Heiress

Chapter 10: Masquerade

xfae-princessx (Jade) this chapter is for you. Your words truly touched me and I appreciate them a lot. It makes me feel better that there are others out there who have gone through what I did and came to the same understanding that I did. My heart goes out to you, as well.

I appreciate all of my reviewers and thank you all for your support and kind words! Thanks to everyone and I hope you enjoy this chapter!

The three Fae maids had done wonders with Sarah, and with the gentle touch that was so rare with Goblin attendants. They didn't tug too hard to accomplish a perfect figure under the corset, or pull at all to get her hair to stay in the perfect style. They were gentle when applying make up and even sweetly put her shoes on, all three promising to return after dinner to finish preparing her for the ball. The girls were all young and eager to please the woman they called "The Lady Sarah", which surprised Sarah considering her usual Fae reception of being snubbed. However, when recalling what her ex mother-in-law had said about Annaliese, maybe the woman who broke the future King's heart but returned was better than a horrible Fae woman as their Queen.

"Do you think Jareth will ever tell anyone that I wasn't a Fae to begin with?" Sarah asked once she was alone with Mandy.

Mandy scoffed and put her hands on her hips in a very 15-year-old Sarah manner. "I think they knew from the beginning. It's not very hard to tell. I mean, not all Fae have the spiffy natural eye make up, as you know, but still, when it's obvious, it's obvious, and you, my dear, were obvious."

Sarah ignored the jib and sighed. "What do you think is going to happen to me now? Will I continue to live here to be near my daughter or be shipped off somewhere secretly so that no one will ever recognize me? No one really liked me, Mortal or not. I had so few friends. I'm sure you remember my reception all the time: I was perceived as the random girl who stole the king's heart. And I'm sure I didn't make any new friends by abandoning him! Do you know what Destinee has to tell people about me? She has to tell them that I was some random Fae, who Jareth got pregnant, raised his child, and then died. Supposedly, Jareth took pity on his child and accepted her into his home, proclaiming that she become the heiress because she was his first child. How stupid is that?" Sarah demanded.

"Fae will buy any story, Sarah. He could have told her to tell people that she materialized in his room from a flower and the public would have believed," Mandy insisted.

Sarah slumped in a nearby chair, which was hard to do considering the corset. "But still, I've been thinking non-stop about what will happen to Jacob and me. I mean, I'm sure Julissa will continue my training if I ask her to and I wouldn't have to hide the fact that I'm Mortal if I've become Fae, but what about Jacob? He's still what he is and I'm not comfortable introducing magic into his system quite yet. Maybe when he's older, but not while he's only a baby."

"He's four Sarah, not two," Mandy reminded her.

"He's still a toddler, Mandy. I doubt his body would do well with having magic introduced into his system," Sarah responded.

"That's true," Mandy said thoughtfully.

There was a knock at the door and Mandy gave Sarah back control of her reflection.

"The Lady Sarah is requested to meet the Royal Family in the ballroom for dinner. Your son has already been escorted down," one of the Fae maids reported meekly.

"Thank you, Giselle," Sarah replied. She caught the shocked look on the young girl's face that Sarah had remembered her name.

"There's my dearest daughter-in-law!" the booming voice of King Travon called when Sarah entered the ballroom. She was led to a long table filled with many children, parents, and grandparents just off the side from a grand looking dance space. Everyone looked up at the entrance of the ex-queen.

"Good evening, King Travon," Sarah replied, dipping into a low curtsey and bowing her head in the way that she had been taught nearly seventeen years ago.

"None of that formality, Sarah!" Travon said with a chuckle. He came forward and enveloped the non-Fae in a bone-crushing hug. When they parted, he smiled down at her, much like Oswald had done with Destinee earlier in the day. "You've gotten even prettier with age, my dear."

Sarah blushed. "Thank you."

"Is that my Sarah? Oh, I've missed you so much," a tinier voice said. Jareth's oldest and tiniest sister got up from her seat and went to stand next to her father. Her cerulean eyes shone with loving adoration as she looked upon the girl who had once been married to her favorite brother. "Papa, you are right. Why, she's simply breathtaking."

