Jackson snarls down into my face, though I don't budge an inch, completely unafraid. Because even if fear and anger ripple through him at that confirmation, I know that none of this is for me. For my grandmother, perhaps - but not for me.

"Hey," I whisper, reaching a hand up and cupping his cheek in my palm. "This one? This stupid mate? I hate him."

Jackson stares at me for a long moment before a laugh pulses through him. "Seriously?"

I nod vigorously. "He sucks, Jacks. He's really mean, and he murdered his cousin tonight, and he punched me earlier -"

Jackson stands up straight, his eyes flaring. "He punched you?"

I smirk a little, turning my face to show him my bruised jaw. "The regicide is okay, but the punching is where you draw the line?"

He snarls, deep and true, as he leans close to me and wraps his hands around the bars. "Come on, we're getting you out of here, and then I'm coming back to kill him."

"Jacks,” I say, a little frantic, my hands covering his on the bars. At least, as much as they can. "Not - not yet."

He whips his head up to look at me, again shocked. "What are you talking about? We have to go, Ariel!"

deeply we're feeling it. "I just – there's so much more happening, Jackson. Can we just take a

against the cage, to bring his face closer to mine.

and shrug. "Um...destroy Atalaxia and

just stares at me for a moment like I'm insane. Then he shakes his head, once,

on the iron and I smack at them. "It is my job! It is

that they've got in a

shaking my head at him too. "Please,

hangs his head.

baby," I whisper, reaching up and again cupping his cheek in my hand. He sighs and leans his face against my

a laugh and then glances around.

I say, shaking my head. "They're really busy tonight trying

happens, Ariel," he says, his voice low and serious.

agreeing to these

sinking down to the ground and indicating that I should do the same so that we can talk. I grin as I do as I'm told, settling down across from my mate and beaming at him through the bars of my cage. "I hate

to me," I say, reaching forward and taking his hands.

to his mouth, kissing it. And I begin to

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