Eirene’s POV
Hours later, half frozen, skin numb and breath barely there...I was finally lifted out of the frost cellar by Jareth.
His eyes were bloodshot, guilt heavy in them.
“How could this happen? I thought Mother was only angry… I never imagined she would actually lock you inside that place.”
I kept my eyes closed, refusing to give him even a fragment of a response.
A few of his hot tears hit my neck, burning more painfully than the cold ever did.
I knew then...I would never trust this male again.
I was taken straight to the healers’ ward in the Lunar Sanctum. After a full day and night under warming runes and restorative spells, my eyes finally opened.
Jareth sat beside me, watching with the same tender agony he used to show when he wanted forgiveness.
He reached for my face, but I turned sharply away.
He froze, then softened his tone, trying to coax me the way he always had.
“You’re still upset. I understand. You shouldn’t have confronted Lucienne like that, but Mother also acted out of line. When we return home, I’ll buy you that Moonfire pendant you liked. Consider it an apology.”
Those words...once enough to soothe me...now felt like venom.
I stared at him, calm despite the anger simmering inside.
“I told you already...I didn’t lay a finger on Lucienne. Your mother dared lock me in that ice chamber because you allowed her to.”
His expression faltered, but I didn’t stop.
“Return the marriage token my parents entrusted to you. We’re dissolving the bond. I’ll step aside...you can have Lucienne.”
He shot upright, trembling, stunned beyond words.
His voice cracked.
“Eirene! How can you say that? Do you know what those words do to me? I will not sever our bond!”
He leaned down, pulling me into a desperate embrace, his voice thick with emotion.
“There’s nothing between Lucienne and me. If it hurts you this much, I swear I won’t see her again.”
Internally, I laughed.
Nothing between them? Then whose pup is she carrying?
Before I could speak, Lucienne appeared at the doorway.
She froze at the sight of Jareth holding me, her eyes immediately filling with tears.
“Jareth… you...”
She turned and fled.
Jareth instantly released me and chased after her.
As he passed, I looked directly at him. He clenched his jaw under my gaze.
“Eirene, Lucienne is carrying a pup. Don’t blame her. I’ll explain everything to her.”
And without another word, he ran.
Something inside me urged me to follow.
On the Moonspire rooftop, Jareth finally caught Lucienne and pulled her tightly into his arms.
She sobbed into his chest, voice trembling.
“Jareth, it hurts...my heart, the pup… Maybe I should never have stayed in the Darkhowl territory. Watching you be so gentle with Eirene every day… I can’t bear it. Maybe it’s better if I just end it all…”
Jareth held her as if she were made of moonlight and smoke.
“Don’t say that. You came back to me and now we have a pup. If you give up your life, you take mine with you. How could you ask that of me?”
His eyes were full of tortured affection.
And after her repeated sobs, he finally relented.
“Fine. I’ll keep my distance from Eirene. Come down. This place is dangerous.”
I stood where I was...cold, silent, watching him carry her gently down the stairs.
They turned and finally saw me.
Both froze.
But Jareth did not let go of her. Instead, he tightened his hold.
“Eirene…” His jaw strained. “We’ll discuss this later.”
I let out a cold, humorless laugh.
“Discuss what? That the pup she carries isn’t yours?”
Pain flashed through his expression.
He loosened his arms around her, reaching toward me...
But Lucienne moved faster.
She grabbed my hands, pretending to plead.
“Eirene, Jareth isn’t at fault. It’s me. I shouldn’t have been near him. Please don’t punish him because of me. Don’t ruin your bond over me.”
I tried to pull free, but pain shot through my abdomen as her claws dug straight into the half-healed wound near my stitches.
My leg buckled from the sudden sting.
Her eyes lit up with triumph.
And then...like the deranged actress she was...Lucienne shrieked and threw herself backward…crashing onto the floor.
