The Goblin King's Bride
Chapter 3
LYSANDER: Ay me! for aught that I could ever read,
Could ever hear by tale or history,
The course of true love never did run smooth;
But, either it was different in blood, —
William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream
If Jareth noticed her in the audience, he didn't betray any sign of recognition. Sarah found it hard to concentrate on anything but him, even when he wasn't on stage. Maybe it was only someone who looked like him, she tried to reason. But the likeness was too exact for mistaken identity and she was close enough to see one of his blue eyes was darker than the other. It had to be him; no one else looked like the Goblin King, not anywhere. There was a short intermission, as is customary at the halfway mark in a play, and Sarah was glad of it. Briefly, she thought of fleeing and getting as far away from Regent's Park as she could. The park back home should be far enough, she thought before letting out a snort at her foolishness. What was time or space to someone like Jareth? If he wanted to find her, he would, no matter where she tried to run to.
She returned to her seat with apprehension. What did he want this time? It wasn't as if she had any more babies to wish away. Why was he here now, after more than seven years? Her head was filled with endless questions she had no answers to. The play started up again and Sarah tried to forget her fears. She knew the lines well enough from her own foray into the theatre and was soon absorbed in the story once again. When Jareth came back onstage she studied him closely thinking she was safe, for the moment at least. He looked as handsome and ethereal as ever he did, although his hair was shorter. It now looked more nineties Kurt Cobain grunge style than eighties soft rock star. Sarah grinned at the thought and then blushed as she found it rather suited him. The billowing white shirt he wore was open practically to the navel, revealing an expanse of finely sculptured alabaster skin. She imagined trailing her tongue down the length of his torso and her cheeks grew red. Where had that thought come from? Ah, yes, it was one of her fantasies. She blushed again. But couldn't help noticing his breeches were as snug as ever, which elicited yet more X-rated thoughts.
Jareth smiled impishly when his part didn't call for it, and Sarah wondered if he could somehow sense her desire. Their eyes had yet to meet, but she didn't fool herself that he wasn't aware of her presence. She found herself mesmerised by the velvet smooth cadence of his voice as he delivered Oberon's lines.
But we are spirits of another sort:
I with the morning's love have oft made sport,
And, like a forester, the groves may tread,
Even till the eastern gate, all fiery-red,
Opening on Neptune with fair blessed beams,
Turns into yellow gold his salt green streams.
But, notwithstanding, haste; make no delay:
We may effect this business yet ere day.
Sarah was enraptured and her attention was devoted solely to him as if they were the only two people there. The rest of the crowd melted away as his gaze finally connected with hers. It felt like she was holding her breath as his strange captivating eyes seemed to bore into her very soul. The moment passed and all was as it had been before, except the Goblin King had left the stage.
The play ended to rapturous applause which she wholeheartedly joined in with. As the cast of players took their final bows, Jareth led the way and he drew more than one enthusiastic wolf whistle from the crowd. Sarah looked around with disapproval for the fervent fans who dared to display such coarseness. It wasn't as if he was undeserving of the attention; she just didn't want any other women to be giving it to him. Could it be I'm jealous? She wondered when the answer was already evident to her. The realisation caused her hackles to rise again. Be careful, she cautioned herself, this is Jareth, the Goblin King, remember? Oh, yes, she remembered alright.
Sarah felt as if she was in a strange limbo state after the play was over. The players had left, presumably to get changed, and the audience began to disperse from the auditorium. In no time at all it was almost empty and she reluctantly got to her feet to follow the last of the stragglers out of their seats. Desperately, she glanced around for any sign of Jareth only to be disappointed. It was probably for the best, she reasoned. Presumably, he'd already had his fun and returned to where he belonged.
The melodious sound of a woman's laughter caught her attention. Sarah looked over towards the backstage area and saw the willowy blonde who'd played Titania, Queen of the Fairies, draped over a tall man who was obscured by the shadows. She didn't need to see his face to know it was Jareth. Her heart sank as she watched them embrace. The woman giggled again and Sarah hurried away. Surprised and alarmed to hear quick footsteps following close behind her, she swung around to come face to face with her pursuer.
"Did you enjoy the show, Susan?" The Goblin King inquired with a sneering smile.
He doesn't even remember my name. She was crushed but determined not to let it show.
"Sarah," she almost whispered.
"What?" He barked impatiently.
"My name is Sarah." She enunciated each word as if speaking to a fool.
Jareth flashed an amused smile.
"Sarah, Susan, Sofia, Sharon, it's all the same to me." He waved her correction away as if it was nothing.
At least his lady friend hadn't joined them, she was grateful for that. Her humiliation was keenly felt as it was. Turning away from him, Sarah set off for the exit at a brisk pace. The Goblin King matched her at every step until they were walking side by side. He was wearing an expensive looking tailored suit in a dark grey colour with a light blue shirt, which was open to the chest, of course, she noted with disdain this time in place of lust. He was also sporting soft white leather gloves and pointed grey ankle boots. His shorter hair flapped about in the night breeze and fanned wildly around his face.
"Well?" He inquired again, "Did you like the play?"
Sarah came to an abrupt halt, her anger flaring and she forced herself to tamp it down.
"What do you want, Jeremy?" She coolly demanded, intentionally using his stage name, as she glared back at him.
Jareth smiled and bared his teeth in a predatory way, like she imagined a shark or a hungry lion would.
"You, Sarah, just you," he said.
