33
Prepare for battle, Lady Love
I stood in front of the small mirror in my cabin and Ela’s, feeling the weight of the silk dress Calico had chosen for me. The fabric clung gently to my shoulders, the soft pink satin draping across my chest, gathering elegantly at the neckline, where it sat off my shoulders in a soft fold, almost like a delicate ripple on still water. A bow, perfectly tied, rested on my left shoulder, its ribbon trailing slightly down my arm. The sleeves hugged my arms snugly, with a subtle flare at the wrists, leaving just enough fabric to brush against my skin with each movement. The way the satin shimmered in the candlelight gave it an ethereal glow, like something others might deem too refined for hands stained with bowstring burns.
The skirt flowed all the way to the floor, covering my boots entirely, the soft satin pooling slightly around my feet. Every time I moved, the dress swayed with me, its fabric whispering against the wooden floor like a secret .
I shifted slightly, my eyes drawn to the back, where the fabric opened, revealing my bare skin in a perfect curve. The open-back design was held together by more of that soft draping satin, wrapping gently around my waist and tying in a bow at my hip. I wasn’t used to this feeling so exposed, the cool air brushing my back where the dress didn’t cover, reminding me how different this was from the dresses I used to wear in the palace.
The satin shimmered with each step, the pink hue catching the light, both soft and romantic, yet entirely impractical. The bodice was fitted, cinching my waist just enough to feel restrictive, but flattering. This wasn’t a dress meant for a pirate to enter undercover to a palace and steal a medallion from a King who wanted to end piracy at all costs, neither for fighting or running—it was meant for something else entirely. Something I couldn’t quite understand.
Ela entered the cabin, her black hair shining under the dim light, and smiled at me. “Look at you! Is this how you used to dress in the castle?”
I sighed. “Not exactly.”
Ela’s expression shifted as she asked, “Are you nervous about the ball? About you being the only one that can steal the medallion?”
“Yes,” I admitted, “but mostly, I’m nervous about how to act. Who to be.”
Ela chuckled softly. “Just yourself. The Pink Arrow of the Nine Seas.”
I smiled at her, feeling a little lighter. “Can I hug you? ”
Ela laughed, walking towards me. And as her arms wrapped around me, she whispered, “We are going to be there with you, Donna. Behind your back, at your side, and holding your hand.”
“Thank you,” I muttered.
“But try not to preach your name. Everyone’s heard of The Pink Arrow by now.”
I couldn’t help but let out a laugh. Ela stepped back, her face bright. “We’re just playing dress-up like that night, remember? Is just another Night of Many Faces, aye?”
I smiled at the memory and nodded.
“You can be whoever you want to be in the eyes of everyone at that palace, but still be your truest self,” Ela continued. “That way, you won't be nervous about what to say next. You are just The Pink Arrow undercover, just trying to steal a piece of gold.”
I laughed. “It’s not just a piece of gold, though.”
Ela sighed in playful exasperation. “Yeah, well, just the most famous medallion in the Four Kingdoms. Who cares?”
My nerves twisted tighter, and I muttered, “I’ve never done anything like this before.”
Ela’s lips curled into a smirk. “Oh, I don’t believe that. How did you read all of those banned books you told me about, huh? You little thief…”
I gasped in mock indignation. “It’s not stealing if it’s for my education!”
“You couldn’t be more right. But what about those boots for the captain, did you forg—”
“Ela! ”
She laughed heartily and moved toward the door. “We’re going to dock at one of those secret caves the captain knows about.”
I smirked at the thought, and Ela caught it. “Yeah, don’t even ask how he knows about those things.”
I chuckled and approached her. “You look beautiful, by the way.”
Ela curtsied dramatically. “Why thank you, my lady.”
We both laughed, and then Ela’s face lit up as if she remembered something important. “Oh! I almost forgot.” She pulled a rosy pigment stick from the pocket of her long skirt. “We need to touch up that face of yours—your pink tears have swept everything away.”
