Summary: Once, all Emma Nolan wanted was a normal life, but when she had a run in with a vampire as a teenager she realised that she couldnât escape the life of a hunter. Now all she wants to do is prove herself, and sheâs going to end up going above and beyond to be the hunter the world needs her to be.
Rating: Explicit. Mostly for graphic descriptions of violence, and some smut, but not until later chapters.
Warnings: There are now more than just hints at the non con nature of the control vampires can have over humans. And the fact that theyâre strong af
Notes: This is it! It is done! Oh my GOSH it was a hard slog. Thank you so much to you all for your support and comments, I really appreciate every single one of them. There's probably not enough smut in this for some people, but this is how it chose to be written.
Thanks to the @cssns mods for running this event, thank you to @clockadile for the gorgeous banner. Lastly, thank you to @kmomof4, who not only is an amazing beta, but volunteered to deal with my panics and the amount of hitting my head against a wall that this has made me do. Thank you so much, I could not have done this without you.
Iâm rebooting my taglist at the end of this fic, so if youâd like to keep getting tagged, please DM me. Thanks
Full fic on AO3
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Emma had to admit that the view from up here was quite spectacular. Sheâd thought Europe had been impressive- with its castles and old houses and forests- had found India with its heat and smells and interesting buildings even more intriguing with her new appreciation her abilities had given her, but standing up here in the sunlight, with Killianâs hand in hers was⌠something she never thought sheâd have.
It hadnât faded over the years, their ability to withstand sunlight, and this immunity to something that should have left them both burning had even more advantages than theyâd ever thought.
The view of Rio de Janeiro in full sun from the top of the summit underneath the Cristo Redentor, and the ability to sightsee like normal tourists when they werenât otherwise working was only one of them. Add in their way of taking unsuspecting supernaturals of the day by surprise and life as a hunter could be⌠fulfilling in a way it hadnât seemed before.
For all Emmaâs difficulty with her temper before she was turned, learning to overcome her lust for blood had been⌠not easy, but a manageable task, all things considered. It was, in fact, only a couple of weeks before she could visit her parents without worrying she was going to unexpectedly lose control. Only a few months before she was doing so regularly and for long periods of time. She didnât know if access to her own blood had helped, or if it was just coincidence, but what she did know was how much Killian had helped.
She glanced across at him, taking in the wonder on his face as he surveyed the view. Watching as his eyes drifted shut as he enjoyed the feel of sunlight on his skin without the fear that had been so prevalent at first. Even now, years later, as she looked at him, she could feel the change in her body that just being around him brought. She had no heartbeat to speed up or breaths to shallow or the swooping of butterflies but⌠She still felt them, as certainly as though her body still needed them to survive.
Sheâd had more time to love him than sheâd ever dreamed.
Summary: Once, all Emma Nolan wanted was a normal life, but when she had a run in with a vampire as a teenager she realised that she couldnât escape the life of a hunter. Now all she wants to do is prove herself, and sheâs going to end up going above and beyond to be the hunter the world needs her to be.
Rating: Explicit. Mostly for graphic descriptions of violence, and some smut, but not until later chapters.
Warnings: There are now more than just hints at the non con nature of the control vampires can have over humans. And the fact that theyâre strong af
Notes: Okay! The penultimate chapter! I promise I'll try not to take too long to post the epilogue, and thank you so much for sticking with me through this frankly diabolical (basically non-existent) posting schedule.
Thanks to the @cssns mods for running this event, thank you to @clockadile for the gorgeous banner. Lastly, thank you to @kmomof4, who not only is an amazing beta, but volunteered to deal with my panics and the amount of hitting my head against a wall that this has made me do. Thank you so much, I could not have done this without you.
Iâm rebooting my taglist at the end of this fic, so if youâd like to keep getting tagged, please DM me. Thanks
Full fic on AO3
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The night was quiet as the trio of ladies walked into the abandoned building.
Too quiet.
The information had been leaked subtly about the goblin infestation in the warehouse. The goblins themselves had been promised immunity for their part in the ruse, as long as they agreed to a term of tenancy that the Nolans drew up with their Chief, aided by Tink as a neutral fae party. But the three women were going to âclear outâ the warehouse after much research about the size of the clan.
Emma would rather have been clearing the warehouse for real, but they needed an element of surprise beyond what theyâd initially planned. The goblins understood the delicate balance of their world more than most gave them credit for. They were still mischievous tricksters, but they could be bargained with and tended to turn against evil more than they turned on the good. It was a risk, but one theyâd had to take. Theyâd just had to prove that they were good and that Gold and Regina were evil.
All three women were armed to the teeth, but their ambushers would expect that considering what they were supposedly walking into. Goblins were known to turn on those they had smiled upon at a moment's notice for a perceived slight. But even so, they were still no match for two whole covens, plus whoever theyâd managed to coerce, by themselves.
The factory was old, abandoned for decades, having passed through several hands that had done nothing with it as whatever industry it had been built for had died, or moved on to areas with cheaper real estate. The air was dank and musty, with a metallic hint of rust in it. The roof was broken in several places, and the drip of persistent leaks echoed around them amid their footfalls on the metal walkway that crossed this section of the factory.
