The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 771

It is so, so short a time later when I’m in the back of a transport, racing to the front line of the battle with Jackson and Rafe and Roger by my side. My hands tremble a little as I watch Roger fasten on the earpiece that my father gave him, so that he can use to communicate back to the base.

Because dad’s not here – he wanted to come, but sending the King to the front along side the heir and the spare? It just…we decided against it.

Dad – he held me for so, so long before he lifted me onto the transport truck. He didn’t say anything – I don’t think he could, not at that moment. But the way he and mom looked as Roger climbed in behind me – their faces pale and serious, their eyes locked on me and my brother.

I knew, in my very soul, how much they love us. How they would never, ever send us off to the front like this unless they had to.

I clenched my jaw now as I remember it, determined not to cry again. Jackson just gathers me closer into his lap, resting his chin gently on my head, cradling me against him. He doesn’t say anything or send any emotions down the bond – he just holds me and lets me have a little private moment to vent my exhausted heart. But he’s there – always there – just in case I need him.

God, I love him so much.

I look up at him now, steady next to me, and nod, letting him know that I’m all right.

“We can do this,” Jackson murmurs, running a hand over my cap, my hair. “No one can do it but us, right? So we’re going to do it.”

“Yeah,” I whisper, giving a tremulous smile, believing him as I secure the earpiece and let my hands fall to my lap on a shaky exhale of breath. “We’re gonna do it.”

“And then,” he murmurs, dropping his head low to speak into my ear, our own private moment. “I’m taking you away from all of this for a few days, and we’re going to get you all marked up.”

I burst out in a shaky little laugh – because honestly, I haven’t thought of anything in the future. Anything beyond getting to this front, and unleashing my power, and sending these Atalaxian forces straight to hell for everything they’ve taken from me. For Tony, and Juniper, and Jesse…

If, even, that’s who took them.

God, I just…I don’t even know.