I finished my Forever Neverland quilt while I was staying with my friend in Ohio. She did the quilting and it was perfect for this quilt!! If you need a quilt long arm quilted check out Threadiculous Quilting Co. I can give you contact info in a DM.
I used the SOFTEST Minky on the back. The quilting really shines on the back too! This one is sold (thank you). Iâm hoping to have more quilts for sale in the future.
âCommon, princess.â Wanda whispers, gently urging you into a standing position. âWe should get you into bed.â Her arms are steady, leading you toward the bed with slow steps.
Her mattress is soft underneath you, a welcome comfort as she lets her hands fall away from your body. Your eyes are half lidded, gaze unfocused on the floor.
You mercifully miss the look Wanda sends your way, her heart warming at the sight of you, so comfortable in her space, her presence.
Wandaâs eyes drift from your face, down over your body. Her lips tilt downward at the edges, brows pinching together. She hadnât noticed it earlier, far too caught up in everything else. Your dress is torn and frayed, littered in both mud and blood from where branches had nicked the skin of your legs.
âPrincess.â Wanda murmurs, bending at the hips to be at your eye level. She waits patiently for your gaze to meet her own, smiling encouragingly when you do. âCan I help you change?â
It takes a moment for her words to register. Your mind feels foggy with exhaustion and something else you canât name. It should be worrying, you should want to fight against the feeling. But somehow you know you're safe enough in Wandaâs presence to give into it. To let it consume you, the way your body craves.
The lazy nod of your head is all Wanda needs to know youâve heard her, that you're okay with her offering of help. She moves with deliberate calm and quietness toward her dresser, mindfully picking out one of her shirts for you to change into, soft and loose, long enough to reach mid thigh.
A thought sparks through her mind, sharp and demanding, making her falter in her steps. Maybe this isnât a good idea. Maybe she's crossing a line she shouldnât.
Your head lulls forward, shoulder slumping briefly before you right yourself. Your eyes blink open, head shaking slightly as you will yourself to stay awake long enough to rid yourself of the clothes irritating your skin.
The sight pulls Wanda back to her mission, getting you into comfortable clothes. She drops the shirt haphazardly on the bed, paying it little attention as her gaze falls on you. âReady?â
Your eyes meet hers and you smile, a soft nod of approval accompanying it.
Deft fingers reach behind you, pulling at the ribbon holding your corset tight around your body, accentuating every dip and curve of your figure. The ribbon loosens gracefully, coarse fabric sliding over soft skin as it unravels. Relief washes over you, each breath coming easier with every skilled pull of Wandaâs fingers.
Her hands are cautions as they move to the hem of your dress, lifting it with a sort of reverence that makes your chest ache even in your half dazed state. Her fingers graze your calves as she lifts the fabric, sending small jolts of something forbidden through your whole body.
Wanda tries, will all her might, to keep her gaze locked on your face. The moment is soft, unforgivably so. She wonât let her wandering eyes turn it into anything else.
Her hands trail higher, over your knees and up the soft plush of your thighs. Your breath comes heavier. Your eyes, although still dazed, take on a sharper tint, focus creeping back in around the edges.
Fabric bunches at your hips, stilling where your corset begins. Wandaâs fingers curl against you reflexively, cold hands against warm skin. Your breath catches, the quiet sound drawing a reaction from Wanda she did not expect. Warmth pools in her stomach, heavy and molten. She pushes it away as fast as it appears, willing herself to hold it together.
âPrincess?â She coaxes, the attentive lull her voice doing something funny to your chest. Her head drops to the side, eyes searching for yours. âYou still with me?â Her hold on your hips tightens, squeezing just enough to draw your attention.
Your gaze flicks back to hers shyly, conscious enough now to fully take in your position. âMhm.â You nod, making a considerable effort to keep your gaze from straying to her lips. Wanda's thumbs run over your skin, her voice soft as she directs you to lift your arms above your head.
She removes the dress slowly, with care. Your head slips free first, a sigh of relief passing your lips and into the torn ends of your dress. Long sleeves retreat up your arms, finally freeing you with a soft snapping sound. Your eyes slip closed, content to simply enjoy the feeling of freedom, of chilled air against bare skin.
Wanda turns quickly, the beginnings of a blush forming on her cheeks as she deposits the dress in a corner.
The room falls into silence, save for the barely audible sound of soft breaths passing both your lips and the distant sound of the ocean hitting against the sides of the ship.
Wandaâs eyes slip shut, allowing herself a moment to gather herself. She drags an unsteady breath into her lungs, turning on her heel back to you.