I laughed, and she carefully applied the pink hue under my eyes. “Beautiful. You can cry more now.”
I grinned and reached for my mask—delicate, pink with carved waves—and turned to Ela for help.
She adjusted it gently, tying it securely. I then helped her with her red mask, noticing the same sea-themed carvings in it. It was as if our masks were whispering to everyone: here come the pirates .
Ela gave a small twirl in her red gown and asked, “Do I look like some Lady Anastasia to you, perhaps?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Absolutely. Can I call you Lady Ana? Since you are my only beloved friend in that court.”
Ela laughed, her eyes glinting. “You’re granted permission, Lady…?”
I hesitated, thinking of who I wanted to be tonight .
Prepare for battle, Lady Love.
I smiled. “Lady Love.”
Ela smiled back, linking her arm with mine as we walked towards the door. “Well, I hope you know how to dance, Lady Love.”
???
We docked The Rebecca in one of Dallene’s secret caves, tucked away beneath the cover of night. But even in the darkness, Dallene glowed. It wasn’t called the Kingdom of gold for nothing.
The city ahead shimmered as if the sun had left a piece of itself behind. Even at night, you could see it—streets gilded with gold, rooftops glinting like jewels in the moonlight. Lanterns flickered along the path, but the real light came from the city itself, a constant reminder that this was where the sun shone brightest.
Ahead, the golden palace towered above the city, so massive and bright that it looked as though it had been carved by the sun itself. Every inch of it gleamed, like beacon in the night, and the closer we got, the more its intricate details revealed into the walls, a palace built not by men, but by Gods.
As we walked, Alastair leaned in beside me. “Remember the plan,” he said in that calm, measured way of his. “I’ll present myself as a priest of the Church of Ralios, and tell The King you’ve made the biggest offering this year. Then when the moment comes, you offer yourself for a dance. You’ll need that dance to get the medallion so think carefully about what you’ll say.”
I nodded, my mind racing, but my attention drifted to the figure on my right—the captain. He walked beside me, his dark blue mask blending with the shadows, but the gold chain on his chest and the rings on his fingers still caught the light.
He was dressed in black leathers, but even in disguise, he managed to look as roguish as ever.
“I think I will just smile at him,” I said playfully.
His lips curled into that smirk that made my heart tremble and he leaned closer, his voice low, meant only for me. “Think about the devastating war that simple act will cause.”
My cheeks flushed, but before I could respond, Calico straightened, his voice louder now as he addressed the crew. “We all know what to do.”
Ela and Raaq, their masks hiding their expressions but not their readiness, nodded. Calico continued, “Ela, Raaq—you’ve got the south exists. Duke and Ceol, the west and east.”
“Coco!” squawked the parrot, perched on Duke’s shoulder.
“Aye, and Coco,” Calico said with a grin. The crew chuckled, lightening the tension for a brief moment, but my nerves were still knotted tight.
“Alastair, once you get that audience with The King, join me. Jonah, Efren…” Calico grinned, his usual mischief back in his eyes. “Have fun.”
Jonah and Efren exchanged knowing looks, surely grinning at the opportunity to cause some chaos.
As we approached the palace doors, my heart hammered in my chest. Up close, the palace was even more impressive—golden figures of Gods carved into every wall, illuminated by the moonlight. The guards at the entrance wore gold armor, a sun symbol engraved into their chests, as if the sun itself had blessed their uniforms.
Everyone’s faces were hidden beneath masks, just like ours, but the air was heavy with tension. My mind raced with the what-ifs. What if someone recognized Captain Calico Pierce walking the floors of this palace? What if someone discovered who we really were? Pirates in a forbidden land. One wrong move, and we could all be dead.
I took a deep breath, the cool night air barely calming me. My hair, loose and tumbling down to my waist, covered the mark on my neck—the birthmark that could reveal too much if anyone noticed. Thalassa’s mark. I couldn’t think about that now.
