Enclosed

It felt like petals falling away, like I'd been cocooned in some sort of ethereal metaphysical glowing web of mishmash that I hadn't realized and now…there was an opening.

I could feel him. I could feel Jareth's hand stretching across the void to me, peeling back those glistening, luminous petals. I just had to find the ability to somehow move my own hand to reach his.

Sweet universe, to touch his fingers again. To be wrapped in him again, to have his ice-crystal scent wash over me in a glorious wave of claiming, of protection, of desire and need and love braided together into something unbreakable…

I took a deep breath, willing myself to focus. I had to be able to move somehow, in this strange pocket of space-time. And I didn't know if I could.

Jareth?

Sarah love. I'm here. I'm coming. Reach for me, sweetheart.

I almost sobbed. How?

A way will be made.

A wave of irritation centered me, washing away the jittery adrenaline that had been scattering my thoughts. That…is remarkably unhelpful.

I know. But now you can concentrate again, can't you?

I almost laughed out loud. There was the conniving, sly man I knew and loved. I've missed you so.

I know, Sarah love. Now try again to reach for me. Look for the way.

Still unhelpful.

But accurate. And the way will be apparent when it arises.

I shook my head, and the movement somehow reverberated through my senses, physically and mentally, a strumming synchrony of self-aware sensation.

Jareth's pleased laughter echoed between us. There now. Reach for me.

With a starburst of motion, I reached my hand out, pushing away the last of the diaphanous space-time strands that stretched in front of me. I'm coming. Where are you?

Right here. His fingers threaded through mine with predatory grace, and they were solid and so very real, and they pulled me forward with inexorable will. Right here.

I burst through something glittering and sharp and hissing, and then I was wrapped in his arms, in the velvety strength of him, in the familiar scent of Faerie king and shadows and home.

I had to remember to breathe as I held onto him, burying my face in the hollow of his shoulder.

"I'm right here, Sarah love. Right here." He stroked my hair gently, his voice a whispering thrum in my ear. "I've found you."