Strange Feelings

Jareth heart raced as he desperately called Scarlet's name, but only the echoes of his own voice answered him. A deep sense of foreboding gnawed at him; something was wrong.

He couldn't manipulate her thoughts as usual, and frustration boiled within him, his ears turned red due to anger. He clenched his fists tightly, trying to contain the surge of emotions building inside him. Raynell's warning echoed in his mind—Scarlet thought it was her fault. But why?

Her words weighed heavily on his heart, tightening his chest with anxiety. Despite their recent reconciliation, she was slipping away again. "Where could she have gone?" he muttered to himself, his voice tinged with worry.

The thought that he might never see her again sent a chill down his spine, goosebumps rising on his skin. Her lovely smile, when they had watched the snowfall together all flooded back into his memories. Longing filled his heart, mixed with a pang of sorrow.

Tears welled up in his eyes, but he forced them back with a determined swallow. He vowed silently to find her and bring her back, not just as a mate, but as his wife.

This newfound determination stirred strange feelings within him. Something he has never experienced even with Vera.

*****

"Athena, what are you doing here?" Scarlet's eyes widened in surprise, her mouth forming an astonished 'o' shape.

The tension thickened as Athena and Edward stood in uneasy silence, uncertain of what to say next. Edward silently prayed that Athena wouldn't divulge his secret.

"Edward and I kn-" Athena began, but Scarlet cut her off abruptly.

"Are you here to take me back to the palace?" Scarlet demanded, her brow furrowing with suspicion.

Athena nodded, acknowledging that it was indeed her purpose there. "I am not going back," Scarlet declared, turning away as if to leave. Before she could make her exit, Athena scoffed and retorted, "Really? Are you sure you won't miss Elvonia or someone else?"

"I won't miss Jareth!" Scarlet shouted loudly, slamming the door shut with a resounding bang.

Athena and Edward exchanged a stunned glance, their attention fixed on the now-closed door.

"I meant Ilvia," Athena muttered, scratching her head in confusion.

Edward's gaze slowly shifted away from the door, refocusing on Athena as she spoke.

"Do you really have to take Scarlet back? She clearly doesn't want that," Edward interjected, his voice tinged with concern.

"Don't let your desires blind you, Kai. That's where Scarlet belongs. If I don't bring her back, who will?" Athena responded firmly, stepping forward to pick up a piece of shattered glass from the floor.

Edward gazed at Athena, suspicion creeping into his expression. Finally, unable to hold back, he asked, "Why are you doing this?" He hesitated briefly before continuing, "Do you have any relation with Scarlet?"

Athena paused in her actions, amusement flickering in her eyes as she regarded Edward. Before she could respond, he interjected with a laugh, "That's absurd. You two don't even look alike." He shook his head at his own question.

Standing up, Athena sighed softly, disposing of the discarded glasses in the dustbin and dusting off her hands.

"I'll speak to Jareth. I understand why you're here and I can see how it would help to have Scarlet, but can you give me just two days? You can take her after that," Edward proposed earnestly.

Athena sighed again, considering his request carefully. "Do as you please, but I'll stay with Scarlet here because I don't trust you," she declared, sitting down on the sofa and crossing her legs confidently.

Edward smiled warmly at Athena, hugging her briefly before planting a gentle kiss on her cheek.

Athena playfully nudged him away, her mind drifting as she stared into space. "When will he recognize me?" she wondered silently.

******

Scarlet sat by the door, her back pressed against it, heart racing with fear at the thought of returning. She knew Athena's abilities as a witch made finding her all too easy. She remembered vividly the first day they met, when Athena's boldness and impatience had left a lasting impression. Meeting her now only reinforced Scarlet's resolve.

If she continued to refuse, Scarlet knew Athena wouldn't hesitate to use her powers. She needed a safe exit strategy if Athena persisted.

Exhausted from worry, Scarlet drifted into sleep, thoughts of Jareth haunting her dreams.

