Excerpt: Silver and Gold

Antoine turned and went below deck, following the corridors down to the princess's new cabin. Even though her old one was repaired, they had not bothered to move her back yet. She would only be with them for another day, anyway. Antoine took out the key and unlocked the door, pushing it open. The princess was asleep, stretched out on the bed. For once, she looked relaxed and peaceful, with eyes closed and mouth open. There was no glare of death, no "unhand me you fiends." She was almost cute this way.

But then her eyes shot open. She started and sat up, looking at the door with a surprised expression on her face. When she saw Antoine, her expression hardened into a glare. "Were you watching me sleep?"

"Why would I do a thing like that?" Antoine retorted. "I came to tell you that we're almost to Atlantis. Tomorrow morning I'm going to take you into the city to meet with my contact, the person who really wants you."

Princess Anneliese hmphed and looked away. "So tomorrow you're selling me off?"

"That's right." Antoine glanced around the room. He noticed that a couple of screws on the porthole seemed to be loose. Aha. He was right. "Once we dock at Atlantis, someone will stay with you at all times to make sure you don't escape. We're not taking any chances."

Princess Anneliese glared at him, but he could almost taste her disappointment. "Very well. See if I care."

Antoine smirked. Oh, he would. "Are you hungry, princess? I can have Paris bring you dinner soon."

The princess shook her head. "No, thank you."

"Suit yourself." Antoine entered the cabin and shut the door behind him. "I'll be staying with you tonight, if you don't mind."

The princess did not reply.

Antoine walked over to the porthole. "Hmm, looks like there are a couple of loose screws." He pulled a screwdriver out of his pocket. "I'd better fix that." He could almost feel the princess seething behind him. Ha. Let's see you try to escape now. He quickly tightened the screws and replaced the screwdriver in his pocket, then sat down at the desk, crossing his legs comfortably. This was going to be an interesting night indeed.

After a few minutes of awkward silence, the princess finally spoke up. "So tell me, Captain," she said, trying to mask genuine interest with disdain, "what made you take up pirating? Why couldn't you have taken a legitimate job?"

Antoine didn't reply for a moment. "If I answer your question, will you answer one for me?"

The princess glanced at him, then back at the floor. "Fine."

"All right," Antoine said. "I used to live in the streets of Paris. I was adopted by a pirate crew who was passing through and thought they could put me to good use as a thief."

Princess Anneliese nodded silently. Antoine wondered what she made of that answer. He hadn't even told the crew about his history. Of course, they hadn't really asked.

"Okay, my turn," Antoine said. "How did the princess of Argenland become such a tomboy? You were incredible flying your plane in that storm, and that was also a surprisingly good shot yesterday."

The princess shrugged. "I've never been much of a girly girl. I used to play with the city children in Argent, which my father never really liked. My brother used to take me hunting with him too, so I got used to shooting rifles. And as for the plane, it was a gift from my father for my fifteenth birthday. I've been flying for two years."

"Hmm," Antoine replied. "So did they actually call you Princess Anneliese in the palace? Because that seems far too girly for a tomboy like you."

"Hey! That's two questions!" The princess looked indignant.

Antoine almost laughed. "Sorry, sorry! You don't have to answer."

The princess stuck her tongue out. "I'll tell you if you let me have another question too."

Antoine weighed the dilemma. He wasn't all that curious, just trying to pass the time. But what could it hurt? "Very well. But answer mine first."

Antoine could almost swear he saw the princess smile for a moment. "Okay. No, most people don't call me Princess Anneliese. Most of the servants and people who don't know me well call me 'your highness,' of course. But my brother and some of my closest friends call me 'Hazel.'"

Antoine raised his eyebrows. "Hazel? Because of your eyes?"

Hazel nodded. "My turn again. Is Neptune your real last name? Because it sounds really weird and not very French. Wait, you are French, right?"

Antoine laughed. "That's two questions. And yes, I am French."

"What about the first question?"

Antoine grinned. "Sorry, I'm afraid I've already answered your question."

"What?" Hazel cried. "That's not fair!"

"You should have thought about that before you asked two questions!"

Hazel stuck out her tongue. She lay back down and turned over to face the wall. Antoine watched her for a moment, smiling. He was coming to like this little princess. He stretched out in his chair and closed his eyes.

"Good night, Hazel."

"Who said you could call me that?" came the muffled reply.