His fingers brushed her cheek, trailing across her skin and tipping her face up to his. “Good, because I love you, Tink, and I’d have you stay with me.” He swallowed, his gaze flittering. “I know you want to go home, to your home, but I’d hoped…”
She covered his hand with hers. “I’d like to visit. To see my parents, the elders, the rest of my family.” Feel the soft grass between her toes, the perfumed breeze in her hair. There was no place in Neverland quite like Sylvanna Vale, and though she’d once considered it perfect, it wouldn’t be anymore, not withoutthe man in front of her. “I want to tell them that I’m safe. I’m happy.”
“Are you, love?” He brushed a strand of hair back from her face.
A soft glow emanated from behind, just visible out the corner of her eye. She urged it brighter, let the warmth in her heart slip out to her fluttering wings. “You tell me.” She grinned.
He pressed his forehead to hers. “Good. But we’ll keep searching for a way for you to return to the vale, if only to visit. Besides…” James stepped back, flashing her a wicked smile. “There’s not a treasure in Neverland that the great Captain Hook can’t find.”
She giggled. “ThegreatCaptain Hook, is it?”
The humor slipped from his gaze like a retreating wave. “Do you want to find…her?”
There’d been no sign of Lily, Peter, or the boys. They’d searched for the better part of a day. It should have been easy. They couldn’t have gotten far. But even so, their whereabouts remained a mystery. They had seen a few of Blackbeard’s men though, scrambling away in little dinghies and pulling to shore on a narrow spit of land. By Hook’s order and agreement from Cressida and her crew, they let them go. Let them choose a new life. Maybe a better one. Though they might just slip a few hints to the Gamoreans in Rochland. At least it might appease them for a time.
Of theKraken’s captain, they saw no sign. Hopefully, the sea had truly claimed him as its own at last.
Tink gave herself a little shake. “I…yes. I think so. Peter and the boys too.” She looked out across the sea and hugged her arms around herself. With any luck, they’d gone back to her treehouse, or would eventually. He was James’s brother after all, even if the ties that bound them were dark ones.
“They’re fine,” James said, placing an arm around her shoulders and pulling her close. “I’m sure of it.”
“You’re right.” She heaved a sigh. Somehow, she was certain of it too. They’d meet again, all of them. “We’ll find them.”
“Aye, pirates always bring home the treasure they seek.”
She arched one careful brow. “Do they? I’m afraid you’re coming into port a bit empty-handed this time.”
“Oh?” He slid his arm down her back, pulling her close until they were nearly pressed together. “We’re less one curse. And I might have just found the greatest treasure in all of Neverland.”
The greatest treasure… She tilted her head to the side.By all the revered elders, when did he find something like that?
“You, Tink.”
A flutter raced through her chest. Tears welled in her eyes. “James.”
Beyond her tears, his dark gaze held wonder, joy, but most of all, love. “The last treasure I’ll take for myself, and the only one I need.”
His lips claimed hers in a soft kiss full of promise. Many adventures lay ahead, but no matter where the tide would take them, they’d journey there together. Though not the destination she originally had in mind, Tink found the home she sought—in the arms of a filthy pirate.
Epilogue
Part 1
Hook
Captain Hook stood near the bow of the Jolly Roger, wind in his hair, the gentle rock of the ship under his feet, and the woman he loved wrapped in his arms. It was strange not being at the wheel guiding them home. Tink nestled further against him. Her wings fluttered against his sides, and the corner of his lips quirked up. She had no idea how that gentle touch thrilled him. Truly, there was nowhere he’d rather be at that moment.
Against all odds, they’d been victorious. If the gods were good, that crocodile Blackbeard would be food for the fishes at the bottom of the sea.
His father.
Hook stiffened.
Tink must have felt the change in him because she stroked his forearm and twisted to glance at him over one shoulder. “Everything okay?”
Hook forced a smile. He wouldn’t let that bastard shadow his heels anymore. Especially not today. “Perfect, love.”
He hunched around her, careful not to crush her wings, and let his chin come to rest on top of her head. Nothing was quite so sweet as her scent in his nose or her lithe form pressed against him. Though, the sight drawing near was a close second.
