Divided Feelings

At the mere mention of his name, Alvin sent his sword flying, straight into Jareth's chest. Blood spattered from Jareth's mouth and onto his exposed chest as he fell to his knees, gripping the wall tightly.

Alvin chuckled, revealing a devilish smile. "Seriously, Jareth, you should just give up. There's no use struggling."

Jareth grunted in pain and Alvin sighed. "I really don't want to do this, but you have what rightfully belongs to me."

Alvin faked a smile. "I'm sure you're wondering what it is that I want from you... it's not your mate, it is Vera."

Jareth punched the wall in frustration. "Yes, Vera is my mate and you dared to claim her."

Jareth grunted, trying to stand but continually falling.

"You should be more concerned about your mate now. She's quite the feisty one," Alvin smirked, about to turn around when he heard Jareth chuckle.

Suddenly, the blood from Jareth's chest and his wound all disappeared, leaving no trace of injury. "You seem to have forgotten something, Alvin. I am the devil and a single pierce can't harm my body. And I will protect my mate. I growl at all who comes near mate. You just dug your own grave," Jareth said as he stood up, Alvin's sword dropping from his chest and piercing straight into Alvin's back, turning his body into a black smoke.

Does he practice black magic?

"Your highness," Raynell burst into the bathroom, seeing the mess and the broken wall, his mouth widely agape.

"What happened here?" Raynell asked, coming back to his senses.

"Alvin was here," Jareth said seriously.

"Really? Are you alright, your highness?" Raynell asked with concern.

"Dispatch the soldiers and search for Scarlet," Jareth commanded, putting on his red robe and walking out, trying to control his anger.

"Right, Ilvia is also missing and it appears someone has taken her captive. And that person seems to be Alvin," Raynell reported, lowering his head and following alongside Jareth.

"And your highness-" Raynell started, but Jareth cut him off with a glare.

"Consort Scarlet ventured out on the day she was imprisoned, risking everything to save Emily - hmm the notorious thief. But, Emily is now in custody under the command of Consort Vera," Raynell explained, his hand resting on the sword at his hip.

Jareth ordered, "Stay back and keep an eye on Consort Vera. I will search for Consort Scarlet." With purposeful strides, he left the castle with Raynell in tow.

"Understood, Your Highness," Raynell replied with a bow before turning to leave.

Jareth's mind was filled with conflicting thoughts. Was Alvin truly dead? Did he really practice black magic? Was vera truly his mate? Does she know?

But above all, he was consumed with worry for his mate, Scarlet. He furrowed his brow and clenched his fist. Why couldn't he sense her presence if she was in danger? Was it due to the scent of jasmine - a well-known weakness of the devil and the only way to lure him into one's bed? But why would Vera resort to such tactics? He may not have shown her enough attention ever since Scarlet nearly drowned, and he had begin having divided feelings since then. 

Reaching the stables, his horse happily greeted his master upon seeing him. The magnificent animal had oval-shaped hooves, a long tail, short hair, long slender legs, and a muscular, deep torso. Its long, thick neck and large elongated head, coupled with its pure white body, exuded royalty.

Jareth mounted on his loyal horse and rode out with the soldiers in tow. As night fell, there was still no sign of Ilvia or Scarlet.

"Your Highness, it's getting late. We should continue the search for Lady Scarlet and her maidservant. You should rest," Dorian, second-in-command after Raynell, spoke with concern, but also careful not to anger the Emperor.

But Jareth's mind was fixated on the thick forest ahead - where could Scarlet be? He called out to her in his thoughts.

Gradually, Jareth's grip on reality began to loosen, his mind spiraling into madness. Desperately, he longed for his mate, the one who had wept for his sake. He craved for her presence.

"Scarlet!" Jareth's voice reverberated through the dense, shadowed forest. He would stop at nothing to find her, even if it meant bringing the entire world to its knees. His soldiers watched as their emperor called out for a woman they had believed had no future in the palace. He continued to call out, but Scarlet did not appear.

As the winter chill began to set in, the soldiers shivered in the cold air, but Jareth seemed unperturbed, as if he were immune to the biting wind.

The sound of a horse neighing caused Jareth to pause, and then he felt it - the presence of his mate. He could sense her, and then he saw her beautiful face coming into view.

Dismounting from his horse, Jareth embraced Scarlet, their bodies pressing close together. Scarlet struggled to catch her breath against his solid body.

"Are you alright? Did Alvin harm you?" Jareth inquired, his eyes scanning Scarlet's body for any signs of injury. His gaze finally landed on her swollen eye.

The name "Alvin" echoed in Scarlet's mind. She had heard that name before, from the lips of two beasts who had mentioned it. And now, here was Jareth mentioning it as well.

Grimacing in pain, Scarlet pulled away from Jareth's hands, even though it caused her internal agony. Why was he suddenly showing concern for her? Did she have to be in danger for him to care? Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Your Highness, there is no need to worry about me. I am perfectly fine," Scarlet curtseyed and turned to face Edward, Athena, and Ilvia.

Jareth followed her gaze and his eyes landed on Edward first. He smirked. "I can see how interested you are in what I possess."

Scarlet scoffed internally. She was not some prey to be owned by him. He had no right to claim her.

"I had to look for her, as you were busy with your first consort," Edward stated with a slight twitch in his scarlet eyes.

"Let's go," Scarlet replied, about to turn before being blocked by Jareth.

"Where are you off to?" Jareth questioned.

What business does he have in knowing her whereabouts? He can engage in intimacy with his first consort for all she cares. Scarlet screamed internally.

"Is that so?" Jareth inched closer, causing Scarlet to unconsciously back away. She was taken aback, but then again, Darcie had shown the ability to read her thoughts. Or was it Jareth all along? How dare he?

Jareth gripped Scarlet's waist and pulled her closer, catching her off guard and resulting in her slapping him in the face.

The soldiers were all stunned. Their emperor had just been slapped. They were certain that Scarlet would be buried tonight. No one had ever dared to defy their emperor and gone unpunished. However, Jareth's next move left them in shock.

Jareth lifted Scarlet up in a bridal style and mounted his horse, which humbly lowered its body for its master and mistress to climb on. Seeing their emperor ride with only his fourth consort seated in front of him, the soldiers were completely taken aback. This act was only done for an Empress.

Jareth rode quickly, the wind caressing Scarlet's cheeks. His chin rested on her shoulder, and at times, she could feel his body pressed against hers. 

Her heart was beating rapidly, and her face flushed red. She wanted to suppress her feelings, but they persisted. Eventually, those emotions turned to discomfort with the swift pace at which Jareth was riding. As if sensing her unease, he slowed down and continued at a more gentle speed until they reached their destination.

"Where are we?" Scarlet asked as she dismounted from the horse with Jareth's assistance.

Scarlet looked around and saw a breathtaking castle with no one in sight.

"Let us consummate our marriage," Jareth declared, pausing for a moment.

"I wish to mark you as my mate," he added, his gaze lingering on her face.