Marked By Alvin

"Did you hear me? I asked what you were doing here." Jareth's voice boomed, causing Scarlet to flinch. His anger was evident, with his furrowed brow and blazing aura. 

"Did you set this up?" He added, taking a step closer to Scarlet. She unconsciously stepped back in response. 

Jareth had been unable to sleep, haunted by dreams of his sister crying for help. Until he caught a faint scent of her- Elora, which led him outside where Scarlet was. 

Scarlet stammered, "I saw Elora." 

Jareth let out a sad chuckle and said, "You? You saw Elora. That's rich coming from you." 

"I definitely saw her, she was crying for help in her devastated state. I saw her until she ran away," Scarlet managed to say, blinking back tears. 

"How am I supposed to believe you?" Jareth asked, placing a hand over his chest. 

"If you hadn't seen her, you wouldn't be here," Scarlet raised an eyebrow. 

Jareth cleared his throat. He had indeed smelled her scent, but why would she go to Scarlet and then run away? He knew Elora better than anyone, she could hide her scent, so why didn't she? Why did she run? Was it her intention to bring me here? First Raynell, now Scarlet, why is she doing this? 

Jareth sighed and said, "She never stops running." 

"Who? Elora?" Scarlet inquired. 

"Never mind, describe her?" Jareth asked, his tone softening, placing a hand behind his back.

"It was only briefly, and I couldn't get a proper look at her face," Scarlet replied.

"So how can you be sure it was Elora you saw?" Jareth probed.

The question struck her hard. She couldn't reveal that she knew the characters of the novel too well because she had transmigrated into it. She sighed.

"Is it really that difficult to say?" Jareth pressed, and Scarlet pouted in confirmation. He gazed at her, surprised by her pouting. He had been too consumed with thoughts of revenge to pay attention before, but now he noticed that she was quite pretty and had a radiant complexion.

"I'll wait," he declared.

Wait? Did he just say he would wait for her answer? It was the first time he had ever said that to anyone. Truthfully, he felt a sense of relief, but he couldn't understand why.

Scarlet's chuckle brought him back to reality. "I can't believe the devilish emperor is willing to wait for my answer. That's unlike you."

"Why do you keep on addressing me informally?" Jareth furrowed his brow and narrowed his gaze.

"We made a deal, so technically we're partners in crime," Scarlet retorted in frustration and scoffed.

"What?! Partners in crime? Consort Scarlet, as far as I know, I haven't committed any crimes," Jareth retorted in confusion.

She had forgotten that she was in an ancient world where those words were not used. She sighed, feeling a headache coming on.

"May I ask, Your Highness, where exactly are we?" she asked sarcastically, trying to change the subject, and slightly bowed.

Jareth and Scarlet looked around. Suddenly, a loud roar echoed, causing Scarlet to jump and hide behind Jareth's back. Surprised by her behavior, he reassured her, "It's just a lion."

"Really? I thought it was a demon," Scarlet peeked out from behind him and gave him a skeptical look.

"Maybe they are demons, and they just sound like lions," Jareth grinned, as Scarlet once again hid behind him.

"Have you forgotten that you're standing with a devil? Or are you underestimating the power of a devil?" Jareth whispered teasingly in her ear causing scarlet to flinch.

"Right, there is nothing to be afraid of since you are here to protect me," Scarlet stated, brushing her hair and slicking her lips back. She turned to leave, with Jareth trailing behind cautiously. She kept glancing over her shoulder to ensure Jareth was still present. When he caught her staring, he arched an eyebrow before she redirected her gaze.

"Where do you intend to go?" Jareth inquired, stopping Scarlet in her tracks.

"Is that where the demons reside?" Scarlet gasped, her mouth hanging open.

"It is getting late, and it would be dangerous to return back to the palace. Let us rest and go back when the sun shines," he suggested, passing by Scarlet. She hastily followed, still a bit intimidated by his words. Was he truly afraid? No, he thought to himself, a sly grin forming.

