Chapter 857

Jackson kisses me softly through the bars of my little Atalaxian cage. I lean my full weight against them, letting my hand slip up over Jackson's stubbled cheek and then back into his hair.

He pulls away, snarling a little, both for want of me and, well-

“I hate these fucking bars,” he growls, glancing around at them even as he wraps

an arm around my waist as best he can, pulling me tight against him. "This was not the reunion I had in mind."

I smile at him. "Well, for the reunion, can we keep the beard?"

He raises his eyebrows at me in surprise. "You like it?"

My smile deepens. "You're all rugged and rough, like you were when we first met and you didn't know how to get your hair cut -"

A laugh bursts from him and he tightens his arm. "You were a fan of that?"

"I was a fan of it once you stopped trying to murder me and I realized how sweet you were beneath," I say, grinning at him fully now, unable to help it. "Rough exterior, sweetheart inside. Gorgeous through and through. Come on, how was I supposed to resist?"

He nudges his nose against mine. "Yeah, see, this is why I want to get you out of here now. Before you look more deeply at the mate who currently wants to murder you and realize how sweet he is beneath."

"He doesn't want to murder me, he just wants to corrupt my wolf and enslave me to darkness so that he can use my powers to destroy my homeland," I say, giving Jacks my sunniest smile.

Jacks groans, tilting his head back. "Oh, god. I can't believe I'm letting you go back."

"For a couple of hours," I say, laughing at him in turn. "Then its me and you, forever. Right?"noveldrama

He sighs and lifts his head again. "Right."

"Okay, now juice me up," I say, putting my hand flat on his neck for contact.

He laughs at my phrasing - both of

us thinking of Jesse, I know and does as I say, filling me with his power and making me feel ridiculously awake and sunny after spending all night awake and scheming.

I shiver all over as the power rushes into me and I drop my hand when I've had enough, though I stand close. "You're still good with your magic and energy levels?" I ask quietly. Even after not sleeping and eating all week?" My eyes slip over his slimmer form, honestly surprised at how much weight he's lost. I mean, I know that Jackson told me that his magic is intimately tied to his body, but the evidence I have of it here really proves that point.

"It's not ideal," he says with a shrug. "But I've still got plenty. It's not anything you need to worry about."

"Okay." I say, sighing and stepping away. "Be safe. I'll be back in a little bit and then I'll call to you, right?" I tap my temple, indicating how he'll hear it.

"See you soon, Ariel. I love you."

"I love you too, Jacks," I say, my voice nearly a whisper. And then, beaming, I tumble myself backwards through the darkness and back into Atalaxia.

Jesse and Midnight lay flat on their stomachs atop the hill, looking down at the rather remarkable network of cages down below. As Midnight continues to peer closely at the

blobby blur at the center of the net

network that may or may not be people - they can't quite tell at this distance - Jesse groans and closes his eyes, resting his head against his folded arms.

"Shhh," Midnight says, shoving at his shoulder with the tips of her fingertips. "I'm watching."

"And does my groan of agonized boredom interfere with your sight?" Jesse mutters, frustrated.