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[mccallhero]

favourite ouat scenes: 22/?

[hookedonapirate]

The Princess and Her Sultan

Summary: Crown princess Emma of Misthaven is second in line to the throne, her brother Leopold ll being the first, but her parents see her with a future as a great ruler. King Rumpelstiltskin of neighboring land, strikes a deal with King David, promising to uphold the peace between the kingdoms if Emma marries Prince Baelfire. With the promise of his daughter becoming future queen of the Dark Kingdom, David accepts reluctantly.

Before her wedding day, the princess is kidnapped and taken overseas. She is sold as a slave to a palace where Crown Prince Killian of Neverland ascends his father’s throne and is sworn in as Sultan. Meanwhile, Killian’s mother pressures him to sire a prince and presents him with gifts for his birthday, one of them including a blonde princess from Misthaven. Dazzled by Emma’s charm, intelligence and beauty, he summons her to his bedchambers every night and eventually finds himself casting aside his harem and centuries of tradition.  

Author’s Notes: I'm so sorry it's taken so long for me to update, but I am so happy to present this chapter to you and I'm hoping the next chapter won't take as long.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

Thank you @gingerchangeling for your wonderful suggestions and ideas for this story, and also @ilovemesomekillianjones for gifting me with your wonderful editing skills. I also want to give a shout out to @onceuponaprincessworld for being my sounding board, constant cheerleader and good friend, thank you, darling! This story wouldn’t be the same without these lovely ladies!

And all of you have been so supportive and awesome, thank you all for following along and for your feedback!

Rated: Explicit

AO3 l FF.N I Prologue l Ch 1 l Ch 2 l Ch 3 l Ch 4 l Ch 5 l  Ch 6 l  Ch 7 l Ch 8 l Ch 9 I Ch 10 I Ch 11 I Ch 12 I Ch 13 l BTS

Chapter 14

Killian’s head is spinning, his heartbeat pulsating in his ear as Emma’s words echo through him repeatedly. She’s trying to explain to him what’s going on, but all he can hear is betrayal pouring from her mouth. The pain he feels is unbearable, like a dagger to his heart over and over again. First, his best friend tries to murder him, then he learns the love of his life betrayed him by trying to protect James, who, as it turns out, is Emma’s uncle. It all makes sense to him now. James and Emma were in cahoots. 

  She came to the Sultan as an alluring temptress and he fell for her. He fell for her charm, her intelligence, her beauty. And she took advantage of this. She seduced him, manipulated him, only so she could become pregnant and bear his prince. He doesn’t know if their unborn child is a boy or not, but perhaps Emma has discovered this. She’s told him several times how sure she is their baby is a boy, so perhaps she paid a Seer to reveal the gender. 

  After she discovered he’s a boy, and since the birth is near, she and James tried to murder him. James would become Sultan until the prince would be old enough to take the throne and Emma would become Valide Sultan and shun his mother off to the Pavilion of Older Women. She would become the most powerful woman in Neverland and have the most powerful man wrapped around her finger, controlling him, just as she had controlled his father. It was all part of their twisted plan. 

  But it doesn’t explain why Emma's father had saved him. She clearly had no idea he would come for her. That much he knows is true. She wanted Killian to think David was James, and if Emma really was scheming against him, wouldn’t she have played a victim who was forced into bed with the dirty Sultan? Wouldn’t Emma’s father become enraged by this and try to murder him instead of saving him? That part doesn’t make sense to him.

  “Killian, you have to believe me! I only kept you from the truth to protect my uncle, but I had no idea he would betray you!” Emma is pleading and sobbing as she kneels in front of him, pressing her forehead to the skirt of his caftan, begging for forgiveness. 

  The sight makes his heart constrict, more than it already is, but he can’t even look at her right now. He feels so betrayed. He’d trusted his Swan. He trusted her with everything he had.

  “Please believe her, Your Majesty. Emma will do anything to protect her family,” David tells him.

  Killian’s eyes widen in anger as he looks at him. “I thought I was her family! And yet she betrayed me!”

  “Killian, you are my family!” Emma claims, her words strained through sobs as she looks up at him through glistening green eyes. “I wanted to tell you, but James asked me to wait. I had no idea what he was planning!”

