Will They Won't They
Ilona woke early the following day before the sun had risen. The breeze coming in through her windows was still cool and pleasant. The house was quiet, so she couldn't ignore her stomach growling loudly. She realized she'd barely eaten the day before. Quick to dress, Ilona pulled on her breeches and shirt before lacing up her boots and brushing out her long hair.
Pausing to look at herself in the mirror, Ilona couldn't help but think about her sister Lucia.
Her younger sister was beautiful and graceful with a slender build and quiet demeanor. She was everything Ilona wasn't. Men fell in love with Lucia. Ilona had barely ever had anyone show any interest in her.
She had always wondered if it was something about the way she looked. She worried it might be more to do with her personality. It seemed that her appearance might be the easier of the two to change.
Sighing, she grabbed her sack of clothes and things and headed for the kitchens. She needed to eat and quiet her growling stomach.
Stepping into their large white-washed kitchens, she wasn't surprised to find her brothers already lined up on stools along the walls. Each held a cup of coffee firmly in hand and looked as if they were only half awake.
The wonderful smell of baking bread made her stomach protest loudly, and she looked around, hoping to find something to eat.
"Here you are, Miss Ilona," one of the cooks said, handing her a cup of coffee instead, "We're just finishing up with breakfast. If you want to take your brothers up to the dining room, we'll bring it up to serve you all."
"Thank you," Ilona said to the woman before looking towards her younger half-brothers and hooking her head in the direction of the door.
Standing, they all filed out behind her like a line of half-asleep ducklings.
In the dining room, they took their seats, the oldest of them taking up places at the heads of the table as they always did. It left Ilona sitting facing Lucas opposite of her and far down at the other end. They met one another's gazes for a moment. It was strange to have him in the seat and not Ian. He may be angry with her but she still missed her other brother.
Their breakfast was served, and Ilona told Jamie and Nick to eat plenty since she wasn't sure when they would eat again. She wondered if the Duke and Duchess would provide them with a meal like they would have for regular guards. It didn't seem likely.
As they grew close to the end of their meal, Ilona felt her anxiety beginning to grow. Her stomach knotted and she wished she hadn't eaten quite as much. What if only a few men showed up? Or worse, none at all?
She would have to go to the Duke and tell him that she couldn't keep up her end of the deal. That would be humiliating, especially in front of Ian. He would never respect her again after that. He would likely come here himself and get his crew together to do what she couldn't. The thought of it made her cringe.
All she wanted was to prove she had what it took to be a good captain and gain the respect of her men and her brothers. She had to put that aside until she got back Isaac and Willow though. That had to be her number one concern for now.
Ilona finished up the last of her coffee and looked up, meeting Lucas's gaze again. He jerked his chin towards the door, signaling to her it was time to go. The sun was up now and she couldn't delay her leaving any longer. They would see how many men would join her and decide what they would do from there.
Getting to their feet, the oldest Black children moved towards the door and the younger ones hurried to follow. Lucas was younger than Ilona but taller, just like nearly all her brothers. He took up a place beside her as they headed outside and she felt a strange sense of comfort by having him there. He wasn't generally on her side, so this was a nice change.
They turned the corner to face the front doors and came upon Lucia and Sam Thatch. They scrambled back from each other and Ilona had to bite her lip to keep from smiling, guessing what they had been up to from the way her sister blushed. She glanced over at Lucas and saw him frowning at the young couple in annoyance.
"Thatch," he said with a chilly voice, "I assume you're here to go with your captain to the city?"
"Aye, sir," the wiry man nodded quickly, cheeks turning as red as his companions, "I've already got our horses so I was just saying a quick goodbye to Luce."
"I think you've completed that task," Lucas replied, light brown eyes burning into the younger man.
"Of course, sir," Thatch gave a quick bobbed bow before turning, nodding to Lucia once more and heading outside.
Lucia shot her older brother a furious look before hurrying out as well.
Ilona giggled, "You're going to have to get used to that."
Lucas rolled his eyes, "I will consider it after I've heard what our father has to say on the matter."
Ilona smirked but didn't push the subject. They had bigger things to worry about at the moment.
They paused before the door and Ilona took a deep breath. Lucas pulled it open and together, they stepped out into the bright morning light.
They were all alone.
"I told you," Roman snapped, stepping out behind them, "I told you no one would show up."
Ilona's heart sank as she looked around, hoping she had missed something. But there was nothing to be missed. No one was there. Just her father's lemon trees waving in the ocean breeze.
With worried eyes, she looked to Lucas only to find he looked as surprised as she felt. That didn't make her feel any better.
"What are we going to do now?" Nick asked quietly from beside her.
"I... I don't know," she answered, slowly shaking her head.
"Wait," Lucas said suddenly, "Where is that fool Thatch?"
The Black siblings all looked around for the pirate and Lucia but they weren't there.
"Come on," Lucas said to them, stepping down and marching towards the side of the house. Ilona was quick to hurry after him.
Together they turned the corner and came to a sudden stop.
Waiting just on the other side of the house were dozens of pirates, already mounted on their horses.
All they needed now was their Captain.