"Miranda," Sarah breathed as she took in the familiar features of the young woman. She had no idea how she could have ever forgotten the beauty of the doll-like princess, but somehow being so far away for so long had dwindled the memory. Miranda had been born prematurely and was small and frail since, a child who was once thought to have died before the sun set on her first day. But grow she did, as did her natural beauty. Miranda looked the part of a china doll with her ringlet-tight gold hair, sparkling cerulean eyes, rosy cheeks, and porcelain skin. When Sarah glanced at the table and saw a girl and boy who bore the same doll-like perfection, she could only assume they were her children. They were sitting next to a Fae man with caramel colored hair and brilliant green eyes. Sarah remembered him instantly as Miranda's husband, Curtis. "Randa, you and Curtis had children while I was gone?"

Miranda blushed and nodded. "My daughter and son, Helena and Angelo."

The two nodded their heads in respect and Sarah stared at them in awe. Helena resembled her mother so closely, besides the fact of her emerald eyes. Angelo looked more like his father, though his eyes had taken a strange hazel tint. Helena looked older or around the same age as Destinee while Angelo looked Stephen's age. Sarah briefly pondered if Miranda had been pregnant before she left, which seemed plausible considering the maturity showing in the eyes of the Fae beauty. She felt suddenly guilty for having not known.

"Surely you haven't forgotten me?" a different female voice demanded playfully. Jareth's second older sister rose from her seat with elegance and moved swiftly to embrace her ex-sister-in-law.

"Imogen!" Sarah gasped as she was enveloped into a hug that could rival Travon's in strength. The dark haired and dark blue eyed beauty was significantly taller than her older sister and Sarah, though she was still shorter than all of her brothers.

"You left just after I got married. I'm sure you don't remember my husband," Imogen said. She turned and gestured to a man with hair the color of the night, like hers, and eyes the color of dark chocolate. "Ross, you remember Sarah, don't you? She's the one who bested the Labyrinth."

Ross bowed deeply, which caused Sarah to blush once more. "Yes, I remember The Lady Sarah quite well. She was always so fascinating."

"Ross, stop it!" Imogen laughed. Three dark-haired children came to her side, two boys with a girl in the middle. "My sons, Philip and Mercutio, and my beautiful little girl, Katherine. Children, this is Lady Sarah, Destinee's mother."

Philip was obviously the eldest and he stood to almost his mother's chin. His black hair was unruly in an attractive way and his eyes had taken on the color of a storm at sea. Mercutio seemed to be the next born for he came to his brother's shoulder. His dark hair was cropped short and his eyes were the same as his fathers. Finally, little Katherine stood to Mercutio waist, her ruler straight midnight hair falling to her own waist and her wide, curious eyes midnight blue.

"Such handsome boys you have. And what a pretty little girl," Sarah appraised. Katherine grasped Philip's hand and buried her face into his leg in her child-like embarrassment.

Claudius came forward next. He and his twin brother Demetrius were both blessed with smooth auburn hair and amber eyes. Claudius approached with a beautiful woman with hair the color of Jareth's and eyes the color of England's gray skies, a woman Sarah only vaguely remembered. She dropped into a curtsey that would have made any mother proud.

"I'm honored to meet you, Lady Sarah," the young wife said in a sweet voice.

"My wife, Amelia," Claudius introduced, pride apparent in his amber eyes.

"Allow me to introduce our children: Caius and Beatrice," Amelia said. Beatrice was the taller of the two, although she couldn't have been older than Emiline. Her hair had taken on a lovely mix of her parent's and fell in soft waves down her back the color of gold, her eyes a beautiful hazel. Caius was slightly smaller and had his father's hair and mother's eyes.

"My turn!" Jareth's youngest sister, a beauty with brilliant red hair and turquoise eyes, cried out in excitement.

"Regan, behave like a princess," Julissa scolded lightly.

Regan ignored her mother and ran her way into Sarah's waiting arms. Regan snuggled her head into Sarah's neck affectionately and giggled like a little girl. She, too, had been in her adolescent stage when Sarah saw her last and Sarah was pleased to see she had grown into a proper beauty. When Regan was satisfied with the embrace, she pulled away.

