by Ashley Nixon
He smiled as he spoke, and the crowd broke into applause. The music began again and the center of the room filled with dancers. The king and his procession moved out of the way of the dancers, and Barren took his opportunity to move. He navigated the crowd as if it were a sea and he a ship, avoiding rough areas and anything that might prove dangerous, like the peacock’s gaze. As he moved around a column, he halted to observe from his vantage point, searching for familiar faces—Larkin, Leaf, Slay, Sam, or Seamus, but his search was halted by the peacock’s gaze. She’d watched him as he’d moved. He knew his mask still covered his visage as sweat beaded off his skin and slid down his face.
Then he felt the hot metal of the compass against his skin and realized it was exposed. He wrapped his hands around it and tucked it beneath his shirt, watching the girl while she smirked. Perhaps she’d just admired it for its beauty. It was striking, and among all this finery, it was an unassuming addition to any costume. Unless someone knew what it was, unless someone recognized it. But who was this girl to have recognized a compass belonging to his mother and father?
He glared at her for a moment longer before tearing his gaze from hers and heading for higher ground. He’d fight his battles with a little bit of leverage for the rest of the night.
Cove roamed about, watching as people watched him. He looked to see how the room divided—who nodded respectfully and smiled, who glared and snubbed him. As much as this ball signified the start of elections, it also gave him an indication of the sides, whose loyalty he had and whose loyalty the Commonwealth, particularly Ben, had.
He’d found that since Sara Rosamund’s engagement to Ben Willow, the divide between his supporters and Ben’s had grown stronger. Perhaps this was Ben’s intention, for it had been assumed for as long as Cove and Sara had been friends that they were a smart match, a handsome match. In fact, the people of Arcarum had adored Cove and Sara together so much that many had delighted in fantasizing about their wedding, something that would now never take place because upon his return from sea with Barren, he’d learned of her engagement to Ben Willow.
He’d ignored her for as long as he could, but the distance hadn’t done him any favors. The public had questions: What had Cove done to drive the poor, sweet, innocent Sara away? Was he really involved in piracy? Ben Willow had to be something special to land Sara’s interest.
Cove wanted to learn what had happened, too, but he wasn’t eager to learn Sara’s version, only Ben’s. He didn’t believe that Ben loved Sara; she was a strategic choice in bride. He only wished that Sara had seen that.
As if on cue, he heard her laugh, clear and sweet, like a chime. He gravitated to it despite the company she kept. Ben, always at her side, kept his hand planted around her waist. He had found company with the king and a few other pompous nobles. As the ambassador passed, a plump woman wearing a mask of fruit, reached out to him. She moved her mask, which sat at the end of a stick, away and said, “Oh, Ambassador Rowell! You’ve thrown a wonderful ball! Absolutely splendid!”
“Thank you, Madam,” Cove placed his hand over his heart in appreciation. He’d hoped to move away quickly but the man beside her spoke next.
“Yes, very well done. I don’t believe your father could have topped this,” the man said. He had a mustache that moved as he spoke.
Cove smiled very faintly, and he imagined these people would take it as a grievous smile. “Well, he wasn’t one for parties.”
“So, your majesty,” said Ben, diverting the conversation. “I see the princes are safe and well after their…little excursion with Barren Reed.”
Now Cove stood closer, completing the circle that seemed to enclose the king. He wanted to hear what Tetherion had to say.
“Oh, yes,” Tetherion’s tone was colored in darkness. “The boy hardly believed it when he discovered their betrayal. He actually thought them loyal mates!”
Everyone laughed haughtily, and Cove clenched his jaw tighter.
“It is tragic, though, the lovely Lady Larkin is still within his treacherous grasp!” said the plump lady.
“Tragic, indeed.” It was harder for Tetherion to maintain his show, and Cove knew the king couldn’t wait until Larkin was exposed.
“She must be so distraught, living with those dreadful pirates on that dirty ship, knowing he murdered her fiancé,” the woman continued, her face turning redder by the minute.
