The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

When Jesse, Mark, and I arrive back in the living room, I give my father a steady nod of acknowledgement before I move immediately for Jacks.

He reaches for me with one arm, the other stretched out next to Marigold, holding a handful of beads up for her and Seraphina as they sit on the couch, stringing necklaces for each other. I spare a happy little glance at the two of them before tucking myself in close on Jackson's side, wrapping an arm around his waist and looking up into his face.

"Hi," I whisper. “Jacks, I'm so sorry I left like that -"noveldrama

"It's fine, Ariel," he murmurs, pressing a kiss to my hair and pulling me in close against him. A great swell of warmth and love grows in my chest, passed down the bond from Jackson. "You were upset, you needed a minute. It's always fine. Where did you go?"

"To the yurt," I say, looking up at him, still a bit guilty. "I think Midnight is my therapist now."

He laughs, warm and lovely and rumbling. "She's going to charge you an arm and a leg."

"Yes, once Midnight learns about the concept of money, I think we're all screwed," I say on a sigh. "How was it down here?"

"Fine," he says, giving a shrug, I think going far too easy on me because he loves me. "There was some...debate. I didn't participate much."

"You can, you know,” I say, raising my eyes to his. “You don't just have to be grateful. You can tell people what you want." I frown a bit, studying him. "But, do you know what you want?"

"I do not, love," Jackson says with a soft smile, stroking his hand over my hair. “Like we said last night, I need.....a bit of time to think it through."

"Okay," I whisper, nodding, determined to give him all the time and support he needs.

"Ariel?" my father says, coming over, his hands deep in his pockets. I look up to see him looking at me quiet seriously, a frown on his lips. "A moment, please?"

"Of course, dad," I say on a little sigh, patting first Jackson's arm and then Marigold's head as I stand up. The little girl gives me a happy smile before turning her head back to her task, clearly delighted both with her new toys and her new friend.

Dad nods towards the windows and I go and stand with him there, crossing my arms across my chest. He opens his mouth on a deep inhale, but I beat him to it.

"I'm sorry, dad," I say, hunching my shoulders a bit. Dad pauses and slowly closes his mouth. "I was...angry, and temperamental,

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and... petulant. I'm not backing down from my point I do think you should let Jackson and I stay enrolled in Alpha Academy even if we do bring Marigold along. But..." I glance over at him. "I failed to ask what he wants. And I wish I had taken the time to express myself better. More... patiently." I grimace as I end kind of lamely, looking up at my dad, hoping he gets it.

He smiles softly, stepping closer and running a hand over my hair. "Apology accepted, Ariel. And I apologize, too, for giving a blanket 'no' without thinking on it. I haven't made any decisions yet, and I need to consider all angles, but...you were right in your point that sticking t

I

rutes we made up twenty years ago simply because they're what's

always been done is a flawed way to manage a school, let alone a nation."

I press my mouth into a thin line for a moment before I pitch forward, wrapping my arms around my dad and giving him a big hug. He laughs in surprise before putting his arms around me in turn, tucking me close to his chest. I close my eyes briefly as Flean against him, incredibly grateful to have a dad who, despite being so powerful, truly listens to me.

"I love you, dad," I whisper.

"Love you too, baby," he murmurs, petting my hair. "We'll think about it over the next few days, all right? And we'll come up with the best decision for everyone."

"Okay."

We stay that way for a long moment, until a little knock comes at the door. I lift my head up, peering towards it with a frown, wondering if it's Elias or Ben with news about Pippa. Honestly, she must be close to having her baby by now.

But when Mark opens the door and grimaces in embarrassment, I stand up straight in surprise.

“Hello,” Hank says, looking into and around the room. "Oh wow, you're all here —“

A tiny growl sounds from the couch and I stand straight, dropping my arms from

my dad, my eyes moving immediately to where Marigold leans close to Jackson, snarling like a cornered animal.