"I got married, too!" Regan declared. "And I had three girls. Girls, Sarah! You remember how much I wanted all girls, don't you?"

Sarah laughed at the exuberant behavior of the youngest Princess. "I do."

"Orlando, come show Sarah our girls," Regan called sweetly over her shoulder. Her husband was a very attractive Fae with simple brown hair and brilliant blue eyes. The three girls he came forward with were all small, probably seven, five, and three, give or take a year or two on each.

"Valeria, Alice, and Celia," Orlando introduced.

The three were all beautiful with their mother's aqua eyes, the middle child with her father's hair while the eldest and youngest had their mother's.

"Pleased to meet you, Lady Sarah," Valeria said in her small voice, curtseying to her would-be aunt.

"Pleasure to meet you as well, Princess Valeria," Sarah replied with a smile. Valeria giggled at the reply and turned to her sisters to share the giggle.

Oswald was the last to approach, his pretty Eleanor carrying one daughter on her hip with curly brown hair and bright blue eyes, and holding the hand of her son who had honey colored hair and chocolate eyes. Oswald held onto a bundle that could only be his last daughter. Eleanor was as beautiful as Sarah remembered her to be; all shining brown hair and vibrant blue eyes.

"Hello Eleanor," Sarah said.

"Hello again, Sarah," Eleanor greeted back. She leaned forward and kissed her gently on the cheek. When they parted, they stayed close enough for Sarah to observe the children. "This little girl here is Isabel and this strapping young lad is William."

"And this beauty here is our newest, Julia," Oswald continued, stepping closer so that Sarah could look into the bundle at the baby.

"Oh," Sarah breathed. She stepped away and observed the group, the family that should have always been a part of hers. She had missed so many weddings and far too many births in her absence. She wondered what each other their first words were and if they knew that Mortal's existed. Sarah was unsure if the children of the Royal family would be educated about something outside of the Underground at their young ages.

"Mommy, did you see all of the kids?" Jacob asked in excitement as he bounded off his seat and to his mother.

"Yes I did, Jake," Sarah replied. "Everyone, this is my son, Jacob," Sarah introduced to the family.

"We've met," Eleanor answered for the others. "He's simply adorable, Sarah. Pity about the father though," she added quietly.

Sarah nodded solemnly and directed her son back to the spot between Destinee and Emiline. Once he was seated, she sat in the empty seat between her daughter and Amelia. Dinner was a pleasant affair, something that Sarah hadn't expected. All of the new husbands and wives who Sarah had not known previously to her leaving were accepting of her, though Sarah was unsure if any knew of her mortality. Sarah was pleased to watch Jacob chat happily with the Fae children, none of them seeming to notice his obvious mortality, either. When dinner was over, Sarah felt happier than she had in years. She felt like she belonged amongst the family that she once so carelessly tossed aside.

"Aren't you so excited for tonight?" Regan asked as they began to branch off to continue getting ready.

"I suppose," Sarah replied with a shrug.

"Oh, come on Sarah, when was the last time you were at a ball? You'd be lying horribly to me if you told me that you don't miss that feeling," Regan insisted.

"What feeling?" Sarah asked.

"The feeling that you are the most beautiful woman in the world who is dancing in the arms of the most handsome man you've ever met. And you're thrilled because he's filled your dance card and you know that his eyes are only for you," Regan gushed, her turquoise eyes sparkling. At the giggle of her youngest daughter, who was nestled happily on her hip, she smiled brightly and gave the tiny girl an Eskimo kiss.

"It's so great to see you as a mom, Regan," Sarah said.

"It's great to be one," Regan agreed. "Well, see you tonight!" Regan said as they got to the top of the stairs.

"Good luck locating me," Sarah teased back. Regan laughed and they separated.

"I didn't know you and Aunt Regan got along so well," Destinee commented, coming up from behind.

"I got along very well with all of your aunts and uncles when I used to visit here, Regan and Oswald especially since they were sort of close to my age." Sarah hesitated. "Well, I didn't really get along all that well with Demetrius, but five out of six isn't that bad."

"No one gets along with Demetrius all that well," Destinee insisted. She shuddered. "He's creepy."

