The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

"I think so," I say, giving a little shrug. "That's what she called it when mom and Cora talked to her, after all. A 'gift.' She said all of her grandchildren would be likewise gifted. Do you know where yours comes

from?"

Slowly he shakes his head. "No idea."

"Well, maybe it's also a gift," I say, considering it as I stare up into his blue eyes, his dark head framed against the night sky. "After all, she clearly knows about you, if she picked you out as my mate." "That's so weird," he whispers, his eyes going a little distant, "to think that the Goddess...knows about me. I've always felt so...anonymous and inconsequential my whole life. I never in a million years would have thought the Goddess had an eye on me."

"Of course she does," I say, lifting a hand to idly stroke his chest. "You're like...really good looking, Jacks. And she's a woman after all."

"Don't be creepy," he murmurs, his eyes focusing on me as he smirks. "That's your grandmother."

"I don't like you thinking of yourself as inconsequential, Jacks,"

touched, and strokes my face with his thumb. "The city makes me feel more inconsequential, I think," he says, lifting his head to peer around, though we can't see the city around us from this part of the roof. "Though...being around these trees helps." I nod, understanding. Mom was very careful in selecting the placement of our little roof garden - it feels very secluded

to the side, wondering if I'd subconsciously considered that when I decided to bring him up here tonight. There's a whole Palace's worth of rooms to hang out in, after all. And I picked the roof. "Do you hate it? The city?" I ask quietly, genuinely wanting to know. Because, I mean, for better or for worse the city is my home, and if I'm going to be

at first," he murmurs, thoughtful.

fifteen minutes you

says, shaking his head and laughing a little. "It was worse for the three

squeak, starting back a little and then smacking him on the chest, making him laugh harder. "Jackson! You lived

doing that, I know - I can feel it down the bond. "Did you think I went straight from my weird cult up North

say, fascinated now and dying to hear

been...a disaster, if I'd have done that, and the men who sent me to the Academy knew that. I would have been so shocked at the way people act and talk, so...out of the loop of the culture. They sent me to live in the

break it to you, Jacks," I say softly, "but you...still kind of stood out. As a complete