Chapter 397

“You disgust me,” Elias snarls, hauling Gabriel with him towards the door. “I’m taking you out of here and you will not return until Ariel invites you. If she ever does.” I watch in shock, because Elias is both the younger and the smaller brother. How…how does he have this kind of authority? Why is Gabriel listening to him?

Elias glances once at Pippa, who gives him a steady nod, but then Elias and Gabriel gone, the door closing hard behind them.

Pippa holds me for a long few minutes, stroking my fur and telling me that it’s all right. When I finally feel strong enough I shift back into my girl body, tears streaming down my cheeks.

“Oh, Ariel,” Pippa murmurs, taking my face in her hands. “I’m so sorry. That was so horrible.”

“Why – why did he do that?” I whisper, shaking my head, still terrified. I glance at the door, scared he’ll come back. Because even if Blaze did teach me some things, I know I can’t win against Gabriel, not really. He – like most Alphas – is just so much bigger than me.

“I don’t know why he did it,” Pippa whispers, softly stroking my cheek. “But it won’t happen again, darling. The doors – they have locks – all of our maiden chambers do. None of them can be opened except from the inside if you will it. I promise.”

A little tension goes out of me at this and I nod to her, hoping that’s true.

“And I’ll stay with you,” she murmurs, nodding seriously. “I’ll stay all night, and Elias will stay with Gabriel and talk some sense into him –“

“Why…” I say, my voice still shaking, “why does Gabriel listen to Elias? He’s…he’s bigger? And older?”

Pippa twists her lips a bit to the side as she drops her hands from my face, giving a shrug. “Gabriel…when he took the oath to the God of Darkness, he also…lost some concept of right and wrong. He’s a creature of impulse now, pursuing what he wants, giving into strong emotions like rage and lust and insecurity. Elias – for all that he sees Gabriel’s faults – he loves him.” She sighs, almost apologetic. “Some part of Gabriel trusts him still, knows that he will not steer him wrong.”

I stare at Pippa, not quite getting it.

And Pippa smiles. “Do you not have a big tough older brother?” she says, whispering a little and leaning forward towards me. “Who you have a bit tied around your finger as well?”

Something about the truth in this makes me burst out with a shaky little laugh as I raise my hand to wipe at my tears. “Okay, yeah. That part…maybe that makes sense.”

She nods. “Do you want a shower, love? Or, we can just get you out of this silly corset and straight to bed –“

“Just the corset, please,” I murmur, turning slightly so that she can start on the buttons. “And then…Pippa…if it really is safe here. Could I sleep alone? I think…” I sigh. “I want to be alone to gather my thoughts.”

“Of course, my dear,” she whispers. “There’s a bell pull in the corner that’s attached to a bell in my and Elias’s room, which is just two down. If you ever feel unsafe, even for a moment, you tug on that, okay? We will come running.”

“Thank you,” I murmur. And then I sit very quietly and let my friend do her work.

Once Pippa leaves I feel…empty. Just sort of dead and alone. I try to gather myself together and chuff myself up by telling myself that this is just a trial, and that I’ll get through it, but…

But for some reason, I can’t stop crying.

I look around my dark room and I just…I hate it here. So, so much. I want to be home, in the nook, or in my little childhood bed in the palace, and I want Jacks there with me, with my cheek warm against his chest…

Even as I think of it, though, I just cry harder.

Still, I gather as many blankets and pillows into my arms as I can and call upon that dark magic within me, tossing myself backwards into that world. When I land there – a bit hard – on my ass, I’m gratified to see that the supplies I had gathered in my arms came with me.

I sigh, a bit, to see the blankets and the pillow get very dusty in a matter of moments as I lay them out in the dirt of the Land of Darkness, but I push the thought of that aside as I curl up, my head on a soft down pillow, my eyes focused on the dark of a night sky I’ve never seen before. And even if the ground is hard, and the wind chilly, and the bars of the cage around me gleam in the moonlight of another world…

Still, I know that it’s better, sleeping here.

That anything is better than a night in that horrible palace, with my mate probably prowling the halls, seeking to make me submit to him whether I want to or not.

Jackson looks around Ella’s closet…kind of in wonder. His wolf growls in his soul, telling him to pay attention to the mission but…god, it’s hard. This closet is…gigantic, and packed with stuff. More than just clothes and jewelry. Is that – is that a mini bar in that corner? And a coffee alcove in the back?

