A\N: I hope you are enjoying this story. Thank you for reading. I love your feedback and really appreciate hearing from you.
Ch. 10
Nairobi was already standing on the shoreline waiting for them so they hurried down to meet her.
"Best be covering yourself milady. You never know the type of scoundrels we will encounter and if you haven't figured it out the Captain has quite the mouth on him and a penchant for fighting." Said Nairobi.
"Yes, I'm aware." Said Emma smiling.
It was Killian's turn to blush. "He had it coming. No man should challenge a Captain in front of his crew. It's bad form." Said Killian rolling his eyes.
"It's ok Captain, I like that fiery side of you. Even if I have to patch you up." Said Emma.
He kissed her on top of her head. "We best be going, it will be dark soon and I need to have Emma back before things get a bit rough here." Said Killian.
"Don't worry Captain, I won't keep you long." Said Nairobi.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~K&E~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It didn't take them long to get back to her shop. The streets were relatively quiet and the sun was still shining over head. Killian held Emma on his arm and he felt like a Prince among me. He swore he could see her glow as well but he would never say that to anyone. He worried for her though. Magic scared him. He'd encountered magical beings in his day and he'd lost his hand in the process. So far nothing good had come from magic that entered his life until Emma. She'd healed him and just being around her made him feel lighter. When she looked into his eyes he felt as though he could be lost in her forever. He would make sure that no one ever hurt her again.
"I'll be right back. I need to get a few things from the back." Said Nairobi.
"Ok." Said Emma.
"Are you ok Love?" asked Killian.
"You're asking me if I'm ok? You were near death today. How are you?"asked Emma.
"I wouldn't go that far Love but I'm feeling much better thanks to your healing hands. I mean are you ok with this? I can find another way to repay Nairobi if this is too much." Said Killian.
"No, I believe this is the least I can do. I'm also hoping she may have some insight as to why I am this way to begin with and why I have no recollection of a curse or magic in my lifetime." Said Emma.
"Magic is all around us Love. Most of the magic I've encountered has been of a hurtful nature." Said Killian.
"Are you afraid of me?"asked Emma.
He stood in front of her and looked into her eyes.
"Love, I could never be afraid of you. I think you are extraordinary in so many ways. The magic is just an enhancement to what I already know is amazing about you and you healed me. I can honestly say it didn't hurt one bit." Said Killian. He pressed a small kiss to the tip of her nose.
"You are being too kind Captain." She said smiling.
He pulled her close to him allowing her to rest her head against his chest.
"You make it easy for me to be kind." Said Killian.
She listened to his heart thrum softly as she snuggled close. She just wanted to go back to the ship and take him up on the offer of more enjoyable activities. She still had no idea what Nairobi had in mind for her repayment but she hoped it wouldn't take long. She caressed his back feeling the supple leather of his jacket pulled against the taut muscles.
"Love, if you keep touching me that way we may not make it back to the ship." He said.
"I'm sorry I can't help it. I've been thinking about last night all day." She whispered.
She felt him chuckle.
"Don't worry Love; I'll be happy to give you a repeat of last night along with a few other tricks that you might enjoy." He said.
"This won't take long Love birds." said Nairobi as she walked back into the room with a basket of items.
Emma took a step back and looked down to the side. She'd never been so familiar with someone in a public place before let alone in front of someone.
"Emma if I could have your attention for just a bit I'd like your assistance. I promise I'll give her back to you Captain." Said Nairobi.
"Ok, what do you need me to do?" Asked Emma.
"Since you are a bearer of white magic I'd like you to help with some healing enchantments. While my herbs are certainly helpful the ability to cure or to heal can bring quite the treasure." Said Nairobi.
"So you want me to use my magic to create healing charms?" asked Emma.
Killian eyed the basket and raised a brow.
"On one condition, you'll allow us to take a few for our own purposes should we come to need them. That should be payment enough." said Killian.
"That won't be a problem." Said Nairobi.
She walked over and grabbed the basket to show her a pile of flat smooth stones with a hole drilled through the top. Killian walked around the shop looking at the trinkets.
"The stones have a hole in the top so that they can be worn like an amulet." Said Nairobi.
Emma picked up one of the stones and rubbed her thumb over the smooth texture.
"It just looks like an ordinary stone to me." said Emma.
"That's because it is, until you put the magic into it." Said Nairobi.
"Ok, I'm ready. Show me what I need to do." Said Emma.
"Close the stone in your fist and I want you to do just what you did earlier. I want you to think warm and healing thoughts. Maybe not quite as graphic as earlier though." Said Nairobi smirking.
Killian laughed.
Emma could feel the flush creep up on her cheeks. "You could have told me you could read my thoughts." Said Emma.
