Disclaimers; All the usual apply. Not mine!
Author's Notes; Thanks for the review! Special shout out to Emerald Romance who's awesome review totally made my day. Thanks so much dear! And to all you other readers, thanks for the faves and the reviews. They keep me going.
Chapter Four
Rebel, Rebel
Land dealings were such a bore. Jareth sighed as he started down his scrolls of who wanted more land and which part of the Underground could be bordered off into a new kingdom. He finished it quickly wanting to be done with it. The king's mismatched eyes stared up at his hourglass which hadn't even trickled out all the way yet. He glanced towards his fireplace and wagged a hand. "Fire." He ordered and the flames roared to life on logs once more. It sent a cheery, warm glow over the room.
The last few days had been stressful. Not only did Jareth have to do his rulings as King, he had a new bride to deal with as well. He didn't want to make Sarah a house servant, though she was more willful than he had realized. The King wasn't sure if this was a good thing, or a bad thing. When she had refused his romantic advances the other night he knew he had his work cut out for him.
A knock at the door caused the King to look up. "Enter." he said carelessly, going back over his scrolls.
"Enter?" A familiar, well loved voice chuckled. "Is that the best you can do?"
Jareth felt a grin appearing on his face as he looked up at the Fae who walked in. "Kellen!" He exclaimed.
"Now that is more of what I'm used to hearing. How are you doing, you old chap?" The tall Fae asked as he entered. He glanced around. "Land dealings? Such a bore. You should leave that to that dreadful little Goblin you favored." there was a pause. "But of course, he can't write."
Jareth smiled. "What are you doing here? I thought you were catching the eye of many princesses in search of that grand voyage."
"Oh, I was. But then I heard my dear old chap had chosen his own bride. Tell me, was it Ella?" He asked in a knowing way. The Fae ran his hands through his darker gold hair and smiled. His skin was as pale as Jareth's, but flushed with the outdoors sun. It made Jareth regret having to be stuck inside all the time. Kellen's eyes sparkled with merriment and amusement. He missed having his childhood friend around.
"No it was not Ella." Jareth said.
This caught the Fae off guard. "What? Jareth, the two of you made a rather stunning couple. Gods, what I wouldn't have given to have Ella a time or two. Especially after all those stories you told me about her-"
"Be that as it was. I did not choose Ella." Jareth rolled his eyes. "I have a bride from the Aboveground. She was wished to me."
Kellen turned. "Wished?"
"Her own stepmother. Remember my dream friend, Karen?"
"Oh yes. She had such an imagination and her dreams were vivid enough for you to work your magic weren't they?"
"Indeed. Well, she wished to me her stepdaughter. Demanded I take her because she wants her to learn a lesson."
"Ah, then she should have known better." Kellen picked at his blue poet's shirt. It was much like the one Jareth wore, a simple smock that came in a V neck, his sleeves puffed out in eyelet lace. He too worse snug trousers, but no boots. Kellen's shoes were flat brown shoes.
"I have her stepdaughter training to become my bride. She is of sixteen moons." Jareth added.
Kellen looked over at his friend, the smirk clear on his face and he laughed. "Isn't that a bit young?"
"Perhaps in her world. Remember, things aren't this way here."
"Yes, I do. Well old chap. Aren't you going to introduce me to this human bride of yours? I must charm her with my swagger that you could never possess, old chap."
Jareth rolled his eyes. Back in their youth, the two friends had competed over everything. Kellen was the one Fae was not afraid to challenge Jareth, who went the extra mile to captivate him. He'd missed having the man in his life but understood that Kellen wasn't a prince, he was just a second son to a prince and princess. Maybe that's why Kellen always went to the extremes.
"I shall. Hopefully things are...calmer." Jareth said.
"Ah. We have a spitfire do we?"
"Something of the sort." Jareth agreed and rose from his seat. "Come along. You'll have some wine, I take it?"
"Only the best." Kellen joked. He winked at Jareth who shook his head. "It's been too long. Your wit has been much missed."
"Hmm." Kellen paused before a mirror and preened a bit. "I'm sure it has. It would have been more interesting to meet your child bride when you brought her here. Are you in the mood for a bet?"
