Jareth had a car waiting for them outside. A large black sedan with a driver standing by to open the door.
Sarah got in first and slid over so Jareth could follow. "Fancy, Goblin King. How did you do all of this?"
He turned to face her and crossed one knee over the other. "It isn't difficult, Sarah. I made phone calls, paid for services, and showed up. Like everyone else does."
"You aren't like everyone else." Sarah answered. "You are not like anyone else in this world. Ever."
He smiled, his eyes flashing in the passing streetlights. "True. Yet, there are others like me here. You of all people should know things, and people, are never what they seem. Mortals see what they want to see. If you had not closed yourself to the magic, you would see the world quite differently. The world, even yours, is full of magic and mystery. Humans are for some inexplicable reason afraid of it. Let me show you, and you will be forever changed."
Sarah was surprised at this nugget of information. "How many? How many others?"
"Too many to count. Some come and stay, some like me, travel back and forth, and there are those who cannot stand it here. I haven't the option to choose as I have duties here, but I would come anyway. I enjoy your world. That only accounts for my particular species. There are many others as well that I am not privy to or responsible for. I can only control those under my leadership. Goblins and the creatures of my kingdom and Labyrinth."
"So you mean, not just, whatever you are, but things like elves, pixies, leprechauns, all those things are real?" Sarah asked, astonished.
"Of a sort. These are names humans have. They are meaningless to most underground species. They have names for themselves in their own languages. We, my people, are called many things. Fae, Sidhe, fair folk, angels, demons, gods. In most ways we are the same as humans, just closer to nature, in tune with the forces of the universe, and most importantly able to channel and control them..in other words, wielding magic."
Sarah nodded. "And immortal."
He smirked. "No, not immortal. We live, we love, we die, Sarah. At different rates and we have the ability to live as infinitely as we might choose, barring being killed by injury, poison or those few diseases we can contract, but eventually even we choose to leave this life, love. There comes a time when we are called to The Summerlands and we cannot deny the call any longer."
They fell into silence after that. Sarah found herself wringing her hands. Jareth was close enough that she could smell his unique scent. She knew it wasn't cologne, though there was a slight trace of something. Sandalwood soap, she thought. underneath though, it was something else. It was like the smell of woods after a good rain, when the air was clean and sweet. It was a blend of water, clean air, and damp earth. with a hint of wood smoke, topped off with just the slightest bit of spices. A scent created from a blend of all the elements themselves. She knew no one else in existence could carry that scent. It was of something wild and unique, untamed and powerful.
She remembered smelling it once before. Standing on that dusty hill, The Goblin King only inches behind as he whispered into her ear.
It's farther than you think..time is short... He had said.
Her body tingled and broke out in goose flesh at the memory.
What in the hell am I doing here? This...being, this man who is so much more than a man..wants to date me? Marry me? What the fuck am I doing? He is going to court me, I'm going to spend time with him, he wants to take me to his bed and then we're going to be together, how am I going to resist that? That face, that voice, everything? I don't know how to be a queen!
"Sarah?"
She was jerked out of her thoughts by Jareth saying her name and laying his hand on her knee.
"What?!" She answered, too loud.
"We have arrived." He answered, smiling as if he knew exactly what she was thinking.
She looked around suddenly aware of her surroundings again. Indeed the car had stopped, the engine turned off, the driver holding the door open.
"Oh." She said, still just sitting there, eyes wide.
"Are you alright?" Jareth asked. "Do you feel ill? You have paled somewhat."
She lurched forward to jump out of the car but he stopped her. "Let me." He said.
He slid out of the car as gracefully as a cat, and held out his hand.
Sarah took it and let him guide her out, she stumbled and his hands shot out to grab her waist and steady her. "Thanks." She mumbled as she righted herself.
"Careful now." He warned. "You've spent far too much time lying on the ground as it is this evening."
She gave him a dirty look and he grinned at her.
He held out his arm and she slipped her hand through it to take his elbow. They walked into the restaurant and to the podium where the maitre'd stood.
"Reservations for two, under the name Jay Rex." Jareth informed him.
The man bowed. "Yes of course Mr. Rex, our finest table awaits. Please follow me."
He led them through the dining room to a table set in a secluded alcove. Sarah noted how women all through the restaurant stopped and stared at them as they strode by. Or rather, how they stared at him. The maitre'd ushered them into their secluded booth and pulled the privacy curtain partway closed.
"Your waiter will be here shortly. The wine you ordered is on it's way, Mr. Rex. If you will excuse me, sir." He turned and bowed to Sarah. "Miss." Then he was gone.
"How did you know my favorite food is Italian?" Sarah asked the man across from her.
