The Neverland Queen (Sequel to Confessions of a Lost Girl) [DISCONTINUED]

Chapter 7

"If I help you find her," Rumplestilskin continues.

"Then you owe me something in return." I think it over, turning it over and over in my head. Rumplestilskin was notorious for his deals, and I certainly did not want to be indebted to him.

But how long has it been? Since I last saw Peter?

Since I last held his hand, last felt him close to me; the brush of his skin, the feel of his lips, his soft voice whispering in my ears? When was the last time I kissed him good night, hugged him tight?

Three years.

Its been three long, agonizing years.

And I never stopped looking.

So I can't stop now.

"What do you want?" I asked him, turning to look at Rumplestilskin. He chuckled. "Well I don't know dearie. I haven't decided yet."

"I can't agree to a favor when I don't know what it is." I argued.

"But you can." He smirked, coming a few steps forward. "And you will."

"Because you miss him. You love him, and these past three years have been torture for you, haven't they?" I saw a flicker of emotion behind his eyes; just a split second.

"I want your help to find the woman I love." He said bluntly. "I will help you find Ms. Pavone, and you will help me find my lover." 

I stared at him silently before nodding. "What's her name?" I asked. 

"Vienna." He said. "Vienna Mulvoy. But in the old world, her name was Belle." 

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Peter Pan

I sat on the beach, trying to calm myself down. 

 I heard someone come up behind me, but I didn't bother to turn. I was empty inside. 

"Peter." Tink's voice began behind me. "You need to be calm." Tink said. 

"I am calm." I argued. I heard her snort as she sat down beside me.

"Yes, you seem very calm." She said sarcastically. 

There was silence afterwards. I turned and looked at her. "If you're here to tell me to get over Talia, then-"

"I'm not." She cut in. "I'm not here to tell you to get over Talia."

"I'm here to tell you that I think I know why your compass is acting up."

She motioned for me to give it to her. I fished it out of my pocket, my hand brushing against Talia's pearly white tear.

She popped the lid open, and watched the spinning compass arrow. "Its spinning, see?" I observed.

"That's exactly it." Tink said. 

"You sent your shadow out to find her, right?" I nodded wordlessly beside her.

"And this arrow is supposed to point you to its partner compass, right?" I nodded again. "I don't see your point." I said, getting frustrated.

She looked over at me, a few strands of her wispy blond hair falling out of its tight bun. 

"The shadow is looking in all the worlds for Talia. But he can't find her. He can't find her location, right?" 

"Yes." I replied impatiently.

Tink took in a deep, shaky breath before meeting my eyes.

"The arrow is moving around in circles, pointing you to its partner compass. And if Talia has her compass, then that means that she's moving around in circles too."

Understanding dawned on me as Tink spoke again. "Peter, I think Talia's in the Shifting Lands."

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Talia

Vienna Mulvoy. I have to help the Dark One find a woman named Vienna Mulvoy, who he claims is his long lost love. 

"Alright." I say, sticking my hand out. "Its a deal." He gives me a twisted grin before taking my hand in his and shaking it firmly. 

"When shall we start?" He asks me. 

I grab my flask of water and douse the flames. "Now." 

Moments later, we're riding side by side down dark forest paths. The sounds of nocturnal animals surround us, filling the shrouded darkness with its loud cacophony of hoots, growls and shrieks.

Rumplestilskin told me we should start in a town called Lanchester, just north from where we were camped. It was a middle of nowhere town, nothing too special about it. 

Except that there was a family with the last name Pavone there.

The sparse lights of a faraway village came into view as we emerged from the cover of the forest. We rode across a long grassland, our horses kicking up dust as we rode them.

I pulled my cloak tighter around me as my mind wandered.

My thoughts automatically traveled to Peter.

My Lost Boy.

My Peter Pan.

I smiled. His brownish golden hair, sea green eyes, and ever present mischevious smirk. I imagined the feel of his skin and lips on mine, the warmth of his arms wrapped around me once again. 

But that was all I was doing. Imagining. I didn't want to imagine anymore, I didn't want to dream anymore.

I didn't want to only see Peter in my dreams, didn't want to only feel him with me when I was sleeping.

I wanted to be with him, beside him, skin touching, eyes riveted in an intense gaze.

Lips moving in sync, hands entwined. Our soft words pressed against each others lips, warm arms wound around my waist and his neck.

I didn't want my dreams to be confined to the shallow space of sleep.

I wanted my dreams to be free to roam as my reality.