“And they’ve replaced our flag with theirs,” Zale said, not masking his amusement. He had the monocular trained on the other ships.

“Let me see.” Nerissa took it from him and focused the spyglass. “Idiots. Now we must teach them a lesson.”

“Replace all their flags with ours.”

“What am I missing?” I asked. “Why aren’t you guys worried?”

“It’s only one ship,” Levi said as though that answered everything.

“So?” I asked. “It’s bigger, which means it has a larger crew.”

Nerissa grinned. “But they’re not us. We are fast and unstoppable. Plus, they don’t know it’s us on this ship. After we rescue our people, we’re going to enjoy redecorating their ship. I found some paint in storage.”

“And we must relieve them of their precious goodies for the discomfort they’ve put our people through,” Zale piped in.

“Unless they’ve hurt them,” Storm reminded everyone, and the grinning stopped.

He and Kheelan had been having a mini conference away from us. The crew was gathered below on the main deck, waiting for orders.

“We’ll split up,” Storm said. “Three captains and half the crew will go with the boarding team, and two will stay on this ship. “Zale and Levi are with me,” he said.

He walked to the edge of the deck and addressed the gathered crew.

“Half the crew, three from each captain’s team, head below and grab your boarding passes.”

Chuckles rippled among the crew as some turned to the lower decks.

“The rest of you, all hands on deck. Banan and Donnelly… Where’s Donnelly?” Someone called back the feisty shieldmaiden. “I want the two of you at the helm. Banan, you are familiar with the ship and its quirks, and Donnelly, you’re fast on your feet. I like risk-takers.”

She grinned. “Thank you, Captain.”

“You two will take over the helm from Captain Zale.”

“Aye, aye, Captain.” The grin on Banan’s face as he came up to the aftcastle, which was reserved for the captain and the other officers only, was wide.

“Tullius’s people know my key people, so Kheelan and Narissa will stay out of sight until we rescue our people, but they are in charge. We don’t want the king’s crew to suspect a thing. Lord Conyngham’s flags will work to our advantage.”

“Lord Conyngham often takes a lady or two for long leisure sails, Captain Storm,” Banan said. “And whenever he meets with the king’s vessel, we often stop to give the king a bottle of rum from his collection. The king will expect us to stop.”

“We’ll stop, but the king will not be getting his drink today,” Storm said. “We’ll do the collecting. Bring the starboard side closer to his ship. Lexi stay up here.”

Panic flared. I didn’t want to deal with the mad king. Even thinking about him gave me the creeps.

“Why?” I asked.

He chuckled at my reaction. “Because, lass, from your gown, Tullius will assume you are Lord Conyngham’s guest. It helps our deception.”

I made a face. “Okay. But I don’t have to talk to him or anything like that, do I?”

“No. He’s known to hide behind his crew, and we don’t want to hurt anyone. The second he appears on the deck, go to the cabin and stay there.”

We were about to face the mad king, the evilest monarch on the Atlantic Ocean. He wouldn’t just anchor his ship next to his most hated enemy’s and go to sleep. This had to be a trap. While Storm smiled with anticipation, I gnawed on my lower lip.

“Stop worrying,” Storm said, tugging me to his side. “This will be over before you know it. He won’t see us coming.”

“We think you should stay, Captain,” Levi said.

Storm angled his head. “What?”

“We took a vote, and it’s unanimous that you shouldn’t go on this mission,” Levi continued. “You are a family man now and should focus on being here for your lovely mate and your family. Kheelan will take your place.”

Storm laughed, his gaze sweeping the faces of the captains. The laughter disappeared when he realized they were serious.

“A vote? When?” he barked.

“Just now,” Nerissa said. “You give the crew time off to focus on their mates after claiming, so we are giving you time off, too. As the first captain to get mated, we assume the same rules apply to you.”

“It can wait until we get home, where the council will decide on how long and when we take a break.”

“But we represent the council and have the votes,” Levi said. “I always vote for Ryun whenever we are at sea.”

“Deck gave me the authority to vote on his behalf before we left,” Zale said. “And we go with the majority on every decision as per your rules.”

Storm’s eyes narrowed as he studied them. “What’s really going on here? Because this is worse than a mutiny. I still have to be friends with you.”

The others laughed.

“It’s not funny,” he retorted, and they stopped laughing.

“Like I said, you are a family man now, Captain,” Levi said. “We’re just lightening your workload.”

“I don’t recall asking,” Storm shot back.

Silence settled on the group, all eyes on him. On the main deck, the crew trickled back with grabbling hooks attached to ropes, axes, and daggers, ready to leave.

