Chapter 43
Tink
Clear skies, calm seas, and no sign of unfriendly pirates were just what the doctor ordered. Or Tink, in this case.
“Sit still and let me get this bandage on.” She smacked James on the arm as he tried to pull away from her ministrations.
“I’m a bloody captain, not some child in need of coddling,” he whined for maybe the millionth time.
Tink rolled her eyes and blew at the lock of hair trying to fall across her face.
“Just…let me…” She tied off the end of the bandage covering the vicious wound on his side, one he claimed was a little cut.
Nonsense. The deep gash nearly had her spilling her stomach the first time she got a good look at it. “There.”
He shook his head, frowning at the cloth bound around him. “Smee’s going to take my job if I’m not careful.”
Tink huffed as she carried the dirty bandages away and went about cleaning her hands. “He’s just about the last person that would ever commit a mutiny. Besides, if you don’t rest and that wound gets infected, then he really might have to take over for you—permanently.”
She jumped as Hook slid his arms around her. “Well…” He placed one kiss on her shoulder, then another. “Can’t let that happen now, can we, love?”
“Insufferable pirate.” She glared at him over one shoulder.
“Mischievous pixie.” He slid his hand down her side, raising gooseflesh across her skin. “Got me half undressed. Care to finish the job?”
She shoved at his chest, but it was a gentle move—playful. Oh, how she wanted to indulge his wishes. There was nothing she wanted more. But breaking open his wound was out of the question. “Not until you’re better.” Tink kissed his jaw as he sighed in resignation.
It’d been days since their escape from the Kraken, and he was on the mend, but she wouldn’t risk him, not for all the treasure on the Cerulean Seas. She bundled up the last of the used bandages in a soiled cloth and turned back to the pirate idling behind her.
“Speaking of Smee,” she said, “we should get on deck. We should be nearing home soon. Might even be able to see the cove by now.”
“Home?” His wide-eyed stare had her mirroring his expression.
The word had just slipped out. “Home,” she said again, rolling the word around on her tongue, tasting it. “Yes.” Something blossomed in her chest, and she smiled up at him. “Home.”
She’d struggled for months to make it home to the Sylvanna Vale, and though it was still out of reach for her, she’d managed to find another one—completely different, yet home all the same.
Together, once Hook had dressed, they ventured out onto the deck of the Jolly Roger. Friendly smiles greeted them, waves, a wink from Sage.
All their friends—their family—had made it through the battle with the Kraken. Tink beamed at the crew, savoring the sight of their happy faces, of people who cared for her, loved her even. That sight never failed to bring a grin to her face. Her chest swelled as she took them all in.
Barley struck a chord on the mandolin, much like the one Tink had played at the bars to earn some coin.
“This is a new one I heard in Tortuga,” he said to the crew members gathered around.
They all celebrated their victory and voyage home.
Rum flowed as freely as their smiles. As Tink and Hook ascended to the helm, Barley began to sing.
“There once was a girl named Ella. Who caught the eye of a fella. A prince, no less. Saw her distress.”
Someone gave a dramatic, swooning sigh.
“Poor dear. Bullied and shamed. Her stepsisters to blame. She rose from cinders and soot. A beauty from head to foot.”
A chorus of whoops and whistles rang out behind them.
“Queen she became. A rise to fame. But the prince was not wise, which spelled his demise, for he believed all of her lies.”
A wry grin pulled at Tink’s lips. What wild stories humans told. After the events of the last few days, maybe someone would write one about them.
Smee lowered his spyglass as they joined him at the wheel, hand in hand.
“The cove?” James asked.
“Aye, Captain.” Smee beamed with a smile broader than the horizon. “Care to take her in?” He stepped back from the wheel, offering it to James.
James slid his hand from hers to join his first mate. Hook grinned, skimming his fingers across the spindles of the wheel. But then he halted and clapped Smee on the shoulder. “Sail on, Captain.”
Tink gasped. Smee went utterly still.
“Might as well finish out this voyage before you return command,” James finished with a wink.
Smee’s deep laugh rumbled across the deck. “Aye, aye…James.”