We stepped inside, and if the palace had sparkled on the outside, it was nothing compared to what awaited us inside. Gold. Everywhere. The walls, the columns—everything shimmered like the whole palace had been spun from sunlight. Marble columns carved with Gods stood tall, each one holding trays of real fruit. Tables were piled high with food, more food than I’d ever seen in one place, as if the entire Kingdom feasted every single night.
Masked figures moved about, some eating like they’d never eaten before, others laughing drinking, and dancing. The air was thick with music, a kind I hadn’t heard before, full of elegance and majesty. Everything was so… magical .
The crew slowly split off, each taking their assigned positions. Before she left, Ela pulled me into a quick hug, her lips close to my ear. “Have fun, Pink Arrow,” she whispered.
I nodded, smiling, and kissed her cheek in return. “You too.”
Once they were gone, it was just me, Alastair, and Calico. Alastair pointed towards one of the large tables at the far end of the hall. “There’s The King,” he said, his voice calm but serious.
I followed his gaze. The King sat at the head of the table, his brown hair streaked with hints of gray. His golden armor shone as brightly as the rest of the palace, exactly as Alastair had described.
“Are you ready?” Alastair asked.
I swallowed hard, my throat dry. “Let’s go.”
Alastair started forward, and I was about to follow when I felt a hand on my arm. Calico leaned in, his voice low and somehow teasing. “I meant it. Please, try not to smile at him.”
I frowned, looking up at him. “It’s a thing I fear I can’t control, Captain.”
He shook his head, that playful smirk back on his lips. “Think of The sad Rebecca and her lonely crew of miserables when he starts offering you all his riches, then.”
With that, he was gone, disappearing into the crowd. I took a deep breath, shook off the flutter in my chest, and followed Alastair towards The King.
The King was surrounded by sycophants, their laughter rolling through the hall as if every word he spoke was a stroke of genius. They fawned over him, their masks glinting in the golden light, but he was the only one without a mask. His face was handsome, big brown eyes gleaming with a confidence that was unsettling. His brown hair and beard had threads of white running through them, but that only added to his imposing presence. His massive frame was encased in gold armor that looked like it weighed more than I did. He was… impressive, in the way a lion watching over its prey is impressive. Beautiful, but deadly.
Alastair cleared his throat beside me. “Your Majesty, I’m a priest from the church of Ralios. I was wondering if we could talk about this year’s offerings.”
The King turned to face us, a broad grin spreading across his lips. He laughed, deep and loud, and the people surrounding him immediately followed suit. “Please, no business at the Solar Ball, Father,” he said, waving Alastair off like an afterthought. Everyone laughed again, as if on cue.
I didn’t. And The King’s eyes found me in an instant, scanning me up and down in a way that sent a cold shiver of terror down my body.
“And who are you, young lady?” he asked, his voice dropping an octave as if I had suddenly become his most intriguing curiosity.
Before I could answer, Alastair spoke quickly, “She is a faithful servant of my church, Your Majesty. She made the highest offering this year which is why I wished to present her to you.”
The King raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Oh? And what kind of offering was that?”
Alastair didn’t miss a beat. “Her twin brother. ”
Everyone around the table fell into a sudden, heavy silence. My breath caught in my throat, and I felt my fingers twitch against the fabric of my skirt, nervously smoothing the edges. My heart pounded. Alastair had warned me about improvising, but I was not expecting this.
“Their parents abandoned them when they were children,” Alastair continued, his voice somber, like he was telling a tragic tale for the ages. “They lived in one of your magnificent orphanages until they reached the legal age. She devoted her life to the Gods. But her brother… he chose the path of evil. He was a pirate.”
I clenched my jaw, the muscles in my face tightening, but I kept my head bowed, my fingers still gripping my skirt. This was part of the act. Just an act.
The King nodded, satisfied with the answer. “You did the right thing, then. But next time, report it to the guards. Pirates need to be hung in front of everyone to remind others how delicate their necks are, and how easy it is to end them.” Everyone laughed. Again. At his horrendous words. How could someone laugh at something like that?
