The house was warm, familiar. Books lined the walls and a box of toys was sitting next to a pile of titles I hadn't seen since childhood. I ran my fingers down the spines, sparks of heat shooting through my arm. This felt... safe. When was the last time I had really felt safe?
"Winter?"
My heart remembered that voice. His face was in my mind before my body could turn, and tears flowed down my cheeks seeing my eyes in his face.
"Hi Papa." I smiled, moving until we stood toe to toe. His eyes softened, returning my smile. "I missed you."
"I missed you too, Bean."
"Baby, what are you doing here?" My mother appeared around his shoulder, worry creasing her ageless face.
"I drowned, I think." I tried to recall the moments leading here but they were fuzzy, not quite tangible. "I think I fell through a railguard."
"Oh baby." She reached out, touching the air next to my cheek. I couldn't move my face closer, and I craved her touch. "I'm so sorry, but you can't be here."
"What?"
"You have to go back." Alex stood up to my right, and I fumbled for words. His eyes were too old for his little face and it unnerved me. "He's waiting for you."
I followed his finger, glancing at the mist behind me, and frowning at him. "Who? I'm not going anywhere, Alex."
He looked up at papa, holding out his hand. Papa took it, squeezing once, and wrapped his other arm around mom's shoulders. I tried to reach out my arms but they stayed at my side, limp. The tears started again as the panic set in.
"Don't be scared, Winter." He offered a reassuring smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "One day we will all be together, but until that day comes you have to go back. Be brave, Bean."
"No." I wheezed, willing their fading forms to come back to view. "No, please! Mama! Papa! Please, don't leave me again! Please!"
"We will always be with you."
Warm skin on my cheek was the first thing I noticed. I blinked wetness from my eyes, staring at the unfamiliar stone wall. There were no birds indicating I'd overslept and the air was dry, warm. Where was I?
I moaned at nail tracing my spine, nuzzling into the warmth keeping me tethered to the fleeting, foggy memory of safety.
Wait...
I lifted my head to see one brown and one blue eye staring down at me, graceful eyebrows lifted at my movement.
My body hit the ground faster than my mind could catch up. I groaned, yanking the sheet down with me to cover myself. The man chuckled, rolling over to look at me from his perch on the bed, looking confident and self assured with his own nudity.
"Good to see you're feeling better." He mused, propping himself on his elbow.
"You're the man from the bridge." I stammered, rubbing the back of my head to soothe the ache of the sudden impact and wincing at a sharp stab through my side.
"I am." He reached down and pressed his hand over mine. It was disconcerting how the burning sensation was replaced with soothing cool.
"You saved me." I curled my legs under me, moving away from him.
"I did." He lips curled upwards, an impish smirk that had no business being attractive in these circumstances.
"Why?"
"I'm not in the habit of letting my gill drown."
"Gill?" I furrowed my brow, gripping the sheet closer.
He thought a moment, like he was trying to translate something in his head. "I suppose you would say 'soulmate'."
My heart ached at the word, and I scooted further away from him. This was just one more relationship I was going to lose and I couldn't handle that thought.
His eyes were intense, flickering between my own while he analyzed my conflicting emotions. "This frightens you."
I shook my head and he quirked a graceful eyebrow. I swallowed, playing with the end of the sheet and averting my eyes to try and gain some composure. "It's nothing, my ki-" I trailed, holding my temple. What in the world was that? How did I know that?
"You cannot lie to me." He moved to catch my eye again, straightening when I followed him. "I see all; your mind racing, your conflicting thoughts."
I swallowed, glancing at his mouth while he talked. He noticed. Of course he noticed, and he stood up when he came to terms with the fact that I wasn't going to answer him. The long line of his thigh flexed as he started to move, drawing my eyes upwards to his pale, lean ass and the blonde curls peeking from the side where his thigh barely covered his-
I buried my face in my knees, heat spreading from my ears on down.
He laughed, sending butterflies fluttering through my stomach. "You're a shy one. You're 18 years old and you act as though you've never seen a naked man before."
"I have now!" I squeaked, squeezing my eyes shut for good measure.
"With beauty such as yours it is no shame admitting you've been bedded." He teased. "Human offense means nothing here, love. I will not judge you."
Corey's face appeared in my mind, his face still round from youth and his freshly removed braces. Tears welled at the memories from only months ago and I cleared my throat against the barrage of self doubt. "I was supposed to get married. He left me at the altar to fly on our honeymoon with another woman because I wouldn't bed him before we were married."
Jareth's POV
Rejection being our common denominator stung, but at least we could understand one another in that regard.
I took pity on her, waving my hand and drawing clothing up my body. Her modesty was adorable but the challenge of wearing it down to comfortability was enticing.
"You can look now." I smirked, stopping in front of her and holding out my hands. She peeked a tentative glance and hesitated but accepted my hands. She clutched her sheet close and tried to wrap it while she stood, nearly dropping it. I wasn't opposed to the tease of a view. "Take this."
I pulled a nightgown from the end of the bed, handing it to her. Her indigo eyes were guarded but I could feel her delight through our bond.
"It's beautiful." She breathed, letting the fabric billow through her fingers while she inspected it. She gave me a stern look when she realized I was staring and twirled her finger. "Go on, turn so I can change."
I rolled my eyes but acquiesced, listening to the sheet falling and her pulling the gown on, smoothing it and adjusting her straps.
"Okay." She twirled, grinning how the gown flowered around her thighs. The bliss at such simplicity soothed my annoyance.
"It pleases me to see you so happy." I informed her, offering my arm. "Let us have breakfast." Though it is already noon...
She shook her head, a coy smile on her face. "I think I'll escort myself for the time being. Thank you though."
Disappointment bloomed in my chest but I shrugged it off, gesturing instead to the door. "As the lady wishes."
Her nerves and second guessing flooded through and I made an active attempt to keep my face neutral to soothe her. I led her through to the dining hall, opening the door for her and chuckling when she curtsied half mockingly. We separated to opposite ends of the table and I moved the chair out for her, pleased at her admiration. Such a little thing and she was swooning. Unlike her-
No. I shook my head of all thoughts of those cruel green eyes, focusing on the young woman smiling at the goblin serving her, thanking it with genuine gratitude. I stared when it came to me, resting the domed plate in front of me and shaking. It ran off in terror and I nodded, feeling the natural balance restored.
"Lady Winter." I began, lifting the dome and setting it to the side. "Why do you thank the servants? Do you not find them wretchedly revolting?"
"Because they are doing a service and deserve our thanks for doing so." She scolded. "And don't call them that; every creature exists perfectly just as they were designed. She was kind and therefore beautiful. I won't hear anymore insults to the ones breaking their backs keeping your castle running smoothly."
Relief blossomed in my chest. "I agree." I raised my goblet, smiling at her. She passed the first test.
