Chapter 171 - Go With Me To The Lion's Den

When Delaney and Vincent went down for breakfast the next morning they found Ian and Ilona sitting in their seats looking tired and defeated. Jamie and Nick still weren't back which Delaney found odd and a little worrying. When she took her seat and their breakfast was served that was the first thing she asked about.

"They've gone to look for our father," Ian answered her, "They came back here last night but when we told them what happened they left to find him."

"I thought you didn't want to tell your father?" Delaney asked, looking to Ilona now.

"I didn't," she frowned, "But since the King and his brother won't help us we're going to have to."

"We have to tell him because he's our only chance of getting our brother and sister back now," Ian explained further, "We should have gone to him in the first place probably but he's going to be very angry."

"I wouldn't be surprised if he has the entire fleet of ships and all our men storm the Red Lands," Ilona sighed unhappily, "He won't let any of his children remain in a dungeon, especially Willow. She's his wife's favorite daughter."

"I'm sorry we weren't able to do more to for you," Vincent apologized, "I think if it was anything less than the loss of his only brother that Daniel would have done it to help you free your siblings."

"I'm sure he would have," Ian nodded, "I don't think badly of the King for that. I have more than twenty siblings and I don't know that I could agree to send any of them away forever just to free the siblings of someone else."

"I suppose it's sort of like trading one prisoner for another," Delaney commented, "Right now your siblings can't leave but if you were to deliver Mason to the King he would just be taking their place, trapped in the Red Lands far from home and everyone he knows like Issac and Willow are now."

"Except he would be a guest of the court and then a King," Ilona spoke with an icy tone, "He would have an entire land to explore and all the comforts he could ask for. My siblings however are in a cell in the dungeon and we don't know that they're even being fed regularly. I know you mean well Lady Adair, but they are not the same at all."

The room fell silent. No one could argue with that. It would not be the same for Mason because he was a royal. It would be a trade of two pirate children for one royal prince. It wasn't fair but to the King of the Red Lands, Mason would be more valuable and as a fellow royal he would treat him as such.

-

Delaney and Vincent didn't know how long they should stay at court now. They didn't think they should leave immediately but they also didn't have much of a reason to stay since they weren't going to be able to help Ilona and Ian. They decided they would spend a few days here in case they were needed but then they would be on their way to Edgewood. They were both eager to get home.

They also couldn't leave yet because there was still the matter of the Queen asking Delaney to come visit with herself and her twin. Delaney had no interest in ever speaking to the snake-like Anna ever again but she couldn't turn down the Queen without insulting her so she knew she would have to go. Not only that, but she would now have to take Ilona as well.

Delaney decided it would be best to discuss this situation with the pirate captain so they could make some sort of plan and decide on when they would like to go. She left Vincent to work in his office and went upstairs to the room Ilona was staying in. She knocked lightly at the door and waited for the woman to answer. When she did, the first thing Delaney noticed was her red rimmed eyes.

"Are you alright?" she asked in concern when Ilona stepped back to let her come into the room before closing the door.

"Yes," Ilona answered quietly but her voice was hoarse, giving her away, "I've just been thinking about Isaac and Willow."

Delaney nodded and sat at the small table by the windows. The beautiful pirate woman took a seat across from her, seeming awkward. They sat quietly for a moment before Ilona couldn't stand the silence.

"I'm not sure what I'm supposed to say when entertaining a duchess," she said with a small smile, "Pirate captains don't usually do such things."

Delaney laughed lightly at this. "Well I will spare you. I've actually come with something specific to discuss. The Queen's invitation for us to have tea with she and her sister."

Ilona stared at her, "I thought that was a joke. Why on earth would they want to have me to tea with them? I'm just a pirate and they are royals."

"I don't know," Delaney sighed, "But it wasn't a joke. That I'm sure of. And given how unplesant the Queen's sister is I don't know if it would be wise of us to insult them by turning down the invitation."

"I don't want to go pretend to be plesant with either of them," the other woman shook her head, "The Queen made her opinion on pirates very clear. Why would I ever willingly go back there to see either of them?"

Delaney sighed and turned her ring around on her finger, "I suppose you don't have to. I could make up an excuse for you. But if I'm being honest I hope you would go with me instead of leaving me to walk into the lions den alone. We don't know each other well but I still feel I would be safer with you by my side against them."

Ilona considered the lovely woman with eyes that reminded her of the sea. She never would have even considered such an invitation before but in the last few days she had come to sort of like Delaney Adair.

"When I was a little girl there was a short time when I didn't want to be a pirate and I actually dreamed of being a princess or at least a noblewoman. It seemed so carefree and beautiful. Now though I see there are so many precarious lines you're always walking on and things you have to constantly balance. I think I made the better choice with piracy."

Delaney laughed at this, "I think if I had known piracy was an option when I was a girl I might have chosen it instead as well."

The two women grinned. Ilona rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"Alright I will go with you. I suppose I can consider myself taking my brother's place as your guard for the time being. I doubt the queen or her twin would be eager for you to bring him to tea with you instead."

"I think I might ask him to come as well," Delaney admitted, "Just to wait outside for us and be on hand if we need him. I honestly felt more safe being aboard your father's ship with all his pirates than in the royal court."

Ilona nodded, "I think he would prefer it anyways. He cares for you and wouldn't want to ever let anything happen to you."

"He's my best friend," Delaney smiled, "I never would have imagined it but he really is. And I think after you and I survive the visit with the Queen together that will cement us firmly as friends as well."

"Really?" Ilona asked in surprise, "Even after..."

"I don't want to think about that night ever again," Delaney said quickly, looking away, "But I know your reasoning now and I think it is helping me to get past it."

The pirate dropped her gaze, "I am truly sorry for what happened and thankful that you are able to consider being friends even after. Ian greatly values your friendship and assures me I would as well."

"I'm glad to hear you say that," Delaney smiled at her mischeviously, "Because now that you are working towards being my friend I can reveal the next requirement of you and you won't be able to say no."

Ilona's eyes snapped up to the duchess's and she frowned, knowing she wasn't going to like what ever came next.

"Since we are returning to court we're going to have to get you another dress," Delaney giggled.

"Oh please no," Ilona shook her head, "Can't I just go as I am now? They know I'm a pirate so there is no need to pretend otherwise."

Delaney looked over the other woman's choice of breeches and shirt with a corset and the blade strapped to her thigh. She shook her head.

"I'm afraid that won't do. But come with me now to the shops and we will pick out something perfect for you. Not to mention this dress would actually fit instead of you having to squeeze into one of my old ones."

Ilona groaned but stood when Delaney did.

"You've said we will surely be friends after surviving a visit with the Queen but I think if I survive this trip to the dressmaker that will be the more challenging task."

Delaney laughed out loud at that and hooked her arm through the other woman's. Together they headed for the door. They could not have been more different.