The sunken level below them was a shallow stagnant pool of decaying leaves and rotting wood that had once been connected to the bits of machinery whose jagged edges stuck up out of the rusty ooze. Each drip from the roof disturbed the surface of the water, and Emmaâs nose wrinkled in disgust at the smell.
The smell alone was enough to keep most people out, but goblinâs noses werenât particularly well developed. They relied on keen vision, even in the dark and their sense of touch was wildly superior to even many supernaturals. They could feel vibrations in the earth around them, which was why they preferred abandoned places and tended to decide how bad people were by how much unnecessary noise they made.
But, Emma was not here for the goblins, and they knew that. Her and her motherâs footfalls were a warning of their entrance, but even if the goblins hadnât known they were coming, Emma would have expected a flit of movement beneath the metal walkway, an indication of some kind that their sentries had seen them enter and were reporting back to their chief about the intruders. But theyâd agreed to be transparent about their movements and there was none of that.
They were supposed to be here, to let them in⌠and let their ambushers in behind them.
There was something lurking in the darkness, her magic could feel it. But she couldnât feel the goblins like sheâd been able to when theyâd met before. What she could feel was darker, more sinister, but in some weird way more familiar than the goblins.
Summary: Once, all Emma Nolan wanted was a normal life, but when she had a run in with a vampire as a teenager she realised that she couldnât escape the life of a hunter. Now all she wants to do is prove herself, and sheâs going to end up going above and beyond to be the hunter the world needs her to be.
Rating: Explicit. Mostly for graphic descriptions of violence, and some smut, but not until later chapters.
Warnings: There are now more than just hints at the non con nature of the control vampires can have over humans. And the fact that theyâre strong af
Notes: Ah bugger, I was not supposed to wait this long before posting the next chapter⌠At least the last one wasnât a huge cliffhanger! Life got a bit in the way unfortunately, but Iâm back, and weâre on a straight shot to the end. Hopefully without any more long delays!
Thanks to the @cssns mods for running this event, thank you to @clockadile for the gorgeous banner. Lastly, thank you to @kmomof4, who not only is an amazing beta, but volunteered to deal with my panics and the amount of hitting my head against a wall that this has made me do. Thank you so much, I could not have done this without you.
Iâm rebooting my taglist at the end of this fic, so if youâd like to keep getting tagged, please DM me. Thanks
Full fic on AO3
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Neither of them admitted it, but both Emma and Killian were reluctant to leave the quiet sanctuary of the safe house once the sun had set. Killian was mostly healed, a feat he knew was due to her blood and the magical qualities it must have possessed. He felt good, alive, and warm for the first time in centuries.
Emma found herself some more food before they set off, happily crunching on the cereal bar as she drank a cup of coffee. She even asked if he wanted a top off.
He declined with a smile and a shake of his head. He'd get some blood later.
But she seemed to withdraw into herself the closer they got to home. Killian glanced across at her as they kept to public places, public transport. Last night had affected her more than she wanted to admit to anyone, even herself.
But she didnât have to admit it to him.
Heâd seen her in all her glory, shining like the sun. His sun. And in the light of the streetlamps, she looked small and unsure of herself. It was a stark contrast to the confidence heâd seen holding her up as she wasted that vampire while he was tussling with another on the ground. Not to mention the way sheâd walked away from Arthur without even looking back at him as heâd burned to ashes behind her.
But now the reality seemed to be setting in. She seemed to be realising how differently things could have gone. He reached for her hand and she glanced across at him before giving it a squeeze and then pulling hers away.
He couldnât help the disappointment that settled in his chest. After everything theyâd said and done on that sofa in the darkness of the safehouse, heâd hoped theyâd crossed a bridge. But he supposed that she had to be more careful out here, that showing any kind of vulnerability where anyone could see them was a step she couldnât take. Might never take.
Maybe this was something that would always hide in the dark. Maybe he was dreaming and she was never going to admit to anyone that he made her heart race like nothing else did.
Summary: Once, all Emma Nolan wanted was a normal life, but when she had a run in with a vampire as a teenager she realised that she couldnât escape the life of a hunter. Now all she wants to do is prove herself, and sheâs going to end up going above and beyond to be the hunter the world needs her to be.
Rating: Explicit. Mostly for graphic descriptions of violence, and some smut, but not until later chapters.
Warnings: There are hints at the non con nature of the control vampires can have over humans.
Notes: As you may have noticed from the title, I now have a concrete chapter count. So I can now officially announce that this fic is finished! Thank you all for the comments and such to help spur me on to get it done, I really appreciate it.
Thanks to the @cssns mods for running this event, thank you to @clockodile for the gorgeous banner. Lastly, thank you to @kmomof4, who not only is an amazing beta, but volunteered to deal with my panics and the amount of hitting my head against a wall that this has made me do. Thank you so much, I could not have done this without you. Thank you to @clockadile for the wonderful art x
As always, let me know if youâd like me to add you to my taglist for future fics :) I'm gonna be resetting my taglist when this fic is done, so please let me know if you'd like to continue to be tagged.