"Not my favorite brother," Sarah laughed. She turned around and watched as Emiline carried Jacob down the hall, Stephen cracking jokes and making them both laugh. "Will Emiline be joining us at the ball?"

"No. Grandma has a very strict over thirteen rule. Stephen is excited because Kristalya just turned thirteen last month so they will finally be able to dance together again," Destinee replied. She rolled her eyes. "They're intended to each other."

"When will they get married?" Sarah asked.

"Oh, probably in the next few years or something like that. You know that the Fae don't really care about age, but I'm sure that Lirio doesn't want to give her baby up exactly yet," Destinee replied. She gave a shrug and smiled lightly. "Well, I'll see you downstairs, I guess. And don't forget your mask."

Sarah waved and delayed her steps so that Emiline could catch up with her. She handed Jacob off easily and Sarah carried him back to their adjoining rooms. It only took a moment for the little maids to come back and put the finishing touches on Sarah's look. They giggled excitedly as they left the room, chatting like school girls. When they were finally gone, Sarah turned to her reflection, Mandy absent for comment. She inspected her look and held her chin high.

"Put on your mask and have a good time, Sarah. No one will have to know who you are. Just dance as if you're one of them," She instructed. Sarah put on her mask. In it, she really did look like no one out of the ordinary. No one would ever have to know who she truly was. For a moment she wished that she could wear a mask always so that she didn't have to hide what she wasn't and what she was.

She gave herself one last glance in the mirror before leaving. Her dress was mainly white satin, save for the black and white checkered patterns along the base of her skirt, neckline of her bodice, and around the wrists of her gloves. The bodice was tight and made her look and feel fifteen pounds lighter. The skirt was full and had many layers of tulle under it to keep the form. Her mask was white with a large white feather on the left side, black rhinestones along the outer rim of the satin mask. She was easily identified as the white queen of the chessboard by the white crown on her head.

With a breath for confidence, she picked up her skirts and made her way to the grand staircase. Jacob would be picked up and taken down to the little party being held for the Fae children in a short while. Sarah felt no fear for his safety or comfort: he clicked instantly with the children who were his sister's cousins, the kids who he might, if she and he got lucky, one day call his good friends. Sarah was sure he'd have a fine time with them.

When Sarah made her way to the grand staircase, she stopped to take stock of the entry way. Beautiful Fae were pouring in like club goers at the hottest new spot, all dressed in their finest and looking breathtaking, even under their various masks. Sarah watched as women linked arms and kissed cheeks while men shook hands and clapped one another on their backs. Some couples were even already sneaking off up the stairs, giggling in their already drunken state about the deeds they would do to one another.

'They're like college students,' Sarahthought with amusement. She then drew in a deep breath of confidence and made her way down the stairs as elegantly as she knew how. Jareth was already gone from her sight, which did not surprise her in the least bit. What did surprise her, though, was the sight of the large ballroom decorated lavishly in gold and silver filled with masked Fae in ever square inch, especially considering that it had been empty of all of these not even hours before.

For once in her lifetime as part of the Fae world she wasn't afraid of someone scrutinizing her because she was the mysterious girl the Goblin King chose as his wife. She was free to flirt and be every bit the Fae that she once so desired to be.

"Beautiful Madame, allow me the pleasure of dancing with you," a young Fae asked the instant Sarah entered the ballroom. He was dressed grandly in all shades of blue, leading Sarah to believe that his costume was water themed. His smile was genuine and Sarah could only hope that his eyes were as well.

"I'd be honored, good sir," Sarah responded in a flirtatious voice. She dipped into a low curtsey and allowed him to pull her into his arms. When the music started, the young man led them around the floor in moves so graceful and elegant that Sarah could hardly believe that she was a participant in them.

Another young man was eager to take Sarah into his arms once the water costumed Fae's dance was finished. And after him another man was already in line and another after him. Sarah was left breathless after her fifth man and had to decline the next one waiting to steal her away.

"Bonita, you must not leave us waiting," one of her waiting suitors begged as she turned away. He was one of four waiting to dance next with the White Queen.

"I will return shortly, milords," Sarah responded with a coy smile that she had often seen Fae women use when being flirtatious. The responses of the men fell on deaf ears as she made her way to the refreshment table.