Every inch of peace falls away from her body as she takes in the sight of yours. Bruises of varying size and colour mar your skin. Deep, angry gashes accompany them, fresh ones overlapping faded ones.
Wandaâs hands shake at her sides, anger and anguish washing over her all at once, knocking the breath from her lungs. She moves toward you on shaky legs, each step feeling heavier than the last.
Her eyes drift to your face, the peace and comfort written so clearly on it a complete contradiction to the signs of pain all over your body. She wants to look away, to stop the ache in her chest, to save herself the heartbreak, but she just canât.
Her hands tremble as she reaches toward a purple and blue bruise on your abdomen. You wince at the gentle contact and her knees buckle beneath her, hitting the ground with a dull thud. Your eyes fly open, finding Wanda's face instantly. Her eyes fixate where her skin meets yours, her face unreadable as she ghosts her fingers over you, feather light and devastating.
âWho did this to you?â Wanda whispers, fury burning behind tear filled eyes. Your breath catches, the soft noise sharp in the fragility of the moment. Your head moves on instinct, side to side, tears slipping down your cheeks. Guilt swirls at the sigh of her tear filled eyes. Usual bright green dulled by the heavy emotion they hold.
Her hands find your cheeks with urgency, her touch holding you together as you feel your chest crack open. âTell me.â Her words spill out with desperation, conviction. âTell me who did this. Iâll kill them.â
Her body gravitates closer to yours, her chest resting flush against your legs, the desire to keep you close overwhelming her. Your breaths come out uneven, the weight of her words, her touch, her stare, itâs all too much. Too tender.
It feels as though sheâs unraveling you from the inside, pulling on the loose thread of your soul only to tie them to her own.
âI- Captain-â
âPlease.â Her thumb runs over your cheeks, whipping away the tears already fallen. âPrincess.â Sheâs leaning closer then, any and all thoughts of keeping some semblance of control thrown to the wind as she leans up to rest her forehead against your own, your breath mingling with hers. âTell me and Iâll make sure they never lay a hand on you ever again.â
Your eyes squeeze shut, your body overcome with a sense of dread at the thought of saying his name. As though speaking it into existence alone could make him appear. âI canât.â You grit out, barely containing the sob bubbling up in your throat.
âYou can.â Wanda urges, a single tear slipping from her eye at the sight of you. The raw feeling of pure pain and terror pouring off of you in waves.
Your bottom lip trembles, your whole body leaning toward Wandaâs, seeking out her comfort, her warmth and reassurance.
Wandaâs eyes catch the quiver, the tell tale sigh of tears to come and canât fight herself to admit that she wants to kiss you. Press her soft lips against yours until you no longer feel so distraught. To claim you and ensure that everyone knows you are hers. So no one will ever dare to touch you again.
âIâm here. Iâll keep you safe. I swear it.â A slow, shuddering breath passes Wandaâs lips, her own eyes slipping shut for a moment so she can gather herself. âJust give me a name.â
Silence follows Wanda's plea. You drag a deep breath into your lungs, willing your limbs to stop shaking and then âPan.â
It takes Wanda a considerable amount of time to get her mind to stop reeling from what youâve just revealed to her. Her whole body stills, her mind spiraling in far too many directions to fathom.
Thoughts stick out sporadically, as though each is screaming for attention and sometimes, by pure chance, one gets louder than all the others.
Pan.
Her past love.
Years of her life spent planning her revenge.
You.
Oh gods you. She had planned to hurt you, just like he had. She thought you were like him. Before she met you she thought you to be cruel, evil just like your fiance. Why else would you agree to marry him? She thought that by hurting you sheâd be hurting him, the way heâd hurt her.
Now that she's met you. Held you. Felt you break in her arms and soothed you back together. She canât. Not anymore. Not with your face held between her hands, her body sharing warmth with your own, you leaning into her as though sheâs the safest place youâve ever known.
The sound of your sniffles pierces Wandaâs ears and her body springs into action. Sheâs up from her knees and beside you on the bed in seconds, her arms finding their way around you as if second nature.
Your body moulds to hers instantly, your head resting in the crook of her neck as you let your silent tears fall. Wandaâs hands move soothingly over your skin, keeping extra cautions to be gentle over irritated areas.
Once you start to become heavy in her arms again Wanda knows it really and truly is time to get you into bed. She leans back enough to take in the sight of your face, no longer marked with fresh tears. Your breathing is even, steady puffs of air hitting the skin of wandaâs neck.
Doing her best not to jostle you, Wanda reaches into a locker next to her bed, pulling a jar out and resting it on her lap where you can see it.
