“Thank you.” I take her hand in my bandaged one. “Thank you for finding me.”
“It was nothing.” Then her eyes get a sharp glint in them. “How’d you like that underwater kiss, eh? Nice, right?”
“That wasn’t even a real kiss.” I roll my eyes. “You were giving me air.”
“Look, if you don’t want to admit to all the feelings between us, I understand. But it’s only a matter of time before all that emotion comes pouring out, and when that happens—”
“Oh my god.” I laugh. “You are ridiculous.”
She grins. “I know. But at least you’re smiling now. Not thinking about that ponce in the cave. He isn’t worth all this bother. Not from me or from you.”
“He isn’t,” I agree. “Do you think the island will let me wish him away?”
Her eyes pop as she puts her hand over my mouth. “She was just kidding,” she calls to no one in particular before giving me a hard look. “Too far, mainlander.”
“Sorry,” I say against her palm.
Once she realizes that we aren’t going to be struck by lightning or swallowed up by the island, she relaxes.
“But what’s our next step? I know I need to get to the Fairy Village. I’m just not sure how.”
“The Jolly Roger. I’m still going with you. In fact, I’ll be by your side from now on. It’s what Tiger Lily wants.”
“She doesn’t trust me?”
“She doesn’t trust you to stay out of trouble. Somehow, it just finds you. Wouldn’t you agree?” She offers me another spoonful of the not-oatmeal, and I take it, though it’s a bit gummier now that it’s cooled.
“I do agree. I’m a lightning rod for it.”
“Anyway.” She dips out the last bit of not-oatmeal and feeds it to me before dropping the spoon into the bowl. “As soon as you’re able to travel, you and I will head out toward the sea. I’ve no doubt that the Jolly Roger is already stationed offshore nearby. Hook won’t let you get away for long. I’m surprised he isn’t here yet. Then again, even with the truce and alliance between our peoples, Hook hasn’t been welcome in the village ever since he went into the heart of the island against Tiger Lily’s wishes.”
“What will she do if he comes for me?”
“She might kill him.” She shrugs. “She only needs his ship to get you to the Fairy Village, I suppose.”
“So, you know how to navigate the sea on a pirate galleon?” I ask with one eyebrow raised.
“I’m sure I could figure it out.” She stands and stretches, then grabs my empty bowl. “I’ll be back later.”
“When you do, I wantyouto tellmea story.” I snuggle down beneath the blankets. “I’m getting pretty bored of being laid up in bed because of the things this island likes to do to me. I need entertainment.”
“As long as you promise you won’t suck out my soul—or laugh at my horrible story-telling—then I’ll be happy to.”
“Good.” I watch as she retreats through the hallway that links the round house to the other structures in the village.
“I can tell you a story.” Wraith materializes from the gloom on the far side of the room.
“Jeez. You need a bell, mister.” I point to my neck.
He sits beside the fire, legs crossed as he watches me. He’s dressed in dark gray, knives strapped across his chest. Wraith always looks like he’s on the edge of a battle, only moments away from plunging into a deadly fray.
“But yes, I’d be happy to hear a story. Hit me with your best shot.”
“It’s sad,” he warns.
“Make me cry,” I challenge. “But not really,” I add quickly. “I feel like I cry too much as it is.”
He smirks. “No promises.”
