Excerpt: The Gamble of the Pirate Queen

She was turned around and faced a man wearing a ragged overcoat and a pair of fingerless gloves. He smelled of cloves and spices. He gave her a smile, "Didn't mean to frighten ye," he said. "But... I recognize ye."

She couldn't say anything.

"Ye're the queen," he said, and his expression turned ugly. "Ye are, and ye can't deny it. Well, well. Me luck just turned for the better."

"Who are you?" she asked.

"Me? Me name is Willam Tona," he said. "Come with me, yer highness."

She glanced around wildly. Where could she run? What could she do? She could maybe make it to the city if he wasn't alone. He saw her and pulled out a pistol. "Come on, I say," he repeated.

Now she could do nothing but walk, staying in front of him, and every once in awhile he would jab the gun into her back. The ground was cold and the snow melted onto her shoes. She could no longer feel her toes.

Stumbling, she stopped at the top of a small drop. Below her was a camp, with men and women talking quietly. A few caravans surrounded the camp, and in the center was a fire, warm and red. "C'mon," said Willam, giving her a push.

She tumbled down the drop, which was only about six feet, but roots and plants cut her arms and legs where bare skin was exposed. She picked herself up as Willam jumped down after her.

The members of the camp glanced up curiously as Regina pulled herself to her feet painfully. "Lookee here," said Willam. "I found a queen."