While You Were Sleeping


I blinked groggily at the sunshine streaming through the window. It was a remarkably dust-free, sparklingly clean window. This caused me to blink again, harder, turn my head, and survey the rest of the throne room. I then sat up on the velvet chaise lounge I'd crashed in (no longer smelling of things best unmentioned) and looked at Jareth. "Exactly how long was I asleep?"

"Not long. A few hours." He looked particularly pleased with himself. I could tell by the way his eyes glittered just so. This was the glitter of Ha, you didn't think I had this in me, did you?

Best to indulge him if I wanted answers. I shook my head slowly. "How...?"

"What, because you know I won't clean?"

"I wasn't going to say it. But you're more of a delegator, honey. Comes of being royalty, I'm sure." I inhaled the scent of lemon verbena from Karen's favorite cleanser. Aha. A clue. "Did you set Karen on this?"

"After I showed her a timeturner charm. She's been happy as a clam for weeks, from her perspective."

"Incredible. You found a way to both appease my stepmother and get this castle sorted out."

"As you said, my dear, delegation. Comes of being royalty."

"I knew there was a reason I agreed to marry you."

"Hopefully more than one."

"You're telling me Faerie monarchs have multiple skills? Inconceivable."

He traced a finger down my neck, his eyes glittering now with something hungry and very male. "Perhaps a demonstration is in order. To remind you."

"I vigorously support this plan."

"I'll show you vigorous."

I grinned up at him. "Please do."