193 Goodbye

CHAPTER 193

At first she noticed his weird behavior and frowned but after some thoughts on it, she shrugged it off and went to wake up Snow. Following his instructions, they got their things ready and made their way to the entrance.

It was just a fifteen minutes walk and they would be free from this tunnel and the danger that lurked within.

Minutes later, they were already standing at the entrance of the tunnel. The early morning rays from the sun came shining on their faces, greeting them and welcoming them to freedom.

Luckily for them, no soldier knew of this place as it lead to somewhere farther away from the forest and unto the path Astrid was planning on taking.

Astrid took in a deep breath, as the fresh air assaulted her nostrils before breathing out slowly, her chest rising and falling with each new breath she breathed.

"Freedom at last!"

She whispered to herself, but Jareth and Snow heard her. His eyes moved to her face, taking her joy before quickly scanning their surroundings, searching for any possible danger.

"Are you ready?" Jareth asked her, speaking for the first time since they resumed their journey.

She turned to the side, completely facing him and nodded her head vigorously, giving him a confirmation answer.

"Okay. I would take you further till I am sure you are safe, before we go our separate ways. Is that alright?"He asked her, his eyes scanning her face as he waited for her answer.

"Alright." 

He had hoped for any hint of sadness or so from her, but he got none. Rather she gave him a tight lipped smile and walked in front of him.

'She is taking it well, I guess. This is good, it is better this way.' He thought to himself, his hands tightening on his bag strap before walking behind her.

With that, they set out on their journey, walking further north. 

It took them some hours to get to the valley of lost souls and only stopped once to fill up their stomachs with some fruits.

By the time they got to where they would part, Jareth stopped walking and looked ahead. Noticing he stopped, Astrid did too and turned her head to look at him. 

"Is it time?" she asked, her voice soft and low, betraying her emotions. She didn't bother battering an eyelid his way, rather as her gaze followed his and trailed off into the distance.

They were surrounded by some rocks and big stones with few trees around. Everything looked deserted, down to the stony ground beneath their feet and the dry air filled with dust that they breathed in.

Astrid raised her hand, using it to shield her eyes and nose from the assaulting wind that blew through.

"Thank you, very much."

"Before that, there is one other thing you should know," Jareth suddenly added, his face becoming serious as his gaze wandered around a bit before looking at her.

"What is Jareth?"

"If you are not so sure of taking this route… I mean it is dangerous. The minute you step foot in there, there would be no going back. It is rumoured that from the entrance till the end is full with souls of the dead. Only a few who have ventured through this part had made it out alive. Most get lost when they listening to the call of their dead loved ones."

His tone was laced with concern and his handsome face marred with worry as his green eyes peered into her black ones.

"Jareth, I appreciate your concern but, this is the only route. It's not like there is another route for me to take…"

"W–Wait a minute, what do you mean by that?" He interjected her, with his hands waving in her face.

"This is the only way, Jareth."

"No. Who told you that? It is simply the fastest and most dangerous route."

He placed his hands on her shoulder, quickly filling her up with the missing information. Astrid blinked several times before tilting her head back and opening her mouth in an 'O' manner.

"How come you didn't know?"

"I was told to take through this route," she replied thoughtfully, her mind drifting off in thought, recalling all Nerissa told her when they fled the human kingdom.

After some time, she blinked and looked back at him. "Why are you only telling me this now?"

"How was I supposed to know what you knew and what you didn't know? I thought you knew and wanted the shortest route possible. Besides, when we first met and I asked, you didn't tell me," Jareth defended, frowning his brows and rolling his eyes at her.

"Okay, okay. My fault. So can you direct me?"

"Sure, but keep this in mind, it can take you like a three days journey or more to turn round and get to after the valley. Whereas taking the valley, at most would be a day or less."

"Why are you still mentioning that, when you clearly just kicked against it? Are you trying to make me cry?"

"Why would I bother? You cry on your own. I just need to remind you of something and…" he made a show with his hands, snapping his fingers in her face, "and you cry," he joked.

"Ha haha ahha… Funny! I am not laughing. Be serious, Jareth." 

"Anyways, there are three more routes to take. Following the part opposite from where we are coming from, you would get to a T–junction. The one at your right would lead you through the human kingdom and out, making it your longest route."

"Not an option."

"Okay. If you follow left, that would lead you straight from here till you get to after the valley."

"And the third?"

"Not an option though. Follow the river and go into the vast ocean…"

"Pffttt hehehe hahahahha…"

Astrid laughed out loud, clutching her stomach with one hand and hitting her leg with the other hand. 

"What's funny?" Jareth asked, bemused at her sudden character.

'Even when she isn't courteous, she still is pretty, more pretty in fact.' He thought to himself.

"Nothing. Was following the ocean even an option?" Astrid asked, straightening herself and getting serious.

"No. So it is your choice."

"Okay, change of plans. I would take the second route, the path to my left."

"Better. Snow, do take care of her in my place," he said to the little beast as he spoke.

The beast nodded at him and blinked lovingly at Jareth.

Satisfied with the response he got, he returned his gaze back to Astrid's. "So, this is goodbye then."

"Thank you for everything, Jareth."

"Anytime."

He stretched forth his hands at her for a handshake. Rather than take his hand and shake him, Astrid moved in for a hug, leaving him stunned.

He didn't move, it took some seconds before he reciprocated the hug and held her tight to himself, taking in her scent and allowing her to melt into the hug.

After what seemed like forever, they withdrew from the embrace, with his hands still around her waist, locking her in.

After hugging her, a part of him didn't want to let her go. That part that always yearned to hold her close, kiss her, hug her, was now fighting with the sane part of him that kept his feelings at bay.

They stared lovingly at each other, their heads drawing in close only inches away. She could feel his warm breath tickle her skin as his scent assaulted her nostrils and she enjoyed every bit of it. 

Before she could get a grasp of what was about to happen, Jareth succumbed to his desire and pressed his lips onto hers.

She gasped little at the sudden contact, letting him slide his tongue into her mouth as he kissed her passionately.

This time around, the kiss wasn't fast or fierce, rather they took their time savoring the kiss like it was the last time. Well, technically it was. 

Astrid was the first to break the kiss, her head felt so lightheaded but she managed to let out a smile at him.

He didn't get the chance to respond when she pulled away from his arms and rushed off. 

"Come on, Snow. Let's go."

Not sparing him another glance, Astrid walked with great strides and left in a hurry with Snow tailing at her side.

Jareth was left alone standing there, watching her silhouette fade into the distance. After some minutes, his hands reached up to his lips.

Just as he was about touching them, he stopped…

'Get a grip of yourself, it is time to let her go.'

Dropping his hands to his side, he turned around walking in the direction they came from. Few feet later, his eyes popped open as realization dawned on him.

He turned around and chased after her. He had gotten over halfway there when he heard a feminine voice.

"Aaahhhh!!"

He stopped in his tracks as his eyes widened. 

"Nooo…!"