Second to the Right (The Neverland Chronicles, #1)

by T.S. Kinley

“Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” -Roald Dahl

I sucked in a deep breath as I took her in. I could no longer deny that I wanted her, to mark her and claim her as my own.

I popped the delicate clasp and looked for the inscription that I knew was inside, ‘To die will be an awfully big adventure.’

“The quote was meant for both of us, Gwen. It’s as much about living, as it is about death. Momento mori,” she stated, answering the question I hadn’t spoken allowed. I stared at her in shocked awe. Her use of the Latin phrase meaning “Remember that you must die” was so profound. For the first time, the rationale for the inscription made sense to me. It was a reminder to live your life in the moment, with the knowledge that you will eventually die.

Carlisle,

“Don’t you know that nothing lasts forever, no matter how hard you wish it to be so?”

“Shall I cross the veil and kill him for you?” his face was absolutely serious, “Then we can forget all about him.”

All I could see was a mop of unruly blonde hair as he grabbed my hand and planted a lingering kiss there with warm, full lips. He looked up then, a perfectly handsome face with indigo eyes that were a shade away from purple. His smile was so inviting and friendly. I could tell instantly that I would like him.

“We have time. I won’t rush things with you. I plan to draw this out. Savor every step along the way… then maybe you’ll stay.”

“You’ve been biting that lip all day and now it’s my turn for a taste,” he said, his voice husky.

“I want you. I don’t care anymore if you break me when you leave. I’d rather be a broken man who took his chance at real love rather than a foolish man that turned his back on it.”

I’ll have to find the strength to hold it together until the end of eternity. Maybe we could meet there, in the end, and pick up where we left off.”

“Gwen, I know I can’t keep you,” he said slowly, his voice husky and low, “but in this moment, you are mine.”

“Just a bit of warning” —she whispered in my ear as she embraced me— “beautiful things in Neverland aren’t always what they seem. A beautiful exterior can harbor some of the darkest intentions,”

“But I think it’s only fitting for a daughter of Wendy to be Queen of the Lost Boys.”

the Queen of the Lost Boys.