#Chapter 292 – Offensive

I don’t have any words in response, completely overwhelmed as I am at the incredible compliment Jackson just gave me, at the impossible way that he sees me and how incredibly much he loves me. So I just stare at Jackson, and open my side of our bond completely, letting him feel all the love and pride and joy and fear that his words have raised – fear that he loves me too much, that I’ll never live up to his standards. I can see the moment when my emotions hit him, the way his face bursts into a bashful smile, how he reaches for me. And I’m instantly on my feet, hurling myself up into his arms, him wrapping me up with a vicious snarl as he lifts me up off the ground. “You already do, Ariel.” “I love you too, Jacks,” I say, sniffing hard against my tears. “We’re not supposed to cry in battle,” he murmurs, tucking his head down next to mine. “Yeah, well, I wasn’t supposed to do a lot of things.” I sigh as he sets me back down on my feet. I sniff again, wiping hard at my cheek