A Land of Never After

by R. L. Davennor

I snatched the dagger from the wood, twirling it in my hand. “Find out what happened to Mother. And if there’s anyone responsible for taking her from us?” Pausing, I looked to the blade again, envisioning it slick with blood, and not feeling the least bit sorry. Neverland may no longer be a place of death, but it had certainly left its mark on me—one that demanded vengeance where vengeance was due. “Make them pay.”

  I left my father as I’d found him. Breathless, confused… and alone.

  * * *

  Two Weeks Later

  Gripping the rail, I breathed in until my lungs could take no more. The gulls were crying, the sea was roaring, and the winds were in our favor. Above me, both the sails and our colors fluttered in the breeze, as eager to begin the voyage as I was.

  It was a beautiful day.

  Glancing to my left, I nodded to Mr. Smee. “Everything’s set, then?”

  “Aye, m’lady. The Jolly Serpent awaits your command.”

  My command. It had only been a couple of weeks, but I knew already I’d never tire of hearing those words. “Good.” I smiled. “Raise the anchor. We’ll be departing shortly.”

  Mr. Smee bowed his head before leaving to see it done, evidently waiting to put ample distance between us before shouting. As his orders rippled through the men, a comforting chorus of voices rose to join his own. My heart fluttered, beating in rhythm with their work; everything from the positioning of the sails to each turn of the wheel happened in time.

  I marveled at the sight. Life today was leagues from what it had been the morning I’d left the orphanage, and now that I’d tasted real freedom, there was no going back. Gone was the scared little girl in the ragged dress. Once finished with my training, I’d be Captain Wendy Maynard, blood of some of the most notorious souls to ever sail the open seas. Those ships that had rejected me would be more than sorry.

  “What are you so giddy about?”

  The bell-like voice tore me from my thoughts; turning, I gave the fairy a sad smile. “Ah, Tink—I can’t believe you aren’t coming with us.”

  “Right.” She scoffed, her glow flashing an orange that I knew indicated jealousy.

  “We’d be more than glad to have you, but it’s like Peter already said: fairies can’t enter the witch’s realm. You know we’re going to miss you terribly.”

  Crossing her arms, she rolled her eyes. “I should hope so.”

  “Course we will, Tink!” declared a voice from above.

  I flinched as a shadow passed overhead, and Peter dove toward the deck at breakneck speed. He managed a decent landing, but only narrowly missed where I’d been standing. I knew from experience it was quite on purpose. Show-off.

  Scowling, I shook my head. “Will you quit that?”

  “Here, no.” He grinned. “But where we’re going—I guess I’ll have to, won’t I? Flying will be out of the question.”

  “So will… the other thing…?” I couldn’t bring myself to say it.

  “I know.”

  Whether or not Peter knew wasn’t what I was asking. “And are you all right with—”

  “Let’s talk about that later.” He waved his hand dismissively, refusing to look in my direction. “We’re casting off soon, right?”

  “Yes.” I wanted to argue—badly—but didn’t have the heart to spend what may be his final moments of boyhood doing anything other than what he asked.

  “Perfect.” Peter gestured to me and Tink, already beginning to hover once more. “Hurry and say your goodbyes—there’s something I’d like you to see.”

  I shook my head. “Bossy, isn’t he?”

  “Always.” Tink’s customary golden glow flashed a pale pink, betraying her concern. “Promise me you’ll be safe? And that you’ll take care of him?”

  “Always,” I echoed with a smile. “This isn’t forever. We’ll be back before you know it.”

  “You’d better be.”

  She zipped toward my shoulder, landing there before planting a kiss on my cheek. The action caused some of her dust to settle on me; its effect was immediate. I began to hover right along with Peter, who wasted no time snatching my hand.

  “One last flight. Here we go!”

  Ignoring my pleas for him to at least slow down, he all but dragged me up the length of the mainmast, expertly dodging the maze of ropes. Peter didn’t aim for the crow’s nest—that would have been much too safe; instead, we perched atop the topsail’s rigging.

