Epilogue
Hook
Captain Hook stood near the bow of the Jolly Roger, wind in his hair, the gentle rock of the ship under his feet, and the woman he loved wrapped in his arms. It was strange not being at the wheel guiding them home.
Tink nestled further against him. Her wings fluttered against his sides, and the corner of his lips quirked up.
She had no idea how that gentle touch thrilled him.
Truly, there was nowhere he’d rather be at that moment.
Against all odds, they’d been victorious. If the gods were good, that crocodile Blackbeard would be food for the fishes at the bottom of the sea.
His father.
Hook stiffened.
Tink must have felt the change in him because she stroked his forearm and twisted to glance at him over one shoulder. “Everything okay?”
Hook forced a smile. He wouldn’t let that bastard shadow his heels anymore. Especially not today. “Perfect, love.”
He hunched around her, careful not to crush her wings, and let his chin come to rest on top of her head. Nothing was quite so sweet as her scent in his nose or her lithe form pressed against him. Though, the sight drawing near was a close second.
Not a single cloud dotted blue skies. The sun blazed overhead, sparkling off the water like a beacon guiding them in. The dock speared out into the cove, their few fishing boats tied up after bringing in the morning haul.
Hook squinted. A lone figure paced near the end of the dock, arms waving in the air. His stomach bottomed out. Can’t a man get a bloody break?
Reluctantly, he pulled away from Tink. Her protests were swallowed by the breeze as he turned to his crew and slipped into the role of captain as easily as breathing.
“Eyes on the dock!” Hook reached for his spyglass, belatedly remembering he didn’t have it. Bloody hell, he wasn’t used to being a passenger on his own ship.
The easy laughter and conversation shared by the crew broke off. Boots thumped across the deck as men and women snapped to attention.
Sage climbed the rigging with practiced ease and swung a spyglass to her eye. “It’s Rell!”
Smee’s sister. The headstrong girl he’d left in charge if for no other reason than to keep her coming after them in a rowboat, determined to prove herself a valuable member of the crew despite her young age.
“And?” he asked. The word came out sharper than he intended.
Hook jumped as Tink touched his arm. Her presence stilled the tapping of his boot, but his heart raced faster than his ship across the water.
He’d left Smee in command for the duration of this voyage.
No one could argue with his first mate’s skill, but the temporary change of position still sat oddly, like boots a little too big.
“Smiling,” Sage yelled back.
“No sign of distress,” Smee called from his post at the wheel.
Tension fled his shoulders. Someday, his streak of wild luck would run out, but not yet.
“Just glad we’re home?” Tink asked.
Now that brought a genuine smile back to his lips. Home had never felt so perfect.
“Aye, love. Let’s hope so.”
Tink would be staying this time—in his home, with him, a part of his crew and family. Joy trashed within him like a wild animal trying to burst free. It was more than he’d hoped for, more than he’d dared to dream of.
And yet, his deepest wish came true.
The crew was a bundle of nerves and cautious optimism by the time the Jolly Roger drew within earshot of the docks.
“Ahoy!” Rell’s high voice carried over the gentle crash of waves and gull cries.
“What news?” Smee called in return, taking the words right out of Hook’s mouth.
Family members often met the ship when it returned, though often not quite so early or with so much enthusiasm. It took time to bring the ship in and dock. They knew that. Whatever news Rell had couldn’t wait.
His jaw stiffened. Or the girl was entirely too enthusiastic about her assignment.
“Reya had her baby!”
An excited gasp rolled through the crew. Smee let out a loud whoop.
Now that was excellent news to return to. Hook’s chest shook before a hearty laugh broke free.
Barley stumbled back, a dazed look on his face. “I’m a father.”
Hook stepped toward his friend and slapped him on the back—hard. “Congratulations, man.”
Sage’s eyes sparkled with wonder. “I’m an auntie.”
Cheers and shouts rang out. The deck thundered as members of the crew jumped for joy or stomped in excitement.
Barley stumbled to the railing amid congratulatory smacks and a few overly enthusiastic embraces.
“What is it?” Smee yelled.
Rell bounced up and down. “A girl!”
“I knew it!” Sage punched the sky.
Shimmering powder drifted through the air. Tink floated a foot off the ground, her wings glowing with joy. “How is Reya?” she called.
Warmth spread through him in a wave. Beautiful, glorious woman. The love she already showed his family took his breath away.
“Well!” Rell’s pronouncement sent up another round of cheers.
