Lou reached for the handle. “Thank you. I wondered if you’d ever return it.” She placed it inside her boot. “You know your father gifted it to me.”

That’s odd. My father didn’t usually gift humans with godly possessions. My brow rose, uncertain I should share my hesitation. “Did he? I’ll have to make sure my father knows you don’t need presents from other gentlemen.”

Lou chuckled, shaking her head.

I waved her forward. “Ladies first.”

“Then by all means, you should go.” Lou laughed, mirroring my gesture.

We boarded the suspended tender, and Via and Krinny lowered the little boat. The crew of The Freedom waved from the rails. “No speech to the crew?” I asked Lou as we descended. She sat facing me in between the oars, our knees in line with one another.

She shook her head. “We’ve all been through so much. I want them to think we’re certain we’ll return. And if we don’t, Smitter will take care of them, right? He’ll take them back to Cava and reward their efforts?”

Smitter materialized across from Lou on the bench next to me, shoulder to shoulder. “Absolutely, Captain Lou.”

Lou jumped from her seat, almost capsizing us. Her hands clutched at her chest as I grabbed her shoulder and helped her sit back down in the quivering boat. Her eyes fluttered as she took in Smitter. “You need to stop doing that…”

“How do you expect me to arrive, then?” Smitter crossed his arms. “You seem to be the only one with an aversion to my methods. Your constant complaining has grown irksome.”

Lou’s brows pinched, and her face reddened. “Any mortal of right mind would have a poor reaction to a god appearing out of thin air. It’s disturbing.”

“I agree with the lady. You are disturbing,” Artemis said, emerging on the bench beside Lou with her blood red lips tipped upward. Her skin peeked out through her slitted silver dress as she crossed her legs. “But I rather like our grand entrances and exits.” She scrunched her nose in a self-indulgent grin, adding, “They’re divine.”

Lou’s jaw dropped, and she blinked rapidly.

“Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Artemis. His aunt.” She pointed to me with a pristine nail. Her gold bracelets jingled. “And his sister.” She gestured to Smitter. Her hand swiveled to cup Lou’s stomach. “I was right. Did you warn them?” she asked Smitter, who stifled a laugh.

Lou swatted at Artemis’ wrist. “Don’t touch me.” She glared at Smitter. “Warn us about what?”

I pinched the skin between my eyes, willing my aunt and uncle’s silence. I’d never had a woman for them to torment before, and they’d jumped on every chance for humiliation lately. If we made it out alive, I’d be having a sit-down with them about appropriate family behaviors.