In a deep voice that didn’t even sound like my own, I asked, “Do you love me?”

Her fiery irises danced with wickedness as her thick lashes lowered. “More than the sea.”

The End

Epilogue

Rylander

Five years later

Little Adelphi sat on my shoulders, his chubby legs safe in my grip while Calli, five years old last full moon, grabbed her mother’s hand as we walked into the Isle of Cava castle. It had been almost a year since we’d renewed our travels of the Caviar Sea on The Freedom, setting out soon after Adelphi turned one to live the life of pirates again.

Queen Olivine, dressed in black, hurried to our sides, dabbing a handkerchief under her eyes. “I’m so glad you’ve arrived. He’s barely holding on. Somedays he doesn’t even recognize me. The doctors say it could be hours before he passes or maybe a fortnight.” She sniffled. “What ever shall I do without him?” She placed her free hand against her forehead and sighed.

Lou sent me a side-eyed glare. Her distaste for the Queen had only grown since their first meeting, and I had to remind my dear wife not to behead my sister’s mother every time we visited Cava’s palace. But the more Olivine acted like a stage performer, the more I fretted Lou might take her beloved jeweled dagger to her heart.

“Mother, that’s enough,” said a commanding, poised voice. “Don’t make Father’s pending death any more dismal.” Savina hurried down the stairs into the foyer, holding her pale-yellow dress’s hem clear of her feet.

Olivine huffed. “Fine. I’ll be in my quarters, praying to the gods that your father might find a painless death, since it’s clear my love for him is unwelcomed here.” She turned on her heels and proceeded down the corridor she’d entered from.

Savina ignored her and ran to embrace Lou. Because of her role as crown princess and her constant company with adults, Savina acted much older than an eleven-year-old, speaking years beyond her age. “I’ve missed you,” she whispered to Lou. “It never gets easier when you all leave.”

Lou lowered her chin and kissed Savina’s head. “For us as well. We miss you terribly, Little Rose.”

My heart swelled at the love my wife had for my sister. They had grown exceedingly close over the years. Lou had opened her heart not only for me but my outlandish family as well.

Calli wrapped her arms around Lou’s legs, as if to prove she could cling to her mother the longest. “Momma, I want to play.” Calli pulled on Lou’s trousers. “Momma!”

Lou looked down at Calli and brushed back her blond curls. “Well, I want a thousand gold pieces. We all must wait for the right moment to get what we want.”