Here With Me

Lucian stood atop Drolo Domas, waiting patiently for this son's arrival. Long extinct, the largest volcano in the Klovic range was now home to the most productive ore mine in the UnSeelie Kingdom. As part of his duties as Crown Prince, Magnus handled regular visits to the mine, making sure operations ran smoothly.

Lucian always enjoyed visiting. Not only because he felt it important to meet the workers responsible for mining the source of his Kingdom's wealth, but because it allowed him an excuse to visit the lip of Drolo Domas' crater. Over centuries, the vast crater filled with rain water, forming a crystal clear lake. When Magnus was a boy, Lucian would spend hours with him at the lakeside, teaching him to skip stones across its glassy surface, the two attempting to count how many ripples each stone created. He taught Magnus to swim here. Taught him to appreciate the beauty in their Kingdom.

Lucian smiled at the memories racing through his mind before letting out a frustrated sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. As much as Lucian missed those years, Magnus was no longer a child. Weeks had passed since Magnus' crowning and his enthusiasm for his new royal role was still non-existent. Lucian hoped Magnus' melancholy would tamp down. That in doing the work, he would come to appreciate the importance of his role. The possibilities in ruling he could see to fruition. Instead, Magnus seemed more distant, distracted. Like his mind was somewhere else.

And Lucian had enough.

"Sorry I'm late. I got held up." Magnus appeared by his father's side, willing his shadows down. The Crown Prince looked exhausted. His emerald eyes reamed in red, his hair disheveled.

Lucian looked his son up and down. "Doing what? And don't say your meeting with the mining director was the excuse, because I know for a fact you were late meeting him, too."

Magnus scoffed. "If I'd known you'd keep such a tight watch over my daily schedule, I would have penciled in this fight."

Lucian gave his son a scolding look. "You're distracted. Before your crowing, you were simply melancholy. I understood that. But I'd hoped your new routine would help you be more present. Instead, it seems the opposite is happening. You're consistently late for your appointments, you come across sleep deprived, you rush through your meetings. Even Denek is concerned."

Magnus' eyes widened. "He told you that?"

"He told me you disappear at night, teleporting to Gods knows where, and don't come back until just before sunrise. No wonder you look like shit. When's the last time you slept?"

Magnus ran a hand through his disheveled hair. "I'm working on finding a balance, that's all. I just need time."

"Time to balance what? Where are you going at night?"

Magnus' mouth formed a tight line. "I just… need more time. Can you give me that?"

Lucian took a step towards him, assessing. The lie was evident in his son's eyes. He didn't need more time to find balance; he needed more time to do something else, finish something else. But he knew his son was stubborn. Knew he wouldn't share until ready. And you can't squeeze blood from stone.

"Alright. Take the time you need. But know that I'm here for you if you ever need to talk."

He watched relief flood his son's face. "Thank you."

Lucian nodded. "You can go. I'll see you at dinner."

Magnus gave him a stunted smile before departing. Lucian pressed his cool palms against his heated face. In his bones, he knew that was really going on. There was a female. And for whatever reason, Magnus wanted to keep her a secret.

No. That won't do. That won't do at all.

Lucian teleported to his study before summoning Denek.

~.~.~.~.~.~

Let's play a game. A truth for a truth.

Magnus quirked a brow before settling onto the tufted sofa in his bedchamber. A thunderous storm raged outside, but that only calmed him.

You first.

Truth? I hate goblins.

Magnus didn't think his eyebrows could pull any higher.

The Goblin Princess hates goblins?

Yes. They smell, trade in gossip like others do in gold, and are loyal to no one but my father.

Magnus considered this. Will they be loyal to you when you become Queen?

Her response took a surprisingly long time to arrive.

I don't know. Your turn.

He wrote without hesitation.

Truth? The first time I saw you in the courtyard, I thought you were the most beautiful creature I ever beheld. Until I saw you outside the gates to the Labyrinth.

He could almost visualize the blush crossing Gennava's delicate cheeks at his words.

So you prefer me with dirty leggings and tangled hair?

Magnus immediately thought back to when he pressed her up against the trunk of that oak tree, his hands running through that perfectly tangled braid of hers, her plush, warm mouth consuming him as greedily as he did her.

I prefer the real you. I could tell that was how you are ordinarily. Carefree and yet still so incredibly striking.

A minute passed. Then another.

