“Rylander!” the king exclaimed, hurrying to my side. His hands clamped down on my shoulders as he drank me in, like he always did after a long time apart.

Side by side, we were identical in height and stature. Where my muscular form had come from training in the navy, his had been given by the gods. The warm embrace after many months away comforted me. Although my heart and soul belonged to the seas now, my love for my kingdom never faded.

Edgar coughed, reminding us we had an audience that might not understand my close relationship with Cava’s ruler. The king released me.

“It’s good to have you home, Captain Rylander,” Edgar said, drawing attention away from the king’s poorly hidden emotions. Short and slightly pudgy, Edgar still stood proud, shoulders back. His golden velour jacket matched his gold satin trousers, and his white-painted face and rouge-tinted cheeks matched the queen’s style. His curly black hair flipped up at the ends, tied in a satin knot. He had a flair for the dramatics when it came to his appearance.

His deep brown eyes flickered to Captain Lou, then back to me before he grinned. “And you have brought us a guest. How wonderful.”

“It’s good to be home.” I extended my hand to Lou, but unsurprisingly, she refused. I dropped my arm. “I’d like to introduce you both to Captain Elouise Farrington of The Freedom.”

Lou bowed her head respectfully but bared her teeth in my direction. The sound of her full name clearly sat poorly with her. Maybe someday she’d share with me why, but until then, I’d log it away as another means to ruffle her feathers.

“A pleasure, Captain. We are very pleased to see you have accepted this meeting.” King Delphi waved his arm toward two red-cushioned chairs with gleaming gold frames sitting across from his throne. “Please have a seat. I am King Delphi of the Isle of Cava, and this is my entrusted advisor, Edgar. We will be negotiating this truce.”

Lou sat as quiet as a brig rat. I lowered myself into the chair beside her, apprehensive. I didn’t trust her calm disposition. She mirrored the sea before a storm, beautiful up until the moment destruction rips across the horizon.

I elbowed her arm, inciting her to speak. Edgar took note with a jump of his lacquered brows.

“The pleasure is mine,” Lou finally responded. She crossed her legs, using her heel to kick me in the shin before settling into a dainty posture. I bit the inside of my cheek to hide my discomfort. “I do hope we can come to a mutually beneficial agreement, Your Majesty.”