Despite the pallor from too many days shut in his cabin, FitzRoy cut a fine figure in the sleek black coat he saved for visiting shore. The gold braid and brass buttons gleamed in the sun. His hazel eyes narrowed at her, red around the edges but just as intense as always. A flicker of a smirk pulled at the corner of his shapely mouth. “Vice”—one eyebrow rose—“what have you been up to?” There was a tease in his tone, like someone telling off a wayward lover.

She licked her lips and swallowed, heartbeat speeding. She might not have rolled with him recently, but he was still a damned handsome man. And that tone …

“There’s a pirate hunter in dock, Captain,” Perry muttered, arms folded, turning to Vice with a low-key version of her withering look. “And he’s here for her.”

Vice lifted her chin, hands on hips. A pirate hunter here for her. That would make Fitz see—she was enough for the Navy to send someone after her, surely she was enough to be a captain.

“Come all the way from Albion. He’s meeting with the governor after her ball tonight,” Barrels chimed in, raising his eyebrows at Fitz.

Fitz glowered, mouth flat, brow creasing. “And he’s come for Vice specifically, not her captain?”

She raised her hands and shrugged, helpless. It wasn’t her fault people liked telling tales of a woman pirate, who was also a sea witch, more than they did of her captain.

And it wasn’t his fault, either. It was the fae blood. Even those only blessed by the fair folk—the fae-touched—possessed a charm that was difficult to resist.

For FitzRoy, the last straw had been the songs about her when they’d last returned to Albion six months ago. The Song of the Pirate Queen, especially. They’d argued, and he hadn’t touched her since. Even with her fae charm.

Those folk singing and telling tales weren’t her fault, but hopefully she could steer it to her advantage. The more stories they told, the more likely she’d win her own captaincy. He couldn’t keep her cooped up under his command forever, and the sooner he set her free, the sooner she’d stop overshadowing him.

At least that was the theory. She was starting to have doubts …

She cocked her head and gave him an apologetic smile before looking sidelong at Barrels. “The governor’s ball tonight—I take it that’ll be up at her mansion.” If she could sneak in, she might be able to find out something about this pirate hunter. And if she knew something of him, of his weaknesses, then she’d have the upper hand in stealing his pretty ship.

Barrels nodded.

“And the hunter’s going?”

“Aye, she’s invited him—reckon she wants to dangle her daughter in front of him like some prize.”