Full work on AO3
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Their plan, once theyâd made it, was simple. They were going to use public transport, with as many people around them as possible, and Killian was going to take the cuff off her the moment they left his building. It would ensure neither of them were going to kill each other in front of other people, and that, hopefully, no one else would get the jump on them.
Once they reached her street, Emma was expecting him to leave, but Killian had other ideas.
David Nolan was a reasonable man, at least that's what his reputation suggested. Heâd always tempered his actions with mercy. Quick, clean kills, and not without proof that the supernatural was hurting people.
He hoped that Nolanâs reason would hold out long enough to hear what Killian had to say.
What he had not counted on was the defences on the property that Emma failed to warn him of as they approached. When heâd not left her side, sheâd shot him a curious glance.
âYou know where to find me, Love. Turnaboutâs fair play, no?â heâd said with a grin.
Sheâd narrowed her eyes slightly, but shrugged in reluctant agreement. Only, when they stopped at the top of the steps, and she unlocked the door, a light flicked on above them and Killian hissed in pain as the UV rays hit him.
âEmma, let me in, Love, please!â he gasped, gripping onto the doorframe desperately.
âI will banish you back out here if you try anything,â she said, her voice low as she looked down at him.
âUnderstood, pleaseâŚâ he whimpered as the rays from above seared his skin cruelly, though not with as much force as the actual sun would have hurt him.
âCome on inâŚâ she said with a smile, gesturing into the hallway.
Killian practically fell through the door and Emma shut it quickly behind him as he cowered against the wall, panting heavily.
âWhat the bloody hell was that for?â he snarled as he looked up at her.
âJust making sure you know Iâm not an idiotâŚâ she drawled with a smirk, and Killian growled in frustration.
He knew she wasnât an idiot, but maybe he had been to trust her.
A Chance to Fly, chapter 3, by @stahlop (for @cssns)
Killian tried again. âDid you not see it?â He grabbed her hands desperately and pulled her closer, forcing Emma to look directly into his eyes that were shining in the firelight, and for the first time, Emma realized they were actually glowing, not just reflecting off the light. They were calling to her like a beacon.
âI donât understand,â Emma said for what felt like the millionth time in the past two days.
Killianâs fingers lightly caressed her cheek. âHave you ever heard the expression âeyes are windows to the soulâ?â Emma nodded as Killianâs fingers continued to explore her face, then her ear as he brushed back an errant hair, and then swept down her neck. She had never felt this way in her life. Her blood was practically singing and she felt like she would explode the way his fingers barely grazed her overheated skin (that she could not blame on the fire).
âIn a dragonâs case, the eyes show us who our mate is. Who our soul is bound to.â His eyes were boring into her, his deep stare causing goosebumps to spread over her entire body. âYou caught me completely off guard with that ridiculous apple.â
Emma couldnât take it anymore. She almost laughed. But between his voice and his radiant eyes, she felt like her body was about to combust. She grabbed him by his shirt and pulled him toward her until their lips met.
Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. I knew what needed to happen, but my muse was not cooperating with me.
Thanks again to @spartanguard for being my beta! And thanks to the @cssns for this event!
Hope you all enjoy!
Chapter 1 2
Or read on Ao3
Tears blinded Emmaâs eyes as she and Hook took to the sky. She knew her mother had held back the truth about many thingsâsheâd spotted the lies since she was a little girlâbut her whole life? Kidnapped from her true parents. The woman sheâd thought was her motherâs enemy actually innocent. Queen Regina not caring for her at all. She really was just a pawn to her. Someone to help her make an alliance with another kingdom in her quest to take down Snow White. It was like sheâd been sucker-punched in the stomach.Â
âI canât breathe!â she yelled, hoping Hook could hear her. They were above the clouds, much higher than theyâd been before. She was sure it would have been a beautiful sight if Emma could just catch her breath.
âI canât breathe!â Emma yelled again. She thought she might faint. The air was too cool on her skin and it was making her shiver. Too many revelations running through her mind was giving her a headache.
She slumped over and felt a weightlessness take over before everything went black.
She awoke to warmth all around her. It radiated throughout her entire body, like sparks dancing along her skin. It was comforting. The pillow she was on seemed to move in time with every breath she took, and a constant drumming was making her feel safe and secure. Emma tried to burrow further into the blanket but noticed the blanket wasnât covering her the way it should and that gave the safety she was feeling pause. Emma blinked awake. Her âpillowâ was actually Hook; she was laying in the crook of his wing, the other wing serving as her blanket. She realized the drumming was actually Hookâs heartbeat. She gazed around her surroundings and noticed there was a fire burning not too far from where they were lying. The ground felt like rocky terrain, and when Emma looked up into the blackness, she could just make out jagged stone. They were in a cave, Emma realized. She wasnât sure how far they were from Sherwood Forest, but this must be Hookâs lair.
She slowly dragged Hookâs wing off of her body, not wanting to wake Hook who was still asleep. Sheâd never seen a sleeping dragon, and it was amazing how peaceful he looked. Like a sleeping puppy dog, not a ferocious dragon. Emma knew in her heart he wasnât ferocious. Only if he had to be, she was sure. Maybe it was her bond as his dragon rider, but she could sense this about him. She walked over to the fire, amazed at how well it was constructed. She wouldnât have expected a dragon to know how to put kindling together. Nemo had said he raised Hook, so maybe that was something he had taught him. Emma knew next to nothing about how intelligent dragons were. She was very eager to learn.
