Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, although I'd happily snog Jareth within an inch of his life given half a chance. :)

A/N: I am getting addicted to reviews and would love to hear what people think of this chapter. My beta readers found it to be pretty intense. Hope you like it!

Warning: This story contains mature content, including violence and sexual content. Read at your own risk.

THE TIES THAT BIND

Ch. 10

Jareth moaned softly as the memory ended, the images from Sarah's mind fading from the room, like wisps of smoke on an unseen breeze. Sarah remained starkly still in his embrace, her eyes still transfixed on the dream crystal, which was now pulsing a soothing green. Murmuring a quiet command and waving his hand over the glowing orb, Jareth cast the spell that would relegate Sarah's living nightmare to a distant dream, nothing more.

As he waited for it to take effect and release Sarah from her magical dream state, he leaned back against the marble of the tub, holding her closely as he breathed deep, struggling to control the rage inside him that begged to be released. He would deal with that rage later, for now, Sarah needed him. She needed his strength, understanding and love. There would be enough time for revenge come morning.

Sarah's breathing eased, her eyes blinking lazily, before she turned to look at him. "Did it work?"

Solemnly he nodded, pressing his lips tenderly to her forehead, whispering, "Yes, my precious. It worked. I know what happened and I have done as promised. From tonight, it will seem like a distant dream, nothing more."

Her eyes searched his for any sign of disgust or loathing, seeing nothing but compassion and love. "You won't send me away?"

Holding her tighter, he kissed her lips with a passion he had not realized he harbored. His voice hoarse with emotion, he whispered, "Sarah, if I had my way I would never let you out of my arms again."

With a heavy sigh she surrendered to his embrace, feeling safe for the first time in many years. The warmth of the water and the comfort of his embrace had erased the tension and fear she had been carrying for as long as she could remember. In the fragrant steam of the bathroom and Jareth's strong arms, Sarah fell into a dreamless sleep.

Hearing her breathing turn slow and regular, Jareth carefully picked her up, carrying her toward the fireplace, before laying her glistening body on the heavy rug before the roaring fire. Leaving her sleeping peacefully by the fire, he pulled on a heavy robe, before returning to her, gently drying her with a soft towel – so tenderly that she never woke, merely sighed in her sleep, a contented smile on her face. Once she was dry, he moved her to the bed, sliding her between the crisp sheets and tucking her in. Leaning in, he pressed his lips to her forehead softly, smiling as she whispered in her sleep, "I do love you, you know." Her words making his chest ache in response.

Jareth left her in the bed, his face darkening with suppressed rage as he settled into a chair by the fire. Sipping the glass of brandy Greeble had left for him, Jareth flicked his wrist and spoke into the crystal that appeared, "Greeble, send Torik to me at once and have the lower dungeon of the chateau prepared. In fact, prepare the dungeon of the castle as well – we are going to have a guest for an extended stay. Once you have completed that, send for Elenda the healer from our realm. I want her here in the morning." Flipping his fingers upward, the crystal vanished and he stared into the dancing flames of the fireplace, their heat mirroring that which burned in his eyes.

A short time later, a soft knock at the door tore him from his dark thoughts.

"Enter."

Swiftly the door opened and a tall fae with long raven colored hair entered, wearing heavily embossed goblin armor and followed by a burly goblin in similar armor, carrying a spiked mace over his shoulder. The fae and the goblin took a knee before Jareth, inclining their heads in deference.

"Your Majesty, you sent for me?" intoned Torik, "How may I be of service to the great Goblin King?"

Checking that Sarah was still deeply asleep, Jareth leaned toward Torik and his manservant. "I have a very delicate task that I want you two to see to…tonight. I want the basic elements of this task completed by morning," he said, his eyes dark as the rage flashed behind them. "Details are included in these papers," Jareth said, handing Torik a scroll.

"As you wish Sire," Torik replied, bowing low and backing up three steps before turning and striding out the door.

Jareth returned to gazing into the flames as they writhed in the fireplace.

With a yawn, Sarah cracked her eyes, grunting and burying her face against the pillows to escape the annoyingly bright sunlight that was filtering into the room from the French doors of the balcony, she groaned, "Who opened the bloody curtains?"

Stretching out, she felt rumpled sheets beside her, but no Jareth. Raising her head, she peered around the room blearily, "Jareth?"

"I'm here pet," he replied, smiling at her, his eyes guarded in his distraction.

Turning her head and willing her eyes to focus, she saw him sitting in one of the leather chairs by the fireplace, holding a steaming mug. Breathing deep the scent reached her, helping her sleep addled brain, "Hmmm….coffee…." she purred.

Sarah slid out from under the blankets, hesitating when she rememberd she was naked. As if sensing her dilemma, Jareth chuckled and pointed toward the armoire at the foot of the bed. Opening it Sarah found a dove grey silk robe and wrapped it around herself before moving to settle into the chair opposite Jareth, tucking one leg beneath her.

"Did you sleep well, precious?" he enquired, his clipped tone sending a shiver down her spine, making her purr inwardly.

With a contented smirk she nodded. "Yes, did you sleep at all? I don't remember you coming to bed."

