BY THE TIME THE CHEERS erupt from the deck—which Spiros says means we’ve officially taken control of the other ship—I have Frederick on one side and S?ren and his guards on my other. We didn’t have time for Frederick to heal all of S?ren’s injuries, but the cosmetic ones have been taken care of, at least. The only outward sign that he is anything other than a guest on board is a limp he hides so well I wouldn’t notice if I weren’t looking for it. My dagger is sheathed at my hip, though it looks a bit silly strapped over my gray nightgown. It took some convincing for the guards to let S?ren out without chains, but my weight as queen helped push them. It isn’t a card I’ll be able to play forever, the Kaiser taught me that. A title is all well and good, but it doesn’t guarantee respect. Actio
