“Let me guess,” Lottie chimed in with a bratty grin. “No need to try it on? It’s just the right fit?”
Madam Guthrie challenged her expression. “But of course. I wouldn’t present it if I knew it wouldn’t.” She moved her hand under the fabric, and it shimmered in the light. “It may be old, but I kept it well.”
Lottie jut her jaw back and forth as she crossed her arms. “Uh huh, sure.”
I flashed her a be nice look and she released her arms to fall at her sides as she smiled at Madam Guthrie. “I apologize, Madam. I meant no offense.”
“Yes, you did,” the old woman replied but Lottie’s words only seemed to amuse her. “Think what you will of me–” she paused as she failed to hide a smirk, “Charlotte Roberts.”
We gasped at the use of Lottie’s full name, a name we did not tell the shop owner.
Madam Guthrie shrugged nonchalantly, and her mouth turned down in a carefree way as she regarded Lottie up and down. “Perhaps I’m a witch. Perhaps not. But I am good at what I do. It’s a gift not bestowed to others.”
Lottie’s cheeks turned crimson in embarrassment. “I really am sorry.”
The woman turned and carefully lowered my wedding dress into an open box just big enough to fit it. “That’s quite alright, dearie. Just be sure to come back to me when your wedding day comes.”
Lottie laughed and shook her head. “Oh, no. I’m not–”
Madam Guthrie placed a wrinkled hand over Lottie’s arm and peered up at her from the tiny spectacles that balanced on her nose. “I have just the dress for you.”
It was a show of acceptance to Lottie’s apology. But what else could my careless friend do but smile and nod? She knew as well as I did that, deep down, marriage was something she wanted. With Gus. But that was a story for another time. For today was my big day. I had a wedding to get ready for and the man of my dreams waiting for me.
Chapter Nine
After we left Madam Guthrie’s, leaving my perfect gown in the capable hands of our driver, we piddled around in the lower section of Market Square. Lottie left me to go grab a few things she said she needed, and I wandered through the smaller shop fronts, looking for something of my own. Henry needed a ring, too, and I was determined to find something that matched him as perfect as his mother’s ring did me. I found a small merchant tent that sold an array of tiny objects. All forged from metals. Trinkets and tools, utensils and belt buckles.
“Your things are beautiful,” I told the merchant. A tall and lanky woman with messy red hair she attempted to tuck back into a bun.
“Thank ye,” she replied kindly. “Me husband makes it all. He’s a blacksmith.”
“Do you happen to have a ring?” I asked her. “Fit for a man?”
“Rings?” She looked puzzled.
“Yes, I’m getting married and my husband-to-be needs something that can keep up with his… lifestyle.” The corner of my mouth twitched with the hint of a grin, thinking of Henry swinging a sword against the kraken. Climbing the side of the ship. His strong hands flinging thick ropes. He needed a piece of jewelry fit for a titan.
The merchant lady appeared hopeless as she searched over the table of hand-forged items. “Nae, Miss. I’m sorry, but I dinnae have a ring suitable for a weddin’.”
Disappointed, I gave her a friendly smile and nod before turning away.
“Wait! Miss!” she called after me.
I spun on my heels and took the few steps back to her table.
“I dinnae have a fancy ring,” she began and then pulled a small jewelry box up from underneath the table. “But I do have these. Mismatched trinkets, jewelry with flaws that none buy. I dinnae ken if anythin’ will work but yer more than welcome t’have a look. Take whatever ye wants. It’s of no value t’me.”
“Really?” I asked, beyond grateful.
She nodded happily and pushed the box toward me. I fingered through its tiny contents; an array of napkin rings, keys, buttons, and belt buckles, until a thick iron loop fell over the tip of one of my fingers. I plucked it from the wooden box, noting the simplicity of it. The way the blacksmith opted for squared edges instead of round which created a wide surface to carve a tiny Celtic trinity knot. The symbol for internal life. To make sure, I slipped it over my thumb and smiled at how it fit so right.
