Sofie snorted. “Bravery has nothing to do with it. It makes sense for a spirit presence to only be able to invade dreams, especially if her death magic is otherwise occupied in protecting you and your crew and forcing you to comply. Which brings me to another issue.”
“Can’t wait to hear it.”
She stared at me, one brow slightly lifted, as if to show me she was unimpressed. “The crew is protected, but not your wives.”
“That would spoil the Bride’s fun.”
“There’s something to this,” Sofie said, rapping her fingers against the table. She picked up her silverware and began to eat again. “She wants to punish your wives just as much as you. I’d wager it has to do with the reason she cast the death curse in the first place.”
“Do her reasons matter?”
“They do if I want to unravel the curse.” She frowned. “I suppose that doesn’t interest you, since you’re convinced it’s unbreakable.”
“It is. Otherwise, I’d have turned myself in to Dewspell ages ago and spared my previous wives.”
Sofie studied me across the table, chewing thoughtfully. My scalp tingled a little, being scrutinized like this. I couldn’t tell if I liked it. “You mentioned there’s a bounty on you at Dewspell. What for?”
“They haven’t posted my face everywhere for you all to admire? That’s very disappointing.”
Sofie rolled her eyes.
“In between cursed runs to the Hidden Isle, I’ve always had a penchant for raiding ships to and from Dewspell. Magical objects and ingredients always fetch a fine price at market.”
“I suppose that makes us enemies, then, since I’m sworn to protect the Academy,” she said, a hint of slyness in her voice thatI appreciated. “Are you sure you want to share this cabin with me?”
“You’ve already cursed me a second time. And unless you’d rather sleep out in the elements…”
Her response came quickly. “The floor will do fine. Though Iwouldprefer the bed.”
“How forward of you, wife. At least romance me a bit first.”
She glowered at me. “I meant with youout of it.”
I flashed my teeth at her, hoping there was a bit of spinach between them. “When you become a captain, you’re welcome to the captain’s bed. Till then, I’ll retain my rightful sleeping arrangement. Anything else you wish to know?” I asked, hardening the edges of my words.
“Why do this?”
Her question surprised me. “I don’t think I understand what you’re asking.”
“Why go after the Queen of the Sea? Powerful objects are always dangerous. An object purported to have been crafted in the world of monsters would be foolish to chase. And that’s without the Bride’s death curse.”
I shrugged. “I’m a pirate. Going after treasure is what I do. The more powerful the better.”
“That can’t be it.”
“Of course it can. I’m very shallow.”
She belted out a “ha!” that surprised me for a second time.
“Somehow I doubt that,” she said, cutting her carrots into dainty little pieces. “I’m sure even your schemes have schemes.”
I clapped a hand over my heart. “At last, another wife who understands me.”
I was rewarded with the faintest hint of a smile as she continued to dine.
I’d thought that the end of the conversation, until she said, “If we must share a cabin, we need a few ground rules. Noleaving your clothes around; I like a tidy room. You will give me adequate privacy—as in waitingoutsidethe cabin—so I can wash, change and see to my biological needs when required. I’ll do the same for you. And no removing my trunk. The remainder of my things stay with me.”
“Anything else?” I purred, faintly irritated by her tone. It was as if she assumed I’d agree just because she said it.
