“Who?” she asked, realizing too late he could only mean Oran.

She felt the rumble of laughter in his chest. “Exactly.”

“Pine,” she warned, pulling back with more of her senses intact. “You know I can take care of myself.”

“With a gun and on a ship, I have no doubt. But with him? I doubt everything he does because I also doubt myself.” He shrugged. “At least I’m doing the responsible thing and leaving.”

Irritation strummed a single chord in Caledonia’s mind, but it wasn’t about Pine. “Just remember that you have friends here. And you—and all your demons—are always welcome.”

With a distant smile, Pine spun on his heel and aimed for the ladder on the aft deck. On the water below, a tender boat waited to ferry him to his small ship. Caledonia breathed deeply for a moment, knowing it was likely the last she’d ever see of her hard-won friend. Knowing that it was the best thing for him right now. He gave a little wave and then he was gone, gliding over the water toward his next journey.

It took Caledonia a moment to swallow the sorrow that perched in the back of her throat and return her attention to the celebration. When she did, Amina and Hime spun past her in a blur, their hair shedding flowers as they twirled and laughed together. They didn’t know it yet, but Caledonia and Pisces had agreed that the Mors Navis would be theirs now. Most of the crew wanted to be out on the seas, helping to keep the peace, and there was no better team than Hime and Amina to stand at the helm.

Caledonia found Pisces and Cepheus tucked against one of the mast blocks, their lips tracing delicate patterns across cheeks and eyes, throats and mouths. They’d been together more and more often, but to see Pisces inhabit her passions so openly was akin to her shouting for everyone to hear that she adored Cepheus.

Nettle had assumed a spot on the bridge balcony, where she was encouraging Abrasin Mary to toss flowers over the heads of the dancers. Far appeared a moment later, with Folly close beside her, bearing baskets of small cakes. Far’s mind still struggled with crowds, and she much preferred the quiet dark of a pantry, but every once in a while, they coaxed her topside and reminded her that the world didn’t have to be cruel and that her family loved her. Caledonia was glad to see this was one of those moments. The woman had even added a flower to her unruly black curls. Ares was here, too, and for the first time, he didn’t look like he thought the sky might explode at any second.

Donnally was the only one missing. Caledonia had asked him to come, but he’d only smiled and reminded her that he didn’t belong there. Not yet.