"Call it a hunch." He answered smartly, taking a sip of water.
Sarah sat there tapping her fingers on the table as she watch him calmly drink, then take his napkin and lay it over his lap. She knew there was more to it than that.
It dawned on her.
"You watched me didn't you! With your crystals?!" Her voice rose.
His eyes snapped up and met hers. "Please keep your voice down. I can put an enchantment that prevents others from hearing us, but prefer not to if I can help it. It takes energy to maintain it for an extended amount of time and I would rather focus on us."
She lowered voice but continued her accusation. "Fine. Answer me. Did you watch me?"
His jaw tightened. "I did what I had to do Sarah. When you won, I was obligated to protect you. I could not be there in person, so I watched over you as much as possible. If you are thinking what I believe you are thinking, no, I did not spy on you in..private moments. I could have, but some things I wanted to save to discover myself."
He gave her a slight leer with his last sentence, and Sarah blushed again.
"You're too late you are expecting a blushing virgin, Goblin King. That ship sailed years ago."
She saw his eyes flash once more, but this time it was not caused by flashing lights. "I am aware you are not a virgin, Sarah. While it doesn't matter in the scheme of things, I can't say I'm not envious. I am a selfish man. However I am confident there will be no others from this night forward."
Sarah snickered. "Full of yourself aren't you. Besides, I'm guessing you aren't a blushing groom...If we get that far. Not with those pants."
Jareth had been drinking water when she was talking and nearly choked as she finished. He had not expected that sort of conversation the first meeting.
Just then the wine steward arrived and he was unable to answer. The steward held it up for Jareth approval who nodded, then opened the bottle of Merlot and poured them each a glass. "Your waiter will be here shortly to take your order."
"Thank you." Jareth answered.
When he was gone he turned back to Sarah. "You cheeky minx. You have been looking." He winked at her. "No, no I am no innocent by any stretch of the imagination but I have not taken a lover since you beat the Labyrinth. "
"Oh." Sarah answered. "You could have. Not that I would have known. I mean I don't even know if it will go beyond this. You shouldn't deprive yourself of...whatever because of me."
Jareth took a deep breath. "Sarah, I had no desire to once you were known to me. As I said, my people only fall in love once. Once they do, the desire for others beyond that love greatly diminish. I am not saying I do not see other people I find attractive, but I have no lust to bed them."
"This is ridiculous." Sarah replied. "What happens if I refuse? I am not in love with you, you know."
Jareth's face fell a little. He knew it yet to hear her say it seemed to deflate him. "I know. This is why I want to court you. To know me is to love me." He said in a tone that said he was half teasing, half hoping.
The waiter drew the curtain back "Have you decided?"
"Lasagna please." Sarah answered handing him her menu.
Jareth also handed the waiter his. "I'll have the same."
Once again their conversation lapsed, and Sarah found herself staring at a painting on the wall for several minutes as she thought.
"What will happen if I say yes to you courting me?" She turned to look at The Goblin King.
"We will set some time every week aside to be together. I know you are busy as am I. If we could meet, say once or twice a week, talk, do things together. You could even come to my castle, if you like." He answered. Noticing her nervous expression at those words he continued. "You would be perfectly safe, Sarah, and returned home at any time you choose. As I mentioned earlier you are under my protection. No harm will come of you in my kingdom or in my presence."
This intrigued Sarah. "I wouldn't be safe elsewhere if you weren't there?"
"Most definitely not. Until we are formally engaged, you would be considered fair game. Very few would go against me, but those few that would...they are not honorable and would love nothing better than to beguile you away from me, to hurt me. I do have a few enemies."
"Well, color me surprised." Sarah said as she picked up her glass. "So to know you is NOT to love you by some people."
He laughed. "Those few people are merely jealous." He flipped his hand in a dismissive gesture.
Sarah rolled her eyes. "Of course."
The waiter arrived with their food, and the next half hour was spent mostly eating and discussing the quality of the food, which Sarah found quite good, but Jareth wasn't overly thrilled by. Sarah got the impression aboveground food left much to be desired to him. He ate it obligingly, not complaining, and even complimenting when the waiter checked on them or came to pour them more water or refill their wine glasses.
"We could have gone somewhere else." Sarah told him after their dishes were cleared and dessert was ordered.
"We could have, but this is your favorite. When we dine above we will do so for your pleasure, not mine. My palate is unused to eating food here regularly."
They were brought their dessert, huge chocolate cream filled cannolis covered in whipped cream.
This Jareth enjoyed. He explained his people had a soft spot for sweets. He ate the confection with gusto.
Sarah watched him enjoy the gooey dessert, smiling. "I love to bake. It would be nice to have someone to bake for." She said. "You have whipped cream on your lip."