A soft knock echoed through Scarlet's room, stirring her awake. Blinking groggily, she found herself sprawled on the cold floor. As she struggled to sit up, a sharp pain shot through her neck. Grimacing, she rose and stumbled to the door, opening it cautiously.

To her dismay, Athena stood outside, her presence startling Scarlet. She instinctively moved to shut the door, but Athena swept in without hesitation.

"I told you, I'm not going back to Jareth. That's final," Scarlet declared firmly.

"Don't be so stubborn, Kayla. You can't leave until you make Jareth fall for you," Athena insisted, her tone firm but edged with concern.

Scarlet cut her off sharply, frustration evident in her voice.

"You were wrong, Athena. Trying to make Jareth fall in love with me was never the answer. It only brought pain, and I'm the reason Riley is like this. Even when I told you to throw away the food and put the nightshade in Vera's room, it was inevitable. I can't change any of it," Scarlet asserted boldly, her voice tinged with regret and frustration.

Athena sighed heavily, her expression softening. "Come out and eat," she said quietly.

Scarlet couldn't believe her ears. Had none of what she just said mattered to Athena? Blinking in surprise, she hesitated for a moment before following Athena out.

"And as for Riley, I've already obtained the antidote," Athena announced calmly as she walked ahead. Scarlet hurried to catch up.

"You have the antidote? How did you manage that? Is he going to be okay?" Scarlet bombarded Athena with questions, barely giving her a chance to respond.

"One question at a time, Scarlet. Yes, he's going to live, and for a long time," Athena reassured her, pausing to look at Scarlet staring at her. "And I suspect someone else wants to harm Riley," she added with a knowing smirk.

Scarlet's eyes widened in shock, her voice barely a whisper. "Who could that be?"

"I don't know yet, but I'll find out," Athena replied firmly.

"Now, can you eat?" Athena asked gently, a small smile playing on her lips. Scarlet nodded silently, taking a seat at the counter while Athena dished out food for her.

"But where is Edward?" Scarlet asked, scanning the room with concern etched on her face.

"He went to see someone," Athena replied, still focused on preparing the food.

"Jareth?" Scarlet queried, to which Athena nodded silently. A hint of sadness clouded her features as she pursed her lips.

*****

Jareth leaned back in his chair, eyes closed but mind restless. He wasn't asleep; instead, he concentrated on trying to reach Scarlet through their bond.

An announcement echoed from outside by one of Jareth's attendants, "Your Highness, Emperor Edward has arrived."

Jareth's eyes snapped open. Why hadn't he considered Edward earlier? He could have taken Scarlet back himself.

"Let him in," Jareth commanded as he straightened in his seat.

Edward entered Jareth's study, his gaze meeting Jareth's with a raised eyebrow.

"What brings you here?" Jareth inquired, his tone guarded.

"We weren't finished discussing the peace treaty," Edward responded calmly, taking a seat opposite Jareth.

"What's left to discuss? Whether there's competition or not, whether one of us wins or loses, I won't hand Scarlet over to you. She's not a pawn to be used," Jareth stated firmly, his brow furrowing in determination.

"You're truly loyal," Edward remarked with a smile.

"Let's proceed with the peace treaty through proper legal procedure. I'll return in two days to finalize our discussions. In the meantime, I hope you can treat Scarlet with care after two days," Edward declared, turning to leave but pausing abruptly.

"Oh, and Scarlet is astrophobic. She has a fear of rain," Edward added before leaving.

Jareth clenched his fists in frustration upon hearing about Scarlet's fear. It unsettled him deeply that there were aspects of Scarlet's life he didn't know. He really hasn't being a good husband to her. He thought to himself.

"Two days," Jareth muttered to himself finding it suspicious that Edward wanted two days. What if Scarlet was with him. He thought despairingly.

Suddenly, Jareth's eunuch rushed into the room, bowing deeply. "Prince Riley is conscious..."