Chapter 431

“Plus,” Jackson says, putting his hands on his hips and looking down at the ATV with an odd, almost fond expression. “The machine needs to charge. Clever little device, this is – doesn’t need any power source to regenerate, just time.”

My wolf grumbles a little, jealous, because quite frankly we want to be the only clever little thing that Jackson looks at that approvingly. I laugh at myself even as I slowly climb off the machine, knowing that I’m being ridiculous. “Is it safe?” I ask. “To stop here?

I look over my shoulder at the expanse of Atalaxia that we’ve crossed, though of course I can’t see far. The grass stretches for miles in quietly rolling hills. Earlier today we crossed desert wasteland too, but these grassy bits with occasional streams shallow enough for us to ride right through – I like them more.

“Should be safe, Atalaxia is big and they’d have to send out a hell of a lot of troops to find us,” Jackson says, helping to steady me and then brushing my hair back over my shoulders when I stand straight and adjust the pack strapped to my back. “Besides, with the Atalaxian King dead and his heir being rather predisposed to like you…I don’t think that there’s going to be a big search party on our tail.”

I laugh a little and grin up at my mate. “And even if they did, my clever Jackson was way too careful in covering our tracks, right?”

He barks out a little laughs and slips his arms around my shoulders. “I prioritized speed, Princess. We should hit the borders of Moon Valley tomorrow and then we can get home.”

“So…we’re spending the night here?” I ask, looking eagerly around. I mean, for all of Atalaxia’s faults, this bright field is…pretty gorgeous, with the wind blowing softly through the grasses and all that expanse of sky overhead.

Jackson hums a confirmation and beings walking us towards the little stream. “Do you mind?” he asks, glancing down at me. “I know it’s more rugged than you’re used to.”

“No, I love camping!” I say, genuinely enthused. “And honestly Atalaxia has ruined me a bit for luxury for a while. If I never see gold leaf again, it will be too soon.”

Jackson smirks, nods, and kneels down by the stream, reaching up and giving me a little mental nudge that clearly requests the backpack. I hand it over, sitting down as Jackson pulls off his boots and then takes a little bar of soap and a bottle of water out of the bag, handing the latter to me.

I sip quietly at the water as Jackson pulls off his shirt and moves closer to the very shallow stream, putting his feet in and then dipping low to splash water up over his face, washing a great deal of King’s blood off his face and chest.

My wolf and I sit very quietly as we watch Jackson’s makeshift little bath, my shoulders and spine straight. Because…heavens.

My fierce warrior mate, King’s blood and fresh water running long down his body, rippling over his stomach. The blood of a King that my mate killed because he threatened me; a King whose death likely signals the end of a very long war.

Jackson cups his hands in the stream and closes his eyes, lifting the cool water up and over his head. He does this a few times, letting it run through his hair, which plasters thick and dark to his skull and neck. He exhales in relief at the sensation and my eyes move to the water that dribbles down over his full lips.

When he gives a wolfish shake of his head, sending water scattering in all directions, my mouth falls open slightly and my wolf shifts anxiously from paw to paw, a low whine sounding in her throat.

Slowly, Jackson opens his eyes and smirks at me. “Are you okay?”

“Oh, I am fine,” I say, leaning back on one hand and giving him an obvious, appreciative glance up and down that makes him laugh. “I am just…enjoying the show.”

Jackson smirks as he drops his eyes. “You’re exaggerating,” he murmurs, running his fingers through his mussed hair and tucking it back behind his ears.

“I’m like, really not, Jacks,” I say, grinning at him. “Honestly, if I had a video camera right now, I suspect I could sell this footage for a great deal of money –“

He barks out a laugh and grins at me, reaching for my arm. “Come on, tiny,” he says, beckoning. “Let’s get you cleaned and wrapped up so your mother doesn’t scold me when I bring you home all wounded.”

“Oh, as if Queen Ella could ever be mad at you,” I say on a happy sigh, scooting closer and lifting my wrist as Jackson reaches into the pack and pulls out some basic antibiotics and gauze. “Her perfect orphan baby who has now saved me twice? You won’t be able to do any wrong in her eyes.”

