Page 43 of Pearls of Salt and Sacrifice

You can do this, you must do this…

“I am Crown Princess of Etthan,” she said with as much coldness as she could dredge from her soul. “I was taken against my will, and I demand you return me to my people.”

All color drained from the elf girl’s face and replaced her curiosity and excitement with horror. She tore her gaze from Reva’s and looked to Jareth instead. “Jareth,” Belen choked, one hand lifting to rest on the white pearls circling her throat. “What have you done?”

Reva held herself immobile and waited for his excuses, for the feeble self-defense. But Jareth said nothing. He stood there, head bent and stooped shoulders, refusing to look at anyone. The seconds ticked by, and Reva waited. They all waited.

“Reva,” he began, turning and reaching for her hand.

But she flinched and jerked backward. “Don’t touch me!” She wrapped her arms around herself, shivering uncontrollably as he shrank away from her. His outstretched fingers curled into his palm.

Then, Jareth simply walked away. Reva watched him go, trying to ignore the stabbing pain in her heart. Her own words came back to haunt her.

Don’t touch me. Leave me alone.

He was only doing what she’d told him to do.

Reva shivered uncontrollably as Jareth left the chamber. As soon as he disappeared from sight, a dam broke, and her strength abandoned her. She swayed as a driving desire to chase after him ran unbidden through her thoughts.

What was wrong with her?

Teeth chattering, Reva weaved back and forth.

Belen took her by the hand and said something. As warmth coursed up her arm and through her veins, Reva exhaled audibly. “Oh,” she said as the tremors began to subside. “Thank you. That feels better.”

The elf princess eyed her strangely and then bowed over Reva’s hand. An uncomfortable feeling clawed inside Reva’s chest as the elf girl slowly rose, her eyes downcast. “I’m sorry for my brother’s foolishness,” Belen said, her lips quivering. “He shouldn’t have used the kiss on you.”

How did Belen know about that? Reva glanced at the two guards, who had also dipped their heads differentially.

“He’s—he’s desperate, Your Highness,” Belen said as she rose to her full height, as short as that was. She was barely five foot tall with her shoes on. “Most desperate. I know you have no reason to believe a word I say, but please believe me. He truly didn’t mean you any harm by bringing you here.”

Reva cleared her throat and let her hand fall back to her side where it rested against the pocket that contained a purring Calix. “Yes, he’s mentioned a little of your troubles. I’m sorry. H-how could you tell he…kissed me?” Fire warmed her cheeks, but she fought to maintain her royal poise.

Belen’s lips thinned then curved in a faint smile. “I can tell by looking at you,” she whispered. “It’s in the way you look at him.”

“Excuse me? How I look at him?”

The elf girl’s smile widened briefly before it faded completely. “Yes,” she said uneasily. “And he looks at you the same way.”

“And how is that?” Reva couldn’t keep the bitterness from her tone.

“Like he’s drowning without you.”

Chapter Thirteen

Belen’s words twisted something into Reva’s chest. Was this what Rency and Jareth had meant when they said she’d go mad with longing if she tried to leave the sea?

Her mouth worked soundlessly but couldn’t form a single word.

“It will be alright.” Belen cleared her throat and drew herself up taller. “Now, is there anything I can get for you? Dry clothes perhaps?” She motioned to Reva’s dripping dress.

“Well, I was hoping I’d be allowed to go home, actually.” She drummed her fingers against her thighs. “But, I’m guessing I’ll be stuck here for a while, won’t I?”

Belen winced and reached out to take her hand again, linking Reva’s arm through her own and turning her in the same direction Jareth had gone. “Yes, for a little while at least. I’m sure…I’m sure Jareth has a plan to get you home as quickly as possible. For now—dry clothes. And perhaps a room. Are you tired?”

Reva murmured a non-committal answer. Truthfully, she felt weary to the bone, but her thoughts raged tumultuously and would probably keep her awake even if her body needed rest.

The grotto wound past half a dozen more “windows” to the ocean beyond. She saw not only jellyfish but a wide variety of other glowing creatures—fish, eels, kraken, and other creatures she simply had no words to describe. As they walked, a steady stream of warmth seemed to seep between Belen’s skin and her own.

---