âThis was a gift.â She mumbles, ringed fingers running over the lid of the jar, reminiscingly. âIt has magical properties that will help you heal.â
You lift your head from her shoulder, eyes scanning the jar with apprehension. Nothing youâve ever seen of magic has been good in any way, never mind healing. But the look in Wanda's eyes begs for your trust and you want so badly to give it to her.
You nod to the woman with a thankful smile, your hand finding hers on her lap and giving it a tentative squeeze.
âMay I?â Her voice comes quiet, bashful in a way you didnât expect from her.
âYes.â You breathe and then, softer. âPlease.â
She guides you to stand two steps from the bed, her gaze soft and reassuring. Her fingers dip into the clear substance in the jar and you wait with bated breath for first contact.
Her hands are impossibly gentle against your skin. The effort and care she puts into the task has the ache in chest returning. You canât tear your eyes away from her as she works, the look on her face a sight you canât bear to miss, not even for a second.
Her hair falls over her face, without her hat to keep it pinned back and you have to fight against yourself to reach out and tuck it behind her ear.
Wanda leaves your wrists for last, where hours of being bound by rough rope show its effects. She applies the cream to the area with more caution then she has another other part of your body, her heart throbbing with each beat at the knowledge that an order she gave resulted in this.
âAll done.â She breaths, once the cream has been applied evenly. She raises both wrists slowly, placing a delicate kiss to each. Your breath catches, your body moving a step closer to hers without permission.
Wordlessly, she reaches behind her to grab the shirt sheâd abandoned before. She quietly asks you to raise your arms again and slips the soft fabric over your head.
It's not until you're in the bed that you release the toil the day has taken on you. Your limbs feel heavy, your muscles ache. You want nothing more than to give into the sleep calling your name. Wandaâs scent envelopes you and you smile, the tension from before falling away from you, replaced now with a feeling of safety.
Wanda watches as you settle yourself into the bed, shifting around to find a comfortable position. She glances toward the door, warring with herself over her need to keep you close, keep you safe and that little part of her brain that still tells her this is wrong.
Her eyes move back to you and the sight she is greeted with effectively shuts that little voice up. The look in your eyes borders both expectant and pleading, your hands lift the covers for her shyly, quietly inviting her to join you. Her body slides under the covers before she even registers sheâs decided to.
Your head finds its place on her chest, a sigh of relief passing your lips as you feel her close again. Your hand clutches at the fabric of her shirt, desperate to keep a hold of the safety she offers.
âIâm not going anywhere, princess.â Wanda whispers, wrapping her arms around you. âI promise.â
It's not long before you drift off in her arms, her comforting presence and whispered words of assurance enough to draw you into a deep sleep.
Wanda watches over you, her mind spinning with so
many questions. The main one being why does she feel as though this is exactly where she is meant to be right now? With her arms wrapped around you, the air slightly cold but your bodies kept warm by each other, nestled up together under her blanket.
The weight of your body against her feels right, the way your heart beats in time with hers soothing her enough for her own eyes to feel droopy. The question plays over and over in her mind, both settling and unnerving her.
She canât help the way her heart warms at the sight of you resting so comfortably in her arms, your breathing even and a tranquil look on your face. Her lips curve up at the edges, soft and genuine, her hand coming up to brush flyaway hairs from your face.
The movement, although minor, makes you stir in your sleep, your body shifting closer to her as you nuzzle into her chest and dear gods Wanda can help but feel her resolve break further.
How is she supposed to act like she doesnât feel the way she does for you? How is she supposed to wake up tomorrow and treat you differently to how she has over the last two hours?
Itâs the early hours of the next day when Wanda wakes, the beginnings of sunrise barely peaking out over the horizon.
She slips from underneath you with practiced ease, freezing for a moment when you stir in your sleep.
Your hands reach out for Wanda, aimlessly sliding across the duvet in search of her warmth. Wanda grabs her pillow and places it in the path of your wandering hand, a smile tugging at her lips when you instantly pull it closer, hugging it against your chest.
Wanda walks onto deck predictably finding every member of the crew already awake and hard at work.
Natasha stands above them all, keeping a watchful eye out. The red head raises a brow at her captain, a knowing smirk falling onto her face as Wanda nears her.
âCall their attention.â Wanda orders and Natasha does so without hesitation. Within seconds every member of the crew is turned toward their captain, ready to give the woman their full attention.
âYou all know that yesterday we brought another soul aboard this ship. You all know what the intention behind her retrieval was. But I want you to forget that.â
Wanda takes a breath, scanning over her crew with piercing eyes, her voice leaving no room for argument.
