Hannah flashed a wicked grin. “Captain, you’d have to be daft not to know Rye’s blessed by the gods. He reeks of magic. His strength is incomparable, he never has a scratch on him, and his melody is damn near intoxicating. His little show at the tavern was incomprehensible at best. If I were a betting lass, I’d wager he can heal himself, has Herculean strength, and a gift of song.”

My jaw slackened, and the food I had been chewing lingered on my tongue. Was it that obvious? How had I missed all of it?

“And you’re mad because he’s used his powers to help us?” Hannah propped her elbows on my desk.

I swallowed. “That’s not all. He’s used them on me.”

“How?”

I growled. “I don’t know exactly. I didn’t ask.”

Hannah scoffed dropping back against her chair. “So, you’re steaming for a bunch of slights you’ve conjured in your pretty head?”

I’d had enough. I struck the desk with a fist. The tray wobbled, the gravy threatening to spill over the sides of the bowl. “He killed my father. I didn’t imagine that slight.” Tears welled, but I blinked them away, refusing to show that kind of weakness, even to a precious confidant like Hannah.

The creases around Hannah’s eyes softened. “Lou, do you know how your father really died? Did Lianna ever confide in you?” She took on the soothing tones of a physician, and I found myself resenting her for it. A leader, a captain no less, shouldn’t need coddling.

I stood and turned toward the wide windowpanes, temper black as the night reflected in the water. Did it matter how Rylander slew my father? Should I care? The culprit slept comfortably on my ship, laughed with my crew, and laid his lips on mine. I pressed two fingers to my mouth, remembering his teasing touch. I dropped my hand. Anger needled me.

Hannah sighed. “Sit. I’ll tell you the tale of your father’s death, and then you can reach your own conclusion about the man who just saved us from the locker.”

I returned to my seat and pushed my plate forward. I had lost my appetite.

“Your father forged a deal with the Siren Queen many years ago, before your mother allowed you on this ship. The queen swam out to our boat, and I served them lunch.”

I leaned over the desk and gaped at Hannah. “You met the Siren Queen?” The words barely made it out of my mouth.