“What’s being done to rescue the poor girl?” asked the mustached man.
“Ah, well, her father hopes he can save her. Of course, that will be difficult considering Barren Reed is surprisingly hard to locate. All in good time, though. Our privateers are making progress.”
“Ah yes. The three pirates who were hanged just yesterday. A feat for your reign, sire,” said Ben. Cove didn’t think he was imagining the jab Ben threw Tetherion’s way, but the king either didn’t notice or didn’t acknowledge it. “To which of your crews do we owe our congratulations?”
“That would be Miss Moore,” said Tetherion, and he looked around. Cove did, too, hoping to catch a glimpse of whom he was speaking; but he quickly returned his attention to the party before him. “She is engaged at present.”
“Miss Moore?” the old lady questioned. “You have a woman crewing your ships?”
“Yes, madam,” the king said. “Females can be far more malicious than men sometimes.”
The old lady’s expression turned sour, as if she’d never considered the thought of a female murderer.
“And what have you done, ambassador, to combat pirates at sea?” Ben questioned, his eyes menacing. It was clear he intended to show off, but Cove only smirked.
“Well, Mr. Willow, you already know the answer to that.” Ben’s eyes grew wide for a moment, then Cove finished. “We deploy privateers to combat the pirates. It’s the only way, really.”
“I say you find their nest, exterminate them,” Ben said evenly. “You know they amass somewhere.”
“I think it would be a terrible thing to kill them…pirates are just humans. They deserve fairness,” said Sara. Cove watched her as she spoke. She’d said the same thing to him, earlier in the day.
“Humans who take what they want, lives or otherwise,” Ben said bitterly.
The ambassador raised a brow. “You seem to take this far more personally than others.”
Ben narrowed his eyes.
“I think Ben is right,” said Tetherion, looking evenly at Cove. “We must exterminate them. We must begin with their hive.”
Cove was having a hard time staying calm.
“It’s unfortunate you think that way,” he replied tightly. “What if there are women and children there? As all hives are prone to have.”
“It doesn’t matter what they are. They’re all pirates.”
“Piracy is an act,” Cove countered. “If you cannot prove they have committed piracy, you cannot kill them.”
Steady silence followed between the group until the round woman with the fruit mask began to fan herself and said, “I say kill the wenches, but the children, they have a chance. Raise them to be servants. It’s better than the life they would have otherwise.”
“You mean freedom?”
“Excuse me?” the woman was stunned.
“What you said. You would take them from their life, a life of freedom, and make them slaves.”
“A pirate’s life isn’t free.”
“That’s exactly what it is,” said Cove.
“It sounds to me like you sympathize with them,” said Ben.
“I’m merely pointing out the obvious. It seems to me that in times of great distress, those with the most power disregard what’s right for what gets the job done,” he swept his gaze around, studying the faces. Faces that understood what Cove was saying, faces that were guilty. Then his eyes landed upon the king. “Of course, his majesty is fair and just, and would never let anything like that happen under his reign.”
The king swallowed hard, but his eyes were menacing. “Of cours
e not,” and then he smiled darkly. “We would do what is fair and just.”
“Cove m’boy!” Governor Dulcemer said as he slapped one hand on the ambassador’s shoulder. “Are we ready to announce the candidates?”
Cove looked at the king. “Would you be so kind as to announce the candidates, your majesty?”
“I’d be delighted.”
The ambassador, Matthew, and the king made their way up the stairs. When they were in the middle, they turned and beheld the crowded ballroom. Some already gave their attention, others were still talking among themselves, oblivious to the sudden shift in the air.
“May I have your attention?” Cove called. Voices hushed and all eyes landed on him, and he wondered for a very brief moment how odd he must look among them, so simple in his black suit. “Tonight we are not only gathered to enjoy each other’s invigorating company, but to honor senators past and present. On this night, we announce the candidates for the senators of the seven provinces of Arcarum. On this night, let us put aside the campaign and instead be grateful that so many great men and women love Arcarum.”
