Chapter 14
Hook
There was always a feast when his ship returned. Food roasted over the fire. Kegs of ale tapped and poured until they ran dry. The best bottles of rum brought out from cabinets. Music wove through the night. People danced.
Pulling his crew away from home so soon grated against his heart—a black heart some called it. It still hurt to see the homesickness they tried to hide: smiles a little too broad, laughter a touch too loud, sudden silences. Maybe no one else noticed, but he did.
It couldn’t be helped. There’d be no time for them to rest until they’d claimed their reward from Titania. Once the storms were off their heels, he’d have another problem to worry about: the Kraken and its bloody captain.
Smee’s sisters swarmed around Tink like bees to a flower.
It was hard to tear his eyes from her. For some reason, he wanted her smiles, her joy.
He wanted her to be at peace here, but that was the very last thing he saw.
Her back was straight and stiff in the chair she occupied.
She’d flash one of the sisters a smile here or there, but he’d wager they weren’t genuine.
She tried maybe, but something held her back.
Her gaze kept darting around the room, barely landing on him for a moment before moving on.
Those pretty wings were still bound despite the assurance that none here would threaten her.
She’d barely spoken to him since they left the merfolk. He couldn’t puzzle her out. Why kiss him so passionately, then spurn him? Women didn’t spurn Captain Hook, not after a kiss like that. He’d even told her his bloody name.
It was impossible not to watch her when she was on the deck of the Jolly Roger—sun slanting through her wings, shining from her hair. The way she laughed with some of his crew… Never him, though. Each time their gazes locked, she’d turn away faster than a minnow from a shark.
A distraction, that’s what she was. Even so, the thought of her running off again caused a heaviness in his chest he couldn’t quite place.
A lean form blocked his view. “Take me with you to the Shrouded Isles!”
Smee’s youngest sister, Rell, stood with her hand on her hips. Unlike her sisters with their fancy dresses, she preferred breeches and a tunic—sailor’s clothes.
“No.” The gangly teen was eager, but that didn’t make up for a lack of experience, and the Shrouded Isles was the very last place he’d take a new crew member.
“But you said I could join the crew on the next adventure,” she pouted.
He tried to look past her, beyond the fire blazing in the hearth of the greatroom and the many bodies between him and Tink, but Rell moved with him.
“Captain, please, I’m ready!”
“Aye, you are, but we’re not. This is a dangerous mission. It’s not the time to learn the ropes.”
The girl fumed, her fists balled and lips pursed. “You’ll always treat me like a little kid.”
“On the contrary,” he grinned. “I have an important task, one I need you here for.”
She beamed. “Tell me.”
“We ran afoul of Captain Blackbeard on the way here.”
Her nose wrinkled. “That bastard.”
“Language,” he reprimanded. He wouldn’t have her talking like a sailor before she was one, however eager.
“Keep an eye on the horizon. Watch for his sails. Any trouble, you’re in charge here while I’m gone.”
Her eyes flew wide. “You mean it!”
“Aye.”
She squealed, a shrill and terrible sound, before bouncing off into the crowd.
“Be careful what you promise,” Barley said, taking the chair next to him.
Hook sipped at his rum. “If it keeps her from following after us in a rowboat, it’s worth it.”
Barley snorted. “Worth it for you. Reya’s going to have my head if she has to take orders from her youngest sister.”
A grin stretched his lips. Smee’s sisters were as proud and loyal as their brother, and quite a good bit savvier too.
But Reya would need help with a little one about to make an appearance any day now.
Keeping her overeager sister occupied couldn’t hurt.
“Speaking of Reya, you should stay here when we leave port.”
“Captain—”
“It’s your first kid, man.”
“Aye.” Barley sipped at his own drink. “But I can help him best by getting these storms off our backs.”
Hook nearly groaned. Stubborn lot, pirates. “Think on it.” He glanced across the room, catching sight of the empty chair Tink had occupied. Where did she—
“Reya had some news too,” Barley said, pulling him from his thoughts. “The Royal Navy set up an intelligence post in Rochland.”
His shoulders hunched. Could they never catch a break? “Looking for us?”
“Worried that too, but it seems they’re after Blackbeard. Searching for his hideout.”
The place where his hand used to be tingled. Blackbeard’s hideout—one of the most closely guarded secrets on the Cerulean Seas. Seemed the old croc had finally pissed off the Gamorean royals enough for them to stretch their reach into the free waters. Didn’t bode well—for any pirate or free folk.
“If we could acquire what information they have…” He stroked at the stubble on his chin with his hook.
Barley grinned. “Aye. We could finally track down the bastard.”
Taking care of Blackbeard might get the Gamoreans to back off too. Hook clinked his glass against the other man’s. “Excellent.”
He’d be sure to thank Reya and her sisters personally before the night was done.
They kept home running smoothly for everyone while the crew was away and never failed to pick up some helpful information when they went into town.
Which, hopefully, Reya wasn’t doing in her condition.
He’d have to ask after that as well, make sure she stayed home—her sisters too, so they could look after her and the babe.
Speaking of… He resumed his search of the room, unable to find the petite pixie.
“I do believe she went outside, Captain.” Barley grinned.
Heat coiled in his chest. “Right, well.” He coughed. “I should make sure she doesn’t try to flee.”
The other man sipped his drink, his grin never fading as Hook went for the door.
*****
Tink sat on the edge of the porch on the far side of the house, her legs dangling in the air and her wings unbound. The gossamer things floated behind her, catching the tiny bits of moonlight that slipped through the palm and lofty fig trees to land upon her.
A small sniffle slipped into the air, barely audible over the crash of waves on the shore and mass of conversation seeping from within the building. Somewhere near the beach, people laughed. A splash echoed up the hillside. Hook grinned. An evening swim in progress, perhaps?