“A girl, a baby girl.” Barley shook himself, still wide-eyed and reeling with the news. Then, all at once, he shoved up on the railing and dove into the sea, boots and all.
Hook lunged to the rail and planted his arm on the top beam, leaning over to spot his friend. Others pressed in around him.
Barley surfaced a moment later, shook his head like a dog, and swam for the dock.
“What are you doing, man?” Hook called.
“Gotta meet her!” He shouted.
Hook shook his head though a grin still pulled hard at his cheeks. Bloody fool. Bringing the Jolly Roger into port wasn’t a swift process, but better than sodden clothes and boots full of water. What a way to greet his wife and new child.
Someone knocked into him. Hook grimaced as the wound on his side twinged with pain. He turned just as Smee reached the railing and lifted his hand in salute.
“Relinquishing command,” his first mate said.
If Smee is here… “Who the bloody hell is captaining the ship? ” Hook twisted toward the helm.
Red hair blazed from under a black tricorn hat, floating on the breeze behind Anne like a flag. His shoulders sagged. At least Smee hadn’t left the wheel unattended, and Anne would do as good a’ job as any of them bringing her into the dock.
“Sorry, Captain.”
Hook looked back just in time to see Smee climb onto the railing. The boards groaned under his weight.
The first mate gave a goofy smile, his eyes never leaving the dock, as he said, “Gotta meet my niece.” He didn’t wait for a reply before jumping into the water after Barley and making an impressive splash in the gentle tide.
Tink perched on the railing, her wings still glowing and giving off a sparkling mist of dust. She no longer feared the sea as much, not after the battle with Blackbeard and their subsequent swim from the sinking ship.
Though he’d have to be a fool to think she loved it the way he did, at least, she didn’t yet.
“Like hell if he’s going to meet her first.” Sage climbed the railing and dove in after Smee.
Hook sighed and shook his head. At this rate, half his crew would be in the water.
“Anyone else?” he asked. But most of them ignored him as they cheered on either Sage or Smee, who cut through the water after Barley.
The new father was already halfway up the ladder to the dock. Even Tink giggled and cheered.
Hook laughed, a fierce ember of joy blazing in his chest. Reckless fools, every one. And he loved them for it.
Tink
Tink sat on the railing near the gangplank, savoring the feel of the light breeze against her wings. Most of the crew had departed by the time their captain made his way over to her again, eager to reunite with their families after their harrowing adventure. And to greet the new arrival.
“Not excited to meet the little one?” Tink teased.
James was thrilled by the news. She could see it in the easy way he walked, despite his injury and the wide grin that kept finding its way to his face of its own accord.
Truly, she was thrilled, too. She hadn’t stopped smiling since just before Barley jumped into the sea, and her wings still glowed as bright as when she lay in bed wrapped in James’s arms.
“Aye, I am.” He edged closer to her until mere inches separated them. “Thought I might give the others some time to see her first, though.”
“Well, I think they’ve had their time.” Tink shoved him back with a palm to the chest and slid down from the railing. “And I want to meet her.”
It’d been a long time since she’d seen a baby—they weren’t often spotted around Tortuga. The last one she’d held was back in the vale. Just a tiny little thing with wings transparent as glass.
“You don’t think they’ll mind, do you?” A tangle of worry knotted within her. Humans weren’t always so open and social as pixies, at least not from her experience. Back home, a baby was a joy to the whole community, shown off and celebrated by everyone. Would it be the same for them?
James laughed and offered her his arm. “Of course not.”
She took it. The moment they touched, the knots in her fell loose.
“You’re one of us now.” He beamed down at her. “Family.”
Family. She bit her bottom laugh to hold back a giggle. That’s right, and this was her home. “Well then, let’s go meet our new family member.”
The house was still packed when Tink and James arrived.
People filled the main room, sharing drinks, food, and tales of their most recent adventure.
Conversation broke into a round of rowdy cheers as those gathered caught sight of them, arm-in-arm.
Heat raced up Tink’s neck, across her cheeks, and all the way to the points of her ears.
Durin’s beard, you’d think they welcomed a hero.
But their raised glasses and wide grins weren’t just for the captain.
No, most of them looked to her. Suddenly, the urge to flee gripped her, especially when James released her.
She’d only taken one step back when he wrapped his arm around her—careful of her wings, as always—and pulled her close once more.
Trapped in the onslaught of praise, all she could do was stand there and force a grin.