Page 32 of Beneath the Starlight and Storms

I pull out a couple of dresses and size them up to me. They all seem to be close enough to my size which only makes my frown grow.

But the clothes were already here before I came so someone must have lived here before me.

I glance down at my dress, now wrinkled and dirty, and cringe. I couldn’t stay in these clothes any longer. Not with dozens of clean clothes at my fingertips.

And Hook wouldn’t have left all these clothes here if I couldn’t wear some of them…

My eyes fall on a pair of blue trousers, the fabric a little rough looking but still soft to touch. I pull out the nearest top and I find some delicate undergarments that look far too small but silky soft against my skin.

Trying not to think too much about it, I grab them, along with the other pieces of clothing and head out of the closet and to the other door around the bed.

The sheer size of the room is far larger than the walk-in closet. A huge white bathtub sits in the middle of the room with a large standing gold-framed mirror to the left of it. There’s a double wash basin to the right of the room with white marbled streaks of gold. While the floor is its mirror image, but in black.

Even though I’ve lived in Neverland the last few years, I grew up in the Fae Realm and from what I’ve seen so far of this Realm, many things are similar. The main difference seems to be that the Mortal Realm uses machinery with items to help their everyday life, whereas the Fae Realm uses magic. But the basic workings of most furnishings and items are similar.

After I put the clothes down and freshen up, I tinker with the bath taps until I get the right temperature. Slipping out of my dress, I throw it to the side and step into the most luxurious stream.

Or at least that’s what it feels like.

The warm water slides over my skin like silk, soothing me instantly.

After a moment of basking in its warmth, I notice a line of bottles laid out to the side. Reaching over, I pick up one and smell each bottle until I find one I like, using it to lather and rinse out my hair before cleaning my body.

The mystery of how I got back to my room comes to the forefront of my mind. What if it wasn’t me? Would someone else have moved me? But then…who?

Stormy eyes flash before me but I shut them out immediately. He would sooner leave me to freeze and find amusement in it.

No, I had to have made it back myself somehow.

Pushing the thought away for now, I lay back and enjoy my bath while it’s still warm and try not to think of what being here with Hook means. Or what our little deal really entails.

But my mind decides that’sallI can think about now.

What was I thinking?I agreed to be his bait! To lure out those Hunters so he can be rid of them once and for all.

And what happens if he goes back on his word and betrays me? He said he would never do that but just because someone says something doesn’t make it true.

I’ve learned that the hard way.

But what if he keeps his word?A small voice whispers in my mind.

What if he does…Then I would not only be safe from these Hunters, but I’d have fulfilled my side of the deal. I would end up with the thing I needed the most and finally be free fromallmy problems.

If it were that easy, I would have wished upon every shooting star to make it come true. But nothing was ever that simple.

Even Hook’s deal had a catch.

Twenty-four hours… I would have to see him at least once a day to charge the bracelet or it would be drained forever.

I glance down at the bracelet and a small pulse from it reminds me it’s there protecting me, shielding me.

Sighing, I lean back and let my mind wander about the mess I have myself in when all too soon the water starts to turn cool. I stay a little longer. Until my fingers are wrinkled and there’s a bite from the cold water.

Heaving a sigh, I drag myself out of the tub, quickly drying myself off before throwing on the clothes I picked out.

Glancing in the long mirror, I watch the girl that looks closer to a human of this world than a Fae stare back at me.

After a night’s rest and warm bath, my green eyes seem a little brighter and my long blonde hair has a healthier shine to it.

---