She scoffed, outrage bubbling in her veins. “Don’t you dare tell me ‘don’t’. Not after what you did.” For something to do with her hands and to keep them far, far away from him, she folded her arms. “I’m being reasonable. I’m coming with you now but purely out of convenience and because it’s my only chance to escape.”

Closing his eyes, he bowed his head. It shouldn’t have, but his defeat pierced her.

They’d made such a good team. And …

Weak. You’re being weak, Vice.

Eyes burning, she scowled at the distant shape of Portsmouth, its lights flickering in windows as the city awoke to the news that Lady Vice had escaped. That victory wasn’t nearly as sweet as it should have been.

“I’m not leaving you …” He said it so softly it was almost lost in the sound of the Swallow’s wake. “Until … until you’re better, at least. Then you can tell me to throw myself under the Wild Hunt’s hooves.”

“Good.” There was too much to do, and much as it set her teeth on edge, she couldn’t do it all alone. Besides, the treasure would benefit him, too. She touched the neckline of her gown and smiled stiffly. “You have a family to provide for, and I have the means to help.”

He blinked, then looked at her sidelong, maybe checking whether she’d lost her mind.

“You might have betrayed me, and I might hate you for it”—if she said it enough, it would be true—“but for now we’re allies. As I’ve tried to tell you before, I’m not a monster.” None of this was easy for her, no way was she going to make it easy on him.

She raised an eyebrow, keeping her expression all sharp edges, despite the deep exhaustion dragging on every muscle. “Even I can appreciate that you’ve lost everything tonight. But your family shouldn’t have to suffer for it.”

“You don’t need to concern yourself with my family,” he muttered, rigid as his mask glided into place.

“I don’t need to, but I choose to. They’ve already been let down by your father, I’m not going to let you disappoint them, too.”

Urgh, when had she started caring about people she hadn’t even met? It was his fault. All of this was his fault.

She tore her gaze from him and watched Portsmouth’s lights disappear behind the Isle of Wights. A relieved sigh huffed from her. It wasn’t total safety, but they were that bit further away with no warships in pursuit.

“So.” He cleared his throat. “What now?”