Chapter 261

Rafe scowls at him, but suddenly the door opens, and a man in a royal uniform steps inside, giving a sharp bow. I burst into a smile as he straightens up, because of course I recognize Captain Conner, who heads up the Royal guard and who we’ve known since we were babies.

“Your Highness, your Grace,” he begins, nodding to Jesse and Rafe, “honored guests,” Captain Conner continues, nodding around to the rest of us, but then he stutters to a stop when his eyes fall on me. Conner freezes for a second and then bursts into a smile, bowing low again. “Your highness,” he murmurs, and his face is the picture of happiness as he stands straight. “Forgive me, I wasn’t expecting you.”

“That’s okay!” I say, waving a cheerful hello. “It’s so good to see you!”

He smiles at me but then fights it, working hard to return to his professional demeanor. He takes a deep breath, nodding again, and gesturing towards the door. “If you’ll accompany me? The station has been cleared and the cars are waiting.”

Rafe nods our readiness and Conner steps outside. Then we all grab our backpacks, and Daphne her suitcase, and file cheerfully off the train.

“Wow,” Daphne says, looking around the giant train station with its soaring glass ceilings. Her smile reveals how impressed she is as she walks next to me, my hand in Luca’s. “This is…this is amazing…”

“First time in the capital, Daph?” Luca asks, friendly.

“Yeah,” she says, grinning. “I’m staying a few days – for your fight, of course –“

He beams at her for this.

“And then I’m going to go to my mom’s for the holidays themselves.” Daphne and Luca continue to chat with me in the middle, him asking her where home is, and Daphne letting him know that it’s a little bit north of the capital – just a small town where a fabric mill used to be in the days of industrialization. They chat about family history, but on Daphne’s mention of the north, my mind drifts – predictably – to someone else I know who is from a place much further north.

My heart sinks a little, even as I hold Luca’s hand, and I work very hard to ensure that my emotions don’t travel down my bond to him. Because I’m not sure he needs to know right now just how sad I am that Jackson didn’t meet us at the train, that he didn’t come to the Capital. Part of me wanted him to come so that he can meet my family, and so that they can meet him, but –

I mean, another part just wants him close. He’s my mate, after all. What am I going to do without him for two weeks? How am I supposed to bear it? I mean, I don’t even have any way of contacting him. It’s not like he has a phone at the Academy.

Or otherwise, if we’re being honest.

I sigh, and do my very best to cover my sadness, and I don’t think Luca notices as he continues to chat with Daphne. Her eyes, however, flick to me, her mouth pressing to a sad little line.

But I give her a wink, and force myself to lift my chin, determining to make the best of it.

I look forward, making myself think about how happy I will be when I see my mom, and dad, and my brother and sister – and Jesse’s huge, insane family. They, too, will be waiting for us at the palace when we arrive.

I feel more cheerful as we walk, as I glance around the familiar train station that I’ve been in a thousand times, my eyes sliding over the people who are bustling around, going about their daily business and trying to get home through the cold. And even if my eyes do settle on one particularly

tall figure leaning against a lamppost, his back to us and his shoulders turned in, I know it’s just my imagination – my hopes - getting the better of me. noveldrama

I grit my teeth against my second sigh, forcing my eyes up to all of the pretty tilework that rings the borders of the station, making myself admire the artistry of our people but…

Well, my eyes drift back to the tall figure.

And as we get closer and closer…I narrow my eyes.

Because…

But no. There’s no way.

But then suddenly it’s there – the scent of pine, and embers, and the sense of warm cozy things on cold nights –

And before I can even stop myself, I’ve dropped Luca’s hand. Suddenly I’m sprinting – my mate’s name on my lips.

Jackson turns when he hears his name called, his face curious and serious. But the moment he sees that it’s me?

God, the smile that breaks out on his face - it’s the prettiest damn thing I’ve ever seen.

Captain Conner gasps as I burst past him, grabbing for me and shouting my name, but I’m beyond him now, laughing as I dash across the end of the platform and throw myself into Jackson’s open arms.