“Prudence Alessandra Maccon Akeldama. Manners!” reprimanded Primrose.

Miss Sekhmet only laughed. “So where are my quarters? You’ll need something you can secure. Full-moon night is full-moon night, even for a werecat.”

Rue grinned back. Excellent. Now I can winkle out all her secrets. “That’s assuming a bit much, isn’t it, Miss Sekhmet?”

“Call me Tasherit,” said the werelioness. “It’ll be nice to have a pride again.”

Because she obviously wanted to be asked if that was her real name, Rue didn’t ask. This was going to be so much fun.

Oddly enough, it was Primrose who raised the only objection. Percy and Quesnel seemed delighted by a new addition to their crew: Quesnel liked beautiful women and Percy liked cats. Plus, if the werelioness was with them, she was proof of Percy’s new discovery of non-werewolf shape-shifters.

“Rue.” Prim’s voice trembled. “Are you sure about this?” It was a mark of her agitation that she said it there at the table, in front of Tasherit.

“Don’t worry, Prim. She’ll settle in fine. Besides, you already know how she takes her tea – that’s half the battle when integrating a new acquaintance. And now, we too should sleep.”

The decks were mostly deserted. Everyone was exhausted. Except Spoo and Virgil who, with the unflagging energy of youth, were engrossed in a game of tiddlywinks on the poop deck, crouched between two of the massive tea spheres. Unfortunately, someone adult had to stay above deck and raise the alarm if the infantry came calling. Or the floatillah decided to return. Or the Rakshasas sent drones to attack.

“Anyone awake enough to sit watch?” Rue asked hopefully.

None of them said anything.

Rue nodded. She supposed the joy of being captain brought with it all kinds of unpleasant responsibilities. “Very well, I’ll take first watch. Prim, you and Percy can have second. Quesnel, you raise Greaser Phinkerlington and the two of you will take third. Tasherit, I’m assuming you can’t sit a whole watch in full daylight, unless you tell me otherwise.”

The werelioness said nothing.

It was a marker of how fatigued they all were that the others stood without objection, even Quesnel.

The Tunstell twins made their way below with sleepy alacrity. They leaned against one another in a manner that almost indicated sibling affection.

Quesnel, despite Tasherit’s gaze, stood to lean over Rue, trapping her in her deck-chair with his body.

“I’m glad you’re unharmed, mon petit chou.”

Rue blinked at him. “Oh, well, thank you.”

He did not kiss her, not with the werecat sitting there watching with interest. He certainly looked as though he wanted to though.

“That other position you offered?”

“Yes?” Rue squeaked. Her heart went all the way up into her throat and started beating there, clogging and unclogging her breath.

“I accept.”

Rue was suddenly both elated and terrified on top of being tired.