The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy novel Chapter 412

At midnight, we all stand around while I light the fire with great ceremony, and there are a good number of Ooohs and Ahhhs that go around the room – mostly from the kids, but also Jesse – even though it is a small, unremarkable fire – especially after the bonfire I saw this evening.

As soon as it’s lit, though, people begin to turn in – hugging and kissing their loved ones before heading off to their respective rooms. Even Jesse’s family will stay here tonight – there’s no point in going home when we’ll all be together again for breakfast.

Jackson frowns at me a little, though, when I stay in place.

“What,” he asks, giving me a nudge with his elbow. “No bed for you?”

“Nah,” I say, smiling at him and tilting my head towards the fire. “Ceremonial duties, after all. Has to keep burning. I’ll sleep here,” I say, lifting my chin towards the hearth. “I do it every year. Quite cozy and warm.”

“None of us make her do this,” my mom says, coming over and giving me a kiss on the cheek as she presses some pillows and blankets into my arms. “Her own insanity and superstition is all that keeps it going.”

Jackson laughs but just nods, buying into it, letting me have my little tradition. But when the final door shuts, my last family member disappearing behind it, he’s still here.

“What,” I say, spreading my blankets out in front of the fire. “Your beds not calling you tonight?”

And I have to admit, I’m not really surprised when he grabs another pillow off the couch and comes to sit with me on the hard stone of the hearth. “Like I said, trouble,” he murmurs, smirking at me in the firelight. “Where you sleep, I sleep. So if you’re in front of the fire? So am I.”