"Kellen, she will become my Queen." Jareth said firmly. "Not yours and you are not to touch her. I'm going by the traditions this time. She will remain pure until the night of the Fairy Moon, where we join as husband and wife."
Kellen started to laugh, until he saw Jareth was serious. "What happened to you? You used to be all about defiling virgins and for the sport of it!"
"Apparently, running a Kingdom lacks this practice with me." Jareth's voice was dry. "Do you want to meet Sarah or not?"
"Sarah? What a very...Aboveground name." Kellen chuckled. "Of course I do old chap. Let's go say hi to your little bride." He grinned mischievously at the King who shook his head. Jareth lead them towards the great Hall. "Sarah should be taking her music lessons any moment." Jareth explained to Kellen.
From out of nowhere, they heard what sounded like a yelp, a stream of curse words and the sound of something heavy crashing. "You brazen little bitch!" Came Lorelle's voice. "When I get a hold of you, you will regret this!"
Uh oh. Jareth thought. "Good Goddess." He mumbled to himself hurrying towards the music room. He heard Kellen's amused chuckle as they reached the room in time to see Sarah's music book flying across at Lorelle who barely ducked in time.
"I'm not doing this! Leave me be!"
"I will whip you from head to toe if you do not stop!" Lorelle shouted.
"Lorelle!" Jareth thundered. All activity in the music room came to an abrupt halt. "What in the hell is going on here?"
"She hit me!" Lorelle screeched. "Hit me!"
Jareth turned his mismatched eyes onto Sarah. "Is that true?"
Sarah was as upset as Lorelle was. "I got tired of her boxing me upside the head for missing a note! I told that woman I was not a musician!"
Kellen seemed to be laughing at his side. Jareth sucked in a deep breath and counted to ten. "Lorelle, leave us. Prepare a lunch and include a place for Kellen." Jareth ordered.
"But—she hit me!"
"I heard you. I will deal with it when it's proper to do so. Go." Jareth barked. Lorelle glared at her cousin but turned running out of the room.
"Should I go calm her down?" Kellen asked. He had been a witness to Lorelle's antics before. Jareth didn't want to reprimand Sarah in front of his longtime childhood friend. "After we make proper introductions." He glared at Sarah who was still in position to fight. She let her guard down for a moment.
"Sarah, this is Kellen my childhood friend. Kellen, Sarah my bride."
Sarah just eyed them coolly. "Yeah. Anyway, Jareth I want to talk to you." Her eyes blazed anger.
Jareth felt a headache coming on. "Kellen would you please check on Lorelle? I need to talk to my wife." He shot Sarah a dark look.
"Of course. Pleasure to meet you, my Queen." Kellen gave her a low bow. Sarah flushed once and nodded at him. When he left the room, Jareth strode to the door and shut it. "Why are you not in a dress?" He asked.
Sarah had somehow found her old clothing; the poet's smock and the jeans. She didn't have her hair done properly and looked...well she still looked pleasing, but that was beyond the point.
"I'm not wearing those stupid dresses with those damn corsets anymore!" Sarah exploded. "They hurt. I can't breath in them."
"Sarah you will dress as is proper for my wife to dress. There is no room for arguments here." Jareth could feel his cool start to slip. Oh, she was trying him so very hard. So far he'd been able to hold in his rage but it was coming close to not. After last night Jareth wasn't sure what direction to take their relationship. He couldn't touch her until the wedding as was the tradition but he wanted to just to install obedience in her. Jareth had a feeling that would work if nothing else.
"Did you attack Lorelle?" Jareth inquired.
"Attack? She attacked me first! She hits me for any little thing, or pinches me. I hate her, Jareth!" Sarah exclaimed.
Jareth frowned. "You will have to be punished for your show of disobedience." He said. "You cannot hit a member of the royal family."
"Aren't I to be one?"
"Yes, though you aren't now. Go to your room and wait for me there." Jareth ordered. He saw fear in Sarah's eyes.