The fire was hot against her skin, but it felt good. Like it was burning off the old, naive Emma and replacing her with the new, informed Emma. The one who could now see her motherâQueen Reginaâfor who she truly was. The woman had never been kind to her, Emma realized. Sure, she had provided for her. She had given her everything a little girl could dream of, but sheâd never given her love.
The flapping of wings shook Emma out of her musings. She turned toward Hook, expecting to see him awake and stretching his wings out, but he was still asleep. Confused, Emma followed the sound around the corner and followed a tunnel until she found the large mouth of the cave. From the positioning of the sun, Emma could see she had slept all night. The sun was on the horizon and the sky was slowly turning pink and orange, shaking off the inky blackness of the night. In the distance, she looked for the flapping of wings that she had heard. She could see something flying toward the cave. At first Emma thought it must be a large bird of some kind, but she quickly realized it was another dragon approaching. Dragons were rare; another dragon around here seemed very unlikely. She started to run back to wake up Hook until she heard her name being yelled in the wind.
Turning back, the dragon, which Emma could now see was an iridescent blue, had a rider on it who was yelling her name. As the dragon got closer, Emma could see how similar it looked to Hook. It had the same ridges along its jaw, similar ridges along its back, and almost the exact horns (straight, not hooked) protruding from its head, except all in a shimmering, jeweled blue instead of the red and black Hook had. The dragonâs head was blocking the rider, so Emma could not see who had been calling her until the dragon landed practically at her feet and Belle slid off.
She looked much different than when Emma had last seen her in the forest. The blue dress with tights and black slippers had made her look very young, almost childlike. Her dragon rider clothes consisted of brown leather pants and leather knee-high boots, a burgundy, velvet, lace up corset with gold detailing that had slashed sleeves with gold fabric underneath, and brown leather that went the rest of the way down her arms. A cotton gauze modesty piece that matched the gold fabric in her sleeves came up from the corset and turned into a hood that covered her hair which Emma could tell was pulled back into a low ponytail. She looked almost regal, like how her mother looked when riding her horses. Not a mess like Emma was looking in her torn and ragged dress, which, as she looked down at it, was completely covered in dirt. The braid that Nemo had wrapped her hair in earlier that day practically all fallen out.
âEmma! We were so worried about you!â Belle ran toward her, throwing her arms around her as if they were old friends and not two people who had barely met just a few hours ago. Emma wasnât sure how to react, her motherâno, Queen Reginaâhadnât exactly been the hugging type. âYou just ran off. Thank goodness Hook found you!â Belle said as Emma pulled away. It really hadnât been Hook finding her. She had called for him and heâd come. But even before then, Emma realized that the voice in her head had led her to him.Â
âHow did you find me?â Emma asked, slightly distressed.
âJewel, my dragon.â Belle responded as it was completely obvious. Emma had not seen another dragon in the forest. She wondered where Jewel had been hiding when sheâd visited the tree hut village. âHeâs Hookâs brother.â Belle continued as if that was enough explanation to how theyâd found her.
âYouâre a dragon rider?â Emma asked incredulously. She wondered why no one had mentioned this before when Nemo had introduced her as Hookâs ride, and then, âDo they live in this cave together?â Emma wondered. And why hadnât Nemo mentioned his daughter was not only a dragon rider, but also the rider of Hookâs brother?
âYes.â Belle laughed. â AndâŚ. sometimes.â she continued ambiguously. She lowered her hood to get a better look around before resting her sight back on Emma. âOh!â Belle pulled something out of the rucksack that Emma hadnât noticed before. âI brought you something.â She handed a burlap wrapped package to Emma and when she opened it, saw that they were clothes, boots and accessories.
âThank you!â Emma said, probably giving Belle her first smile all day. She immediately found a shadowy corner and went to change. Emma relished untying the front corset of the dress she had been wearing. She imagined throwing it into the fire once she was fully dressed. The pants she pulled up her legs were made of soft, blue leather. Emma wondered if it was dragonhide or just leather that had been dyed. There was a matching tunic that she put on over a puckered white chemise. She was relieved that the tunic had hook and eye closures and was not something she had to lace up. Black boots, a leather belt with flower embellishments, and soft, dark gray gloves rounded out the ensemble. Before putting on the final pieces, Emma pulled the ribbon holding what was left of her braid from her hair. She ran her fingers through it, getting as many knots out as possible, before braiding the sides and pulling the rest into a ponytail, securing it as best she could with the ribbon. She felt more herself than she had in her entire life.
Emma came out from her corner, expecting to find Belle waiting for her, but instead she found absolutely nothing.Â
âBelle?â She wondered if Belle and Jewel had gone to see Hook. She hadnât heard any roaring, although Emma wasnât entirely sure how dragons communicated with each other either. She walked slowly to the inner cave where sheâd woken up earlier. She hadnât realized how deep the cave was previously. Emma was surprised sheâd been able to hear Jewelâs wings. It didnât make sense. At the moment, she couldnât hear anything from where she was, even though sheâd heard the dragon wings perfectly before. Her ears pricked up when she started to hear what sounded like muffled talking, which was impossible as Belle was the only other person in the cave.
