Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
HOOK
It feels like everyone who is anyone in Darkland is staring at me, silently judging me.
I don’t belong up here standing as an equal with the Duke of Maddred and future king.
I’m sure they’re all wondering how I conned my way here.
And similarly, trying to figure out how to be rid of me.
At least if they were left with Wendy, she would have the grace, etiquette, and experience to rule by Roc’s side.
Bloody hell why is it so hot in here?
Calm down. Calm down. All will be well. You deserve to be up here.
But do I? Do I??
I clasp my hook behind my back with my other hand in an effort to ward off any fidgeting.
My pulse is racing, my lungs feel starved of air, and this collar feels too fucking tight around my neck.
The wedding ballad shifts in tempo and I know that’s Wendy’s cue to start her procession down the aisle.
I stare straight ahead as those seated in the pews turn to watch the future queen of Darkland enter the church.
And with their attention directed elsewhere, some of the tension ebbs out of my bones.
I take a deep breath and refocus and there she is.
Wendy Darling is radiant in her wedding dress.
It’s styled in the Darkland style with the bodice made of black lace, with a large white skirt of satin and several gauzy layers of black overtop.
Her dark hair is curled and pinned back, exposing her pale shoulders and the delicate column of her neck where a solitary diamond hangs from a silver chain.
Matching diamonds hang from her ears. But it’s the giant diamond on her ring finger that catches my eye.
Our wedding ring. The setting is silver with a ring of tiny black diamonds around a large cut diamond in the center.
Roc and I designed it together just days after we all said yes to his proposal.
He and I have matching silver bands with three tiny black diamonds set into the silver, symbolizing the three of us.
But because he took my left hand, mine rests on the ring finger of my right.
And because Roc has begun to prove he is thoughtful, he decided to forgo tradition as well and wears his on his right.
We all went back and forth on how we wanted the ceremony to go, whether we wanted to put rings on each other during the ceremony, as is tradition, or perhaps just Roc and I put a ring on Wendy’s finger. Ultimately, we decided to use a ribbon binding tradition from Wonderland, Roc’s homeworld.
Wendy makes her way down the aisle and all of the Darkland elite watch her as if she is a fire burning brightly in the dark.
No one can question whether or not she belongs here. In some ways, I think she embodies power the most.
My eyes start to mist and heat rises up my throat. I don’t want to be a blubbering fool up here.
But she’s so beautiful. And Roc is so…Roc. And I am so grateful and lucky, it almost seems unreal.
When Wendy reaches the dais, Asha straightens out the long train of her gown and takes her place beside Smee.
The music fades out.
I can hear nothing over the heavy thump of my heart in my ears.
The officiant, Dominie Reeta, clears her throat and smooths out the pages of her book on the podium. When she speaks, her voice booms out.
“You are all gathered here today…”
Heat builds in my extremities and rushes through my veins. I keep licking my lips, trying to stave off the dryness of my mouth. I have to speak soon. I have to say, “I do,” and I have to say it so everyone can hear it and…
I refocus and realize the officiant is already onto the second part and we’re about to fasten hands.
Poor form, Jas! Poor fucking form!
Pay attention to your own fucking wedding.
Roc, Wendy and I are to move closer together so that we can link our hands and the officiant can fasten them with a black, silk ribbon. As we practiced it, Roc was to put his hand out first, then Wendy’s, with mine on top, to symbolize our commitment to protecting her always and forever.
Wendy’s hand is out first and Roc joins her, his hand placed beneath hers.
I step closer, every movement feeling clumsy and awkward.
I manage not to trip or fall and get my hand over top of Wendy’s, but because hers is so small compared to ours, my hand covers hers completely, my fingers brushing against Roc.
The officiant steps forward, the long ribbon draped over her arms. She starts winding, tying us together, reciting the final binding words.
“With this ribbon, I bind thee,” she says.
Heat rises up my arm.
“…in heart, mind, and soul, you are one.”
Tingling starts in my fingers, spreading through my forearm, then up and up to my neck.
“Those who bear witness, I now pronounce Wendy Darling, James Hook, and Bane Maddred bound till death do them part.”
The tingling floods my entire body. Then an overwhelming rush of emotion.
Excitement. Happiness. Eagerness. Fear. Solace. Anxiety.
I am immediately aware that not all of these emotions are mine.
I look up at Roc and Wendy in panic.
What is happening?
My vision tunnels, pulsing like a star and ringed in bright white light.
Roc frowns at me. Wendy’s mouth pops open.
Something is wrong.
The officiant steps back, eyes wide.
Energy races up my spine, somehow hot and cold at the same time.
And then I’m pulling away, and the ribbon unwinds, trailing like an anchor line.
I’m off my feet, rising toward the soaring, domed ceiling high above.
“What…is…happening?” I shout, my voice echoing through the church.
The crowd murmurs and gasps.
On the left, I spot the twins and they’re cajoling one another like they’ve won a bet.
“What is going on?” I shout again, my arms pinwheeling. I’m floating off, unable to get my feet beneath me. If I drop now, I’m dead.
“Congratulations, Captain Hook!” Kas shouts.
“You’re one of us now!” Bash adds.
“What the bloody—how do I get down?”
“Does he have a shadow?” someone asks.
“He’s flying without wings, he must!” another voice rings out.
I’m nearly at the curved iron beams holding the glass ceiling in place. Will I fly straight through?
The air whistles below me and a dark silhouette approaches.
Roc comes to a sudden stop in front of me, grabbing me by the hand, yanking me down before I reach the ceiling.
“Captain,” Roc says.
“I don’t know what’s happening,” I admit.
“I know.”
“I didn’t do this!”
“I know.”
“I don’t—”
He presses his mouth to mine, swallowing my objections.
Every time he touches me, something in me unwinds and lies flat.
I kiss him back, holding on to him for dear life.
When he pulls away and I open my eyes, I realize we’re back on the ground, both feet on the floor.
I expel a breath of relief and turn to the church, thinking maybe I imagined it all. Maybe I blacked out during our vows and—
Everyone in attendance rises from their seats and then sinks to their knees in deference.
“What is this?” I ask Roc.
“Well, Captain,” he says and clasps his hands behind his back, “traditionally speaking, in the Seven Isles, whoever possesses an island’s Life Shadow is king.”
My vision sways.
My stomach churns.
Bloody hell.