  He wants to believe her, but he doesn’t know what to believe anymore. 

  “Emma’s telling the truth. You have no reason to listen to me, but she loves you. She had no idea I was coming to rescue her. She begged me not to kill you, and I could not bear to see her in pain so I followed her wishes.”

  Killian scoffs in annoyance, sarcasm laced in his words, “How noble of you.” He’s dizzy with confusion and on the verge of exploding with rage—why would Emma conspire with James to murder him and then ask her father not to kill him? It doesn’t make sense. He needs to escape. Even though he feels hurt and betrayed, he could never lay a hand on his Swan with the intention of causing her pain. So he needs to leave. He spins around and heads for the doors of his chamber. “I need some air,” he growls. “Then I’ll figure out what to do with both of you.” With that, he’s gone in a flash, his caftan swaying as he flees from the room.

  ~*~

  Emma is a complete mess of tears and emotion as her father helps her up, groaning from the pain in his shoulder. “Papa, you need to rest,” she chokes out as he walks her to the bed. 

  “Emma, you’re the pregnant one. You shouldn’t be stressed out like this,” he says soothingly, caressing her tear-stained cheeks. 

  She drops her head to his chest and he throws his arms around her, letting her sob some more. Eventually, he helps her to Killian’s bed and lays next to her. She rests her head on his good side as he strokes her hair, trying to soothe her. But she can't be soothed. Not when Killian thinks she’s betrayed him. She doesn’t blame him though. She lied to him and kept the truth from him about her connection with James. But she had no idea what James was truly up to. And the fact that Killian doesn’t trust her enough to believe her now… it hurts like hell. But she deserves it.

  Eventually, darkness blankets Neverland and Killian steps through the doors. Emma is no longer crying, but she’s bleary-eyed as she lifts her head from her Papa’s chest and slowly props herself up. She can't read the expression on Killian’s face; she can’t tell whether he’s still upset, whether he hates her or whether he will punish her—she has no idea, and that scares the hell out of her. He has his hands linked behind his back as he approaches David’s side of the bed. Her Papa never slept and is wide awake as he sits up and looks up at the Sultan.

  “You said you arrived here on your ship from Misthaven?” Killian asks in a surprisingly soft voice.

  David nods. “Yes, that is correct.”

  “And you held James captive there?”

  Her father nods again. “I did, but only to rescue my daughter. She means the world to me, Your Majesty.”

  Killian turns around and slowly paces the room.

  Emma is confused as she watches him. He’s too calm to be angry. Had he already forgiven her? That can’t be possible.

  Finally, he turns around and looks at David again and says with an unsteady breath, “Your ship is gone.”

  Emma can’t believe her ears. James stole her father’s ship?

  “And James is nowhere to be found. He’s not in his chamber. Neither is the woman who is pregnant with his child. They must’ve taken your ship.”

  “But why? Why would he do that?” David asks in bewilderment. “Why would he set out to murder the Sultan and then leave?”

  “Because you showed up,” Emma assumes. “By leaving Misthaven and showing up here in Neverland, you gave him a different opportunity to explore.”

  To Emma’s shock, Killian nods softly in agreement. And she’s a little relieved by this because he doesn't seem as angry with her as he was. But perhaps he’s subduing his emotions for the time being to deal with the matter at hand. “He’s gone to take your place as King.”

  Emma’s and Killian's assumption surprises her father. Panic fills his eyes and he moves to get out of bed, only to cry out in pain.

  “Papa, be careful!” Emma pleads with him as he places his feet on the floor.

  “I have to return to Misthaven. Who knows what he plans on doing once he gets there,” David's voice cracks with dread. “My wife and son—your mother and brother—will think he’s me! What will he do to them? Graham was supposed to watch him.”

  And there it is. That’s how James escaped.

  “Graham cannot be trusted,” Emma says scornfully, her body vibrating with hatred for the man who once betrayed her. 

  Her papa’s forehead wrinkles in confusion. “What do you mean?”

  “Graham is the one who handed me off to pirates!”

