Chapter Nine

Jareth could barely breathe as he sat near his wife's still body, his whole body convulsing with sobs. No one could hear his voice, but they knew he was in the utmost agony. Rian sat next to his father, his hand on the older Fae's shoulder, not saying anything or crying, but Rian's face was ashen and tearstains lined his cheeks. The room was silent with mourning, for no one would dare to interrupt the Labyrinth's king when he was in such grief. No one made a sound, giving Jareth and Rian the silence they needed.

But then, quite suddenly, a cry pierced the stillness, followed, a moment later, by another cry.

"Your majesty!" one of the physicians exclaimed. "Your majesty!"

Jareth looked up dully, and his eyes widened with disbelief when he saw the doctors holding two screaming, very much alive, babies.

"A boy and a girl!" One of the doctors cried. "Both perfectly healthy, Sire!"

"Jareth?" A weak voice asked, and Jareth turned to see Trinity's eyes beginning to open.

"Trinity!" Jareth cried, grabbing his wife's hands and letting his tears fall onto her face. He bent over and kissed her passionately on the mouth, his body pressed against hers as tears of relief fell from his eyes. She moved a shaking hand to his hair and then smiled when he pulled away.

"It was the strangest sensation, Jareth," Trinity whispered, a large smile on her face. "I felt like I was drifting on a wave. My body just acted of its own accord without me doing a thing, without feeling a thing. Too bad none of my other deliveries were like this."

Jareth let out a sob and lay his head on his wife's chest, stroking her hair with his fingers as he cried.

Rian smiled with relief as the doctors placed his new brother and sister in the prince's arms. The babies kept squalling, for they were hungry and scared with their new world, but they were completely healthy, completely safe. Rian's thoughts immediately flickered to Lorena, and his eyebrows narrowed as he gently rocked the babies in his arms. He looked to his mother and father, happy that Jareth was so relieved, but wanting desperately to go to Lorena. The poor woman was probably in hysterics.

"Jareth," Trinity laughed lightly. "Let me see the twins. I had twins, didn't I?"

"Yes!" Jareth exclaimed and then moved to Rian.

The king took his new children from his oldest son and then carried the babies to Trinity. She took them and soon, their crying had stopped and they were both asleep in their mother's arms.

"Dad," Rian spoke after the entire trauma was over and his father's arms were wrapped securely around his mother and the babies.

"Yes?" Jareth asked, looking up at his son.

"May I go to Lorena?"

"Lorena?" Trinity asked, turning to face Rian. "She's gone?"

"I thought she had killed you," Jareth said, a frown on his face. "Yes, Rian. Go and thank her. Assure her that all is well."

Rian nodded and then disappeared.

XxXxX

Lorena's studio was completely dark except for the lights from her snow globe. Rian arrived in the living area, and he followed the lights to Lorena's sleeping quarters. He looked over one of the low walls to see Lorena asleep on her bed, tears lingering on her cheeks. She was curled up with her blankets and pillow, and her eyebrows were raised slightly, as though she had fallen asleep in turmoil.

Rian entered the sleeping area and approached Lorena, smiling gently as he moved to her side. She was so beautiful, such a queen. He stopped near her head and then softly ran his fingers through her hair, savoring the feeling of silk through his fingers. He then bent low, moving his face close to hers, and whispered.

"Lorena. Lady Lorena."

Lorena let out a slight whimper and then curled up more when she felt Rian's fingertips on her bare shoulder. She sniffed and then opened her eyes slowly; her green orbs immediately meeting Rian's blue and brown eyes. She started and then gasped, sitting up abruptly and pulling her blankets up to her chest.

"What do you want?" she whispered, wiping away her tears.

"Queen Trinity and the babies are safe, with all thanks to you," Rian said, bowing.

"I know who you are now," Lorena said, her eyes wide with terror. "You're the man from Central Park. The one that sat across from me every day and watched me."

"That's right," Rian nodded. "I was fascinated by you."

"Why did you bring me into your Labyrinth?" Lorena asked, standing up with the blankets still wrapped tightly around her.

"Because it was part of a test for me, to show that I was ready to become king of the Underground," Rian said, standing up to his full height and gazing at the woman of his affections.

"Did you pass the test?" Lorena asked quietly.