“I’ll take this one,” I told the woman and she didn’t bother to hide her sense of surprise. I found the most perfect ring to give Henry in a box of her discarded goods. Items she never would have sold or had on display. To her, it may have been getting rid of something useless, but it was priceless to me. I’d never be able to repay her for the value it held for me.
“Are ye sure, Miss?”
“Yes.” I nodded and glanced at the box again. I knew how I could repay the kindness. “I’ll take the whole lot, actually. I insist on paying for it. How much?”
After some more looking around, I met with Lottie and we headed back to The Kraken’s Den. The sun was bright and warmed the frosty air, but a sprinkle of light snow still trickled from the sky. It was magical. I couldn’t hide the sheer joy that seeped from my pores. I could feel it. Splashing across my face and running down over my skin.
I was marrying Henry today.
“Are you nervous?” Lottie asked me, her hands gripping something wrapped heavily in cloth.
I didn’t even need to think about it. “No, not at all. It’s the only thing in my life right now that I can be so sure of.”
“You’re going to make Henry faint when he sees you in that dress.” She threw me a quick wink and glanced out the window. We were nearing the Den.
I laughed. “God, I hope so. That’s the whole point, isn’t it?”
She quirked an eyebrow. “Among other things, I imagine.”
The carriage filled with girlish giggles as we came to a full stop and Cillian opened the door to let us out. I emerged to the street below, after Lottie, and turned back to our driver.
“Can you see to it that this is delivered to The Siren’s Call?” I asked as I handed him a letter I’d written while at the market. Addressed to Roselyn Wallace.
He took it without question and slipped it inside his jacket. “Of course, milady. Will there be anything else today?”
“No, thank you, Cillian.” I gave him a polite nod. “You’ve been wonderful.”
He tipped his flat cap. “I wish you all the best on your wedding day, milady.”
The docks were empty of the usual crowd that bustled about the ships. The late afternoon sun shone down from above and warmed the tiny snowflakes that threatened to fall, resulting in a beautiful sprinkle but nothing on the ground. As if the universe saw fit to provide the most beautiful and delicate backdrop to my wedding day. I held the dress box in my hands and cast my face to the skies, smiling as the cool flakes kissed my skin.
Lottie and I walked toward the plank that led to The Queen. A rush of warmth spread over my body at the sight of her tall masts piercing the air, the cream-colored sails tucked back neatly. The bright red and gold paint, although now worn and patched from damage, flashed through the rows of black and browns. My Queen, my home. Gus waited at the plank, dressed in the formal wear from last night, his scraggly brown curls swept back in at the bottom of his neck.
“Hello, Gus,” I greeted happily.
He took the box from my hands and tucked it under an arm while his other hand reached and helped me step across. “Fine afternoon for a weddin’, don’tchya think?”
I smiled and grabbed the thin rope that lined the sides, trying to contain my excitement. “It is.”
My foot touched the deck of my ship and a strange calmness washed over me. That sense of returning home. Henry was right to choose The Queen for the ceremony. I heard Gus and Lottie embrace and whisper to each other behind me as I searched the surface of my ship. They’d done an excellent job at repairing the damage and cleaning her up. Almost as good as new. If I didn’t know where to look, if I didn’t see the damage happen with my own
eyes, I wouldn’t have been able to tell.
But the yellow paint, brighter in some areas than others, the new boards, straighter and stiffer than most held the tell-tale signs. The map of our grand adventures and near-death experiences. Today would add a layer of joy and happiness, though. A new adventure. A new memory that the ship would forever carry. Finn’s heavy leather boots stomps across the deck toward me and I turned my attention to him, taking in the sight of the giant Scot clad in his traditional garb; the kilt I got for him, the pressed coat as green as his emerald eyes and lined with gold buttons.
“Good afternoon, milady,” he greeted and bowed mockingly.
I laughed and pushed at his shoulder. “You fool.” He stood straight and his eyes gleamed with pride, making my heart melt for the friendship we shared. I wrapped my arms tightly around his massive torso, barely able to touch them behind his back. “I love you.”
“Aye, I loves ye, too,” he replied in a whisper in my ear and then sniffled away the tears that threatened his manhood. “I had the boys bring aboard yer chests. Henry’s down in me quarters belowdecks, gettin’ ready.”