“Okay,” Ella sighs, coming through a door to…god, Jackson has no idea where. It does not lead to the Royal Bedroom, or to the bathroom so…it must go somewhere else. Another…wing of the closet? Where she keeps more stuff? In her hand Ella carries a heavy backpack that she hoists up with both hands. “I think you should be all set.”

Jackson takes the backpack from her and easily swings it over one shoulder. “Thank you, Ella,” he says, looking her quite seriously in the eyes. “I think this is right. It’s the only thing I can think to do.”

“I think so too,” Ella says with a satisfied sigh, looking over the dark fatigues she stole from Dominic’s military wardrobe, a uniform which she was not surprised at all to find fit Jackson to near perfection. “The bag has all the supplies you need and…some stuff for Ari. Once you get her back.”

Jackson nods once, eager to go.

“When you find her,” Ella says, looking up at him with eyes that again shine with tears, “will you –“

A loud shout comes from the bedroom, or perhaps the living room beyond, making them both snap their heads towards the door.

“Come on,” Ella says, all authority now as she strides for the bedroom door. “Leave the bag.”

Jackson does as he’s told, dropping the backpack and working hard to not outstrip Ella as he strides for the door. But she hurries and soon they’re both across the bedroom and bursting into the living room, where the family gathers and everyone is suddenly exclaiming as they look at their phones.

“What!?” Ella cries, dashing immediately to Dominic’s side. “What is it?”

Jackson follows close behind her, desperate to know.

“It’s…fucking Atalaxian press,” Dominic murmurs as he tucks an arm around Ella, pulling her close and showing her the phone. Jackson’s wolf whines in his chest as he looks around, desperate for a phone for the first time in his life, dying to know what on earth is going on. Cora and Roger are here with the rest of their children, and Rafe, and Mark – all distracted –

But Rafe soon glances up and realizes that Jackson is out of the loop, striding to his side. “It’s fine,” Rafe says, nodding as he presses the phone into Jackson’s hands. “It’s proof that she’s alive and…well. Ridiculously dressed but…well.”

Jackson’s gaze snaps to the phone as he scans the article, his fingers scrolling fast to the pictures.

His heart wrenches when he sees the pictures of Ariel – his darling girl – his mate -

Dressed in an insane blue dress, wearing an elaborate crown. A growl rises in his throat as Jackson sees that man by her side – the one he saw on the battlefield, the one the Sinclairs identified as the Atalaxian prince. But Jackson barely spares a glance for him, his eyes immediately moving back to her.

Ariel, kneeling before the Atalaxian King. Ariel, kissing his hand like she’s so grateful to have the chance to do it. Ariel rising on the Prince’s hand, beaming at him.

“How did…” Jackson murmurs, frowning at the phone and lifting it closer to his face like it will help him see better. “How did they make her waist so small…”

“Is that seriously what’s bothering you?” Rafe snaps, grabbing the phone back.

“I mean it has to hurt,” Jackson murmurs, frowning at his friend, “she’s not shaped like that. They must have used…duct tape.”

“Jacks,” Rafe growls, rolling his eyes a little, “she’s swearing allegiance to Atalaxia! She’s taking a role as a Princess of their court!”

“Yeah, but they probably made her say all of that,” Jackson says, frowning at Rafe and crossing his arms, not really seeing why Ariel’s actions in the images are a big deal. Like Dominic said, the photographs show she’s alive and healthy. And that’s the only think Jackson cares about.

“I agree,” Dominic says, making everyone in the room turn towards him. “Ariel is staying alive, playing whatever role they ask of her, avoiding torture and imprisonment. I’m proud of her – it’s clever, hard work, and I’m not sure I’d be capable of it.”

“Are –“ Rafe sputters, looking around the room. “Am I the only one who read the article!? They’re claiming her as a Princess of Atalaxia! They’re saying she’s going to have a ceremony with this Prince Gabriel character, that –“

“Rafe,” Ella says, her voice low in warning, her eyes shifting to Jackson.

“That he’s her mate!” Rafe finishes, throwing his arms wide, outraged.

Jackson goes cold at this. Because…what? Her…her mate?