âYou have toâŚâŚbrother.â Emma could barely make out what was being said.
âItâsâŚ.and âŚ.weâve had timeâŚ..ran away.â Said another voice, this one sounding vaguely familiar.
âSheâsâŚ.finished gettingâŚ..second.â The voices still sounded like they were underwater to Emmaâs ears. Closer and closer she crept all the while feeling a sense of dread coming over her.Â
âIâll tell her, brother. Of course Iâll tell her.â Emmaâs heart jumped into her throat. She recognized that voice!
âKillian?â She rounded the corner back into the farther cave. Hook was no longer there. Instead, Killian, Belle, and a man sheâd never seen before were standing around having their conversation as if it were perfectly normal to talk in a cave. âYouâll tell who what?â she asked, referring to the last thing heâd said. Killian, for his part, looked startled that Emma had so blatantly called him out on whatever heâd been talking about. He actually looked like he was blushing, but Emma chalked it up to the fire. He scratched the back of his neck adorably (no, not adorably, Killian was not adorable in the least).
âWhere are Hook and Jewel? How did you get here?â Emma asked, panic overcoming her again. Without Hook she was trapped in this cave. The stranger shot Killian a look at Emmaâs question.
The nervous, (not) adorable neck scratch was back, and then Killianâs whole demeanor changed. His back straightened, his arms crossed over his chest (Emma wondered if he owned any shirts that didnât show off his chest hair), and the smirk was back on his face.
âWhy princess? Are you afraid to be alone with me?â His voice dripped pure sin, and Emma gave a slight shiver despite the fire to her back. But she wouldnât be backed into a corner. She scoffed.
âPlease, someone with an overinflated ego like yours must obviously be compensating for something.â She didnât know what made her say it. Sheâd heard her Regina say it to someone once; a king from a neighboring kingdom who thought heâd be able to conquer the queen. Regina had spit that out to him and then threw one of her signature fireballs at him, not enough to kill him, but his leg would definitely have a nasty burn on it for the rest of his life.
Killianâs eyes went wide at her banter. It actually filled Emma with warmth that sheâd managed to shock him. Sheâd show him that under this innocent exterior, Princess Emma was no wilting flower. Sheâd been chosen as a dragon rider; that had to count for something.
From behind Killian, Emma heard laughter from Belle and the stranger. The man had lighter hair than Killianâs, and was curly instead of straight. He came up to Killian and pounded him on the back in jest. âSheâs got you there, little brother!â the man guffawed.
Brother?
âItâs younger brother!â Killian said, quite annoyed, slapping his brotherâs hands away from him in a way that suggested to Emma that this was something that occurred often. âThereâs nothing little about me, so Iâm not compensating for anything, princess.â He was right in her face now, that stupid smirk that showed all his teeth just a breath away.
âLeave the poor girl alone, Killian,â Belle said, clearly exasperated by his antics. âSheâs been ripped away from everything sheâs ever known and told her whole life has been a lie. I think she deserves some more answers, donât you?â She fixed him a look that said she meant business, and Killian backed down. Emma had known she liked Belle the first moment she saw her. Anyone that could put Killian in his place was okay by her.
They all seated themselves on various rocks near the fire, and it appeared to Emma as if they knew exactly where to seat themselves. As if they spent a lot of time in this cave. Which was strange to say the least. But then, they also lived in tree huts in a forest, and Emma was apparently a kidnapping victim that just happened to be raised in a castle, so who was she to judge where they liked to spend their time.
âWho are you?â Emma asked the man who she now knew was Killianâs brother.
âLiam Jones, at your service,â he said, giving a little seated bow. Belle giggled at his antics while Killian huffed and rolled his eyes.
âHow did you and Killian get up here? And where are the dragons?â Both Killian and Liam looked slightly stricken at this question. Belle seemed like she was going to answer, but then thought better of it and clasped her hands in her lap. The whole interaction was odd. Emma was about to ask her question again when Killian spoke up.
âWhen Liam and I were younger, our mother died and our father abandoned us.â He began in a low tone. âI couldnât have been more than five and Liam just thirteen. I canât even imagine how Liam must have felt to have had a family one minute and then nothing the next. I donât remember much of our parents. Probably couldnât even point out my father if I were to meet him in the street, I just know that once Nemo found us a few years later, I felt a fatherâs love for the first time that I could remember.â Belle took Killianâs hand in hers as he remembered his childhood in a soothing manner. A spike of jealousy sprang up inside her, and Emma squashed it just as quickly. Just because Killian was a good-looking man didnât mean she had any feelings for him. Besides, he and Belle both considered Nemo their father, so Emma was sure they just had sibling-type feelings for each other. Just a sister making her brother feel better by stroking the top of his hand.
âThereâs a reason he is called Captain Nemo. He used to be a Navy captain in Snow Whiteâs kingdom.â Emma raised her eyebrows at this, but realized it wasnât that much of a surprise since theyâd been part of the tree hut village. âIâd always wanted to sail on a ship. Imagine my surprise when I found out he didnât sail a ship but captained a submarine!â Emma wasnât sure what a submarine was, and it must have shown on her face.