  David’s eyes widen in shock. He had no idea Graham was responsible for Emma’s kidnapping. Her former guard obviously never came clean. “I have to return to our family, Emma. What if Graham and James try to hurt them? I don’t know what I would do if…” David’s words trail off and he’s in a state of panic as she glances at Killian. She can see the empathy for her father in his eyes.

  “I want to help, Papa,” Emma says as she pushes herself out of bed.

  David turns around and takes her hands in his. “Emma, as much as I would love to bring you back with me, it’s too dangerous. You’re pregnant. You will be better off staying here.” He looks at Killian. “That is if she’s still welcomed here. I know Emma, and she would never betray someone she loves. She loves you, I can see it in her eyes. She begged me not to kill you or hurt you. So why would she allow James to do the same if she had known what he was planning?”

  Killian swallows thickly as he looks at Emma, studying her intently. Emma offers him a small smile and places her hands on her belly.

  “You can’t honestly look at this woman and tell me you believe she would ever try to hurt you, can you?” David challenges him.

  “But I gave her an opportunity to return to Misthaven, and she refused. How do I know it wasn’t so she could stay and take my mother’s place?”

  “Because she wouldn’t have taken your mother’s place. She would have taken your place. And how can she do that by giving you only one son?”

  Killian’s eyes widen in shock as he slides his gaze to David. 

  “After I discovered where Emma was taken, I had to learn everything I could about your culture and religion here in Neverland. Women only obtain power by bearing the Sultan’s son, and the more sons she has, the more influence she has. And knowing my daughter, she wouldn’t settle for second best. I wouldn’t want her to either. She’s a princess fit to be a ruler, a Queen. Her mother and I raised her as such.”

  The Sultan looks at Emma again, and his lips tilt into a half-smile. “She certainly is a Queen.”

  A rush of relief sweeps over Emma. Does this mean he forgives her?

  He looks at David again. “You can take one of my ships.”

  David and Emma are both in shock as they gape at the Sultan. 

  “Are you… are you sure?”

  Killian nods. “I am. I just have one favor to ask of you.”

  David links his hands together and bows his head. “Anything, Your Majesty.”

  “Take Emma’s bodyguard with you. I’m relieving him of his duties and servitude.”

  “Thank you, My Sultan,” Emma says, grateful for his decision. Although she’ll miss Lancelot, she’s glad he will have his freedom and be able to return to his homeland. 

  David nods. “I will make sure he gets home. You have my word.”

  “But, you must return to your family first. Perhaps Lancelot can be of assistance to you.”

  “Thank you,” David says adamantly. “I cannot thank you enough.”

  “You saved my life,” Killian says with a hint of bitterness in his tone.

  “You can thank Emma for that. She would have never forgiven me if anything had happened to you under my watch.”

  Killian’s eyes darken as he gazes at her. Emma’s heart plummets. He still doesn’t know whether Emma can be trusted or not, but her father did save his life. So he feels obligated to return the favor.

  “Please, don’t be mad at her for too long. Emma loves you,” David sighs, “unfortunately.” 

  Killian glances at him again. “Can you give us a moment?” 

  “Yes, of course.” David glances at his daughter and she gives him a small smile. 

  After he leaves the room, Killian strolls over to her, his expression unreadable.

  “My Sultan, I am so sorry I lied to you. I await my punishment.” She drops her head.

  She’s not sure what he’s thinking or how he’ll respond. Does he hate her? Will he send her away? She’s not sure. But whatever he decides to do with her, she deserves it.

  She feels his hand on her chin as he draws her head up to look into her eyes. Emma’s breath catches as she witnesses the emotion in his eyes.

  “How many times have I told you, love—you do not bow your head to me.” His tone is firm, unwavering, but his words warm her heart. Even when he’s upset with her, even when he’s disappointed, he still chooses not to belittle her. 

  “My apologies, My Sultan.”

  “Killian. You are only to address me as Killian.”

  Emma suppresses a smile and nods. “Yes, Killian.”

  “And you will never lie to me ever again, do you understand?”

  She nods vigorously. “Yes, of course. I will never lie to you again. You have my word, Killian. I never meant to hurt you. I was only trying to protect James. I had no idea—”

  Killian puts up his hand to stop her from going on. “I know, Emma. I know you thought you were only doing the right thing. Do you know why?”

