The Pirate's Girl

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I sat in my room staring at the small ring on my hand. The light from the window danced on the gem making the undertones of blacks and teals come to the surface. A knock sounded at the door, and Mina's tired face smiled at me as she opened the door. "It's time to get you ready, Miss."

She carried a heavy pile of fabrics and laid each of the layers neatly on the bed. I stood robotically and saw her pained expression when she noticed. "He hates me, Mina. It's bad enough that he didn't even have to tell me."

She frowned and placed her small hands on her thin waist. "Don't be saying these things, dear. Your father loves you very much, I've seen it. He's just down on his luck is all." I smiled a little as she lifted the dress from my body.

She pulled a leather corset around my waist and pulled it tight accentuating my thin waistline. She then pulled a thin white slip over my head followed by layer after layer of fabric over me until it felt like I weighed an extra ten pounds.

"Can I look now?" She laughed, "No, child. Not until I have finished." I smiled as she sat me down carefully onto the stool. She punched a powder puff onto my face and powder floated all around me. She followed with a blood-red lip stain and charcoal beneath my eyes.

She pulled my multiple skirts away from my feet and slid a pair of silver slippers onto my feet. She pulled a brush through my long hair and piled it on the top of my head before securing it with pins. "Now you may look." She helped me to my feet and I walked carefully over to the floor-length mirror.

The woman before me was gorgeous and mystifying. Her skin was pale, but in a beautiful way as her cheeks flushed slightly. Her lips were full and the stain made them stand out more as well as her blue eyes. Her black hair was piled high, but not to a ridiculous level as seen in other, more vulgar women in the courts.

The dress was a creature all its own. It was a pale blue with silver highlights in just the right places that accented her waist, and in all, gorgeous.

I sucked in a breath, "You did a lovely job, Mina. Thank you." She smiled and wrapped me in a warm hug, "You know I love you, miss. Please do not anger your father on this night?" I hugged her back, "I love you too, Mina, and I promise not to cause any trouble." She held me at arm's length with a warm smile, "Come, it's time to make your entrance."

(Unknown POV)

I fixed the leather cloak over my shoulders as the rain poured harder on the cobble stones. The grand palace of the Duke lit up the entire sky with its lights and filled the air with the orchestra inside. All of this for one girl. It's a shame really, for all the money spent shall be in vain for I will be the one to gain her hand whether the Duke wants me to or not.

"Invitation, sir?" The guard at the front gate held out his hand expectantly and I pulled my hat down to hide my face. I placed three gold coins into his gloved hand and saw him smirk. "That'll do, sir." I smiled back, "I know it will." He allowed me to pass and I walked up the cobble steps to the loud palace.

As I blended into the crowd, a servant drew everyone's attention to the top of the staircase. "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the lady of the evening, Lady Casta Lawrence." I clapped along with everyone else, and gasped a little when the girl appeared at the top of the stairs.

Her pale skin was set off by her silver dress and her black hair was piled on top of her head artfully. As she made her way down the stairs, I made my own way to her father who was sitting at his table looking bored. "Ah, Captain Finn. I was expecting you in the morning. I thought." I took off my hat and bowed, "We arrived early, my Duke."

He smirked, "What is it you wish from me this time? If I do recall correctly, I have fulfilled my portion of the trade. More food? Crew members?" I shook my head, "No, just a little bargain?" He inclined his head to look at his daughter before smiling. "Ah, I see. You wish Casta's hand, do you? And what makes you think I would allow her to marry a pirate compared to all the other fine suitors?"

I reached into my coat pocket and held my hand out to him. I dropped the coin purse into his hand and watched his face light up. "You sly dog. Are you really expecting me to sell you my only daughter to you of all people?" I nodded, "That's exactly what I'm thinking, and I know you will. What is the point of this party if you're not just giving her away? And why not get a little something in return for your ill wife as well?"

(Cas POV)

As I pushed my way through the party, men would pull me away to dance. Once I finally freed myself, I sat at the table beside my father. "Ah, Casta my dear! How are you liking the party?" I smiled, "It's great, father." He grinned, "Wonderful, I'm glad you think so. I've found a young man that you may fancy? It would be impolite to ignore such a grand offer."

I caught movement in my peripheral vision. When I turned, I was stunned. The man before me was tall and he was covered in dark leather clothing from his long coat to the hat that crowned his black hair. His eyes are what captivated me. They were nearly grey like fog and yet they held a hints of purple flecks like small gems.

He rubbed the stubble on his chin before smiling. He bowed politely, "Good evening, my lady. I am Captain Finn." He took my hand in his and kissed my knuckle gently. I curtsied, "It's a pleasure, captain. I am Casta Lawrence." He smirked devilishly before pulling me away from the table and onto the dance floor as the orchestra slowed down the tempo.

He held my waist in his large hands and guided me through the dance. "You are very lovely this evening, my lady." I blushed a little, "Thank you." He seemed to find amusement in my short answers, "Are you not enjoying yourself? You seem detached." I frowned, "Not really. This party is being held so that my father may rid of me. Why would I enjoy that?"

He nodded sternly, "Because it's a lovely ball and you're a stunning creature. Any man here would be pleased to have you." I smiled and felt my face grow hot. He chuckled but didn't say anything. As we danced, the front double doors burst open and a guard was breathing heavy with panic.

"Sir, pirates are raiding the city! Their ship is just outside the harbor!" I looked back to see father's face growing red from rage and I couldn't tell if he was staring at me or Captain Finn. He stood from the table, "Send the troops!" As the crowd grew panicked, I was getting swept through the hundreds of people as if I were caught in a current.

Someone grabbed me by the waist from behind, and I found myself slung over someone's shoulder. I tried to look to see who was carrying me and only got a face full of a leather hat. "What do you think you're doing?! Put me down now, I command it!"

He laughed below me, "I think I'm carrying you back to the ship before your father's army blows it up." Realization dawned on me, "You're a pirate?!" He laughed again, "What? Just because I'm a pirate means I can't woo a lady? The thought!"

I punched my fists into his shoulders, but it didn't seem to do any good. We were on the dock now and the shadow from the moon above sent a large shadow of a ship over us. "No." We boarded the ship and I heard a "Yes." in my ear as I was thrown onto a bed and locked in a room on my own.

I scurried off the bed and pressed my ear to the wood door but only heard a man yell, "Onwards, ye damn dogs!" I felt the planks beneath my feet rumble as people on the deck ran around. "And I'll kill whoever blew our cover!" A shot was fired, and I slumped onto the floor in defeat. "I hate pirates."

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Avan Jogia as Captain Finn, everybody! I mean, he's the perfect person for the job!