Cuddle

A solitary tear cascaded down her eyes as she gazed upon Jareth's unconscious body.

"Your Highness," she uttered in frustration. He couldn't be dead, for if he were, what would become of her? It was impossible for her to return to her world if her died. She wept sorrowfully. A grunt escaped Jareth's lips, bringing some comfort to the worried girl. She carried him up immediately.

"Why are you so heavy?" Scarlet managed to say as she struggled to support Jarret on her back, her legs trembling.

Hastily, Scarlet entered Jarret's chamber and harshly laid him down on the bed. She placed her hands against her own waist, breathing heavily.

She began to spread the sheets over his body, but Jarret's hands reached out and grabbed her hand, causing her heart to pound with surprise. He pulled her down onto the bed, his hand encircling her waist. Their faces were mere inches apart, his breath tickling her cheeks.

"Why did you let him hold you like that?" Jarret asked cutely, causing scarlet to almost chuckle. She had to bite her tongue to keep from bursting into laughter. Raising an eyebrow, she replied, "You're drunk, Jareth."

She couldn't help but wonder how he became drunk when he wasn't with Edward.

"What do you mean by that? Do I seem drunk to you?" He pouted his pink lips, pressing her body closer to his. Memories from the previous night flooded Scarlet's mind and her face turned red.

"Your highness, please let me go," she protested, struggling to break free from his embrace. But her efforts were in vain. Even in his drunken state, Jarret was still strong.

"Spend the night with me," he said as he rolled Scarlet onto the bed beside him, wrapping his arms around her in a cuddle. This was the first time a man had ever held her like this, aside from Jayson. Blushing furiously, she realized that even with Jayson, she had never felt this way - her heart racing, rapid and uncontrolled. She told herself that this was only because of her love for Jayson.

But she wasn't drunk, so why was she behaving like this? She asked herself over and over. She had believed that she could never love again, so what was happening to her now? Was it because of what happened with Darcie? She shook her head, convincing herself that it was only because of yesterday and nothing more. She was comfortable in Jarret's embrace, and she didn't hate it. In fact, she found his warmth and gentle embrace quite enjoyable.

"You're so warm," she murmured, admiring his closed eyes. She thought he had fallen asleep, but when he opened his eyes, her heart skipped a beat and her eyes looked into his ocean blue eyes. She desperately needed to get out of here but his hands were blocking her from going anywhere. 

Jareth, with a seductive smile yet with a painful expression, remarked, "I don't feel cold." Scarlet couldn't help but feel entranced by his captivating grin, capable of taking her to the depths of hell and back. It was the first time she had seen him smile, as his usual smiles were always laced with deceit. Now, he embodied a symbol of peace.

"Do you recall our activities from yesterday?" Jareth inquired, breaking Scarlet out of her dazed state.

Feeling embarrassed, she thought to herself, What does he mean by what we did yesterday? It wasn't with Jareth, but with Darcie. She repeated this to herself, trying to dispel any lingering thoughts.

"What exactly happened yesterday?" Scarlet asked, feeling ashamed.

He turned her over, with her lying underneath him. "Allow me to remind you of our actions from yesterday as a form of punishment," he smirked.

"I remember what happened yesterday," Scarlet hastily responded, not wanting him to do something that she would regret later.

Memories of the previous day came rushing back to her. Not only it was Jareth, they reached their climax yesterday, with him even calling her "Scarlet". Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment at the memory.

Despite her recollection of the event, Jareth still believed she deserved to be punished for allowing a vampire to hold her waist. With that, he planted a quick kiss on her lips, leaving Scarlet in shock.

Laying beside her, Jareth left Scarlet speechless. Even though it was just a peck on the lips, she couldn't help but want more.

As Scarlet attempted to free herself from Jareth's embrace, he refused to let go, and she soon succumbed to slumber in his arms.

Jareth slowly opened his eyes to gaze at Scarlet, who had shed tears for him. Perhaps she was different from her parents? Maybe she possessed a unique quality? She had wept for him, and he was moved by her display of emotion or was it an act. Eventually, he too drifted off to sleep with her in his embrace.

Scarlet awoke to a vibrant new day. She turned to find Jareth absent, and a pang of sadness washed over her at being left alone in his chamber. Stretching her body, she realized she was experiencing a good, bright morning for the first time. Was it because she had slept with Jareth? She couldn't help but smile.

As she got up and made her way out of the room, she was met with a surprising question from Edward. "Did you sleep with Jareth?" caught off guard and unsure how to respond, Scarlet met his gaze and saw that he looked effortlessly stunning, even in the bright morning light.

After a moment of hesitation, she answered honestly, "Yes, I stayed with him. Why do you ask?" Edward's face broke into a smile, his eyes lingering on her.

"I don't mind if you're with him, as long as nothing else happens," he stated, taking a step closer to her. 

"If you have the time, let's go fishing again today." He flashed her a charming grin. She couldn't believe he wanted to go fishing and not having a discussion about the peace treaty with Jareth.

"Good morning, Your Highness," a feminine voice interrupted, causing Scarlet to turn and see Vera, dressed in a revealing outfit. She looked like a seductress, with red lipstick and a blue floral gown that left little to the imagination.

Vera gave a low bow to Edward, completely ignoring Scarlet, who couldn't help but scoff at her dismissive behavior. "I wasn't able to greet you yesterday due to your tour with Consort Scarlet," she said, openly eyeing Scarlet.

Edward merely chuckled and dismissed Vera's presence. "You haven't given me your answer yet," he reminded, still focused on Scarlet.

Vera's hand clenched in fury. What was so special about Scarlet? She seethed inwardly.

"If I may ask, what answer are you referring to?" she asked, a sly smile playing on her lips.

"As Your Highness is aware, Consort Scarlet and I went on a tour." Edward's reply only made Vera's rage grow. 

"I would be delighted to give you a tour as well, Your highness. If you have the time, that is." She flashed a mischievous grin.

Frustration boiled within Vera, causing her fist to clench tightly. Why was scarlet given such special treatment? She pondered inwardly.

"As Your Highness is aware, consorts are prohibited from having multiple husbands. However, consort Scarlet's case is unique due to her father-" Vera's explanation was cut short as a breathless young Emily abruptly burst into the room.

"I-I'm sorry, my lady, but Miss Ilvia is nowhere to be found," Emily blurted out without thinking of the people with Scarlet.