“Yes, come out!” I call, the fire blazing cheerfully behind me. Mom dashes into the room, coming over and giving us all Midwinter hugs and kisses as my dad, wearing pajamas for the one day a year when he actually lets anyone see him pajamas, comes out behind her. “I held her back as long as I coul
When mom tries to come over with more presents, I give her a little frown and shake my head, mouthing “give us a minute.” When she sees my reason why I think it takes mom every bit of strength she’s got to not come rushing to Jackson’s side and fuss over him. But, knowing that would be too much, s
“As is our right, as royal ladies,” Juniper says, flicking her hair back over her shoulder. “Not yours,” I say, laughing and flicking her nose when I stand up straight. “Underage!” “Ariel!” Juniper groans, following me as I tug Jackson eagerly towards the door. “Come on! I thought we were finall
“I don’t know yet,” Juniper murmurs, her eyes going distant as she stares off into space. “But…something big. I want to do all of it. I want…I want to do everything, feel everything. See…the whole world.” Cora lets her hand drift away from Juniper and both she and my mom look at my little sister w
“Never bet against me, Sinclair,” Jackson says with a sigh, flashing my brother a beautiful grin. “Yeah well, next year,” Rafe grumbles, narrowing his eyes. I laugh, pleased to see my brother have to deal with losing – it’s not something that happens often to him. “You’re on my team. Jesse, you’re
Around midnight, the family starts to fade. “Actually,” Rafe murmurs at my side, looking around the room as mom and dad herd a sleepy Mark off to his bedroom, Juniper following close behind, and Roger and Cora bid their farewells to their oldest son, who is staying overnight here so that he can go
Jesse nods once, agreeing to it, and I make the squeaking noise again, needing to know what’s going on. Rafe laughs and squares his shoulders, nodding to me and getting started. “Look, it’s not a big deal, I just…I wanted to take a minute with the two of you alone. Because…because you two mean a l
We don’t stay long on the roof – we don’t need to. After all, tomorrow night we’ll be together again, all sleeping in the same room at the Academy. There may be other nights, in the future, where we greet the dawn after our midnight toast – needing to talk for hours, to catch up, to laugh, to cry.
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