She is a queen I am proud to serve.
I catch a brief movement at the end of the line. A moment later, one of the pirates runs free, having cut his bonds with something he managed to keep hidden. Alosa could easily stop him with her voice. Instead, she gives Riden one look.
He takes after the escapee while she finishes her work, skipping the two females in the lineup. She’ll probably save them for me to question later. I have ways of getting information out of people without uttering a single word.
Another pirate tries to beat Riden to the running traitor. Instead, he’s disarmed and gives a weapon to the man fleeing.
That had better be a recent recruit. How green do you have to be to lose your weapon to someone without one?
Riden’s faster. The queen’s consort can run and fight, which is part of the reason he’s so insufferable. The man is cocky. He has lots to be proud of.
I have far more respect for those who know their skills and keep them to themselves.
Eventually, the running man has no choice but to turn and fight or be struck down by Riden from behind. They face off, steel against steel, while Alosa finishes her lineup.
That’s when she notices me hiding in the crowd.
“Sorinda, you’re back!”
“Just now. Heard the shots and came to investigate.”
Alosa puts her arm around me as she leads me away from the others. Her women are already carrying off the traitors and the two women for questioning. The others are being released. We walk past where Riden is still engaged in battle.
“First time we’ve had a breach on the island. And who’s behind it? Not the land king. No, Ladell is far too stupid for that. It’s whiny, useless, blasted Draxen. The perpetual thorn in my side. Riden, stop toying with him. You’re not even breaking a sweat.”
“He broke free of his bonds. Least I could do was let him feel like he had a fighting chance.”
“Just put him with the others. Will you oversee the prisoners while I decide what to do with them?”
In a quick move, Riden kicks the man’s feet out from under him, steps on the hand holding his weapon, and puts his cutlass to his throat.
“Will do, love.”
Alosa fights a grin as she leans forward and whispers something into Riden’s ear. He nods once, never taking his eyes off the threat below him. Then Alosa Kalligan, Queen of Pirates, leads me into her office—one of the few rooms actually completed in the stronghold.
“How did it go?” she asks me, and I know immediately what we’re talking about.
“He’s dead.”
“Did he know it was me who sent you?”
“He knew.”
“Good. No complications?”
I shrug. “Nothing I couldn’t handle.”
Thankfully, my limp is gone, and the few scrapes I acquired have healed well enough in the month it’s taken me to travel to the keep from the Seventeen Isles.
Alosa gestures to the chair on the opposite side of her desk, inviting me to sit.
“How are you doing?” she asks.
This is one of the things I love about Alosa. She genuinely cares about everyone in her crew and likes to ensure their well-being, whether physical or emotional.
“I’m fine,” I answer. I always am. Just fine. Never better. Never worse.
Holding on. Staying steady as long as I can keep busy.
She says nothing in return, likely hoping I’ll offer just a morsel of information more.
“I’m sleeping better,” I say because it will make her happy. It’s not really a lie. I slept much longer each night while my body was healing.
“That’s good.”
“And you?” I ask, desperately trying to get the attention off me.
She purses her lips. “Busy.”
“Are you saying that running a piratical empire is taxing?”
At that, she smiles. Her eyes are mostly green after all the siren song she used today, and she wears a magenta corset that looks stunning with her red hair.
“There are so many things that need my attention. The fortifications we’re erecting here, for one. Then there’s the constant monitoring of the money coming in and out of the keep. Teniri is happier than ever, counting and recounting the gold. I’m building new relationships with my father’s old clients, so all who wish to cross the sea pay me my dues. Don’t even get me started on the enemies I have to monitor to ensure no one gets any stupid ideas.”
“Is being queen not as wonderful as you thought it’d be?” I ask.
Her smile grows wider. “It’s even more wonderful than I could have imagined. I’m only complaining about the bad things. It’s the trade-off for the wealth, respect, notoriety, and fun I get to have.”
“Speaking of fun, do you have a new assignment for me?” I ask. “Perhaps some prisoners to question?”
“You just got back!”
“I like to stay busy, and you have a lot of enemies, remember?”
“I know. I just miss you when you’re gone.”
My lips twitch, but I can’t find the words to reciprocate her sincerity. I’m not one for sharing feelings or making lengthy statements when a few words will do the job. Besides, Alosa already knows how much I value our friendship. And Mandsy is usually around to express enough love for five people.
Alosa says, “If you’re sure …” She pauses, as though thinking something over. “Do you know what I hate the most?”
“Men who don’t do what they’re told?”
“Yes, but after that?”
I shake my head once.
“Delegating.”
“Delegating,” I deadpan.
“I like being in charge, but I also like seeing things done myself. But now? I don’t have time to do everything, so I have to delegate.”
“Isn’t that the purpose of having lackeys?”
“Is that how you think of yourself?”
“Hardly. Lackeys are replaceable.”
“You certainly are not.”
“What do you not want to delegate?” I ask, getting us back on track.
She rises, as though she can’t stand sitting a second longer. Her boots clip on the floor as she begins to pace. They look new, not a scuff on them, but that could just be because Alosa takes excellent care of her things. “I have a situation.”
“Tell me.”
“You know how I like to keep eyes on the land king?”
“Of course.” He’s been wanting to dismantle the pirate monarchy since he took his throne.
“I had six girls undercover on one of his excavating vessels.”
“Why? I thought you only bothered to have someone in his court?”
“This voyage was different. Ladell sent out a larger crew than usual. There was lots of fighting power aboard the ship, too. Harpoons, enough muskets and pistols to outfit an entire army, cannons that could be transported onto land. He anticipated finding something dangerous. I wanted to know what it was.”
“And?”
“They’ve been gone over three months. I’ve heard no word for the last two. The ship seems to have vanished into thin air.”
“You need someone to find it.”
“I do.” She looks at me pointedly.
At first, I assume she’s joking. Alosa is prone to sarcasm （something I’ve picked up from her）。 I’m not who you send to save people. I’m the complete opposite of that—an assassin among pirates. But Alosa keeps staring at me, and I realize she genuinely means to ask me to do this.