“Hewas not in the water.” Her hair floated around her like a bright cloud, catching the light of the bioluminescent coral.
Tink’s hands fisted in her own hair, nearly yanking it out by the roots.
Barley wrapped his arms around her to stop her pacing. “Captain’s strong. He’ll be okay.”
“Okay?” A humorless laugh bubbled into the air as she pulled away. “Captain Blackbeard has him tied up on his ship! He just tried to drown us all. He burnt theJolly Roger!”
“I know,” Barley said, ever the level-headed one.
“We all do,” Smee said. He sat with his arm around Anne, who looked paler than usual.
Tink heaved a sob, fighting against the tears that threatened. She’d never cried so much in her life. Barley took her in his arms again. Sage joined them, hugged them both tight. “We’ll figure out a plan. Soon as we get out of here,” she said.
“Speaking of which…” Barley glanced at the merman who’d joined them.
He bobbed idly in the water. “She comes,” his deep voice echoed through the cave.
“She?” Tink asked.
The water seemed to swell and expand. A moment later, a pale head draped in violet hair burst through the surface. Titania’sbone-white crown bore a twist of green kelp. Necklaces of baby pink pearls were draped over her bare chest.
“My, you all look wretched.” She appraised them one by one with her too-intent gaze.
“Thank you for saving us.” Smee stood before bowing to the queen. He was truly the first mate in that moment, taking on the mantle of leadership.
“Thank my consort and his sister.” She waved her hand at the other two.
Consort?Tink raised her brows before dipping a respectful bow to the green-haired merman and his cheery sister.
“Queen Titania,” Tink burst out before she’d fully raised her head. “Captain Blackbeard has James, er, Captain Hook. We have to get him back.”
The queen lifted one lavender brow. “Asking another favor of me?”
“Yes.” She’d taste the lie if Tink tried to deny it.
Titania blinked. “You love him.”
It wasn’t a question. Even so, she answered, “Yes.”
Standing there in her truth, her soul bared, she’d never felt more comfortable. She loved him. His crew might as well know—they’d heard his confession, after all.
Titania nodded, thoughtful. The haughty air that hung about her dimmed until she looked almost normal, relatable, friendly. It wasn’t a real change, more a softening of her features. “I cannot risk my people. Not even for love.”
Tink’s stomach dropped. That was it, their chance to save James. Sharp nails bit into her palms. Titania could save him. She didn’t say shecouldn’t, just that shewouldn’t. “He got caught because of you!” She threw an accusing finger at the queen, her voice going sharp. “We’re here because you wanted the damn scale of Leviathan!”
The temperature in the cave dropped.
“Tink.” Sage grabbed her arm in warning.
Titania’s eyes narrowed. Her tail stirred up waves.
“You’re here because you wanted something from me.” She bared her fangs. “My people saved your life!”
The words hit like a slap to the face. Tink’s shoulders fell. She was right, of course. It wasn’t the queen’s fault. They’d asked for a way to remove their curses. Tink had gotten James and his men cursed when she stole from them, after Blackbeard had taken the jewels to begin with. It was Blackbeard’s men who’d seduced Lily, who’d accepted Tink’s dust in trade for her, even knowing she was there by her own will.
Blackbeard. It all came back to him. He was the source of all their pain, and now he held James’s life in his hands—after trying to end all of theirs.
“I’m sorry,” Tink croaked, holding back a sob.
