I settle in and watch him, though I have to admit I’m surprised he’s volunteered to talk to me. Usually, I can’t get more than two words out of him at a time. But I won’t toss away this good fortune just because it comes in an odd package. “Go on.”
“Long ago.” He clears his throat and starts again, “Long ago when the Guardians had their very first leader, they named him king. He was the ruler of the Guardians and the predecessor to a long line of leaders—Tiger Lily is part of his line. He had many sons and daughters, each of them a prince or princess in their own right.”
“Oooh, I love a royalty story.”
He holds a hand up to shush me.
“Sorry,” I whisper. “Didn’t mean to break the fourth wall. Go on.”
He cocks his head at me, clearly not sure what I’m talking about, but he continues, “One of the princes loved the sea. The Guardians have always been bound to the island, to the land and the freshwater, and the plants and animals that thrive here. But this prince, he dreamed of sailing away and finding his own destiny.”
“Is the prince you?” I whisper.
This gets me a sharp look.
“I’m quiet,” I squeak and promise myself to not say another word.
He runs a hand along the dark, close-cropped hair on his skull. “He felled great trees and created a ship. It sank only a quarter mile offshore.” He gives a wry smile. “He created another, this time with much more attention to seaworthiness. It sailed beautifully, taking the prince far out into the sea where he saw many amazing things. Terrible sea creatures. A storm that never stopped. A huge whirlpool. But there were beautiful sights, too. One of the most beautiful was a mermaid. Ariella.”
My eyes go wide, but I have to bite my tongue to stop myself from yelling, “oh my god, I know her! She tried to kill me!”
“The prince met her in the Neverstorm after his ship was flooded and wrecked, all his crew set adrift and drowned. He only survived because Ariella pulled him to shore.”
I gasp. “Wait, you’re Prince Eric? She’s … she’s the little mermaid?”
He glares at me, and I realize I spoke again when I promised I wouldn’t.
“He fell in love with her at that moment and vowed to return to the sea every day from then on out to be with her. He did … for a time. But the prince had responsibilities on the shore. His father was in ill health and died. The prince became the leader of the Guardians. He would have to fight the Lost Boys and the pirates, broker peace between the fae and the imps, the imps and the gnomes, the gnomes and the werewolves, and so on. He ventured to the sea less and less. He broke his vow to Ariella, to the one creature who loved him above all others. His duties to the Guardians came first. That’s what he told himself.” His tone is bitter now, his face drawn. “And when the time came, he married another.”
“Oh no,” I say silently.
After he and the new queen were wed and enjoying their celebration, Ari walked into the camp. She called for him, her golden voice piercing his heart. His guards held her as he ran to her side and demanded her release. She clung to him, sobbing, but so happy to see him. She didn’t know he’d already betrayed her. She only sawhim.” He grits his teeth, then takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “When she finally understood what was happening, that he was already wed to another, she told him she’d made a deal with the Spinner. The Spinner agreed that her love for the prince-now-king was true. Ari asked for legs instead of fins so she could be with the man she loved. The Spinner agreed, but only on the condition that Ari marry the prince and spread the gift of true love throughout the island—for happy thoughts have always strengthened the fae of Neverland.”
I can’t stop the bridge of my nose from prickling with tears. “What happened?”
“Ariella couldn’t make good on her promise to the Spinner. The Spinner’s gift turned into a curse, and Ari was forced to wander Neverland forever. She couldn’t return to the sea, and she couldn’t be with the man she loved. She’s been trapped ever since.”
“Wh-why are you telling me this?” I sniffle.
He moves closer, his face in shadow from the fire at his back. “If you are truly descended from the line of Spinners, maybe you can break her curse.”
“Can’t you break it? I don’t see a wife around here. You could marry her and—”
“My queen died a long time ago, and I gave up my place as leader of the Guardians. I didn’t want it. All I wanted was Ari, but she won’t see me, won’t speak to me, won’t even look at me.” The anguish in his voice wrings more tears from me. “It’s been so long now. I don’t even know how many centuries have passed. Her curse is unbreakable. Only a Spinner can undo it. Once she’s free of it, we can be together.”
“But there’s a Spinner in the Fairy Village. I’m going there. I’ll ask if—”
“She won’t.” His tone sours. “I’ve begged every Spinner since the curse began. None of them will go against their ancestor. But you—you’re not from here. You don’t know the fae customs and you don’t have to abide by them. You could break the curse. It can only be you.”
“Wraith …” I try to gather my words. “I don’t know what to say. I don’t even know if Iamfae. Nothing has manifested. I can’t fly, and I don’t have powers. Widow’s wings grew when she got to Neverland. I’ve grown nothing—well, if anything, I’ve grown sick. Look at me.”
“I know that.” He nods. “I know the chances of you making it to the Fairy Village are small.”
“Hey, unnecessary.” I glare at him.
He groans with frustration. “I don’t mean it that way. Iwantyou to make it. You’re Ari’s only chance.” He swallows hard. “You’remyonly chance to repair the mistake I made, to fix the heart I broke.”
I look at him, his eyes still visible despite the shadows. “Sounds to me like it was two hearts that broke, not just the one.”