âItâs a ship that goes underwater. Like a big metal tube.â Belle offered. Emma just nodded as if that made sense. For as much as she snuck out of the castle, there was still so little she had seen in the world.Â
âIt was just meself down there,â Killian continued. âLiam couldnât go down there having already hit puberty. Nemo paid for him to apprentice at a swordsmith shop until I also hit puberty and wouldnât be able to travel under the water anymore.â
Emma was still thoroughly confused. Did Killian and Liam have some ailment which made it impossible for them to travel under the water when they hit puberty? Wasnât puberty just a manâs voice deepening and growing taller and getting body hair ( thank you, Anne for telling me what was happening with my body when it started to change )?
âI still donât understand,â she was getting frustrated now. Emma understood that she was uneducated about many things in the world, but she felt like she was missing something really big.
Killian snuck a look over to Liam and Belle who seemed to give him their own looks of encouragement to go on. âThe dragons, Hook and Jewel, are still here.â He said, exhaling a long breath. The change of topic didnât help Emma understand anything any better.
âWhere are they?â She asked. Goosebumps were forming on her skin despite the fire next to her. This whole situation made no sense to her. âAre they further down the cave?â Emma wasnât even going to address the fact that Liam had appeared from nowhere until Killian gave her answers about the current predicament. She rubbed her arms even though she was wearing long sleeves and Killian couldnât see the raised bumps.
âNo,â the smirk was back, but this time it gave off an air of him knowing something that she didnât. âThe dragons are right in front of you.â Emma did not detect a lie, but it also wasnât the whole truth.Â
âOh, for Peteâs sake, Killian,â Liam said in an exasperated tone. He gave his brother something akin to a death glare (Emma had seen these types of glares from the queen right before she threw a fireball at someone she was annoyed withâLiam wasnât anywhere in her league). âJust tell the lass. Stop dragging it out, and stop flirting with the poor girl.âÂ
Emmaâs whole body stiffened. This was Killian flirting? This childish behavior with the snide comments, andâŚ
Oh.
Oh.
Heâd been flirting with her this morning too. Sheâd caught the whole two ships passing line, but she thought he was being facetious about the whole ordeal. Emma could feel a blush creeping into her cheeks and down her whole body. Hopefully, the glow of the fire would mask it. But she could see Killian rubbing the back of his neck, something which looked like a nervous habit on his part. Was he nervous? He hadnât seemed nervous a moment ago
Killian closed his eyes and licked his lips. Emma knew he was trying to get the courage to tell her whatever he was trying to get at, but it was the single sexiest thing she had ever seen in her life. She was definitely overheating now and it was not from the fire.
âLook, I quite fancy you. When youâre not yelling at me.â Emma was shocked. Absolutely gobsmacked. This was not the Killian sheâd encountered the past few times. Heâd seemed like he enjoyed taunting her, riling her up. He did not seem one to make heartfelt confessions. But he wasnât quite done yet. âPlease donât yell at me for what Iâm about to show you.â He took a deep breath and Emma immediately started screaming.
Horns started to jut out from his head which was rapidly becoming covered with black and red scales. His nose, mouth, and chin had elongated themselves into a snout. The rest of his body started to extend as well, with black scales becoming more prominent than his skin. Large wings popped from his back and extended down his arms, and claws protruded from his fingers and toes. Killian Jones stood in front of her no more. Hook was now staring at her intently with his blue eyes as Liam and Belle tried to calm her down.
âHeâs aâŚheâs aâŚâ Emma couldnât even get the word out. Her brain could hardly perceive what she had just seen.Â
âItâs alright, Emma,â Belle said, trying to soothe her. âI know itâs a shock, but youâll get used to it.â
âGet used to it?â Emma went from freak out to angry in two seconds flat. âI just found out that the man I loathe is also my dragon! How would you feel if that happened to you?â She screeched.
Belle and Liam gave each other a look and Emma knew they knew the feeling all too well. Killianâs memories of Liam not being able to go on a submarine because heâd hit puberty made more sense now.
âLiamâs a dragon too,â Emma said, finally catching up. âHeâs Jewel.â Emma didnât even know what to do with this information. Sheâd learned so much in the past two days that she didnât think she could handle anymore.
You alright, love? Came a voice that was distinctly in her head.Â
âWho said that?â The thought that she might pass out again was definitely crossing her mind.
Belle looked as though she were about to answer, but Liam gave Hook a kick in the shins. âTurn back and talk to her normally, you bastard.â Hook grimaced at this, which was a bizarre sight to see, and it almost calmed Emma to see human attributes on such a vicious-looking creature. Hook immediately started morphing back into the human form of Killian Jones.
âSorry, love,â Killian said almost sheepishly. âI canât do more than roar when Iâm a dragon, but I can speak to you telepathically.â
âIt was you,â Emma had just connected the dots. âIt was you I heard when I was running away in the woods. Thatâs how you knew to find me. You led me straight to you.â The hand was back behind his neck again.
