“James, calm down; we are not my mothers in disguise, and we are not deceiving you,” said Circe. “The Queens of the Dead have been the authors of the Book of Fairy Tales since the first queen wrote in its pages. It is inscribed on our souls. Time means nothing where the dead dwell. You have seen with your own eyes how we drift in and out of time, how we experience the past and future as if it is happening now, because, dear James, it is. All time is one. We tether ourselves to this time line because this is where we are needed most.”

“You have nothing to fear from us, James, but we would have our book back,” said Hazel, smiling at him.

“I admit I had hoped to tempt your mothers with it in exchange for passage to Never Land,” he said. “Are you willing to do the same? Will you show me the way if I give you the book?” he asked, sitting back down.

“You need no such bargaining. Never Land is exactly where they want you; going there sets you on the path they predestined for you. You’re lucky you’re dealing with us, James, and not the Odd Sisters. They would manipulate you, and send you down the road of ruin and despair, even if they had a mind to help you,” said Primrose.

“I am quite adept at avoiding manipulative mothers,” said James, making Primrose laugh.

“So you are. We will help you find Never Land, James, if you’re determined to go. Circe is bound to grant you your wish as part of the pact her mothers made with Blackbeard, but we can’t send you off to Never Land without a warning that we see terrible things for you there. The life you seek isn’t in Never Land.”

“This is nonsense. I don’t believe you. I have wanted nothing more in my entire life. It is my fondest wish.”

“Are you sure that is your fondest wish, James?” asked Circe, eyeing him. She saw there was a secret wish in his heart he was not sharing with them. “Because all you will acquire in Never Land is your pirate’s name and disillusionment. Your losses will be greater than you can fathom.”

“Surely one’s fate isn’t written? Don’t I have the power to direct my own life? I can’t believe we can’t choose for ourselves. Didn’t I change Blackbeard’s fate by saving him from the Kraken? Didn’t he change mine by defeating the captain of the Flying Dutchman?”