CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Jareth~
Aunt Inge and Uncle Thorvald were trying to maintain their usual dignity. But they wore their grief on their faces. Jareth’s gut tightened. But he had already apologized three times.
“Are you okay?” Aunt Inge’s smile wobbled.
“I am now,” Jareth assured her. He apologized a fourth time. “I’m afraid that we lost track of time. Until we got back we didn’t even know how long we had been away. I’m sorry you were worried, but even if I had known how fast time was passing, I had no means of communication.”
“We?” The Eldest pounced.
“My mate was with me, sir. I have transformed the nixie, Iliana.”
Their questions came thick and fast. Jareth had to go over every aspect of the battle, the identity of the wraith, Iliana’s use of magic and Hel. To say nothing of their conversation with the goddess. It was obvious that the Eldest was making connections and reframing history in the light of Jareth’s experiences.
Aunt Inge was more troubled that they had never guessed that he had been having nightmares since his parents’ death. “You should have told us,” she repeated like a mantra, dabbing at her eyes.
“I knew your parents had been attacked, but I was never able to determine why or by whom,” Uncle Thorvald said. He shook his head in sorrow. “I thought that bringing you to Lind Island had made you safe. Now I discover that the countess knew where you were all along, and was able to target you within my walls.”
“But do you know why Vladimir the Enforcer would have wanted to kill Mama and Papa?” Jareth asked. “Or me? Was Brede just collateral damage?”
“Their death has always seemed inexplicable,” said the Eldest. “Of course they were rich – even by our standards.”
The House of Lindorm was the richest in Dragonry. And Johann and Nadia among the richest of the rich. As their sole heir, so was Jareth.
“But killing you would not have allowed Montenegro to claim your fortune,” continued Uncle Thor. “I’m afraid, that we must conclude that they were feeding on your fear.”
“That’s what psychopaths enjoy most,” agreed Aunt Inge.
It was an unsatisfactory explanation. But Jareth had to admit that he could not imagine a satisfactory one. “I slept so deeply last night,” he said, “That it was a revelation.” As it had been. Despite his morning sleepiness, he now felt invigorated.
“No dreams?” asked the Eldest.
“None that I recall, sir.”
“Probably for the best,” said Uncle Thorvald, but Jareth thought he seemed somehow disappointed. “We will expect you to bring your mate to Lind Island when we return home. As much as I would like to announce your betrothal at the ball, I think Iliana is not ready to meet so many dragons at once.”
“No, indeed,” said Aunt Inge. “Not yet. We will discuss the wedding when she has found her feet. I hope Lexi is making sure that her transition to mortal life goes smoothly.”
“I think so. They were discussing clothes at breakfast.”
“Clothes are the least of it, young man,” said Inge. “It is bad enough that she has lost her powers but I would imagine that regaining her soul has left her floundering.”
“Now, Inge, don’t interfere,” Thorvald covered his wife’s hand. “Jareth is perfectly aware of how to treat his mate. We will speak again tomorrow, nephew.” His image blinked out.
“I’m glad that’s over,” Jareth told Theo who had been sitting silent through the interview. “I’ve never seen Aunt Inge cry before. And I never want to again.”
“Tears of joy,” said Theo bracingly. “Next time you see her, she will have a new trinket as a memento of your adventure.”
This was true. The Eldest was undoubtedly having Aunt Inge’s tears gathered at this very instant, preparatory to having them polished and made into another spectacular piece of jewelry for his wife.
“Speaking of which,” Jareth said, “I need to find a ring for Iliana.”
“A word of advice, cousin. Iliana has a lot of adjustments to make, and while I appreciate your need to deck her in jewels, she probably would prefer a different sort of gift. Something that proves the depth of your feelings for her.”
Shift. He had transformed Iliana out of duty. He knew she appealed to his senses and he was eager to introduce her to sensual pleasure, but he wasn’t sure he felt anything like the love the Eldest felt for his wife, or Theo for Lexi. He needed to work on that.
“Like what?” Jareth asked. “You saw how withdrawn she was at breakfast. I don’t know if she’s like this because of her transformation or because she got her soul back. She needs cheering up.”
“Hmm. What does she like best?”
“She seems to want most to be warm and have a baby,” Jareth muttered. Was he stuck with a mate who didn’t want him, just what he had to offer? He was fabulously wealthy, and naturally his wealth was at Iliana’s disposal. But how many warm houses would it take to make her happy?
“She’s warm in this house,” Theo assured him dryly. “And you can take care of the baby later. What else ignites her passion?”
Jareth thought. He wished he knew his mate better. He knew her character, of course, but her history was still largely a blank. “She had a twin sister. Hel told us where Myst is. But even the Eldest thought that the NorthAtlantic Ridge was not a precise location.”
The Eldest had been interested in Hel’s words and in the fact that the Countess Montenegro had been in pursuit of Jareth all these long years. Myst had been very much a side issue.
Theo clapped him on the shoulder. “There’s your bride gift, cousin. Find Myst and reunite her with Iliana.”
Jareth laughed hollowly. “The Reykjanes Ridge is where the volcanoes grow in the North Atlantic, but it is long and the ocean deep. I have as much chance of finding a single barrel in that region as of locating the Fountain of Youth.”
“Or of finding the Gateway to Hel?” asked Theo pointedly.
“Huh.”