“Excellent,” I told him and pulled away of our embrace. “You’ve done a fine job getting the ship cleaned up. Thank you, Finn.”
“’Twas mostly the boys, Captain. Ye should thank them.”
He moved aside, and I saw Charlie, John, and Seamus walking by with wooden crates in their hands, heading toward the bow. I caught Charlie’s gaze and motioned him over. He set the crate down, a jangle of glass objects rang through the air and he ran over to me, smiling wide.
“Thank you for the wonderful job you did on the ship,” I told him sincerely. “With the repairs and cleaning it up today. I really appreciate it.”
Still hesitant to use his hoarse voice in front of me, the boy only nodded and tipped his cap before running back to his friends to finish the task they’d been doing.
“Aye, best git ye inside before Henry comes up,” Finn suggested. “Idn’t bad luck or somethin’?”
“I suppose. If you’re superstitious,” I replied and craned my neck to where Lottie stood with Gus, nodding toward my quarters.
Finn leaned into me. “After everythin’ I’ve seen, I wouldn’t be testin’ it. Best play nice with the universe today, Lass.”
He patted me on the shoulder and then ushered us toward my quarters. I bid my friend farewell as Lottie and I entered the room and shut the door behind us. I inhaled deeply the comforting smell of my room, realizing how I missed it so. The distinct tinge of mine and Henry’s natural scent mixed with red wine, and musty books. I made a b-line for my bed, my fortress nestled in the crook of a wooden surround.
“No time for sleep,” Lottie said. “We’ve got to get you ready.”
I sat up. “I know, I just missed my bed.”
She set our boxes and bags down on the small table. “I know, I miss mine as well.”
It was a simple statement but carried in it a sense of something else. Worry? No. Impatience, maybe. I wanted us to get back home to Newfoundland just as much as my crew, surely. But we had a mission. I had to wait for my wish to lead me to her. But I realized then, the way Lottie refused to meet my eyes, she feared that day would never happen.
I frowned. “Does the rest of the crew think that?”
“Think what?” she asked innocently and lifted my dress from its box to unfold it.
I tilted my head to the side. “Come on, don’t lie to me.” She stopped and finally looked in my eyes. “You guys are worried we’ll never find Maria, right?”
“Let’s not talk of it today.”
“Please,” I begged.
Lottie sucked in a deep breath and stuck a hand on one hip. “Well, you have to admit, Dianna. It doesn’t look promising.”
“But I made the wish.”
“And what good of it?” she argued quietly. “We’re no closer now than we were before.”
“But we are,” I replied and stood to walk closer to her. “Something pushed me to that merchant. Something made me look in the right direction at the right time to see Henry’s ring. We learned that Maria has been hanging around. Somewhere close by.”
She didn’t look convinced.
“Look, like I told the boys, my exact wish was to find Maria Cobham before she kills my mother. That could mean the exact moment before she draws a sword or fires a pistol.”
Her deep blue eyes flitted to mine. “What if Maria never finds your mother? What of it then? Will we wait here, far from home, for years? Just waiting for a moment that will never happen?”
I had no proper response, because I never considered that option.
“You should have been more specific with your wish.”
“And say what?” I asked her helplessly. “To end her life? None of us need that blood on our hands. And how would we know, truly know that it worked?” A strange sense of rage began to fill my body and I felt my face warm. “No. I will find my sister. I will take her body in my own hands and ensure she gets the life sentence fit for the devil herself. If that’s death by hanging, then so be it. But it will be by the hands of the law. It will be right. I will witness it with my own eyes and live the rest of my life free of that burden.”
Lottie chewed at her lip and tapped fingers against the fabric on her hip.
“Just trust me,” I said. “It’s working.”
She threw her hands up and shook her head. “I trust you, Dianna. I do. If you say it’s working, then who am I to argue otherwise?”
I slid my fingers over her arm, pulling her attention back to me. “It is.”
My friend’s shoulders relaxed, and her eyes slowly shut as she nodded. “Alright.”
