A bright sunbeam falls on my face, waking me. I wish I could lay on Lookout's Peak basking in the warm rays for hours, but it's time to put my plan in action. These uninvited intruders have been on Neverland for far too long. Yawning, I stretch my arms out and roll over. Hook's amused face is right in front of me. Surprised, I shoot up into a sitting position.

"Good morning, Sleeping Beauty." Hook bows to me. "How are you this lovely day?"

"I would be better if I knew you weren't watching me all night like a creep." Standing up, I shake out my wrinkled clothing. "Do you climb up to children's windows at night and eavesdrop on their conversations?"

"That's more my brother's style."

Hook tosses my swords to me and buckles on his own weapons. Nodding my thanks, I walk over to the wall and press my hand against it. A vine laden with silver fruit begins emerging from the dirt. After I pluck some of the fruit, I remove my hand, and the vine disappears back into the wall.

"Hungry?" I ask.

"Starving."

"Too bad you didn't bring any food."

With an impish grin, I bite into the crisp skin. Sparkling tangy juice bubbles in my mouth. The succulent fruit tastes like a fresh spring breeze, and the flesh is soft and velvety. Sauntering closer to Hook, I lean forward so he can smell the sweet fragrance.

"Don't they look delicious? They're called lunalorias." I lick my lips and dangle the remaining fruit in front of Hook's face tantalizingly. "Wouldn't you like a taste?"

Ignoring the lunaloria, Hook looks down at me. His eyes darken like wintry ocean waves as he gazes down at my mouth. A flame ignites in my abdomen, quivering rapidly.

"Yes." James bends down, his breath brushing lightly against my skin. "I would like a taste."

His smooth lips are almost on mine when I suddenly reach up and shove the last lunaloria into his mouth. Dancing out of his reach, I laugh as Hook chokes on the unexpected fruit.

"You said you wanted a taste."

"I did." Hook raises an eyebrow at me. "And I still do if you ever decide you're hungry."

Turning away, I pretend to look out at the land below to avoid meeting James's eyes. Casually, I comb my hair with my fingers to hide the blush creeping into my cheeks. I don't know why my skin is tingling or why heat is rushing into my face. Briefly, I consider what it would feel like to have James's soft lips pressed against mine, but I swiftly shake the preposterous thought out of my head. My mind is still in turmoil after learning about my father's death and Merlin's betrayal. I won't make a decision regarding James until I am thinking clearly again. Clearing my throat, I pull out my spyglass and aim it towards the ocean.

"It looks like your ship is fine, and the crew seems to be enjoying their time off."

"Any sign of Merlin or my brother?"

Hook crosses over to me and stands behind my shoulder. It's difficult to ignore him when his breath is drifting onto my bare neck. I don't know why a shiver runs down my spine when it's such a warm day. Twisting a setting on my spyglass, I scan the island. It's impossible to find Peter or Wind since neither have the natural essence of magic, but Merlin's gold spirit spark shines brightly. He is roving through the jungle searching through my caves, treehouses, and hideouts.

"Merlin's looking for us," I report to Hook. "Judging by the trail of his magic, he's already checked the beach, the forest, and most of the meadows."

"And my brother?"

"I can't see Peter or Wind, but it seems as though most of the animals have fled the northern foothills. My guess is their camp is near the river."

Hook's jaw tightens as he gazes in the direction I indicate. Placing a hand on his sword hilt, he steps forward to the edge of Lookout's Peak. Silently, I offer him the spyglass, and he studies the landscape.

"That's definitely their location," he says after a moment.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes." Hook hands the spyglass back to me. "I recognize Wind's work. She always forces the boys to build her a private shelter out of leafy branches. They construct their hiding places in a circle around hers to protect her."

Peering through the spyglass, I examine the northern foothills again. I turn a knob and enhance the terrain around the river. At the Fords of Fortuna, I see the shelter Hook described. It appears to be a mess of tangled undergrowth and fallen branches, but I can see a tiny wisp of smoke rising through a hole in the brush.

"I see it." I attach my spyglass to my belt and step back. "As much as I hate to give them any compliments, they did a good job."

"They should." Furrowing his brow, Hook keeps his face focused on the northern foothills. "I taught them how to do it."

"You trained those delinquents?"

"They didn't used to be like that." Hook sighs deeply. "Very few people are born truly dark, and no one is completely in the light. Except perhaps you."

Throwing my head back, I laugh loudly. Hook stares at me confusedly while I continue shaking in mirth. Finally, I manage to subside into chuckles.

"Yesterday, I attacked you with swords," I manage to choke out. "I've spat on you, sided with your brother, forced you to wear a blindfold, and shoved fruit in your face. And you still think that I'm..."

My sentence trails off as I dissolve into laughter again. Hook shrugs.

"You didn't know my brother, yet you still tried to protect him. You had absolutely no reason to trust me, but you didn't let my crew perish from the northern devil shadow. And even now, you haven't exacted revenge for your father's death." Hook runs a light fingertip across my cheek, down my neck, and points towards my heart. "With all the darkness in your life, you are still made of light."

"I thought I was a storm."

I try to hide the rising heat in my body with a joke. Hook chuckles. I find the deep rumble in his chest strangely comforting.

"You could never be just one thing, Jimmy. You're far too complex for that. You are a storm on the winter sea. A deep breath of cool air. A dreamless sleep in silk sheets." Hook places his hand on the back of my head, running his fingers through my hair. "You are the light of a sailor's star guiding me home."

"Would that make you the star that keeps me from danger?" I ask lightly.

"I'll be whatever you need," Hook vows. "Whenever you need me, I'll be at your side."

"The second star to my right." I smile slightly. "So you agree to the plan? You'll stand by me today?"

Hook says nothing, but looks at me with keen, clear blue eyes. I nod, satisfied with his unspoken answer. I know he will be with me to beyond the end as he promised yesterday.

"Then let's start."

Staring across my land, I draw my swords. I'm done playing other people's games. It's time to end this on my own terms.

Good morrow to you all!

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I can't believe that Flying has over 500 views and 100 likes! That means more to me than I can express. Please continue reading and voting. I'm also so excited to announce that Flying has ranked First Place in Fantasy in The Goddess Awards and was also selected as the first Winner of the Week by The Monthly Book Awards.

Fun Fact:

Fortuna is the Roman goddess of fortune and fate. She could bring bad or good luck, and her father is Jupiter. She is often shown with a ship's rudder, a ball, a wheel of fortune or a cornucopia. Sometimes, she is depicted veiled or blindfolded like Lady Justice.

Please come back next week to see what happens to Jimmy and Hook! They haven't seen the last of Merlin, Peter and Wendy. 

May Fortuna favor all of you,

Commodore Caroline