234 We've Got Company

"Yayyy!!!" The crowd erupted into cheers at the outcome of the event. This young elf truly proved he was a good person.

He had the chance of fighting to the death and taking the life of their leader but when he refused to surrender, he threw the sword away and made him collapse.

The second in command, Brad stepped forward with both hands hanging by his side as he did. Without a single word, he entered the arena and made his way to where Jareth and his leader were.

Gently placing his fingers on his master's neck, he confirmed that he was still breathing and his eyes flew up almost at the same time to look at Jareth.

The dangerous glare in his eyes previously, suddenly changed to one of surprise and bewilderment. Just who was this elf anyway?

He knew if it was the other way round, his boss wouldn't have hesitated in plunging his sword downward. But here he was, Jareth not only spared him but fixed his hand that he broke.

Unfortunately, he didn't have who to fix his broken ribs for him, so he thought. He didn't know about Astrid.

At the same time, Jareth whipped his head to the side to look for her among the crowd, but then, h didn't see her where she was standing prior to now.

His heart skipped, his breathing stopped. He didn't know what had happened. Did they take her away because he won? Where was she? How dare they trick him? Where was the little white tiger phoenix beast anyway?

So many thoughts clouded this young elf's mind that he was oblivious to the dust blowing from his back. Immediately, he returned his gaze to Brad, who looked like he was about to take their leader away.

His warm and calm demeanour just now, suddenly turned into something cold, freezing Brad in his place with his stare. At about the same time, the atmosphere suddenly became dense as his devilish killing aura exuded with full force.

"Where. Is. She?"

Brad who had looked up from the sudden change in atmosphere, was shocked to see Jareth's bright green eyes darken and a cold glint dancing around his irises.

Before he could muster up the courage to reply him…

Gbish!

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Seeing the shock fear and confusion registered in Brad's eyes, Jareth knew that something was not right. Why would he be confused? Weren't they the ones who did it?

Suddenly he felt that familiar presence that seemed to keep his inner true self at bay. As he turned around to see what or who was approaching…

With a loud thud, like a beast slamming into a tree, Astrid slammed into his chest, hugging him tightly by his waist.

His eyes flew open at the sudden intrusion at his ribs and he winced after that, but he didn't push her off him. Rather he welcomed it. After a second, he got himself back and a smile curved up his lips and his hand moved on their own accord and wrapped them around her, pulling her in.

The breath he didn't know he had been holding in, anticipating Brad's answer finally was released.

He let out a deep sigh as he took in her familiar scent. Irrespective of the musky scent of dust, dirt and sweat, his keen nose could still differentiate her flowery smell.

As he sniffed it in, his mind began to calm down. She was safe. Yes, his Astrid was safe. She wasn't hurt, she was right there in his arms.

His smile widened and he nestled his face in her hair, moving his hands gently up and down her back. What he wasn't expecting next was for him to feel a hot liquid coax his chest and shirt.

He looked down at her and moved his hands to her shoulders, gently pulling her away from him so he could gaze at her face.

Her face was stained with her own tears and her eyes lowered, scared not to look in his face, lest he scolded her. She didn't want to be scolded, not now and for crying at that, but his next words left her speechless.

"I'm sorry for making you cry," Jareth said. He effortlessly moved his hands from her shoulders and cupped her face in his hands, lifting her face up so she could look him in the eyes.

He just needed one more thing and his fast-beating heart would calm down. He needed to confirm that she was okay.

Her warm tears trickled down her cheeks and fell on his hands, drawing his gaze at them. "Hmm, Astrid, look at me." His commanding voice came out in a soft tune and she obeyed.

Slowly, she fluttered her shut eyelids opened which she had closed when he apologized to her and looked into his eyes.

Right before her eyes, his cold dark green orbs changed and was quickly replaced with their normal shades of green as a certain kind of warmth filled them.

His fast-beating heart finally calmed down the moment he looked into those black orbs, his eternal damnation. He felt drawn to them, to her and now their faces were only two inches away with their nose touching.

He leaned in further so that his forehead was pressed against hers all the while maintaining eye contact, daring her to look away.

Just when their lips were about to touch, they heard a sound behind them. Astrid smiled at him, she knew where the sound was coming from and whom it belonged to because, in her head, she heard something different.

"Hey master, don't hug him all to yourself. I want him to hold me too."

Jareth's gaze flew above her head, only to land on the cute looking mystical beast watching them with his big puppy eyes. "We've got company," he announced, making Astrid blush lightly.

"Yes, and he wants you to hug him too. He doesn't want me hugging you to myself," Astrid let out the truth and Snow had no choice but to glare at her through their mind link.

"Master!"

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