"But-"
"Now!" The king barked. "I won't tell you again. Go!" He waited for her and Sarah left the music room. Jareth sighed. "Now perhaps, I'll be able to teach her how to be a Queen."
"But-" Sarah started again and saw she was trying Jareth's patience. She turned and fled for her bedroom. Jareth swore heatedly under his breath and headed out of the room only to see a laughing Kellen.
"Well old chap, she certainly will keep you...busy."
"Shut up, Kellen." Jareth growled. "I have matters to attend to. Amuse yourself while I am occupied."
"Oh, so she's gonna get punished for hitting Lorelle? You know, in her loafers I would have done the same. Lorelle thinks she's better than everyone because she's related to you. I always thought Lorelle was trying to be the female version of you." Kellen said.
Jareth shrugged. It was very true, the two cousins not only resembled one another physically, Lorelle tried to act a lot like him. Most of the times she came off as a condescending bitch, which was why she was still unmarried and living in her cousin's castle instead of being a fancy lady with her own family. Jareth supposed he would have to put up with it for a bit.
"Still. She should not have hit another Fae, especially one of royal blood. I'll have to deal with this indiscretion and make sure Lorelle keeps her trap shut."
Kellen's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Yeah. Good luck with that. Better say your goodbyes to your bride now." He grinned over at the King. "Or...I could occupy Lorelle while you calm the little spitfire?"
"What do you mean?" Jareth narrowed his eyes.
"Well, since you won't do our old competition I'm seeing a new side of Ms. Lorelle. She's filled out a bit, I'm impressed. Game on?"
"Whatever. Just don't hurt her or embarrass me Kellen and you can do as you please."
Kellen swept his best friend a deep bow. "Then I shall go calm the little Lady and I will see you at dinner, My Lord." He headed up the rounded staircase. With a sigh, Jareth headed up after him.
###
Sarah paced the floor of her bedroom, her fear mounting. She had to get out of here before that wacko came back. There was no telling what he would do to her. She feared the idea of him hitting her...or worse. The memory of Jareth's fingers wrapped around her neck was enough.
"Think!" Sarah exclaimed. "There has to be a way to hide from him. Think, think..." She started to frantically look around the room. There was no place obvious to hide, and well the wardrobe was cliche even if Sarah fondly thought of Narnia as she glanced at it.
She glanced at the door that connected her to Jareth's room. The young soon to be Queen hurled herself at the door and pushed it open. She gasped in delight. Jareth's room was unlike anything she'd ever seen. It was...
Stunning.
The room was done up in various colors of blue, gold and green. The bed was at the center of a dais. It was round, it's silken blankets emerald green. There was no headboard so to speak, and Sarah found herself walking in and shutting the door behind her. The carpet was made out of soft material, so soft she wanted to pull her shoes and socks off and sink into the carpet but didn't dare. Not when she would have to run. From the ceiling curtains hung, kind of creating a tent shape. They were of a dark royal blue, almost purple. Sarah thought she saw silver glitter threaded through them.
Jareth had his own wardrobe armory. It was in beautiful chocolate wood, with double doors. They were engraved with flying fairies and vines. A cream colored tassel hung where the latch was. Sarah noticed dresser drawers below the doors of the wardrobe. She reached out to touch it, surprised at how smooth the wood was. Smooth like Jareth's pale broad chest.
As soon as that disgusting thought entered her mind, the young woman shook her head to deny it. Where did that come from anyway?
Jareth seemed fond of fireplaces and the one in his room was fit for a true King. The walls around it were cathedral white, and then soft rosy brick. Logs were in the pit awaiting Jareth's magic or perhaps a house slave to set it on fire. Sarah wondered over to it. She noticed a room where it seemed to be his bathing area. It had a shower, and a round tub. The whole bedroom was done up in the same cathedral white of the fireplace. The sink was white marble with black in it. There were a few personal items on the sink. Sarah lifted a glass bottle of something, giving it a sniff. She closed her eyes and could smell Jareth. "So the Goblin King favors cologne."
Putting it back, Sarah continued on her exploration. She found nothing unusual in the bathroom. The towels and wash clothes were either mossy green, royal blue or purple. She found soap and shampoos, or what she assumed were shampoos in a closet. It kind of made her chuckle, because Sarah assumed that Jareth's strange hairdo came from magic itself. "Sort of a disappointment." She mumbled.