  “Because you trust me?”

  He nods, a small smile pulling at his lips. “More than anything. But also because you’ve given me no reason to think your actions had malicious intent. When I left, I asked myself if I fell for you because you made me forget about my pain. My loss. But you are not Milah’s replacement.”

  Emma doesn’t know if she likes where this is going. “Because Milah is irreplaceable?” she guesses, words sharp with bitterness.

  “No,” he replies quickly, shaking his head. “Because you’re nothing like Milah. She never got along with anyone, always at war with the other maidens. No one liked her because she treated them like bugs to be easily squashed. You, on the other hand, make friends wherever you go. Most of the maidens in the Harem look up to you. They envy you, but they don’t hate you. You’re kind and soft and you give them no reason to fear you. Most of them will be proud to have you as Kadin. Soon, all of them will be proud of you. My mother also adores you.” His smile widens. “And she’s not always easy to win over.”

  Emma blushes. She has gotten along with his mother recently, despite their rocky beginning, that’s true. “I’ve noticed.”

  “If Milah were still here, I’d still be completely in love with you. My heart is enslaved to you, Emma. You’re my Queen and you’ll always be my Queen.”

  Emma’s lips spread into a big smile, tears stinging her eyes. And here, she thought she’d lost him. She thought he would think she and James were working together and the thought grips tightly around her heart, her smile melting quickly. “I’m sorry about James.”

  He shakes his head. “I don’t want to think about James. He betrayed me. He pretended to be my friend, but after all this time, he was only after my throne. He probably would’ve murdered our son after the birth.”

  Emma nods and peers down at the floor between them. “Most likely. If our baby is a boy.”

  “You don't know?”

  Emma snaps her head up and sees his brows raised. “No, of course not. I told you I had a feeling, but I have no idea.”

  “So, you never thought about paying a Seer to find out the gender?”

  Emma shakes her head. “No, Killian. I would love a son, but I would love a daughter just as much. I don’t care about being the most powerful. Maybe I did when I first arrived at the palace because I was so angry and spiteful...” She pauses when he flinches at her confession.

  “So, this was your plan? To come here and seduce me and bear several princes so you could be Queen?” Hurt flashes in his eyes. “Was I nothing more than a pawn to you?”

  “Killian, of course not.” Emma becomes furious at the accusation. “Do you think I got myself kidnapped, do you think I wanted to be sold, that I wanted to stand naked and ashamed in front of those hungry vultures while they bid on me? Do you think I wanted to be treated like cattle just so I could be gifted to you on your birthday?! Just so I can give you a prince with the chance of never being invited to your bed again?! Maybe at first I saw an opportunity to make my life here in the palace more tolerable, but as soon as I met you, I knew I only wanted you! As long as we’re together, I don’t care about anything else,” she claims adamantly, her voice softening. 

  “Power or stature or gold—none of it means anything to me if I don’t have you. So I don’t care if our baby is a boy or a girl. We could have ten girls or we could have a son unfit to be Sultan. He could have a hunchback and I would love him just the same!” Emma cries, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I would still love you with all my heart. You are not only the Sultan of Neverland, but you’re the Sultan of my heart, Killian, and that will never change. My loyalty to you began the moment I laid eyes on you and will last until my final breath.” Emma can see the affection for her in his eyes. She can tell he believes her. He even seems... impressed?

  “If I asked you to, you would don armor and ride into battle at my side, wouldn't you?”

  “Of course I would,” she answers without having to think about it. 

  A weak smile curves his lips. “What did I do to deserve such a brave and intelligent woman?”

  She grins at him. “You only have to be yourself, Killian.”

  He steps into her space, closing the distance between them and cups her cheeks in his hands, kissing her hard , stealing her breath away. Emma's taken off guard; she almost stumbles backward. The kiss is firm and bruising and possessive. And she’s instantly swept up in it, letting her Sultan sweep her up in his arms and slip his tongue inside her mouth. She sighs in relief when their tongues touch, tingles of pleasure careening through her body. Killian doesn’t hate her. He’s not mad at her. He forgives her for withholding the truth. And she will be forever grateful.