  Though there was no real danger of falling as long as I could fly, I shot out an arm to steady myself. Tink’s dust would expire sooner rather than later, and I hadn’t gotten any more than a sprinkling. My heart leaped as I scanned the ship below. Everything was much too small; I could barely make out Tink’s shape as she fluttered away. “How the hell are we going to get down?”

  Peter laughed. “Who cares?”

  Even as high as we were, I didn’t miss the scowl that crossed Mr. Smee’s face. I offered an apologetic wave before Peter’s arm snaked around my waist. With his guidance, we settled down on the mast, but being at his side wasn’t close enough. I swung my legs over his lap, trusting him to keep me balanced, and rested my head on his shoulder before turning my attention to the horizon.

  Any lingering irritation melted away.

  As if on cue, a mighty gust of wind filled even the largest sails, beginning to pull The Jolly Serpent along. Clouds painted the landscape like careful brushstrokes, the sky a gorgeous array of brightness and light—except where it wasn’t. It was so far away I almost missed it, but a single flash of lightning illuminated the darkness. Storm clouds gathered with a rage, fiercely guarding the entrance to where we were heading.

  Ursa’s realm.

  “Are you nervous?” I asked. We were doing this for him, after all; if Peter had changed his mind, it wasn’t too late to call the whole thing off. Part of me wanted nothing more, but a stronger part was willing to do whatever it took to see him happy.

  He shook his head before squeezing my hand between both of his.

  “I’m ready.”

  epilogue

  Featured Song: Round and Round

  Cedric

  I was scanning our surroundings through narrowed lids when Elvira’s savage kick to my shins shattered my concentration. Cursing, I shot her a glare. “What the devil was that for?”

  “Must you always look like you have a stick up your ass?”

  I raised an eyebrow. “Must you always eat as though your food will make an escape attempt? I assure you it’s already dead.”

  Elvira nearly choked on the chicken she’d been devouring. “Did you just make a joke, brother? Now that’s something I haven’t heard in years. Is this trip relaxing you after all?”

  “Relax? This isn’t a vacation, this is a mission!”

  “Lighten up, Ced. If there’s anywhere you can, it’s here.”

  She was right. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a full belly, a drink in my hand, and no curse quite literally eating me alive. I’d even bathed before departing Neverland, dressing in my most comfortable tunic, coat, and breeches for the journey into town. The reassuring weight of not one, but two loaded pistols rested at my belt, and to the best of my knowledge, there was no one currently interested in killing us. That was certainly a first… yet I couldn’t be more on edge if I tried.

  I’d never coped well with change, and we’d gone through more of it in the past few weeks than we had in almost twenty years. Free of my captaincy, free of my ship and its responsibilities… free of Neverland. I should feel nothing but relief, but couldn’t shake the prickle of unease lingering in my bones. I had a promise to Wendy to keep, and I didn’t trust the unexpected peace any more than I trusted the rats I was certain were lurking in the tavern’s basement. I trusted the humans around us even less. There was no way anyone could convince me that Wendy’s sudden reappeara
nce had been a coincidence—not when she’d been right here this whole time, hidden in plain sight without anyone realizing who or what she was. It smelled far too much of witch magic, something I was more than familiar with. Combined with my long-repressed memories of Scarlett rising to the surface, the timing was too suspicious for me not to investigate things.

  It was time to find out what had really happened the night of that storm.

  “I can see there’s no hope if I’ve already lost you that quickly.” Elvira pointed her fork toward me so menacingly that for a moment I thought she might throw it. It wouldn’t have been the first time. “Fine—brood all you want. But don’t ruin my meal or my night.”

  “Your night? Don’t tell me you plan on partaking in all of… this.” I gestured vaguely around us before daring a glance. The tavern hummed with energy. Men gambled near the bar, prostitutes had begun making their rounds, and a small band of musicians were tuning in preparation for what I assumed would be an evening of drunken dancing. All were distractions we didn’t have time to lose ourselves to, and I didn’t have a shred of faith that Elvira would be able to resist the temptation.