Once she had explored the bathroom, Sarah came back to the bedroom. She wondered if Jareth knew she was gone yet or not. The door opened and the young woman froze.
"Don't you know yet wife, that you cannot hide from me anywhere in this castle or the Underground itself?" He held out a crystal. "This, this little shimmery orb tells me all I need to know." He rolled the orb up on it's arm so that it vanished into his sleeve.
Sarah felt her heart beat pick up speed and she backed away from Jareth, falling onto his bed. She saw the jagged flash of his canines.
"And did you think you'd be safe in my room, Precious Thing?" Jareth asked in a darkly seductive voice. He took a step closer. "This is the last place you should seek safety."
Sarah was starting to see that. She moved backwards, crawling onto the bed now. "Stay away from me."
"You are mine to command. Not the other way around." Jareth said.
"I'm not sorry about earlier! Lorelle is a horrible, horrible person! She thinks she's right to hit me. Ask her!"
"She is right, Sarah. She is training you to become a Queen. There's a certain way to do this." Jareth sighed, looking annoyed and bored. "I don't want to have this conversation with you every day." He walked over to the bed, propping a foot up on the edge. Sarah felt her eyes draw to a certain part of his body, a heated flush coming across her face. She forced herself to look back up.
Jareth noticed and looked amused. "I want you to apologize to Lorelle. Apologize to her and mean it and I won't have to punish you. Most citizens here who would dare to hit a Royal would get nothing less than a death sentence. But you won't, because you are on the road to be Queen."
"What if I refuse?" Sarah asked. Her eyes clashed with his mismatched ones. Jareth felt his body stir in her passion and wanted in the worst way to take her, and now. He counted quickly to ten. Not yet.
"You refuse and I will have to whip you."
Sarah's mouth opened, but no words came out. She seemed to be thinking about this. Finally, the young Queen found her voice. "Whip me?"
"Yes. Whip you. Sixteen lashes on your back, from head to toe. Sixteen for your age. And this would be a public ceremony. Everyone would know you hit a royal and you are next in line as Queen of the Underworld. You won't make friends easy this way, Sarah."
"I don't want to apologize to Lorelle! She can kiss my ass!" Sarah exploded.
Jareth's eyes narrowed and he leaned so that his upper half of the body was on the bed. Jareth placed both hands on it. "Heed me now little girl." With surprising speed, Jareth grabbed Sarah by the ankles and dragged her to him.
She screamed and started to lash out at him, but Jareth predicted that. He pinned himself onto her body. "All you have to do is say sorry. You can make it a great act if you so choose." Jareth added. "Pretend it's part of a play, and you're the lead. I do not want to embarrass you before you are Queen. Fae are not so quick to forget. Women will always be whispering about you."
"I don't care!" Sarah was writhing beneath him. Jareth felt his pants grow tight at the movement the young woman was displaying. Gods. He grunted once, and moved his hands onto her arms, willing her to be still. "I don't care if I make one single friend in this Godforsaken place!"
"Then it shall be a lonely life for you. Not even Lorelle will be as forgiving. She will be even more temperamental."
Sarah seemed to realize that, for some of the fight went out of her. She frowned and gazed up at him. "I don't want to apologize to her." She said the words one after another, slowly.
Jareth sighed. He leaned down until their mouths barely touched. He didn't kiss her not yet. "Why do you try me so, Precious?" He asked against Sarah's lips. Oh, but they were so soft and demanding him to kiss her.
"Do you remember last night?" her head yanked away so she could speak from the side of her mouth. "That might be a good reason why! You tried to poison my mind!"
Jareth laughed. "I did no such thing. I only hoped to...show you another life you could have here. A life I want us both to have. It was no lie."
Sarah seemed to be considering. "If I apologize to Lorelle do I have to do the stupid music lessons? Jareth, I have no musical talent." Sarah pointed out.
