“Temporary.”
“And my face.” I have to look down, and I wish my hair could fall forward and hide me from him.
“Your face is beautiful, lass.” He takes my chin and lifts it. “Youare beautiful. I don’t care what package you come in as long as it’syou.” Reaching forward, he rests his palm on my chest over my heart. “This is strong, stronger than I ever could’ve imagined. Brave, too. Even though you don’t believe it. To have come this far, survived this long—you’re so much stronger than you realize.”
“You getting all sappy on me, pirate?” I sniffle.
“Would you like me to gut someone for you? Just give me a name.” He leans back and stabs a piece of chicken.
I glance at the door, Smee’s name coming to mind.
Hook smirks and chews his chicken. “Eat, lass. We’ll talk about who you want me to skin later.”
“I suppose it can wait.” I fork a few more roasted vegetables. “How much longer until we get to the Fairy Village?”
“Crosswinds are being a bitch, so we’re working against it. Current’s helping us, though.” He shoots a look at the map of Neverland on the wall. “We don’t come this way this time of year, so we’re at a slight disadvantage on the conditions ahead of us.”
“Why not?”
He clears his throat and takes a long drink of water.
I narrow my eyes. “James?”
“It’s James now, is it?” He puts his cup back on the table. “Must be serious.”
“Don’t give me that sexy little smirk.” I cross my arms over my chest. “Why don’t you come this way? There has to be a reason.”
He clears his throat again. “Well, this time of year is spawning season for all sorts of creatures. And some of them prefer to spawn in this particular patch of water.”
“That doesn’t sound so bad. You don’t come through here so you don’t disturb them getting busy. That’s a good thing.”
He stands and stacks our plates. “Right. A good thing. I’ll get these back to Cookson and—”
“What are you not telling me?” I glare up at him.
“The chances of us running into trouble are small, so don’t—”
A sharp whistle cuts through the air.
“Fuck.” He drops the plates on the table, then dashes around it, scoops me up, and puts me back in bed. “Stay here.”
“Why? What’s happening?”
He kisses me in that vicious, perfect way of his. “Stay here, lass. You’ll be safe.”
“Safe from what?”
“Nothing to worr—”
“Captain. It’s Anne!” Smee calls.
“Bloody hell!” He straightens and rushes to the door.
“She has all her guns at the ready this time!”
Hook stabs a finger at me. “Stay put!”
I start to protest, but he’s already disappeared through the door while yelling orders about ‘mizzenmasts,’ ‘Long Tom,’ and putting anyone who dares attack the Jolly Roger ‘to the sword’.
