“Lord Haro is none of your concern. Though I am very curious howyoustayed hidden for so long on theCenturion. My mages didn’t detect amysticon board until your wind whispering.”

The group’s gaze narrowed at Carina as she sank back. Kresida tensed, casually stepping to the side of the now powerless mystic princess.

“Youngest ever, I would guess?”

Carina shrank against the praise that rang through in Lord Astraeus’s voice, but she remained quiet. Movement to the left caught my eye as Vulcan swayed. Ronan’s arm was around his waist in an instant, steadying him.

“What the fuck happened here?” Ronan snapped at Lord Astraeus, drawing his attention from Carina to Vulcan.

Lord Astraeus bared his teeth at Vulcan. “That,” he seethed, “was entirely due to his actions on boardmyship.” A sharp glance at me, and he moved to stalk away.

“Dry clothes await you on board theHydra. Don’t try anything stupid. I won’t hesitate to kill you. I only need one of you to get what I need.”