Nerissa looked at me, silently asking for my help. Zale, Levi, and Kheelan conveyed more through the link I now shared with them. They were worried about something, and I had a feeling it had to do with Storm.

I slipped my arms around Storm’s waist.

“I think it’s a sweet and thoughtful gesture from your friends.”

“It’s not. They’re manipulating the situation.”

“Your mother needs you, and frankly, King Tullius scares the crap out of me.” Which was true. I wished I knew why his friends were reluctant to have him go with them. Maybe they knew his magic had waned while they still had theirs. “I’ll feel safer with you on board.”

Storm sighed. “Okay. I’ll stay. Kheelan or Nerissa can take my place.”

“I’ll go,” Kheelan said.

“Don’t worry. We’ll deliver Tullius to you once we capture him, and you can interrogate him for as long as you need,” Levi said.

“Consider it a mating gift,” Zale added.

“Kraken’s breath,” Storm muttered, eyeing the captains. “When you mate, you will not sail for weeks or go on raids. See how you like it. Go. I’ll be watching. Signal me if you need my help.”

The captains left for the lower deck. One of them told the crew to lower a ladder. They climbed down and slid into the ocean without causing a ripple, their weapons clenched between their teeth, ropes attaching to grappling hooks wrapped around their torsos. And for once, I didn’t like our link. Storm was worried, and I felt the full brunt of it.

“Why aren’t they shifting?” I asked, looking over the side.

“The ships are close, and they won’t be in the water for long.” He studied the water’s surface, then lifted the monocular and looked at the ships. “There’s still no movement on either ship.”

“May I?”

He gave me the monocular and hovered. From the last two nights on our deck, I knew he liked to be in control.

I raised the monocle to my eye and focused. The sun was slowly creeping up on the horizon, turning the skyline into a tapestry of colors, yet there was no movement on the ships. They were close and connected with a plank. They looked like ghost ships. Maybe Storm had a reason to worry.

“Do you see anything?” he asked.

“No, but it’s still early.”

“If it’s a trap, we have to warn them.”

He reached for the monocular, but I hid it behind me.

“Look at me, Storm.”

He stopped, a scowl on his face.

“Your people love you, and they are good at boarding other ships, pillaging, and plundering. They will be fine.”

“Tullius deserves to suffer by my hand.”

“They promised to bring him to you, didn’t they? You can chop off his head then, but for now, trust that they know what they’re doing.”

“They’re hiding something, and that’s what’s worrying me. Did you feel it? Their unease.”

I nodded. “And concern for you.”

With narrowed eyes, he studied the other ships.

“Maybe they don’t want you to kill Tullius. He might suffer more knowing you could have killed him but chose to spare his life. When you spare someone’s life, their life belongs to you.”

He chuckled, the sexy sound teasing my senses. “Lass, when we spare a life on the islands, you paint a target on your back. I already have one because of Tully.”

The door to the captain’s cabin flew open, and Gwyn rushed out. She was still wearing her chemise and tears raced down her face, yet she was laughing.

“Come. She’s awake. My lady is awake.” Gwyn laughed again. “And she wants to see both of you.”

Storm glanced toward King Tullius’s ship, then the cabin door. He was torn between his duty to his friends and to his mother.

“Go,” I said. “I’ll keep an eye on the ships while you talk to her.”

“She wants to see us both.”

“I know, but you should see her first.”

“No, mo ghrá. You and I are a team now.” He caught my hand. “Banan… Donnelly,” he called to the two at the helm. “Bring us closer to those ships as fast as you can.”

“They’re cute together. He’s sweet on her,” I said.

“She’ll chew him up and spit him out, and he won’t know what hit him,” Storm said.

“That’s mean.”

“I’ve seen it. It’s not pretty. Usually, she focuses on lads on other islands.” He paused by the door and glanced at me. I nodded encouragingly.

I got you. I sent love his way, and he grinned and pushed open the door.

The queen mother was seated with pillows piled behind her when we entered the cabin. She still looked frail and sickly, but her eyes were clear. Her gaze volleyed between us before settling on Storm.

He sat on the edge of the bed but didn’t let go of my hand. I squeezed it gently and rested my other hand on his shoulder. It was heartbreaking to see him so vulnerable.

His mother reached out tentatively for his cheek with a shaking hand as though afraid he would reject her, tears filling her eyes. He leaned closer.

“Don’t cry, Mother.”

“Son,” she whispered. “I’m sorry. So very sorry.”

He let go of my hand and hugged her.

“It’s okay.”

