Page 55 of Pirate Witch

I don’t know if the human hears her. She’s mute with sobbing, cradling her father’s body and shaking her head.

“Is there anyone who can help you…?”

“Her husband is outside,” Cas murmurs, heading back to the door. “I’ll get him.”

Elsie approaches. “May I heal you?”

Myrtle shakes her head. “I need to be alone right now. Please, just go.”

Elsie’s face freezes, but she nods and steps away, following me as I lead the wayward trio back through the doors and into the crowded bustle of the market. A lone man pushes past us, heading into the Solar Temple with his brows creased in worry.

Myrtle’s husband. I hope he can help his wife find some peace.

The six of us trail our way up the hill towards Sade’s palace, each quiet with our own thoughts.

“So, how’s keeping out of sight working for you?” Reva finally asks.

Her question cracks the mood, and I snort. I’ve done exactly what I told them off for. “I suppose I can’t really lecture either of you now, can I?”

ChapterEighteen

RYSEN

I’m not exactly happy with the idea of splitting up and leaving our mate to go into the town with only the twins to keep her protected, but someone has to keep the war council from getting impatient. Unfortunately, we’re pirates, not politicians. That’s never been more evident than when Cirio and Val break out their hip flasks and start drinking mid-meeting.

Ironically, Kier would be best at this, but he’s disappeared—probably stalking Nilsa without her knowledge—and Klaus, who would be my second choice, has been kidnapped by the human princess. The two of them are frowning, in deep discussion by the bannister, ignoring Sade and her glowering advisers.

Pierce and I are doing our best to keep his Queen distracted, so she doesn’t notice, but Sade’s no fool. She’s also too observant, something she proves when, ten minutes into our conversation when she grabs my hand and holds my mother’s ring up into the light.

“Just where did you get this?” she asks. Her tone is light, but I know vampire queens. This isn’t a request.

“It was my mother’s,” I reply, evenly. “I recently recovered it.”

“And your mother was…” her eyes flash with interest.

She knows, or else she wouldn’t be asking.

That doesn’t make it any easier to answer her. “My mother was Queen Oriane, of a nest which no longer exists.”

I haven’t said my mother’s name in centuries. Most people would’ve forgotten her. But Sade remembers. I can tell by the way she tips her chin down in acknowledgement.

“And what would she think of her only son taking up piracy?”

“Do you think she’d rather I was still enslaved in the Pits by the bitch who killed her?” I retort.

“Mother, you’re digging up old wounds again.” Pierce shoots me an apologetic grimace.

Sade huffs out a breath but nods. “It’s a shame. I offered to foster you in my own nest, you know. Things could’ve gone very differently for you, had she agreed. You two would’ve been raised as brothers.”

I glance at the vampire prince and see my own surprise reflected back at me. I hadn’t known Sade and my mother were allies. At least, not to that extent.

“Yes, I remember Oriane,” Sade mutters. “At one point, I was jealous of her for finding her mate so early. Then she had so much trouble producing an heir, and that was her downfall in the end.”

I grind my teeth, debating just walking away. It takes a lot to get me this riled up normally, but Sade is pushing all of my buttons with expert precision.

When I see a familiar mop of dark hair heading across the patio to the huge table, I almost groan in relief. Nilsa, finally. Behind her are the twins, the other two witches, and the ginger mage kid.

“Ah, your mate is finally here.” Sade’s disapproval is etched into the pursed line of her lips. “I hope she can keep the grand promises she made when she asked for my help to free you.”