Free Love in Neverland: Book 2 in The Neverland Trilogy by Heather C. Myers

your ship, this place… This isn’t my home.  My home is still on earth, with my mother and my father.”
     
    “Oh.”  He still did not seem to understand.
     
    “Don’t you miss your home?” she asked.  “Before you died? Don’t you miss your parents?  Your wife or lover or romantic partner?”
     
    James snorted, his eyes flashing.  “I have never had a wife, nor do I intend to,” he told her.  “Forever is a long time when you can’t die, and commitment to one person for forever is practically impossible.  I have not had a romantic partner that I can remember.  Same with my lovers.  My parents are dead, but I do not miss them.  They are in their final resting place.  I am happy they have each other and can move on.”
     
    “So you miss no one?” Remy asked, her tone laced with doubt.  Certainly there was someone who affected him in such a way that caused their lack of presence to linger in his mind.  Everyone had, at least, one person that affected them in a special way.  Even someone like James Hook.  “Not even… Magdalena?” 
     
    If she caught him by surprise with the name, he gave no indication of it.  Not even his eyes flickered. 
     
    “Magdalena is off doing something for me,” he told her.  “If you must know, it’s to keep an eye on your beloved Captain Grey.”
     
    “I do not love Nick.”  The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them, and she instantly regretted them.  James smirked and Remy felt guilt seep into her stomach and take a tight grip on her, strangling her so she could not breathe.  Regardless if what she said was true, it was none of James’s business.  And it was something she was still trying to figure out herself.
     
    Figure out , her mother’s voice tsked.  The French accent was particularly thick, as it usually was when she understood something nobody else did.  Her frustration would cause this little wrinkle over her nose – the same wrinkle Remy got when she was frustrated as well.  You’ve already figured it out.  The less you think about what you are saying, the more honest you are.  Do not feel guilty for your feelings, Remy.  You are entitled to feel whatever you want, no matter what.
     
    “I shall make a note of that,” James said.  Now his eyes were smirking as much as his lips were, and Remy found she was very annoyed by it.  “It’s pertinent information.”
     
    “It’s also none of your business,” she snapped.
     
    “Then why share it in the first place?”  He grinned even wider and she saw his pearly white teeth.  “Tell me, Remy, do you miss him?  Captain Grey, I mean.”
     
    “I do not remember giving you leave to address me by my Christian name,” she said.  “I find I am very tired.  I shall lie down.”
     
    “Are you… dismissing me?” he asked, taken aback by her words.
     
    She wanted to smirk but she did not have the energy.  “I am,” she said.  “I apologize.  My emotions are getting the better of me, and I would not want you to see me in a troubling time.”
     
    James nodded, but the humor left his face.  “I will leave,” he said.  When he reached the doorway, he paused.  “But please do us both a favor and do not feed me shit lies.  Just because you are a woman does not mean you can hide behind emotions.  You are stronger than that.  And I want you to know that I know that.  And I think you know that, too.”
     
    Without another word, he left. 

Chapter 8
     
    Magdalena knew Nick’s choices were not any of her business.  Technically speaking, he was her captain now, and as such, she needed to follow him blindly, keep her mouth shut unless he specifically asked for her opinion, and most certainly not question his motives or his sanity.  However, Magda found that all logic went out with the window with this particular pirate captain.  As such, her feet began to move on their own accord and led her straight to Nick and the mystery woman he was