Cursed (Book 2 of the Enchanted Series) Captain Swan Fanfiction

Chapter 28- Step by Step

"Follow my lead." Killian mouthed as Will and Emma parted in different directions as Killian lingered near a tree, grabbing two boy's collars with his hook and his free hand. Watching with an impressed expression, Emma walked back to find the two boys wiggling to break free.

"Who sent you?" She asked, looking to them with a determined expression as Henry followed Will's return to Killian.

"I speak nothing." One of the boys said as the other glared to Henry.

"You a traitor, you is! Siding with the ruiner!"

"She is my mother." Henry defended as Emma smirked.

"I could always allow Mr...Hook...to scare some sense into you two...that sharp point is not for looks..."

The boys looked at one another as the smaller one began to speak before the other one hit him. Will then stepped up, moving closer to the boys than Emma. Moving down to their level, he placed his sword in front of them.

"Have you ever seen a pirate's sword before?"

The boys shook their heads. "Do you notice how the silver shines even at night?" They nodded slowly. "Do you know why this is?" They looked at him with confusion. "This is because it is the sharpest of the existing medals. I have no issue showing a demonstration if someone would like to go first..." He fixed his gaze on the larger boy before seeing the fear in his eyes. "Or you could simply tell me why you were following us...a simple decision really..."

"We were told if we didn't, he'd kill us." The small boy admitted as the other one rolled his eyes in frustration. "I do not want to be sliced!" He defended his decision before turning his attention to Emma. "We were told to force you to drink this...to tie you up..."

"Do you know what it does?"

"No." The taller boy said as Killian released the boys.

"Very well." Taking the bottle, Killian opened it and attempted to pour it down one of the boy's throats before Emma pulled him back.

"It could be poison!"

"And they very well know what it is, best you start talking." Killian said with a glare.

The taller boy gritted his teeth before looking to Emma.

"It was to force you a tail."

"Pardon?"

"Oh...you also were a mermaid." Will added in a low voice as her eyes went wide.

"Pan told us that if we did it, he would let us have a feast and not kill us..." The younger one spoke before placing his gaze to the ground.

"How would you two like to sleep in a palace?"

"We do not need nothin'..." The older one spoke before crossing his arms at his chest.

"You do not need fresh quail or the comfortable feather pillows? Warm baths? The scent of fresh pastries?"

The younger one's stomach growled as Emma smiled.

"I only ask for one thing in return."

"Of course you do." The older one spoke.

"You must not return to Pan." Emma continued. "You must stay on the castle grounds...do you understand?"

They both nodded-one more enthusiastic than the other.

"But what will we do? We have ever only known Pan?"

"You will be taken care of."

"But you threatened us-"

"I would never harm anyone. Unless to save those I love." She spoke, unable to control the words before hearing a faint howl in the distance.

"We must go." Henry spoke quickly. "The other lost boys are coming after us. They will have arrows and daggers and anything Pan can get..."

They all ran through the darkness of the woods until finding a small barn and removing the horses from their posts before riding the rest of the way to the palace. Upon entering, Will explained everything to Snow who looked in awe.

"There are too many forgetful curses in this world..." She muttered before shaking it off and giving Emma an affectionate hug as Charming reintroduced himself to Killian.

"There is not much we can do..." Charming spoke, pulling everyone's attention to himself. "Magic is feared by most-even my strongest men...and legends of the sea witch are not..pleasant."

"I do have an idea..." Snow spoke before whispering in Charming's ear before everyone saw him nod. "Perfect." She spoke as she withdrew herself from his side and looked towards the group. "We are going to throw a ball!"

"Is this the correct time, your majesty?" Will asked as she smirked.

"To lure Pan, and anyone else who dares attack our daughter. We will spread word we are planning for her to wed someone."

Her eyes went wide. "I am not marrying anyone!"

"I suppose I should withdraw my uniform?" Killian attempted to joke before Emma glared.

"It will simply be a cover, but it must be soon-as if we have planned it for some time...we will draw anyone and everyone we can...we must be quick...I have the perfect gown!" Snow said as she pulled Emma away from everyone, while Charming equipped everyone with weapons.

Pulling Emma into her room, Snow slowly shut the door before finding Emma on the edge of her vanity seat.

"I see father is back in the castle...Will told me how he lost his memory..."

"With the help of Ruby, he was quite easy to track..and true love's kiss did the rest."

"I suppose when it is fate....it does not matter what comes between two people."

"It doesn't...I am not sure if you remember...but I forced you once to dress for a crowd of people before Killian took you away from here...At first, I was petrified...but, then I realized he was doing something we never could for you; allowing you an adventure of a lifetime."

"Was it true that I loved him?"

Snow smiled bright. "You still do, sweetheart."

"I detest him!"

"Then why do you blush?"

Emma rose from her vanity and moved to the window where Killian was training with Will. "Everything about that...pirate repulses me! He is incredibly conceited as well as selfish and a womanizer!"

"He is selfless when it comes to you-whether he attempts to hide it or not...it is true..."

"How could I love him?"

"It happened slowly-but then it was undeniable...everyone from ten kingdoms away could see it between you two. The spark when he intertwined his fingers with yours...the blush in your cheeks when he would kiss you..."

"What am I to do? I hate not remembering...so much missing."

"You are going to dress for the ball and end these nightmares that ARE Pan and his men..."

"What if we do not stop them?"

"We will. Trust me."