Before long, a comfortable silence filled the room as we began to get ready. The only sounds were that of heavy fabrics rustling and drawstrings pulling taut. Hard bottom shoes clicking against the floorboards. Lottie wore the sapphire gown, looking like a queen of the sea. Her long blonde waves cascading down around her arms as her hands worked to pin the locks back.
“No, don’t,” I said suddenly. She stopped and turned to me, curious. “Leave it down. You’re not a proper lady, you’re a pirate and this is a pirate wedding. You don’t have to pretend to be someone you’re not. Not today. Not for me.”
She hesitated but then smiled and pulled the few pins from her hair, letting it fall back to where it was. I watched as she took steps toward where her trunk lay on the floor near the door and opened it, fetching something from inside. She pulled out a small flat box, about the size of a shoebox, and handed it to me.
“I picked this up in the Square today,” she said. I opened the lid. “I just thought… something fit for a queen. For the friend you’ve been to me. For giving me back the life I missed so much.”
My breath caught in my throat at the item inside, a collection of twigs and white flowers, some sort of vine and crawling plant like an ivy. All formed into a large ring, the shape of a crown. It was beautiful, and the gesture tickled my heart. I looked to my friend with glossy eyes.
“Thank you.” I lifted it from its box, held it up and placed it atop my head. “I don’t know what to say, Lottie. It’s… it’s so perfect. Everything is.” I had a quick wave of panic rush over me. “Almost too perfect.”
Lottie’s eyes widened, and she held me by the upper arms. “No, Dianna, look at me.” I did as told. “Nothing is too perfect. This is a wonderful day, a day you deserve. You’re just surrounded by people who love you. That’s all. That feeling, it’s not perfection. It’s love. It’s happiness in the face of all the darkness we chase.”
She gently pushed me toward the floor-length mirror, forcing me to look at the reflection as she stood behind and peeked over my shoulder. Our eyes met in the glass.
“You’re marrying Henry today.”
I took in a huge breath, allowing my lungs to inflate as much as possible before letting it out. My deep brown eyes raked over the form that stared back at me in the mirror. A beauti
ful woman. Black hair that spilled down over my upper body like silk. A dress so beautiful I could never have even dreamed it, the foggy grey fabric tucked under my breasts, hugging my curvy body and pooling on the wooden floor at my feet. I gently turned from side to side, the intricately sewn gems catching the late afternoon sun as my arms stretched under the long sleeves.
And a crown fit for a fairy queen atop my head.
With a smile so wide it stretched my cheeks, I repeated my friend’s words, “I’m marrying Henry today.”
Lottie placed a kiss on my cheek and then fled to the door where she poked her head out. I heard her ask someone if everything was ready and then shut the door before sprinting back to me.
“Are you ready?” she asked. “Finn is outside waiting for you.”
“Yes, you go wait near the bow. I’ll be out in a moment.”
When she was gone, I remembered to grab Henry’s iron ring and firmly secured it in my palm, the cold metal digging into my skin. I was nervous, but not for worry over what will happen. More of a nervous excitement to finally bond our lives together the way the universe so clearly wished them to be. Marrying this man, it felt… like I was following the invisible road that fate had laid out before me. As if all those years spent lost and alone, wandering through life with no purpose, just waiting for my flashing sign. Well, here it was, and I followed it wholeheartedly.
A knock came at the door, but it did not open. My signal to meet Finn, I suppose. I sucked in one last deep breath and pulled on the brass knob to find him waiting there, a cheeky grin smeared across his face. But it quickly morphed to an expression of sheer awe as he took in the sight of me.
“Bloody Christ, I can see every bitta yer shape,” he said under his breath. He stuck out his elbow and grinned madly. “Henry will likely fall to his knees. Ye looks like somethin’ from the heavens, Lass.”
“Thank you.”
I looped my arm through his, my cheeks warm despite the cool December air. Madam Guthrie was right. The dress appeared thin, but its fabric gave me warmth. Or perhaps it was the quickness of my heart, beating faster and faster as we neared the front of my ship. The boys had lined the path with candlelight in glass jars which illuminated the snowy backdrop that now blocked out the sun.
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