Page 15 of Vengeance of the Pirate Queen

You’re the captain, Sorinda. You need to look the part. You need to commandtherespectofallaboardthisvessel.Justwearthedamnjacket.

Before I can lose my resolve, I make for the door. When I open it, I leap backward.

A large body stands on the other side, fist upturned to knock.

Kearan.

His other hand is behind his back, clutching something.

“Captain,” he says, surprised by my sudden appearance. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”

“You don’t scare me.”

He blinks once at that, then asks, “Can I come in?”

“No.”

“I have something for you.”

“I don’t like gifts.”

The silence is painful, but I refuse to let it show on my face. I say not a word more, nor do I move from my position. I will not back down.

Kearan brings his other hand around, and I see the rim of a tricorne pinched between his fingers. “I just thought, as the captain, you need a hat. Besides, you won’t be able to hide in the shadows like you usually do. Maybe the hat will give you some semblance of privacy. A way to hide your face when you wish. I would have given you something sooner if I’d known it was your birthday.”

I absolutely loathe the thoughtful gesture. What is this? Another attempt to win me over?

“I didn’t get you a present on your birthday,” I say.

“I don’t care.”

“You’re in my way.”

He steps backward. “Sorry, Captain.”

I haven’t the slightest idea what to do. That hat is still being offered to me, and some of the crew have to be watching. The way is now sort of clear, but how will it look if I brush past him without doing anything else?

In a split decision, I take the hat, toss it onto the bed behind me, then shut and lock the door before leaving Kearan standing next to it.

There.

Now I need to find Dimella so she can save me from any further interactions with this reprehensible man.

Instead, she finds me.

“Captain, all crew and supplies are accounted for.Vengeanceis ready to set sail.”

That means it’s time to give my first order as captain. I swallow my discomfort. “Then let’s be off,” I tell her.

“Aye-aye. Kearan, to the helm with you!” she shouts to the man still standing behind me. “Weigh anchor! Riggers, to your posts!” I climb the companionway to join her atop the aftercastle. From here, I can see a single figure on the beach, strands of red hair brushing over her shoulders. Alosa waves.

I wave back as the ship starts to turn, heading for open ocean.

Here we go.

We’re sailing north to the Seventeen Isles. From there, we’ll take the same path the land king’s lost vessel, theWanderer, did. Hopefully, we’ll catch some trace of her—and Alosa’s missing crew.

With the ship on its proper course and the sails set to rights, the crew is free to relax. Some go below for naps before they’re expected to take night shifts this evening. Others lean their forearms on the railing to watch the sun splay over the ocean. Girls chitter in the rigging, preferring to be up high. The crew is mostly women, I’ve noted. In fact, I’ve only counted five men, including Kearan and Enwen.

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