"I generally can't get as clear a picture but you were projecting your thoughts very clearly." Said Nairobi with a big grin on her face.
"OK, I understand." Said Emma.
She glanced over to seek Killian walking back towards her with a grin on his face. She was pretty sure his head was getting bigger by the minute. Emma closed her eyes and she did as she had earlier and thought about Killian's gentle touch, the way he'd kissed her and made her feel warm. She could feel her skin prickling again and the magic started to fill her palm warming the stone.
"That is it! Just like that." Said Nairobi.
"That's it? I've done it? How can you be so sure?" asked Emma.
"I can see the glow around the stone and it matches your aura." said Nairobi.
Emma smiled towards Killian and he came over to watch her. She repeated the process with each of the stones in the basket. When Killian touched her arm she felt the process move faster.
"I knew there was something special about the pair of you." Said Nairobi.
"What's that?"asked Killian.
"When the bearer of magic is surrounded by love, especially her true love, the magic is stronger." Said Nairobi.
Emma dropped the stone to the floor and it crashed. Killian's jaw dropped open.
"True Love? We've only just met two days ago." said Emma.
Killian stood behind her placing his hand on her shoulder as he listened intently.
"What do you think broke the curse? Can't you feel it? Likely the moment you touched it started to break. I can see it all over you. His aura matches yours and when you are touching you both glow brightly." asked Nairobi.
Emma turned around to look at Killian who was grinning from ear to ear. His eyes were softly glowing as she looked at him with a puzzled expression. She couldn't help but be mesmerized again by his eyes and smile in return.
"I believe the moment I met you my heart began to beat again Love. I wouldn't say it was impossible that what she is saying is true." Said Killian.
"I guess that would explain why I started feeling stronger the first night we slept together in the same bed. I thought it was the warmth of your embrace that let me sleep so well but the morning after I felt rejuvenated. I thought maybe it was because I was free, which in some part I still believe." Said Emma.
"Milady, the moment you walked into this room I felt the presence of your magic. The curse was almost gone. I think it was fate that you found each other. I'd also say you were lucky to find me when you did to help with this. If you say you have no magical members in your family and had no awareness of the presence it might have caused trouble for the pair of you. You'll have to practice control." Said Nairobi.
Killian looked down at this beautiful woman staring up at him with a crooked smile. He'd heard the tales of true love in his past but he never thought he'd find such a woman that could tame his ragged heart. He used his hook to push her hair back away from her face. Her eyes were glittering back at him in a deep emerald hue to match the surrounding light in the shop.
"Love, are you alright?"he asked.
Emma was floored. She had butterflies floating around in her stomach and her hands felt shaky. She did feel something strong for him, almost immediately. She thought perhaps it was because he saved her and she was grateful. While that was certainly part of it, her strength returned and she didn't feel like a shell of a person any longer. She didn't feel like the battered and abused nothing that was trapped in the castle all those years.
"I'm more than alright, just a little scared." She said.
She looked at him with wide eyes and threw her arms around his neck. She pulled him down until his lips crashed against hers. The softness and sweetness of his kiss was intoxicating. The spiciness of the rum mingled across her lips as his tongue guided against hers. He responded in turn and all she could feel was the heat of his hands on her body and the curves of his against her own.
"Ahem, Love birds, remember time is of the essence." Said Nairobi.
Emma broke the kiss and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. Killian was grinning at her.
"Love, let's make this quick shall we." He said.
Emma quickly finished the rest of the stones in the basket. They took a few for themselves and Killian put them into his pocket.
"Does this work with any stone?"asked Killian.
"It must be malachite." Said Nairobi.
"Noted." Said Killian.
"Nairobi, do you know how I came to have this magic?"asked Emma.
"White magic is often something a bearer is born with. You are likely the product of True Love since your magic seems so responsive to Killian's touch and it is also the brightest that I've seen. Your aura practically makes you glow white." Said Nairobi.
"Do you know how early in life I would have shown signs of having this magic?"asked Emma.
"It's not always exact. If you don't remember anything strange happening it's possible that you were cursed as an infant or young child to suppress it." said Nairobi.
"Can this magic be passed on to my children?"asked Emma.
"It's unlikely unless your child was also the product of True Love." said Nairobi.
Killian looked at Emma and he could see the frown on her face. He put his hands on her shoulders to comfort her.
"Your son may not bear magic but from what you've said he is a good boy." Said Killian.
Emma smiled. "Yes, he is."
"Nairobi, do you think I may call upon you again if I have other questions?"asked Emma.
"It was my pleasure meeting you milady and you are welcome in my shop anytime. Thank you for your kindness and allowing me to borrow your magic." Said Nairobi.
"No, Thank you. I never would have been able to save Killian without your help." Said Emma.
