Page 73 of Veiled in Stars and Silver
For some reason, seeing Peter lay there with the bullet wound, I thought of Uncle Reuben. Uncle would have let Peter die. Uncle was ruthless, guarded, and unchanging. He’d raised me to believe I was like him, but I wasn’t. People were never what they seemed at first glance, and even when they were, they were capable of changing, growing. If they chose to. I had grown—learned to love the man I hadhated. James had changed—refused to be the man that had failed those he’d once loved.
And Peter had risked his life for his eternal nemesis.
“Can you heal him?” I asked James, recalling the spell he’d used to heal my hand.
But he shook his head. “I’m afraid this wound is too severe for that spell.”
Determination filled me. “Well, maybe there is another way we can save him.” I wiped the bloody dagger clean on my pants.
James’s eyes grew round. “Are you sure that is a good decision?”
“He’s innocent. He’s as innocent as you or any of them.”
“It's just… If you transfer the magic in the dagger to him, you will give him the power everyone thought he had all along. And who knows how he will use it?”
“We can’t let the boy who was noble enough to fight off Tinker Bell and risk his life to save his arch enemy die.”
“You’re not only gambling with his life, you’re gambling with all of ours.” Tiger Lily stepped up. She had a bruise on her left cheekbone from Peter’s attack.
“James and I will keep the book and dagger with us. We can always stop him if it doesn’t work out, but I believe he deserves a chance. What do you think?” I stared up at Tiger Lily’s uncertainty.
James’s expression hardened with determination. “Do it.”
Tiger Lily watched him, a thousand emotions passing across her face. She finally nodded. “If James agrees, then I agree.” She turned to those at the entrance of the cave. “What say you?”
Silence, then a pirate stepped forward, taking off his hat. “I don’t know if Peter will be any better than Tinker Bell, but I trust my captain.” He turned to me and his head dipped in respect. “And those he chose to help him.”
The rest of the pirates took off their hats in response, signaling their support. A woman from Tiger Lily’s people approached. “We’ll follow the choice of our princess.”
I turned. “Peter, can you hear me? We are going to save you, but you have to promise me. Promise to use this power to grow and not stay the same. You must think of others. You must free the inhabitants of Neverland.”
His pale hand gripped my wrist. “I promise.”
I pressed the knife into Peter’s shoulder and met James’s gaze.
And he began to chant.
Chapter 28
Hook
The inhabitants of Neverland gathered in the main courtyard of Swindler’s Cove to discuss what was to be done. Those who could walk on land, that is. Hook stood with Wendy among them and gazed out at the hundreds assembled. Pirates, Madame Pearl’s ladies, Tiger Lily’s people, Peter Pan and the Lost Boys, the fairies, and even the Crocodile together, peacefully, in one place. The mermaids swam around in the port, ready to catch a tidbit of what was happening.
Wendy shook her head. “I can’t believe you and Peter teamed up.”
“Trust me, love. I can barely believe it myself.”
When Peter had shown up on the Jolly Roger demanding answers, claiming that Wendy had told him the truth about Tink, Hook had been convinced it was an act. And yet, instead of gutting Hook with a sword, Peter instead sat and spoke to James about everything that had happened in Neverland. He supposed that had been the oddest thing of all. And by the time Peter untied him, he hadn’t fully trusted the lad. Still, Hook had been willing to at least play along until they found Wendy.
The woman he loved laid her four fingered hand on his hook arm. “I’m glad you did.”
“He did untie me, but I still thought there was a good chance it was a ruse until he pulled the gag.”
“And jumped in front of moving bullets.”
He nodded grimly, recalling the surprise and horror of that moment. “Aye, love. That too.”
“I’m sorry for tying you up and leaving you.”
