CHAPTER SIX

NINE YEARS AGO

"Jareth!" her tone was surprised. "What are you doing here?"

"I've come to wish you a happy birthday," he replied sweetly.

Sarah sat at her window seat. The day had been one of celebrations as her family and friends wished her health for another year. Eighteen. At the end of the day she had sought time to reflect and consider alone in her room. Eighteen. She was an adult now though she still felt much like a child on the inside. She knew that such sentiments were largely due to the fact that she never experienced anything grown up. Aside from a part time job and a second hand vehicle, her life was still innocent.

Sitting there on her window seat she considered an individual with whom she'd like to try a few grown up things with. It was a silly thought, perhaps even unreasonable. True he came to visit her every full moon, and would stay and talk with her. He knew everything about her. She liked it when he came. She didn't have to worry about age or about being overly polite. They could talk open and honest. Of course there was also the fact that he was incredibly handsome. Often she found herself wondering just how soft his hair would feel between her fingers, or how warm it would be to touch his lips. But then she would remember that he was a king and magical at that. Surely a mortal such as her was not so enticing. Every since that one fatal night three years ago he had been polite and gentle around her, such behavior on his part, only made her more curious about his other side.

Seeing him in her room tonight caused her heart to leap unexpectedly in her chest. He moved to sit next to her. "What," he began to say intently looking at her. "would the birthday girl like for a gift?"

She laughed shyly. "I don't know."

"Well I'm sure you've gotten a fair share of pretty baubles today and probably even a few lovely items of clothing. How can the Goblin King top such gifts?"

"You don't have to give me anything," she said.

"But I want to." He reached out to tuck her hair behind her ear. "Come! There must be something you desire?"

She looked up at his face. 'Go on Sarah,' she told her self. 'Open and honest- that's how you two have insisted on treating one another.' "Well, there is one thing."

He inclined his head. "Name it."

Quietly she said, "A kiss."

He regarded her for a moment. "From me?"

She nodded her head.

"Close your eyes Sarah." Nervously she obeyed.

When she felt his lips they were more than just warm, they tingled. It was a very pleasant sensation. Gingerly she kissed back unsure how fast she should move or how far he was willing to go. Then she felt his tongue graze her lower lip. Deepening the kiss the tightening of her stomach and the shallowness of her breath made her suddenly hold onto him and tense. Pulling away he lingered near. "Strawberries and sugar," he murmured huskily.

She responded with some pleased sound. "More?"

His lips were over hers again. He kissed her harder this time and pulled her against him. When she made another one of those sounds that sounded pleased and anxious all at once he pulled away again. "Easy little girl," he said opening his eyes. "It may very well be your birthday, but you are asking to play a very dangerous game."

She held him close. "No, I know what I want."

"Do you?"

"Yes," she said with conviction. "This is what I want."

His eyes searched her face. "I don't play by your mortal rules Sarah. What you are asking of me is of no small importance."

She smiled. "I may be an innocent still Jareth, but I'm not ignorant."

He searched her face again. Untangling her arms from around him he resituated him self. "If this is what you want, then come away with me Sarah."

Her dreamy expression faltered.

"Come be my wife and my queen."

"W-w-what?" she looked startled. "Be serious Jareth!"

"I am."

"But we're here now… I have a bed…why go back to the Underground?"

"If you want me, you have to want all of me including what I am: a king."

She was beginning to feel very confused. "I don't understand. I do want you. I want you right now! But-but you're asking me to marry you!"

"Yes! Why do you think I keep coming back here Sarah? Just what have we been about for three years?"

She gaped at him not able to find any words.

"Come home with me Sarah."

"No," she exclaimed. "I can't. I can't just up and leave everything. What are you crazy? My family is here, my brother and my parents. My whole life is here." She stood up from the seat.

"And mine is back in the Underground," he replied with a hint of irritation. "If this is what you want, you must consent to be mine."

"No. I can't do that. I'm human Jareth, not fae."

He stood up. "You were just ready to sleep with me!"

"Jareth I'm a hormonal teenager, and dang it you're an attractive man! But it's my age that also makes me shy away from your proposal- I've got a lot of life yet to experience before I get married."

After that he turned eerily quiet and still. "This is one experience then you cannot have with me, not until you consent to be mine. Trust me though Sarah- I will not let you forget how much you want me."

………………………………………………………………………………………………

In his secret place Jareth massaged his forehead. She always tasted like strawberries and sugar- he'd taste it every time he would remind her. That night he had marked her. Wrapped in that delicious first kiss he had set his mark on her, tasting her very being. Nine years had passed of not being able to stay away, his very soul crying out in pain when he avoided her for long periods of time. The two-year period where she had lived as the mortal's wife had been two years of hell for him. Yet here they were nine years later and she was asking him to return. How could he refuse?