I had told them we would be here today; I had hoped they’d come too. To say things have been decent between Tinker Bell and Wendy since she’s arrived would be a lie. Tinker Bell has barely spoken to me since I brought her here. And to be honest, I haven’t missed the fae as much as I thought I would. A fact I’m certain she knows since yesterday was the first time, I’ve made an effort since about a week after Wendy’s arrival, to even go speak with her.

Wendy has yet to meet Tiger Lily, but I’ve been told by the rest of the tribe, she’s disliked on that side of the island just the same.

“Is this safe?” Wendy asks scared. “I know how much Tinker…”

“Will do whatever I say,” I insist as I look back in her eyes. She blinks a few times and shakes her head in disagreement. Taking her chin in my hand, I force her to look at me. “You and me, Wendy. That’s the beginning and the end of everything.”

Grabbing her hand, I soar her up high before bringing her gently down to the bottom of the lagoon. The lost boys follow quickly behind. Climbing up and over the rocks as fast and best as they can. Looking down at Wendy, I keep her hand held tightly in mine and give her a reassuring smile. She smiles back, but I can tell she’s still worried. Still scared.

She doesn’t have to feel that way. Not so long as I’m by her side.

“What do we have here?” Chalen, the head of the school asks in a mocking tone.

“Wendy,” I assert confidently, never taking my eyes off the beautiful girl at my side. “Wendy Moira Angela Darling.”

I hear their whispers, but I only have eyes for my Wendy. That is, until the next one chimes in with a snide remark.

“She’s just as pathetic as you mentioned, Tinker Bell. All skin and bone. Nothing like Peter’s used to.”

My eyes snap toward Penelope’s just as I hear the faint tinkling of Tinker Bell’s agreement. What I’m used to? What on earth can they mean by that?

They go on and Wendy tenses in my arms. “I wouldn’t worry, though,” Atlanteia sighs, “it could never last. Look at her. She’s nothing but a little girl.”

The chorus of women start to laugh. Wendy drops out of my embrace, and I waste no time stepping in front of her, prepared to make the witches in front of me take it back.

“Hey!” Their laughing resolves to a slight giggle as they roll their eyes. “I won’t have you talking like that about my Wendy.”