Neverland's Key Read online

  Neverland's Key: A Pirate Princess's Last Chance

  The Pirate Princess Chronicles, Volume 3

  R.V. Bowman

  Published by R.V. Bowman, 2019.

  While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.

  NEVERLAND'S KEY: A PIRATE PRINCESS'S LAST CHANCE

  First edition. October 23, 2019.

  Copyright © 2019 R.V. Bowman.

  ISBN: 978-1393920755

  Written by R.V. Bowman.

  Also by R.V. Bowman

  The Pirate Princess Chronicles

  Hook's Daughter: The Untold Tale of a Pirate Princess

  Pan's Secret: A Pirate Princess's Quest for Answers

  Neverland's Key: A Pirate Princess's Last Chance

  The Pirate Princess Chronicles Books 1-3

  Watch for more at R.V. Bowman’s site.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Also By R.V. Bowman

  Dedication

  Chapter 1: | Problems Already

  Chapter 2: | Daughter Guilt

  Chapter 3: | Making Plans

  Chapter 4: | Nighttime Conversations

  Chapter 5: | On Their Way

  Chapter 6: | Into the Marsh

  Chapter 7: | Grommins and Will-o-Wisps

  Chapter 8: | Under the Earth

  Chapter 9: | Out of the Marsh, | Into the Frying Pan

  Chapter 10: | Key to the Kingdom

  Chapter 11: | Steps to a Successful Quest

  Chapter 12: | Anticlimax

  Chapter 13: | Regroup

  Chapter 14: | No Wrath Like a Fairy Scorned

  Chapter 15: | Pan’s Brush With Death

  Chapter 16: | To Stay or Not to Stay

  Chapter 17: | Everybody’s Got a Story

  Chapter 18: | To Do or Not to Do

  Chapter 19: | The Green-Eyed Monster

  Chapter 20: | When You Need a Little Advice

  Chapter 21: | Every Beginning | Starts With an Ending

  Chapter 22: | Plans, Plans, and More Plans

  Chapter 23: | Death by Plant

  Chapter 24: | Like a Bad Penny

  Chapter 25: | Friends Reunited

  Chapter 26: | Truth If You Dare

  Chapter 27: | Going Home Just Got Complicated

  Chapter 28: | Papa Shows Them the Money

  Chapter 29: | Fooling the Crew

  Chapter 30: | Deception in Motion

  Chapter 31: | Fool Me Once

  Chapter 32: | Everyone Has an Agenda

  Chapter 33: | Pride Goes Before the Fall

  Chapter 34: | This is Happily Ever After?

  Epilogue | April 1911 | Tottenham, England

  Afterward

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  About the Author

  In Loving Memory of My Grandmother,

  Vera Wakonen Craig

  (October 18, 1918 - February 2, 1998),

  Who introduced me to some of my favorite authors

  and regularly fed my love of books.

  Chapter 1:

  Problems Already

  “What do you think, Rommy?”

  Finn’s voice startled Rommy from the mesmerizing shadows the fire cast on the fabric walls of Little Owl’s curiously round home. She looked over at Finn.

  He was sitting crossed-legged on the floor on the other side of the fire. He leaned against the rocking chair where Little Owl sat. The older woman had her arm around Alice. The little girl was still distraught over Lobo’s death, and although her tears had dried, she leaned against Little Owl.

  Rommy swallowed and blinked back tears of her own. The big black wolf had saved her life and lost his own. Without Lobo, it was unlikely they would have ever gotten the answers they needed to seal Peter Pan in Neverland forever.

  And now Pan had Francie, too.

  Worry made a tight band in Rommy’s chest and the question of whether it was all worth it gnawed at the back of her mind. She shook it away. They had to stop Pan from stealing children, and this wasn’t the time for tears or questions. They didn’t have the luxury of grief or philosophical pondering.

  “What do I think of what?” she asked.

  Finn tossed a small pebble at her. “Don’t tell me you were sleeping,” he said, grinning at her.

