310 Resolution: Awake

CHAPTER 310

She still had a work waiting for her there and while at it, she would do her best to avoid him and pretend, something like that never happened and never will again. 

Even though it was just once, her memory with Cullen was one she would never forget and would forever cherish. 

Getting on her horse, she waved the villager head goodbye. 

"Evelyn, be good and take care of yourself."

"I will."

"Do not cause any trouble for that young man, the young general." The elderly man cautioned her once more before she left. 

He was aware of what transpired between Cullen and her and also about him loving someone else. 

He would not say he was not disappointed, he was but then again, Cullen was a man and had held on for so long. 

That and coupled with Evelyn's beauty and persistence, he understood why he fell. 

Rather than be mad at Cullen, he was mad at Evelyn who pushed and pestered the young man till he succumbed to her wishes and slept with her. 

So when she had announced that she was going to the palace, he felt troubled that she would cause Cullen more trouble than she already did and he knew how noble Cullen was as his name and fame had spread throughout the kingdom. 

But watching her sober reflection all these days and he assistance, he finally calmed down and let her go. 

She had promised him not to ever interfere in Cullen's life any further and wished him a peaceful life. 

The only problem was that she had wished she got to talk to him one last time before his departure. 

Even at that, she was grateful for what she had. 

Saying her final goodbyes, she hit her horse a little and ride off far into the distance, heading for the palace a changed person from how she had left and with much stronger and better resolution. 

*****

It had been a full day since Astrid was out. She had Jareth and Snow deeply worried about her condition but considering how she was when she had a power problem, Jareth was not too surprised that she had not yet woken up but prayed within him that she did soon enough. 

It was already the evening of the next day when Astrid's eyes shot open. 

She blinked her eyes several times, trying to get used to the darkness that enveloped her vision with a little bit of light to her side. 

What a contrast it was as everything she was used to before waking up was pitch blackness and now a shimmer of red flames danced t the corners of her eyes while looking up further enshrouded her in his blackness. 

It was Snow who first noticed she was awake and sprang up with so much life and joy making Jareth turn in her direction and saw that her eyes were now opened. 

A smile crept up his lips as relief washed through him. 

Slowly, Astrid sup or ted herself with her hands and sat up before lifting her head to look at him. 

She could see the joy in his eyes and did not need someone to tell her that she had once again troubled him and made him worried for her sake. 

She could see the wrinkles on his forehead and knew he was tired, burnt out even without proper rest. 

She wondered if he had any sleep since the time she collapsed but knowing Jareth, he probably did not. 

What would she do without him? He was always there with her, no matter what even though she oftentimes disobeyed him.

As her eyes scanned his face for signs of how he was faring, her eyes caught sight of a burn at the base of his neck and her brows deepened into a frown. 

He noticed her change in expression and narrowed his eyes at her. 

"Astrid, what is wrong?" Jareth asked and got up from where he sat, making his way to her. 

As soon as he stood up, she lifted her head as well, her eyes still lingering on the mark at the base of his neck. 

Jareth got to where she was seated on the ground and squatted down to her level. 

"Hey, what is the matter?" Jareth's concern flashed through his eyes as his caring gaze flickered on her face to see what was wrong.

"I am fine, Jareth. Nothing is wrong with me."

"Then why are you…"

Before he could finish his sentence, Astrid stretched forth her hand and touched the base of his neck taking him unaware by her action.

Immediately he reacted and held her wrist in a defensive manner, preventing her from reaching their destination.

She moved her gaze from his neck back to his face, waiting for him to release her hand.

Jareth who was not too used to people touching him had subconsciously self defended himself and held her wrist hard.

At that moment, his eyes changed to a darker shade of green and his pupils finally dilated a fraction before returning to normal.

To say Astrid was not shocked would have been a lie as she least expected his reaction to being like that. This was the first time she saw him put up such a defence against her.

His actions had caught her by surprise as well but she tried her best to hide it as both of them stared into each other's eyes for comfort and relaxation.

After what felt like forever, she broke the silence. "What is this burnt mark?" She questioned him innocently.

It was now that he followed the line of her gaze and saw what she was talking about.

Slowly, he let go of her wrist and let her hand reach for his burn as she pleased, completely trusting her with his body.

"It was a mistake." Jareth briefly explained and shut his eyes when her fingers grazed the base of his neck, sucking his breath in as he revealed in the feel of the comfort her fingers gave.

"Why? Who?"