Mates

The light in Jareth's room burned softly, a telltale sign that he was still wide awake. These days, he struggled to find rest after Scarlet's discovery by the pool and her subsequent display of character that left him feeling unsettled.

Running his fingers through his long, waist-length hair, Jareth absentmindedly propped up his chin with his hand. But as he sat lost in thought, he suddenly caught the faint scent of her, like a warning in the air. Instinctively, he knew she was in danger, but he resisted the urge to investigate, not wanting to cross any boundaries.

But a low, menacing growl sounded from deep within him, making Jareth shift uncomfortably. The longer he ignored it, the stronger the call for help became. He couldn't understand what was happening to him in recent days. Another, louder growl escaped him, and he scowled in frustration as it refused to subside.

"Help me," her voice rang out in his mind, clear and desperate. It was a voice he hated, one he tried to avoid, one he had reluctantly accepted as his mate's but not as his wife's. And yet, here he was, hearing that same voice crying for his help.

In an instant, rage and the urge to kill consumed him, unleashing the darkness within. He had never fully controlled the demon inside him, so why did he think it wouldn't hesitate to come to his mate's aid?

His once ocean-blue eyes now burned bright red, a dangerous gleam that would send chills down anyone's spine. If anyone saw him now, they would think he was preparing for a killing spree.

Without hesitation, Jareth made his way to the wall where his swords were displayed. He grabbed a dagger with a dragon head for a handle, its blade sharp enough to inflict fatal damage in a single blow.

As if in response to the turmoil within, a sudden gust of wind swept through the room, causing the curtains to rustle. And just like that, the room was left empty, except for the desk piled high with documents.

*********

In a desperate panic, he shouted her name into the emptiness, "Scarlet! Scarlet!"

What if he couldn't find her? Was she already dead? These thoughts tormented him as he frantically searched for any sign of her. Deep down, all he wanted was for her to be safe.

But then, her scent suddenly disappeared, leaving him feeling even more worried. Where could she have gone? Jareth berated himself, blaming himself for her unsecured situation.

Realising the significance of the event, if only he had heeded the words of his inner demon, perhaps she would have been spared. But he didn't and now he was consumed with misery, anxiety, and anguish as he searched for her. Desperately, he twirled the rings on his hand, a futile attempt to calm his racing mind.

A low growl echoed through the air, followed by a familiar scent that made his nostrils flare. He could sense her emotions, leading him closer to her location. How dare they? Jareth seethed with anger.

Kayla squeezed her eyes shut, anticipating the worst. She had thought that by now, she would be dead - long gone from this unfamiliar time and place. Yet here she was, unharmed, thanks to the man with a fiery red eye. She cautiously opened one eye and was met with an incredible sight.

He was even more powerful than his dark opponent, their ferocious battle filled with swift and deadly moves. The forest was too dark for her to fully see him, but she could make out his glowing red eyes. 

It was as if he belonged there, in the darkness. She wanted to know more about this mysterious man, but she couldn't. None of this was in the script she had read except it was the devil himself.

His movements were as quick as ever, and he moved with a speed that seemed almost inhuman. In this moment, he was grateful for his power.

Jareth didn't even spare a glance at the dangerous demons surrounding him. They had dared to lay a hand on his beloved mate, and for that, they would meet their untimely end. With a swift strike of his dagger, one of the creatures turned to ash in a blink of an eye.

At first glance, Jareth knew what they were. Their horns identified them as one of his minions, but he paid no attention to their allegiance. He loathed himself for being a demon, as he was constantly reminded by others. Whether they meant it in a literal sense or not, it still stung him.

Scarlet knew she should be grateful for being saved, but the experience only made her more afraid. This was the second time she was confronted by monstrous beings, and it was all too sudden and strange for her to process.

He moved closer to her, wanting to ensure her safety during his absence, causing Scarlet to instinctively back away, unaware of his intentions.

At this moment, she dared not meet the gaze of those terrifying eyes - those flaming orbs that burned bright and desperately called out to her.

Jareth took a step closer again, causing Kayla to instinctively step back. Seeing her fear, his heart ached. He had not expected this from Scarlet, his demon, who let out a low, mournful growl. Despite their strained relationship, it still pained him to know that his mate was afraid of him.

At the sound of the growl, Kayla scrambled to her feet, but her legs could not carry her far enough. Feeling dizzy from the encounter, she stumbled and fell.

As he approached her, Jareth scooped her up in his arms, carrying her bridal style. Kayla opened her eyes, trying to see the man who had come to her rescue, but she was captivated by his alluring and powerful presence.

"Sleep," he uttered softly, and with those words, Kayla drifted off into slumber.

Jareth turned to Scarlet, his fiery gaze now calm as he used his powers to dispatch the five attacking demons. As they vanished into ashes, his blazing red eyes returned to their usual ocean blue.

This was his mate - nothing more and nothing less. He made a vow to protect her within his territory.

********

A gust of wind blew through the room, causing the curtains to flutter. Ilvia, Scarlet's maidservant, and the guards outside her room were unaware of the events that had just occurred.

Gently, Jareth placed Kayla on the bed, making sure not to disturb her slumber. He knew that she was under a spell and would not wake anytime soon, but he was still cautious.

He did not want Scarlet to know that he had saved her. After her previous negative reaction to the rumors, he feared that she would be afraid if she discovered the truth. 

Jareth covered her with a blanket and took a moment to admire her beauty for the first time he saw she was really beautiful.

"Good night, mate," he whispered, patting her hair before disappearing into the darkness as he used his powers to teleport out of Scarlet's room.

As Scarlet slept, the cool breeze brushed against her skin, and she opened her eyes.

His resonant voice reverberated through her mind as he bid her goodnight earlier. She recognized it immediately - it was Jareth.

In this unfamiliar world, everything seemed out of place. She longed to return to her own time, but it seemed like an impossible feat. How could she even begin to unravel the mysteryof her sudden time travel?

The more she thought about it, the more she blamed herself. If only she hadn't gone there that day. If only she hadn't made a foolish decision to jump into the sea. If only her best friend and fiancé hadn't betrayed her. If she had never accepted the role of Consort Vera in her upcoming movie, she might have never found herself in this wretched era. The regret weighed heavily on her, almost suffocating her.

But then again, could she have really avoided this fate? Perhaps it was all predetermined, a cruel twist of destiny.

Despite her frustrations, she knew she had to focus on the present and find a way to return to her own time but how?