“What, you snuck out? Didn’t…tell him?” Jesse asks, his frown deepening in his confusion.“What did you want me to do,” Daphne asks, giving him a genuine grin, “go knocking on bedroom doors and wake everyone up just to tell them I’m leaving? It is very early, Jesse, even if you keep psychotic child
I gasp a little, pretending to be more scandalized than I am at his evesdropping. But then my shoulders slump and I glance over to where my parents are sitting, mom finishing up wrapping some of the presents that we’ll open tomorrow.“Luca kind of got in trouble with my dad yesterday,” I whisper, an
Dad, of course, just sits with his arms crossed, waiting for me. Everyone continues to sit quietly, idly working on making decorations or wrapping gifts, pretending they’re not listening as intently as they are. I scowl at all of them – even Jackson, who is pretending to be very interested in the
“More inconspicuous,” he murmurs, opening the door for me. When I slip inside and buckle my belt, he goes around to the driver’s seat and climbs in, starting the car. “Such a new leaf, Luca,” I say quietly, turning in my seat to smile at him. “No press at all?” “No press,” he says, giving me a s
As we sit, I notice with a little smile the two dark figures who come to stand behind us – even more inconspicuous than we are. And I’m grateful for them – grateful for my dad for always wanting to keep me safe – even as I know that nothing’s going to happen. That even if anyone did want to hurt us,
Luca looks off into the fire now, his arm heavy around my shoulders, as he confesses what might be his deepest truth. “I’m very afraid, Ariel, that I don’t have any substance at all. That I’m just flash, and that the moment I run out of interesting twists and turns that…everyone will see that I’m ju
“I love it,” I reply, breathy. But then I frown, looking up at him. “You never answered my question, though. Why did you bring me to this?” He smiles down. “Because I intuited you’d love it, little pyromaniac princess.” I burst into laugher, sitting up straight. “What,” he says, grinning at me
I grimace as I slip through the dining room door to dinner, because I am well aware that I am both late and underdressed. But I laugh as I try to quietly press the door shut behind me, because a huge cheer goes up from my gathered family at my arrival, letting me know that I was a complete fool fo
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