It was a whole week before Jareth came to see her again. She was sitting on her bed writing in a journal when the familiar wind picked up. Raeya smiled and looked up to see him sitting on her desk chair.
"Did you miss me?" he asked, grinning and showing his pointy canines.
"Yeah I did. I was wondering when I would get to see you." she answered.
"All you had to do was call my dear. I honestly thought you would have." he told her, his eyes holding a spark of disappointment for a second.
"I figured you would come and see me when you had the time. I didn't want to take you away from any important business that needed attending to." she explained.
"As much as I appreciate your consideration, you would be a most welcome distraction Raeya." he purred, giving her a slightly suggestive stare.
"Don't go there Jareth. I tend to get very violent with guys who hit on me, and just in case your mind went there; no it would not be the kind of violence you would enjoy." she warned.
"You wound me my dear. Such a poor image of my character, where did you get that?" he replied, with a look of mock hurt on his face.
"The Fae are notorious for being pleasure seekers and I have serious issues with the idea of engaging in any kind of romantic act without genuine feelings behind it." she stated.
"Such a pity, while I will admit my moral compass has not always pointed exactly north I do have standards and am nowhere near as loose as most of my race. Besides, I'm afraid I rather miss the point of it all if there is no real emotion behind the act as well." he said.
"Has anyone ever told you you're a very smooth talker Jareth?" she asked.
"No, as a matter of fact I can't say anyone has ever called me that. Would you enlighten me as to what your definition of the term is, my dear?" he answered.
"It means that you say things as prettily as possible so whoever you're talking to will be lulled into a false sense of security and let their guard down." she explained.
"So cruel…" he said softly, placing a hand over his eyes.
"I'm sorry Jareth, but if I learned anything from the book it was that things are not always what they seem and to never take anything for granted. Not to mention I was specifically told not to trust you." she stated.
"Really now, who told you that?" he questioned, removing his hand from his face.
"A woman named Rhiannon who owns the occult store across the street from the hotel I was staying at in Ireland." she told him.
"Ah yes, well you must understand that most of the Irish people have never forgotten nor forgiven the rambunctiousness of my kind in the old days. I can assure you my dear, we have matured substantially since then." he explained.
"Maybe so, but let's not forget that you are still one of the more playful and mischievous of your race. You have to be in order to rule a place like the Goblin Kingdom." she retorted.
"Then I suppose I shall have to earn your trust Raeya." he said sighing.
"If it makes you feel any better, all my potential friends have to do the same. No one gets close to me until I know I can trust them." she replied.
"I suppose that is wise of you, though I am not accustomed to having to go to such lengths to get into someone's good graces." he admitted.
"I know Jareth. I'm quite sure your charm, wit, and good looks have gotten you anywhere you wanted to go in the past." she said smiling.
"I'm not sure whether to call that a back handed compliment or not, but I suppose I will thank you anyway," he paused a moment, "So, you think I'm charming, witty, and handsome?" he purred, giving her the sexy eyes again and grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"Not important Jareth." she growled, blushing furiously and hiding her face in embarrassment.
Jareth remained silent, but got up, walked over to her bed, and sat down. He gently removed her hand from her face before tilting her chin up so she was facing him, though she was still averting her eyes.
"Come now my dear, you can look me in the eye." he told her softly.
After a moment she returned his gaze, but he could tell she was still embarrassed.
"Why are you so upset?" he questioned, genuinely concerned.
"Guys used to make fun of me when they found out I so much as admired them. It was always better for me if they never knew." she answered, tears beginning to form.
"My dear I might tease you a little for complimenting me, but I would never outright make fun of you for it. That is stupid and juvenile even by goblin standards." he promised, moving his hand to rest on her cheek.
"I'm sorry, the most insignificant little things tend to reopen old wounds." she told him.
"If it makes you feel any better, I find you charming, witty, and beautiful as well." he commented smiling.
Raeya blushed again, but this time she smiled. Jareth sighed in relief and opened his arms for a hug which Raeya happily fell into and returned. He'd been caught off guard by the sudden wave of panic at the idea of losing her willingly offered companionship.
"There now, you see? I'm not the villain, just like you said." he remarked.
"I didn't expect you to be, I just have trust issues." she replied.
"Emotional scarring as well, but then again don't we all?" he retorted.
"Thanks for trying to make me feel better." she said.
"Trying? I thought I had succeeded my dear." he responded, grinning.
"Alright yes, you made me feel better." she told him, smiling back.
"There she is." he commented.
"Who?" she asked, looking around.
Jareth placed a hand on the side of her face turning it back toward him.
"The beautiful girl I met in Ireland." he answered.
"You are such a flirt Jareth." she hissed, though she couldn't help the blush and the tiny grin that came to her face.
"Be that as it may, I never lie my dear." he told her, running his fingers through her hair.
"You really think I'm pretty?" she questioned, a look of disbelief on her face.
She may have been looking at him like he was crazy, but Jareth didn't miss the small glimmer of hope in her eyes.
"Even Fae women would covet your looks; flawless pale skin, eyes such a unique shade of green, and soft beautiful hair such a rare shade of red. Yes my dear, you are quite the sight to behold." he answered.
"At the risk of my ego inflating I'll take your word for it, and thank you. It's not every day a girl gets a compliment from someone like you." she replied.
"I am quite generous, to those who deserve it." he stated grinning.
"Oh I see how it is. I boost your ego, you boost mine. For shame Goblin King." she said sarcastically.
"You're teasing me now? Well I suppose that makes us even my dear." he retorted.
"I suppose so." she agreed, smirking triumphantly.
"As much as I love games, I'm afraid I must be off now." he told her.
"Alright." she sighed, her head lowering.
"You act as though you'll never see me again." he remarked, though secretly happy she enjoyed his presence so much.
"I know I'll see you again, it's just not as much fun when you're not around." she admitted.
"Well then, I suppose I shall have to try to visit you more often my dear." he replied smiling.
"I'd like that." she said, smiling back.
"So be it then, goodnight Raeya." he told her.
"Goodnight Jareth." she echoed, hugging him.
Jareth hugged her back, then disappeared the same way he always did. Just like the first time, Raeya went to sleep with a smile.