Truth? I thought the same of you. In the garden. When you stepped into the light for the first time and I saw your eyes, I had to concentrate on breathing.

Magnus tensed in all the best places.

Truth? I can't stop thinking about the kiss we shared.

Her response was immediate.

Truth? Neither can I. I want to do it again… and again. Your turn.

He wanted to keep this going. Distract himself fully from the words his father spoke to him earlier that day atop Drolo Domas. But with Gennava he felt he could be himself, fears and all.

Truth? I don't want to be King.

Magnus held his breath.

Why?

He let it out in a slow exhale.

I served as my Kingdom's spymaster for decades. Fought in the bloodiest of battles, witnessed the cruelest actions, and lived in the harshest conditions. But the idea of ruling a kingdom is the one thing that truly terrifies me.

He waited with bated breath for her response. For the judgment he knew he deserved. Gods, he sounded like a coward. A spinless fool that feared his crown and title.

I don't know war. But I understand, better than anyone perhaps, the impending dread that comes along with ruling a kingdom. We're both Immortals born into royal families. The Gods could just as easily placed us into a popper's household. I think there's a damn good reason, Magnus, why they didn't. We may not be our parents, but their blood runs in our veins. Your father is one of the mightiest rulers the Underground has ever seen, and he's willing to teach you all he knows. You're incredibly lucky to have that. And I think the simple fact that you are terrified is why I know you will make an amazing King one day. You care about your citizens. I often think my father would be more beloved by his Kingdom if he showed a bit more humility.

Magnus sat back, reading her words over and over, the tightening in his chest easing a bit.

My mother told me something similar, right before my crowning.

I hope you listen to the females in your life. We tend to know best.

Magnus tilted his head back and laughed. Because he knew she was absolutely right.

~.~.~.~.~.~

"Is everything alright, Gennava? You seem distracted."

Gennava looked up from her untouched plate, meeting Damon's concerned gaze.

Weeks had passed since the night she met Magnus. Weeks of exchanged notes and secret rendezvous. Gennava felt her world slowly changing, evolving to seemingly orbit around Magnus. Her thoughts were completely consumed by him.

"I'm fine. Just battling a headache."

In truth, she needed to leave this dinner early if she were to meet Magnus at the agreed upon hour. Damon reached his hand across the dinner table, and Gennava plastered on her quintessential serene smile as she placed her hand in his.

"Shall I fetch a healer?"

"I have an elixir in my chambers that should help. If you don't mind, I'll excuse myself for the evening so I can take it and go to bed early."

She ignored the look of disappointment on Damon's face, that he didn't let her hand go. "You seem to suffer from quite a few headaches lately."

Gennava rose, nodding. "I'm sure it's a passing thing. I'm not too concerned." She delicately pulled at her hand, but he held firm.

"I hope you're not avoiding me. If so, tell me what I can do to make you warm to me. It's been months now and I still feel a wall up with you."

Gennava looked at him. Really looked at the male her father was so set on her marrying. He wasn't bad looking. Quite handsome in a traditional sort of way. Perhaps if he hadn't been thrown at her the way he was. Perhaps if he wasn't so eager to please her father all the time, she might think more of him. But in her heart, she knew any attempts at finding meaning in their relationship would be futile. Magnus or no.

"May I have my hand back?"

Instead of releasing it, Damon squeezed harder, pulling Gennava towards him. She stiffened, reluctantly closing the distance between them. She watched Damon's caramel eyes grow cold. "It's only a matter of time, you know? Your father and I are close to coming to an agreement on a dowry."

Gennava swallowed thickly. "Is this really what you want, Damon? A loveless marriage in a foreign kingdom where your father-in-law rules as a tyrant?"

Quick as lightning, Damon stood, digging his nails into her palm so hard they drew blood. Gennava whimpered and tried to pull away before Damon shoved her to her knees in front of him.

"You think I'm ignorant of the type of male your father is? Trust me when I say I have it all in hand. He thinks he's playing me, that he's getting a little lap dog he can control. But I promise you, that's far from the case."

Gennava stared up at him, wide eyed. The feral look in his eyes told her he meant every word.

"Don't fuck this up for me, or I will ruin you. I'll sully your reputation so thoroughly no male would ever consider touching you. I don't think your father would appreciate that very much, would he? Or how distant you've been lately. So I would think about changing your attitude towards me."