Jareth collected nearby wood as Scarlet watched intently.

"Close your eyes," Jareth ordered as he crouched.

"Why?" Scarlet questioned, but upon seeing Jareth's warning expression, she complied.

"Now you may open them," Jareth instructed, revealing a stunning fireplace created by the devil himself, with a firefly fluttering about in the dark forest.

Jareth sat next to Scarlet as she remained quiet, observing carefully. It was her first time witnessing such beauty, and she was mesmerized and felt warm. The fireflies danced around, with one landing on Scarlet's hand. It almost seemed as though it was under someone's control.

"It's cute," Scarlet remarked, her eyes fixed on the firefly. She ran her fingers over its head, and it rejoined its companions, glowing and playing.

"Do you know the meaning behind fireflies?" Scarlet asked, gazing at Jareth, who was admiring his creation. He had never bothered to learn the significance of his works.

"It means to shine. I too wish to glow like them, but it seems impossible in a world where I-" Scarlet was cut off as Jareth's head fell onto her shoulder.

She let out a wistful chuckle and whispered, "I cannot believe you are dozing off when you have created such a wondrous sight and promised you would protect me."

"My life is so complicated. Even as I attempt to stand on my own two feet, only to stumble backwards time and time again. And yet, here I am, in your world, wanting nothing more than to shine as brightly as the fireflies, even though I know I do not belong here. Is it even possible?" She addressed no one in particular, her hands rubbing together in a careful manner.

"Fate is cruel indeed," Scarlet lamented. "I was brought here to help you in your tragic fate of death. We are given only one life, and we must live it according to our beliefs. I, on the other hand, have been given a second chance. But to sacrifice oneself and live without conviction? That is a far worse fate than mere death." A lone tear escaped her eye as she fell into a peaceful slumber.

Her breaths were steady as she rested her head against the rock at her back. Jareth slowly awoke, his gaze landing on Scarlet. Second chance? A complicated life in his world? Was her world truly so different from his own? He pondered these questions, wishing he could find answers from her.

**********

The morning light enveloped her, and a gentle breeze caressed her cheek. She fluttered her eyes open slowly, greeted by a new day. Scarlet lowered her gaze and noticed Jareth's cloak draped over her body. She reached out her hand, her focus landing on his handsome face.

With a yearning desire, she inched closer to him as the cloak fell off her body. Scarlet couldn't help but notice his alluring, creased eyebrow, wanting nothing more than to trace it with her fingers. She stretched her hand, lingering it from his eyebrow to his nose, and finally to his lips. She paused when she reached his beautifully thin heart-shaped, soft pink lips.

Scarlet was about to touch them when Jareth's hand halted her movements. "Is my consort so desperate for a kiss from me?" he asked, pulling her closer. They were mere inches apart, his hot breath caressing her cheeks, his alluring gaze capturing hers, his hands firmly on her waist.

Blushing with embarrassment, Scarlet pulled away. "Let us go back," she suggested, picking up the cloak and handing it back to him. As he donned it, her eyes couldn't help but linger on his slightly exposed and finely chiseled chest. Jareth grinned at her as he caught her staring at him. They made their way back to the palace.

*******

Consort Vera hurled pieces of shattered glass at the wall, her anger uncontainable. "His Highness loves me. How dare his highness go out with that foolish girl, Scarlet!" she seethed, finally calming down and wiping the sweat from her brow. Her gaze fell upon the shaking maidservant, who cowered with downcast eyes, trembling lips, and tears streaming down her face.

"Didn't I tell you to keep watch on his highness? How could you let him slip away from your sight?" she said, launching a white porcelain glass cup at the servant. It struck her in the side of her neck, eliciting a pained hiss as blood spurted from the wound and she collapsed.

"Calm yourself, Vera. I have seduced and managed to get marked by Alvin," Vera whispered, recalling their encounter and the sacrifices she endured to secure his mark upon her.