Ava flung her arms around his neck. She didn’t care if he was cruel and hateful, because deep down, for whatever reason, he wanted to help. And he had come to their aid. Alight in the darkest hour. She let out a sob, unable to help herself.
Jareth gave her a reluctant pat on the back before pulling away.
“Ava!” Casimir shouted, running toward her, followed by Raine, Jorrar and Pax.
Seconds later she was enveloped in an embrace, wrapped in the arms of a giant warrior. “Are you hurt? Are you alright?”
“I’m okay. Thanks to your brother.”
Casimir turned to Jareth. “Thank you.”
He shrugged.
Ava,Luna’s voice was panicked.He’s coming.
Casimir, Jorrar and Raine looked at her, wide-eyed. They must have been informed by their own companions.
“You all need to go,” Ava urged.
Casimir’s face was pained. Full of fear and love and outright terror. He stepped forward and grasped her face in his hands, eyes brimming with tears. Ava gripped the front of his armor, taking in a deep breath.
His lips crushed hers, the kiss full of desperation and unspoken fears. Of vows and promises and a love so deep it was engraved in her soul, seared beneath her flesh. She kissed him back as tears streamed down her face, pouring everything she couldn’t find words for into it.
Pulling away he looked down at her. “I love you, Mi’ra Vässa. The Earth Mother blessed me with the other half of my soul that day in the woods. Every beat of my heart has been yours since. You are my light; my world.” He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “No matter what happens, I will always love you. And when the sun sets forever, and the world is bathed in darkness…I will still love you.”
She hiccuped a sob as she placed her hand on his cheek, wiping away his tears. “I love you too. My giant, sweet warrior. My rescuer. My partner. My friend. You are mine. Forever.”
He kissed her forehead. “And you are mine,” he murmured.
“Cas,” Raine said quietly. “We really must go.”
He gripped her face again, his eyes fierce and still filled with tears. Emotions swirled in the depths of his golden gaze. “When this is over, I will come for you. Nothing could keep me away. Absolutely nothing. I will crawl if I have to. I’ll drag myself to your side. I swear it. So fight for me, princess. And I will fight for you.”
A drizzle of rain fell upon them as she gazed up into the eyes of the man who saved her. Who always saw her and never turned away. Who loved her fiercely without abandon.
Ava nodded. “Always,” she whispered, voice breaking.
After one last brief kiss, he let go and stepped back.
Raine yanked her close. “You can do this. Remember, he may be stronger, but you are smarter. Send him back.”
He released her and then, they were gone.
52
Shoving aside the agonizing dread, Casimir jogged back to the battle, his friends alongside. The astral army had already joined the fight, their bursts of starlight a beacon of hope in the morning sky as they fought their enemies.
Jareth remained close, his own sword in his hand. Casimir could hardly believe they’d come to help. When he and the others had left Caelestia, he was positive there was no chance Orion would change his mind. That man never did anything that didn’t serve himself.
It should have been impossible.
But he was here. His father was here. And his cruel brother had just saved Ava’s life. Casimir didn’t know how to reconcile the Jareth who delighted in others’ psychological pain with the one who was here now. It was…disconcerting.
“How did you convince Orion to come?” he asked. “And how did you get here so quickly?”
“I threatened to expose him to the whole kingdom for his contribution to this mess.” Jareth smirked. “As for your otherquestion, you’ll have to ask your soulbond. She’s even more powerful than I realized.”
Casimir shook his head, bewildered.