“No, it’s not. I’ve caused you so much pain. Abandoning you when you needed me the most. Not coming back. Being the worst mother a son could ever have.”

“Don’t say that. You did what you thought was right at that moment, but it’s in the past now.”

I choked up listening to them. They needed this moment. Alone. I indicated to Gwyn that we should leave and moved toward the door. I grabbed my bag of arrows and bow before we slipped out and closed the door.

“How did you do it?” I asked Gwyn.

Gwyn gave me an innocent look. “I didn’t do anything. One minute, I’m talking to her, and the next, her eyes flew open.”

“Gwyn. Storm did everything to reach her and failed. I tried and failed. Something pulled her from the darkness. What was it?”

She sighed. “I overheard Storm talking to the crew about King Tullius, and I told the queen mother she was about to lose another son to that vile Kelpie if she didn’t wake up and stop it. I’m afraid I wasn’t nice.”

I hugged her. No one should ever underestimate a mother’s instinct to protect her child. “You did what you had to do. I think you’re going to make a fine pirate, Gwyn.”

She snorted. “You’ll have to knock me out before I sail again after this. I’ll be content as my lady’s companion and helping around the island wherever I’m needed.” Her glance went to the closed cabin door. “I think I’ll go below and make something for my lady.”

“And I’ll keep Banan and Donnelly company. I’m supposed to pretend to be Lord Conyngham’s lady friend.”

“Like I said, he is a pretty one.”

I made a face. While she disappeared down the hatch, I raised the monocular again and studied the other ships. There was still no activity on both decks. Not even a lookout.

I retrieved the silver dagger and the one Banan had given me from the arrows case and strapped them on. Hoisting the arrows on my back, I headed up to join the two at the helm. They’d angled the ship toward the other two ships.

“Do you see anything?” I asked.

“Nothing on either ship,” Donnelly answered, monocular on her face.

“And our guys?”

“Nothing yet either,” she said. “They should be scampering up the starboard side of the Mac Lir.”

The sea was calm, a gentle morning breeze causing ripples on the water’s surface. If we were on land, there would be sounds from animals, insects, and birds. Out here in the ocean, the only sounds I’d heard were water slapping the hull or the wind whistling past the sails. Both were missing now. It was eerie.

“Do you think the sea is too calm?” Banan asked, and I grinned.

“I was thinking the same thing, especially after yesterday’s storm.”

“The storm might have been caused by the gods collecting the dead,” he said and glanced at the quiet Donnelly. She was still busy studying the other ships.

“Not might, handsome. The gods were here.”

“So, you think everyone from the two ships is gone?” Banan asked.

“God, I hope not,” she muttered.

Storm would be devastated. On top of the island being attacked, it would be too much.

“They should be boarding those ships by now,” Donnelly muttered. “Where are they?”

Storm left the cabin and waved me over.

“Our people haven’t reached the Mac Lir yet,” I told him, and he didn’t even glance at the ships. “What’s wrong?”

“I want you in the cabin with Mother. Where’s Gwyn?”

“In the galley, preparing breakfast. Is everything okay?”

“No. Go. I’ll find Gwyn and talk to Nerissa. You two, turn the ship port side, move away from those two ships, and keep heading south. Make all sail,” he yelled at the crew.

He’d taught me that term yesterday. It meant he wanted the ship’s sails all out so we could be at full speed.

“What’s going on?” I asked, instead of joining his mother.

“I’ll explain once I get Gwyn and talk to Nerissa.” He disappeared below.

Frowning, I entered the cabin, expecting to find the queen mother sick again, but her color had improved, and she still reclined against the pillows. She patted the bed beside her.

“Come here, lass.”

She reached for my hands. Her palms were clammy.

“Thank you for not giving up when I had and fighting for me when I couldn’t. If you hadn’t, we wouldn’t be here.”

I shrugged. “We were both in a crazy situation, but I’m happy it worked out. What’s going on? Storm was worried about his people going to rescue his ship and crew, and now he’s pulling away at full speed.”

“I warned him about King Tullius and his ability to manipulate the mind. Let me explain. Did you meet the oracle while at the palace?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

“She has a seer’s gift. It’s something that runs in her family. She and the king work together to control people. She sees visions, and he makes sure they don’t come true if they affect him or the palace. He controls minds in a way I’d never seen anyone else do. He could lull the guards to sleep, make them walk away from their posts, or dance when there was no music. He found it entertaining. He did the same with the nobles who stopped by to visit him, until no one wanted to come to the palace. They say messing with people’s minds caused him to lose his.”