"You're doing fabulous," Mandy voice cooed. Sarah had stuck the compact mirror in the small pocket on the side of her dress, masked cleverly by the folds of her full skirts.

"I can't believe I'm so popular. I didn't even have this many boys ask me out in high school," Sarah replied after she retrieved the mirror.

"Well, you look fabulous, if I do say so myself. You're a full grown woman now and men are obviously taking notice. Just remember: too much conversation makes a man uncomfortable, giggle no matter how unfunny a joke is, and avoid any man who you can smell from a few feet away," Mandy advised.

"What am I going to do during tomorrow's ceremony?" Sarah asked quietly. She feigned fixing her hair as she continued to peer into the jeweled mirror.

"Don't worry about that until tomorrow. Just focus on tonight," Mandy replied.

When a small group approached the table, Sarah shoved the mirror into her pocket and smiled charmingly at them. The solo man accompanying the group of three women broke away from them and swept forward to pour Sarah a glass of wine.

"Allow me, pet," the man said in a silky, deep voice. It sounded so familiar yet not. He bowed slightly as he handed the glass over to her. He was dressed handsomely in an all black costume with white accents on his overcoat and mask. His hair was slicked back and he looked every bit a regal lord.

"Thank you," Sarah replied with a dip of her own. She permitted him a sweet smile before taking a sip of the sweet drink.

"Would you permit me the next dance?" the man asked. The women around him scoffed and pouted.

"I'm afraid I must decline. I already have quite a line," Sarah replied sincerely.

"Perhaps later," the man replied.

"Perhaps," Sarah amended. She curtsied to him and finished her glass before setting off to be attacked once more by her line of suitors.

An hour later, Sarah's line was finally down. As she went to get herself another glass of wine, she was caught by the hand and stilled. She sighed a tiny bit at the thought of dancing with yet another flirtatious man.

"Permit me?" a very recognizable voice asked. Sarah didn't have to turn around to know who had caught her.

"Yes!" Sarah replied with relief. She smiled as she was led back to the dance floor.

"Dear little sister, how you been this evening? I noticed that you were quite popular," Claudius asked as they readied themselves for the music to strike up once more.

"How did you know it was I, Claude?" Sarah asked in mock-hurt. The music had begun and they began to move at the languid pace set by the tune.

"I know my siblings anywhere. You know it is one of my powers: the power of recognition in all situations." He pointed at a couple close to them. They were dressed to match and were dancing very close to one another. "Regan and Orlando." He indicated to another couple. "Over there is Oswald dancing with Miranda." At a younger one, he smiled. "Stephen with his Kristalya. I assume your daughter has told you about their engagement." He stiffened slightly as he nodded to a couple standing under the balcony, the woman talking to the man behind her lace fan. "Demetrius and Annaliese."

"Annaliese?" Sarah gasped. "What is she doing here? Jareth sent her away!"

Claudius sighed and shook his head. "I can only assume that my brother brought her along as his guest to anger Jareth. You know how Demetrius and Jareth have fight," Claudius replied.

"But why her? Could he not have picked any other of Jareth's ex-girlfriends? If I recall correctly, he has dozens to pick from," Sarah said, aghast.

"Try to ignore her, Sarah. You do not look at all like yourself this evening, so she will never know who you are and cannot harass you," Claudius said.

"But I still know she's here. She's probably looking for Jareth to beg and plead her way back to the crown." Sarah then gasped as she took in the always recognizable sight of her daughter, dancing in the arms of who could only have been Darius. Destinee was beaming up at the young man, who smiled back down at her. Amaya was nowhere near, but Sarah was sure the sight would have angered her a great deal. And that meant it would anger Annaliese as well. "Or worse. She's after my daughter."

Claudius ceased their movements and led her carefully through the throng of dancers. "Do not fear for Destinee's safety. Annaliese is not dumb enough to try anything amongst all of these guests. No matter how she would try to spin the story, there are enough eyewitnesses who favor your child that she would not succeed."

Sarah was not consoled by this. "Why do you think Demetrius brought her?"

"To anger Jareth and nothing more," Claudius replied simply and confidently.