âFrom this moment forward the princess is one of us. She is a part of our crew and you will all protect her as I will, with our lives.â
âOn a personal level, I would be lying if I didnât mention that this song, for me, was about feeling creatively and artistically lost in the city of all great opportunities: Los Angeles. It was really frustrating and I was also very stressed at the time. I felt like I needed to be better now that I had the privilege of being in the city of the stars.â â MĂ on the meaning behind âBLURâ
The Signs as MĂâs âForever Neverlandâ Songs
Aries: Mercy ft. What So Not & Two Feet
You got the look in your eyes
I know I fucked up one too many times
When I was on my selfish shit
I thought no matter what Iâd did youâd stay with me
Taurus: Way DownÂ
All of my life, been trying to find a little bit of Paradise
So I'm gonna play a video game
I've never been a socialiteÂ
Gemini:Â I Want You
'Cause I'm coming, oh
Out of the water and into the flame
I'm coming
You're so sick and tired of me running away
So I'm coming and I wanna stay
Cancer: NostalgiaÂ
So beautiful, the love we had, the love we had
Can't believe we let it pass, we let it pass
Leo: Purple Like the Summer Rain
This is what I wanted all my life, no one can take it, no
Pour me all the wine and let me picture that I made it, oh
This is what a universal fairytale is made of
Sugar in my veins
Virgo:Â Blur
I wanna tell you everything will be fine
But Iâm afraid that it's a waste of your time
Let me out, Iâm lost in the words
Don't know how I ended here
Trapped in a blur
Libra: Beautiful Wreck
Oh, I don't have to sleep
I'm a beautiful wreck, baby
And I feel like I've been losing my mind
I don't know what you've done to me
Scorpio:Â Imaginary Friend
If you read my mind
You would know, you would know I'm satisfied
And I'm gonna be
Everything you, everything you fantasized
Sagittarius: Sun in our Eyes ft. Diplo
They said to watch out for your kind
I watched out and it blew my mind
They say that romance makes you blind
Well, I'll be blinded for a lifetime
Capricorn: If Itâs Over ft. Charli XCX
Don't come crawling to me
'Cause I'ma let you crawl
Yes, I'ma let you crawl
Aquarius: Trying to Be Good
So sick of, sick of trying to be good
I'm never gonna fall for pressure
I could change, baby, if I wanted to
Pisces: Red Wine ft. Empress Of
Feeling like a loose leaf stuck on the tree
Blowing in the wind come help me be free
"'A monster.' She sighs. 'I accept the word. It is not a kind or gentle descriptor, but I am neither kind nor gentle, not anymore.'"
Year Read: 2019
Rating: 4/5
Context: I received a free e-ARC through NetGalley from the publishers at Random House Children's. Trigger warnings: abduction, mild violence, mild eye horror.
About: Forever Neverland is a middle grade Peter Pan adaptation that combines original fairytale material with Greek mythology. When Clover and Fergus discover that they're the great-great-grandchildren of Wendy Darling, they're whisked away to Neverland with Peter Pan to have their own adventures. But Neverland changes with every new child who arrives, and Fergus's love for Greek myths may have brought to life the deadliest monster Pan and the Lost Boys have ever faced.
Thoughts: While technically a "modern sequel" to Peter Pan, Forever Neverland doesn't attempt to rehash old storylines. Instead, it takes the mythology in a new direction for a fresh blend of fairytales and Greek monsters. It's a little strange on the surface, but Adrian does a nice job providing justification for it in the context of the story. After all, Peter Pan does have things in common with Pan, the Greek god of the wild. It's a little like Percy Jackson meets Peter Pan, in a good way. Her Peter Pan is also much milder and more level-headed than most, including the original.
There are several good things about the representation. The first is that Fergus is autistic, and he fits into Neverland even better than his neurotypical sister, not because his autisim vanishes in Neverland but because he's allowed to be himself there. Peter and the Lost Boys simply let Fergus react the way he needs to, and nobody thinks it's strange if he waves his hands in delight or needs to retreat from sensory overload. It's nice to see a well-represented neurodivergent character as the hero of a children's story. Further, several of the Lost Boys are girls (and they periodically switch to calling their group Lost Girls just to make it fair), and the mermaids have a number of body types and skin colors that are all described as otherworldly beautiful. They're small things, but they go a long way.
The characters are strong and original, and the storyline is fun and without too many diversions. The plot is straight-forwardly focused on solving a single problem: finding out who kidnapped the mermaids and defeating the "foe." However, the resolution favors compassion and cleverness over slaying monsters. It challenges readers to address what makes a monster a "monster" and whether kindness and empathy can offer paths to redemption. It's a strong addition to the Peter Pan mythology, and while the ending provides closure, it's open enough to leave room for sequels should Adrian decide to return to this world.