  Rommy felt an answering smile tug at her mouth. “I wasn’t,” she said and threw the pebble back at him. She rubbed at her forehead. “My thoughts, they just won’t stay in order.”

  Finn’s expression softened. “That’s no big surprise. If you’re half as tired as I am, you could sleep standing up. But, as much as I’d like to conk out for a month of Sundays, we’ve gotta move fast.” He looked at the eclectic group gathered around the fire. Besides Little Owl and Alice, four fairies perched in various places.

  Rommy noticed that Nissa was on Alice’s shoulder, stroking the little girl’s hair. “What I was saying is that we need to get that key, and the sooner the better. I don’t know what Pan will do, now that he knows what we’re up to, but I doubt he’ll just sit back and do nothing. I wouldn’t put it past him to use your friend Francie to keep us here.”

  Rommy jerked her eyes away from Alice and the lavender and silver fairy. She rested her chin on her up-drawn knees. “I think you’re probably right, but my head feels fuzzy.” She turned to the older woman. “Little Owl, do you truly think Tinkerbell has the key?”

  Little Owl frowned. “She seems the most likely,” she said. “If the key is not with Tinkerbell, I do not know where it could be hidden.” She tapped her mouth with a forefinger. “It is possible that the fairy queen might have it in her own nest. Tell me again what Unilisi showed you.”

  Rommy thought back to the vision that Unilisi had flashed into her mind. The ancient tree being was the source of Neverland’s magic, and they had had to travel through the jungle to reach her. Even then, there had been no guarantee that the tree would tell them anything. Fortunately, their journey was successful.

  Rommy described the nest-like space Unilisi had shown her. It had reminded her of a rook’s nest, with so many shiny little pieces. The nest appeared to be inside a tree, the bark an odd copper color.

  “Did you see any other nests?” Little Owl asked.

  Rommy shook her head. “It was huge and messy, but it was just one nest. I’m sure of that.”

  “That does not sound like the fairy queen’s royal home, and the fairies nest in a community. Even the queen has ladies-in-waiting nearby. Plus, the color of the bark—the fairy tree has silver bark. I think it must be Tinkerbell’s nest.”

  Nissa buzzed up from Alice’s shoulder to hover near Rommy. “She will be dangerous to approach, after spending all this time alone. Her mind will be most unwell.”

  Rommy wrinkled her nose. “Why does being alone cause such problems for fairies?” she asked.

  Balo, crossing his arms across his tiny chest, said, “Our magic must flow through all of us.” When Rommy still looked confused, he rolled his eyes. “When it doesn’t flow out, the magic backs up and poisons the user. Magic is meant to move in and out, not get stopped up like a cork in a bottle. Too much pressure and things tend to...” he gestured with his hands, miming an explosion.

  Little Owl nodded. “It’s true,” she said. “Lone fairies become...feral.”

  “But even if she is feral, what can she do to us? Surely, we can overpower one small fairy if we have to,” said Rommy.

  Balo flung out his hands. “I can’t believe I agreed to go on this harebrained trip with someone who knows so little. What can she do, you ask?” He spl
uttered to a stop and shook his head.

  Nissa glared at him and then turned to Rommy. “Fairies have strong magic, even ones that have gone feral,” she said. “If Tinkerbell’s magic has built up, it could be quite...violent. She can do much more damage than mere size would suggest.”

  Kalen and Talen, the brother and sister warrior fairies, had been quietly sitting on either side of the door. Both of them straightened. “Someone is coming,” said Talen.

  Before any of them could respond, the door flap opened and Chief Hawk Eye ducked through. He straightened, his long sheet of black hair falling past his shoulders. He narrowed his eyes at the group arranged around his mother. One black eyebrow lifted.

  Instead of getting flustered, Little Owl smiled. “Son, I am so glad you are here,” she said, motioning with her hand for him to join them.

  “Mother, I told you we must not be involved in this,” said the Chief. “Captain Hook and our people have agreed to a truce, but if he finds we’ve helped his daughter on one dangerous quest and are now helping her start another? I fear that the truce will no longer hold against his anger.”

