*****
Tink yelped as Smee sat, or rather dropped, her onto her ass on deck. “Bastard,” she hissed.
“My ma and da were married,” he replied, a look of pride beaming off his features in the moonlight.
She rolled her eyes.
Other members of the crew gathered, eager to see the captain’s newest prize. Two barely kept their feet, drunk as they were.
“Gents, you may remember Tinker Bell.” Hook sauntered around her. “She’ll be with us for a while. Until she repays her debt.”
“Debt?” Tink gaped. How in all of Neverland did he expect her to do that?
Hook ignored her. “Rest up tonight, men, because tomorrow we set sail for the Azure Lagoon!”
Murmurs of bewildered excitement filled the air.
“Untie her, but don’t let her spread those wings.”
Tink stared him down, but her thin lips melted into a sigh of relief as the ropes around her were cut. To be able to move again… She closed her eyes and nearly moaned at the pleasure. Wings stretched. Shoulders rolled. A warm breeze tickled bare skin.
“Ya didn’ tell us she wasthatkind a’ guest!” a man said.
Heat flew to her cheeks as her eyes snapped wide. Merrin’s teeth, how had she forgotten? She pulled her arms in front of her chest, hiding the thin undergarment that barely covered her breasts. Her wings flickered as a shiver raced down her spine despite the inferno burning her up from within. Had it been daylight, they’d have seen her skin flush pink. Back at home in Sylvanna Vale, she’d never been the shy or modest sort, not around her kin, but to be nearly bare in front of these filthy humans was a new low, even for her.
A solid form blocked the men from her view. “She’snotthat kind of guest.” Hook’s words held a sharp edge she did not expect, especially not directed toward his own men. “Nothing to see here. On your way.”
Tink grabbed at the fallen blanket, pulling it toward her, but as she did, something heavy and warm settled around her shoulders, draping over her. The scent of man—hot-blooded, swarthy man—consumed her.
Hook, his white shirt catching the moonlight and ruffling in the breeze, turned to Smee. “Gather up the crew. We leave at dawn.”
“Aye, Captain.”
His coat. Durin’s beard, he covered me with his long coat.Supple leather and silver buttons embraced her in their shell.
All at once, the ship became too quiet as the crew found somewhere else to be. TheJolly Rogerwas a beauty, even she had to admit that—sleek yet sizeable, well-kept, with clean, polished wood. She’d ogled the carved railings the last time she was aboard. And rumor had it the ship was one of the fastest on the sea. Tink had loathed the drunken men eyeing her harder than she’d inspected the ship, but now that they had vanished, leaving her with only the captain, she longed for them to return.
Desperately.
“Well, milady, we should get you inside.” Hook stood over her, an imposing man if ever there was one, with his arms crossed and brimmed hat hiding his face in shadows. He unlaced his arms and offered his one hand to her in a gentlemanly flourish. Always putting on a show, even now.
Tink’s nails dug into her palm as she fought the urge to slap his hand. But hehadordered his men away and given her his coat… Her fist loosened. Her shoulders drooped as she set her fingers on his. In a moment, he had her on her feet, her small hand in his too warm and calloused one. Her other kept the coat in place, leaving the blanket in a heap on the deck.
Her wings fluttered behind her in the opening of the coat, which nearly dragged the ground at her booted feet. A few flaps and she could lift off this deck and flee. Hook’s hand tightened on hers.
No. He had too firm a grip, and she didn’t have the strength to fly off with him if he fought her, which he would.
With practiced ease, the captain used his hook to open a door and led her up a flight of stairs and into the heart of the ship. A lone lantern lit the hall, casting dim light against the smooth, weathered wood. What would her cell be like? Filthy? She shivered. Pixies loved cleanliness and nature—grass, trees, flowers. A dirty prison would be torture. Did he know that? Her nose wrinkled.Probably.
Apprehension clouded her vision until Hook released her hand. Little of the room was visible from the meager moonlight filtering in the thick-paned windows, but the size alone said it wasn’t a cell. A key clicked in a lock behind her. Moments later, a lantern flared to life.
They’d gone up, not down.
Tink’s face heated as realization of the room she stood in took hold. A stately desk loomed near the windows with a red velvet chair gilt in gold. Sprawling bookcases were built into the wall. Various baubles, maps, and amusements were displayed with pride upon their shelves. And, of course, the lush bed with crimson coverings dominated one wall.
She’d been here before. How could she forget?
Captain Hook’s private quarters.
