I gawped like a netted fish, seething. “That’s it. You are agreeing with me?” The storm in my stomach churned like a whirlpool, and I sagged with a choking sigh of despair. “How could I let this happen? How could I have thought you’d succeed?” I asked the clouds. “You have the power to heal yourself. You’ll be fine.” I was too late. I should have stopped this earlier when I had the chance.

I locked him in my sights, heart pounding, and growled, “Or maybe this was your plan all along. Maybe you’re the queen’s pawn? Maybe you wanted us all to die.”

That got his attention. His head whipped toward me. “You still don’t trust me? After all we have been through, you still don’t believe in me.” His voice stayed even, but something in the set of his mouth changed; disappointment lingered behind his eyes.

I waved at the perimeter filled with sirens. “We are surrounded by the enemy with no weapons or way to protect ourselves. Would you trust me if this were your men, your family?”

“Yes.” He grabbed a wad of my leather vest in his fist and pulled me into him. The heat of his body hit me right before his lips. Surprised by the sudden shift, I froze. It wasn’t a long or passionate kiss but still enough to make my knees weak.

When he released me, his chest rose with rapid breaths. We stared at each other. Confusion caked my mind. His eyes softened, but he said nothing. Then his hand shot into the air, and he counted down on his fingers from five, ending in a clenched fist. “Now!”

Rylander and my crew jumped into action. Wax ear plugs were placed inside their ears as they all rushed to get down below.

Via hurried to my side. “We have to get to the sleeping quarters.” Worry thickened her velvet voice and crinkled her purple eyes. “The sirens left the surface and took to the depths. It’s time.”

Krinny left the helm and sprinted toward us. “We’re to keep our ears covered and go into the rooms that the king’s people soundproofed and join the men.”

“What? Why?” The sirens couldn’t affect us. Why stow us away?

She shrugged but left my side and started to corral the others down.

Dara approached me, her shoulders slouched. “Captain, you’ll need these.” She offered up balls of wax with trembling hands. “Rylander said keep them in your ears and go with the others.”

Before I could ask Dara how she even knew what was going on, Rylander snuck up behind me. “Smitter and I will man the ship. Everyone needs to stay in the soundproof rooms.” He took the wax from my hands and pushed it deep within my ears.