301 It Is Complicated

CHAPTER 301

Just like that, Jareth, Astrid and Snow journeyed further till they crossed into what remained of the sorcerer's land.

It was already late in the afternoon when they arrived at the now barren land. Following Jareth's lead, they walked further into the terrain till they came upon a fresh land.

At first, Astrid and Jareth were confused by the change in terrain considering this part of the realm wasn't supposed to be having such green vegetation and all that.

"The land is healing." Astrid voiced out her opinion without a second thought.

"Healing? To me, it has already healed but no one knew due to the feud between the races." Jareth dismissed her words calmly.

Their eyes roamed about their surroundings since it was never too much to be careful.

The land had not been inhabited by people from different races, doesn't mean it was not habited by beasts.

After searching for a long time and did not find any foreign movement apart from them, they decided to set up camp there for the night and resume their journey the next morning.

"Hey," Astrid called out to Jareth.

He looked up and their eyes met. No longer was that fear that once laced her eyes there anymore. Rather her beautiful black iris shone in the night, emitting a kind of joy within it.

Astrid was indeed happy. She was glad that they gave enough gap and from Jareth's words, they would not be chased further as this was a different terrain which no one was accustomed to.

It was easier to get lost in this place than outside, so the guards or Cari would not want to try themselves given that the people they were chasing could have been anywhere and everywhere.

Unlike them, he made her leave some marks on the ground, so they could detect and make sure they were not going round and round in circles.

"Hey." A small smile broke out on his face as he watched her cheerful display.

Snow was sleeping quietly on her thighs while her fingers went to work on his fur and wings, just the way he liked it.

"Tsk, little Snow loves to be pampered," Jareth commented out of the blue.

Astrid followed his line of sight and smiled when she noticed her little beast yawning in his sleep.

It had been a tiring journey for all of them and they were all so exhausted but the thought of being free and away from the village and Clive brought an immeasurable amount of relief, joy and satisfaction to Astrid.

Her nightmare was gone and she was with the people she loved and cared about.

What could possibly go wrong?

"Yes, I guess we spoilt him as well. Look at him sleeping like there is not another day left in the world."

"He may be right though."

"Nothing. I am only saying that in this life, expect the unexpected. Live life like it is your last then whenever anything happens, you would not have any regrets."

He had a point there, Astrid could not deny that fact. 

It was just that, coming from him, tsk she would think twice about it. 

"And what about you? Are you leaving life like it is your last?" Astrid could not help but wonder and decided to ask him.

She knew he had feelings for her but was not ready to open up and rather planned on killing it.

She wondered if it did not hurt him at all to do so? Because in her case, it did hurt her so much to be away from him and to keep her feelings at bay.

"Forget about me, Astrid." That was definitely not the answer she was looking forward to hearing. 

Nevertheless, since it was Jareth, expect the unexpected. 

"There you go again. You are giving a piece of advice you do not even consider following. Jareth. Until when would you be like this?"

"It is complicated, Astrid."

"Try me." Astrid do not give him time to talk as she replied every single statement he made.. He was not going to get out of this one and he knew it. She deserved to know, big time but he just couldn't bring himself to saying it. 

"In time."

"Huh!" She sounded more surprised by his answer than her question. "Don't you trust me?"

"Of course I do." It was not that he did not he DOS not trust her, he tristedbher with his life, if it came down to it. 

"Then what is the matter, Jareth? Just let me in."

"It is not you that is the problem. I trust you. I just do not trust myself."

"Why?"

"I would only end up hurting you and I do not want to."

"Why? Why don't you want to? Why do you care so much about hurting me?"

She knew what she was doing. She wanted him to say it. Just let it spill for once but stubborn o'le Jareth just would not say what she wanted to hear. 

\u003cAuthor: I want to hear as well. Don't you want to readers?\u003e

\u003cReaders:...?\u003e

"Astrid, I care about you. I do not want to hurt my friend."

"Let me be the judge of that."

'There she goes again, as stubborn as always.' Jareth shook his head and then stood up from where he was sitting and made his way to where she.

Astrid was not sure about what he was going to do but she looked up at him nonetheless.

He squatted in front of her to prevent her from straining her neck too much. "Astrid," his voice called out her name softly.

"Yes?"

"Let life be what it is. I cherish our friendship and I do not want to ruin that."

"I am not asking you for anything, only that you should learn to love and forgive yourself more, then you would see yourself the way I see you."

"You worry too much."

Before she could protest, he reached for her cheek with his right hand and gently rubbed it. "You should get some rest now. Tomorrow, your training continues."

"What! Training so soon?!"

Jareth nodded at her and let his kips curved to the side in a small smile. "Yes, training."

"Fine. I guess I have been away feom it too long."

"I am glad you understand."

"Anyways, I get that. Now, I should be telling you that."

"Telling me what?" It was his own turn to have creased brows. He dis not know what she meant by what she said apparently.

"You said you would rest when we have safely crossed over to this side, but I do not see you resting, Jareth."

"It is my duty to protect you. You should rest, I would keep watch till I am sure it is safe."

He pulled his hand away from her cheek and made to get up when Astrid stopped him and held his hand.

"What is it?"

"I can erect a protective barrier. You should sleep too. I would not let you stay up again. You haven't regained your full strength. Even now, I can still win you in a duel."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes. So sleep!"

"When you are bossy, it is cute."

"Jareth!"

"Calm down. Tomorrow morning, I would satisfy your curiosity and see how well you have learnt."

"Deal?"

"Deal. But go to sleep first."

"You too."

"Can you not be stubborn about it?" Jareth could not help but half yell at her. She was one stubborn child and quite a handful at that. 

He wondered how she was when she was a child as he knew she must have been more than a handful. 

If she was like this now that she was grown up, how was she when she was younger? 

He was glad he did not have to baby sit a baby version of Astrid. 

Not that it wouldn't have been fun, no it would and so much cute but he would not have loved her the way he did. 

Rather than reply him, Astrid bit down on her lip and lowered her head. Jareth averted his gaze to her and he caught her doing the forbidden thing.

His mind went almost blank that instant as it drifted away and he recalled all the times he felt those lips close to his or on his directly.

saw this and mind started drifting away.

'Not now, not now, you maddening woman. You just know how to test my patience, don't you? Keep calm and control your thoughts, it would be okay.'

After mentally prepping himself, he looked at her and placed a finger under her chin to lift her head up so she could look into his eyes and see the trouble she wanted to cause. 

"What have I told you about biting your lips?"