Cove shuddered at the seeming sincerity in his own voice. While he didn’t believe what he said completely, he knew that the people in the crowd hung on his words.
Matthew then handed King Tetherion a document listing the names of the candidates.
Tetherion broke the wax on the paper and began to call out the names of the individuals who would run against each other for the provinces. As he did, Cove watched the crowd. There were smiles, and after each name was called, people cheered or clapped. When Ben’s name was announced beside Hollow’s, there was great cheer for both candidates. Ben took Sara’s hand and raised it in the air with his, and Cove had to look away. It was like Ben was using her as a trophy, a way to lure votes.
Once the names were read, everyone cheered again, including Cove whose smile concealed the worry he felt inside. It was only a feeling, but after the conversation he’d heard tonight, he believed the battle for this election would extend beyond the shores of Arcarum.
***
Barren watched from above, leaning on the balcony. He’d lost sight of the peacock in the crowd. She had yet to dance with anyone, though she’d had plenty of requests. Barren imagined she declined in favor of watching. Larkin, on the other hand, had not declined a single dance. Barren suspected she was attempting to prove a point.
“Do you dance?” A voice asked from behind Barren. It was unfamiliar, but the accent made him think it could only be one person. He turned to see the peacock behind him. Her eyes were like storm clouds and completely focused on him, but a smile played upon her lips.
“No,” he said. “I don’t.”
The smile on her lips grew. “Then why attend a ball?”
“It really wasn’t a choice.”
She laughed a little, moving closer to him. Her peacock dress bustled around her, and Barren drew his attention to the dancers below, wishing her away, but she would not be so easily dismissed. “You? Forced? You’ll forgive me if I don’t believe that.”
“You would make assumptions about someone you don’t know?”
“Who says I don’t know you?” she asked, and Barren felt his chest grow tight.
He glanced askance at her. “What are you anyway? The castle pet?”
She laughed, throwing back her head, and then she leveled her gaze again. “You are not one for manners,” she reached for his hand and he drew back as if she were a snake. The smile on her lips held. “Dance with me. I might tell you my secrets.”
He gazed at her a moment longer and watched as she turned from him. He glanced at the ballroom floor seeing Larkin bounding along, oblivious that her identity might easily be ascertained, and then he followed the woman down the staircase and into the crowd as a new cadence began.
He danced with her, and they moved in hypnotic circles striding along the floor. The air around them grew hotter, and the tempo of the music carried faster. Barren kept his eyes on her as they danced. They were drawing attention of course. She was the foreigner, and he the stranger no one could place.
“Have you guessed who I am?” she asked after a moment.
“I know you’re a privateer,” he said. She had scars on her arms which he imagined she’d got from battle. “Why else would a woman from the Octent be among Tetherion’s court? You’re not exactly our favorite people.”
“Nor are you mine,” she said. “But sometimes gaining an advantage means working with those you like least.”
“You must have gained some advantage to achieve this privilege.”
“Perceptive,” she said, spinning away from him, and as Barren drew her back, harder than he should have, he spoke between his teeth.
“Did you kill my men?”
She laughed. “Oh, Barren Reed, I shouldn’t be surprised that you’re not one for fun and games.”
“They might be your sport, but the deaths of my brethren are not fun and games,” said Barren. “You’re bold to make this declaration before me as if there will be no consequences.”
“I have admitted to nothing, Mr. Reed,” she said. “You’ve only just accused me. And as for boldness, well, you are among your greatest enemies. Your identity is known to me. I could expose you.”
Barren could buy into this, but he knew better. She wanted something. “What do you want?” he asked.
“I need leverage,” she said, and as the music stopped.
“What?”
She took a step away from him and raised the compass. It glinted in the light, and Barren suddenly felt cold. “Leverage.”
Barren went to reach for it, but she dropped the compass and chain down her collar. She smiled as she curtsied deeply. “I’ll see you soon.”