Jackson takes my arm and dips a little piece of gauze into the clear stream water, beginning to dab quietly at Gabriel’s mark, cleaning it up. “Think this is enough to take Rafe’s spot as favorite?”

“Oh, I think he should be worried,” I say, soft and cheerful. A corner of Jackson’s mouth turns up but he concentrates on his work, ensuring that the mark is perfectly clean before dabbing some antiseptic cream on it and wrapping it in fresh white cloth.

When he’s finished, Jackson ties a little bow around the bandage and then surprises me by taking my hand in his, ducking his head, and then pressing first one quick kiss to my bandaged wrist and then another to the bare skin above it.

I blink at him as he raises his eyes to mine. “What was that for?”

He frowns a little. “I need an excuse to kiss you now?”

I tilt my head. “I just…never imagined you’d have the impulse to kiss the space on my body where another man has marked me. Even if it is under gauze.”

Jacks slips his hand up to my elbow before giving me a little tug towards him, catching me and pulling me into his lap when I tilt forward. I smile, nuzzling my face against his bare chest, quite happy to be there.

“I’ve told you before, Ariel,” he says very softly, the words resonating against my cheek as they echo in his chest. “I love every part of you, marked or not. And I’ve been thinking about it a lot – I’m…incredibly jealous of both Luca and Gabriel for having some claim on you. Some part of me, selfish or biological, wants you all to myself. And I don’t know if I’m sorry about that.”

I tilt my head up, peering curiously at the sharp contours of his beautiful face.

He shrugs, like whether or not guilt in this situation barely matters. “But either way, Ari - these marks are…part of your story, part of your power. Beyond not wanting you to ever be ashamed of them, or think that I don’t like them, I want you to know that I accept them. I’m proud of them – proud of you. So incredibly proud of you – every piece. Every piece. I’m very sorry if I made you feel otherwise – I was selfish and…unthinking. You’ll have to forgive me.”

My eyes fill with tears as I just stare up at him, completely blown away. Because how can he be so good? This man whose early life subjected him to such neglect and deprivation – how has he grown to be the most forgiving, accepting, wonderful person? With the most open heart?

Jackson lifts a hand to brush warm over my hair, making me smile. “How can I begrudge these marks when they gave you the power to end a war? I couldn’t bear to be so greedy. You are my mate,” he says, his voice dipping low with both possession and love. “But you are still Moon Valley’s Princess. And I love and admire and respect how seriously you take that role. Seriously, Ariel, you can’t know how much.”

“But you ended the war,” I say, my voice all creaky with emotion, a few tears finding their way out of the corner of my eyes. “You’re the one who killed the King –“

He smirks. “That was the easy part. Just a little flash of fangs. You’re the hero of this entire story, Princess. Twenty years of war and then you’re on the scene for what, a month? And it’s done.”

I shake my head, denying it, knowing it’s more complicated than that. Still, I reach my arms up, wrapping them around his neck, wanting to be held tighter, closer. “I couldn’t have done it without you. Not an inch. You’re not taking enough credit.”

“Yes, I am,” he murmurs, wrapping me up and holding me close. “You did it, but I’m taking full credit for the assist. Be sure to emphasize this to your dad, please, when we get home, so that he accepts me as your mate. He was probably mad when I left – I was disobedient, which I know is not his favorite characteristic. Your mom and I kind of…arranged it without his knowing.”

I burst into a little laugh, my body shaking against his, and I pull my head back a little to smile into my mate’s face. “Oh, I think he’ll forgive you, Jacks.”

“Just talk me up anyway, okay?” Jackson replies, smiling back - that rich, joyous smile. He takes a slow, deep breath, again running his hand over my hair. “Come on. Let’s get you to bed.”

My wolf howls with joy and I wiggle excitedly against him, making him laugh again as he gets to his feet and carries me back to the ATV and all of our supplies so that we can set up camp.

After all, I will certainly need to get some sleep tonight, exhausted as I am.

Yes, sleep is certainly a priority, I think, stifling a yawn and leaning against my mate’s chest.

Yes, a little tent, and a nice warm blanket, and some sleep…eventually.