It wasn’t long after Peter came to live here that he started flying back to her. He’d sit on her bed at night and tell her stories of their time apart, thinking he was telling her stories of a life he’s always lived, always been a part of. One I gave him, and one I hated to admit he only wanted to share with her.

I loved him first. I saw him first. There was magic in his eyes unlike any other’s I had looked in before, and there was no way I was going to let a spoiled little brat by the name of Wendy Moira Angela Darling come between us.

That bitch grew up privileged. Her family was well-known about town. Her father was king of the underground. He called on the fae more times than he should have been allowed. He was in debt to us. Owed more than he would ever be worth. Which is why we took his life, that night he left with Mrs. Darling for the party. The night Peter’s shadow tried to stop everything I risked, to keep them apart so we could be together.

Jake was always a pawn. Much like the one in front of me now. He was a boy who loved the life of the fae enough to risk his own in order to sit beside me in Neverland one day. He played his part nicely until Peter stole Wendy away to Neverland, fell in love with her, lost his innocence and started to fall into darkness. A darkness she created. And one that cost Jake what was promised to him, as he succumbed to the coward I always knew was hiding deep inside. A penance I’ve forced him to serve as the head of the Darling household.

I knew he’d never touch Wendy. Jake’s only ever wanted to be exposed, explored, desired by the hands and hearts of the fae.

A fact I’ve dangled in front of him for years to get what I want. Just like I’ve done with the fool staring anxiously back in my eyes now. Jake was supposed to keep Wendy as far away from Neverland and Peter as he possibly could. A job he failed at, when Peter stole pixie dust and left to go back to her. Inevitably the reason why I eventually let Peter take his life.

Everything was right in Neverland until she came along. Until she bewitched the only boy I’d ever loved with her Darling charm and then stole the only thing I’ve truly ever wanted.

The boy with enchantment in his eyes. A boy who believed in make-believe so much he couldn’t tell truth from reality. One who would always believe in magic.

But my spell was never as strong as the magic between them.

I never planned on Wendy being the only truth he’d ever need.