He released her then, and Gennava stumbled back. Damon fixed the lapels of his jacket before sitting back down at the dining table, returning to his food. "I'm taking you riding tomorrow afternoon. This time, don't be late."

~.~.~.~.~.~

"Are you alright?"

Gennava laid on her back underneath the great oak tree, staring up at the moon. Magnus laid on his side, facing her. The tree had become their favorite spot, the two spending countless hours beneath its large branches, watching the night sky overhead as they exchanged stories about their childhoods, their lives. The burdens they carried. The dreams for their future. But tonight, Gennava was quiet, solemn. "It's been a tough day."

Magnus reached out and wrapped his fingers around a loose tendril of her hair. "Tell me."

Gennava kept her gaze on the moon above. The Goblin Kingdom had the most beautiful night sky. "My father keeps pushing this male on me. He's a Rykgard noble, nephew to the King and therefore has access to lands rich in timber, something our Kingdom severely lacks. I can't stand him, but father refuses to listen to me. He tells me it's my duty to form this alliance."

Magnus stiffened. "You're the Goblin Princess. Heir to his throne. Why bother with a betrothal?"

She closed her eyes for a moment, ashamed to explain the reality she lived in. "I'm an heir in namesake only. My father has no intentions of me truly ruling. He wants a son. Always has. Damon is a younger, hungrier version of him."

Gennava felt tears form in her eyes, and her jaw tightened. "He's disgusting."

Magnus kept his gaze squarely on her. "Have you told your father how you feel?"

"I've tried. He doesn't care."

Gennava bit her bottom lip, taking in a shaky breath. Closing her eyes, she willed her voice steady. "I want to love him. I try so hard to love him, but…"

Magnus knew she wasn't talking about Damon. "Has the betrothal been finalized?"

She shook her head.

He let go of her soft hair, cupping her chin, turning her to face him. "We could run away, you and me. Make a new life far away. Maybe see what lies across the Sawayan Sea."

Gennava gave him a sad smile. "Can you imagine? The UnSeelie Prince and Goblin Princess running off together to live happily ever after?" She laughed bitterly. "Sounds like a beautiful fairy tale."

His expression turned serious. "Let's make it our fairy tale."

She turned fully towards him. "Be serious, Magnus."

He looked into her eyes, his hand moving from her chin to cup her jaw, delicately running this thumb across her feather soft cheek, wiping the tears away.

"When it comes to you, Gennava, I've never been more serious in my life. You are mine. Not Damon's. Not your fathers. Mine."

Gennava couldn't help the blush that crawled up her skin. Couldn't keep her heart from racing. She knew Magnus' words weren't empty. They were filled with meaning. Devotion. But the reality of their situation threatened to envelope her, overwhelm this perfect little bubble she found herself in with him. In this moment, under their tree within her Labyrinth, she forced a smile, wishing with all her heart his words could somehow, someway be true.

Magnus lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her gently, their lips barely touching. She let out a soft sigh before wrapping her hands around his neck and pulling him to her. She wanted their lips to crash together, wanted to feel him come undone. He let out a groan when her tongue entered his mouth.

Before she could take a breath, he wrapped his hands around her waist and hauled her on top of him, her knees resting on either side of his hips, her hair cascading around them like a curtain. She devoured his mouth, and he met her stroke for stroke, his hands roaming her back before grasping her rear, kneading. Gods, this male. His hands were so firm, his touch so demanding. She wanted to melt into him. Wanted to forget all about Damon and her father and the shackles she felt slowly wrapping around her, threatening to pull her under completely.

Before her father signed away her hand; before he took her freedom, she wanted to give herself this. She wanted to choose.

"Fuck me, Magnus. Mark me."

Her voice was guttural, desperate. She felt his hands dig in deeper, felt his hips roll up on instinct, rubbing his impressive bulge against her lower stomach, making the heat between her legs build at a rapid pace. She deepened their kiss, consuming him. She wanted him here, now. After Damon's threats, her father's demands, she wanted this. To choose Magnus, if only for tonight.

But then she felt him still beneath her, felt his hands moving to her shoulders as he gently pushed her back. They locked eyes, and the lust she found swimming in his emerald iris' brightened. "I want nothing more than to mark you, Gennava. Make you scream my name. All you have to do is say those three little words."

Her brows furrowed. She didn't think he was serious all those nights ago. Thought it was some sexy power trip. Despite how mad she was for him, how much she wanted to feel him inside her, to voice those 'three little words' was a cliff she wasn't ready to jump off.

