Widow’s back is turned, because she’s certain I’m on the deck. When I place my wooden sword on the side of her throat, she whirls. “Seriously?”
“You’re seriously beaten.”
“That fairy juice fixed you right up.” Bill gives an amused snort.
“Fairy juice? Gross.” I lower my sword.
Widow squares up again. “I guess I’ll have to stop holding back now.”
“You weren’t holding back.” I kick my chin up.
“Lass, she’sdefinitelybeen holding back.” Hook steps up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist.
I lean against him. “I can hold my own.”
“You’ll get there.” He kisses my ear, which I’ve discovered are much pointier than before. They aren’t full fae, but they certainly aren’t the rounded tips I’m used to. “Just have to keep practicing.”
Widow looks up at the waning moon. “We’ve been at this for hours. I need a break.” She sheaths her sword and strides off toward Starkey, who’s waiting with a cup of water—or rum.
“How soon before we make it to the Crystal Caves?” I turn in Hook’s arms and look up at him.
“A day.”
“Widow said we have to get through the Neverstorm first.”
“Aye. We could dodge it, but that would take us all the way back around the island, past the cape, and up the other side. We don’t have that much time, not when Peter’s still after you.” He presses his lips to mine. “I won’t rest until that twat is in pieces.”
“You’re so romantic.” I kiss him back, then pull away. “We still haven’t talked about everything. You snuck out before I woke up.”
“I’m a pirate captain, lass. Always work to do,” he says easily. A little too easily.
“Are you avoiding talking with me?”
“What? We’re talking right now.” He moves in, his hands at my waist as he bends me backwards, kissing me roughly as he takes my breath away.
I dig my nails into his shoulders to get him to let up, but it only makes him growl into my mouth and tongue me more deeply. He’s insatiable, to say the least. A pirate through and through. I’d be lying if I said I don’t love it. But that brings my mind to a screeching halt when I remember what the Spinner told me.
“Captain, we’re getting close!” Smee calls from his spot at the wheel.
Hook slowly sets me upright, then lets me go, grumbling under his breath as he climbs to the upper deck.
Cookson limps up to me, a plate with bread and cheese in one hand and a cup of water in the other. “You worked up an appetite with all that fighting, didn’t you? I figured I’d bring these ter you, give you a little pick-me-up.”
“Thanks.” I take his offerings. “You always show up at just the right time.”
He beams. “Happy to be of service.”
I sit on the stairs and have my snack as Smee and Hook discuss our route through the Neverstorm while poring over a map Hook’s knifed to the wall outside his cabin. The sky is dark up ahead, far darker than usual. No moonglow penetrates the sky, but every so often I see a flash of what must be lightning. The Neverstorm.
“No, the gale blows backwards through these parts.” Hook points to a spot on the map. “Can’t navigate it.”
How can there be a map of a storm? I would ask that question, but I’ve discovered that nothing in Neverland has an easy answer, and there are still plenty of things even the Guardians can’t explain. The Neverstorm probably fits right into that category.
Once I’m done eating, I glance at Hook. He’s still deep in conversation with Smee, who honestly seems glowingly happy that Hook is talking to him at all.
I leave them be and wander below decks to return my dishes to Cookson. He’s sprinkling some unknown herbs into a big pot of lamb stew. It smells amazing. Maybe one day he can show me his ways. As it is, the galley is too hot and close for me to stay inside it for long. I grab a fresh cup of water and another hunk of bread with a slice of cheese, then sneak out the way I came.
I run into Shiner and Skylights.
