It’d been a long time since she’d seen a baby—they weren’t often spotted around Tortuga. The last one she’d held was back in the vale. Just a tiny little thing with wings transparent as glass.
“You don’t think they’ll mind, do you?” A tangle of worry knotted within her. Humans weren’t always so open and social as pixies, at least not from her experience. Back home, a baby was a joy to the whole community, shown off and celebrated by everyone. Would it be the same for them?
James laughed and offered her his arm. “Of course not.”
She took it. The moment they touched, the knots in her fell loose.
“You’re one of us now.” He beamed down at her. “Family.”
Family.She bit her bottom laugh to hold back a giggle. That’s right, and this was her home. “Well then, let’s go meet our new family member.”
The house was still packed when Tink and James arrived. People filled the main room, sharing drinks, food, and tales of their most recent adventure. Conversation broke into a round of rowdy cheers as those gathered caught sight of them, arm-in-arm. Heat raced up Tink’s neck, across her cheeks, and all the way to the points of her ears.
Durin’s beard, you’d think they welcomed a hero.
But their raised glasses and wide grins weren’t just for the captain. No, most of them looked to her. Suddenly, the urge to flee gripped her, especially when James released her. She’d only taken one step back when he wrapped his arm around her—careful of her wings, as always—and pulled her close once more.
Trapped in the onslaught of praise, all she could do was stand there and force a grin.
“Can it, you nitwits!” Sage boomed as she shoved through the crowd. “You’re going to wake my niece.”
Those gathered obliged, thank all the elders, and returned to attending their drinks and quieter conversation.
Sage winked at Tink as she neared. “Ready to meet her?”
Reya reclined on the bed, cuddling a small form wrapped in a blanket that sucked at one breast. Barley sat next to her, thepicture of a proud, new father with his beaming features. Smee turned back from the open window as they entered and wiped at his face. If it weren’t for the peaceful, happy aura surrounding the couple, Tink might have been worried.
Who knew Smee was such a softie?
Tink held in a giggle as the first mate quickly turned away again. Actually, the tears made a certain sense. For being a beast of a man, he was as gentle as a rabbit.
“Congratulations on your new arrival.” James dipped a bow to the couple. Tink followed suit.
“Arrived just this morning,” Barley said, a touch of wonder still lingering in his tone.
Tink’s wings drooped. So close, yet they’d been just a few hours late.
“I’m sorry we couldn’t get you back in time to be here,” James said, echoing her thoughts.
Reya snorted. “He wouldn’t have wanted to be here for that part anyway.”
“Hey, I’d have—”
“Really?” she cut him off, one brow arched in emphasis.
Barley turned sheepish and looked at his boots. “Okay… Maybe….”
Reya rolled her eyes before looking back to Tink. Her countenance turned serious. “Thank you.”
“Me?” Tink gaped.
The new mother nodded. “For what you sacrificed. For bringing them home to us.” Her gaze panned to her brother, to Sage lingering near the door, and then to her husband. Did she know they’d nearly all drowned? That death had held the people she loved in his embrace? It had cradled them close as she did her baby, only for them to be snatched away at the last moment.
Tink rubbed the back of her neck. “Really it was the merfolk who—”
“Nonsense. I’m just as thankful for you. Now, would you like to see her?” She flicked her gaze to the baby and back up, her smile widening. “She’s a hungry girl.”
Tink and James drew closer at Reya’s invitation. A soft sigh melted through Tink as she got a better look at the girl. Barley’s for sure, with her smattering of dark hair and the same shape to her little nose. She’d forgotten how small newborns were. A tingling started under Tink’s skin that had her wings fluttering and a few motes of benign dust floating through the room.