Because what lay at the bottom of that cliff would be no fairy tale.

She kept silent, lowering her mouth back to his and biting his bottom lip, grinding her hips into him, slowly. If he wanted to play games, she'd drive him crazy. Make him so hard he'd forget all about those 'three little words'. But then his hands moved to her hips, stilling her movements.

"When I mark you, Gennava, I will take all of you. Mind. Body. Soul. Only then."

Gennava looked down at him, moving her hands to either cheek. She opened her mouth, wanting with all her heart to say the words, but then bit her lip, looking away. "I can't."

She stood then, wrapping her arms around her middle. "I should go. The sun will be up soon. You know the way out."

~.~.~.~.~.~

Magnus teleported back to his chambers, adjusting himself. Despite the dark sky above, he knew dawn was near. Gennava leaving so suddenly made it painfully clear she needed more time. He wouldn't rush her. He would be patient. But that didn't help ease the heavy ache in his cock.

Blowing out a long breath before releasing his shadows, he turned towards his bathing room, only to find his father sitting on one of his sofas next to the fire. A handful of parchment notes lay scattered on the low-lying dark granite table in front of him. The light of the fire danced across the table, illuminating each piece like individual bonfires.

That's exactly what Magnus should have done with them. As Gennava asked him to do. Burn their notes. But despite the risk, he could never bring himself to. Knowing they were there, tucked away in a secret compartment in his desk, comforted him. Now, he understood how naïve a notion that was.

Lucian motioned to the sofa across from where he sat. "We need to talk."

Magnus willed his shadows to calm as he took the seat across from his father, his expression stone. "How did you find them?"

Lucian surveyed his son's face. "Denek. After our last conversation, I called him to my study. He found the notes."

Magnus made a mental note to pummel the shit out of his soon-to-be ex advisor. Denek always put his loyalty to the crown before their friendship.

Lucian picked up one of the pieces of parchment, his eyes scanning over what was, no doubt, flirtatious banter between him and Gennava.

"So, this is why you've been so distracted."

Placing the parchment back on the table, Lucian rubbed his temples. "Gods, how did you two even meet?"

Magnus remained stoic. "My coronation ball."

Recognition flashed across Lucian's face. "So, your mother was right. Gennava came to the ball. Why? And how did that lead to this?" Lucian motioned to the notes splayed across the table.

Magnus sat back, crossing an ankle over a knee. "That's no concern of yours."

Lucian shook his head. "No, son. That's not how this works. Not since that crown went upon your head. You remember the vows you took. Nothing and no one comes before the UnSeelie."

Magnus gritted his teeth. "I'm well aware of the vows I took, father. I think of them every day, do my best to uphold them. But in this, I will not yield."

Lucian tensed. "Is she worth your crown?"

"What if I said yes? If I abdicated for her, what would you do?"

"She's the Goblin Princess!" Lucian bellowed, his anger causing the entire room to shake.

Magnus sat silent, stony. Glad for the table between them.

Lucian clenched his jaw, his fists. "You cannot trust her. Her father—"

"Yes, I'm very well aware of who her father is." Magnus spat out. "Trust me, I know all the stories. And if you think that Gennava is anything other than a prisoner in her own Kingdom, you're a fool."

Lucian's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"

"I mean Jareth treats her like a caged bird. Like a jewel he keeps on a shelf and only removes when he means to show her off. Hoping to receive the highest bidder for the pleasure of owning her. Owning her crown. She's trapped, and she doesn't even fully comprehend it. I see her actively making excuses for her father's disgusting behavior because he's all she knows. But I intend to change that. I intend to save her."

Lucian furrowed his brows. "She is the Goblin Princess. She's not yours to save."

Magnus leveled a cool gaze at his father. "Neither was mother."

Lucian's jaw ticked. "You know very well I had no choice but to wait for your mother to free herself. She had to call to me."

Magnus leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. "And you hate yourself because of it. You hate that your hands were tied while mother suffered under Jareth's hand. I refuse to do the same."

Lucian's voice was cold and brittle. "This will end in war, Magnus. There will be no avoiding that. Are you willing to risk the lives of our soldiers, your friends, for her? That is, if she's even willing to go?"

Magnus didn't respond, but Lucian could clearly see the doubt rippling across his face. "Above all else, remember your vows. Is Gennava worth more than your Kingdom?"

