Edgar rubbed the arch of his nose. “Yes, their fondness for each other is overwhelming.” Releasing his hand back down to his lap, he continued, “Although we have tried to duplicate your ancestors’ efforts, Captain Lou, we have failed to produce results on par with those of The Freedom.” Edgar gestured toward me. “We believe with the leadership of Captain Rylander alongside yourself and your crew, we would stand a chance at abolishing our mutual adversary.”

“I could see how you’d mistakenly reach that conclusion,” Lou said, readjusting her legs and crossing them at the ankles under her chair.

“You do not agree, then?” King Delphi asked.

“I do not.” She lifted her chin. “Fund the efforts, and let my crew and my ship destroy the sirens. We do not need the likes of Rylander and his men. They would be nothing but loose floorboards, tripping up our methods.”

“Such pomp in such a small parcel,” I muttered.

“Says the man who believes himself to be pretty.”

I held my finger up. “Aye. I said good-looking.” I leaned over the space between our chairs. “Does that mean you think I’m pretty?”

Lou growled, a snarl from the pit of her stomach. She pushed me out of her personal space. “No. I rather think you’re a giant—”

Edgar clapped his hands. “This back and forth will get us nowhere. And honestly, it’s given me a headache.” He rubbed his temples in a circular motion, a daily gesture in my childhood.

Lou rounded on Edgar. “That may be your cologne. It’s nauseating.” She waved her hand in front of her nose.

I snorted. Edgar did pour on the flower oils.

Edgar, however, didn’t find her as amusing. He sat up straighter, ignoring Lou, and addressed the king. “Your Majesty, may you have better luck speaking some sense into these two than I.”

The king nodded. “Captain Elouise, Rylander is essential to the war. He is the only one who knows where the Siren Queen resides. You’ll need him as a guide.”

I leaned into the cushion of my chair and crossed my leg over my thigh, waiting for Lou’s combative retort.

“Just tell me the location.” Lou stood and swiped a hand at me. “He’ll be a distraction.”

I smiled. Predictable as ever.

The king remained calm, giving away nothing. He tilted his head. “For whom? You?”

Lou may have tried to hide her anger, but it rolled off her in waves. “No, Your Majesty. But the second the sirens release their song, he will fall victim to their depraved influence, and I cannot guarantee that I can save him from their clutches. Is that what you want to become of your precious captain? Fish bait?”