"I did, you were just sleeping too deeply to notice and I was up early making preparations for today."

Nodding quietly she looked at him, her eyes visibly concerned. "You seem distracted, Jareth. Have I done something wrong?"

Smiling at her, he handed her a cup of coffee from the pot at his elbow. "No pet, you have done nothing. I have some business to attend to this morning and it has me a bit distracted. But it will soon be but a faint memory."

He sipped the coffee and surveyed her, an impish smirk sliding over his elegant features. Waving his hand slightly, a pink tinged crystal appeared. Sarah watched intently as he spun the pretty crystal over his hand, twirling it with practiced ease.

"Now then pet, I have business to attend to that will keep me away for several hours. While I am gone, you shall be punished for your infractions from yesterday."

Blushing Sarah, sunk further into the chair, as if trying to hide. She had hoped that he would forget.

As if reading her mind, Jareth smiled, his sharp canines making him look like a hungry lion about to feed. "No, I did not forget that I owed you punishment for several issues," he laughed.

Flipping the crystal around, Sarah watched wide-eyed as it transformed into what looked to be a silver bracelet. Jareth leaned forward, fixing her with an amused smile. "Hold out your left foot, my dear."

Sarah sat on the edge of her seat and obediently held out her left foot, the silk of the robe sliding open, revealing the pale flesh of her legs. Jareth lightly caressed her calf, distracting her momentarily, before clasping the silver cuff around her ankle with a sharp click.

Gasping, Sarah looked down at the cuff on her ankle. With a flick of Jareth's wrist, she found a fine silver chain stretched from the cuff to the foot of the bed. Puzzled she looked at him, trying to understand what was happening.

"Your punishment for running from me last night, is to be restricted to this room until I return. The chain is exactly long enough to reach the French doors, but not the balcony, the bathroom, and the bookshelf by the door, no further," Jareth explained, chuckling as she tested the strength of the chain. "It is fairy chain," he added, "The cuffs and chain can only be released by magic – mine."

Settling back into his chair, he took a deep draught of his coffee, ignoring Greeble as he entered the room, to deposit a tray on the table near Sarah. "Your breakfast, Lady Sarah," Greeble said, bowing briefly before leaving the room.

"You have 15 minutes to eat your breakfast, Sarah," Jareth said, a mischievous smile playing over his lips. "You need to be finished before I must leave for my business engagement."

Sarah met his gaze and nodded, picking up a danish and nibbling it. She wasn't worried about her punishment, per se, but was curious what else it might entail. Being tethered to the bed was fitting considering her attempt to run away, however she was somewhat concerned what punishments he would invoke for her other offenses.

While she ate, Jareth flipped through documents on the desk. Upon seeing that she had stopped eating, he looked at her and raised an eyebrow. "Finished?"

"Yes, I am. Thank you."

"Good," he said, a low chuckle rumbling from his throat. "Now this," he said with a flourish of his hand, "is your punishment for both your unladylike language and problems with impulse control when speaking." Jareth held up a silver bit-gag, his eyes shining with wicked glee.

Sarah opened her mouth to protest, but seeing his look, thought better of it. It was only a few hours in a room by herself, not really so bad. She opened her mouth without a word as he stood before her, slipping the bit into her mouth and fastening it behind her head with a click.

Standing back to observe her, Jareth felt a pang of desire. "Hmm, very lovely, my pet."

"The rest of your punishment will be administered when I return from my errand. While I am gone, you may amuse yourself as you wish. The chain is perfectly waterproof, so feel free to bathe if you should so choose."

Sarah nodded, flexing her jaw muscles around the bit gag, and blushing. 'How attractive can it be…it makes me drool!' she thought, swiping at the dribble trickling from the corner of her mouth.

As Sarah was considering how to amuse herself, a soft knock sounded at the door. Looking up in surprise and embarassment, Sarah saw a slender woman with waist length red curls entering the room. Sarah couldn't stop looking at her, she was lovely in an ethereal way. Dressed in pale blue silk robes, she curtseyed before Jareth, and addressed him in a melodic voice. "Sire, you requested my presence this morning?"

Jareth inclined his head in her direction in acknowledgement, gesturing toward Sarah.

"Elendra, this is the Lady Sarah. I wish you to attend to her. She has three current injuries, and some older scars that I wish you to heal. I also want you to examine her fully for any old or new injuries or ills that need addressing. Essentially, I want her healthy. As you can see, she is restricted to this room and unable to speak, but I am sure you two will manage to communicate just fine."

Sarah looked at Jareth in confusion, her puzzlement met with a soft smile as he caressed her cheek gently.

"As for you," he said to Sarah, "Elendra is my personal healer. I expect you to do whatever she says needs to be done to heal you. Cooperate fully with her."

Kissing Sarah's forehead tenderly, Jareth's fingers caressed her cheek, tracing down her neck, to finish by teasing the sensitive flesh between her breasts. Leaning close to her he whispered so that only she could hear, "We will resume where we left off, when I return. Be good and you'll be rewarded. Be bad, and it is I who will reap the reward."

Then he left.