Magnus didn't want to hear this. Couldn't. The truth was too harsh, too intimate. Lucian saw his words hit home and softened his voice before standing, adjusting the cuffs of his dress shirt. "We can talk more about this later."

Magnus shot his gaze up to his father. "Are you going to tell mom about this?"

Lucian paused. "No. Not now, anyway. We keep this between us. But we will speak again, and soon."

~.~.~.~.~.~

Gennava tossed and turned in her bed, unable to cease the endless barrage of thoughts tumbling through her. She had only an hour or so left before the bells in the city below tolled 7. She would need to rally whatever strength she had for her father's morning visit. Needed to get Magnus out of her mind, if only for a little while.

But thoughts of him were all consuming. And after last night, what he said…

I will take all of you. Mind. Body. Soul.

Gods, she wanted that. Wanted Magnus so badly. But was it love? Or were her feelings for him simply an escape? She had no compass for love. No touchstone to understand her feelings.

Perhaps she should have told him she loved him, regardless. She could have easily spat the words out, simply to lose herself in his body.

But she couldn't do that to him. Wouldn't. He wanted something real between them. Was willing to wait for it. And she was too much of a coward to allow herself to admit her fear. Was unwilling to risk everything that came with love. Was unwilling to—

A knock rapped on her door. It wasn't her father. He never knocked.

Rising, Gennava draped a robe over herself as she made her way across her bedchambers, opening the door just an inch. Damon pushed in, shutting the door behind him before locking it. He turned to face her, leaning back against the wood, his arms crossed.

"Morning, Gennava. Sleep well?"

The breath caught in her throat as she stared up into Damon's caramel eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"I thought after our last conversation we had come to an understanding."

Gennava blinked, taking a step back. "What are you talking about?"

"Last night, after you made your pathetic excuse to leave our dinner early… again. I followed you." Damon cocked his head, a wry smile crossing his lips. "Did your little stroll last night help ease your headache?"

Gennava swallowed. "I couldn't sleep so I thought I'd—"

"You'd what? Defy your father's orders and take a leisurely stroll through his Labyrinth? Thought you'd…"

Damon's eyes darkened, his brows furrowing as he took a step towards her, leaning in close. He took in a large inhale. "You smell of another male."

Gennava froze.

Damon's hand gripped her waist, pulling her closer. "Who is he?" He seethed.

Gennava shook her head. "It's not what you think."

Damon's other hand came to the back of her head, wrapping around her hair and pulling sharply, causing Gennava to tilt her head up towards him. "Who. Is. He?"

"Please." It was all she could think to say. Stupid. She had returned from the Labyrinth later than usual, a whirling mess of thoughts and emotions. She completely forgot to bathe before going to bed. Magnus' scent was all over her. A foreign scent not of the Goblin or Rykgard Kingdoms. Such a simple mistake. So fucking stupid.

"You're right. I… I sometimes sneak into his Labyrinth. I was just so curious. I've met some of the creatures there. They must be who you smell."

Damon's eyes glittered, but thankfully his grip on her eased a bit. "I don't think your father would be too happy to hear this."

Gennava forced herself calm. "Would you like me to show you sometime? After all, what my father doesn't know won't hurt him. And if we're to marry, the Labyrinth will be ours oneday."

She watched his mouth tilt up into a small smile. "Tell you what, Princess. I'll keep your secret. Consider it a show of good faith between us. After all, keeping each other's secrets is the bedrock of any successful marriage."

Damon released his grip on her hair and slowly brought that hand up to cup her jaw, tilting her head slightly so he could whisper in her ear. She closed her eyes, forcing herself not to flinch at the feel of his breath on her neck. "And I'll take your offer of a tour. I'd like to see what our future entails. Meet me at the walls tomorrow night. It's time we spent some time together without a goblin chaperone hiding behind every corner."

~.~.~.~.~.~

Magnus sat at his desk, his head in his hands. After his father confronted him about Gennava, he threw himself into his duties, avoiding his father altogether outside of official meetings. He was grateful Lucian kept Sarah in the dark. Magnus didn't know if he could handle the look on his mother's face, knowing her son was in love with the Goblin King's daughter.

Because that's what it was. Love. He loved her.

Every night he dreamed of her. Every morning he awoke in the hopes she would write to him. His father asked if he'd risk his army for her. Go to war for her.

