The Proposition

Ilona looked between the Duke and Duchess, waiting to see if they would want to listen to her.

"Alright," the Duke said slowly, "Let's hear what you have to offer."

Ilona took a deep breath and began her explanation. She had been dreading this. Now Ian would learn the full extent of the disaster she'd caused.

"These last months, my ship sailed to The Red Lands and back. If Ian hasn't told you, that's where we're from, and nearly all of our pirates. Because of our father's success in pirating, even against ships from our own land, we are no longer welcome there."

The Duchess looked to Ian for confirmation and he nodded. He was watching Ilona closely as if he was waiting to catch her in a lie. He couldn't argue that the King of The Red Lands hated their father though. The Pirate King was probably wealthier than that actual king.

"While we were at sea nearby, we were approached by a ship with white flags," she continued, heart beating hard in her chest, "We didn't attack and they didn't either. It was the captain of the King's army. He had brought word that the King would like to speak to us."

"Impossible," Ian snapped, shaking his head, "He wouldn't. The King has ruled that all pirates are to be killed on sight."

"That was why we thought it was a trap," Ilona said, "So Mother and I went to the castle with only a handful of men, and the rest stayed aboard the ship in case. The royal guards themselves escorted us."

Ilona felt sick as she remembered sailing away with her mother, Nick, Jamie, and the others. She had thought that was the right thing to do. She thought that was their best chance of keeping the ship and everyone on it safe.

"What does this have to do with us?" Lady Adair questioned coldly, bringing her out of her memories.

"Well, the King spoke with us at length, and he knows that father has made a deal with the Crown Prince, and he was working to make arrangements with other nobles here. He is worried that once this is done and Father's pirates will no longer attack King Daniel's ships, and most of our attention will go to the ships of his people. So he gave me this."

From behind her back, Ilona pulled out a letter sealed with red wax. She had had it tucked in the band of her breeches. She held it out to Ian, who took it and examined the mark in the wax.

"That is the mark of the King of the Red Lands," he told them, clearly surprised, before he handed it to the Duke to examine.

"It's a letter to King Daniel. I'm sworn to deliver it to his hands myself. He said it has some kind of offer or treaty inside for him. But that is where my proposition for you comes in."

Lord Adair looked up at her with a smirk, "You won't be able to get anywhere near the King or even in the castle, for that matter. Not without a noble vouching for you. You'll need Delaney or me to get you in to see Daniel."

Ilona swallowed and nodded, "I tried to explain to the King that I wouldn't be able to get in. He said I would find a way."

"Or else what?" Delaney, the Duchess, asked, "If you're not allowed in that land anymore, why not just burn the letter and be done with it?"

"Because," Ilona looked down, "It turns out it was a trap. While Mother and I were at the castle, our men on the ship were overrun by the King's soldiers. They stole everything on board and took some of the men hostage... including our brother Isaac and sister Willow."

"What do you mean?" Ian demanded, immediately stepping up to stand in front of her, "What do you mean the King has our brother and sister? Why were they with you?"

Ilona swallowed and didn't look up at him, trying to hide the tears filling in her eyes.

"I begged Isaac to go with me," she explained quietly, "I thought with him on the ship and following me, the other men would follow me as well. I thought it would make things better."

"He's my crew, Ilona! You can't just take our brothers to man your ship because your own crew won't follow you! Now you've let him get taken away! And what about Willow? Why is our little sister in the King's prison now instead of safely home with her mother?"

"She was a stowaway," Ilona looked at him, trying desperately to explain, "I didn't know she was on board until we were a week out. You and I had been on ships when we were younger than her, so I didn't think there would be any harm in it."

"I can't believe this," Ian ran his hands over his face. Duchess Delaney reached out and lightly touched his arm.

"So what do you need to do then to get them back?" the Duke asked calmly but sternly, "If you take that letter to our King Daniel, how do you prove it to the King of the Red Lands and get your siblings back?"

Ilona swallowed back her tears and dashed at her eyes, "He said the King has to agree to his terms... I don't know what they are..."

"How could you be so stupid, Ilona?" Ian shouted, turning on her in his rage, "You should never have trusted that invitation to see the King!"

"He said if we spoke to him, he would consider allowing us to be able to live there again! You know Mother and Father want to return home. We thought it would be worth trying!"

"We can't promise Daniel is going to agree to whatever is in this letter," Lord Adair shook his head sadly, "Even if we do take you in to see him, it isn't a guarantee."

"I know," she said softly, "That... that was why we were here last night... In case your King says no, I hoped to go back to The Red Lands with enough money and treasures to try to buy my siblings' freedom."

"Father will give you money," Ian shook his head, "He will give you all the money he has to get them back. Why didn't you just go to him?"

Ilona dropped her eyes. She knew that question was coming. She could have told her brother that their father was away, but he would see through that. Trying to be brave, instead, she told him the real answer.

"I...I didn't want him to know... I didn't want him to know I messed up again and now Isaac and Willow are gone because of it... I thought... I thought if I could just fix it..."

"You can't fix this, Ilona!" Ian yelled at her so loudly she couldn't keep herself from shrinking back from him. Beside her, she felt Nick lightly place a hand against her back, silently supporting her against the assault.

"Wait," Delaney shook her head, "So what did you intend to make a deal with Vincent and me for today? Money?"

"No," Ilona answered quickly, looking around her giant, furious brother, "I was going to offer my men and myself to escort you back to the city. There would be nearly two dozen of us all together. We could be your guards until you get more. I will even send men back to your other estate with you for now if you're not able to hire enough to replace what you lost. All I ask is that you take me in with you to see the King and... and help me to convince him to agree to these terms if you can."

The room fell quiet then. Ian had gone to sit on the stairs, his face in his hands. Nick and Jamie looked grave. They may not understand English, but they understood enough to know what their sister had just revealed to their oldest brother and the others. Ilona kept her gaze from everyone, dashing away tears if they managed to escape her eyes.

Delaney Adair turned to look up at her husband. He met her eyes with a solemn expression. He took her hand, and together they walked farther away from the others.

Ilona felt her heart beating at a breakneck pace as she waited to hear what they would decide. She silently sent up prayers that they would agree. They were her only hope.

Ilona watched as Delaney smiled and reached up to brush the back of her hand slowly against her husband's cheek. He caught it and brought it to his lips, where he gently kissed it. She could tell by the way they looked at one another that they were deeply in love. For just a moment, her thoughts wandered to wondering what that must be like.

They spoke more and Ilona was surprised when a dazzling smile filled the Duke's face.

She had wondered how a woman as beautiful as the duchess could look past the scars and injuries. When Lord Adair smiled though, she saw he was actually very handsome. His happiness warmed his lovely green eyes, making them shine.

He took his wife in his arms and gave her a deep kiss. Ilona felt her cheeks warm and she quickly turned away. Together the Duke and Duchess walked back to deliver their decision.

Ian pushed himself up off the stairs and walked over to stand with his siblings, although he stood farthest from Ilona. She could tell by his expression how upset he was, and it hurt her heart to see it.

They all looked anxiously to Delaney and Vincent Adair for their answer.

"Alright," the Duke nodded, "You have a deal."