  He breaks the kiss and buries his face in her hair, both of them catching their breaths. “This baby of ours already interferes with me and the little duckling isn’t even born yet,” he groans against her scented hair, smoothing his hands over her stomach. 

  Emma laughs. “Patience, Killian, we’ll have plenty of time to be together after the baby is born.”

  Killian pulls away, his eyes saddening as he gazes at her. "I'm going to go lead my men to war shortly after the birth,” he says grimly.

  “Then we’ll go with you.”

  His eyes widen. “What? No, Emma, it's too dangerous.”

  “I won’t fight with you, I will only stay at the camp and support you while I look after our little duckling. I told you, I will fight by your side and I meant it. Besides, it is tradition for Kadins to follow their Sultans to war, is it not?”

  “Well, yes, but you know I’m not exactly a man of tradition. I care more about keeping you and our duckling safe.”

  Pain grips Emma’s heart. She can’t bear the thought of being without him for one night, let alone several months. “I know, but I want to go with you. I cannot be without you for months.”

  He smiles. “I feel the same way about you.” He kisses her lips, and Emma's heart surges with warmth. But before they can get lost in the kiss, a knock on the door pulls them back to reality.

  “You may enter,” Killian calls out.

  Her father enters the room and Emma smiles as he approaches them.

  Blush colors his cheeks as he offers a shy smile. “I take it you’ve made up?” he asks, sensing he interrupted something.

  Killian wraps an affectionate arm around her and kisses her temple. “We did. I cannot be mad at my Swan for long. She means too much to me.” He looks at her father with all the earnesty within him. “I love your daughter. And I can assure you, she’ll be in good hands here.”

  There’s not a flicker of doubt in David’s eyes. “Yes, I see that,” he says, glancing at Emma's pregnant belly. 

  She blushes under her father’s gaze.

  “You’ll take good care of both of them?” David asks him.

  Killian nods. “Always.”

  “I’m holding you to your promises, Your Majesty. And as much as I’d like to stick around and spend more time with both of you, I should go.”

  She nods. “I know, Papa.”

  “May I say goodbye to her, first?” David asks him.

  Killian nods. “Of course.” He leaves the room to give them privacy.

  David gazes at his daughter and steps up to her, wrapping his arms around her. 

  Tears spring to her eyes as she embraces her father and leans her head on his shoulder. “Be careful, Papa.”

  “I will, I promise. I love you, Emma,” he whispers in her ear as he cradles the back of her head.

  “I love you, too, Papa. Tell Mother and Leo I love them and miss them so much.”

  “I will.” She can hear the smile in his words. “I’ll write to you as soon as I can. I’ll let you know how things go.”

  “Thank you,” she whispers, squeezing her eyes shut to fight off her sobs. But she feels the hot wet tears running down her cheeks. Emma squeezes him tighter, not wanting to let him go. She squeezes him until he groans in pain. She pulls away quickly, her eyes flashing with apology. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—”

  “It’s okay,” he smiles as he grips his shoulder. “Seeing you again, being able to hold you in my arms again is worth getting an arrow in my shoulder and almost getting killed,” he chuckles. 

  Emma offers a small smile. She can’t believe she’s losing him again, but she knows he must protect their family. She wouldn’t have it any other way. 

  “Goodbye, Papa.”

  “Goodbye, Emma.” 

  With that, her father disappears from the room and from her life once again. More tears slide down her cheeks as she strokes her belly. The baby kicks her and she laughs. “I agree, I don't want him to leave either. That’s your grandpa,” she says. “Maybe one day, you’ll get to meet him.” Or maybe not. The possibility that her child will never get to meet her parents grips her with sadness. But she prays that God will keep her family safe. She prays James is the man she knows he is and doesn’t hurt them.

  ~*~

  Two months later…

  Emma sits on the edge of the mosaic fountain in the garden, soaking her swollen feet in the water. As puffy and bloated as she is now at the end of her pregnancy, the summer heat is unbearable, but the cool water feels rather refreshing. 

  Besides, the heat is nothing compared to the pain and worry she feels. Since her father had left, she has waited in agony to hear from him, but so far there have been no letters from him or her family in Misthaven. Fear grips her every day, but she tries not to let it consume her. She doesn’t wish to distress the baby in her womb. But if she doesn’t hear from her father soon, she will pen a letter herself.

