Free


The door to Jareth's study appeared in front of me like an apparition. It looked like the Castle had finally decided to help me find him. About damned time, too. I yanked the study door open, strode up to Jareth, straddled him in his chair before he could say a word, and pressed my lips to his.

He was unyielding as the shadowy darkness outside at first, his hands cradled casually behind his head. But then he awoke beneath me with the fierce possessiveness I remembered, that questing need for heat and life in every touch of his mouth to mine.

We broke apart with a gasp, and brilliant afternoon sunlight poured into the room as if it hadn't just gone on hiatus for a fortnight.

He pulled me against his chest, kissing my hair. "I love you, you maddening woman. I'm sorry for being an ass earlier."

"Me, too. And you really were an ass with that whole forgiveness-contingent-on-a-freely-given-kiss geas. You're lucky my temper cools down relatively quickly or the whole kingdom might still be in endless night. You are such a brat sometimes. I honestly don't know why the Labyrinth still loves you."

"The same reason you do, I hope?"

I kissed him once on his forehead. "Well, I don't know how it feels about those cheekbones of yours, but they definitely sway my opinion."

"I'll make sure to thank my lucky stars for them."

"You do that."