Their Vicious Darling (Vicious Lost Boys #3)(25)

I’m not eating ox. I was hoping for a burger and fries.

I need to eat too, the wolf says beside us and then takes off at a sprint.

When Pan and I enter the tavern, we’re greeted by a din of conversation and the quiet song of a lute. Circular tables are spread over the room with a bar on the right and booths that line the back. Giant arched windows let in the warm light of the lampposts outside.

It takes the tavern a few seconds to notice who is standing just inside the door.

And then the entire place goes quiet and all eyes are on us.





13





PETER PAN


I forgot what it was to command a room.

I’ve made myself scarce since I lost my shadow.

An amateur mistake.

That changes now.

My shadow looms just below my skin and then expands outward behind me despite the direction of the light in the room.

The Neverland Life Shadow needs no light to exist and I can feel it wanting to make its presence known.

It and I have a long way to go to become one again, but it is as excited as I am to show Neverland who holds the power once again.

And the shadow blooms outward, engulfing the room.

The golden glow of the lanterns burns brighter while the shadows grow darker.

Suddenly chairs are scraping loudly over the hardwood floor as people quickly climb to their feet and then sink to their knees.

That’s more like it.

I had intended to come here to put food in Darling’s belly, but now I realize there is more work to be done.

“The shadow has returned to its rightful place.” I walk among their bent bodies. “I am the Never King and the heart of Neverland. Never doubt that.”

They keep their heads bowed but a murmur goes through the crowd and then a man in the back pipes up. “We never doubted you, my king.”

I can tell he’s lying. They all doubted me. Hell, even I doubted me.

I am still full of doubt.

Without thinking it, I reach for Darling’s hand. As soon as hers is in mine, she gives me a squeeze.

I needed her reassurance.

I needed her reassurance?

I turn back to the tavern.

“Now let us celebrate,” I tell them. “Return to your dinners and your revelries and let your king dine among you.”

They lurch upright. There is a shuffle of chairs and fabric, a clatter of dishes as they return to their tables. And I pull Darling to the back of the room to a booth hidden partially in shadow.

I can’t shake the feeling that I want to retreat again.

I don’t like this one fucking bit.

I need a fucking drink.

A server comes over dressed in the Ox & Mead green livery. Her hair is plaited down the center of her head and several errant curls have escaped to frame her face.

“Welcome to the Ox & Mead, my king. So good to have you.” She smiles and gives me a clumsy bow. “What can I get for you?”

“I need liquor. Dark. Any will do.”

“We have an excellent whisky from Winterland that I think you’ll appreciate.” She turns to Darling. “And for the Darling?”

Of course she and everyone here knows about Darling. Gossip in Darlington Port may not be as prevalent as it is in the fae court, but they still talk.

“Burger and French fries?” Darling asks.

The excited uptick in her voice is unmistakable.

“Ummm…” The server holds a pencil over a notepad, unsure of what to write. “French…fries?”

“Matchsticks,” I tell the girl.

“Right. Of course.” She scribbles that down.

“And a meat sandwich.” I turn to Darling. “What do you like on your burgers?”

“Lettuce?”

I can’t help but laugh. “We don’t put leaves on food here.”

She grumbles. “Pickles?”

“That we do have.”

“Ketchup?”

“Tomato syrup,” I translate to the server.

She nods and continues scribbling.

“Tomato syrup?” Darling screws up her mouth, aghast. “What in the hell is that?”

“It’s sweet like your ketchup. Just trust me.”

“Fine.” She looks up at the server. “A meat sandwich please with pickles and tomato syrup.”

“Coming right up!” The girl practically jogs away and disappears to the kitchen.

“I’m a little terrified of what will come out of that kitchen.” Darling gets in close to my side and I immediately like her nearness.

“Your realm feeds you in fake food and processed garbage and you’re afraid of Neverland tomato sauce?”

“You said syrup.”

I like her wonder and her doubtfulness. She is adorable when she’s unsure because most of the time she likes to pretend she has everything in hand.

My drink arrives by the barkeep and he says nothing as he sets it down and spins and hurries away.

I sniff the glass for poisons. Neverland is full of my enemies now. I can never be too sure.

There is only the spiciness of Winterland and the sharpness of the alcohol.

I take a sip. The heat is welcomed as it pools in my gut.

“Let me try.” Darling takes a drink. “Ohhh.” Her mouth pops open while her eyes squint shut. “That’s like drinking Christmas in a glass. But heavy on the nog. Did she say it’s from Winterland?”