Barren watched her turn and part the crowd as she retreated.
***
Larkin stood near the window. She’d taken several turns around the ballroom, dancing with different partners who approached. When they asked for her name, she’d smiled and said Charlotte. She’d hoped to prove to Barren that she could come away with the most beneficial information at the end of the night. At first she’d taken pleasure in speaking with several groups of people, but then they started to speak of matters that involved her and Barren Reed.
“Charlotte, what do you think of Barren Reed and Larkin Lee? Scandalous, isn’t it!” a girl named Alise asked. She’d taken off her mask and was now fanning herself.
Larkin hesitated. “I’m afraid I do not know much about them.”
“How can you not? Their love story is the talk of town!”
“Nonsense, Alise. Do not give praise where none is deserved,” a man beside her chided. “Barren Reed is a scoundrel, and Larkin Lee a traitor. She will learn of her mistake when it is too late.”
“Do not be harsh, Max,” she said. “Larkin is young, and I imagine Barren is quite the Casanova. She cannot be blamed for her crimes, not when her good sense was clearly charmed away by Barren Reed.”
“You’re ignorant, Alise. Do you not know her father’s history? He once sailed with Barren Reed’s father, Jess Reed. It is no surprise she would run off with a pirate. It is in her blood.”
Larkin was surprised by Max’s firm opinions of her. Max looked at her as if sensing her thoughts, “If you will excuse me.”
She was left with Alise who moved closer to her. “Do not let him make you feel ignorant. He will kill a fantasy dead if you let him.”
She giggled, but Larkin wanted to be far from here. “Excuse me,” she said. “I need a drink.”
She moved from Alise, but as she did, she saw Barren coming down the stairs with the peacock woman and when they danced, anger blossomed in her chest. They moved well together, and fast, gliding about the ballroom in a fierce and passionate manner. What was he thinking? He was doing the very thing he told her not to and with the woman who had been in Tetherion’s party.
It was in these moments that she started to think of her father and yearn for the mo
ther she’d never known, when she wished she had a real home to return to. She had a ship, and that wasn’t even hers. She knew part of her was being silly, but then…there were things about Barren she still didn’t know. Like whether he had ever loved. Was it possible that she would bore him one day? Did she bore him now? These fears lingered beneath the surface and they scared her.
She moved to the door of the ballroom, searching the crowd for her father. He stood proudly. Severe eyes, pointed beard, deadly cane. Even as Larkin observed him, fear crept into her soul. She wondered if he would know her even with the mask. He’s your father, Barren had said. What did that mean though? Sometimes, Larkin wasn’t sure she knew. She hadn’t even known when she’d lived under the man’s roof.
“My Lady,” a voice said and she jumped. Larkin whirled around to find a servant behind her, dressed in white. “The Lord Christopher Lee advised me to give you this.”
The servant held out his hand and a piece of red fabric rested in his palm. It stood out like fresh blood. Larkin knew it well. It was a piece of her scarf, the one she’d worn the night of her engagement party, the night she had been kidnapped by Barren Reed. It was also the one she’d left tied about her father’s mouth to keep him silent under the black hood. It held so much meaning.
She reached for it. “Thank you.”
She closed her hand around the piece of fabric, but it felt hot in her palm and her heart pounded in her chest. This meant her father knew she was here, and if she confronted him, Barren would be angry. But would he even know? And maybe this meant he wanted to speak to her.
It was then she saw her father turn and leave the room. She took a deep breath and moved to follow him, walking slowly. She paused as she exited the ballroom to watch and see where her father was going, but he’d already disappeared. She hesitated, knowing Barren would be angry, knowing that she would only live up to the expectations he’d put on her, but even if she did follow her father, it wasn’t like she had to engage him, and she might learn some valuable information. Besides, Barren had broken his own rule tonight. He’d danced with the peacock. Just thinking about how close they’d been angered her.
