Chapter 941

"Markie, I need you to go downstairs," Ella says, speaking swiftly and softly, her voice calm and cheerful. "Make all of the chefs leave the kitchen, no questions. And then start to pull out everything that's good."

Mark nods and jumps up, disappearing out the door on his task.

"What are...we going to do?" Rafe asks, gesturing between the three adults left.

"That depends," Ella says, shifting her gaze to Jackson now. "On whether or not Jackson wants you to go get Ariel? Or if he would like to take...a little bit of time to adjust to this so that he can get his mind in order before telling his mate about this incredible new development in his life."

Jackson raises his eyes to Ellas for a moment and then nods, clearing his throat. "Maybe...maybe some time? To get my mind in order?"

Ella nods seriously back to him, giving him a little smile.

"Is that...horrible?" Jackson whispers, looking back down at Marigold. "She - Ariel deserves to know...maybe we should go get her..."

"You can take an hour, Jacks," Ella says, reaching out to pat him on the knee. "You've had a shock. You can take some time. She will understand."

"She will," Rafe says, nodding and putting a supportive hand on Jackson's shoulder.

"So, are we just going to...sit here?" Jackson whispers, still staring at Marigold, who stares back at him from her spot curled up in Ella's lap. "And let me process this?"

"Oh no," Ella says, beaming down at the little girl. "We've got a hungry child on our hands! That's my catnip."

"How do you know she's hungry?" Jackson asks, leaning closer, studying the girl like there will be some physical sign.

"Because she's a skinny little muffin, and it's nighttime, and kids always want to eat. What do you say, little Goldie Girl? Want to get some supper?"

Marigold's head snaps up at the word and her eyes flash.

Ella laughs. "Does that sound good? Do you want a taco?"

Marigold's face scrunches in confusion.

"She...won't know what a taco is," Jackson murmurs. "Maybe...some apple?" he tries. The little girl's head spins eagerly to him. "And some cheese?"

Her eyes go wide and she nods, just barely, just once.

"Cheese!" Ella says, laughing and getting to her feet and hoisting the little girl with her, settling her on her hip. "I knew she was a girl with good taste. I love cheese too. Come on, everyone. Let's go down to the kitchen and get some cheese."

Heaving a little happy sigh, Ella heads for the door with the little girl bundled in her arms. Baffled but pleased to have someone to lead the way, Rafe and Jackson follow in silence.

Outside the office, Rafe remembers himself and strides down the hall ahead of Jackson and Ella, ensuring that the way is clear, that there are no prying eyes to spread the news throughout the halls. Ella talks quietly to Marigold, explaining all the different parts of the palace they walk through and where they're going, but Jackson just stares at the little girl, who stares right back at him.

Because he can feel it now that his panic has subsided slightly - the bond between them. He doesn't

remember it making its presence etnoveldrama

known, or snapping into place, or accepting it. It's just there - vivid

and real, between him and

this little

gil. God has it....has it always been

there?

Was it there the moment she was born, or earlier? And he just never noticed?

Or...

He shakes his head, not understanding, as the little girl peers at him.

Jackson forgets to breathe and blink, his feet carrying him alongside Ella without him truly intending them to. Instead, his entire concentration is fixed on this little girl, on Marigold, his little daughter.

Because god - she's so...she's so cute -

With that little tiny adorable face, and those big blue eyes -

—

But she's also so thin - skinny in the way that Midnight is, in a way that speaks of years of deprivation. And her little torn dress, which he now realizes is just a man's shirt with the sleeves torn off, a scrap of fabric sinching it together at her waist. Jackson's eyes dart down and he clenches his teeth at the sight of her shoes, which are covered in holes.

The sole of one shoe flaps open at the front, and he can actually see her little toes hanging out.

Jackson inhales sharply, pressing his eyes shut against the guilt and the sadness

that runs through him because...

He should have been there. He should have known about her - he should have been there to help her, to take care of her -