Losing Light

Chapter 24

Killian woke up the next morning lying on the chaise in his den. The fire was smoldering but the whole castle seemed to be much more upbeat and happy. He opened the doors and saw servants running around. Most of them carried fabrics or jars of glitter and gems. He grabbed an arm and was met with Ashley. "What's going on?" Killian asked.

"Her Highness, Queen Emma has asked that we get to work on the dresses for the wedding. She wants to make sure that everything is perfect for it," Ashley replied.

"Where is Emma?"

"I believe she was last seen in the garden, your majesty."

"Thank you."

He went out to the gardens and saw a bunch of flowers on the grass. Beautiful and unique ones. He went to pluck one from the ground but was loudly scolded to, "Stop."

He looked up and Emma was staring at him with fear on her face. "What is it, love?" He asked, straightening himself up.

"Those are the magic flowers for the invitations. They aren't ready to be picked yet."

"When I said get started on some wedding stuff, this was not what I meant."

"Everything has to be perfect. But I'm glad you're awake. We have to go over invitations and get the food situation handled." She grabbed his hand and pulled him inside the castle. He already knew it was going to be a long day. "I was thinking that we could have chicken as the main course. Or maybe salmon. What do you think?" Emma asked as they walked to the kitchen.

"Chicken?" Killian wasn't even sure that was the right answer.

"I was hoping you'd say that." Emma talked about all the kinds of food that she wanted to be served, along with the drinks and the alcohol. She told him about the dress code that she wanted for the servants and what she wanted the dresses and suits to look like. After getting the food sorted out, they moved onto the invitations that needed to be sent out right away. Killian grew impatient with every second that ticked by. He didn't care what design was printed onto the invitations. He didn't care about all the food. He didn't care who they were going to invite, or what the colors were. All that mattered was that he was going to be able to marry his Swan. "Do you think we should have an ice sculpture?" She asked, breaking him out of his thoughts.

"Yeah, that would be nice. Maybe in the shape of a swan. In honor of your nickname."

"I love the way you think," she said with a wink.

At the end of the day, the two sat down to have dinner. Emma munched happily as Killian told her a story about how he got lost in Hollywood and ended up in front of the Hollywood Sign. She laughed at his foolishness and he was glad that he was able to distract her from all the wedding stuff, even if it was for only a few moments.

"I never got a chance to ask you about your power. Is everything working properly?" He asked.

"Everything is fine. If you hadn't noticed, all the flowers are alive and well around the castle," she said with a smile.

"I'm glad you have your power back. I know how miserable you felt without them."

"I don't want you to even find out." She gave him a small smile. "But, I have to find the Crimson Crown."

"And I shall accompany you. I don't want you going alone. There are enough dangers, and I wouldn't be able to live with myself if you got hurt."

"Don't take this the wrong way, but I don't want you to come with me. You need to stay here and rule over your subjects. Only I know where the toadstool is, and I'd like to keep it that way."