âAye,â Killian responded, his eyes sparkling, almost glowing in the firelight. âThere are a few areas in the woods that are suitable for me to transform. Once you ran off, I went there and guided you back to the clearing we had landed in.â He looked at her earnestly, like his only goal was to make sure she had been safe. It confused her, the way he could turn the swagger on and off. One minute he was all sex and the next he was overly attentive. And speaking of attentionâŚ
âSo when you met me in town, did you know who I was? Where I was from?â she asked accusingly. It seemed highly unlikely that this band of rebels randomly picked her to be Hookâs dragon rider. Getting her alone as vengeance against the queen would make sense in the grand scheme of things. Liam and Belle immediately left to go to the other area of the cave. Killianâs eyes went wide and looked almost desperate, and Emma could see her accusation was a mistake.Â
âWe donât make it publicâŚ. how the dragon riders are chosen,â he began by way of explanation, watching as his brother and Belle left the conversation. âMost people assume that the dragon picks someone at random. The truth is, I knew you were my rider the moment we met.â He was walking closer to her now, the distance between them becoming almost next to nothing. He stopped with barely an inch to spare between them. Emma took in a sharp breath and could smell his unique scent, leather and sea salt, and it gave her an odd sense of calm. âWhen we had our littleâŚencounter in town, did you not feel our connection immediately?â Emma started to shake her head in protest. Sure, theyâd flirted briefly, but it had turned to anger the moment heâd tried propositioning her.Â
Killian tried again. âDid you not see it?â He grabbed her hands desperately and pulled her closer, forcing Emma to look directly into his eyes that were shining in the firelight, and for the first time, Emma realized they were actually glowing, not just reflecting off the light. They were calling to her like a beacon.
âI donât understand,â Emma said for what felt like the millionth time in the past two days.
Killianâs fingers lightly caressed her cheek. âHave you ever heard the expression âeyes are windows to the soulâ?â Emma nodded as Killianâs fingers continued to explore her face, then her ear as he brushed back an errant hair, and then swept down her neck. She had never felt this way in her life. Her blood was practically singing and she felt like she would explode the way his fingers barely grazed her overheated skin (that she could not blame on the fire).
âIn a dragonâs case, the eyes show us who our mate is. Who our soul is bound to.â His eyes were boring into her, his deep stare causing goosebumps to spread over her entire body. âYou caught me completely off guard with that ridiculous apple.â
Emma couldnât take it anymore. She almost laughed. But between his voice and his radiant eyes, she felt like her body was about to combust. She grabbed him by his shirt and pulled him toward her until their lips met. Emma had, of course, been kissed before. As much as her mother had tried to keep her sheltered, there were still stable boys and smith apprentices, and even an occasional bodyguard, but none of them felt like what kissing Killian felt like. The immediate spark between their lips was like a current running through her. It went from her head to her toes and threatened to burst out of her. When Killian recovered from his shock of her making the first move and finally started kissing her back, she could have sworn she felt a wave of pure energy explode from her.
Killian stumbled back slightly, his eyes wide as if he had felt the energy explosion too. The blue of his eyes were so bright she thought she might be blinded by them. Killian looked adorably confused at what had just happened (apparently she was using adorable to describe him now). He squinted at her as if her eyes were also blinding him (maybe they were), and then swept his eyes down the rest of her. His eyes got comically large again. Emma was about to remind him where her eyes were when Liam and Belle rushed into the room, their faces stricken like they were panicking.
âWhat the hell was that?â Liamâs voice boomed throughout the cavern. Killian immediately jumped in front of her, though Emma had no idea why.
âWhat the hell was what?â Emma asked, genuinely confused, again.
âThat big rush of rainbow light that just rushed through here?â Belle asked. Her face was one of concern that they didnât seem to know what she was talking about.Â
âKillian, what are they talking about?â Emma whispered from behind him. A second ago this would have been sexy as hell, but now she was afraid. She wasnât sure what was happening. Surely Liam and Belle couldnât have felt the energy sheâd felt from the kiss.
Killian turned slowly to face her. He slowly cupped her face with his hands and gave her a chaste kiss on the lips. His hands came down and she expected him to grab her hands, but instead, they slid down her arms and stopped at her wrists.
âI think,â he said, stopping to mull over his words as if thinking of the right way to say what he needed to say. âI think the queen may have cursed you, and,â he took a deliberate breath before delivering the next piece of information, âI think we just broke it with True Loveâs Kiss.â
Tag List: (Let me know if you want to be added or removed)
Summary: Once, all Emma Nolan wanted was a normal life, but when she had a run in with a vampire as a teenager she realised that she couldnât escape the life of a hunter. Now all she wants to do is prove herself, and sheâs going to end up going above and beyond to be the hunter the world needs her to be.
Rating: Explicit. Mostly for graphic descriptions of violence, and some smut, but not until later chapters.
Warnings: There are hints at the non con nature of the control vampires can have over humans.
Length: should be eight chapters.?
Notes: Well, oooops. So, the rest of this is waaaaaay later going up than I had hoped, apologies to everyone that has been waiting for it. Unfortunately, this is still not completely finished. The main part of the story is, and Iâm just drawing blanks on the epilogue. Iâm hoping that the words I have written getting some love might inspire me to get it done, because, yes, I wrote what I want to write, for me, but nothing gives me the warm and fuzzies like comments from you wonderful lot! Thank you for your patience!
