Chapter 23
Ava gave Jareth a withering look as Quinn muttered something under her breath.
“Hello, Jareth,” Ava said, narrowing her eyes.
Approaching, he raised a brow, violet eyes sharp as he inspected the group, golden blond hair brushing his shoulders. “Jareth? Not ‘Your Highness?’ Not surprising. You still don’t seem to have learned any manners.”
Casimir’s fingers tensed—still interlaced with hers—but he held his tongue.
The last time they had seen Jareth, at the Summer Solstice ball, it hadn’t gone well.
Jareth insulted Ava and Casimir had lunged across the table and slammed his head onto its surface, threatening him.
Casimir had to control his temper, or risk ruining their chance of an alliance.
“Are you just here to insult us or did you need something?” Ava asked, ignoring the jab.
Jareth waved a hand. “I’m here to show you to your rooms. Come.”
They followed him down a long hallway with golden threaded rugs beneath their feet and glass windows revealing a breathtaking view of the city and the skies and clouds beyond.
“My father tells me you need access to our archives,” Jareth said.
“Yes,” Ava answered. “There seems to be some…inconsistencies with our enemies.”
“Hmm,” Jareth replied.
He stopped before a set of gilded double doors at the far end of the castle.
Pushing one open, he led them into a large living area.
Plush white couches and chairs sat around a roaring fire.
A large dining table carved out of pale wood sat at one end of the space, a desk and worktable at the other.
Luxurious fabrics draped across an open archway leading to a small outdoor space.
Periwinkle roses framed a seating area centered around a small fountain, the forest where the animals had ventured providing a private backdrop.
“Well, here you are.” Jareth stood at the center of the room, hands in his pockets. “There are three bedrooms. You’re free to explore the castle however you wish. Dinner is at seven. And I suggest you all bathe beforehand.” He held a hand to his nose as if he was offended by their stench.
“Oh, and Ava,” Jareth continued, “I personally selected your dress for dinner. I can’t wait to see you in it later tonight.” He gave her a leering once over.
Casimir growled and took a step toward him, but Ava squeezed his hand and held him back.
Refusing to give him a reaction, Ava said, “I’m sure it will be lovely. Thank you.”
His jaw ticked as he glared at her, then schooled his features, sauntering away. “See you at dinner.”
The door clicked shut as he disappeared.
Jorrar leaned against the back of one of the couches. “Casimir. Do not rise to Jareth’s quips.”
Casimir ran a hand through his hair. “I can’t allow him to speak to Ava that way.”
Ava moved in front of him, still holding his hand in hers. “You can and you will. He does it on purpose because he gets a reaction out of you. Don’t give in to it.”
Quinn joined them, standing next to Jorrar. “They’re right, Cas. It’s been like this for decades. Jareth baits you and you fall for it every damned time.”
Casimir groaned. “I know.”
“Then stop doing it,” Ava said. “I really don’t care what he says to me. Ignore it. Please.”
“And after the ball, he now knows making comments to Ava will rile you,” Jorrar said. “Which means he will continue to do so if you react every time.”
“Cas,” Ava went on, “I know how to handle men like him. Misogyny is everywhere in the human world. I’ve worked with people like him. I can handle it. You don’t need to protect my honor. If we ignore it and show it doesn’t bother us, he’ll eventually get bored.”
“Fine.” He held her chin in his hand. “But I’m keeping track. Every time he insults you, earns him a fist to the face. He will pay that debt after the war.”
Quinn snorted. “That’s as good as you’re going to get from this fae brute, Ava.”
Ava rolled her eyes. “You’re ridiculous.”
Ava brushed her waves as she and Casimir finished getting ready for dinner. The dress Jareth had picked out for her was stunning and she was surprised to find it wasn’t risqué at all. What she had worn to the solstice ball was much more revealing.
The wrap style gown was a pale blue gossamer, the ombre fabric darkening as it ended in a deep navy near the hem. Stars embroidered with a subtly glowing golden thread sprinkled the skirts and the long sleeves billowed near her wrists.
“I hate to admit it. But I love this dress. It’s beautiful and comfortable.”
Casimir walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. He nuzzled into her neck and kissed her gently. “It is beautiful,” he murmured against her skin. “But you’re gorgeous no matter what you wear, so I may be a little biased.”
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as he pulled her closer. “Even when I’m all sweaty and dirty in my training clothes?”
“Even then.” His hands slowly moved up her waist, stopping at her ribcage.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course, love.”
“Earlier, when we arrived. You looked like you were going to be sick.”
He was quiet. Ava turned in his arms, placed her hands on his chest, and met his gaze.
“You’re not afraid of heights are you?” she asked.
“No. Being here is…difficult. I didn’t realize just how hard it would be.”
“Being around your family?”
“That and—” He closed his eyes and ran a hand down his face. “My astral magic seems to be much more…alive here. Though I’ve gotten used to using it more often, it feels different now. Restless.”
“That makes sense,” she said. “Do you think it would help if you just allow yourself to use it? Not only during battle or…the bedroom”—Ava cleared her throat as Casimir’s lips tilted into a subtle smirk—“but casually. Maybe the more you acclimate, the less traumatic it will be.”
He cupped her face, tilting his head. “You have a good point. I’ll consider it.”
She pecked his lips. “If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.”
“You being here with me is helpful enough.” He kissed her back, harder, before pulling away and touching his forehead to hers. “Unfortunately, we must go to dinner now, love.”
“You promise to behave?”
He grunted, squeezing her hip. “Yes, I promise.”
Hand in hand, they left the bedroom to meet Quinn and Jorrar. Quinn was in a chair by the fire, furiously glaring at the wall as if it had committed some mortal sin. Ava paused, suppressing a laugh.
“What a lovely outfit, Quinn,” she said quietly.
“Fuck you.” Quinn adjusted her skirts. She wore a similarly styled dress as Ava’s, though hers had silver stars and was a pale pink.
“I’ve never seen you in a dress. And it’s pink.”
Quinn rolled her eyes. “Yeah yeah. I’ve worn dresses before. It’s just not my preference. But this…is hideous.”
“I wish I had a way to show this to my brother. I honestly think he’d love it. You look beautiful.”
Quinn rose as Jorrar joined them, dressed similarly to Casimir in an ivory jacket with gold thread and matching pants.
“Thank you. I hate to admit it, but it is comfortable.”
“See? It’s not all bad.” She turned to Jorrar. “You’ll take the lead on the discussion of the book and translation, right?”
“I will.”
“And I must try to convince Orion to join us in the war,” she said with a sigh. “It’s going to be a long night.”
“It’s going to take more than just tonight,” Jareth spoke from the doorway. She hadn’t even heard him open it.
“You’re back?” Ava eyed him suspiciously.
“I’m here to escort you to dinner. Apparently, I’m Father’s errand boy today,” he said with a hint of irritation.
Was there bad blood between Jareth and his father? Interesting. Ava took a mental note of this in case it could work in their favor.
Jareth looked Ava up and down, his eyes lingering on her breasts. “I knew that dress would look phenomenal on you.”
Casimir’s hand tensed on her lower back, but he remained calm.
Ava ignored him. “Of course it does. Now show us the way to dinner.”
Jareth’s eyes widened almost imperceptibly, seemingly surprised at Ava’s lack of a reaction. He led them out of the suite. “Follow me.”