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I shift my gaze to Alosa. “I’m going to make a terrible captain.”

Alosa shakes her head. “We can do impossible things when others depend on us. You will make mistakes. There’s no getting around that. But you forgive yourself and do better next time. I’m certain that when it matters most, you will rise to the occasion.”

“You never made mistakes as a captain.”

Alosa laughs. “Sailing in my father’s fleet wasn’t a mistake? Or how about the time I put my entire crew in danger by rescuing my mother? Or what about when Lotiya died because I insisted we stop on an unknown island for a new mast? Or what about when I got Deros killed because I didn’t answer my father’s questions quickly enough?”

I say nothing in response.

“Guilt is healthy when it makes us do better, but don’t let it consume you.”

Chapter 3

MY NEW RAPIER FEELSincredible against my side, the knuckle guard shimmering in the sunlight as I walk. I adjust my belt slightly so the sun doesn’t catch it. Last thing I need is my enemies to see me coming.

A boy who must still be in his younger teen years rows me out to my ship. He doesn’t say a word the whole trip, which I love. I tip him generously when we arrive, and he returns to shore, waiting to row out the next person. Eventually, I know Alosa means to have docks extending out from the island so ships can anchor closer. But for now, we do what we must.

When Alosa gifted me the brigantine and asked what I wanted to call her, I told herVengeancemore as a joke than anything else, referring to a conversation from a while back.

“The three of you make quite a set,” Alosa said while Mandsy, Niridia, and I all sat around a campfire on Queen’s Keep, resting after a hard day’s work helping with construction and organizing our men and women.

“Because we’re pretty?” Mandsy asked.

“Nah,” Niridia said. “It’s because we’re her favorite people.”

I said nothing.

“You’re both correct,” Alosa said, joining us around the fire. She grabbed a stick and poked at the flames, which were just as bright as her hair. More seriously, she added, “You’re my inner circle, you know that, right? You’re what I need to keep everything we’ve built. This pirate empire will continue to succeed only because I have you three to rely on.”

“Aww, thanks, Captain,” Mandsy said.

“You’re going to make me blush,” Niridia said.

True to form, I said nothing.

“I mean it,” Alosa said. “Now, don’t ever let anything bad happen to you.”

Niridia gestured to her arm, which was still in a sling. “I could argue that this was your fault.”

Alosa winced, and I wanted to smack Niridia for the comment.

“It’s a joke, Alosa,” Niridia amended. “The pirate king is gone. We can put everything he did behind us.”

But Niridia was still suffering from the two gunshot wounds she’d received during our race against the king to reach the siren treasure. Her injuries were hard to forget when her bandages were in plain sight, for all to see.

Alosa stared at the flames. “We’re going to make this empire better than he ever could.”

“Because you’re in charge,” Mandsy said. “And you’re better than he was.”

“No, it’ll be because it’s built on the backs of hardworking, good women. Pirates who hold honor and strength above all else.”

“And gold,” Niridia whispered.

Alosa shook her head. “With you three setting an example for the rest, I know everything will work out. You are the best parts of me.”

“I don’t ever remember hearing you be so sappy, Captain,” Mandsy said.

“I mean it. You are the best parts of me. Mandsy, you are my mercy.”