“No wonder they call him the mad king,” I said.

She chuckled. “Is that so? It is a very good description of what he is. Mad.” A frown crinkled her brow. “I believed him when he told me every time I had a breakdown my mind was gone and it was my time to die. That I was a burden to Tully.”

“That’s a horrible thing to tell anyone, let alone a mother.”

“What was horrible was me believing him. I’d hear his voice in my head even when he was not around, urging me to give up and end it. If you hadn’t come along…”

She squeezed my hands, and we traded a smile.

“I’m sure he did the same to Tully. Do you remember how he’d fix things as a child, Gwyn?” She looked over my shoulder and smiled.

“Yes, my lady.” Gwyn moved closer. I hadn’t realized she was in the room. Where was Storm? “Birds with broken wings and animals injured in traps.”

“Even little bugs that would find themselves inside the house, he’d carry them outside and take care of them,” the queen mother continued. “It takes a lot for a child to stop being loving and caring and start hurting things and people, so I know the king is behind it.”

She released a breath and gripped my hands tighter.

“There’s something I want to tell you. It might be hard to understand or even accept, but the oracle is never wrong.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

“The oracle saw a vision of the king’s death. In the vision, Storm’s true mate was going to be responsible for his death, so he set out to kill every woman Storm dallied with.”

My conversation with the oracle flashed in my head. “She told me the same thing. In her vision, I’d cause the people to rise against the king and then killed him.”

The door opened while I was in the middle of the explanation, and Storm stared at me with a mixture of hurt and shock.

“You already knew? Why didn’t you say anything?” he asked.

“Because I didn’t believe her. She tried to convince me to agree to be Tully’s mate. Once I killed the king, she and I were supposed to run the kingdom together because Tully is easily manipulated. Maybe she’d seen the way the king manipulated him and thought she could do it, too.”

“I think he did something to my crew and to the rescue team. They haven’t reached the ships, and I can’t link with them. I want this ship as far away from his as possible while I go to investigate.”

I got to my feet.

“How? You can’t link with them. What if Tullius gets you, too?” Damn! Then I’d have to kill the bastard. Just like the oracle had seen in her vision.

“Don’t, Lexi. He won’t get anywhere near you.” He glanced at his mother and Gwyn. “Nerissa is taking you home. All of you.”

Like hell she is. The second he left, we would drop the anchor and find a way to help them. I swallowed, watching him grab a sword from the wall. If Tullius hurt him again, there was no place on the Atlantic Ocean that old fart would be able to hide from me.

Storm extended a hand to me. I went to him and hugged him. Tight.

“Okay, lass,” he said, chuckling. “Squeeze any harder and I might not want to leave.”

I punched his arm. “You’re an ass. I swear if anything happens to you, Storm Orath, anything, I’ll be pissed.”

“Then the world had better watch out.” He stroked my cheek, then cupped my chin and lowered his head. “Don’t do anything or try anything, muh’Lexi. I can already tell you’re plotting something.”

I went on my toes and met him halfway. While my senses soaked him in, a melody filled my head. No, the room. It was beautiful. Haunting. I opened my eyes and blinked.

“That’s beautiful,” I whispered and hummed the tune. It sounded familiar, yet I couldn’t place it.

“My kisses are beautiful?” Storm asked.

“No, silly. They’re hot. It’s the music. Can’t you hear it? It’s beautiful. Where is it coming from?”

Storm caught my arm. “There’s no music, lass.”

“Of course, there is. It’s growing louder. Can’t you hear it?”

Sounds came from outside. Splashes. People yelling. They were intruding on my melody. I tuned them out, clinging to the melody and humming along.

“Gwyn, keep her here. I don’t know what’s wrong with her, but I need to find out what’s happening out there.” He reached for the doorknob.

“Don’t go, Storm. Dance with me.” An arm caught me from behind. It was Gwyn. “You want to dance, Gwyn? Storm is being difficult.”

I grabbed her hands, tugged, and turned. The music was growing faint.

“No, don’t stop singing.”

The music faded. Feeling bereft, I shook my head and looked around.

“What happened to the singers? The music was beautiful. What was it?”

“There was no music, Lexi,” Gwyn said.

“What?” I looked at the queen mother. She smiled.

“There was music, but only she could hear it. I think I understand now,” she said. “Your unusual eyes. The reason why Storm would catch your scent when you were in the water, but not when you were on land. Has anyone ever asked you if you are from Frisland, mo leanbh?”

I nodded. “Yes. When I was in Hy’Brasil. What does that have to do with me or my eyes, or the music I heard that no one else did?”