Veiled in Stars and Silver: A Peter Pan Fairy Tale Romance

Chapter 28

The inhabitants of Neverland gathered in the main courtyard of Swindler’s Cove to discuss what was to be done. Those who could walk on land, that is. Hook stood with Wendy among them and gazed out at the hundreds assembled. Pirates, Madame Pearl’s ladies, Tiger Lily’s people, Peter Pan and the Lost Boys, the fairies, and even the Crocodile together, peacefully, in one place. The mermaids swam around in the port, ready to catch a tidbit of what was happening.

Wendy shook her head. “I can’t believe you and Peter teamed up.”

“Trust me, love. I can barely believe it myself.”

When Peter had shown up on the Jolly Roger demanding answers, claiming that Wendy had told him the truth about Tink, Hook had been convinced it was an act. And yet, instead of gutting Hook with a sword, Peter instead sat and spoke to James about everything that had happened in Neverland. He supposed that had been the oddest thing of all. And by the time Peter untied him, he hadn’t fully trusted the lad. Still, Hook had been willing to at least play along until they found Wendy.

The woman he loved laid her four fingered hand on his hook arm. “I’m glad you did.”

“He did untie me, but I still thought there was a good chance it was a ruse until he pulled the gag.”

“And jumped in front of moving bullets.”

He nodded grimly, recalling the surprise and horror of that moment. “Aye, love. That too.”

“I’m sorry for tying you up and leaving you.”

He lifted her hand and brushed a kiss across her knuckles. “There’s nothing to forgive. Everything worked out the way it should in the end. Besides, it was fair payback. I did tie you up and toss you off my ship.”

She gave him a relieved smile, then turned to look at her brothers who were playing with the other Lost Boys. Concern built in her eyes. He didn’t have to ask to perceive that she worried about John and Michael remembering her. Neverland warped the memory of children.

“They’ll remember.” He squeezed her hand, warmly. “Give them time.”

She nodded. “They at least agreed to return with me.”

He fought the disappointment that threatened to overtake him. “Take them back, but don’t go to your uncle.”

A sigh escaped her. “I’m afraid I have little choice. John and Michael need to grow up, live normal lives.”

He pulled her close, wrapping his arm around her waist. “You think I’d let you return to that monster? Take as many jewels from my treasury as you require, Wendy Darling, for you and your brothers. You can live lifetimes on the riches I have.”

Her eyes glistened, and she stood on her toes and kissed him. “Thank you.”

He sensed the sadness in the gesture. While she would go to London, Hook had decided to stay. He couldn’t abandon those who remained. Those who dwelt in Neverland were everything to him and he refused to leave them. But Wendy was more than he ever expected—another chance at love and a genuine relationship. Now that she was here, how could he give her up?

He wanted to say something. Beg her to stay. He opened his mouth to speak, but Wendy’s gaze shifted to the side and she gasped.

She pushed past him. He turned in alarm, tensing, ready for something to go wrong. His half of the stone remained around his neck. After everything, he wasn’t sure he’d ever be to the point where he’d voluntarily take it off.

Wendy rushed up to Lillian, who stood next to the Crocodile woman. The two were holding hands with huge grins on their faces.

Hook followed Wendy over to the pair, just as surprised.

“Thank you so much for freeing the woman that I love,” the Crocodile said. “I wasn’t sure we’d ever be able to be together with Tinker Bell’s death grip on the island.”

Since he had learned the Crocodile had sent him the spellbook, he’d wondered what had motivated her to defy Tinker Bell. “That is why you gave me the book,” he said.

The expression of love on the Crocodile’s face may have been the most unexpected thing Hook had seen in Neverland. “I couldn’t be with her until she was free,” she said.

“Wait, Tiger Lily,” Wendy said. “Did you know she was behind this?”

The woman looked at them, a silly, happy smirk on her lips. “I had no clue. But I’m glad she did.”

“I didn’t want to get her hopes up in case it didn’t work.” The Crocodile”s growing smile revealed her sharp teeth that still made shivers run down Hook’s spine. There would be a lot to adjust to here in Neverland.

“And per our deal,” the Crocodile continued, her reptilian eyes met his. “You will notice something missing.”

“No ticking.” A breath of air seeped out of him. It was gone. He was truly free. And Wendy was safe.

“Yes. You both are released from our bond.” She bowed. “I thank you again.”

They moved on and Wendy quirked an eyebrow. “What are you going to do about that? You can’t let her go about hunting the inhabitants of Neverland.”

“I’m not sure. We may have to talk to Peter.”

“I enjoy seeing you two working together.”

“Get used to it, love. It’s the new standard.”

