Chapter 2.
Sarah laid within her lovers arms contentedly. "It feels a bit naughty." She whispered. "Having been made love to by both your identities."
The man smiled, "Are there differences?"
"Slight ones, yes." She said leaning up and looking into the mismatched eyes hidden behind smoky glass. "How do you do that?"
"My Garrett side is no where as arrogant as my Jareth." He teased, as his hands moved over her shoulders. "Sarah, we have some serious things to discuss, are you up to that?"
She sat up, pulling the sheet up to cover her discreetly. "Alright."
He sat up as well and braced his back on the headboard of the bed. "For the safety of the family we are going to have to convince your father and Karen to move to the Underground."
Sarah bit her lip then burst out laughing, "Lot's of luck with that one." She fell over on top his legs and kept laughing. "I can see it now… you telling Dad he's got to go Underground."
Switching off the glamour, Jareth sat frowning. "This is serious." His face only made Sarah laugh harder. "Sweetheart, you're not helping."
"I'm sorry, my King….but think about it…" She sat up trying to hold it together. "You're going to tell my Dad, one of the best lawyers in the area, that he has to take the family and go to your magical Kingdom to be safe."
"You're right, it sounds nuts." He smirked. "But we really could use him as an adjudicator." He held out a hand to her. "Father is going to discuss it with your father. Karen I have no worries about. The safety of her child is the most important thing to her."
"Yes." Sarah agreed, taking the offered hand. "I don't know how you intend to explain the mass migration…and I'm not even sure I care…"
"Sarah, you are going to be a Queen." Jareth sighed. "In a few weeks, we will have a very public wedding. You are already my bond-mate, and I will make sure our family, both sides of it, are safe."
"Thank you." She lowered her lashes.
"Now about the china and crystal…" He began.
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Queen Veronica lay on the rock ledge with a satisfied smile on her lips. "Miles, just what is it about this little mortal that fascinates you so?" she asked watching the Fae pace near the waterfall. "Surely it's not that she rejected you for the pup, is it?"
"No." He sighed, then paused and shrugged. "Perhaps that is part of it." He took a seat on a outcropping of rock. "She's unique, Veronica. I found her enchanting in ways I've never found any other mortal. I quicken when I am near her."
The Mermaid sat up. "You knew she was Fae marked when you began your pursuit?"
Miles raised a brow, "You know I love a challenge, my dear." He looked at the waterfall. "I knew she was Fae-marked. I didn't know whom, for a bit. When I found out, I set out to destroy the bond. On several occasions she nearly gave herself to me… "
"Under persuasion no doubt." Veronica simpered.
Miles snickered. "Alright, my pretty fish, yes, I used magical sexual spells to attract her."
Sliding back into the water the Mermaid laughed. "Miles you are so predictable."
He looked at her, "That my dear is why I seek your aid. I'm predictable, Jareth and Oberon will know what to expect from me. If I go after the girl as I normally would…They'll be ready for it. I need to do it in a way no one would think of me doing."
"So you come to a woman of the sea for help rather than a Fae." The Mermaid mused.
"You've been my confidant for a long time, and you've no allegiance to Oberon." Miles said honestly. "Besides, your mind is even more devious than mine."
The compliment pleased the Queen. "I will help you." She swam about the pool. "It pleases me to irk Oberon. I never cared for his odious rules, and as a Mermaid, I am not under his rule. Poseidon will be amused by what I do." She looked at Miles. "As for this little mortal, I'd rather like to see you take her from Jareth."
"You never like him." Miles teased.
"What's to like?" She asked in anger. "Like father, like son! With that pair."
Miles smiled to him self, "Do you have any ideas?"
"Darling, I've many." She simpered again. "However, you will need to be stealthy about this. I suppose the entire Fae world is aware of your escape."
"Yes." Miles sighed.
The Mermaid Queen flipped her tale impatiently. "Well, Miles, that's too bad. At least they would never think to look for you within the tunnels or in my Realm." She looked pensive. "Miles, I want you to tell me the entire history, as you know it of this girl."
Miles looked at the Queen. "Why?"
"She's the key, Miles. Knowing her history will give me the clues we need to formulate a plan to give you what you want." Veronica said calmly. "But Miles, I warn you be careful what you wish for. Having is not like wanting." She looked at him with a critical eye. "What exactly would be your own first inclination?"
"Invading her dreams and seducing her in that state." Miles said looking perplexed.
"You're right, that's predictable." His companion frowned. "Miles, you need to be far more calculating."
He watched the Mermaid swim. "This is why I came to you instead."
"Wise, my friend." She smiled. "So…tell me the story of Sarah Williams."
Miles made himself comfortable. "It's rather like a fairy tale…Once there was a beautiful young girl…" He began. "Whose stepmother always made her stay with the baby. The baby was a spoiled child who wanted everything for himself, and the young woman was practically a slave girl. But what no one knew was this: the King of the Goblins had fallen in love with her, and given her certain powers."
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Oberon, alone again, paced the music room. Could he protect the girl, he wondered. Miles was determined, and that could be a problem even after Jareth and Sarah were safely back in the Goblin Kingdom.
Jareth joined his father, looking contented. "Everything is settled, and Sarah thinks three and a half months to get everything done is fine." He looked at his father's face. "What is wrong?"
"Miles." Oberon said quietly. "I'd expected him to make a move by now."
"Maybe he's given up, and crawled under some rock." Jareth purposed.
The High King looked at his son; "Would you just give up and crawl under a rock with Sarah being the object of pursuit?" there was a touch of sarcasm to the father's tone. "You didn't. You went after her from a different direction."
The Goblin King's features went chalky, "You think he's going to change tractates?"
The High King looked at his son, "I would not put it past him. After all, it's Sarah he desires. You know how infectious the desire of her is."
"She's mine." Jareth snarled, like a dog whose bone was being challenged by another. "She has joined with me! We are bonded, and soon to be wed."
"Would that stop you?" Oberon asked quietly. "If she were bound to another, would it stop you?"
Jareth took a long ragged breath. "No." He admitted. "To have her, nothing would stop me."
The High King nodded. "You must remember, Miles is of the same fabric as you. He too is my son."
"But he is not my brother!" Jareth said.
"No," Oberon agreed. "He's not. He's your competitor, and like it or not, my boy…your Sarah found him attractive."
"I'll put guards on her day and night….I'll lock her in a crystal until the wedding if I have to!" Jareth announced.
"You think she'll stand for that?" Oberon mused.
The Goblin King shook his head. "No, but Father…I can't lose her…not now."
The room went still as two Fae men began to wonder just what Miles Fairchild was up to.