Jacks sighs and deftly takes the glass from me, setting it on a table by his side as he speaks. “Luca doesn’t want me to come,” he murmurs, raising an eyebrow at me. “Oh, Luca won’t even know you’re there,” I say, waving a hand to dismiss the idea. “Seriously, Jacks –“ “No, seriously, Ariel,” he
I frown a little, looking Jackson over, wondering what his plans are. I mean, he’s dressed – he’s got a coat. If he was just going back to his room, he’d be in pajamas, wouldn’t he? “I’m going to go watch the fight in a bar,” he says, nodding to me. “Actually, the one I used to work at – I’m going
And even if a little piece of my attention will be at some restaurant bar downtown, baring my teeth at waitresses…well, Luca doesn’t need to know that, does he? “He’s too good, that boy,” mom says, unable to help a little glance over her shoulder back towards the palace, to where Jackson is presum
“I should probably know more about boxing,” I murmur to Rafe, at my side, as we get out of the car to the flashes and the shouts of the paparazzi. My handsome brother laughs warmly down at me, offering his arm. “Yes, you probably should,” he murmurs. “Considering who you’re mated to. What do you k
“He is?” I ask, my eyes going wide. I pass my drink back to Jesse for a moment and slip my jacket from my shoulders, suddenly feeling warmer, probably from the anxiety his words produced. “Yup,” Jesse says, nodding to me seriously. “The Atalaxians have apparently brought one hell of a fighter.”
“I don’t know,” Daphne says, tilting her head and narrowing her eyes a little in a challenge. “Are your Midwinter cookies any good?” Jesse sighs sharply. “Nah, our cookies are crap.” Daphne bursts out laughing again, and Jesse goes with her. “Seriously,” Jesse continues, shaking his head. “Mom
Dad’s frown deepens, so I double down. “Mom said I look pretty,” I say, quickly shifting my hand so I point at her now. Mom gasps a little in protest at my betrayal, but dad ignores it all. “You do look pretty, Ariel,” he says, his words even and slow. I drop my hand with a grin, realizing that
An eager smile bursts onto my lips as I finally realize the truth of it, because I’m suddenly so happy for Daphne. Didn’t she say that she had a celebrity crush on Rafe, that she had for awhile? Good for her! Daphne! Lonely Academy seamstress, crushing on the Crown Prince from afar, and now here s
Ariel bursts out laughing and gestures out to the rest of the roof. “Of all the interference to our plans, you’re going to point out this tiny, adorable, sleeping infant pup as the problem!?” Both boys look down at the little dark-haired baby, whose amber eyes flicker open to betray her mother’s w
Jesse sighs, glancing at his watch and then looking to the door, an undrunk glass of champagne in his hand. “Where the hell is your damn sister?” “Your damn cousin,” Rafe murmurs, draining his glass and then pouring himself another. “You’d better stop that,” Jesse says, turning his head to Rafe
She goes still for a moment and then laces her fingers with his, squeezes his hand. “We’re not dating or anything,” she snaps. “Just…because you got all rejected and stuff. I didn’t come running up here just because you’re single – I thought you were going to die –“ “Sure, you didn’t,” Jesse says,
“I love you, Jesse,” Midnight whispers, watching him, her little mouth trembling, her entire body feeling weak. “I love you too, Mids,” he replies. “Always.” She nods once. And then disappears. Midnight fights hard against her emotions as she flits through the castle, moving back and forth bet
“I’m saying,” Midnight says, freely crying now, cupping Jesse’s face in her tiny hands. “That I – I don’t want to have your pups, Jesse. Ever. Ever. I don’t want them.” She shakes her head, vehement. “I think I’d be a bad mom. I’d leave them at the grocery store and forget they were there. I – I jus
She has to admit though…the stars are a pleasant addition. Midnight’s wolf gives a little worried howl, sprawled out in her soul, her little legs too weak to carry her much or far these days. But Midnight smiles a little and strokes a mental hand over her wolf’s fur, pleased to see her free and cl
“What,” Jackson asks, frowning down at the little rectangular stone in his hands. “Is it like, special?” “Jackson!” Midnight hisses, standing on her toes to smack him on the chest. “They’re invaluable! This is only the second I’ve ever seen in the world! And I only know of one besides that other o
I laugh, pointing at the big plate of apple pie on the table. “Well, I’m glad to see that you’re feeling cheerful,” I say, grinning at her. “I am!” she says, happily plopping down next to Jesse and reaching for the pie, pulling it all onto her lap and digging in with a fork. “I don’t think that an
Jesse’s eyes open first, and then Midnight’s, slow and sleepy. “How do you feel?” I ask quietly, leaning towards her, able to see her better now in the dawn light that streams through the windows. “What happened?” Jackson asks. I turn to see him standing at the door and I smile, reaching out a h