Moments later, they were climbing back up the side of the pirate ship, startling Brinson, who had just begun celebrating their departure.
"We heard something," Salviana said. "Below deck."
Brinson frowned. "That part of the ship's off-limits."
"I don't care."
"You should."
Devon stepped forward, brows pinched. "You got your mirror. Take it and go."
"I heard a voice," Salviana said, her eyes burning like coals. "And it called me Your Grace. Someone knows me."
Devon stared at her for a long, heavy moment. His expression flickered, something calculating behind his eyes. Then, very quietly, he said:
"Then you'd best find out who it is."
Before Salviana could push further, Captain Brinson barked, stepping between them.
"No!" he growled. "Payment first, if you want the lower holds opened. We don't do charity, not even for bloody royals."
Alaric's teeth ground together audibly. "We've already paid you."
