Captain Jago looked out at the calm seas. The wind was in their favor and the ship was stocked full of bounty they had taken from the New World. It was a rich land, and it was all for the taking. The monarch would be most pleased.

“Captain!” The first mate approached him on the deck and saluted.

“We have a fine day, Mr. Rush. Don’t spoil the mood.”

“Sorry, Sir.” The first mate cleared his throat. “We’re being hailed by a passing ship, also flying the King’s colours.”

“Have the helmsman come in steady. We’ll see what interest they have.”

The first mate saluted and left. The captain resumed watching the sea as if day-to-day operations held no interest, but soon the first mate ran back panting.

“Sir! It’s horrible!”

“I said don’t spoil the mood.”

“Pirates!”

The captain wheeled around to look at his first mate.

“The ship’s not friendly, they raised the flag of the Jolly Roger!”

“Damn!” Captain Jago stomped the wood below him. “This is most inopportune. Order the men to prepare to fight!”

“S-Sir?” The first mate flinched. “Are you—I mean, it’s been a long journey. The crew isn’t–”

“Damn you, Rush! Do as I say. I’m not about to lose any of our precious cargo to meddling drunken vagrants.” Most ships would just allow the pirates to take some booty and be on their way, but Captain Jago kept his crew lean and mean. He could beat off some scurvy pirates and return home with glory.

“V-Very well, Sir.” As the first mate left Jago heard a commotion outside. He deigned to leave his spot at the front to see what got the crew in an even louder commotion—

The pirate ship had raised a second flag alongside the Jolly Roger, a bright jeweled flag with a crown.

“The flag of the Princess of Pirates!” Jago shouted. “Could it be?” He grabbed his first mate. “Belay that order, Mr. Rush! We have a noble guest at our hands! Allow her crew to board, I’m sure we can spare something for her!”

“Yessir.”

No one knew where the Princess of Pirates came from, or even her true name. Whether an exiled aristocrat or a pirate lass who taught herself royal rules, everyone wanted the chance to meet her. To be pilfered by her was considered a very high honor. A few scandalous men thought the higher honor would be to bring her home in chains after all the pillaging she’d accomplished, but such vulgar ideas failed to give nobility the respect they deserved.

Soon enough the prim and proper pirates boarded the ship and took some crates of riches they’d gathered on the New World. The Princess herself boarded with a sharp step.

She was even taller than Jago thought, and somehow even more elegant than the stories told. Her hair flowed down her back like a golden waterfall, her skin as smooth as clay. How she kept up her makeup on the high seas was a mystery, but of course it was important to carry such a stunning look at all times. Her pink dress flapped in the breeze, an occasional chime from the jewels sewn to it, and around her neck she wore a close string of jewels.

“Princess.” Jago gave her a bow. She nodded in response. “I hope you enjoy these rare treasures from the New World.”

“We will put them to good use. It is always lovely to find a new world, isn’t it?” She flashed him a smile that made his toes curl. He wondered if she had ever—no, surely a story would have leaked if she engaged in such indecencies.

They stepped along the ship as they engaged in small talk. The Princess asked for news of the mainland. Jago asked for stories of the high seas, but she rarely had exciting pillaging these days. Anyone who didn’t let her onboard upon seeing her flag proved to be easy pickings.

“You seem to have a fine crew here, Mr. Teague,” Princess said. “I approve.”

“It wasn’t easy to whip them into shape,” Jago said. Princess chuckled.

“That’s a sentiment I quite understand.” She stopped and turned to him. “Would you be pleased to join me on my ship for tea, Mr. Teague?”

Jago smiled.

“It would be my honor, Princess.”

Internally he felt giddy. He’d heard no stories of fellow captains being invited onboard her ship. He must have truly impressed on her a noble bearing. This would make him quite famous!

Her ship looked even more polished than most ships of the royal fleet Jago had seen. Her private quarters held a warm atmosphere, jewels glittering. Jago imagined it nearly as dazzling as the royal chambers of what some scoundrels would call real princesses, but Jago thought of as mainland princesses.

Over tea he entertained Princess with tales of his bravery and cunning on the high seas. He was sure she would someday invite him to even see the royal pirate stronghold she was rumored to be building.

As they wrapped up tea, Princess placed a hand on Jago’s.

“Mr. Teague, I would like to give you a gift for such a pleasant time.”

“I will gladly except, Princess.”

She lifted her hand and dangled a glittering gem at the end of a string.

“Ah, a precious jewel you plundered from some ship?” Jago asked.

“Quite so.” Princess let the gem sway back and forth on the string. “I’ve always found this one in particular to be quite striking, so easy to let your gaze fall around.”

“It is quite beautiful gem. Almost as beautiful as yourself.”

“Oh, no,” Princess said. “I’m sure you’ll find if you keep watching the jewel you’ll find it the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen.”

“Truly a beautiful gem.” Jago followed the glittering jewel back and forth, almost as if his sight glittered. He moved to take the jewel Princess offered him but she told him to stop and he dropped his arm.

“I want you to focus on the jewel,” Princess said. “I want you to appreciate it with all your attention. I want you to listen to my voice.”

“I’ll do that.” Jago felt his voice far away, somehow further from him than Princess’, as he gave the jewel his full attention.

“What will you do for me?”

“I’ll focus on the jewel,” Jago said. “I’ll—I’ll appreciate it with—all my attention.” He focused on it so much the rest of the world blurred in his vision. He found it hard to think with how much he focused. “I’ll . . . listen to your voice . . .”

“You’re a loyal man, aren’t you?”

“I’m a loyal man . . .”

“You know your place in the world.”

“I know my place in the world.” He wasn’t sure what he was saying, but it felt right to say it.

“To serve your betters, isn’t that right?”

“Yes, to . . . serve my betters.” Whatever he was saying was what he was thinking. He could barely perceive the world around him now, the swaying jewel occupying his full attention, Princess’ sweet voice guiding his thoughts to follow her words.

“You exist to serve your Princess.”

“I exist to serve my Princess.” Jago felt his eyes fluttering, but he needed to keep them open to follow the jewel. He focused more brainpower on keeping his eyes open, leaving more space open for Princess to begin rewriting him as she whispered commands to him.

Whispered for him to serve her as a sailor on her crew.

Whispered for him to be loyal to no one but her.

Whispered for him to be her obedient lackey.

After all, she had done wonders for the scurvy pirate crew she started with, but it was so much easier to build up a proper crew with sailors who already had years of proper training working for royalty.