"Come now Love, let's get you back to the ship before the scoundrels and thieves start coming out of hiding." said Killian.
As they were walking out of the shop a woman came through the door.
"Whoa, who let the High Priestess in here?" She asked.
"Greta, those are my friends. She is not a High Priestess. She is a client and I'm certain you remember the Captain." said Nairobi.
"Greta, pleasure as always." Said Killian.
"mmmhmm, Can't stay out of trouble, can ye." Said Greta.
"Well, you know me. I like a spot of danger when I can find it." Said Killian.
"You best be going, the ruffians are starting to come to life." Said Greta.
Nairobi walked over and grabbed Greta in an embrace.
"Bye Love birds." Said Nairobi waving them off.
Emma smiled and pulled up her hood before they exited.
"Greta and Nairobi are lovers and partners in the shop. Greta also has the third eye." Said Killian.
"They seem like very nice people. I'm really glad I ran into her today. I have a lot more questions than I did before but at least I know I should be asking them." Said Emma.
"They seemed to take to you as well Love. It's nice to see you can make friends in useful places. A Pirate Princess should know who she's dealing with and where to find resources when required. I'm also fairly certain I heard you order the crew around earlier too." said Killian smiling.
"That might be true and I'm sorry about that." Said Emma.
"You're a born leader Love. It is only natural for you to want to command the crew." Said Killian.
The scent of baked bread was wafting over them again. Emma's stomach was growling and it reminded her she hadn't eaten since that morning.
"Killian, can we go into the bake shop? It smells wonderful. "asked Emma.
"Certainly love, whatever your heart desires should be at my command. We must be quick about it though we are losing daylight." Said Killian.
She smiled and pulled him along and into the door of the bakery laughing as they entered.
"I said don't move." Shouted a scruffy man.
He was holding the baker in front of the store with a knife to his throat. There was one other man who appeared to be helping him by grabbing loaves of bread and stuffing them into a sack. Killian pushed her behind him and tried to back them out of the door.
"You there, where you think you're going?" said the scruffy man.
"We're just leaving. Go about your business." Said Killian.
"I don't think I can let ye leave. Burt I need a hand in here." Called the man.
A burley man pushed through the door in front of Emma causing her to shriek. She gripped onto Killian and they were pushed further into the store.
"Look, I said we were just leaving, Mate. We don't want any trouble." Said Killian.
"I said, you can't leave. Now start emptying yer pockets or my friend Burt is going to help ye." Said the scruffy man.
Killian looked at Emma and she could see the fire in his eyes. He did not like to be challenged and she knew he liked to fight. She closed her eyes. She knew it was going to happen. He pushed her behind him and unsheathed his sword.
"Now, I tried to leave peacefully but you just couldn't take the hint Mate. Now I'm going to have to teach you some manners. This is no way to act in front of a lady." Said Killian.
He twisted his sword in his hand and held his hook at the ready.
Killian assessed the room. Burt began pounding his fists back and forth in his hands. The other man continued to bag the bread while the scruffy man continued to hold the baker hostage. He noticed one other man cowering in the corner and another man who appeared to be dead lying behind the counter on the floor.
"Emma, stay behind me. We are leaving." Said Killian.
She swallowed hard. She felt her magic start prickling against her skin. She couldn't control it. She was too frightened that something would happen to them. Suddenly Burt attacked and Killian drew his sword up and slashed him across the chest. He cowered back but came again. Killian slashed him once more and kicked him back against the wall knocking him out. The man bagging the bread came charging over and he tried to grab her. Killian turned and slashed forward with his sword, he missed and came charging again. She felt the heat come to her hands and it blew him backward against the flour bags causing flour to sprinkle around the room in a puff of smoke.
"Brilliant Love, let's go." Said Killian.
Killian grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the bakery while they had cover. He sheathed his sword so they could move faster. Emma didn't stop to look back. She was so scared and her heart was pumping so fast that she felt like she might fly. When they reached the docks he stopped and pulled her aside out of view.
"I don't know what happened." She said breathlessly.
He pulled her close and kissed her flushed cheeks once on each side and then kissed her forehead. She felt the tears prick at the corner of her eyes and then she couldn't hold them back. He pulled her into him and let her cry out on his shoulder. He caressed her head with his hand and she was shaking like a leaf.
"It's ok Princess. You were wonderful. Bloody Brilliant. " said Killian.
She looked up to see him and he wiped the tears from her eyes.
"Let's get you back to the ship and find something to eat. You're going to need your strength for later." He said raising an eyebrow.
She laughed.
"OK, Captain, but I'm still upset I didn't get my bread." Said Emma.
"You mean this?" He said pulling a loaf from inside his jacket and smiling.
"Scoundrel!" she said swatting him.
"Pirate" he said waggling his eyebrows.