Yes. I would burn the Underground for her.

But first, he needed to know if she felt the same. If she was willing to burn right along with him. Because it had been weeks since that night under the oak tree, and despite the number of notes Magnus sent to her, he only received a sparse few back with terse replies. She was scared. Something had obviously rattled her.

And he'd had it. He needed to know he wasn't alone in this. If she'd fall over the edge along with him. See what lay beyond.

Sitting up, he reached for a fresh sheet of parchment.

It's been too long since I've seen you. You certainly know how to drive a male crazy.

He released the parchment with his shadow magic, watching it disappear, praying to the Gods she responded. A moment later, the parchment appeared.

I'm sorry. I need to be careful right now.

Why? Did something happen?

Damon's been demanding more of my time lately. I'm having to play the game.

Magnus fought the urge to teleport to the Goblin Kingdom that instant and wrap his hands around Damon's neck.

Want me to kill him for you?

Her response was so adorably Gennava.

You UnSeelie males. So quick to violence. Damon's nothing I can't handle.

Magnus didn't like the idea of Gennava handling anything of Damon's.

I don't like how much time you're forced to spend with him.

Jealous?

Oh, you have no idea.

He was about to write another response, wanting to steer the conversation back towards a possible meeting, but when another parchment appeared in front of him, he felt the breath catch in his chest.

Did your mother ever talk about her time with my father?

Magnus stared at her words for a long moment before responding.

Once. Years ago. I asked her how she met my father. She told me her story. When she finished, she asked I never bring it up again. It's too painful for her.

He waited impatiently for her response.

She'll always hate him, won't she?

Magnus rubbed at the growing ache in his chest. But he refused to lie to her.

She told me after she scattered Hoggles' ashes that she made a vow to one day take from Jareth something he loves. She promised to ruin him. She still holds that vow.

He waited for her response. One minute, then two, then twenty, but it never came.

~.~.~.~.~.~

Gennava leaned her ear against the large mahogany doors to her father's study, her breathing as even as she could muster. Two weeks had passed since Damon cornered her in her chambers.

Two weeks of convincing him there was no other male. Two weeks of bringing him into the Labyrinth, allowing him to kiss her, touch her, believe he was wooing her.

Every touch disgusted her. Every interaction felt wrong. But she forced herself through it. Damon couldn't suspect there was another. Would go straight to Jareth if he thought it a possibility. She wouldn't risk anyone finding out.

She burned all her notes from Magnus. Reduced their communication to only a handful of words. She needed to be careful. So, so careful. Too many eyes were watching, and she'd been so casual before. It was a wonder Damon didn't catch her sooner.

But was it enough? Did Damon notice how she stiffened every time he touched her? Did he smell her lack of arousal? Perhaps he just thought her cold. Inexperienced. Nervous.

Gods, let it just be that.

Her father sent for her moments ago to meet him in his study. Knowing Damon was in there… did he say something? Raise suspicions?

She tentatively raised her hand and knocked on the door.

"Enter."

She stepped inside, finding her father leaning against the front of his desk, facing her. She could clearly make out his riding crop laying atop the desk within easy reach of his grasp.

Damon sat across from Jareth on a leather bound chair, sipping amber liquid from a crystal glass. He glanced over a shoulder at Gennava, emotionless, before standing. "I'll leave you two to talk."

He placed his drink next to Jareth on his desk before walking towards Gennava, leaning in to give her a chaste kiss on her cheek before departing. Gennava kept her gaze squarely on her father, fighting to keep her demeanor relaxed.

As soon as Damon closed the study doors behind him, Gennava braced herself.

"I'm disappointed, Gennava."

She swallowed, knowing better than to speak.

"I'm disappointed that after months of courtship, you have shown little more than a fain interest in Damon. He tells me you find excuses to leave your dinners early. You arrive late to your outings. He invites you to his chambers and yet you refuse to join him."

Gennava's eyes widened. He actually said that to my father?

Of course he did. Damon had no shame. She chastised herself for being surprised. But she needed to flip his accusations in her favor. Fast.

She lifted a casual brow. "What makes you think I'm not playing hard to get? I have Damon practically eating out of my hand. I have him wound so tight he would do anything to have me, including coming to you with complaints of his blue balls. Isn't that what you wanted?"

Jareth slammed his hands so hard on his desk the entire study shook from the force. Gennava flinched, pressing her back into the mahogany doors behind her.

