“Let’s go upstairs,” I whispered loudly enough for her to hear. “I want to be close to you tonight.”
Jareth hesitated and glanced toward Luvena, but he had no escape.
“Alright,” he said finally. “Alright, my Luna.”
I pulled away and gently tapped his cheek.
“I will take a shower first,” I said. “The city dust makes me feel dirty. Stay here and finish whatever you were discussing with her.”
I gestured lightly toward Luvena.
“And Luvena,” I added with a bright poisonous smile. “Thank you for keeping my mate company while I was gone. You know the way out.”
Without waiting for her answer, I turned and walked toward the staircase, moving slowly. Halfway up the stairs I looked back.
Luvena was staring at Jareth with fury and humiliation.
Jareth rubbed his temples like a man trapped in deep water.
I entered our bedroom and closed the door. The smile disappeared instantly.
I rushed into the bathroom and rubbed my lips harshly with the back of my hand until they stung. Then I turned on the shower to cover any sound.
I sat on the edge of the bathtub while my heart pounded.
My crystal communicator vibrated on the counter. I picked it up. A message from Uncle Marcellus.