The Traitor's Wish

11. The Pirate's Plan

TTW Ch11

Emma was stuck inside in an extensive lesson, made specially by her mother to finalize plans and prepare Emma for her eighteenth birthday ball. It really had snuck up on Emma during her weeks of grief. It was now but three days until the eve of the party. She had had birthday celebrations before, but eighteen was most important, just behind the day she would be crowned queen of course. This day is usually combined for heirs, but Emma's parents saw it deferent my.

The decision had been made years ago. Most princesses are married off at eighteen, and they become a trophy wife for kings of foreign countries.

Snow White and Prince Charming knew right away they did not want that for her, forced love, and nothing but a pretty face. They, with Regina's help, decided Emma would become queen when they knew she was ready, or if anything happened to her parents. She could wed whoever she chose, as long as he treated her right, and eventually he would become king.

It was a much different process then picking queen for boy heirs. A king was expected to be head of the country. They wanted a young man that would love and cherish Emma, and rule by her side, not over her.

So even though this party would not end with the crown on her head and scepter in her hand, it was her night to join adulthood, and her parents royal table. Her classroom studies would stop, but the learning had really just begin. She would be sitting in on all royal affairs with paper and quill, taking as many notes as possible.

Snow was explaining the many cultures that would be visiting, and Emma was trying to stay focused, really she was, but her mind raced with thoughts of Killian. He was in her kingdom somewhere, looking at the same horizon and thinking of her.

All day, her heart raced in fear that someone would turn him in. That her father would come running with the good news, and she would be forced to watch him hang. The memory of his touch lingered on her skin. The way he stared in disbelief at her..

Emma had known at a very young age, how to tell when people are lying, and when he talked about how he felt, she knew he wasn't.

All she wanted was for night to fall, so she could leave this castle she has come to know as her prison, and be reunited with the lover she thought she knew. She wanted to bond with Killian as much as she had with Kade. They were nearly one in the same, but so much felt different and exotic about him last night. She knew he was a ruthless pirate, that many feared him, but she'd never been given anything from him to fear. He treated her better then anyone she had met.

Emma just hoped, and prayed that she would care for Killian as much as she had Kade, and that her broken heart could be mended once again with his love.

After Snow released her, and they all ate diner, she went to her room and prepared for the ride to see him.

She took off her beautiful dress and put her riding clothes over her corset, and her cloak over that. She tugged at the little blue bracelet on her wrist, and hid it safely under her sleeve, taking her lantern and stepping out into the dark hallway after she knew the others would be sleeping.

She had no chance of using her own glass doors to escape. They were far too heavy for her too open alone, adding to the feel of being trapped, and they were much to loud. The guards were all posted in the gardens any way. No, her best bet was a sneaker way.

She was thankful of a small memory, long ago, when the dwarves that lived with them were still young and lively, they had mine tunnels that led right into the palace. It connected their work and home for years, allowing her mother's closest friends a feeling of comfort in the mines they had grown up in.