  Sure enough, by the time I turned back around, my sister was gone from her seat.

  I hissed her name before she’d gotten far. Though Elvira didn’t look at me, she spoke over her shoulder loud enough for me to hear. “You may not know how to mix work and pleasure, brother, but I certainly do.”

  She slipped away before I could protest, and I cursed under my breath. I didn’t possess the freedom to waltz around without guise—a fact Elvira knew full well. Anyone who remembered Blackbeard was bound to recognize me. I couldn’t join the crowd until I knew who and what we were dealing with. Even if that hadn’t been true, I’d lived my entire life as a fugitive, and old habits died hard. It didn’t feel right going out in public without a hood concealing my features. I’d even covered my hook; though I’d lost the hand in Neverland, it was too distinct a feature to have on full display.

  Elvira had been right about one thing, though: it was time to get to work. My good hand moved to where I’d stowed Scarlett’s portrait. I’d only pull it out if I was certain whoever I was speaking to was worth it—the illustration was far too precious to wave around like a wanted poster. Still, the knowledge that it was safe and there if I needed it gave me the courage to put weight on my heels. I should start with questioning the men by the—

  A giggling woman damn near tumbled into my lap, settling for the seat beside me only once she felt me tense. Blocking my escape with her body, she twirled a strand of hair between her fingers. “Going somewhere, handsome? I know a private place where we could have a… conversation.”

  There was no possible way she could have gotten a glimpse of my face, but I yanked down my hood regardless. “That won’t be necessary,” I forced out, biting back a curse. How had I not noticed the wench’s eyes on me—was I truly that distracted?

  “Are you sure? You looked so lonely over here by yourself, especially after your woman left. Don’t you want to show her what she’s missing?”

  I grimaced. “That’s not my woman, that’s my sis—”

  “Oh.” She gave a knowing nod. “If your preferences lie elsewhere, all you had to do was say so! My brother would be more than happy to—”

  “My preferences have nothing to do with this; I’m simply not in the mood,” I said quickly, already on my feet. “You’re quite lovely, and I’m certain your brother is, too.” Before darting around her, I fished a few coins from my pocket and placed them on the table; likely too much, but hopefully she’d be satisfied. I made for the bar, deciding another drink might help both to clear my head and calm my racing heart. It had been a long time since I’d dealt with humans not under my command, and even longer since I’d been out in public. Clearly my social skills were worse off than I’d thought.

  After ordering and receiving an ale, this time I overpaid on purpose. “Keep the change. I’m just looking for a little information.”

  The barkeep frowned but pocketed the money. “Who’s asking?”

  I hesitated. Though I’d frequented this place prior to entering Neverland, I didn’t recognize any of the new staff—including the woman running the bar. Though she was short, I had no doubt she was more than capable of keeping the peace, as evidenced by the sharp glare she shot me. I decided to take my chances.

  “The Crow.” Pulling back my hood, I lowered it just enough for her to glimpse my scar.

  Her eyes widened. “Teach?”

  “His son, yes, but not so loud,” I hissed, glancing around to ensure no one had overheard.

  “We… we thought you were long dead.”

  I huffed. “Sorry to disappoint.”

  “No, it’s not that, it’s…” She paused and lowered her voice to a whisper. “Let’s just say you might not find as many friends here as you did in the past. Most of those who remember Blackbeard’s reign are long gone.”

  “I’m not here to make friends. All I’m wondering is whether or not Adrian Hayes is still around, and if he is, where I can find him.” My chest tightened at the mere mention of the old quartermaster. He’d saved my life as well as Scarlett’s on numerous occasions; if anyone knew what had happened to her, it would be him.

  The barkeep shook her head. “Can’t say I’ve heard of him. Does he go by any other name? An alias?”

  “He doesn’t.” At least he hadn’t when I’d known him. “He’ll be in his seventies at least, and has ties to…” I swallowed before continuing. “Captain Markus Compton. Adrian was his quartermaster for a time, serving aboard the Night Rose.” More memories—these ones involving pain and misery. My own time spent aboard the Night Rose had been far from a pleasant experience.

