Chapter 1015

"That is my daughter, Jackson," I say, pointing at Marigold again. "We agreed on this. We're going to take her to the Goddess, ask her to fully recognize her as such. And as my daughter, she is due all of the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of a Princess of Moon Valley. I don't care if there's no genetic connection there - I'm not going to approve of any situation in which Marigold is marked as anything different than her sisters. If they're Princesses, then so is Marigold."

"Ariel..." Jackson says, hesitating, not sure he can ask that of me.

"If you don't like it then I'll step down from my place in the line of succession," I say, pressing a hand to my heart, meaning every word of it. "But all three of my daughters will be the same. I won't accept anything else."

Jackson clenches his jaw and cups my cheek in his hand, I think desperately touched by my passion on this issue, by my defense of our little girl. But he sighs a moment later, looking over to my parents, wanting their guidance. "What do you think?"

"I think the choice is yours," dad says, looking seriously at us and nodding. "But you should be aware of all the implications. Whatever you decide, I will support you."

Jackson turns back to me, leaving the answer in my hands.

"This is what I want," I say, nodding at my parents and then down at our little girl. "Princess Marigold Sinclair, our eldest child and our heir. Equal in every way to her sisters." I press a hand to my stomach, sending a pulse of warmth and determination down my new twin bonds, wanting them to know - even if they can't understand it yet - that I'll fight for them too, no matter what.

"All right, Ariel," dad says, grave and a little proud. "If that's what you've decided then I support you."

I look up to give him a steady nod. But when my eyes fall on my mom, whose eyes are shining with happy tears, my face breaks into a smile. She gives me a slow nod, letting me know that she thinks I've done right. I sigh, relaxing against Jackson, bolstered by her faith in me. She, after all, was a little orphan girl just like our Goldie.

Her approval in this moment is all I need to know that I've done right by my girl.

Before any of us can say another word, the door opens and Jesse and Rafe stroll in, Midnight happily striding between them.

"Excuse me," Jackson says, turning towards the door with a smirk. "But I was told that it's customary to knock before entering someone's house."

"Oh, you don't know what you're talking about Jesse says, grinning and flopping himself into an arm chair before snatching up onenoveldrama

glasses of whiskey from the fa

tray on

the table. "But as it's your first time in a house, I forgive your innocence."

"It's true," Rafe says, nodding sanguinely as he takes a seat on the floor next to Jesse's chair. “The rules get bent for family. We can come and go at will."

Jackson narrows his eyes, not sure

he believes this, and Rafe just gives him a handsome smile, clearly telling him he has no choice in the matter, grin, looking between them, quite pleased to have our entire family feel completely at home here.

Midnight steps to the edge of the couch, smiling around at everyone, about to take the final empty seat next to Jackson when my dad surprises us all by standing up.

"Don't get so comfortable, young lady," he says, his eyes on Marigold as he crosses his arms over his chest. "You and I need to have a word."