"Do you think I'm stupid? Do you think I don't read you like a gods-damned book? You practically recoil in his presence. No wonder he's in no rush to solidify the betrothal."

Gennava willed her body not to shake at his tone.

"I've made it perfectly plain how important this alliance is. The more eager Damon is to marry you, the more leverage I have. As it stands now, I wouldn't be surprised if he packed up his entourage and left our Kingdom in favor of a warmer bed."

Gennava had to grind her teeth together to keep from spitting out a response.

Good, let him leave. Even if I married him, he would find our marriage bed ice cold.

But she knew better. Stepping away from the doors, she approached her father.

"I don't know why, but I've been plagued with headaches as of late. I've been taking an elixir Marchon gave me, and it helps, but sometimes the pain is overwhelming. That's all. I promise."

Jareth looked her up and down, his gaze assessing as he took one of his slender hands and ran it down her cheek. "Have I put too much pressure on you? Put too much on your shoulders?"

Gennava lowered her gaze. Is this a trick? If she nodded in confirmation, would he punish her for being weak? If she denied it, would he reprimand her for not rising to his expectations?

"I'm sure the headaches will pass."

She felt his fingers grip her chin, forcing her gaze to meet his. "Do you need another lesson? It's been some time since our last."

Gennava shook her head. "He will bring you a worthy dowry, father. I promise."

Jareth's gaze seared into hers. That gaze…

Gennava stiffened. She knew that gaze. Knew it meant he didn't trust her. Knew she was hiding something.

Her father's eyes assessed her, found her wanting, then glazed over in anger before he closed them, breathing in deep. A moment later, he turned to grip the riding crop laying atop his desk. "I think you need to be reminded what your role is, daughter. Assume the position."

Gennava's mouth dried out. She knew better than to speak. Once that crop was in his hands, there was no changing his mind. On shaky feet, she rounded his desk, removing her tunic before placing her forearms across the worn wood, gripping the edge so hard her knuckles turned white. She knew the routine. Knew to stay silent and still. Taking in a breath, she shut her eyes tight and waited.

Crack!

Gennava bit her lip to keep from crying out, knowing any hint of weakness would lead to more strikes. The metallic tang of her blood helped distract her.

Crack!

She forced her mind elseware. Forced herself to think of anything other than the sting of his crop, the burning gaze in her father's eyes. She felt his anger in every strike. Felt him trying to pull the truth from her.

Crack!

She deserved this. Deserved to be reminded what happens when she defies her father. She'd been so reckless with Magnus. Damon was right when he came to her chambers. He was her future. The sooner she accepted her fate, the sooner she could somehow learn to let Magnus go.

Crack!

Because she needed to let Magnus go. She needed to end things before they were found out. Before she got in too deep with him. Before she—

Crack!

~.~.~.~.~.~

Jareth rinsed the blood off his riding crop, his emotions a whirlwind.

He loved his daughter, more than he quite knew how to articulate. When she was young, he reveled in her fiery spirit, her defiant nature. But the females he loved who shared those characteristics always left him. He refused to lose his beloved Gennava.

So he taught her to be submissive and pliant. Made her understand never to question him. After all, she was the Goblin Kingdom's future. And her future needed to mirror his own goals and ambitions. But that didn't mean he wanted her weak. He allowed her fencing lessons. Allowed her secreting into his Labyrinth occasionally. It was good for her. Made her think she had some semblance of control in her life.

But this alliance with Rykgard was too important. She wasn't complying the way he needed her to. After Damon came to him, expressing his concern, he knew it would only be a matter of time before the Rykgard brat used Gennava's indifference to back out of the alliance, or to offer a less than favorable dowry.

That was wholly unacceptable. He would cement this alliance. He would see Gennava come to heel.

He sent his best goblins into her chambers regularly to sweep for anything that could compromise his alliance with Rykgard. They always came back empty-handed. Every night, the goblin guards that stood watch at her door noted no activity from her chambers.

But Jareth knew his daughter better. Something was distracting her. Something was keeping her from opening herself to Damon. He knew she was hiding something. He could see it in her eyes.

And after tonight, he had every intention of finding out what that was.

Author's Note:

Song: Here With Me by Matt Fax, Angara Remix

You can find the Marked playlist on my Spotify account: EastOfGatewood

Hope to see you next Friday!

XOXO

her father—"