Vaness’s lips parted, but Vivia thrust up a flat hand. “Don’t,” she ordered. “I am captain.” Then to Ginna: “What will you do if we disobey?”

“We have orders to stop you by any means necessary.”

“Is that a threat?” the Empress spat before Vivia could intervene.

“Merely a warning,” the captain replied.

“How dare he,” Vaness snarled beneath her breath. She glared at Vivia. “He would not truly shoot us down. We are worth more alive.”

“Are we?” Vivia was not so sure. She was also going to throttle the Empress if she interrupted again. “We thought the Doge would aid us. He did not, and I suspect these warnings are genuine.”

Vaness recoiled. “Are you suggesting we return to the city?”

“No.” Vivia found Ginna’s unseeing eyes. Then she wet her lips and chose her words carefully. “Tell this captain that we will be passing his blockade, and at any sign of force, we will retaliate to the maximum of our abilities.”

The Voicewitch quickly passed along these words, and moments later, her eyes stopped glowing. The pink faded. She was herself again. “He ended the communication,” she said, and Vivia nodded. She had expected as much. “The maximum of our abilities?” Vivia asked. “What does that even mean?”

“It means we have one cannon on our main deck stolen from you two months ago.” Vivia pointed to the lone iron machine. “And it means you are the Destroyer of Kendura Pass. Take your station, Empress, and get ready to fight.”

For half a moment, Vaness’s face paled, almost as if in fear. Which of course made no sense, but Vivia had no time to question or repeat her order. There was much to do and a blockade closing in fast. Plus, she was the only Tidewitch on board, and even with three Windwitches to flank her, it was less than her usual forces.

“Leeri!” Vivia barked, flying down the main deck toward the stern. “Give us a beat to sail by, boy, and make it a quick one. Witches, take your positions, and Sotar, you’re on the tiller.” She sprinted for the ship’s end, her magic already rising. These waves belonged to her.

“I want full power in the sails,” she ordered as her witches gathered in a row beside her. Then louder, for the rest of her crew: “Battle stations, everyone! We are punching our way through.”

She did not wait to see if her crew obeyed. Punishment was now Sotar’s domain. Even Vaness was at his mercy, though Vivia prayed to Noden that the Empress did not make trouble.

She needed that Iron Bitch right about now.

At the ship’s stern, Vivia grabbed the balustrade. Already the waves licked toward her, hungry and ready. Command us, they said. We are yours. And Vivia smiled. She was a sea fox, she was a Tidewitch, and the Doge had chosen the wrong queen to anchor down.