Page 74 of Veiled in Stars and Silver
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 frommy 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.
