The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy
Chapter 0450

"I'm sorry," Jackson says, and I can tell by his devastated tone that he means it very much. "I'm so sorry, Ariel." "Jackson," I sigh, frustrated - because it's very difficult to be angry with him when he's being so sweet. "What are you even sorry for?"

around him.

He pauses and it's instantly clear to me that he has no idea what it is that I'm mad about - he's just ready to apologize for anything. I laugh a little and so does he when he realizes what is happening. He tucks his head down against my shoulder and I wrap my arms "Please," he murmurs. "I am sorry if I've upset you - but I don't understand. Please tell me."

"It's just - it's happened twice tonight, hasn't it? And more in the past few weeks. It's like all of you boys make these decisions and strike these deals, usually with me at the center of them, and no one really asks me what I think. And sometimes I need that help - like the morning when Luca came and banged on your bedroom door and I had no idea what to do. But other times - like this decision about the timeshare? Jackson, you and Luca can't just decide how I split my time without asking me about it."

He nods, and down the bond I can see that he instantly understands and feels terrible. "We were just trying to make it easier on you," he whispers. "It's complicated - and we both get so riled when you're between us."

"I know," I sigh, stroking his hair. "But just because it's easier for you to decide without me sometimes doesn't mean you should."

"You're right," he sighs, pulling back a little to look me in the eyes. "I won't do it anymore. I promise."

"Thank you," I whisper, smiling at him and continuing to stroke his hair. Then I frown, thinking about the deal that he struck with Luca. "You're really fine with that? Just hanging out with me at night?"

"Well, I didn't quite say at night. I just said I wouldn't come to dinner and study time - that Luca could have that. Which is fine by me - I don't know how any of you get any studying done in a big group like that anyway. I know Luca just talks the whole time."

I smirk a little. "You grew up in a room full of boys too," I say quietly. "I would have thought you'd have learned how to tune them out as well."

"Yeah, but we knew how to be quiet," he says, frowning at me like it's obvious and making me laugh.

"So," I say quietly. "Luca knows that you...sleep here now?"

"Oh, no," Jackson says, laughing a little. "He never would have agreed to that."

I gasp a bit and smack him on the arm, not used to a tricky side of him. He laughs a little too, enjoying himself. "Well then what does he think 'at night' means!?"

"Probably the dream state," Jackson murmurs with a contented sigh. "Which we can use. But I'm not sure we'll need it if I get you all night, and all morning, and in magic class..." he shrugs. "I think it's fair."

I bite my lip, a little uncomfortable that Luca doesn't know that Jackson sleeps here now but...also knowing that he's going to flip out if he finds out. I sigh, wondering what the best route here is - peace or transparency?

"I'm sorry," Jackson says again, pressing a kiss to my shoulder. "I'll do whatever you want. We can talk to Luca and change the plan - we'll do anything you want."

"Oh yeah?" I say, raising my eyebrows and grinning a little at him in the dark, wicked in my own turn. "And what if I said that I wanted Luca to sleep in the nook too?"

"What?" Jackson says, pulling back a little to stare at me, appalled.

"Yeah, you know," I say, working hard not to laugh, "like, a little Ariel sandwich -"

Jackson snarls even as he sees that I'm kidding, tugging me close against him, possessive. He doesn't say a word, but his answer to that proposal is clear. I laugh, I can't help it.

Across the room, Rafe clears his throat in a loud and obvious way that lets me know we're getting a bit loud for his tastes. I glance towards him and then back to Jacks, grimacing a little. He nods, letting me know he understands too, and that it's time to settle down and get to sleep.