I finish almost the whole little bowl of it before shaking my head again.
“I think this is a good showing. Blackbeard will be pleased, and Hook might lay off for a while.” She rolls her eyes. “I’ve never seen that man acting like this huge of an ass—and believe me—he’salwaysan ass.”
“You know Hook?” I struggle to get the words out, my eyelids already feeling heavy again.
“Of course. I’m a boatswain for Blackbeard—well, I guess I mean to say Iwasbefore he retired.” She grabs the plate and stands.
That’s when I see the pair of wings on her back. They’re almost see-through, like a ghost of wings, and far smaller than Tinker Bell’s.
“I can tell you’re gawking at them.” She gives me a look over her shoulder. “It’s all right.”
“You’re a fairy?” I ask.
“Only partly.” She shrugs. “Can’t fly. Can’t do magic. But I make a mean pudding.” She smiles again, then heads for the door.
“Thank you,” I call after her, a million questions flitting around my brain but none coalescing onto my tongue.
“See you again soon. I intend to feed you well. Blackbeard wants all of Neverland to know how we treated Peter’s boon.” The last word draws blood, like an accidental needle poke.
“What does that me—”
She closes the door before I can get the question out.
I slump back against the pillows, the food sitting heavy in my stomach. Maybe I shouldn’t have had so much pudding.
* * *
The bathroom issmall but clean. Nothing fancy—no mirror or a real vanity, but it works. I’ve been able to walk myself to it, though it does require a hobble on my part. But I feel stronger. I don’t know how many days—or nights—I’ve been here, but it’s worked wonders. Or maybe the food has. Widow has brought me meals and little tidbits of gossip during her visits over the past few days.
Still, she isn’t exactly forthcoming when I ask about Hook or Peter, or anything to do with Neverland. She’s close-lipped, and I can tell that it’s the way Blackbeard wants it. I don’t know why. I’ve yet to meet the man. But at least now I know he’s not the one who murders his wives. He’s the biggest pirate of all time, according to Widow. Maybe she’s biased since she’s on his crew. I think Hook is the most well-known pirate I can think of, then Captain Jack Sparrow after him, and maybe the bearded pirates a few spots down from that. But Hook hasn’t come to see me either. Maybe he feels that his prisoner is all sewn up with my bum leg and second-floor bedroom.
I intend to show him just how wrong he is, but I’m still working up to it.
At least Widow’s given me some interesting intel. Like how Blackbeard and Huran are an item and have been since they first met when Blackbeard attacked Huran’s vessel. A real meet cute on the high seas with things exploding all over the place. Huran added some more color to the story when I asked him about his history with Blackbeard, but he got shy about the spicy parts. He truly is a kind person. It’s a shame he got mixed up with pirates, but I suppose you can’t help who you fall in love with.
I limp back to my bed and sit hard on the mattress with a groan. My seagull, who I’ve named Sally, still perches on her window, her shrewd eyes on me. “No treats today, I’m afraid. Widow saw me trying to hide some hashbrown from breakfast for you, and she scolded me.”
Sally laughs and shakes her feathers before returning to watching the shore outside. A breeze drifts in from the ocean, and the moon glow shows me a glittering sea that stretches far to the horizon before disappearing in a hazy fog. Neverland is out there. I can’t see it, but I can feel it. Like it’s lashed itself to my bones and pulls my strings.
I hear footsteps in the hallway and recognize them as Huran’s. He knocks and enters, his usual teal robe replaced with a white one.
“You’re looking spry today.” He smiles and kneels by the bed to inspect my leg. “Very nice. Let’s keep leaving it unwrapped. The stitches came out nicely, and everything’s healing up well.” He stands. “You’re a lucky woman.”
“What’s with the new outfit?” I ask as I lean back against the pillows.
“This old thing?” He spins for me. “You’re too kind. Blackbeard has called a meeting of pirate captains. I have to make a good host for the event.”
“A meeting? Why?”
He looks away. “Oh, you know, just usual pirate things, I suppose.”
“You’re a terrible liar.”
“I know.” He sighs and sits on the edge of my bed.
“How about the truth?” I probe.
He pats the back of my hand. “All you need to know is that you’re safe here, all right?”
