I pause for a moment, looking for the courage to ask what I really want to know. Ishouldn’tcare if Hook is all right. I know that. He hurt my mother, maybe killed her. I don’t know if Peter was lying, but when I think back to some of the things my mother said when she came out of her catatonia, I begin to see the truth filtering through, like motes of dust in a ray of sunlight. She’d talk about someone, someone who asked questions aboutme. Could that have been Hook? My gut says it is. Hook’s voice haunts my mind, whispering from dark corners: “I’ve done every sort of villainy you can dream up. More. Any black speck your beautiful mind can create, it rests on my heart, marking it like a piece of coal. There is nothing you can accuse me of that would roll off and leave me blameless.” He told me exactly what he is. What he’s done. Even so, I can’t stop myself from wondering if he’s okay. Iwanthim to be all right. It’s sick and wrong, and I shouldn’t worry about that evil man. But I do. Even now, knowing what I know, I still do. I clear my throat. “That night that Peter took me, did you see Hook and Peter fighting?”
She feeds me another spoonful. “Peter was already flying away by the time I got to the clearing where the Lost Boy had been drained.”
“Geo. His name was Geo.” I didn’t particularly like him, but that doesn’t mean I wanted him to meet that horrible fate.
“Hook had gotten the best of Peter in the fight, so of course, like the coward he is, Peter took flight and headed north. I bypassed Hook and kept going, picking my way up through the forest and farther until I reached the Grove. It took me two moonrises to get to the cave. By then, Peter had you firmly in hand. The Lost Boys were on high alert, and there was no way to sneak into the cave unnoticed. I climbed into a section of the Nevertree where I had a good view of the Grove and settled in to wait for my shot to get to you. It took another two moonrises before I heard your voice. It must’ve been when you were climbing up the waterfall. By the time I tracked you to it, you were gone, and Peter was on your trail. The werewolves kept him at bay—and he kept enough of them occupied—so I could cut around and find you in the pool.”
“You never gave up on me.” I don’t want to tear up again, but I can’t help it.
“Don’t go all mushy.” She shoves my arm, but I notice how gentle she is. “I just didn’t want Peter to win. That prick wins far too much, if you ask me.”
“Thank you.” I take her hand in my bandaged one. “Thank you for finding me.”
“It was nothing.” Then her eyes get a sharp glint in them. “How’d you like that underwater kiss, eh? Nice, right?”
“That wasn’t even a real kiss.” I roll my eyes. “You were giving me air.”
“Look, if you don’t want to admit to all the feelings between us, I understand. But it’s only a matter of time before all that emotion comes pouring out, and when that happens?—”
“Oh my god.” I laugh. “You are ridiculous.”
She grins. “I know. But at least you’re smiling now. Not thinking about that ponce in the cave. He isn’t worth all this bother. Not from me or from you.”
“He isn’t,” I agree. “Do you think the island will let me wish him away?”
Her eyes pop as she puts her hand over my mouth. “She was just kidding,” she calls to no one in particular before giving me a hard look. “Too far, mainlander.”
“Sorry,” I say against her palm.
Once she realizes that we aren’t going to be struck by lightning or swallowed up by the island, she relaxes.
“But what’s our next step? I know I need to get to the Fairy Village. I’m just not sure how.”
“The Jolly Roger. I’m still going with you. In fact, I’ll be by your side from now on. It’s what Tiger Lily wants.”
“She doesn’t trust me?”
“She doesn’t trust you to stay out of trouble. Somehow, it just finds you. Wouldn’t you agree?” She offers me another spoonful of the not-oatmeal, and I take it, though it’s a bit gummier now that it’s cooled.
“I do agree. I’m a lightning rod for it.”
“Anyway.” She dips out the last bit of not-oatmeal and feeds it to me before dropping the spoon into the bowl. “As soon as you’re able to travel, you and I will head out toward the sea. I’ve no doubt that the Jolly Roger is already stationed offshore nearby. Hook won’t let you get away for long. I’m surprised he isn’t here yet. Then again, even with the truce and alliance between ourpeoples, Hook hasn’t been welcome in the village ever since he went into the heart of the island against Tiger Lily’s wishes.”
“What will she do if he comes for me?”
“She might kill him.” She shrugs. “She only needs his ship to get you to the Fairy Village, I suppose.”
“So, you know how to navigate the sea on a pirate galleon?” I ask with one eyebrow raised.
“I’m sure I could figure it out.” She stands and stretches, then grabs my empty bowl. “I’ll be back later.”
“When you do, I wantyouto tellmea story.” I snuggle down beneath the blankets. “I’m getting pretty bored of being laid up in bed because of the things this island likes to do to me. I need entertainment.”
“As long as you promise you won’t suck out my soul—or laugh at my horrible story-telling—then I’ll be happy to.”
“Good.” I watch as she retreats through the hallway that links the round house to the other structures in the village.
“I can tell you a story.” Wraith materializes from the gloom on the far side of the room.
