I strolled the aftercastle of The Sea Singer, which was secured to the docks of Cava’s well-guarded port. My mind swam with the likely outcomes of our possible treaty with The Freedom. Queen Lorelei and her army were growing greedier, killing more men, and stealing more riches. Sirens, the most dangerous pirates I had ever encountered, had an unquenchable thirst for death that had to be stopped. It only made sense that we align with the women.

But Captain Lou held anguish and misplaced retribution in her jasper-toned eyes, an expression I’d seen all too often from those who’d lost family and friends to the sirens. Her selfish, heated request of my life in exchange for her help had been a needling jab—a desperate attempt to sew up the broken heart of a daughter, not avenge a captain’s death. I hoped she’d show a clearer head in her audience with the king. He would see her request for my execution as nothing short of treason. I’d hate to have our chance at ending the War of the Sea blown because of her vendetta. If I could offer her a prize for her people and a salve for her shattered soul, we would stand a chance at ending this once and for all. But what to give?

Smitter joined me on the bow of The Sea Singer as both crews began to disembark. His familial presence warmed me like a roaring hearth fire, soothing the ache in my overworked temples.

Without turning to him, I asked, “What have you learned?”

“Besides my observations that Captain Lou is as foolish and volatile as you?”

I hoisted myself onto the barrel behind me. Pulling a dagger from my boot, I started to pluck the dirt out from under my nailbeds. “I believe you mean as courageous and tactical.”

“Well, thank the gods for both of you then.” Smitter rolled his eyes.

I patted him on the back. “Your love for me makes me weep, uncle.”

Smitter shook his head, eyes darting around for eavesdroppers—Captain Lou or her stern righthand woman, no doubt. Although he was my father’s brother, I only referred to him as family in private. His secret identity was a key part of our strategy.

Smitter leaned in. “As for The Freedom, I learned she has ’round one hundred crew members. Ninety-five women and approximately five men. The men sleep in a room soundproofed with velour or velveteen, something like that. Their cook, Hannah—a chatty one, she is—says that it softens sound by absorbing it within the weaves. A brilliant ward against the sea monsters’ song, one I’ve never heard before. They don’t even put anything in their ears.”