But the grin faded as he watched Tink sitting there in the shadows.
She rubbed at her face. Homesick? Bloody hell, she’d scream at me for sure if she knew what I saw.
Still…something nagged at him, her words from the hot spring and her desperation to find the black pearl and fix herself. He frowned. She didn’t seem broken.
He slipped back around the corner as quiet as a thief—he’d had a lot of practice over the years. A safe distance away, he made a show of stomping in her direction. A whistled tune accompanied his heavy steps as he rounded the corner to where she sat.
Tink startled and twisted in his direction. “What are you doing here?” she blurted. Dainty hands wiped at her face, then took their time tucking hair behind her ears, as if that’s what their purpose had been.
“Can’t a man get some air?” He stretched his arms over his head, a casual gesture in contrast to the tension running through his stiff muscles.
She pulled her legs up and hugged them against her chest. “I want to be alone.”
The hollowness of her words wrenched his heart. Hook claimed a seat near her—close, but not too close. “No one wants to be alone, love.”
“I’m not your love,” she spat back.
He grinned. That word never failed to spark her temper. “You’re homesick.”
“Go away.” She turned her head away from him, pointing that perfect little nose toward the palms above.
He stifled a yawn. “Care to tell me how you got banished?”
“No.”
A tough one to crack, but if they were to be allies, he preferred to know what danger she might be dragging along with her. “You knew of the Kraken.”
She shivered and hugged her knees closer.
Oh yes, she knew that ship, and not just by reputation. “I’d wager you’ve had a run-in with it before. Maybe even had the joy to meet its delightful captain?”
Tink whirled on him, her eyes wild. “Delightful? He’s the nastiest, most horrid, disgusting, awful pirate who ever drew breath!”
Aye, she has that right. He leaned back on his hand and hook. “Worse than me, love?”
“Yes! You’re…” She sucked in a breath and turned away.
Intrigued, so very intrigued. He scooted closer until her wings nearly brushed him. “I’m what?”
When she turned to him this time, he had to hold himself back, letting the tip of his hook dig into the wood. A deep flush painted her cheeks, visible even in the dim light. Her chest rose and fell. Those perfect lips begged him to close the gap between them, and he never left a woman wanting.
“A kidnapper. Just like him.” She accentuated each word.
Hook gaped as she got to her feet and stalked farther into the darkness of the porch that wrapped around the massive house. She may as well have slapped him, but even so, he was on his feet following her in a heartbeat. “What did he do to you?”
If he’d hurt her—
She stopped abruptly and shoved him in the chest. Do it again, he nearly begged. His boots almost touched hers. Heavy breaths filled the space between them.
“He kidnapped my cousin, all right? My favorite cousin, who is like a sister to me. I went after him to get her back. He demanded my dust in exchange. I gave it to him. All of it. Selling my dust for her life…” She held up her arm and looked away, all her fire gone out in a rush.
A bracelet hung from her wrist. The sapphire gem bound in thin strands of metal was cracked—shattered—yet none of the pieces fell free, as if magic held them in place.
She sold her dust to save her cousin and got banned from home for it.
For a brave, noble act. His shoulders drooped as something heavy settled in his chest, next to the simmering coal of a need for revenge that lived there.
She wasn’t some criminal, some peddler of pixie dust for gold or riches.
She just wanted to save someone she loved.
And Blackbeard… That bloody, fucking crocodile had forced the choice on her.
“Did he hurt you, love?” A soft growl rumbled in his chest. He nearly vibrated with rage. If he hadn’t already sworn vengeance upon him, he would have in that moment. To treat someone that way, to do that to this fierce, beautiful woman was unthinkable.
“Not really. But demanding my dust…what that cost me…”
He took her upheld hand in his, savoring the way a shiver rolled across her at his touch. “We’ll get you home, love. We’ll find the scale, return it to Titania, and you’ll have your reward. On my honor as a pirate.”
“A pirate’s honor?” she asked skeptically, as she peeked up at him through the fall of her long hair, half-blocking her lowered face.
“Aye. A pirate’s honor, his word, is one of his most valuable treasures.” Without thinking, he raised her hand to his lips and placed a kiss upon its back. Her skin was warm, soft. The faint scent of flowers clung to her.
She jerked her hand away and slid it behind her back with her other. More color raced across her cheeks. Sharp little teeth chewed at her lip.
“Aye, well…” he said into the silence that lingered.
Tink stared at her boots but didn’t flee.
One thing nagged at him, though. “You gave him all your dust? You didn’t sell any later?”
“Some,” she whispered. “At home, it comes back easily. Here…well, I haven’t made any in a while, but some came back after my deal with Blackbeard.
I sold it.” She spat the words like a bad taste in her mouth.
“To get by. I needed food, shelter, ship passage… But that ran out months ago. Playing the mandolin and selling my little inventions didn’t make near so much. ”
Months ago? His brows drew together. “The bartender I met in Tortuga said he’d bought pixie dust from a blonde woman only days ago. That was the night I found you.”
Pink lips parted. Her head cocked to the side. “In Tortuga…”
“It wasn’t you?”
She shook her head.
Then who was selling dust? One of Blackbeard’s crew? But why? Maybe it hadn’t even been her dust, but it had still led him to her by some twist of fate.
The back door cracked open. Laughter spilled out into the night along with a few of his crew.
“Captain!” Smee slurred as he hoisted a mug in the air. “Brought ya a drink!”
He nearly groaned. Bloody, terrible timing.
“I should get some rest,” Tink muttered.
Hook reached for her, but she’d already twisted away and slipped between his crew members. He could do nothing as those gossamer wings disappeared around the corner.