Darcie's Desire

Scarlet observed the fierce battle between the woman with a striking beauty and Scorpion, each strike weakening him until he finally gave up and collapsed. Turning to Scarlet, who was still restrained by chains and Ilvia laying unconscious nearby.

"Athena," Scarlet exclaimed, remembering the goddess who had come to her rescue. She couldn't believe it was really Athena who had saved her. She couldn't help but wonder who Athena truly was.

Startled out of her thoughts by the sound of her chains breaking free, Scarlet's gaze fell upon Ilvia's body. Rushing over, she shook ilvia shoulder. Athena calmly knelt down and placed a hand on Ilvia's head, reassuring Scarlet that she was okay. And soon scarlet was relieved to see Ilvia cough and wake up.

"My lady," Ilvia cried out, clinging to Scarlet as she wept. Scarlet held her close, grateful to Athena for saving them from a brutal and traumatic experience.

"It's all right now, Ilvia. You're safe," Scarlet comforted her, wiping away her tears.

As they stood up, Ilvia noticed Athena's emotionless gaze and furrowed her brow in confusion.

"This is Athena, she saved us," Scarlet explained, introducing the Athena.

"Shall we keep moving?" Athena interjected, ignoring Ilvia's curious stare.

Guided by Athena, they made their way through the thick forest. Scarlet couldn't help but think that they were lucky to have someone like Athena with them. If she had screamed for help while they were being held, no one would have come, but now they had a powerful goddess to protect them.

"We should rest at a nearby inn until we reach Elvonia," Athena suggested, breaking Scarlet out of her thoughts.

"What? Aren't we in Elvonia? Were are we if we are not at Elvonia" Scarlet exclaimed in shock, her wide eyes reflecting her surprise. She winced in pain as she spoke, her swollen eye a reminder of the brutal fight.

Athena glanced at Ilvia before answering, "Persia. A place notorious for being home to demons."

Goosebumps prickled on Scarlet's skin at the thought of being in a place crawling with demons. It wasn't like she wasn't living with a devil in Elvonia, but the idea of her life constantly being in danger was still overwhelming.

"But why are we here? My lady has done nothing to offend the Persians, or their emperor," Ilvia said, her voice aching with agony.

Scarlet knew Ilvia was right. She had never done anything to provoke the Persians, but then again, she would have thought the same if she hadn't heard the gangster say that it was Vera. She clenched her fists in anger.

"You're right. Your lady is the devil's mate. What else could you expect?" Athena scoffed, her hands resting on her back.

"She's delusional," Ilvia whispered into Scarlet's ear. Scarlet couldn't help but agree, knowing firsthand just how much of a devil her own mate was.

"But how do you know that? The people from earlier were human," Scarlet asked, narrowing her eyes in suspicion.

Athena smirked, "Those were Krampuses. Demons of various ranks and considered the lowest among them. They have the ability to hide their true appearance and scent, and it takes longer for them to disappear when they die. Does that sound like something a human could do?"

"My lady, we must escape from her. How can she talk about demons when she is human herself?" Ilvia whispered urgently, clinging onto Scarlet's hand.

Scarlet gave her a reassuring smile before replying, "She won't do anything to us."

They continued walking until they reached an inn. It was dark, and the full moon shone brightly in the sky.

Athena spoke to the innkeeper before leading them to their separate rooms. Scarlet and Ilvia chose to stay together, sharing a small room, while Athena chose to stay alone.

The room was small, but Scarlet couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for Athena's care and safe haven. She sat on the chair, staring at her swollen eye.

Ilvia left for a moment and returned with a bowl of steaming water and a small white towel.

"My lady, you must tend to your wound," Ilvia gently said as she sat next to Scarlet.

"I'm fine, Ilvia. It's nothing serious," Scarlet stubbornly replied, only to wince in pain as she touched her eye. Ilvia sighed at her unwillingness to accept help.

Tenderly, Ilvia pressed the eye, causing Scarlet to flinch in pain.

"Please be careful, Ilvia," Scarlet warned, clinging to the armrest. Ilvia quickly finished, not wanting to see Scarlet in pain.

Scarlet stood up and laid on the bed. Suddenly, Jareth's face appeared in her mind, and she remembered what transpired earlier today. She thought it would be easy to change his fate, but now it seemed like an impossible task.

What was she thinking when she made a deal to make him fall in love with her? It wasn't easy to change someone's heart or their love for another.

"Ilvia, come sleep here. You'll catch a cold on the ground," Scarlet said with concern for Ilvia on the floor. Ilvia obediently complied, laying next to Scarlet.

Scarlet tossed and turned restlessly, unable to sleep while Ilvia was peacefully snoring in the next bed.

She heard a hum outside and couldn't resist going to investigate, drawn in by the person's enchanting voice. To her surprise, it was Athena.

In that moment, Athena looked like a goddess, illuminated by the moon's light. Scarlet couldn't help but admire her beauty, knowingfully well that she was not human. But then, what was she if she wasn't human? Scarlet couldn't help but ask.

"You have a lovely voice. Are you a singer in the modern time?" Scarlet asked with a smile, walking towards Athena. Athena stopped singing, caught off guard.

After clearing her throat, Athena answered, "Yes, I am. But-"

Scarlet interrupted, "That's amazing."

"Thank you. Are you having trouble sleeping?" Athena asked.

Yes," Scarlet said with a melancholic expression as she fidgeted with her fingers.

"Is there a reason for that?" Athena's gaze was fixed on Scarlet.

"Just a change in environment. Why were you transported here?" Scarlet turned to see Athena looking at the moon.

"To give Jareth a happy ending and to find someone," she said with affection, the name Jareth leaving her lips delicately.

"To find someone? Who do you know here? This is about 600 years back, if I'm not mistaken, and we're in the year 1432," Scarlet said between laughs, trying to catch her breath. Athena joined in with a small chuckle.

"Right, he wouldn't even recognize me," Athena said, and Scarlet's laughter died down.

"What are you?" Scarlet couldn't help but ask.

"I mean, you don't seem ordinary. I know there is more to you."

"Should go to sleep now," Athena said and stood up, leaving scarlet alone.

**********

Jareth groaned underwater. He had been trying to calm himself, but it was impossible. Only Scarlet could satisfy him. His body was on fire, craving her touch.

His inner demon wanted her just as much, and he growled. Lifting his head back, he pleasured himself with his manhood. His hand moved up and down, slowly as he could manage.

Jareth moaned in ecstasy. All he wanted was Scarlet. Slowly, he increased his pace, stroking faster. He imagined her sucking on it, and it only made him more desperate.

"Scarlet," he moaned out, gripping the edge of the bed tub.

His mind was hazy, and his senses were clouded.

He played with the tip of his manhood, swirling his hand around it until he was satisfied, then stroked it faster and faster. He was on the brink of climax when he caught her scent. Scarlet, the one he wanted most right now.

He didn't know why he wanted her. It wasn't just Darcie's desire, but his own desperate need to possess her.

He stood up, only to see Scarlet standing before him in a seductive outfit.

"Your Highness," her voice echoed in his ears as she undressed before his eyes.

He groaned, pressing his head against hers, feeling dizzy.

As he closed his dizzy eye and opened them back, it wasn't scarlet that filled his vision; rather, it was the visage of a man. A man he knew all too well, for he was his sworn enemy. A man that had betrayed him as well. A man that had dared touched his mate.