Page 62 of Pirate Witch

She’s not going to go for it. I can see the argument building in the stubborn clench of her jaw.

“Or better yet,” Klaus adds, perhaps sensing the same thing. “The future queen of the humans needs a strong warrior to act as her guard.” He waves his hand at Amelia, who’s blinking at him in confusion. “If she dies before this war is over, the humans will fall under the leadership of an infant, leaving the throne open to manipulation on all sides. Princess Amelia is not the tyrant her aunt is. Her rule would benefit our people.”

Adella eyes the drunk, swaying princess sceptically. “She is not a warrior herself?”

Reva snorts. “Human females don’t fight. It’s not their culture.”

The siren looks at Amelia, flabbergasted. “That’s ridiculous.”

Klaus, sensing we’re making progress, presses on. “She’s never held a sword before, but she wants to learn. I refused to train her out of respect for my mate, but you could.”

Sothatwas what they were talking about when they were talking privately with one another at the war council. I frown. Klaus and I need to have a talk. I’m not so insecure that I plan to dictate how my men interact with other women.

But that’s an issue for another day.

Adella’s eyes narrow. “Don’t think I don’t see your manipulations for what they are, Prince Niklaus. Your silver tongue would make your mother proud.” She sighs, flicking her long, wet braid out of her face, and turns back to me. “You will not answer my challenge?”

I shake my head. “No.”

Adella scrubs a hand down her face, glancing back at the sea for a second before nodding as she reaches her decision. “I cannot abide a future queen who has no idea how to fight, let alone defend herself. It’s a disgrace to your people.”

Amelia, who seems to only just be catching up with the conversation, snorts. “Iknow. I’m so sick of being useless. Actually…” She pauses, looking distressed. “Maybe I’m just sick. Ugh.” With a lurch, she pushes herself away from the witches holding her up and vomits into the remnants of the bonfire. There’s a long pause, followed by a quiet. “Maybe thatwastoo much wine.”

Adella nods again, her face taking on a determined expression once more. “I accept the charge offered to me. There is honour in protecting the defenceless and educating the young.”

Klaus nods once, as if that makes perfect sense to him. “I’m glad.” He looks around at the broken scene before us.

The mood from before is gone, and I think Amelia really needs to sleep off the effects of the alcohol. This party is over, and with it, the short break we’ve been enjoying from the real issues we face.

ChapterTwenty-One

NILSA

Ithought I’d feel some reticence to board theDeadwoodagain after so long spent on solid ground, but I don’t. Instead, it feels like coming home. I sit on the bow as we leave Isablis, watching the horizon with Titan and Opal as the rest of my men busy themselves by making sure we’re organised and ready for the trip ahead. I’ve offered to help a dozen times, but they insist that they’ve got this routine so well organised that I'd just get in the way, and I’ve taken them at their word. I did one check of my workroom and personal belongings to make sure I have everything and then headed up here to enjoy the peace and quiet.

We left Adella and the princess to travel with Cirio, and Elsie and Reva chose to fly back to Coveton ahead of us with Cooper. They’ll warn the witches, giving them more time to prepare.

Their absence means it’s just my pirates and me on board theDeadwood. We’re not alone, though; around us, the rest of the fleet is visible in the soft evening light, sailing in the same direction. It’s an impressive yet daunting sight.

That we’ve managed to rally a group of cutthroat pirates to our cause without promising them a drop of gold in return is perhaps a sign of how serious the threat we face is. Although, having met so many of them, I’m now convinced most of them are just spoiling for a fight.

A hand on my shoulder interrupts my musing, and I lean my head back, surprised to find Kier.

“Where have you been?” I ask, smiling up at him. “I missed you earlier.”

“My apologies.” He releases my shoulder and offers a hand to help me up. “I was busy setting up a surprise for you, to express my gratitude for what you did.”

I still can’t get used to his voice. The hoarseness of it is fading slowly, leaving only a deep, husky baritone that sends goosebumps down my arms.

“You don’t need to—” I begin, putting my hand in his.

“I want to,” he promises, pulling me to my feet. “Let me?”

When he asks so nicely, how can I refuse? “What’s the surprise?”

“You’ll see.” He places my arm in his and leads me towards the deck, before twirling me so I’m wrapped entirely in his hold. “Hold on.”

Those pearlescent dragonfly wings of his unfurl, captivating me for a second before they begin to flap. They move faster than my eyes can track, lifting the two of us so gently it feels more like we’re floating through the air. We weave through the rigging, up to the top of the mainmast. To a place I’ve only seen from the deck before.