  Elsa enters the garden, pulling Emma from her thoughts. “Are you mad, my lady, Emma? You’ll catch a chill putting your feet in cold water.” 

  Emma shakes her head. “That’s impossible in this heat. The water comforts me, makes me feel serene. I think I’m ready to get out though.” 

  Elsa calls over an attending slave and has her fetch a towel for Emma’s feet.

  After Emma’s father left, she confided in Elsa about what had happened, about how James had tried to kill the Sultan and how he stole her father’s ship. The rest of the palace knows nothing of his betrayal; Killian claimed he allowed James to return home to visit his brother. He made everyone think he lent one of his ships to James, instead of his brother. 

  Elsa was disappointed she didn't get to meet David. Emma wished she could’ve too. She wishes she didn’t have to choose between her family in Neverland and her family in Misthaven, but as a Kadin or soon-to-be Kadin she must reside in Neverland until she has a son who is old enough to govern away from the palace, and then she is to go with him. Emma’s still not sure her baby is a boy, and she will be happy either way, but she still thinks about what the future would hold if she had a son. 

  Every day, Emma goes through her cedar chest, holding up her baby’s tiny embroidered shirts, diapers and robes and placing them on her belly. Her eyes well up with tears each time. She can’t believe someone could possibly be small enough to fit into such tiny clothes. She can’t believe someone so small is growing in her belly. But she is so anxious and excited for the arrival of the little duckling. And not because she feels so big and swollen and is so overwhelmed by the sweltering heat. No, she can’t wait to hold her precious baby in her arms.

  After Elsa dries Emma’s feet with a towel and slips them into a pair of leather slippers, Emma goes to her couch and tries to take a nap, but unlike her baby, she’s restless. Normally the little duckling kicks relentlessly, but lately, her baby is calm. She worries something has happened to the little duckling, but Kira assures her that when the baby quiets, that means the time is near. 

  When night falls over Neverland and the sky darkens, Emma finally sleeps, but she’s awakened by a clap of thunder. Her forehead is slick with sweat, and she feels unbearably warm in her apartment, so she rises and gets out of bed. Desperate to feel the cool breeze of the evening air, she waddles over to the doors of her terrace. But before she can haul the doors open, she feels something warm and wet rushing down her legs. Startled and panicked, she cries out for Elsa.

  Elsa is quick to enter the room, and her eyes light up with excitement when she sees the puddle of water at Emma’s feet. “The baby’s coming!” she chants and rushes over to help Emma back to her divan. 

  While Elsa is quick to make Emma comfortable, as comfortable as she can be, Emma needs her Sultan by her side. Panic slams into her when she remembers he’s away from the palace. “Elsa, please have Nemo find Killian’s messenger. He knows the road my Sultan takes. He is to tell Killian our baby is ready to enter the world.” 

  Elsa nods with a smile. “Of course, my lady. I wager he outrides the storm to get to you,” she laughs and hurries out the doors.

  Emma’s midwife is sent for, and a birthing stool and swaddling bandages are brought to her apartment. Incense is burned and rose petals are strewn over the marble floors; amulets and blue beads are hung around the room to ward off the evil eye.

  In the beginning, she feels no pain and when the pains eventually come, they’re mild at first, nothing more than the cramps that accompany her monthly show of blood. But they begin to mount in intensity and duration as the hours inch by. When a violent burst of pain rolls through her belly like the thunder crashing through the sky, she cries out in agony, cursing herself for wanting to deliver her baby with no drugs. Killian had wanted a doctor who would drug her with opiates for the pain, but Emma feared their baby would enter the world drowsy and weakened, so she had insisted on a midwife.

  Frightened, she prays Killian will be here soon, and as though she had telepathically summoned him, the Sultan bursts into the room, completely breathless. 

  “Beloved… ” He scrambles over to the bed and wraps his arms around her, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I rode here as quickly as I possibly could.”