  Little Owl stood up and walked over to the tall man. “Nonsense,” she said, tapping his arm with a forefinger. “If these children complete their quest, Captain Hook will leave here, and he should be grateful, too.”

  Chief Hawk Eye looked at the ragtag group sitting in his mother’s home and frowned. “I doubt his first feeling will be gratitude, but I guess we will see. I came to tell you he is on his way here right now. If you are still here when he arrives, I will not lie for you.” His eyes searched each face.

  Rommy shot to her feet. “Papa’s coming here? Now?” She twisted her hands together. She hadn’t seen her father since she and Alice had sneaked off his boat before he could take her back to London. “He mustn’t find us, not yet. If he does, this quest won’t even get started.” Rommy looked at Little Owl with wide eyes.

  Before Little Owl could say anything, there was a commotion outside. They all froze, their eyes fixed on the door of the tent.

  “Chief Hawk Eye, I know my daughter is here. If you do not hand her over to me right this instant, you will be more sorry than you can imagine. Do you hear me?” the voice bellowed.

  Chief Hawk Eye looked at Rommy. “I will go talk to him,” he said. His dark eyes met Rommy’s hazel ones. “I suggest you find another place to be.” Then, he winked.

  As Chief Hawk Eye turned to leave the tent, Little Owl motioned Finn, Alice, and Rommy toward the back wall. “Hurry, children,” she said. “You must hide so that he doesn’t find you.”

  Pulling up a wooden stake, she lifted one section of her tent. Alice wiggled through first, followed by Finn. Rommy squeezed Little Owl’s hand.

  “Thank you,” she whispered before dropping to her knees to follow the others. Little Owl let go of the material and turned toward the door, her body blocking Rommy’s legs as she pulled herself outside.

  Rommy heard the swish of the door and then her father’s voice boomed into the space. “Don’t try to fool me, old woman. I know you know where they are.”

  Chapter 2:

  Daughter Guilt

  Finn and Alice were waiting for Rommy when she pulled herself to her feet. Finn nodded his head toward a group of rocks some distance away.

  “We should get away from here,” he said, his voice soft.

  Rommy shook her head and tipped it toward the voices.

  Both Finn’s eyebrows disappeared under the fringe of his shaggy hair. “Are you daft?” he hissed.

  “You go,” Rommy said. “I want to hear what Papa has to say.”

  Alice tugged at her hand and pulled Rommy down until she could whisper in Rommy’s ear. “Don’t be a git. If your old man catches us, we’re done for.”

  Rommy shook her head again and pushed Alice toward Finn. “You hide. I’ll follow in a minute.”

  Finn huffed, paused, but took Alice’s hand and moved away. The lamplight clearly outlined her father’s and Little Owl’s silhouettes.

  Rommy crouched down and put her ear closer to the side of the tent. While she had to strain to hear Little Owl’s soft voice, her father’s came through loud and clear.

  “Captain, Captain,” said Little Owl, “you must calm yourself.”

  “Calm myself? Calm myself? Woman, my daughter just disappeared off my ship, and I have no idea where she is. I don’t know if that brat Peter Pan has her, or if she is lost somewhere, but I have a feeling you know exactly where I can find her.” Her father’s voice had risen to shouting level.

  “You do not give your daughter credit, Captain. She is more clever and capable than you realize,” Little Owl said.

  “She is a child, and she doesn’t know this place, how dangerous it is. Yet, you...you keep helping her. Every time something happens, I find YOU in the vicinity. Can you tell me why that is?” A loud thunk meant her father had dug his hook into something.

  Amazingly, Little Owl chuckled. “Fathers do not want to let their daughters grow up, but it is like trying to stop the tide. Your daughter has a destiny, and not even you can stop it.”

  “I can bloody well try,” her father bellowed. “Rommy can't continually put herself into danger. I won’t allow it!” His voice faltered and became choked. “I can’t lose her. I just can’t. You don’t understand.”

  Was her father crying? In front of Little Owl? Guilt speared through Rommy. She wanted to tell him she was fine, but she pressed her lips together to keep the words locked away.

