, his body on top of her.
She gasped. His presence suffused her with heat in all the right places. The taste of him, the feel of him, the hard heat surrounding her, flaying her senses with exquisite pleasure.
Then she realized that Killian must be in pain kissing her and pulled back, "Killian, your mouth. It's cut and swollen."
It did hurt kissing her, but Killian didn't care.
"That's not important, love," he said breathlessly, brushing her hair away from her brow.
His hand moved under her head, his fingers gliding under her hair, along her scalp until her head was firmly in place. His other arm moved lower until his hand cupped her buttocks, pressing her into his hips.
She saw his sensual smile, the heat in his eyes, felt his breath on her lips, when he added, "This is."
He had her tight in his grip, ensured that there'd be no escape from it. Leisurely, with infinite care, he bestowed on her the finesse of a lifetime, kisses meant to entice, to mesmerize, to tap every sensual impulse she ever had.
Her arms circled his neck of their own volition while his tongue seduced her lips to part, and enter, until she was at the realm of not-caring-as-long-as-this-pleasure continues. She was in the center of an erotic storm that consumed awareness of everything except the man and the pleasurable sensations he was inducing. She kissed him back with fiery abandon, her arms wrapped tight around him.
"Emma, you make me tremble," he whispered against her lips.
She felt the wonder in his voice and she answered him by lifting her legs up, encircling it around his hips.
Killian's need escalated beyond anything he had ever felt with anyone before. Only Emma could do this to him, make him feel like he was going to burn alive with exquisite pleasure. He needed to be inside her. Now.
He braced himself up on his knees and grasped the hem of her pale pink silk nightgown to pull it up as she lifted her hips to ease it up and sat up so he could whip it over her head. He gazed at her wearing only a pair of pink lace panties with pure unadulterated lust. Her fingers tried to unbutton his vest and shirt. With Emma's help, Killian practically tore his clothes off. Finally he hooked his fingers under the sides of her panties and drew them down her long, slick limbs until she was completely bare. Her knees fell open and he could see how wet her pink slit was giving evidence of her need. He sank his fingers into her love passage to draw the narrow furrow open. Emma moaned with the contact and lifted her hips.
And then he was deep inside of her, buried to the hilt, and her body seemed to sigh in relieved welcome. When he started moving his hips, their primitive instincts took over and he continually lost himself into her softness with a fierce, unrelenting rhythm. Sweat and heat fused their bodies into one. Words of need and desire and praise tumbled from his lips and hers.
"So good, always so good," Emma murmured in his ear.
She sobbed and writhed beneath him as her body convulsed in explosive orgasm. Hearing her come apart was the sweetest sound and it quickly induced him to reach the pinnacle of pleasure. He shuddered atop her, the rasp of his hot breath loud in her ear when he pumped his own release inside her soon after.
The limp weight covering her always felt so good, and her arms and legs were still wrapped around his body, oddly reluctant to release him. She could feel the galloping of his heart and his breaths ruffling her hair near her ear.
Killian reluctantly rolled to one side with a grunt, keeping her flush against him, her leg thrown over his hip. His hands continued to roam her body, tattooing the feel of her in his mind. She wondered sleepily if they would ever be sated of this powerful desire of the flesh.
He leaned in and slowly, tenderly covered her mouth with his own, kissing her as though she was the most precious thing on the earth. He was so gentle, so reverent. There was a slight tremor in his hand when he smoothed a tangled mass of wavy locks away from her face.
Her heart clenched, and her eyes burned with a prickling of tears. She had no defense against this man. She would give up a whole kingdom for him. She gazed at him adoringly with his rumpled dark hair and soft blue eyes, whose body was so entwined with hers, she wasn't sure where she started and he began.
His hand found hers and linked their fingers.
She drew a shuddering breath. "Killian," she began, unsure of where she wanted to start telling him about her feelings, what she deeply desired for their future. Fatigue weighted her eyelids. She struggled with the tumbled thoughts crossing her mind.
"Don't think, love," he whispered. "Just lie with me."
Just lie with me.
But there was so much to discuss.
With thoughts of putting off their talk until the morning, Emma drifted off to sleep. Killian after listening to her even breathing and feeling the rise and fall of her chest against his, he slowly followed her into slumber.
She woke to feel Killian's shoulder against her cheek, her hand was on his chest feeling it rise and fall much like the rocking of the ship. But they weren't on the Jolly Roger. The bed was too roomy for that and the smell of the ocean wasn't in the air. She looked at her left hand and the ring with the blue diamond on it and she suddenly remembered she was Mrs. Killian Jones. Actually she still kept her title of Crown Princess Emma and Killian gained a new title as Prince Consort. Her consort. Her husband. She sighed softly and drew her fingers across his furred chest.
"So Mrs. Jones, how does it feel to be a married woman?" Killian knew she was awake after he felt her fingers toy with the hair on his chest.
"It feels wonderful," Emma breathed. She turned her face up to his to see such a hopeful expression.
It gave her courage to start the conversation about their future that she had wanted to have but was too scared to bring up.
"We need to talk about our future," Emma finally let out.
"I know, love, I think we should –" Killian started but was interrupted by someone wrapping loudly on the bedroom door.
"Emma!" there was panic in Snow's voice. "Are you awake? I'm coming in."
The door swung open.
"Captain Jones escaped! The guards…" Snow's voice tapered off when she saw Killian with Emma in bed. "Will need to be called off since he's been found…obviously."