He turned back to the table, picking up his glass and tearing a piece of bread from the feast before him. The conversation was over. At least, it was for him.
“The Gods told me what to do,” I said, barely louder than a whisper. “In a dream.”
That caught his attention. His eyes flicked back to mine, curiosity replacing the indifference he had shown before .
“The Gods spoke to you in a dream?” he asked, his voice low, almost intrigued.
“She is the most devoted woman I’ve known in all my years of presbytery,” Alastair cut in, trying to steer the conversation. “That is why I—”
The King raised his hand, silencing Alastair with a simple gesture. “Quiet, Father. I wish to speak to the lady who can talk to the Gods.”
I swallowed hard, my gaze flitting over his armor. There was no medallion hanging from his neck, nothing hidden beneath the gold plates. Where was it? My mind raced, but I couldn’t look away from him.
“How should I address you? Lady...?” he asked, his voice drawing me back into the moment.
“Lady Love, Your Majesty,” I answered, forcing my voice to remain steady.
“Love?” He smirked, tilting his head. “I don’t know any Love family in Dallene. You are not married, then?”
“I belong to my Gods, Your Majesty,” I said, the words heavy in my throat. I swallowed my nerves, hoping he wouldn’t see through me.
The King laughed, stepping closer, his voice dropping to a whisper that only I could hear. “I’ll tell you a secret, Lady Love. There are no Gods inside these four walls tonight. Only me. Understand?”
I nodded, my heart hammering in my chest. I couldn’t speak, not with the weight of his horrible gaze pinning me in place .
The King straightened, his voice loud enough for those around him to hear. “So you can speak with the Gods, then? You must be someone special to them, a very devoted girl. Tell me, Lady Love, what is your age?”
“Twenty-one, Your Majesty,” I replied, trying to keep my voice from shaking.
He clapped his hands together with a booming laugh. “Perfect! I will fetch my son. Stay here.”
Before I could react. The King was gone, and the crowd around him followed like moths to a flame. I stood frozen, alone with Alastair by the table, my heart still racing. He offered me a glass of wine, which I took but couldn’t drink. My hands were shaking too much.
“He doesn’t have the medallion,” I whispered to Alastair, my voice barely a breath.
“I know,” he replied calmly, as if we hadn’t just been in the lion’s den.
“What do we do now?” I began, but before I could finish, The King returned with a young man at his side. The prince.
He was handsome—brown hair like his father’s, but without the gray. His brown eyes were sharp, intelligent, and unlike his father, there was no amusement in them. He wore golden armor as well, but it wasn’t the armor that caught my attention. It was the medallion, hanging from a chain around his neck. The coin rested against his chest, glinting in the candlelight .
“This is my son, Prince Edmond,” The King announced, a broad smile on his face. “You must dance with him and tell him all about your dream, Lady Love.”
I curtsied, feeling the weight of the prince’s eyes on me. “It would be my pleasure, Your Highness.”
But before I could even take a step towards him, the prince spoke up, his voice low and indifferent. “If you’ll excuse me, my lady.”
He turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, dumbfounded. The King’s smile faltered, and I could feel the heat of his anger simmering just beneath the surface.
“Forgive my idiotic son,” he said, his voice tight. “Stay here. He’ll return shortly.”
And just like that, The King followed his son, leaving me and Alastair alone again.
“Well, that was easy,” I muttered, lowering the glass to my lips but not drinking. My nerves were still too rattled.
Alastair chuckled, leaning in. “You will dance with the prince, and steal the medallion. He’s young, like you. You could probably coax him into the gardens. Have everything under control?”
I nodded, though I wasn’t sure I believed it myself. “Aye.”
“I’ll leave you to it, then,” Alastair said, his voice quiet. “Best if I’m not here when he returns.”
And with that, he was gone. Leaving me alone, to face a dance that would decide if we would get out of here alive.
Prepare for battle, Lady Love.