Hannah walked in toting a tray of food that she placed on the corner of my desk. Pulled pork in a rich, brown gravy, mashed potatoes, and boiled purple carrots slathered in a fresh herb sauce purchased in Cava piled high. Hovering steam beckoned like a curling finger. I stabbed a carrot chunk with my two-pronged iron fork and popped it into my mouth. The concoction of spices cast magic across my tongue.

Hannah snatched a cloth napkin from her apron pocket and slipped it next to the plate. She wiped her hands on her smock, which she wore over a long, pale green dress that matched the ribbons woven into her hair. Instead of dismissing herself, she crossed her arms over her bountiful chest and stared.

My brow lifted as my fork hovered impatiently over the mashed potatoes. “Something I can help you with?”

“Is there a reason Rye is pouting this evening? He hasn’t once taken credit for any of the crew’s wild stories of our victory over The Black Hollow.”

I opened my mouth but quickly shut it when she held up her finger.

“And why, might I ask, has our brilliant captain, who normally eats dinner with her loyal crew, locked herself up in her room since the attack?”

My face twisted. I hadn’t thought at all about how my sulking would look.

“Krinny’s done a fine job covering for you. Our lasses think you’re forging a plan for our journey. They have no idea what I know.” Her eyes narrowed. “You are hiding out. Mighty cowardly if you ask me.”

“Hold your tongue!” I scooped up a mound of potatoes and a forkful of pork at the same time. I shoveled some into my mouth, savoring the butter.

Hannah’s brow pulled upward, daring me to deny her claims.

“Fine.” I stabbed another carrot with my fork. “Not that it is any of your business, but we had a fight.”

“Tell me something I haven’t already figured out.” Hannah pulled out the chair opposite me and lowered herself into it.

“Make yourself comfortable,” I grumbled. Stalling, I scarfed a few more bites. Finally succumbing to Hannah’s intractable stare, I said, “I don’t think you understand.”

“That’s why I’m sitting here, ain’t it? It’s clear as a sunny spring day that Rye fancies you. Whatever he did to make you cross, it’s affecting him poorly. So here I am to listen.”

“He has powers.” I leaned in to whisper my secret. “Powers of the gods.” I pointed toward the heavens.