To The Castle

As Ms. Bird did Ilona's hair, she accidentally let it slip that Nick and Jamie had left early that morning before the rest of them were awake.

"Where did they go?" Ilona asked in confusion.

"Ian didn't say," Ms. Bird sighed, "But I had a feeling they weren't too keen on wearing the clothes I brought in for them."

A small smile pulled at Ilona's lips, and she looked up at the maid in the reflection of the mirror.

"That's not your fault. Jamie and Nick have always been wild. They're used to climbing through the rigging on ships and swinging around on ropes. I don't know that they've ever been dressed properly in their lives."

Ms. Bird chuckled, and Ilona noticed the tiny wrinkles at the corners of her eyes from a life of smiling.

"They seem like good boys," she said as she continued her work on Ilona's hair, "I can't understand a word they say, but they remind me of Ian, and I know he's a good boy."

Ilona giggled, "I don't think Ian still qualifies as a boy. As tall as he is, I think you have to consider him a man."

"Oh, he's a giant, to be sure," Ms. Bird beamed, "But at my age, you're all just boys and girls. Except, of course, when you look as lovely as you do right now. Then, you're a young lady."

The maid stepped back from her then and clasped her hands together as she looked over her work.

"Well, get up and take a look at yourself!" she urged excitedly.

Ilona's stomach filled with butterflies as she did what she was told. When she looked at herself in the mirror, she was shocked.

Her gown was a beautiful deep blue with black lace around the edges. The neckline was low-cut, which, now that she looked at it seemed to accentuate her chest rather than take away from it. She turned sideways and looked at herself now that Ms. Bird had everything fixed correctly and thought the dress seemed to fit almost perfectly, just a bit snug.

Ms. Bird had pulled her long brown hair up, twisting and braiding it into a lovely intricate design. She had left a few little curls hanging down to frame Ilona's face however, which seemed to draw even more attention to her pretty brown eyes under their long black lashes.

"Oh, Lady Adair is going to be so pleased," the maid gushed, "You look just perfect! Do you like it?"

Ilona bit her lip and turned slowly, taking in the full view of herself. Never in her life had she worn a gown like this or had her hair done in such a beautiful way. She was usually on a ship on the ocean in breeches and a shirt, hair loose or tied back in a single ribbon.

Seeing herself now, she felt that she might actually look rather pretty. Ian hadn't seemed to think so though, and her brother's opinion had always mattered to her. Maybe she was being silly again.

"You look beautiful, my Dear," Ms. Bird said as if reading her thoughts, "The dress only puts it proudly on display."

Ilona looked down, blushing and, to her surprise, feeling tears in her eyes from the older woman's kind words.

A knock came at the door at that moment, and Ms. Bird left her side to answer it. Ilona thought she had never had so many people come to her room in one day.

"The carriages are waiting, Captain Black," Ms. Bird smiled cheerfully, "It's time to go."

Hearing herself being referred to as Captain, it suddenly struck Ilona how much she didn't look like her usual self. Her pirate self.

Going to the table beside her bed, she picked up the letter to the King before grabbing her long silver dagger in a black sheath. She glanced at Ms. Bird before hiding it away in her skirts.

"Well, I don't think you'll need that," the maid said with a frown, "But then again, it's a court full of nobles, so it may be for the best."

Ilona smiled at her and hurried for the door, awkwardly lifting her skirts. "Thank you for all your help."

"Of course," Ms. Bird smiled, adjusting her hands until she was holding up her skirts in the correct way, "Good luck!"

Slipping out the door, Ilona's stomach began to tie in knots as her heart pounded in her chest. She was nervous about being out in this gown dressed like a lady, but she was more anxious to go to court and meet the King. This was her only chance. She would go now, deliver her letter to the King, and plead that he accepts the terms. At least she would have the Duke and Duchess there to be on her side.

Ilona got to the top of the stairs and took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves and assure she wouldn't fall. She looked down and saw the Duke and Duchess leaving the dining room. They both caught sight of her, and Ilona felt relieved when warm smiles filled their faces.

A moment later, Ian came back in looking annoyed but saw the Duke and Duchess were looking at something, so he turned to see what it was. As soon as he saw his sister, his mouth fell slightly open as he watched her in shock. Ilona was eager for him to say something, wanting to know if she still looked ridiculous.

"Ilona, you look breathtaking," Delaney beamed before turning to Ian and nudging him with her elbow. He shook his head as if he'd just woken up.

"You do look lovely," he said quietly before dropping his eyes and blushing.

Ilona blushed too but smiled happily at them. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, Delaney again gave Ian a push forward. He stepped up to his sister and held out his arm to her. Ilona frowned at him in confusion for a moment before realization dawned on her, and she tucked her arm in his. This was how nobles did things. The men walked with the ladies on their arms.

"Are we ready then?" Vincent asked, looking between them.

"We are," Delaney nodded, taking a deep breath.

They all loaded into the carriage, and Ilona watched as the Duchess sat next to her. The woman was so beautiful. Ilona wondered if she might look half as lovely.

Ilona had the letter held tightly in her hands on her lap, and her breathing was quick. She tried to keep the fear and worry from her face but knew she wasn't doing a good job of it. Beside her, the Duchess noticed.

"Don't worry," Delaney whispered to her as Vincent and Ian talked on the other seat, "You look perfect, and the King will listen to you. Daniel is a good King. He will help you save your brother and sister."

Ilona was surprised at the Duchess's kind words and felt the little warmth in her chest try to ease back in. It couldn't seem to overcome the fear that was already there though.

"I'm sure he's a good king," Ilona whispered back, looking at her with wide brown eyes, "But that might mean he won't want to agree to whatever the letter asks for. What if it isn't good for his people?"

Delaney bit her lip for a moment, and Ilona saw her twisting her stunning wedding ring around on her finger. "I'm sure if he can't agree to the terms, he will offer something else or do whatever he can to help you. He's a lot like Vincent. They're good and help people who need them if they can."

Ian had said something so similar the night before, Ilona wondered if he and the Duchess had talked about this together already.

She nodded but knew she didn't look convinced. Ilona watched out the window as they drove through the city. She tried to slow her breathing for the entire ride and calm her nerves but found it was no use.

At last, they came to the enormous black-stone castle. Ilona found it only looked about half as scary during the day. She knew it wasn't the castle itself she should be afraid of though, but rather what was inside it.

As the carriage came to a stop in a courtyard in front of the castle, Ilona watched out the window as the castle guards surrounded them. Her worry began to grow. What if they wouldn't let her in?

The door to the carriage opened, and Ilona looked across at the scarred face of the Duke. His sparkling green eyes met hers for a moment before he looked to his wife and then stepped out. The Duchess looked at Ian nervously before standing and taking her husband's offered hand and letting him help her out.

"Ian," Ilona squeaked in a barely audible whisper, "What if..."

"It's going to be fine," her brother reassured her, meeting her gaze, "I promise everything is going to be fine. I won't let anything happen to us."

He stood then and stepped out of the carriage. Once he was standing on the ground, he turned and held out a hand out to help Ilona down.

And suddenly, there was no turning back.