Chapter 177 - Stitches

Mason came back with the doctor and stood back a few steps watching as the older man examined Ilona's ragged face. Delaney and Ian stepped back farther out of the way and watched as Mason crouched down to talk to Ilona while the doctor used a needle to stitch her head up.

"I don't think my sister is going to stay here with us much longer," the tall pirate shook his head.

Delaney sighed, "After today I don't blame her."

"It's not because of today," Ian smiled at her, "She just wants to go get my brother and sister back. It's clear to us that the King isn't going to help us so we're going to have to get them back on our own."

Delaney hesitated. She had been putting off asking Ian about his plans but it seemed like now might be the best time she could expect.

"Are you... are you going to leave with her?"

Ian was quiet for a time and Delaney was anxious that that meant the worst. She bit her lip and watched him, waiting for him to answer. He turned back from watching his sister to look at her.

"I thought I would go with her... But I think she isn't going to need me. Until they discover who is threatening the lives of those in line for the throne it will probably be best if I stay with you and Vincent."

Delaney felt relieved and gave him a quick crooked hug making him stiffen. She was glad he would be returning home with them. She was looking forward to showing him all around Edgewood too. That alone would keep them busy for days.

The doctor finished with Ilona and she stood, her eyes redrimmed from fighting back tears from the pain of the stitches. She looked angry and Mason stood watching her looking concerned.

"Can we please go back to your house now?" she asked Delaney quietly.

"Of course."

-

Back at the city house, Vincent was waiting for their return and when he saw the state they were in he was shocked.

"What happened?" he demanded looking between the three of them.

Delaney took his hand and led him to the sitting room. Ilona excused herself to go to her room and no one questioned it. Ian followed the Duke and Duchess and joined Delaney in explaining to her husband what had happened. They hadn't gotten very far into the story when Vincent's displeasure began to rise and just kept rising.

"That's it," he snapped when they were finished, "We're leaving here. My cousin has lost control of his court and I don't want to be in the city as things get worse. First, there are heirs to the throne being murdered and now our guest gets attacked by his mad sister-in-law who he's also forcing his younger brother to marry. It's too much."

"We've been anxious to be on our way home anyway," Delaney sighed, "It will be a relief to leave here and get back. I won't miss this place."

"Exactly," Vincent nodded as he paced, "And what about you Ian? What is your plan?"

"He's going with us," Delaney announced happily and Ian paled.

"I would like to go on with you if that's alright Lord Adair but it's your decision," Ian spoke anxiously, "I told Delaney I would go but I should have clarified that was only if you wanted me to."

Vincent smirked at this, "Well if you know why wife Captain Black then you will know that I obviously can't turn you away now. She wouldn't speak to me for weeks."

Ian smiled bashfully and Vincent rolled his eyes, making Delaney giggle.

"That's settled then," the Duke nodded, "I will see how fast the servants think we can be on our way and I will let you know. Until then, you both look like you could use some sleep."

-

Days went by as the servants prepared things to leave and Vincent finished up his work. The scratches on Ilona's cheeks were starting to fade but the gash with the stitches would need more time. They didn't hear any more from the castle and it was a relief for everyone.

Ilona sent back most of her pirates now that Vincent had managed to hire enough replacements for the guards he had lost. Jamie and Nick had still yet to return. Ilona and Ian didn't seem worried about this so Delaney tried not to worry either.

The duchess sent word to the family members they would be staying with on their way home to let them know that they were preparing to leave. Vincent had wanted to try to travel greater distances at a time but his leg had been bothering him more over the last few days so he hadn't put up much of a fight when his wife said no.

At last, only a couple of days before they would be leaving, they got an invitation from the royal court inviting them to attend a feast to celebrate the anniversary of the end of the dragon war. The invitation made it very clear that if Vincent was in the city they would expect him to attend. He was the leader of the army that had defeated the dragon after all.

Delaney looked at her husband and knew he would not enjoy an event somewhat centered around him.

"Why don't we just leave first thing tomorrow morning?" she suggested, "Then we would be gone by the time they have the feast tomorrow night."

"The servants aren't ready yet," her handsome husband sighed as he propped himself up in their bed, "They don't deserve for us to decide to leave so early and make them rush about trying to finish things even faster. That would be a lot of trouble for them."

"None of them would mind if they knew it was to help you. They adore you."

"And I value them," he smirked, "That's why I couldn't do it to them."

"But what will you do then?" she questioned, coming to join him in their bed, "Just ignore the orders and not go?"

"We know I can't do that," he shook his head, "I will just have to go and make an appearance. I don't have another option."

"You could pretend to be ill," Delaney teased him, "Or I could pretend to be ill and you can stay home and take care of me."

He groaned and rolled over, pulling her into his arms. He gave her a good, deep kiss before easing away and chuckling.

"I would much rather spend the time home and in bed with you," he murmured, "But I am afraid they might send the royal guard to drag me to their foolish gathering, whether I wanted to go or not."

Delaney sighed, looking up at him, "I don't want to go back to their awful court."

"I know," he said seriously, "And I honestly don't want you to have to go back... I was thinking actually that maybe you might... you might stay here."

"And you will go alone?" Delaney asked in shock.

"I thought I'd take Ian or Ilona," he answered, "And Mace will be there so I won't be totally alone. I would just feel better knowing you were home safe and not there with those people. If that horrible woman attacks you next time and I see it I can't promise I wouldn't hurt her."

Delaney smiled fondly at her husband. Even though she didn't want him to go without her it did make her happy knowing it was only because he wanted to keep her safe. She also found it funny that his need to keep her out of harm could possibly cause him to do harm to the queen's nasty twin sister.

"I don't think Ian trusts his sister enough to leave either of us alone with her as a protector," she commented, "So it might be best if you take Ilona with you since Mace will be there too and Ian can stay here with me."

"I would have thought that too except that awful Anna attacked Ilona when she saw her last so I think it might be better for Ilona if they don't have to interact again."

Delaney agreed, "Well then Ian can go with you and Ilona can stay here with me. I've actually come to like the pirate woman anyways."

"I know you have," Vincent chuckled, "I don't know if I should be worried that my wife is making so many friendships with pirates. Maybe one day I'll wake up and you'll have run off in the night to become one."

Delaney laughed and snuggled in against him again. "I could only run away to be a pirate if you were coming with me. We can either be a duke and duchess together or pirates together. Either way, we will stay together."

He kissed her head, "Well we will have to remain nobles then because with my broken body I don't think I could keep up well enough to be a pirate."

"Oh, and you think I could? I'm much too soft. Ian and Ilona have told me how hard they work on a ship. I would never make it."

"We can leave the pirating to the Blacks then."