My back pops, and I didn’t realize how much I needed a change until I’m settling back against the pillows, relief in my spine.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“Here.” She gives me some water, and I reach up with a shaking hand to hold the cup that seems to be fashioned from a coconut shell. I grip it shakily, but she lets it go so I can hold it by myself. Progress.
When I’m done, I almost drop it, but she takes it and places it beside me, then motions toward the tray. “I made some simple things for you. Huran said you’re positively peaky, and I’d say he’s right.” She gives me a long look, then grabs something from the tray. “Let’s start with rice. Nothing fancy.” She spoons some for me and places it to my lips.
I’m not particularly hungry, my stomach feeling akin to a dried-up old prune, but I need to get stronger. Besides, I should be grateful for real food. Those neverberries weren’t cutting it, apparently.
I take a small bite, a few grains of rice on my tongue that she helps me wash down with water.
“Good start. Let’s keep going.” She spoons me some more, my mouth finally loosening up as I chew. “I’m Widow, by the way.”
“Moira.” It comes out froggy.
“Nice to make your acquaintance. Here.” She spoons some more into my mouth, a decent amount this time. I chew, feelingaccomplished. Damn, I must’ve been seriously messed up if chewing does it for me.
I shake my head when she offers me another spoonful.
“How about some pudding? I made it from Crabapple’s milk. She’s a sassy heifer, but her milk is sweet as pie.” She spoons some pudding to my mouth.
Generally, I’m not a pudding fan, but with a description like that, how can I say no? I take some of it and am pleasantly surprised by its taste. A little vanilla, a little brown sugar, a lot creamy—this is definitely not a run-of-the-mill Snack Pack.
“Good, right?” She gives me another spoonful, then another.
I finish almost the whole little bowl of it before shaking my head again.
“I think this is a good showing. Blackbeard will be pleased, and Hook might lay off for a while.” She rolls her eyes. “I’ve never seen that man acting like this huge of an ass—and believe me—he’salwaysan ass.”
“You know Hook?” I struggle to get the words out, my eyelids already feeling heavy again.
“Of course. I’m a boatswain for Blackbeard—well, I guess I mean to say Iwasbefore he retired.” She grabs the plate and stands.
That’s when I see the pair of wings on her back. They’re almost see-through, like a ghost of wings, and far smaller than Tinker Bell’s.
“I can tell you’re gawking at them.” She gives me a look over her shoulder. “It’s all right.”
“You’re a fairy?” I ask.
“Only partly.” She shrugs. “Can’t fly. Can’t do magic. But I make a mean pudding.” She smiles again, then heads for the door.
“Thank you,” I call after her, a million questions flitting around my brain but none coalescing onto my tongue.
“See you again soon. I intend to feed you well. Blackbeard wants all of Neverland to know how we treated Peter’s boon.” The last word draws blood, like an accidental needle poke.
“What does that me?—”
She closes the door before I can get the question out.
I slump back against the pillows, the food sitting heavy in my stomach. Maybe I shouldn’t have had so much pudding.
The bathroom issmall but clean. Nothing fancy—no mirror or a real vanity, but it works. I’ve been able to walk myself to it, though it does require a hobble on my part. But I feel stronger. I don’t know how many days—or nights—I’ve been here, but it’s worked wonders. Or maybe the food has. Widow has brought me meals and little tidbits of gossip during her visits over the past few days.
Still, she isn’t exactly forthcoming when I ask about Hook or Peter, or anything to do with Neverland. She’s close-lipped, and I can tell that it’s the way Blackbeard wants it. I don’t know why. I’ve yet to meet the man. But at least now I know he’s not the one who murders his wives. He’s the biggest pirate of all time, according to Widow. Maybe she’s biased since she’s on his crew. I think Hook is the most well-known pirate I can think of, then Captain Jack Sparrow after him, and maybe the bearded piratesa few spots down from that. But Hook hasn’t come to see me either. Maybe he feels that his prisoner is all sewn up with my bum leg and second-floor bedroom.
I intend to show him just how wrong he is, but I’m still working up to it.
At least Widow’s given me some interesting intel. Like how Blackbeard and Huran are an item and have been since they first met when Blackbeard attacked Huran’s vessel. A real meet cute on the high seas with things exploding all over the place. Huran added some more color to the story when I asked him about his history with Blackbeard, but he got shy about the spicy parts. He truly is a kind person. It’s a shame he got mixed up with pirates, but I suppose you can’t help who you fall in love with.