Thanks to the @cssnsâ mods for running this event, thank you to @clockadileâ for the gorgeous banner. Lastly, thank you to @kmomof4â, who not only is an amazing beta, but volunteered to deal with my panics and the amount of hitting my head against a wall that this has made me do. Thank you so much, I could not have done this without you.
As always, let me know if youâd like me to add you to my taglist for future fics :)
Also on AO3
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It was late, early by his reckoning, but Killian didnât exactly prescribe to a normal pattern of living. Not by human standards, anyway. For a vampire his life was⌠no, even for a vampire his life wasnât normal.
Vampires lived in covens, governed by a leader, and their rule was absolute.
Killian was not part of a coven, had not been for some decades now, and lived alone, occasionally taking in the odd waif or stray who had found themselves in dire straits. Heâd made a lot of friends that way, knew a lot of people of varying species who were willing to give him information and tip offs if he needed them.
Like the news heâd had that the Gold coven had upped the bounty on a specific hunterâs head, yet again, because last week Killian had stepped in before sheâd even known she was being tailed and wasted another vampire that had decided to take her down. Emma had made the initial kill, to which Gold heartily objected, some time ago, but really she had only been doing her job. Killian had sent a message to Gold warning him to keep his underlings in line only days before the first incident.
Gold had ignored him, as had the vampire in question, and theyâd been left staked for the sunrise.
It was a painful way to go, but this vampire had a particularly cruel streak when it came to their human victims. They were part of a small crowd that insisted pain made human blood taste the sweetest. Emma had grown more and more ruthless in her tactics in recent years, notably since her return from time abroad, and he supposed he couldnât blame her for that, all things considered.
He leaned heavily against the sink, taking in his reflection as he thought about how this was not going according to plan at all. When heâd seen her take down Walsh Osbourne five years ago, something had struck him about the young huntress with her golden hair and the unmistakable use of magic to waste the vampire whoâd been seconds from sinking his fangs into her neck.
He closed his eyes and he could see it, the way the moonlight caught her hair, the way her body had been hugged by that sinful, hot pink dress. How sheâd smelled, even over the stink of the alley and how the sight of Walshâs hands on her skin had made his skin prickle with anger and a desire to rip her away from him.
He hadnât recognised it for what it was back then, but now heâd spent years watching her work. Years seeing her in action with her family and without. Heâd seen or heard about everything. The highs and the lows.
But with the bounty on Emma Swanâs head now even higher, and the information heâd had from his friend on the police force that Emma had, for once, set her sights on a human quarry who had skipped bail, Killian knew he wasnât going to be able to risk not checking up on her tonight, when she wouldnât be expecting a supernatural attack. He only hoped this need to watch over and protect her was unnecessary. But his instincts were rarely wrong, and he wasnât going to take that chance. Not with her life.
So he left the bathroom, and walked into the kitchen, opening the fridge and pulling out a bottle of blood, twisting off the cap and chugging it down with no real ceremony. It was a function of his life heâd long since stopped enjoying, but if he was to survive, to make sure there was someone out there trying to make sure no one went on a rampage, well⌠It was the least he could do to avenge those heâd lost.
While he couldnât make a move on Gold alone, he could at least stop him forming his own militia the way he had once used the Jones brothers.
Captain Swan Supernatural Summer 2022: August Round Up
Here is the second half of all the amazing pieces of art and fics that were done for the month of August. Thank you to everyone who participated this year! We could not have done it without all of you.
Here is your AUGUST 2022 @cssns ROUNDUP!!!!
August 2nd brought us @romanceapologistâs ghost ship fic The Song of the Sea - chapter 2
@undercaffinatednightmare brought us a prequel to her Once Upon a Shapeshifter fic with Emma and the Fae Queen.
@tintedfl0wers (formerly itsfabianadocarmo) brought us this thoroughly creepy folklore and supernatural aesthetic -Â Â art.
The first chapter of @teamhookâs zombie fic, Breathe Me to Life dropped on August 7th.
@pirateherokillian graced us with a sequel to Iridescent Blue with the prologue of her new fic Shades of Blue with artwork by @romanceapologist.
Beautiful dragon artwork came to us on August 14th with Emma and Killian as dragon riders by @purplehawkcaptain - art.
@stahlop gave us the first chapter of her dragon fic, A Chance to Fly with artwork by @spartanguard - chapter 2
@piinfeathers artwork of Killian as a half-fae pirate smuggling Princess Emma to help rescue them from Pan was a lovely addition to this event.
A Hotel California inspired fic, @kmomof4 brought us Hotel Neverland with artwork by @thesschesthair.
@snowbellewells gave us the first chapter of Believing Impossible Things with artwork by @o-wild-west-wind.
Mermaid art galore! @eastwesthomeisbest gave us several pieces of art work with mermaid Emma. Art 1Â Art 2
All of us mods: @stahlop, @thejollyroger-writer, @kmomof4, @winterbaby89, and @profdanglaisstuff thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for helping us pull this off another year. Hopefully, weâll see you all next year for Captain Swan Supernatural Summer 2023!
