“Looks like there is some of the boy still lurking inside the man after all,” Tinker Bell releases a heavy sigh as I grunt in pain, rolling off Wendy and staring up into the wicked fae’s eyes. Wendy cries, clutching me close, careful not to push the blade deeper into my side. “Or is it the other way around?” Tinker Bell continues as the rain pelts down harder, and the wind picks up. “The man lurking inside the boy? Maybe you’ve had us all fooled this entire time. That’s part of your charm, is that right, Peter? The magic of Neverland, Hook?”

My chest rises and falls quickly as the pain gets worse. I look down and notice blood staining Wendy’s nightgown. Her hands are red as she gently examines my wound, tears stream down her face, her hands shake and she tries to tenderly hold me against her. I take her hand in mine, brushing my thumb across the ring sitting on her finger. She smiles down at me sadly, and my heart fucking constricts in my chest. Strangles me. Pulls me closer towards my impending death.

Pulling her hand slowly down my side, the entire time I’m diligent to never take my eyes off Tinker Bell’s. Tink glances over her shoulder at Tiger Lily, a look of triumph is exchanged between them, and I take that time to glance up into Wendy’s tearful stare. Her eyes raise instantly and catch mine as recognition hits when her hand reaches its mark. She sucks in a deep breath just as my men reach our side, then she looks up at Tinker Bell in challenge.

“Fascinating, really,” Tinker Bell goes on as I watch Wendy slowly rise to her feet. Her nightgown is soaked. Hanging onto her like a second skin as she squares off against Tink. Her hair is drenched, and strands fly about in the wind. I swear she’s never been more breathtaking than she is now, and I struggle to stand, because I need to be by her side. I need to be the man she’s needed all this time. “The one who has had us fooled this entire time, is the fool himself.”

“The only fool here, Tinker Bell, is you,” Wendy asserts as I quietly pull a knife from my boot once I can make it to my knees. “You’ve been trying to control a boy, a man, who doesn’t want you. Will never want you.”

I hear the chatter of the other fae and try once again to rise to my feet. But the pain in my side paralyzes me and I stop abruptly, hissing out from the strain. My feet give out slightly, and as I start to tumble. Wendy notices and instantly leans down to help me.