Chapter 9: Inamoratos

(Warning: This chapter contains mature subject material)

Sarah turned slightly, enough to see behind her. There was a very familiar gloved hand on her shoulder.

Jareth was sitting up on the stone slab, one hand on her, the other holding himself steady.

"You're alive!"

He nodded, seeming to be a bit dazed, and laid back down on the table. She got to her feet and stood, leaning over him, "Are you okay?"

"I used too much power, too soon."

Without thinking, she grabbed and held his hand, as one would if they were visiting a loved one in the hospital. He gazed up at her.

She held up her other hand, "Please, I don't wanna talk about anything right now."

His eyes told her that he consented to her wishes.

Meric's eyes snapped open at the sounds of struggle in the next room. He was groggy from the nap he had been taking, waiting at his parent's house.

Fastening his flame red tunic around himself, he crept from his room, careful not to make a sound. Out in the hall, the first thing he noticed was that the door to the next room had been broken. Deep scratches marred its antique appearance, like some sort of animal had attacked it.

All he heard inside was some muffled whimpering. Peeking his head around the door frame, he ignited his hands in preparation for a fight.

Two wolves were battling it out, or rather, only one was truly fighting. A large wolf was grasping another by the throat, blocking the airway and drawing out the blood in rivers. Excepting his own living spaces, Meric had never seen so much red in one room. Both wolves' furs were matted, soaked in the life fluid. Even the one who so intently focused on killing the other seemed likely to collapse in death itself.

Meric was confused as to why Sulila's wolves would be fighting one another. One of them, then, obviously wasn't hers. He balled his hand into a fist and sent a line of fire at the wolves.

The attacker wolf left it's prey and ran towards the window. It smashed through and took off into the distance. Chasing it made no sense to Meric at this point. It would come back eventually. He walked into the room, picked up the body of the now deceased wolf, and walked back out to the main hallway.

Adona and Lucen sprinted through the halls, in their haste, they had forgotten their ability to teleport. When they saw the nearly destroyed doors, there was immediate panic.

They stepped in front of the doors, gazing in, astonished. Sarah was helping Jareth to his feet. Their son was alive again.

"Jareth?" Adona whispered.

"Mother?" He looked up at her. She stared back, and the expression on her face was so completely hopeful and serene at the same time that one could not doubt its sincerity. Lucen was in a similar state, though true to his Y chromosome, he displayed a touch less of it. He simply walked forward and embraced his son, clapping him on the back a few times.

"It's good to have you back, son."

In all this, Sarah had a unique thought. Jareth's activities of child kidnapping and subsequent goblin transformation weren't consistent. She expected his family to be cruel. Even Sulila's misguided crusade to kill her was done out of love and respect for their family. All of Jareth's actions were inconsistent, she'd assumed he destroyed families because something similar had happened to him. He came from a loving house and revered kingship.

Adona suddenly locked eyes with her and mouth the word, "Later," to Sarah. The mortal blushed, she hadn't remembered that the queen was rather adept at reading her mind.

When Lucen moved aside, the queen hugged and held onto her son as if he was life itself. He was earnest in his response, that of a grateful son to a loving mother.

"I don't know what we would have done if you hadn't woken up."

"I was around, I would have come back to you."

"You're alive!" This was a new voice that sounded so genuinely pleased it was a comfort to hear it.

Meric was standing there, a form in his arms, unmoving.

Sarah ran up to him, "Is that…"

"It's one of Sulila's wolves. There were two of them, fighting a few rooms down. I chased one of them off, but this one died."

"One of them wasn't hers." Commented Jareth, leaning up against a column, "One was the mimic."

"You know Mimic?"

"Quite well. All the goblins combined don't have enough courage or brains to be a proper asset to my kingdom. The mimic was one of my most trusted servants and my chief advisor. She was so unique in her abilities."

Sarah was taken aback by this revelation, "Did you send her?"

"When the trial began, I sent her to Sulila's woods, you would end up there eventually. Her job was to find you and protect you, by whatever means necessary. She was the only one I would have entrusted with such a job."

"She went into this knowing she might have to die for me?"

"She was only too willing to make that sacrifice."

"For you?"

"For the entire kingdom."

Sarah approached Meric and he held out the body for her inspection. She timidly raised the head, but for the life of her, could not see anything that identified this wolf.

"Mimic?"

"It could not be her, Sarah, it could be Sulila's wolf."

"Is there anyway to tell?"

Jareth shook his head, "With a mimic? Unfortunately, no."

She could not deny the feeling in the pit of her stomach that this was Mimic.

"We'll take her back to the labyrinth for a proper burial."

The sadness in the room was impossible to quell. Jareth waved a hand over towards the figure, and it seemed to evaporate into thin air.

