CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Sophia stood at the prow of her flagship, watching the enemy ships chase it down. She stood there deliberately, standing as tall and proud as any commander could, so that the chasing ships would see her there.
Sienne tugged at her arm, her mouth pulling at her.
“No, Sienne,” Sophia said. “I have to stay here. They have to see me so that they’ll chase.”
Sophia doubted that the forest cat understood any of her words, but she seemed to understand Sophia’s determination to stay where she was. She crouched beside Sophia, glowering out at the advancing ships instead.
It was impossible for them not to see her. The flagship had every royal pennant and flag it possessed hanging from it, declaring Sophia’s presence even as the vessel kept her moving away from their foes. The ha
