The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

"You came!" I breathe, thrilled and relieved and nearly insane with happiness as Jackson laughs and lifts me up, holding me tight against his chest.

"I could get used to this greeting," he murmurs, his arms wrapped so snug around me, his face so close to mine that our noses brush.

"You scared me!" I protest, half laughing and half shouting as I smack him on the chest with both hands, one after the other. "Why didn't you come into our train car!? Why didn't you tell me!? I was so sad! I thought you stayed behind!"

Jacks shrugs, smiling at me like he can't keep the joy off his face, his blue eyes shining. "I figured my presence in your fancy royal car would cause more trouble than it was worth. You deserved a minute to be calm and happy, and I didn't mind riding with the other cadets. I just slept the whole time anyway."

"And you didn't think," I say, taking his perfect face between my palms and narrowing my eyes, scolding playfully, "that maybe I wanted you close by?"

murmurs, lifting his chin towards me in a bit of a challenge. "So, what are you going to do with me?" He tightens his arms, further proving

grows slowly, a little devious, but my response is clipped by the

surprise to see my family and friends standing around us

guilt runs through me when I see him staring at the ground to his side,

you like to...climb down? Before the

in response before turning to Jackson and giving him a little grimace. Unperturbed, he smiles at me and slowly lowers me to the ground, careful to ensure that my skirt doesn't

stares at Rafe like that is clearly not

just rolls his eyes, laughing a little as he moves on and I fix my dress into less rumpled lines. Captain Conner looks a little frantically between me and Jackson before moving his eyes to Luca, with whom I was just holding hands. I sigh, realizing that...whatever secrecy I held on to at the Academy, isn't hasn't really disappeared here, has

the entire nation to know about my complicated love