“We welcome your aid,” Caledonia said, still too bewildered to do anything but accept this completely unexpected gift. No matter their size, she would put these vessels to good use. “Please, bring your ships into the harbor. Your people will be given quarters while we bring you up to speed, but we sail the morning after next. Your timing couldn’t be better.”

Osias nodded, returning to his delegation to make arrangements. Amina didn’t follow. Her eyes landed on a point over Caledonia’s shoulder and suddenly, she wasn’t a part of their conversation any longer. With a small gasp, Amina moved as though pulled by an unseen force, her steps measured and strong as she passed Caledonia and crossed the dock until she stood mere inches from Hime.

The smaller girl breathed hard, as though she’d raced across the entire city to get here. Her hair had come loose from its short braid and her eyes were wide and unbelieving as she tipped her head back to stare into Amina’s face.

Then, taking Hime’s face in her hands, Amina pressed a deep kiss to Hime’s lips.

After a second, Hime pushed up on the tips of her toes, wrapping her arms around Amina’s neck and blocking their kisses from view.

“They’re going to make me blush.” Pine pulled his eyes away from the couple with a small smile.

“I thought that was Sledge’s job,” Pisces teased.

“Sometimes,” Pine answered, turning his dark gaze firmly on Pisces. “But we’re not exclusive, if that’s what you’re asking.”

Caledonia was certain she’d never seen her sister blush so hard or so fast. Her light brown cheeks, already rosy from all the excitement, flushed a deeper pink that spread down her neck. Her eyes skated down Pine’s torso, where sweat held his shirt tight across his densely muscled chest and stomach, and then darted away to Caledonia’s face.

“I should go make arrangements for their people, right?” Pisces asked a little too forcefully. “I think I should, so I’m going to go do that.”

Caledonia couldn’t contain the laugh that fell from her lips. Pisces had never been shy, but she preferred discretion when it came to her entanglements, as she called them. Flirting openly was a sure way to drive her usually levelheaded nature deep underground. A strategy Redtooth had frequently employed to avoid her least favorite duties on the Mors Navis.

The dock cleared and news traveled swiftly through the town. By that evening, Far had prepared a feast, and pockets of revelry cropped up along the wharf.

It was the celebration they hadn’t had an opportunity to take and it was long overdue. In another day, they would sail to fight again. Caledonia might even find herself facing her own brother, but right now, they could enjoy this moment of alliance and the return of their lost friend.