The Stolen Prince

Prologue

The two guards waiting at the edge of the gangplank shift uncomfortably as the pirate queen eyes them. She smirks and saunters easily across the narrow walkway, not failing to notice the way the guards quickly side step away from her. 

"Good evening, boys," she drawls, hopping from the boat. "Shall we?" She winks at them, sadistically enjoying their discomfort.

The guards silently escort the pirate queen from the docks to the small, sad-looking stone castle. The queen frowns at it, remembering the grandeur of the castle before the civil war. Of course, she hasn't been back since then; relations between the pirates and the kingdom were civil, at best. 

The queen is ushered inside the castle, which is just as dilapidated on the inside as it was on the outside. Torn tapestries hang from the walls, and the dim firelight shows that the floors haven't seen a mop in weeks.

The guards walk further inside and push open two double wooden doors. The pirate queen steps inside, her boots scuffing the white marble floor. At the end of this long, white room sit two thrones on a dais, stairs leading up to it. And on them are the King and Queen of Sessoria. 

Fuming, the pirate queen makes the trek across the room, understanding that the two royals chose this room for that purpose: to maker her feel lesser. On the outside, though, the queen adopts a haughty smile and a casual stroll with her hands in her pockets.

As she reaches the bottom of the dais, the queen examines the King and Queen.

King Nicol's last ten years in power are evident on his face. Worry lines around his eyes and mouth make it clear how difficult rebuilding his devastated kingdom has been. Despite only being a few years older than the young pirate queen, his previously jet black hair is now almost entirely grey.

Queen Sofia does not look much better. Her dark hair is slipping out of its tight bun, and there are lines under her eyes as well. Of course, the pirate queen realizes as she looks closer, that might be from the small bundle wrapped in her arms. Sofia notices the pirate queen's attention and tightens her arms around the blanketed child.

"Thank you for agreeing to meet with us today," Nicol says stiffly, interrupting the pirate queen's reverie. The tone in his voice makes it clear that the statement is just a formality.

"My pleasure, majesty." The queen's answering smile is more like a baring of teeth. Sofia shifts in her throne.

King Nicol struggles to hide his distaste as he addresses the pirate queen. "I need to negotiate a deal with you."

"Oh?" the queen replies, twirling a strand of thin brown hair around her finger. "And what sort of deal would I be interested in?"

"One that guarantees the safety of both my people and yours."

At this, the pirate queen laughs loudly. "My people can take care of themselves, majesty. Your people are the ones who just fought a civil war."

"I will have no choice but to act if you do not stop your pirates from terrorizing our shores," Nicol responds angrily, half rising and gripping the arms of his throne.

The room goes deadly still and quiet as the queen moves slowly forward, daring to put her foot on the bottom step of the stairs leading to the dais. She hears weapons being drawn by the guards in the room, but her focus remains on the King.

"Do not threaten me," the queen breathes, "for we both know who holds the power in this room."

The tension in the room grows as the queen holds the King's stare. Then, he leans back, and she backs away and smiles again.

"What will you offer me?" the pirate queen asks sweetly.

"Gold, jewels, weapons, treasure, anything you want in the castle treasury, it's yours," King Nicol says desperately, but the queen waves the offer away.

"I have all of that and more," she says, gazing around the room. Nicol starts to frantically list other items, but the queen ignores him, her gaze alighting upon something else: Queen Sofia and her bundle.

King Nicol's voice dies out as he follows the pirate queen's gaze.

"You cannot have my wife-"

"It is not your wife I want."

The pirate queen climbs the dais. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees the King hold a hand up to stop the guards coming after her, even as his face pales.

The queen reaches Queen Sofia's throne. She feels Sofia trembling as the she reaches out with one long, thin finger to push back the blanket covering the child's face.

A round, pale face not yet browned by the island's endless sun greets her. The child's bright blue eyes follow her finger, and a giggle bubbles up from the bundle.

"How old is he?" the pirate queen murmurs, her attention on the boy's small, toothless smile.

"Less than a year," Nicol replies frantically. "You cannot take him from his mother."

The queen steps back from Sophia and looks at the King. 

"What do you care about more, majesty? Your people or this child?"

King Nicol's eyes widen, and the throne room is silent for one minute. Two. Three. Four. Then, the King lifts his head and his features harden as he stares at the pirate queen.

"You promise to stop attacking our land?" the King demands, refusing to acknowledge his wife as she clutches the baby to her chest and sobs.

The pirate queen sketches a bow and grins mockingly at Nicol. "Of course, majesty. I am nothing if not honorable."

King Nicol looks down. "Then take him."

The pirate queen smiles and takes the bundle out of Queen Sophia's now limp arms. She descends the dais and reaches the doors of the throne room before she hears Sofia cry out.

"Wait!" The pirate queen stops in her tracks, not looking at Sofia, standing, her arm out-stretched. 

"Yes?" the pirate queen asks insolently, and despite not turning around, her voice travels across the vast, lonely throne room.

"Please," Queen Sofia's voice breaks, "please just do me one favor." When the pirate queen doesn't respond Sofia continues. "Don't change his name."

At this, the pirate queen turns around. She narrows her eyes at Queen Sofia, and then looks at the boy as she contemplates the request. Finally, she looks up.

"What is his name?"