"I've sent her home for a proper burial." He took a few tentative steps, and found that his legs held up sturdily.

Adona rubbed her hands together, "Let's go out into the main room, I do not wish to stay in here any longer."

With Sarah to his right and Meric to his left, in case of sudden need for support, the parents escorted them all to more comfortable surroundings.

Talks commenced the second that the party hit the main hall. Jareth held Sarah close to him on the soft cushions of the sitting furniture. He would not release her hand from his grasp. This was comforting, in a way, to see reciprocated many of Sarah's unrequited feelings.

"What exactly did she do to you?" The mortal asked.

"She stole my soul, something that would have killed a mortal."

"Stealing an immortal's life force merely incapacitates them."

"But where did she send it?" Asked Lucen, honestly wondering.

"Into an animal. It was like being trapped in my transformation form."

Sarah thought for a moment, "You're the raven, aren't you! Or, you were the raven?"

With that defining grin of his sending chills up and down her spine, he nodded, "Not my favorite form, yet functional."

Adona and Lucen looked at each other, smiled, and then turned back to the pair.

"You took two nearly fatal - "

He stopped her, "And there was more to it than respect and regard. You confessed to me Sarah, not my servant, but to me."

The queen's knowing smile made Sarah's cheeks tint red for a second, "So there was a confession?"

"Yes."

"A pleasant one, I hope?"

Jareth remained silent, it was not his place to reveal hers.

"I - I'm in love with your son."

"This is wonderful news indeed."

Sarah felt his grasp tighten, "I can say that this feeling is more than mutual."

The parents were delighted at this announcement.

"Does it really matter though? Won't the council still want me killed?"

The immortals all stared at each other, "Well, it is possible that because of this new relationship, Jareth's kingdom could depend on her life."

"If Sarah does not stay with Jareth, there will be no successor to his throne."

"The council would, by default, destroy his lineage."

An expression on Sarah's face made them all stop, "You do understand, dear, that to stay here and survive in our world, it would require a serious relationship with Jareth. Marriage would be the ideal."

She sighed inwardly, "So much for romance."

"I thought humans adored things like this."

"Harlequin is probably the worst interpretation of human relationships. Ever."

Adona tapped her middle son on the leg, "Well if they are so bad, I can get Meric to burn them for me."

Meric grinned coolly, "If my pyromaniac abilities can be of service."

The comment reminded Jareth of just how fond he was of his younger brother, "I do know that you sided with me on this issue."

"I have."

"You have my thanks."

Meric nodded, "I do love our sister, as much as any brother would, but her actions have far surpassed diplomacy, and even ventured into war."

"That had best be avoided, I won't have anymore blood attributed to our little family squabble."

"Can't you just call her and tell her that you found a solution? Won't Jareth and I's relationship end this?"

"She's not answering summons at this time," Meric threw up his hands, "Her ego must be a touch bruised."

"I'm sure that this announcement of her brother marrying a human won't go over well either."

"But it solves the problem!"

"In Sulila's mind," Lucen stood to get himself a drink, "It will also pollute the bloodline."

Sarah had never felt so low. This declaration that some would look at her children as some sort of half-breed shocked her.

Adona looked the opposite, "Pollute the blood? Great lord! I'll be happy to simply have some grandchildren."

Lucen tipped his drink at her, "You're getting ahead of yourself dear."

"Perhaps I am." Adona took his drink and stole a sip before handing it back, "If you two are willing to be married, then the council will be forced to accept it."

"I guess, I just didn't know it would happen so soon."

"It's better than an arranged marriage where you've never met."

"It's less than what I get on earth, at least there I can date."

"I can promise you one thing," Jareth kissed her hand, "I will always court you."

Her eyes were soft and warm, accepting of him and all that it might entail to be with him.

"I doubt that Sulila will try any assault while you and Jareth are together." Commented Adona.

"Why do you mention it?"

"I believe that you should go to the labyrinth, at least there, you will know of your surroundings."

"Home court advantage."

"Quite," Lucen said, "It also might be prudent to give Sarah a look at what will be her new home."

There was a flurry of well-wishes for the departure and for the falling night. When Sarah managed to catch her breath, she realized that she had returned to the castle beyond the goblin city.

"You will be queen of all this realm."

"Just fear me, love me, do as I say and I will be your slave."

He nodded, "I will, if you will grant me the same."

"I will."

Those mismatched eyes of his were pleased and yet wanting. Not pleading, begging or wanting, but desiring of the consummation of everything she'd so readily promised. She would have been a fool to miss it, or deny it would be satisfied at some nearing point in time.

Holding out his arm to her, he escorted her around the inside of the castle.

"Is that one room still here?"

"No, I created that especially for you. It was a challenge."

"It was a good one then."