"I believe so, but that would have meant nothing to me had my mother, brother and sister perished. Thank you, Lady Lorena, for everything," he said with a deep bow. "I owe you my life and my immense gratitude."

"You're welcome. I couldn't have let your family die," Lorena said gently.

"I also beg your forgiveness. I treated you miserably, and I apologize. It was all part of the test," Rian spoke.

"Every part was part of the test?" Lorena asked, an eyebrow arched. "You didn't actually enjoy any of that?"

"Well," Rian smiled, his eyes glowing. "I confess, I did enjoy a couple parts of it."

"Like what parts?" Lorena whispered, standing still as he moved towards her.

"The part," Rian said hoarsely, putting his hands to her cheeks. "When I almost kissed you."

He brought his nose against hers and let his breath caress her lips. To his delight, she didn't move, but closed her eyes and let him wrap his arms around her.

"You played your part so well," Lorena whispered. "I do forgive you, Goblin King. Your father must be outraged with me."

"Why ever so?"

"Because he thought I killed your mother."

"Just forget about that," Rian said softly, letting his fingertips run down her soft cheeks and then move to her hair. "He is extremely grateful to you."

"How can you do this?" Lorena asked, moving her hand to one of his and opening her eyes to look into his face.

"Do what?"

"Entrance me like you do? I hardly know you."

"It's all part of the magic," Rian smiled and then bowed low. "I leave you, my lady, but first, I wish to give you a gift."

"What gift?"

"In the Labyrinth, you had certain powers that you never knew you had. Do you wish to be able to use those powers in your world?" Rian asked with a smile.

"Yes," Lorena nodded, watching longingly as he stepped back.

"The process of giving you your powers could be a bit awkward" Rian said. "It requires a kiss."

"From me?" Lorena asked, her heart beating wildly within her.

"No," Rian said, shaking his head. "From me."

Lorena gulped as he stepped close to her again.

"But," he whispered against her ear. "I won't take that from here." He brushed his fingers gently against her lips and then leaned forward.

He moved his lips to her cheek and kissed her fair skin gently, letting his mouth linger on her soft flesh. He let his lips caress her cheek, and he smiled gently when she let out an almost inaudible sigh.

"I almost wouldn't mind," she breathed as he continued to kiss her cheek. "If you really gave me a true kiss."

"I won't do that to you," Rian said and then moved his mouth away from her face. "I wish you the best of happiness with your upcoming marriage to Derek. I'm sure he's a very happy man."

Rian took several steps back and then smiled admiringly at Lorena.

"It was a pleasure finally meeting you, Lorena."

Within a few short seconds, Lorena was left to herself.

XxXxX

"Jareth," Trinity whispered, not wanting to wake Devian and Marie. "I know who Lorena is."

"Who?" Jareth murmured, kissing her cheek gently.

"She's Vorian's grandchild."

"What?" Jareth asked, turning his head to gaze into his wife's eyes.

"Her power over water is just like his was. There's the snow globe next to her bed, the one Vorian gave Evelyn years ago. And then there are her green eyes. She has the most brilliant green eyes I've seen since Evelyn. She's one of their grandchildren."

"I suppose it's possible," Jareth said.

"It's more than possible, Jareth. It's probable."

"And I just scared her to death."

"I think you need to go apologize, and you need to bring her into the Labyrinth. She belongs here, with us," Trinity said gently. "Derek just dumped her because she saved me. She doesn't fit in her world, Jareth. She needs to come here."

"I should go apologize," Jareth nodded, reluctantly leaving his bride's side. "It's been an hour since Rian left her, though. She's probably asleep."

"That will make it easier for you to bring her here," Trinity smiled. "Just bring her here when she's asleep, and tomorrow morning you can apologize."

"Tomorrow, when she's horrifically frightened," Jareth smiled. "My love…"

"She won't be," Trinity said gently, reaching out and squeezing his hand. "Maybe, when you're in her studio, you'll learn some more things about her."

Jareth nodded and then produced one of his crystals. He vanished, in a puff of glitter, leaving a smiling Trinity in his absence.

XxXxX

Lorena was asleep. Her snow globe was still playing, and her thoughts were peaceful and content. She had been troubled about Derek leaving her and losing her job, yes, but she had just saved a queen and two noble heirs, having, in the process, saved a whole story as well. She didn't hear Jareth appear in her studio, didn't see the great king walking towards her cautiously, not wanting to awaken her.

