Unreasonable

I tapped my fingers slowly together, trying to find the right words. "I know, you're the Goblin King, you don't do apologies. But I'm asking you, for me, in the interest of family harmony, to say this simple thing. It's even true, honey, so it's not like you'd be compromising your honor. 'I apologize for hurting you— it wasn't my intention.'"

Jareth's eyes could have stopped a rocket barrage dead in the air. "My intention had nothing to do with your stepmother. All she had to do was agree not to interfere with how we will hold our wedding."

I crossed my arms. "And I can't imagine she has any intention of doing so. But your message to the entire family instructing everyone not to dare to interfere kind of rubbed her the wrong way."

"I can't imagine why it would unless she in fact intended to interfere."

I closed my eyes briefly. "Because it implies someone would. Which no one wants to do."

"None of my family had a problem with my message. They all thought it was perfectly appropriate."

"Yes, well, that's your family, the Fae royalty whose communication dynamics I'm still learning as a lowly human interloper, which your mother never fails to remind me."

"My mother—"

I held up a hand. "But I'm telling you that my family works differently, and it would really help me if you would deign to say this simple thing to Karen."

He drummed his fingers against his knee. "I'll say that to her if she'll say she won't interfere with our wedding plans." He lifted his chin. "I'll even go first in this little exchange. Isn't that generous?"

I shook my head. He was trying at least. But I knew Karen wouldn't go for it. She wouldn't understand why he couldn't just apologize and then they could talk about the wedding business after. I could hear her now. Sarah, your taste in men has always been...difficult. But really. Exert some influence.

Ha! If only she knew.

"Sarah."

His voice jolted me back. I realized I'd closed my eyes again, and had been shaking my head slowly back and forth. "Yes?"

His hands rubbed slowly down my shoulders, soothing the tension away in long velvety strokes. "Surely you can exert some influence with your stepmother."

I'm sure he didn't really understand why I burst out laughing at that comment. But then, I'm fairly sure it didn't matter. "I love you, you impossible man."

"As long as I'm your impossible man."

"That you are."

"Good, then."