They entered the throne room, and she marveled at the exquisiteness of the castle without its more undesirable occupants. Though she had to admit, the goblins had the potential of being "so ugly they're cute" when they weren't attacking.

This particular stone that created the very castle itself was soft and smooth to the touch, very misleading from its rough appearance. She indulged her fetish for touch which persisted so strongly in this kingdom, and moved her hands up and down the walls and throne.

"You may sit in the throne, if you like."

"No, thank you."

"Perhaps you would like one of your own?"

She paused, "What?"

"Since you are to be queen, I think you should have your own throne."

"If you want to, as long as the goblins don't sit on it." She laughed lightly.

When she took a step back, she ran into a solid form. Jareth's arms wrapped around her and she gave a small gasp of shock.

"I saw what you wanted to do, I heard my mother talk of your dreams."

There was silence punctuated by heavy breaths, "Would you care to indulge?" Her breathing was more timid, "Or perhaps I can tempt you with another gift?"

"I don't know, your gifts…"

"No tricks," He showed his hand like a magician revealing that the quarter had truly disappeared, "But I cannot guarantee that you won't find it double-edged."

She turned in his arms, "What is it?"

"What every human desires, few obtain, some mourn, and what is the end of all that is humanity itself."

That inquisitive look he'd grown to love took over her eyes, "I don't know just yet."

There were as close as they had ever been, "Sarah, how could I ever not want you?"

Nearly without her own notice, she raised herself up onto her toes, bringing her face closer to his. It was only when she closed her eyes that she felt his lips take possession of hers. Luxurious didn't do it justice, and when her eyes opened, she and her love were in a new room.

"My private chambers," Was his whisper, "Do you mind at all?"

"No, only if I was still lying to myself about you."

"What would that lie be?"

"If I didn't desire everything that I've had in my dreams."

He gave her passion's subtle smile of triumph, "Will you allow me to offer you your dreams now?"

"I ask so little." A light, airy feminine laugh came from her throat. It was lost in the fury of another kiss. She gave as much as she received. His hands found the edges of her shirt, lifting it upwards. Her compliance came as she lifted her arms to let him undress her, letting his fingers brush bare and clothed skin as he did so.

Some brilliant touch of magic and a tempest of emotions found them both soon to his bed, their clothes in piles on the floor. He placed long, languid kisses on her neck, shoulders, and even to her pleasure, her breasts. The air was chilled and the sensations for the heat growing in her battled for control. She shivered and she moaned, delighted in his burning skin and cursed any other covers that dared come near her.

Those fingers that she'd so readily grasped earlier roamed free, massaging areas that had never before been touched by any except herself. As his fingers slipped inside her, gaining easy access due to the slick wetness, her hips arched towards him, her body wanting to consume all that it could. Jareth could play her body in the waking world better than he did even in her dreams.

He lay on his side next to her, lightly nipping at her neck while he sped up his fingers as they explored her body. Sarah began to pant and moan, her body tightening and relaxing, only encouraging him to continue his pursuits. Even in this moment, he could not resist forcing her to be laid bare before him, and she could readily admit that there was something in it that she enjoyed.

Moans turned into cries of pleasure as he brought her to a climax. Removing his fingers, he continued to lightly caress her, drawing out the feelings he could see she so enjoyed. She didn't speak, she feared she wasn't able to. He grinned and suddenly latched onto her neck, sucking and biting hard, marking her, making her his for the worlds to see.

As she let herself get lost, there was a suddenly weight placed on her chest and body. Her body's subconscious parted her legs wider, letting the lovers rest together.

"My dear, are you ready?" His voice was gasping, but not without the velvet undertones.

She nodded, it was frivolous to be truly nervous about the pain of the first time. Jareth suddenly kissed her hard and she whimpered against his mouth as the last barrier between them was broken.

The contact was intense, the most intimate of all. Sarah's hands wrapped around his back, her hips rose to meet his. Her nails dug into his skin and he let out a deep guttural sound at her possessiveness. It pleased him to no end.

What his fingers had caused earlier was burning in her again. With every thrust, she climbed higher, and she could assume that he was in a similar state while his speed only increased.

When she could finally take no more, the peak of pleasure overcame her and she thrust her hips up hard, grasping at him, tightening around him with spasms of ecstasy. It succeeded to send him over the edge as well, and his body stiffened before collapsing on top of her, his face along the side of her neck.

"My queen." Murmuring was the best he could get the words out.

"My king."

"Your gift."

She laughed lightly, "My gift? The one from earlier?"

"Yes," He raised his head and kissed her gently, "I have given you your gift."

"What is it?" But she was slightly yawning in exhaustion.

"You will find out, soon enough."

Sarah nodded, her mind so tired that she could not process all his statements fully. He grinned and lay beside her, gathering her in his arms.

"Soon enough."