252 Why Did It Have To Be Her?

"Relax. It is not like we would remain here forever, right?" Astrid asked Jareth, whispering close to his ears so the others would not hear their conversation.

"No. I still have to travel the world with you and protect you."

"Really, I thought you wanted to ditch me?"

"How can you think so little of me?"

"You left me before, remember?"

"I came back. Scratch that, I never left and I have protected you ever since. I even fought for your hand. At least give me credit. What has he done?" Jareth raised his brows and his gaze moved to Cari.

Astrid followed the line of his gaze and she came face to face with Cari who just finished listening to the answer to his question and returned his gaze to Astrid.

"Uh…mmm." Astrid lowered her eyes when their gaze met and smiled sheepishly.

Jareth who watched it all unfold in front of him turned completely sour. 'What the… Is she blushing because of him?'

He peeled his gaze off of her and let them land on Cari. Cari returned his intense gaze with a cute and innocent smile and laughed a bit, nudging Astrid at her ribs.

'Hey, calm down. Do not let it get to you. He is just messing around with you. But how can she laugh with him like this?'

All through the time spent in the get together, Cari stole every bit of Astrid's attention, leaving Jareth with no one to talk to.

The times when she tried talking to Jareth he ignored her and focused on something else. She noticed he did that on three different occasions and after the third time, she left him to himself and her smile and chatty self reduced after that.

Minutes later, Jareth stood up not saying anything and walked away towards a different path from where they stayed.

She was tired of him treating her like that and it spoiled her mood so much. He was no longer as cheerful as before. 

A part of her felt as though she did something bad to him, but in truth, she only talked to someone. Wasn't she allowed that simple thing?

Apparently, she lost her appetite as well. Katrina offered to pack some of the fruits and dried meat and loaves for her to take back home.

She thanked her and bade Cari farewell, then headed for their small house alone. Of course, Cari wanted to accompany her but she rejected his offer.

Jareth on the other hand decided to take a walk to clear his head and let go of his pent up anger. He did not know why he was suddenly like this. 

He was mad anytime he saw Cari close to her. He did blame it on them not knowing Cari but from his heart, he knew that wasn't true.

His feelings for her was getting the best out of him. He felt it was because he had not proclaimed his feelings for her upfront and claimed her as his, that was why he was agitated.

It was as though his whole being was scolding him and his inner desire to chase every male from her, sprung to life.

He knew better than anyone that he should and could not cage Astrid. She was a free bird, a free spirit.

He should probably tell her how he feels but he was too scared…Just too scared because he had not come to terms with his feelings yet.

What if it wasn't love? What if it was just a thing, after all his body reacted to her, but could he not call it love when his heart ached to see her hurt?

His being is set on fire with the sheer desire to protect her. Her single touch is like an electric bolt flooding his body.

When he kisses her, it brings a certain calm to his inner being, taming the monster inside him that wanted her and at the same time making it angry for delaying and in need of more.

Jareth was an emotional mess at that moment. His mind kept on nudging him that they could not be. He had his set goals. They were worlds apart.

She was his light and his impending doom and he knew it. She changed him, changed everything since he met her.

Right now he did not know who he was anymore. The elf who was cold and distant before he met her or the jovial jealous one since he met her.

"Urgh, Astrid…" he groaned out his frustration and punched his fists against the wall of a nearby house. "What have you done to me?" 

He moved closer to the wall and slowly let himself slide down till his butt was touching the bare floor.

"Why did it have to be her?"

****

The next day came swiftly. The sun rose, bringing light with it to the village. Astrid slowly opened her eyes and let out a small yawn.

She looked down and noticed she did not change out of her clothes because she was waiting for Jareth to return which he clearly did not

She turned to her side and met the bed empty. Slowly she sat up and looked at the window. It was way past daybreak. 

She had slept in. 

"Urrhhh…yumm…"

To her left, she saw the little white tiger phoenix beast lying peacefully beside their bed on the ground. A small smile spread on her face as she laid eyes on it.

She had forgotten to bring it along with her and apparently, he found someone to take him home or he came in by himself.

"I love you, Snow." She whispered through their mind link and softly caressed it in her mind. He felt everything she did and smiled in his sleep.

"Hahaha," Astrid let out a soft chuckle and stopped when her eyes caught sight of their bags somewhere at the corner of the room.

Immediately she stood u and went over to where it was, then picked up her bag. After inspecting it she moved back to the bed with it.

She opened it and peered inside. After some seconds, she heaved a sigh of relief, letting g the breath she had been holding in.

"It is here. Thank goodness."