"Why does your brother hate him so?" Sarah asked, looking up at her much taller dance partner.

"The classic jealous younger brother complex, of course. Even when we were little did Demetrius challenge Jareth's rightful claim as future King. I'm sure they're plotting some ridiculous scandal in attempt to get back at Jareth. Whatever it is, it will backfire on one of them, or surely both. And Father will surely discover them," Claudius replied. He craned his neck over the crowd in attempt to watch the couple.

"Would they really try something so close to his coronation?" Sarah asked. She, too, was looking for them, but she kept to looking through the masses of dancers instead of getting on her tiptoes.

"Surely not. They will most likely plot their revenge for after his coronation. That way it will be more public. The life of the King is always closely watched," Claudius said.

"And you're not concerned?" Sarah gasped. Claudius's calm demeanor shocked her.

Claudius stopped his search and turned back to Sarah. "Of course I'm concerned, Sarah. Jareth is my brother and soon to be my King. It is my duty to stop this from occurring. Now if you would excuse me, I have spotted my father and I must go, as our children would say, tattle tale on my brother." He took her hand and bowed over it, placing a chaste kiss on it before he rose. "I'm sorry our dance got cut short. Perhaps I will receive the pleasure of dancing with you once more before the night is over."

"It's alright, Claude. Just get that horrible woman removed from here if you can," Sarah pleaded. Claudius nodded and disappeared into the crowd.

'I've got to find Destinee and watch over her,' Sarah decided. Although Claudius was quite sure that the plot would include only Jareth, she didn't want to take any chances. Just as Sarah set off to find her daughter, she was caught around the waist and swung into the chest of the dark-dressed man from earlier.

"Excuse me, sir, but I really must find my daughter," Sarah said, hoping that her declaration of having a child would deter the man. It was not that he wasn't handsome or refined or anything of that sort, it was just that she was too concerned for Destinee to care about flirting.

"Then allow me to escort you," the man replied simply. His voice sounded so familiar that it bugged Sarah for a moment before she remembered why she was rushing.

"That's fine," Sarah said. She pushed out of his embrace and allowed him to part the way of the dancers. She marveled slightly at how they all parted the instant they spotted him, like Moses and the Red Sea. Destinee was soon in her line of vision and Sarah broke away from the man to go to her daughter.

"Mom?" Destinee asked.

Sarah pulled her from Darius. "Annaliese is here," she whispered.

Even through the mask, Sarah could see Destinee's mismatched eyes become wide in fear. "Why?"

"Darling, what's wrong?" Darius asked, stepping closer in attempt to comfort his love.

"Darius, get me something to drink, please," Destinee asked. She didn't bother with any false tones or sweet smiles. Darius took the message and left the two women alone. The dark dressed man stood close by, but not enough that he was overbearing.

"I don't know, but she's with your Uncle Demetrius. Claude thinks they are plotting against your father, but I wouldn't put it past her to try and intervene with you tonight as well," Sarah replied.

Destinee chewed her lip for a moment but then pulled her shoulders back. "I'm not afraid of her. I'm going to become Princess tomorrow. There is nothing she can do to me then."

Sarah felt a surge of pride go through her. Destinee was so much like she used to be. "Just be cautious, Des. Have you seen Amaya?"

"She's happily entertaining a group of boys over there." Destinee pointed to a small group of young boys gathered around the ravishing Amaya. She had neglected her mask for the time, seeming to desire that her many suitors know her face. This fact seemed to attract more suitors, for she had nearly twice as many as all other girls vying for attention who still bore their masks.

"Well, at least she's back to normal," Sarah replied with a slight scoff.

"She excels in social situations," Destinee explained. She looked back to her mother. "I'll be on the guard. Thanks Mom," Destinee said. She kissed her cheek and went to meet Darius half way as he approached with a glass of punch for her.

"Is everything alright?" the dark dressed man asked.

"For now," Sarah whispered. She looked away from her child and back at the man. She felt soothed upon looking at his finely chiseled features and managed to conjure up a smile that wasn't at all false. "I suppose I can permit you your dance now."