Snow then turned suddenly when she heard Charming's voice coming down the hall, quickly left the room and slammed the door shut.
Killian rubbed his face and hair until it was sticking up in the most rumpled, attractive way. Emma reluctantly went to find her nightgown and pulled it up over her head. She wanted to finish the conversation they started but she knew either her maid or one of her parents may come through the door any second.
"We need to have this conversation, Emma," Killian grasped her hand to tug her towards him. She sat down next to him when she saw the urgent look on his face.
"Yes, we have to work out the details of our marriage," Emma exhaled ready to begin when she heard another knock on her door.
"Emma, it's your father," Emma jumped at the sound of his voice. She didn't want another repeat of yesterday. In fact, if her father found Killian in her bed, he might just try to strangle Killian. She flew to the door to keep it closed.
"Father, I need to get dressed first," Emma called out as she pressed against the door.
Killian went searching for his breeches. If Charming was going to attack him, he was going to be at least half way dressed.
"Are you okay, Emma? Your mother is acting very suspicious," Charming questioned through the door. Snow was never any good at bluffing. He knew she was trying to keep him away from Emma's room and the pirate was missing.
"I'm fine. Just need to get dressed," Emma called out.
"Is the pirate in there, Emma?" Charming asked point blank.
"Are you going to go berserk if he is?" Emma asked angrily.
"No," Charming replied. He was starting to realize that his daughter was an adult who made her own decisions. "Just meet us in the breakfast room and we can all talk."
"Alright," Emma answered. She was relieved that her father was slowly accepting the situation.
But she did manage to hear him grumbling as he came away from the door, "I guess an annulment is out of the question."
She turned away from the door to see Killian standing right behind her. He hadn't put on a shirt, just his trousers. His expression was getting increasingly incensed.
"We are not getting an annulment or a divorce!" Killian asserted in a loud voice that hopefully her father heard.
"We're not?" Emma asked hopeful that he could want what she has wanted.
"No," Killian said resolutely.
"But you were forced to marry me," Emma added.
Killian ran a hand through his hair and let out a deep sight, "I forced your parents to marry us. There's a difference."
"You mean you wanted this? You wanted to be with me?" Emma asked just to be certain she heard correctly.
"Of course I do, love," Killian was frustrated that she could possibly think otherwise. He had traveled far and wide to be with her and make her happy. "What makes you think I wouldn't want you?"
"I want this," Emma said with finality. It felt amazing to get out the words she had wanted to say. "A marriage with you."
Killian sucked in his breath. It was everything he wanted to hear from Emma's lips. She wanted a life with him.
"There's nothing in this world that would matter more to me than to be with you, Emma," Killian let out those words in a rush like it was a dam that was about to explode. All that built of emotion was relieved to be let out.
"Killian," Emma whispered while her hands went to grasp his face. "I love you."
Those three simple words caused Killian so much joy.
"And I love you, Emma," Killian put his arms around her to draw her in and as their lips touched he poured his whole heart into that kiss. He finally got what he wanted.
Emma felt it and she returned it was the same heartfelt passion.
It took a long time before Emma's parents saw them at breakfast.
They arrived in the breakfast room with a flush on their cheeks that Charming tried not to notice.
"Good morning, my new in-laws!" Killian grinned from ear to ear especially when he spotted the growing scowl on Charming's face.
Snow wished him good morning while Charming just grunted.
Neal gulped down the sausage he just put in his mouth and answered his greeting, "Morning, new brother-in-law. I heard your accommodations were not sufficient last night and you had it changed."
Killian looked uncomfortably at Emma, "Yes, well. Your sister helped there."
"You'll have to excuse my brother, Killian. He has a very strange sense of humor and enjoys making situations awkward," Emma said scowling at her brother.
"Just taking a man's measure, Ems," Neal was pleased the man had the grace to look discomfited. It showed he had scruples and a conscience. He may be a good addition to the family yet.
Emma led Killian to the side board where the food was laid out. She handed him a plate and started piling food on it. They took their plates to the table and started eating. A servant brought Emma her hot chocolate and in front of Killian placed a cup and saucer including three different pots each filled with hot coffee, hot tea or hot cocoa so he could make his selection. The servants would take note his preference so that next time his breakfast drink was served they would automatically set a cup down for him. Killian chose the coffee and poured the milk and added two sugars.
Snow sipped her tea and informed Killian regarding the counselors that were coming to meet with him to help with his defense for the trial.
After breakfast was finished, Emma stood up to announce that Killian will be staying in Emma's quarters. Both Snow and Charming looked uncomfortable but nodded their acceptance.
Snow told them, "Killian will not be allowed to leave the castle grounds while he is in preparation for his trial."
Killian was uncomfortable with leaving his crew for a long time. He would have to talk to Emma about checking on his ship and crew.
Emma then continued to add, "We are going to try to make this marriage work."
"Once this trial is over, where will you live?" Charming probed.
Emma answered, "Killian will have a house outside the castle."
"Interesting. What will happen with your ship?" Charming grilled.
Killian answered this time, "I heard that Graham Humbert was made into a captain in your navy. I was hoping to turn over my vessel to your navy and pledge my service to you."
"Considering you are family now and a citizen," Snow inserted. "We will be happy to add you to our naval forces."
Emma let out a relieved sigh and a big smile formed on her face. She did not want to go against her parents when it came to Killian and she was happy that they were accommodating him. She was glad she didn't have to fight them but she would for her husband. Emma squeezed Killian's hand and Killian gave her a smile.
If she was happy then that made him happy.