Page 74 of First Snow
“Why did they have to die?”
“They were Briar’s acolytes, although I didn’t know that at the time. But I found out that they were using black magic to reach their goals. Suoranta poisoned a business rival, and Scott—” Jareth chuckles darkly. “She was willing to sacrifice her whole archaeological team to make a ground-breaking discovery. I was barely able to stop her.”
Arttu’s head is spinning.
“What about Mikael?”
“I planned to warn him one last time, because I knew he was just a greedy little thief who used magic to amass treasures. But when I found him, he had already summoned the bone fairy. Enslaving a creature from the Kingdom Beyond, and such a dangerous one at that, is a much more serious offense.”
Feeling his throat constrict, Arttu blinks away unbidden tears.
“What happened?”
“I didn’t stop her when she took her revenge. She slit his throat. It was a quick death.”
“Shit, Jareth.”
“I know. Don’t worry, sweetheart.” Jareth’s large hands cup his face. He takes his time kissing Arttu, tenderly stroking his hair. “First, we’ll bring down Lord Briar. But after that, I won’t force you to go against your morals.”
Arttu shakes his head, overwhelmed and confused.
“What are you talking about, you moron?” Arttu hisses. Anger seethes white-hot in his chest. “Do you really think I’d try to arrest you for chasing criminals that no one else can catch?”
Because that’s the point, isn’t it? No one will stop these people if Jareth doesn’t.
Jareth gapes at him, and Arttu distantly notes that he looks hot even while squinting and with his mouth half-open.
“You said yourself that House Pendragon, or whoever is responsible for this shit in the human realm, is extinct! There’s no one left who could stop a rogue sorcerer. And we haven’t even begun to speak of creatures like Phyllis. Who’s going to handle them?”
Heavy silence falls between them.
“Don’t you agree?” Arttu grumbles, as he can’t stand Jareth’s piercing gaze anymore.
Growling, Jareth pushes him on his back. He silences Arttu’s startled protest with a searing kiss.
“You’re incredible,” Jareth mumbles as he trails bites and kisses down Arttu’s neck. “Absolutely perfect.” He nibbles at Arttu’s collarbone. “So good. So noble.”
“That’s not—I’m not—”
“Not what, darling?”
“Good,” Arttu whispers. “I’m not a good person.” Arttu feels the tears slipping down his cheeks. “I’m a selfish bastard who can’t bear to lose the first good thing he’s had in years.”
“Shh, don’t talk like that. You literally risked your life and career to solve Mikael’s murder. Don’t try to convince yourself that you did something wrong.”
An ugly sob tears itself from Arttu’s throat.
“You don’t know the half of it. I had no qualms taking advantage of you, because I like to be with you. I like it sofuckingmuch. It hurts to be separated from you, and the sex with you is…well, mind-altering.”
Jareth hums contentedly. “Mind-altering, hm?”
A wet laugh escapes Arttu. “Is that all you heard?”
“That, and that my presence has grown on you.” Jareth places Arttu’s hand over his heart. “You won’t lose me. I’ll stay with you as long as you’ll have me. You have absolutelynoidea how worried I was that I forced you to do something you didn’t want to do. That you just went along with it because you were too noble to refuse.” Jareth kisses the tear tracks from Arttu’s face. “Can I take you to bed now? You should get some sleep.”
Arttu nods. He feels drained, but in a good way. Jareth has somehow given him hope that they’re going to find a way out of this mess.
Chapter 24