"I am honored, milady," the man replied. He bowed over her hand and then took her into his arms. With a grace unlike any Sarah had experienced in the evening, he twirled her about the room. Sarah felt as though it was all too familiar, dancing in this mans arms. It took until near the end of the dance that it dawned on Sarah.

"Oh Jareth, you horrible cad, how dare you trick me like this!" Sarah huffed. She hit his shoulder in her frustration.

"I did nothing of the sort, pet," he replied, still faking his voice.

"I am not your pet, and yes you did! You used a cloaking technique to get me to dance with you. As if I wouldn't catch on," Sarah replied. She pouted, knowing that she had almost been tricked. Mentally she chastised herself for having not known better. After all, she had seen it done so many times before during her marriage to him that she was surprised she didn't catch on right away. Looking back she recognized the obvious sighs and fumed internally at having so carelessly overlooked them for the sake of being a different person for the evening.

Jareth allowed the cloak to drop and he turned into his normal self, his hair going wild, his face morphing into his own, and his eyes returning to their true state. He spoke to her now in his usual voice, which now held a hint of lust. "Are you saying that you would not have danced with me otherwise?"

Sarah's reply got caught in her throat when she realized how close they were to each other and how far away they were from the rest of the group. He had somehow managed to dance her over to the doors leading to the balcony. A few couples were out on it, some snuggling and some otherwise occupied. Sarah suddenly felt fifteen again as she realized that it was likely that Jareth had other intentions than merely dancing with his ex-wife.

"Suddenly so speechless? My Sarah would have never behaved so. She always had an interesting thing or two to say," Jareth asked softly, brushing a gloved hand over her lips.

Sarah shivered pleasantly at the touch. She did not dare let him know that his touch affected her, though. She could hardly imagine the sick joy he'd get out of tricking her once again. She didn't trust him so she pushed his hand away and glared up at him. "Jareth, honestly!"

"Honestly what, pet?" Jareth asked, not at all bothered by her sudden anger. He wrapped an arm around her waist and gently led her down the steps that led to the gardens below. No other couples had yet taken this path and they were now alone, only the distant sounds of the ball and the light of the moons accompanying them.

"Stop it," Sarah nearly whined. Once they were safely down the steps, Sarah got out of his hold. She took her mask off and hoped that now her glare had more effect on him. "I don't know why I even bothered with this thing. Both you and Claudius spotted me with it on!"

"It is only because we happen to know you so well," Jareth consoled her softly. He removed his mask on his walk to a nearby bench. "I have a confession, dearest Sarah," Jareth said. When he sat down, he patted the seat, beckoning her to join him. She cautiously perched as far away from him as possible and waited for him to continue. "I left Annaliese for more then the reasons I told her."

"Oh, Jareth, she's here tonight!" Sarah cried out, having suddenly remembered. She didn't realize until now that such a worrying thought had fled her mind whilst she danced with Jareth. She looked up at the balcony, expecting to see Annaliese and Demetrius peering down at them. All she saw, however, was the fluttering of a forgotten mask making its way to the ground as a young Fae girl giggled.

"I know, and it's nothing to be concerned over. Claudius took care of both of them," Jareth informed her with a dismissive wave his hand. After a breath, he began again. "Sarah, I left Annaliese for you."

Sarah felt like all of her vital functions had ceased at the same time that they sped up. She felt lightheaded and giddy at the same time as terrified and very much grounded. Her heart felt like it stopped at the same time that it felt like it was pounding so fast she would surely die. She knew that her eyes had gone wide and her mouth was hanging open but she didn't care. She hadn't expected this.

Nor had she expected Jareth to close the distance between them and kiss her. He first kissed her softly, not wishing to frighten her more than she already appeared to be. When he received no response other than the abrupt closing of her mouth, he deepened the kiss with the skill of a master. He sucked on her bottom lip, which caused her to gasp and open her mouth once more. He took advantage of that and allowed his tongue to slip in, exploring the contours of her mouth that he had long since forgotten the feel of. He placed a hand around the back of her head, his fingers tangling in her mass of silky chocolate hair and pulling her closer. To pull her closer yet, he wrapped an arm around her waist and scooted her the rest of the way down the bench to be very near to him.

