Page 84 of First Snow

Jareth feels a giddy excitement washing over him.

“Anything you want, darling.”

Arttu’s face lights up with relief. Rising to the tips of his toes, he presses a kiss to Jareth’s nose.

“Awesome.” Arttu regards the mess he has made of Jareth’s shirt and hair. “You need a bath. I could accompany you.”

“And what about my honorably won pastries?” Jareth looks pointedly at the abandoned dough.

“Put it on the mantelpiece. The dough needs to rise anyway.”

“Agreed.” Sending the dough to its place with a muttered spell, Jareth hoists Arttu up by his thighs. Squealing, Arttu slings his legs around Jareth’s waist. He has no idea how cute he is. Jareth laughs and revels in the fact that he’s allowed to do this. He’d never thought that he’d have Arttu here in the halls ofRhosyn Keep,and all by his own free will.

“Let’s get you in the bath, sweetheart.”