The Rise and Fall of Captain Hook & The Princess

7. The Sorcerer's Cookbook

The sky lit up the following day with fierce sparks and a roaring rumble; downpour disturbed the kingdom.

But Uliana was grateful since it kept everyone in their dorms as they waited outside of Merlin's office.

"Coast is clear." Hook informed them after spying through the handheld telescope.

Uliana held Morgie back when he attempted to head for the office. "Not yet." she dismissed him upon finding Red sneak in, but then she smiled smugly. "Dawn will go in, as planned."

All eyes landed on the puzzled princess who then straightened up confidently, seizing every opportunity to prove her strength to others.

"I'll have it out in a minute." she declared, heading for the office.

Hook perked up and began following her, offending Uliana and causing her to clench her jaw and glare.

Dawn halted, sighing in annoyance.

"Give a signal if you see Merlin." Hook instructed them, leading the way.

"Oh!" Morgie perked up joyfully while Maleficent and Hades were in their own little world making out across the way. "Should I do a wolf howl? Or like a dog howl? I can do different dogs!"

Uliana groaned dismissively, already annoyed because of the pirate.

"I don't need your help." Dawn protested and began reaching for the double doors, but Hook pulled it back which caused the girl to go wide-eyed as he then rushed to open it for her.

"I'm a gentleman." he bragged, catching his breath while leaning against the doorframe and holding his hand out toward the entry.

She was stone-faced, concealing how she truly appreciated the chivalry, while stepping into the academy and heading for the headmaster's office but then she stopped in her tracks and a gasp escaped her as an owl emerging to alert the headmaster flew out of the office.

Hook left a door open and yanked the girl's arm to hide behind it.

"What are you doing?" she whispered, puzzled.

He was beginning to grow truly annoyed with her. "A thank you every now and then wouldn't kill you."

She scoffed. "What exactly am I thanking you for?"

"This is what Uliana wanted. She wanted you to get in trouble." he whisper-shouted back.

"I'm not afraid of her." she firmly declared.

"I noticed. But you should be." he warned her.

"I'm not." she blurted out firmly and it nearly surprised him, even herself, but the small outburst was like a reflex defending herself.

She averted her eyes while he stared at her curiously.

There was nowhere to hide, however, in the tight space behind the door as they were forced to stand quite close to one other, heat radiating from the proximity. They could feel and hear the other breathe.

"I know a way out," she informed him as realization dawned on her, recognizing Red and Chloe were not going anywhere as they fought off the security.

His brows furrowed but she held onto his hook after making sure the coast was clear, and led him to a narrow hall that led to a large space.

Hook observed the unfamiliar, spacious painting room that had floor-to-ceiling windows, giving painters a beautiful view of the green garden outside that was now being drenched in the heavy rainfall, with large easels and an abundance of supplies as well as portraits on the wall and credit beneath.