He saw Eloise, Smee’s fiancé, standing in the crowd, her expression drawn, shoulders slumped, hair uncharacteristically askew. He sobered. She was the reminder of the steep price of their freedom. Hook had already attempted to make amends, what little he could. He and his crew had agreed to place a statue of Smee up in the center of Swindler’s Point, in honor of his friend and all the others that had lost their lives. It seemed such a small offering and he wished he could do more.

His arm tightened around Wendy, grateful she had made it through alive. He brushed his lips across her forehead, cherishing her presence. “Should we start?”

“Yes, let”s.”

He climbed up onto a table and pulled her up next to him.

“Thank you for coming,” he called out to everyone. “We have much to figure out, but thanks to Wendy Darling and Peter Pan, we are free.”

Someone let out a loud whoop and there were cheers and slaps on the back. A smile split across his face and he swallowed past a sudden hoarseness in his throat. Through all the pain and loss, how long had he waited for this day? To see the joy that was on the inhabitants of Neverland’s faces? Wendy gave his hand a supportive squeeze.

“You can go or you can stay,” he said to those present, his voice scratchy. “Fairies have agreed to help outfit the Jolly Roger to transport those who wish to leave Neverland. It will take you to London. But be aware the world you left behind may differ from the world you remember.”

He paused. Wendy and her brothers would be on that ship. It felt as if happiness was about to be ripped from his grasp.

He pushed the ache aside and forced himself to continue. “Some, however, cannot leave, for they have nowhere to go and they depend on the magic of Neverland to survive—the mermaids, the Crocodile. The fairies in particular require our assistance.”

“Why would we help the fairies?” Mason, one of Hook’s pirates, shouted. “They are why we’ve been enslaved this whole time.”

“Because they need us. Because they are a part of Neverland, and because they were unaware of everything that Tinker Bell did. I’ve spoken with them at length. They didn’t know about the enslavement. But now they are at our mercy and I, at least, will help them.”

“How?” Madame Cora asked.

“We have a plan.” Wendy said. “My brothers and I are descendants of Stardust, a fairy that helped Tinker Bell create Neverland. His power runs through this land. That is why John and Michael’s belief can sustain the survival of so many fairies. We think we can find more of Stardust’s descendants. If we convince them to come here for short durations, such as in the evenings, when their parents don’t know, we hope to recharge the wonder and belief necessary to keep the fairies alive.”

“And what would they do while here?” Mason demanded.

“Have adventures, of course. But they’d be staged. Nobody will be compelled. And everyone remains safe and participates of their own free will.”

Finding Stardust’s descendants hinged on the plan working. Wendy hadn’t volunteered to bring her brothers back to Neverland.

Peter landed next to Wendy. “I give you my word. If you stay, this will be a land for all, and I will never force anyone. To be honest, I don’t even know how.”

And he’d hopefully never learn. Wendy was taking the dagger and spellbook with her to London to be stored in a safety deposit box.

“Those who’d like to leave, step over here.” He pointedtoward the unlit fire pit. “And everyone who’d like to stay, gather over on that low hill.”

General chaos ensued as people moved to their different spots. It surprised Hook how many chose to remain. Many of his men and some of Madame Pearl’s ladies. Lillian and several of her people also stayed. Most of the Lost Boys, Ivy, and a few good men he’d come to know chose to leave.

Peter stepped up to Wendy. He held out a hand. She laughed out loud and drew him into an embrace.

He pulled back with a crooked smirk. “If you find my shadow, send me word. Who knows what kind of mischief it’s causing over in your world?”

She paled a little, clearly caught off guard by the pronouncement. “I will.”

He looked at Hook and nodded before flying off towards those who were staying.

Wendy turned to Hook, something akin to hope mixing with desperation in her expression. “You could come to London. Have a life with me.”

Part of him wanted to agree. Neverland had been a prison, a place of torture, and held some of Hook’s worst memories. But somehow, despite that, it had also become his home. “I’m needed here.”

“You gave all of Neverland a chance to start their life over. I think you deserve one, too.”

He slid his palm into her hair, feeling her beautiful silky strands run against his fingers. “This is my second chance. You gave it to me. The task ahead is daunting, but this time, I’m not running from it.”

Her jaw clenched and a defiant spark came into her eyes. “I refuse to let this be the end,” she said fiercely.

A light filled him at her determination. Wendy didn’t want to part either. Never once, after hearing how he’d left his wife and child, had she doubted his worthiness. He’d spent so long punishing himself, trying to prove he was a different man, he’d failed to notice that maybe indeed he had grown into someone worthy of forgiveness. That he could love himself. Maybe it was time to let the past go and try to be happy.

“Then we’ll have to come up with a solution.”