The two men smiled at one another, something unspoken passing between them. Tink’s heart swelled. A prickle of tears stung the corner of her eyes before she blinked them away. They were brothers, not by blood, but by choice. A bond stronger than iron.
James returned to Tink and drew her toward the railing. Land graced the horizon. Sunlight glimmered across the water, leaving a trail of sparkles guiding them in.
“Home,” James echoed again, as if he were still in awe of her words.
Color raced across her cheeks. “If you’ll have me there, that is.” She fought the urge to cover her face with her hands. What an assumption to make. He’d told her he loved her, and she him, but he hadn’t exactly invited her to stay.
Deep laughter only inflamed her blush. “If you thought to leave me now, I might tie you to the bed again.”
“Filthy pirate.”
“Aye, but you love me anyway.”
“So cocky.” She rolled her eyes as she bumped her hip against his. “But you’re right, I do.”
His fingers brushed her cheek, trailing across her skin and tipping her face up to his. “Good, because I love you, Tink, and I’d have you stay with me.” He swallowed, his gaze flittering. “I know you want to go home, to your home, but I’d hoped…”
She covered his hand with hers. “I’d like to visit.
To see my parents, the elders, the rest of my family.
” Feel the soft grass between her toes, the perfumed breeze in her hair.
There was no place in Neverland quite like Sylvanna Vale, and though she’d once considered it perfect, it wouldn’t be anymore, not without the man in front of her.
“I want to tell them that I’m safe. I’m happy. ”
“Are you, love?” He brushed a strand of hair back from her face.
A soft glow emanated from behind, just visible out the corner of her eye. She urged it brighter, let the warmth in her heart slip out to her fluttering wings. “You tell me.” She grinned.
He pressed his forehead to hers. “Good. But we’ll keep searching for a way for you to return to the vale, if only to visit. Besides…” James stepped back, flashing her a wicked smile. “There’s not a treasure in Neverland that the great Captain Hook can’t find.”
She giggled. “The great Captain Hook, is it?”
The humor slipped from his gaze like a retreating wave. “Do you want to find…her?”
There’d been no sign of Lily, Peter, or the boys.
They’d searched for the better part of a day.
It should have been easy. They couldn’t have gotten far.
But even so, their whereabouts remained a mystery.
They had seen a few of Blackbeard’s men though, scrambling away in little dinghies and pulling to shore on a narrow spit of land.
By Hook’s order and agreement from Cressida and her crew, they let them go.
Let them choose a new life. Maybe a better one.
Though they might just slip a few hints to the Gamoreans in Rochland.
At least it might appease them for a time.
Of the Kraken’s captain, they saw no sign. Hopefully, the sea had truly claimed him as its own at last.
Tink gave herself a little shake. “I…yes. I think so. Peter and the boys too.” She looked out across the sea and hugged her arms around herself. With any luck, they’d gone back to her treehouse, or would eventually. He was James’s brother after all, even if the ties that bound them were dark ones.
“They’re fine,” James said, placing an arm around her shoulders and pulling her close. “I’m sure of it.”
“You’re right.” She heaved a sigh. Somehow, she was certain of it too. They’d meet again, all of them. “We’ll find them.”
“Aye, pirates always bring home the treasure they seek.”
She arched one careful brow. “Do they? I’m afraid you’re coming into port a bit empty-handed this time.”
“Oh?” He slid his arm down her back, pulling her close until they were nearly pressed together. “We’re less one curse. And I might have just found the greatest treasure in all of Neverland.”
The greatest treasure… She tilted her head to the side. By all the revered elders, when did he find something like that?
“You, Tink.”
A flutter raced through her chest. Tears welled in her eyes. “James.”
Beyond her tears, his dark gaze held wonder, joy, but most of all, love. “The last treasure I’ll take for myself, and the only one I need.”
His lips claimed hers in a soft kiss full of promise. Many adventures lay ahead, but no matter where the tide would take them, they’d journey there together. Though not the destination she originally had in mind, Tink found the home she sought—in the arms of a filthy pirate.