“Indeed,” Jareth said. “Is it true you were…how shall I put it?WithAndras?”
Trying to tame her racing heart—the panic that always tried to make itself known when she thought too hard about what he’d done to her—she gave Jareth a hard look. “All I’mgoing to say is, yes. I was in a relationship with him. When he was in disguise. Before I knew of the existence of other realms and daemons and fae. Back when I believed he was human.”
“So that means…you fucked an ancient god. You slept with our enemy.”
Everyone froze. Even the soldiers accompanying them. Before Ava knew what was happening, both Raine and Casimir were lunging for Jareth, as if they were prepared to punch him.
But Ava started laughing, unable to control herself as she doubled over. “Oh my god,” she said through her tears. “I did. I really did. I had sex with an ancient god.” Her hands were on her knees now. Because it truly was unbelievable. She sometimes still couldn’t grasp that it had happened. That the local handyman was an evil god in disguise. And for some reason, at this very moment, she found it hilarious.
It was probably the trauma talking.
Everyone looked at her as if she’d gone mad. “It’s not funny,” Casimir growled.
“But it really is…” she continued. “Because I didn’t even believe in any gods or higher powers before all of this. And I slept with one!”
She continued to laugh. She’d fallen for him. Let him into her house. Welcomed him into her bed. And then he drugged her and beat her and held her captive. Tortured her. Got her best friend killed. Tortured her love. Almost killed Raine. Killed Remy…
Oh fuck, here it comes,she thought.
Her laughter took a turn and she let out a sob, her chest squeezing as if in a vise.
Oh god, now is not the time for another breakdown.
“That’s what I thought,” Jareth murmured, receiving the reaction he intended to cause.
Ava tried to stop her tears, but it was too late, and she wasgasping for air. Another panic attack. In the middle of the damned desert.
In front of everyone.
There was a scuffle and shouting, but Ava couldn’t determine what was happening through the whooshing in her ears. Casimir collected her in his arms, holding her to his chest. “Breathe, love. You must breathe.”
She nodded through her tears, taking a deep breath as he knelt, still holding her in his lap. He pulled down the scarf, allowing her more air, and cupped her face.
“Look at me.”
She met his eyes.
“Take a deep breath in with me. Count to four.”
She counted.
“Now breathe out.”
She exhaled.
“Again.”
She repeated his instructions as he watched her with concern, thumb stroking her cheek. Her heart finally slowed, and she took another deep breath.
“There you are. You’re alright.”
Her gaze moved to the rest of the party as the adrenaline dissipated. Jareth was on the ground, holding his face and cursing as if someone had punched him.
But it hadn’t been Casimir. Ava sniffled and glanced around. It wasn’t Raine either—though the expression on his face indicated he was prepared to. Someone else was standing over Jareth, fist still raised.
Gisela.
“You don’t speak to our princess that way,” she seethed. “I don’t care who you are.”
