The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

I laugh, opening my eye. "Don't let them hear you calling them cute."

"Oh, Jesse would kill to hear me call him cute," she says, her voice heavy with the understatement, which just makes me laugh harder. "And what about you?" I ask. "What can I do to have your back?"

"You're already doing it," she says cheerfully. "I mean, you're brining me to the palace for winter break, Ari! People would kill for that."

"It's just my house," I say with a sigh, rolling my eyes, wanting to do more, but she laughs at that.

"Well, you're wearing my clothes," she says, gesturing towards the dress. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"That's a favor you did me -" I protest, confused. "My mom makes sure I have probably the biggest wardrobe in the country besides hers, and here I am, stealing your dress -"

"No, Ari," she says, laughing, "you're like...wearing my designs."

"Oh," I say, looking down at the dress anew, "oh, like, you made this!?"

"Of course I did!" she says, grinning at me.

I gasp, amazed. "This is like, a beautiful dress! This is

the mirror so I can take in the whole picture. Me, again a girl, again a Princess, standing with my friend in the dress she designed. I suddenly feel very warm, and very,

I murmur, tilting my head to rest on her shoulder. "After all, the palace

"What?" she gasps.

with Luca Grant in tow? Not to mention the missing Princess, who

me a little shove. "I have to get changed! I

grin, taking in her Seamstress uniform, the only thing I've ever seen her in except the pretty floral dress she wore to our party the night before the Examination. "I

quiet! I need to think about this! Tell the boys still no

I say, shaking my head and refilling her glass of wine, sensing that she'll need it, before I head out the door into the

into the main room of the train car, I stop a little when everything goes silent. My eyes go wide

cousin!" he shouts,

giving a little curtsey as I realize their shock was just seeing me out of my Academy clothing for the first time in months. I smile at Luca especially, realizing that this is the first time he's seeing me really in girl clothes

you," he says, his voice mock threatening as he slowly gets to his feet and

in mock apology as I gesture over my shoulder with my thumb. "Decided we don't have use for him anymore - at least not for the next couple of weeks." "Awesome," he murmurs, crossing the distance between us in two long steps and wrapping his arms around me, laughing. Behind us, Ben, Jesse and Rafe laugh and continue their conversation, giving us a second mostly

my nose as I look up at him. "Do you

as he strokes a hand over my hair. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I like you all tough in Cadet Black