“We are not offended, James. We know you have a good heart. We just wonder how much longer it will remain so,” said Circe. “We would be only too happy to share all of our stories with you, we would sit with you and read the Book of Fairy Tales, you could read about the Odd Sisters, how they came to be, about Sir Jacob, and the many queens of the Dead Woods. There are wondrous tales within its pages, even stories that involve your lands. You could read them all, if only you agreed to stay here with us,” said Circe, her eyes sparkling with tears.

“Do not cry, dear Circe. Let us enjoy this beautiful cake before I depart and realize my dream. Who knows? Maybe my travels will bring me back here again,” said James. He knew he would probably never return, but he very much liked the idea of seeing these women again.

“We do have one final request of you, James,” Circe said, her expression suddenly serious. “Do not open the box.” The look she gave him transformed her face into something almost fierce.

“I have no reason to, my lady. Besides, Blackbeard already warned me not to,” he said.

“Wonderful. Then let us eat this delightful-looking cake,” said Primrose. “And we will enjoy these last moments with you, and pretend as though you are not breaking our hearts.”

Chapter X

James was happy to return to his ship that night, away from the Dead Woods, and would be happier still once he was well away from the Many Kingdoms. As much as he enjoyed the ladies of the Dead Woods, he felt as if he could become lost there, drifting in and out of time like the beguiling women who called the beautiful and foreboding place home. The magic was thick in the air in this realm, and thicker still in the Dead Woods. He could breathe a bit easier the moment he left, but he longed to be once again at sea. Perhaps then he could shake the sadness that still clung to him. He couldn’t stop thinking about what Circe and her aunts had said to him, that this was all part of the Odd Sisters’ plan, and he wouldn’t be happy in Never Land. He couldn’t remember ever being happier than he had been when he was there as a small child. The thought of going to the place of his dreams and being unhappy there was unfathomable. It was all he’d ever wanted. And even though he thought the ladies of the Dead Woods were wise and powerful, they also seemed deeply troubled to him, and he convinced himself they weren’t seeing his story clearly, and felt in his heart this life was his, and he had the power to direct it.