  “I understand more than you think, Captain,” said Little Owl. “You’ve known great loss, but holding onto your daughter so tightly will not keep her close. Like water, she will spill out of your grasp. Water can only be held in an open, cupped hand.”

  Her father cleared his throat. She imagined him straightening his shoulders, pushing his black hair back. When he spoke again, his voice was hard. There was no sign of the emotion from the moment before.

  “Water needs to be restrained, or it will just dribble away. I don’t plan on letting that happen to Rommy. Now, tell me where she is. So help me, if that boy is with her...” Something hit the ground.

  Little Owl’s voice lost some of its gentleness. “I understand you’re upset, Captain, but you will not destroy my home. As you can see, neither your daughter nor her friends are here. Breaking my things will not change that.”

  Her father let out a loud harrumph. “But you know where I can find them, don’t you?”

  Her father’s tone made Rommy feel nervous for Little Owl. Her father wouldn’t hurt an old woman, would he? The truth was that while once she would have said no with confidence, she wasn’t sure anymore. Since coming to Neverland, her father was different. As if in answer to her thoughts, Little Owl cried out. Rommy clapped a hand over her own mouth to stop her gasp.

  Another deep voice rang out. “Take your hands off my mother, Captain.” It was Chief Hawk Eye. Rommy bit her lip. This was all her fault. She was causing all this trouble for Chief Hawk Eye and Little Owl, who had been nothing but kind to her. But what could she do?

  If she revealed herself now, there would be no quest. Her father would lock her up on his ship and set a 24-hour watch on her. She’d never get away. Pan would continue to kidnap children, and her father would continue his fruitless quest for revenge.

  “I’ll unhand her when she tells me where my child is,” her father’s voice snarled through the darkness.

  “You will unhand her now.” Chief Hawk Eyes voice was implacable.

  “It is all right, Son,” said Little Owl. “The Captain is not himself. I do not know your daughter’s whereabouts, and that is the truth.”

  There was a crashing sound inside, and in the silence that followed, Rommy’s gasp was loud.

  “Ha! I knew she was here.”

  Rommy darted away from the tent and into the darkness beyond. The lavender moon was just a sliver in the sky, and its illumination wasn’t enough to keep her from stumbling. She trip
ped over a root and went sprawling into some tall grass. She had barely gotten her breath back when an arc of light flashed over her head.

  “Andromeda? I know you’re out here,” said Hook, his voice a shout. “It’s time to stop this nonsense and come back with me.”

  She twisted her head. Her father was holding up a lantern, shining its light into the darkness. He was only a few yards away. She held still, hardly daring to breathe. The light moved away from her, and she lifted her head. The rocks where Finn and Alice were hiding were about six feet away. At their base was a tangle of bushes. They were big and dense enough that she thought she could hide in them. If she could just get there.

  “Rommy? Darling?” her father’s voice was softer, persuasive. “Come now, my dear, we can settle this together.”

  She bit her lip and pressed herself into the ground. His footsteps moved away, as he continued calling her name. Glancing over her shoulder, she could see he was walking around the back of the tent. His back was toward her, but for how long?

  An owl hooted in the darkness, and she slithered forwarded about a foot. Another call echoed into the night, and she pushed herself forward again. She was almost to the bushes. Suddenly, there was the sound of something hitting a tree on the other side of Little Owl’s tent. Her father’s footsteps hurried in that direction.

  Rommy scrambled toward the bushes, pushing into their center. She ignored the branches that scratched at her face and pulled at her hair. Just kept pushing until her back was against the rock and a tangle of leaves closed in front of her. She rolled herself into a tight ball, squeezed her eyes shut, and prayed.

  A moment later, footsteps moved her way. Light hit the back of her eyelids and she opened her eyes a sliver. Her father’s boots stood not two feet away from her. She held her breath and waited. Hopefully, Finn and Alice wouldn’t get caught. She hated to think of how her father might treat them.

  “Where are you, Rommy?” There was a pause. “Please, I’m not angry with you. I need to know you're safe.”