Jareth smiled to himself as he neared the girl and nodded his head slightly.

"You certainly are one of Vorian and Evelyn's descendants. You look just like her," he whispered, glancing at the snow globe near the woman's head. He put his hand to the globe, imagining, for just a moment, what it felt like for Vorian to make the globe and give it to his love. He remembered when Evelyn had first unwrapped the gift, how she had cried because she didn't feel as though she deserved the water prince's affection. Oh, to have them back once again!

There was a small table on the other side of Lorena's bed, and Jareth moved to it and gazed at the pictures that were there. There was a picture of Lorena's parents, smiling at their sleeping daughter. The man had his arms around the woman, and the woman was smiling beautifully. There was a date on the bottom of the picture frame, marking when the couple had died. Next to that picture was one of a horse, running about in a field of snow. The horse was of medium height and was black with just a trace of brown on her underbelly and nose. She was almost the spitting image of Evelyn's beloved horse, Lady, but this horse had, amazingly, two deep blue eyes.

"You aren't the only one with magic blood," Jareth whispered to Lorena as he turned back to face her.

Lorena moved in her sleep, smiling gently as she did so, and Jareth bent low next to her. Carefully, he slipped his arms beneath the girl's body and then picked her up. He shifted her comfortably in his arms and then stepped back into his world.

XxXxX

"There is a room all ready prepared for her, Jareth," Trinity said excitedly when Jareth arrived in their chambers with Lorena. "She has the south side of the palace, where she can see the ocean."

"Shall we tell Rian that Lorena is here?"

There was a knock on the door, and Trinity smiled cheerfully at Jareth. "That would be him," she smiled.

"Come in, Rian!" Jareth called, and Rian stepped into the room.

The young man's eyes widened when he saw his father holding a sleeping Lorena in his arms.

"Dad," he whispered. "What are you doing?"

"She's coming to stay at the palace for awhile," Trinity grinned. "She'll be staying in the south side of the palace, conveniently located not too far away from you. Would you care to bring Lorena to her new home?"

"She's betrothed! Have you both forgotten that?" Rian gasped, but there was no hiding the delight in his eyes.

"She isn't," Trinity said, shaking her head. "Her fiancée broke off the engagement and fired her from her job. She belongs here, with us. She's Vorian's great granddaughter."

"Lord Vorian?"

"Yes. Your namesake," Jareth nodded. "Would you care to take her?"

Rian nodded, his eyes aglow with pleasure, and took Lorena from his father. The prince smiled joyfully as Lorena snuggled against him, completely asleep.

"Is her room prepared?" he whispered, brushing a strand of brunette away from her eyes.

"Yes," Trinity nodded and then watched as her son turned and left the room.

XxXxX

Rian carried Lorena with the utmost care, not wanting to awaken her. Rapture stirred through him with each step he took, threatening to make him tremble with delight and wake Lorena. The prince received several curious glances from the guards as he carried Lorena down a corridor to her new chambers, but Rian ignored the looks. He was too entranced with the woman in his arms for him even to notice any of them.

It was very late at night, but Rian didn't pay any attention to that. He brought Lorena into her chambers, large, open rooms with a full view of the ocean, and then carried into her new bedroom. The blankets on her large bed were already pulled back for her, and Rian brought her over to the bed and then carefully placed her down on the soft mattress. He reached down and then pulled her blankets over her body, smiling as a small smile of contentment appeared on the woman's face. He covered her bare shoulders and then stepped back, admiring the woman before him.

There was no explaining Rian's joy. She was here, and she wasn't engaged. He was free to woo her and adore her, and he would do it whole-heartedly, but slowly, so he wouldn't frighten her.

"My beautiful Lorena, child of Lord Vorian," Rian whispered, bending low over her as he soothed her hair away from her face. "You were meant to come here, just for me. I will claim your love, for I love you, more than you could ever know."

He leaned closer to her and let his lips brush lightly across her forehead. She sighed and cuddled deeper into her blankets, one of her hands draping out of the material and resting next to her head, her palm facing Rian. He smiled and then kissed her palm, lovingly, before he stood up and left the room, looking wistfully over his shoulder as he did so.