Chapter 698

Jackson walks at my side as we all together troop out of the castle. He doesn't need to say anything at all for me to know that he's dead proud of me, and thinks I'm amazing, and eloquent, and finally stepping into my power. No, I can tell all of that simply by the way he stands steady at my side, by how his wolf prowls around mine in a predatory circle, snarling with a happy possessiveness that fills me with a great deal of joy.

Rafe walks at my other side, his shoulders back and his chin high. He looks down at me as Jesse moves ahead with the Captain, leading us to where we went yesterday with mom and Cora.

"Proud of you, trouble," Rafe murmurs, just loud enough for me to hear, brushing the back of my hand with his. "You look like mom, but you talk like dad. Scary stuff."

I beam up at my brother, laughing a little, taking his words for the high compliment that they are.

"Does that mean you look like dad and talk like mom?" I ask, raising an eyebrow at him.

He bursts out laughing and knocks his shoulder into me, sending me bouncing into Jackson, who holds me steady. But I just grin and look at my brother, who shakes his head at me. "Yeah, if I start telling everyone how adorable they are and start calling them 'Meatball,' then you can start to worry."

I grin and glance over my shoulder at where Daphne and Tony follow, whispering eagerly with Ben. Luca walks alongside them, stoic and quiet. I send a questioning pulse down our bond and he immediately sends back a warm beat of support. I nod to him and turn my attention forward, knowing I'm liable to trip in the falling dark, but still - even as I do, I can tell that Luca's walls are up again.

That whatever is happening with me, I can tell that Luca's uncomfortable with it, even if he doesn't want to be.

When we get to the secluded area, the sun very nearly down at this point, Jesse hesitates, gesturing towards the mostly-burned pile of wood from the bonfire yesterday. "Ari, what do you want to do here?" he asks. "Should we go into the woods and get more, or -"

"Oh, no, that will do!" I say, quite cheerful, moving to my cousin's side. "That's plenty."

"How?" the Captain asks, frowning at me. "You said fire capable of burning down cities - and that's all you need?"

"I just need something to burn to start the fire," I say casually, gesturing towards Jacks with my thumb, "everything else comes from him."

Jackson gives the Captain a happy little nod before taking my hand.

The Captain sighs, looking down at our joined hands but clearly willing himself to get used to it. "All right, whatever. Go ahead, Cadet - you've got my attention, show me what you've got."

"Okay!" I say, reaching out my other hand to take Jesse's.

He looks at me in surprise. "You don't want -"

"Nope, want you right here," I say, giving his hand a squeeze and looking over my shoulder. "Luca, could you stand behind?" I ask. He nods and comes forward in silence, raising a hand and placing it on the back of my neck like Jesse did yesterday. As he does I feel him let the wall down - just a little bit, just

enough.

I give my mate a grin before peering for Tony. "Will you stand close?" I ask, my eyebrows going up. "In case I need you?"

He nods and takes a step closer to me. "Cooler's right here, babe."

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The Captain raises his eyebrows at Tony's perhaps too-casual nickname, and Tony laughs for a second think having forgotten that we're not in magic class with the Queen and the Duchess and the same jokes don't carry. Rafe Daphne, and Ben all stand together a few steps away, Daphne and Ben looking desperately interested, Rafe just looking proud. Content belongs

Settled and confident, I take a deep breath. "Everyone ready?" I ask, eager to show the captain but also excited to work with the magic again. My wolf yips happily in my soul, pouncing around, ready for the show.noveldrama

"Fire first," I murmur, letting everyone in on the plans. "Then wind and shadows."

Then without another word I begin

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to draw on my magic and my bonds with my mates, starting to burn. It all happens very quickly this time, the fire leaping to life and then beginning to swirl in the air. Jesse holds off for a minute, letting the conflagration grow higher and higher as I pull on both Jackson's magic to give it power and my connection to Luca to let it fly.