"That is the most truest thing I have ever heard you say." Jareth agreed. He was pleased to see Sarah glower up at him. "OK. If you can make it believable, your apology to Lorelle, I will release you from your music lessons. But you will have to find something to fill in your time. You can help me in my office."
"Deal." Sarah said. One small battle one and she smiled, until she remembered that she was pinned underneath her soon to be husband. And there was a part of him that seemed to enjoy it. Sarah shifted, feeling embarrassment.
"Oh, Sarah." Jareth sighed. He let go of one of her arms, to run his fingers through her rich chocolate hair. "I cannot wait until we are married. I have much to show you." His fingertips traced her earlobe, touching the sapphire earrings her father had given her for her sixteenth birthday this year.
Sarah sucked in a deep breath and closed her eyes. She remained absolutely still as Jareth continued to stroke her ear, his fingertips running from her ear to her neck and touching her collarbone. Her eyes squeezed tight and she breathed out, feeling his fingers drift to the top of her breast.
"Don't—please." Sarah begged.
"Shh." Jareth whispered. "Relax." His palm cupped her breast and heat flooded through Sarah. She was surprised at the heat, the way her body reacted. Her nipple stiffened immediately when Jareth's cool finger teased it through the fabric. Her heart pounded and she started to feel panic. He could do absolutely whatever he wanted and nobody would know, or say anything about it.
"Jareth, please. Please not yet." Sarah's voice held tears. She wasn't ready, and she didn't think she'd ever be ready.
Jareth's fingers unlatched on her breast. He sighed with a certain sadness and shook his head. "You have only two weeks until we consummate." He warned her. "I suggest you get ready for it. On our wedding night you will not be able to say no to me."
Sarah felt hot tears trickle out of her eyes and she looked away. "How can I get ready for something like that? It won't be about love!"
Jareth winced as though she'd slapped him. "Why can't you love me!" He demanded suddenly, grabbing her but with more force. "Why? I have not yet done a thing to you. I could give you whatever you desire if you would just submit to me!"
"Because I don't love you!" Sarah's voice rang out. "Can't you see that? My stupid stepmother wished me away here and I wasn't given a choice!" Tears were in her voice. "I'm so homesick all I wanna do is cry, and then I have that snooty bitch hitting me whenever she feels like it, and my clothes are gone and I have to dress up like I'm from the 18th century and I miss going to school and I miss my dad and I miss Toby and Merlin and pizza, and going to the mall and..." Sarah started to cry again, head still turned. "I wanna go home!" She wailed.
Jareth felt pity sweep into him. He could not let her go though, her stepmother wished her here. "I'm sorry you feel that way Sarah." Jareth let her go this time and rose onto his knees. "I would do what I could to make this place as pleasant as possible for you. If only you could see that and stop behaving like the spoiled brat your stepmother dubbed you as."
"I will speak to Lorelle. Perhaps she should not be so harsh in her punishment." Jareth said. "You are still going to apologize to her though? If you want your music lessons to be over?"
Sarah, still sniffling, nodded.
"Good girl." Jareth said. "And I will see about letting you outside once in a while. But get dressed for lunch, Sarah. You don't have to wear a corset. But I want you on your best behavior. My dear friend Kellen will be joining us. Lorelle refuses to come to dinner with you."
Slowly, Sarah sat up. She was facing the Goblin King, studying the strange medallion he wore. Sniffling the young woman reached out to touch it and Jareth closed his eyes. "What are you doing?" he asked.
"I've always seen you wear it." Sarah looked up at him. "I wanted to know what it is?"
It was a triangle shape, silver in color and the middle looked to be bronze with an eternal symbol in it. The chain it hung from was made of leather. "It's nothing." Jareth reached his gloved hand up and cupped Sarah's with it. "Just something I like." He pulled her hand away abruptly as though her touch burned him.
"Now get off my bed Sarah before I am tempted to do something we'll both regret. Go get ready for lunch."
For once, Sarah obeyed hating herself. She wanted to be defiant but something in Jareth's features told her to listen at least once. Jareth dismissed her with a wave of his hand and Sarah headed back to her own chambers, feeling oddly shaken.
Why didn't things ever go her way in this strange place?