  Her nerves instantly dwindle in his presence. “Killian,” she breathes in relief. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

  When a jagged streak of lightning flashes and the sky rumbles, unleashing a torrent of rain that raps violently against the windows, Emma smiles to herself. Elsa was right—Killian outrode the storm.

  “I wouldn’t miss this for the world, my love. I will be right here with you when our wee duckling arrives,” he says with a smile. 

  Pain slams into her again, and she screams through it, her fingernails digging into his arm as he holds her close. His eyes cloud with concern as the pain passes, leaving her on the verge of tears. 

  “Take my hands,” he murmurs, stroking her hair. “Whenever you feel pain, squeeze them tightly, and I will share your agony.” 

  She doesn’t hesitate to take his hands, and he stays with her through it all. Through the pain, through the slew of unpleasantries tumbling from her lips. Through the storm raging outside that finally relents when the rain dulls to a light drizzle over Neverland.

  “I can see the head!” the midwife cries out just before dawn.

  Emma is moved to the birthing stool as many witnesses pour into the chamber. Killian comes behind her, tucking his arms under hers, and offers his hands. She takes them, equally eager and nervous to meet their baby as she threads her fingers through his and braces against his chest. 

  He whispers sweet words of encouragement in her ear when the pain hits her again, when she shrieks and squeezes Killian’s hands. She falls back into him when it passes, barely able to recuperate before she has to push again. 

  “You can do this, love,” he murmurs, his voice surprisingly soft. “Our baby will be here soon.”

  How can he be so relaxed when she’s pushing a baby out of her? Emma has never felt so much pain in her life, and here is Killian, calm as can be as she crushes his hands so tightly, she’s surprised she doesn’t break any bones.

  With a final push, Emma shrieks so loudly, it almost shakes the palace. The apartment is struck with silence but is quickly filled with heart-wrenching cries as the midwife receives the newborn in a linen cloth.

  “It’s a boy!” she calls out and recites the declaration of faith before passing the infant to Elsa. 

  Tears prick Emma’s eyes and her heart crumbles from hearing her little prince cry as Elsa cleanses him with olive oil, wraps him in a warm blanket and hands him to his father.

  “He has all of his fingers and toes, ” Elsa says with a beaming smile. “I counted.” 

  The Sultan’s sea-blue eyes light up as he stares down at the tiny bundle in his arms. The newborn’s cries begin to abate, and a smile breaks out over Killian’s face as his son clings to him. “Hello, little lad,” he whispers, his voice cracked with the love and emotion he feels as he strokes the prince’s cheek.

  When Emma is helped back to the bed and propped up with pillows, she reaches out for her son. “Give him to me.” As much as the sight of the Sultan holding their son in his arms warms her heart, she aches to hold the baby she carried in her womb for nine months. 

  Killian's eyes are glistening with unshed tears as he lifts his head and carefully transfers the baby prince into her arms. 

  Emma rests him on her chest, a smile blooming across her face like the flowers in early spring. Her eyes well up with tears as she gazes down at the perfect baby boy in her arms. He’s blinking up at her with big, deep blue eyes, and her heart is bursting with all the love she already feels for him. She brushes the pad of her thumb over his puffy little cheek, admiring her tiny prince. He has olive skin and a patch of dark hair on his head; he looks just like his father. “He’s so beautiful. Isn’t he beautiful?” she asks Killian, unable to tear her eyes away from her prince. 

  “Aye, he gets his looks from his mother,” Killian says through a smile before kissing her forehead, which is sheathed in sweat. 

  She shakes her head. “He has his grandfather’s nose and his father’s eyes and hair,” she giggles, pulling her gaze away from her son to look up at her husband.

  “You have the same nose, too,” he chuckles. “What would you like to name him, my love?”

  Emma doesn’t have to think about it. She knows how much Killian had wanted to have sons who loved each other like he and his brother did, instead of sons who were constantly at odds with one another. She knows if she and Killian were to have more children, they would want their eldest child to protect his siblings no matter what, just like his brother had protected him. “Liam,” she whispers, looking up at Killian. “As our firstborn, he will be a protector. He shall be called Liam, after your brother.”

  A tear slides down Killian’s cheek as he stares at her in bewilderment. After a moment, a smile lights up his face and he nods. “Our prince shall be called Liam.”

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