  “I’ve heard whispers of a Compton—rumors regarding his brutality, mostly—but nothing more. He hasn’t been to port in a decade at least.”

  Nodding, I slipped the barkeep another piece of silver. Good news and bad news: hopefully Compton had perished long ago, but I wished the opposite for Adrian. Even if my old friend didn’t have any information regarding Scarlett, there wasn’t much I wouldn’t do simply to be in his presence. His cryptic advice and vague metaphors had irritated me to no end, but always served as the guiding light I’d needed. Adrian had been the father Blackbeard never had.

  “Thank you. I’ll keep asking around.”

  She resumed cleaning her glasses. “I’m sure you already know this, but… be careful, Teach.”

  Nodding, I turned back toward the gathering crowd of dancers, determined not to miss anything else. The musicians had begun their first lively tune, and couples were already clapping and spinning to it without a care in the world. A drone had started up first, quickly followed by drums that set the beat. Pipes, a whistle, and a fiddle carried the melody. It didn’t take me long to locate Elvira among the fray of dancers; she’d braided her hair, but the golden strands were even more prominent than usual while a tall brunette whirled my sister around by her waist. The women clung to each other as though afraid the other might be ripped from her grasp, their foreheads resting against one another while their hands were clasped tightly.

  I looked away when they kissed, fighting the urge to roll my eyes. We were meant to be gathering information—not ensuring those we spoke to would be interested in doing anything but talking. Elvira was much more skilled at this than me, but had clearly gotten distracted. At the end of the night I didn’t give a shit who she took to her bed, but pleasure was for after we’d gotten our information. How to reach her when it wasn’t safe to leave the bar?

  “Are you certain she isn’t your lover?”

  I jumped at the familiar voice. The woman I’d narrowly escaped now perched on the stool beside me, brows raised.

  “Of course I’m sure,” I spat, more irritated she’d snuck up on me a second time than anything else. “Do you like to watch your si
ster fu—? Never mind. Don’t answer that.”

  She laughed then, her tightly curled hair tumbling over her shoulders. “Nice save—but unnecessary. My brother might work here, but I have no sister. At least not one I’m aware of.”

  “Lucky you.”

  “Why do you say that?” She gave me a quizzical look. “Yours has the most beautiful woman in this tavern wrapped around her finger, yet won’t stop looking at you.”

  It was true, but not for the reasons my companion believed. Each of Elvira’s glances between kisses were a message, reassuring and irritating me all at once. She hadn’t gotten as distracted as I’d thought, but hadn’t learned anything worthwhile, either. I scowled. Perhaps we truly would be stuck here all night.

  “I’m Calypso,” the woman continued, scooting her stool a bit closer to mine. “And you are?”

  I turned to her before I could help myself, intrigued by her name. “The sea nymph?”

  “Know your mythology, do you? Impressive, but that doesn’t mean you can evade my question.”

  Revealing my identity to the barkeep had been a risk, and it wasn’t one I was willing to take again so soon. “Avery,” I lied, assuming an old alias as I repositioned my hood. “Call me Avery.”

  “Well, Avery,” Calypso said, placing sultry emphasis on the fake name. “You’ve paid more than some of my best clients simply to reject me. I understand you’re not interested in my usual services, but surely there’s something I can do to show my gratitude.”

  I shook my head. “You’re very kind, but truly, there’s noth—”

  “I can help you find her. The woman you seek.”

  My jaw dropped, and I felt the color drain from my face. Instinctively, my fingers twitched, ready to wrap around my nearest pistol in an instant. “How did you—”

  “I didn’t, not for certain. But now I do.” Calypso spoke nonchalantly, keeping her voice low. “You think you’re the first mysterious man to wander in here with far too much money, thinking he’s sly with his questions and wandering eyes?” I clenched my fists as she continued. “Let me guess: you’ve recently come upon a fortune, but even all the money in the world wasn’t enough to buy your happiness. Not when your heart lies elsewhere.”