“Is that any way to look at your aunt?” When I didn’t fix my face, she sighed and said, “I came to help with our little Poseidon predicament. He’s such a whiner.” She brought the flower to her nose and sniffed. Her eyelids closed with a contented sound. “Threatening mankind all because the sirens are dumping humans into the vast bathing pool he calls his kingdom.”

She opened her eyes to roll them. “Apollo sent me. My dutiful twin, always trying to make everyone happy. What a burden.” She tucked the blue flower into her blond hair. “I’ve also had a lovely chat with Hermes. Why he chose the name Smitter is beyond me. So rough and vulgar sounding. And that fake scar and silly tattoo. Are they really necessary? It’s so…”

“Human?” I offered.

Artemis laughed. “Exactly. Anyway, he mentioned you’ve been having some difficulty with the female captain. A lover’s spat possibly?”

A growl slipped through my lips. “I’ll have to remind Uncle to stay out of my business.”

She flicked her hand to dismiss the notion. “Do you know how gardeners care for these poppies?”

“No, and I’m not interested.”

I continued down the stone path to a patch of open grass. A blanket had been spread out with a basket set on top, probably for Savina’s benefit. I lowered myself to the ground. Artemis followed, taking up the space next to me and extending her perfect, tanned legs. Her dress parted, exposing more skin than any courtly woman would find respectable. But my aunt had her bow and her vow of chastity to protect her honor, and any man whose eyes lingered too long would find an arrow through his neck… or worse.

“The poppies are notoriously difficult to grow. They prefer the high altitudes of the northern mountains. When attempting to cultivate this flower, gardeners must replicate that environment to keep the plant strong.”

I shrugged. “What’s your point?”

“Take into consideration that Elouise Farrington is a pirate. She grew up on a ship without a mother or a stable home. Then at age seventeen, she became an orphan in charge of an entire fleet of females. That’s a lot for a young woman. Remember her origin. When dealing with her, don’t try and fit her into your world; go to hers. And then slowly, you shall find a way to help each other grow and flourish in a world of your own making.”

I unclenched my teeth and lifted my eyes to the clear sky. “She’s just so damn frustrating.”

“Most women are, my darling,” Artemis chuckled. “But a few are equally worth the trouble.”

Savina came bounding toward our blanket. Dirt smudged the hem of her gown. She held her basket tight in one pudgy hand, laden with a cluster of roses. “What should I get next?”