Chapter 1007

Marigold, perched high on Jackson's arm, looks around the train station with wide eyes as she munches on a cookie. I bite my lip for a moment, watching her, anxious that she'll be anxious. After all, her life has already involved so much change...noveldrama

"She's fine," Jackson murmurs, smirking down at me for a moment before turning his eyes back to our daughter. "She's just...interested. No fear. Right, Goldie-girl?" He presses a kiss to her cheek and Marigold gives a quick nod, not looking at him, instead staring out at all the interesting sights.

"Brave girl,” I murmur, reaching up to stroke a hand over her hair. “I wish I had a bond and could feel all that."

Jackson just smiles at me, wishing I did too.

"So, which one of these are we taking?" he asks, moving his eyes from mine and raising his chin at the line of trains resting at their platforms. It's very late in the evening and hardly anyone is around. "No royal car today, huh?"

"Nope," I say on a sigh, adjusting my backpack, which is mostly full of stuff for Marigold. After all, all Jackson and I really need are the cadet uniforms we've already changed into. I grimace a little, looking at the line of trains, because while we checked the schedule and ensured that one would be going past the Academy tonight...I honestly can't tell which one it is.

God damn it, I should have paid more attention the first time we ran away to the Academy. Rafe and Jesse did all the work.

"Lost?" A voice calls out behind us and my eyes go wide.

I inhale sharply as I spin, hardly believing -

Because how!? How did he know!?

Jesse grins at me, his hand slipped casually into his pockets as he strolls over to

us in his own cadet uniform, Midnight trotting at his side to keep up.

"Jess!" I gasp, dashing for him and throwing my arms around his neck. Jesse laughs and hugs me back. "What - what are you doing here!?"

"Ariel, did you think I'd let you run off to the academy without me?"

"How'd you know I was doing that!?"

He laughs again, pulling back a little to shake his head at me. "I know you, stubborn-little trouble brat. And I saw him looking all mournful all day," he says, nodding his head towards Jackson. "So, I knew he was going to give you whatever you

wanted. And I knew mom and

dad

cautioning against you going to school was just going to make you want to do it even harder. So," he shrugs. "I figured best bet was to show up here with my pet demon in tow," he nods to the side at Mids, "and see if you'd let me in on the plan."

"Hey!" Midnight growls, snapping her hands to her hips.

I bite my lip, looking around Jesse's side, looking for Rafe, but...

"It's just me," Jesse murmurs with a sad little twist to his lips. "Don't be mad at

him. He's got his own things to worry about."

I nod, tucking away any little sadness that I might have and beaming at my cousin instead. "I'm so glad you're here."

"Aw," Midnight says, stepping towards me and frowning as she reaches out and tugs on my sleeve. "You're all wearing matching clothes. I want some."

"Marigold doesn't have any," I say, laughing and reaching for Midnight next, pulling her into a hug. "I'm so glad you're here. I can't wait for you to see the Academy."

"I've already seen it," she sighs, rolling her eyes even as she hugs me back. I laugh, realizing that she's right – she certainly did see the Academy when she was spying on us for all of those weeks in secret. "But yes, I am excited to go."

"You're not anxious to leave your yurt?" Jackson asks, petting an affectionate hand over Midnight's hair. I look up at him, smiling a little and curious about the very clear affection he has for Mids. Jackson is usually very restrained around other women - but perhaps Midnight's childish stature and na?ve tendencies make her an easier target for his affection.

“No, Jesse says no one will mess with it and we put a sign up on the door saying any pups who go in it will be cursed," Midnight says, tilting her head back to smile up at Jackson. "Jesse says that will work because they already think Lam a witch. And that I can have a nice big bed at the Academy. He says I can have Rafe's."

I grin, thinking that my possessive brother might have something to say about that.

"Midnight,” Marigold whispers, smiling widely at Jesse's mate even as she lays her sleepy head down against Jackson's shoulder.

"Hello, Golden One," Midnight says, grinning at Marigold, making me laugh at the nickname. “I am your elder, which means I am in charge and you have to respect me. You good with that?"