She reached over and used a finger to wipe it off. He caught her hand and with a rather lascivious smile, stuck her finger in his mouth and sucked the cream off. This sent a tremor of pleasure traveling down her arm, and through her body as his tongue curled around her finger.
They stared into each other's eyes as he gently pulled her finger from his mouth, then kissed her hand. "Thank you, Sarah."
Sarah was speechless at the feelings he caused within her. She felt heated and shaky, her body tingling from the contact. Like she had gotten an electric shock.
There is definitely something here. Something worth exploring.
"I'll..um..I'm going to take my dessert home to eat later." She said as she rose. "I need to use the facilities."
"Alright." Jareth rose with her, then sat back down as she turned and fled to the bathroom.
Once there, Sarah stood and stared at her flushed face in the mirror, her breathing heavy.
She grabbed a paper towel, dampened it and used it to cool her heated skin on her neck and face.
Once she felt semi-normal again, she went back to the table to find Jareth had paid the bill and was standing and holding her coat and a small box with her dessert in it.
He held out her coat to her. "I assumed you would be ready to leave. You seemed a bit out of sorts."
"I am ready. I'm fine." She answered as she took her coat and bag from him.
They left the restaurant and found the car waiting. Sarah deduced Jareth must have called for it when she was in the bathroom.
They climbed in and got comfortable, Jareth handing her the small cardboard box.
Sarah stared out of the window to avoid conversation as much as she could. The rush of emotion she had felt had left her completely confused and unsettled.
"Sarah please tell me if there is something bothering you." He asked finally as they pulled up to her building.
"There isn't!" She answered. "I mean no. I'm okay. Just tired. Thank you for dinner. It was really good."
The car door opened, and Jareth got out and helped her out of the car once more. He told the driver to wait, that he would be back when he got Sarah safely to her door.
Sarah climbed the stairs as fast as she could, but Jareth stayed right with her.
Of course, you forgot Sarah, he is not human.
She struggled to unlock the door, and found her keys removed from her hand, Jareth smoothly unlocking it for her. Her relief was palatable to both of them when the door opened as she stepped inside.
She turned to prevent him from following, slapping a large artificial smile on her face. "Hey, thanks! Had a great time. You probably have to be getting back."
He raised his brow, and with a small gesture had swept the door open and stepped inside. "Sarah, there is a problem. Tell me. I will go, but not before you do."
"It's rude to enter without being invited you know." She pointed out.
"It's rude to be so hasty and ill mannered to someone who has been nothing but gracious." He shot back.
"Point taken." She said. She took a few deep breaths. "I'm just, all this is so much to take in. I found myself becoming overwhelmed I guess."
He was right in front of her, looking at her tenderly, with understanding in his eyes. "May I kiss you goodnight?"
Her eyes widened and she stuttered to answer. "I don't know if...well...maybe just..."
He pulled her into his arms and she melted as his lips pressed against hers.
He tasted of vanilla and chocolate, and his lips were soft. She couldn't help herself. It was the most amazing kiss she had even been given. His lips moved against hers for a mere few seconds, and in those few seconds she felt more for him than with any man she had ever kissed before.
He moved back and smiled down at her. "Your eyes sparkle after a kiss. I must do so often."
"Uhhh...what?" She said, dazed.
He chuckled. "I enjoyed it too."
She stepped back and wrapped her arms around herself, suddenly cold at his absence.
He turned and opened the door to leave but she grabbed his arm. "Wait."
He gave her a questioning look as he paused.
She thought for a moment then nodded. "I wanted to tell you something. Yes. I will let you court me. What can it hurt right?"
The grin that lit up his face made her grin back at him. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pendant, a small crystal ball on a delicate silver chain. He placed it over her head and it laid right above her breasts. "This signifies that you have accepted the courtship of The Goblin King, and is a temporary binding of one year. Not the full bonds of engagement or marriage but one that announces my intent."
Sarah held it in her hand, appreciating the beauty of the small token. "It's lovely. So...if I call you tomorrow, can you come? We can figure out how this will all work."
He bowed his head. "Just say my name and I will hear you. Until tomorrow, Sarah. Now the intended of The Goblin King."
He kissed her hand and swept out the door, leaving Sarah there to think about all that had just happened.
She sat on the couch staring at the necklace.
The next year should prove to be an interesting one, indeed.
*******************************************************************************************
Finished this days ago, but everyone here is now sick of course, including me. Oy vey. Couldn't stand laying in bed anymore, so here you go.
Thank you everyone for your follows, favorites, and reviews! Now on to the courtship. Super fun misadventures ahead! :D