Jareth’s always been treated as if he’s fragile, but there’s
one person who doesn’t see him that way, one person who truly believes in him.
And Jareth’s finally ready to admit he’s the only one who matters…
Tired of always deferring to everyone else and holding back
in every part of his life, Jareth is ready to go after what he wants. He can’t
remember the exact moment he realized he loved Marcus, but he’s going after his
happy ending. He doesn’t know what to expect from the man who claims he’ll
never love again, but Jareth knows he’ll regret it forever if he doesn’t at
least try to win the heart of the flawed man who sees him the way no one else
does.
Excerpt:
Marcus climbed up
on the footstool and ran a feather duster over the top shelf of his collection
of flow blue dishes. At first, it had annoyed him to have to do this by hand,
but now he enjoyed it. Dusting gave him a few moments each week to reexamine his
collection. His son Gil had already made fun of him more than once regarding
how domestic he was becoming, but he didn’t really care. A knock sounded at the
door, and he descended and set the duster aside. He’d been wary of unexpected
visitors since the day the queen mother had basically told him to get on with
fucking her grandson—something that still baffled him a bit—so he glanced out
the small side window by the door before actually opening it.
The young man
standing there looked familiar, yet Marcus couldn’t put a name to his face.
Part of him really missed his powers, while the rest of him felt like a fool
for having relied on them so much over the years. He’d gotten used to the edge
they gave him, and now he often felt lost. “Can I help you?” Marcus asked.
“Yes. I’m
interested in the training you’ve been doing.”
“Are you? What’s
your name?”
“Malvern. Everyone
calls me Mal.”
Marcus looked at
the young man’s wild curls. “Do you by any chance know what your name means?”
“Bare topped hill.
Yeah. I’ve heard plenty of jokes, thanks.”
“Just curious.”
Something about the man’s demeanor told Marcus to be cautious so he stepped out
onto the porch instead of asking Mal inside. “What can I do for you exactly? Do
you wish to be trained?”
“No. I want you to
stop training someone else.”
“That’s something
you should discuss with that person. I train anyone who wants it unless I have
a good reason not to.”
Mal crossed his
arms. “It’s Jareth. He’ll end up getting hurt.”
“I’d never let him
be hurt. If he had an accident, his grandmother could help him. Nothing I’m
teaching him is dangerous. And we aren’t using real weapons. We’ve had four
sessions, and he’s made wonderful progress.” Marcus crossed his arms to mirror
Mal’s defensive stance. “Most importantly, it’s none of your business.”
“I care about him,
and you’ve misunderstood me. I’m not worried he’s going to break his arm. I’m
worried you’re going to break his heart. Take advantage of him.”
Marcus didn’t have
time to wonder how this young man had any inkling of something going on between
him and Jareth. “And what exactly makes you think anything of the kind?”
“You’ll never
appreciate him. He’s far too good for someone like you anyway.”
“Again, none of
your business.” He took one step forward. “Are you an old flame? Perhaps
someone Jareth broke things off with? I can’t imagine him liking a man who goes
around threatening others because he’s jealous.”
“You’re a fine one
to talk about threatening people. I read your confession.”
“So did Jareth.
What’s your point?”
“You’re powerless
now. You wouldn’t stand a chance against me.”
“Is that a threat?
I’m not the kind of man you want to threaten.”
“Neither am I.
Just end things with him, and I won’t bother you again.”
“I’m training
Jareth. Nothing more. But if there ever is something more, it’s our business,
not yours.” He chuckled. “Hate to keep repeating that, but you seem a bit
thickheaded.”
“I’ll make you pay
if you hurt him. I have my ways.”
“Because I’ve done
things you find distasteful you assume I’ll hurt him? That’s not fair. Jareth
can not only take care of himself but also make his own decisions. Now, if
you’ll excuse me.”
Mal grabbed him by
the sleeve. “I’m not asking. I’m telling. Leave him alone. I know your type.
You’ll fuck him until you’ve had your fill. Then cast him aside.”
Marcus slapped
Mal’s hand away and said, “You couldn’t be more wrong.”
“Really?” Mal
smirked.
“Yes.” He pushed
Mal and made him stumble up against the house. He held Mal there and said, “If
Jareth ever comes to my bed, I’ll tie him there and never let him go.”
That made Mal
scowl. “Then I’ll rescue him.” He began to fight against Marcus’s hold.
Marcus held firm
and laughed. “I knew that would get you going. You see, here’s where you’re the
most wrong about me. You think I don’t see Jareth for what he is. But I see him
all too well. You’re right. He’s far too good for me. He’s too perfect for
words, even down to his flaws, and there will never be another as sweet and
beautiful as he is. I’ll consider myself lucky if I get even one night with
him. And if I do get it, I’ll do all in my power to keep him.”
“But you have no
powers!” Mal spat.
Marcus released
him. “Magic can’t give you another’s love. And neither can jealousy or any of
the foolish things it makes you do.”
“Am I in for a
lecture now? You think you’re such a bigshot because the king let you off
easy.”
“Easy?” Marcus
advanced on Mal again. “Do you know what it’s like to be completely cut off
from magic? If I still had my powers, I’d show you. Just briefly.”
“What? There’s no
spell for that.”
Marcus laughed.
“Of course there is. What do you think vardys is? An incredibly potent spell.
There are simpler versions, ones that wear off. You obviously have a lot to
learn about magic before you go around threatening anyone else.” He shoved Mal
and made him fall backwards off the porch and land on his ass. “Leave now and I
won’t tell Jareth about your visit.”
Mal’s face went
red. “I know things about magic you’d kill to know! This isn’t over,” he said
before using magic to transport himself away.
Marcus stood for a
moment staring at the spot where Mal had landed, wondering if there was any
substance to what Mal had said. He still didn’t know exactly who the man was,
other than someone who obviously wanted Jareth for himself.
“Well,” Marcus
whispered to himself as he went back inside, “looks like I better stake my
claim as soon as possible.” He slammed the door and bolted it.
