Jareth felt as if he could trust the man because of his longstanding relationship with Chester. “Her father tried to kill her,” he said quietly. “She fell from a window in the process and her injuries are severe. We are hoping for the best.”
Marston closed his eyes briefly, sickened by the news. “I am very sorry to hear that,” he said. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Pray,” Jareth said softly. “I think that is all any of us can do.”
Marston understood. As he turned to others standing behind him, people of the community, to relay the request for prayers, Anosia came up behind Jareth.
“My lord,” she said quietly, “Orion says you must come. Quickly.”
A bolt of fear shot through Jareth, as strongly as an archer releasing his bow. It was quick and jolting. He ran back to The Feast as fast as his legs would carry him, rushing up the stairs to Desdra’s chamber. By the time he hit the chamber, he could see that Melaina and Limenia were in there as well as Orion. He could hear Orion speaking as he entered.
“You see?” he was saying. “Jareth is here. He’s right here. He’s not left you, I promise. Jareth?”
Jareth stumbled over to the bed, astonished to realize that Desdra was awake. She was pale, and had evidently been crying, because there were tears on her face. Jareth dropped to his knees beside the bed, taking Desdra’s fingers in his big, strong right hand.
“I am here, love,” he said, kissing her hand. “I’ve been here the entire time. How do you feel?”
Desdra gazed at him. When she blinked, more tears fell. “I thought you had left me,” she sobbed softly. “I awoke and you were gone.”
He leaned forward, sweetly kissing her forehead. “Nay, sweetheart, I have not left you,” he said. “I simply stepped out for a moment. Never were you alone, I swear it.”
She sniffled, letting him wipe the tears from your face. “What happened to me?” she said. “Everything hurts. I cannot move.”
The warm expression faded from Jareth’s face. “You had a fall,” he said simply. “Your left arm is broken. That is why it hurts. Can you move your toes and your legs?”
She did, a little, bringing a huge amount of relief all around. “It hurts,” she said again.
“I know,” Jareth said, kissing her cheek this time. “It will probably hurt for a while, but you are going to heal, I promise. Do you remember how you fell?”
She seemed to be calming now that he was there and she knew what had happened. She blinked at him, still groggy and dazed. “My father came to see me,” she said, then suddenly stiffened. “Where is he? He tried to kill me! I fought him and fought him, but he was too strong!”
Jareth tried to ease her. “You will never have to worry about him again,” he said. “He will never again be any trouble.”
“Is he dead?”
“What makes you ask that?”
“Because I cannot imagine you would let him live after he threatened me.”
Jareth smiled faintly. “You would be correct, madam,” he said, winking at her. “No man threatens the woman I love and lives to tell the tale.”
Desdra stared at him. She was still groggy and her head hurt, but she was far more aware than she had been even moments earlier, so his words had an impact on her. Words she’d never thought she’d hear, ever. It was like a dream.
The woman I love.
She was in awe.
“You… you love me?” she managed to say.
“Of course I love you,” he said, gently stroking her head. “You love me, so, of course, I was compelled to love you in return.”
A slow smile spread across her lips. “How did you guess?”
He laughed softly. “I did not guess, I knew,” he said. “One never guesses when it comes to love. One just knows. And I knew within a few days of knowing you that I loved you. That will never change.”
She sighed faintly. “Nor will my love for you,” she murmured. “Until the ending of the world and beyond, it will never change. But what happens now? Will I live?”
Jareth struggled to keep a positive attitude. “Of course you will,” he said. “You will live and we shall be married. Uncle Chester will have a great legacy in us and our children.”
