224 Unharmed

"But father, do you think she would be able to survive being in the valley for long? The longer she stays, the faster her soul dissipates, thus trapping her there for eternity. She is our ticket to finding Isadora and Fortland."

Terrence reminded them of the situation and the others couldn't agree more.

"I know. But for our sakes, I hope she survives, that is if she isn't playing a trick on us and faking the prints and battle marks. You all have done well. It is time to plan and match in search of her."

"Thank you, your majesty."

"Hmm, but for now, take a few days to rest and prepare. There is no much time left. We cannot allow her to slip through our fingers next time."

"We won't, sire," Lyklor spoke up, with his head lowered in front of the King.

"General Lyklor, you would not be going with them. I have another mission prepared for you," Regin informed him, his eyes narrowed to watch his expression. He had an awkward smile on his face as he responded with cupped fists.

"As you wish your majesty."

He had expected he would be among the leading generals for the mission since Aelfdene, didn't rat them out.

Little did he know that Regin heard from Avery all that had transpired on their way back and how they had prevented them from advancing to the palace knowing fully well she was in danger.

"Good, you may all be excused."

Quietly they bowed and exited the throne room like a procession.

––––––––––

By the time Astrid regained consciousness, she found herself tied up and in a strange place. Her two hands were bound behind her, with her legs as well. She was currently in a kneeling position inside what seemed to be a big cage, fixed to the ground.

She blinked several times, adjusting her vision to the penetrating morning sun rays. Her eyes moved, checking out the place, till her gaze landed on Jareth by her left hand side.

He too was in the same position as her. The only difference was that the rope used to tie him was secured to the pole of the wooden cage, rendering him unable to move even if he wanted to.

He was still lying unconscious on the bare ground, his blonde hair now a mess, mixed with dust and sand.

Seeing him that way, Astrid felt like crying. He was in this mess jut because of her. If he wasn't seen with her, he wouldn't have been branded a traitor and most definitely not followed her and being in this mess.

"Jareth," she whispered, making sure not to alert the guard patrolling not too far from their cage. He didn't bulge or move to signify that he heard her.

Since the rope used in tying her wasn't secured to the pole as they felt she posed less threat than Jareth, she kneeled her way to where he lay on the and nudge him with her head.

"Come on, wake up, already. Jareth, please wake up."

"Astrid," his voice came out in a whisper.

"Shh!" Quickly he hushed him before he ended up making a noise and alerting the guard.

Her eyes darted towards where the guard stood facing the opposite direction, with his back turned to them. Jareth followed her gaze and nodded when their eyes met.

"I need to find Snow," she informed him and he nodded, her head turned in different directions as her eyes searched with her.

After everything she still couldn't find him. "Come on, come on, Snow. Where are you, wake up baby," Astrid mind communicated with him.

After about a minute, she heard a sluggish voice invade her mind. Her eyes lit up almost instantly and the recognition. "Ha! You're okay." As she communicated to the little white tiger, her chest rose and fell with each breath she took.

Her relief washed through her just hearing the white tiger breathe. "Where are you?" Astrid suddenly asked.

It was now she recalled she couldn't see him and her once quieted heart began to race fast again.

"Master, I'm in here, somewhere, it is dark though."

Snow felt a bit scare, unsure of where he was. Just thinking about the pain it went through in the hands of that man, made his body shiver.

It still felt as though he was reliving the whole pain process again.

"Hey, calm down. It's alright. No one would hurt you ever again. I promise. I do not care if I risk placing more target on my neck, but I would never let any being, living or dead hurt you."

She could still feel the heavyweight she felt on her chest upon feeling his pain back them, it felt like bile in her throat. The tugging sensation she felt in her heart as her blood boiled in anger could still be felt.

Clenching her fist tight at her back, till her knuckles turned white, Astrid's eyes turned red, boring into space.

"Hey, Astrid," Jareth called on her.

He couldn't see her clearly, but from her trembling hands, he knew something was wrong. "Calm it down. We would find our way out of here, calm down."

He didn't like the situation they were in one bit, but he could barely do anything right now, all they could wait for was the souls that kidnapped them to show up.

"Hey Snow," she called on her little beast.

"Yes, master?"

"Are your hands and feet bound?"

"No master, I am free though. Why? Are you bound?" His cute little voice resounded in her mind, giving her the comfort that she needed.

At least it wasn't bound, she could live with that for now. She couldn't bear to see it in any more pain than it already suffered.

"Yes, Jareth and I are, but he has it worse. Do not worry about us and try walking out, perhaps I would be able to find you or see you, okay?"

"Okay."

It shook his body, scattering his fur and spreading its wings to stretch his muscles as its little beast mouth opened wide, yawning away his tiredness, before walking forward.

The place where he was kept was still pretty dark and he didn't want to spit out his flames lest he alerted attraction to himself.

Snow took slow steps and made his way out, pushing through the small black tent-like cage they kept him in.

Astrid who was busy ransacking the place with her eyes, suddenly stopped when she noticed a small black tent cage move under her gaze.

Her brows creased and she squinted, awaiting what it was. In no time, the small black tent-like cage, pushed open, revealing a white head underneath.

Her breathing hitched as she felt her heartbeat stop suddenly. She knelt down frozen tot the spot, not so sure of what to expect and not wanting to build her hopes up, but when his full head came into view, she heaved a loud sigh of relief.

Her heart couldn't take the suspense, it was just too much. She didn't know what she would have done, had it not been Snow.

Her hopes would be crushed as well. "Snow!" her voice came out husky and low as a tear escaped her eyelids, sliding down her cheek.

"Master!"

Snow called out the moment he caught sight of her stuck in a cage. It was way much bigger than its own.

While the cage it was in, was smaller with the black material actually being on top of it to shield it from prying eyes, it was still in a cage, whereas hers was like a small open room with woods acting as a protector all around her.

They were planning on hiding you in plain sight, huh? Too bad for them."

Jareth watched as a smile popped up on her face fro a newfound joy, etched deep within. He followed her line of sight and his eyes cam to land on the little beast.

His lips curved u as well, displaying a smirk at the beast while his heart calmed down. They were all okay, especially Snow and Astrid. What more could he want but to see that they are safe and secure.

At the same time, Astrid whipped her head o the side to look at him. He was kneeling straight and smiling down at her when their eyes met.

"Thank goodness, Jareth, Snow is unharmed."

"That is better. It suffered so much before," he whispered back, watching as her eyes twinkled with joy.

'Good, that is the Astrid I know. Just hang on, I would get us out of here, I promise.' He thought to himself.

"I am sorry you are in a much worse situation than any of us," Astrid apologized, her eyes darted towards where his ropes were safely secured to the wooden pole behind him.

Seeing him being tied up like that, made her feel a knot was tied in her stomach as well. It hurt her deeply and she only wished for it to stop.