I limped my way to the galley, stomach rumbling. I arrived just as Eli finished cooking. Havil glanced my way, his brow furrowed. Shit, I’d forgotten that he was empathic.

I wasn’t entirely sure how to shield pain, but I strengthened my mental shields, and he went back to helping Eli without saying anything.

At least without saying anything out loud.

Torran turned and frowned at me. His gaze flickered over me, presumably looking for the injury. When I raised an eyebrow at the frank assessment, he met my eyes, expression unreadable.

“Are you hurt?” he mouthed.

I shook my head.

His frown returned, but he dipped his chin and returned to his conversation with Kee.

Lexi and Varro were working together to set the table. Lexi had changed into stretchy dark pants and a light blue shirt, but her expression did not match her relaxed wardrobe. Her smile was too bright, too sharp.

I pulled her aside after she’d laid out the plates she held. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s just strange to see Starlight full of Valoffs,” she said, her eyes troubled. “And Kee chats with them like they’ve been friends forever. It’s like she’s completely forgotten that they tried to kill us for years—and damn near succeeded. I know she could make friends with a rock, but cozying up to the enemy is too much, even for her.”

“Give Kee some credit,” I admonished lightly. “She is aware of who they are. The first day, General Fletcher threatened to kill everyone on the ship, and I had to break up a fistfight between Eli and Varro. Since then, we’ve had nearly a week to get used to it. Take the time and space you need. I was planning to seat you between Eli and Fletcher,” I said, pointing at chairs, “but I can put you on the other side of Eli instead, if you would prefer.”

She considered it, then shook her head. “Your original plan is fine. I’ll adapt.”

“Let me know if you change your mind. Have you been introduced to everyone?”

“Thank you. And yeah, Kee introduced me to the rest of Torran’s crew. Quite the interesting collection of people, isn’t it?” She didn’t wait for a response, but at least her smile was a little more genuine when she went back to helping Varro.

I leaned against the wall and watched the two teams interact. Lexi was right—both teams were becoming more comfortable with each other. Chira and Havil helped Eli plate the food while Kee kept up a constant stream of conversation with anyone who came into her orbit.

Anja entered the room, freshly showered. She headed my way with a grimace. “I think we may have overdone it,” she said. “I don’t know about you, but I feel like I’ve gone a dozen rounds with a boxing bot.”