Chapter Thirteen: Wretched and Divine

Sarah slowly opened the door to the library. She looked around, but there was no trace of Jareth; it was almost as if he had never been there at all.

And maybe he hadn't been. Maybe she was going crazy, maybe she was really back at home, maybe - No. Sarah shook her head and took a deep breath. She wasn't crazy and Jareth had been here. Even if it didn't feel like that. She walked slowly through the room, moving toward the couch she had sat on earlier. She curled up against the arm of the couch and shivered violently, wishing that there was a fire going. As if the castle could read her thoughts, the fireplace roared into life spreading the much-needed warmth and light throughout the library.

Sarah smiled slightly and shook her head. She was sure that the castle hadn't read her thoughts - but Jareth was another matter. Hiding but still giving her whatever she wanted. She laughed shakily and looked up at the ceiling. "Thank you, Jareth." The fire sparked higher than returned to its earlier intensity. She pulled her knees up to her chest, or at least as close to her chest as her fluffy dress would allow her, and rested her head against her knees. At least she'd have a bit of time to think.

Why would Jareth break the rules and steal her away? It couldn't really have just been because he was lonely… maybe this really was a game to him, maybe he really did get some kind of sick thrill from forcing her and Toby to play his twisted game. That thought depressed her even further, so she tossed it out the window. Jareth might be cruel, but she knew he wasn't that bad. She smiled slightly; he's too frilly to be evil. There was a small tapping noise that caught her attention, causing her to look up.

o0o

Jareth stood still, waiting for his Sarah to speak. He wondered briefly when he had started to think of Sarah as his, but her smile blew every thought away. Why wasn't she screaming? Or… hitting him? She sat up and turned toward him, leaning against the arm of the couch.

Why wasn't she angry?

"Sarah?"

"Yes?" She looked up at him, her green eyes searing him, making him forget everything. He almost cursed out loud as he broke eye contact; what a wonderful time for the Fae within him to make itself known. "If you… It you're wondering why I'm not angry… I guess it's because I'm too sad to be angry." His eyes snapped back to her, searching her face, trying to find a lie within it. He didn't want her to be unhappy.

"I will not say I'm sorry, Sarah. I will ask for you to forgive me, however, and I hope you can find it within your heart to forgive me." He took a few steps closer to her, his inner Fae battling his rational mind for control. Neither half of his consciousness wanted to hear her speak of sadness or anger; however his rational mind would prefer her wrath to this. This silence.

She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. It was fake, just like so many other things within the Labyrinth. "I'm not sure I can. At least, not until you tell me the truth. Why am I really here? Why me, when you could have chosen any girl in this world or the next." If it had been possible, he would have become even more somber with those words. He took a few more steps toward her, standing before her and kneeling. Her eyes watched every move, as though she thought that Jareth might make a move or strike out at her. He moved slowly, afraid to startle her, until he was on his knees looking up at her. His own mismatched eyes wandered over her, taking in her pale skin (Which, he thought briefly, had become even paler during her short time in his realm) and her dark, wild curls. He sighed softly before returning to her eyes. Those cruel, beautiful, magical eyes.

"I did not lie to you, Sarah. I have never lied to you, and I never will. Of that, I can assure you. I truly was lonely when I answered your call, when I answered Toby's call. But - as you have hinted at before - I did keep part of the truth from you. I don't want to scare you off, Sarah, my precious." He talked slowly, his voice shaking Sarah to her core. Just as it always had. "I have known you for longer than you will ever know, or ever believe. I… when I saw you for that first time, I was struck by the only emotion that has ever sat beyond my reach. I will tell you that part of everything that I do, it is done to be closer to you, my dear."

Sarah reached out and took one of his hands and stood, pulling him to his feet as she did. He looked down at her as she ran her fingers over the thin leather that covered his hands. He could feel her warmth radiating through it, warming him. She pulled at the leather, giving him time to stop her if he wanted to, but he didn't. It was time for her to know. She carefully pulled the leather off, revealing his hand. The skin was translucent, and through it she could see the thin bones of his hand. Her eyes had gone wide and she looked almost scared as she pressed her fingers to the center of his palm. Almost instantly, she jerked back as the magic in his hands shocked her.

"What… What was that?" She looked up at him, her brow furrowed.

"That is the magic of the Fae. Mine is concentrated in my hands. It's most convenient for battles, but very unpleasant during other activities." His voice was soft, as if he was still trying not to scare her. He took his glove back and covered his hand. For the first time in his long life, he actually cared about what her reaction to this would be.

"I'm sure it is." He looked up, slightly startled by her response. She was smiling, but in her eyes he could see both concern and mirth. He almost laughed from the joy of not seeing disgust or pity in her eyes, for that surely would have killed him. Her opinion mattered far too much to him, and that could be dangerous in the future, but for now he would bask in the wonder, in the love that was his thoughts fled as he leaned down and kissed her, much softer than he had the last few times. She was tense at first, but she relaxed against him, finally giving in.

At that point, he pulled back and really did laugh.

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OKay, so I'm so sorry for being absent lately. I had three different thesis papers due, and I had to go to the doctor quite a lot. I'm supposed to be getting surgery over spring break, but my doctor changes his mind like he changes his socks. Let's hope for the best everyone! And remember, I am a review junkie! Give me some props, some critisicm, any comment you so desire!