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My words caught in my throat. How was it this boy had reached into my soul, dragging out things I didn’t even know I wanted for myself. A vision of a blonde-haired little boy playing in a field danced through my mind. The possibility of having a child with James was something I hadn’t allowed myself to consider. A figment of a reality that was slowly slipping through my fingers.
“That sounds lovely,” I choked out. I took a tentative step toward him. If I could only touch him. Then, I could see what his future held. “Do you think the other boys would enjoy having a mother?”
“Doesn’t matter what they think. I’m the captain, so whatever I say goes.”
I was so close to him now. I could have easily raised my pistol and shot him at close range before he even had a chance to react. But instead of a pistol, I reached for him, cupping his cheek, and letting the vision flood into me.
An open window.
A beautiful woman crying.
A line in the sand.
Tiger Lily.
Bones—so many bones.
A crocodile snapping its jaws.
Blood spreading over ivory silk.
James.
I recoiled from him as if I’d touched an ember, trying to mask the sharp intake of air. His eyes narrowed, letting me know he hadn’t missed the change in my behavior.
“Are you fae?” he asked, appraising me with new eyes.
“No, I’m not fae. I’m human, like you.”
“You may be mortal, but you’re more than human. You’re special.”
I laughed at that. “Well, I’m glad you think I’m special. Does ‘special’ still fit the bill for a good mother?”
“That means you’re extra qualified. What do you say? Are you ready to leave Granddad behind and join the Lost Boys?”
“Granddad?” I chuckled at his depiction of James. “I thought once a Lost Boy, always a Lost Boy? Why can’t you and Jas settle your issues and let it go?”
“Nah, Jas broke the rules. He should have stayed gone, but now he’s made it personal. To be honest, I can barely remember our time together. But as long as he remains on the island, he’s my enemy. It’s that simple.”
“Simple would be for both of you to forget about all of this and go on with your own lives.”
“That’s not the way of things. But we’ll teach you all the rules once you’ve agreed to be our mum. So, what do you say?”
“I’m sorry, Peter, but I can’t be your mother. I can’t even be a good wife.”
Frustration gnawed at me. Katherine’s poisoned mead still hadn’t proven effective. The bastard was still roaming the damn island, eluding my wrath like some kind of specter, able to appear and disappear at a moment’s thought. I lit a cigar and focused on the map. Where would I hide if I were a young cocksure prick?
Katherine opened the door, standing silently in the entryway. She’d been missing all afternoon. She knew I’d be upset. I could feel the guilt radiating off her slight frame.
“I’m going to take Meadow away from you if you don’t stop sneaking off without leaving word. I’ve already told you my feelings on the matter. If something happens to you, your little pixie will pay the ultimate price,” I chided, keeping my eyes focused on the map of Neverland.
I hated having to reprimand her, but she was going to get herself killed running off alone. It was a thought I didn’t want to entertain. She was my anchor, keeping me tethered to the last bits of my sanity. Without her, I had nothing but vengeance and venom running through my veins. She was the light in my darkness.
Katherine stared at me, her eyes red and damp. Her chin quivering. Something was wrong.
“Love? Why are you crying? I’m simply trying to keep you safe.”
“I’m… I’m—” An outburst of sobbing cut her words short.