"Jareth," Sarah gasped when he released her lips. He kissed along her jaw and put a few fleeting kisses on her neck. "Jareth," Sarah breathed again as he kissed became open-mouthed and traveled farther.

"My sweet Sarah," he whispered against her skin.

"I—I don't understand," Sarah whispered. She knew the question sounded dumb, even to her own mind, but it was only the truth.

Jareth smirked as he looked into her eyes, mismatched boring into emerald. "What is there to understand, Sarah? I have left Annaliese and wish to take you up once more as my wife." He nuzzled her jaw with his nose. "I've missed you so."

"But—" Sarah gasped as Jareth caught her earlobe with his teeth. She struggled, trying desperately to clear her rapidly-clouding head. It was hard to do considering his breath in her ear was causing her to shiver in pleasure. "Jareth, please stop," she managed to whisper through the haze of her budding lust.

"Why?" Jareth challenged huskily. He kissed down her neck once more, this time traveling to the exposed skin of her chest. He smirked when she gasped as his pointed teeth came in contact with the neckline of her dress, his tongue dancing along the rim teasingly.

"We—we should talk," Sarah stammered. She suddenly couldn't remember when it was that she had buried her hands in his hair. 'Oh that hair. It feels so unbelievably silky,' her mind purred.

"Later," Jareth insisted. He kissed his way back up her neck and back to her ear. "Let's just have this night together."

With movements that Sarah didn't even register, she was lying on her back on the bench, which seemed suddenly long and wide enough for them both. Jareth took only a moment to savor her beauty before capturing her lips once more. His hands were everywhere, familiarizing themselves once more with the contours of her form. While she panted and gasped beneath him, he was secretly unlacing the back of her dress and her corset underneath with the aid of his magic. It wasn't until she took in one particularly deep breath that it dawned on her that her corset was no longer tied.

"Jareth!" Sarah cried out. She scrambled to her elbows and looked at him with wide eyes.

"Yes?" Jareth asked in what sounded like frustration.

"We cannot be doing this," Sarah insisted.

"And why not?" Jareth sighed, dropping his head.

"Be—be—because we're not married!" Sarah reasoned. 'Because we're not married? Seriously, Sarah!' she scolded mentally.

"I will be taking care of that tomorrow. My coronation will be combined with our wedding," Jareth explained. He lifted her chin so that they were eye-to-were again. "Any other reasons?"

"I didn't accept your proposal. In fact, you hardly proposed! You just assumed I was waiting on the edge of my sanity for you to ask me to come back into your life." She pushed him off her and scrambled to get up. Her dress fell from her shoulders to her waist and she blushed furiously, trying to pull the fabric back up. She glowered as Jareth chuckled. "Yeah, like I want to be married to you again," she snapped.

With the fluidity and prowess of a cat, Jareth moved to stand behind her. He wrapped an arm around her waist and grasped the fabric, bunching it in his fists. "Oh, but you do? I know what has been plaguing you all day dearest: where you will stay, what will become of you and your child, and how your lives will proceed. I have had the answer ever since you came back into my life: with me. You will become my Queen, you will become Fae, and you will be happy. As for your child, he will live the life of a prince and when he's old enough he, too, will become a Fae. One day, you will where my mother will tomorrow and hand your tiara to our daughter. And together we will watch our grandchildren grow and live out eternity together."

Sarah couldn't help but realize how much she wanted the life he depicted when she was younger, and how much she hadn't stopped wanting it. Deep down, she knew she still loved Jareth. Actually, that love still boiled near the surface; there was no point in hiding it much longer.

"Look what I have to offer you: your dreams," Jareth whispered seductively in her ear. He used the hand he wasn't using to hold onto her dress to produce a crystal, holding it before her face to see.

And Sarah took it without a moment's hesitation.

-End of chapter!

This chapter took so long because I was contemplating which exact direction to take it in. I knew what I wanted the end result to be but I wasn't sure how to approach it in the beginning. I wanted to make it longer then usual to compensate for the fact that I spent three pages describing family members (of who won't soon be forgotten…teehee). Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed it. And thank you, once again, for all of your love and comfort! You all do mean a lot to me! Until next time (which I can only hope will be soon. College+work is not fun for Sere)

-Serenity