CHAPTER 14

Ciaran was healing well. While having access to Thaelyn whenever he needed him was certainly beneficial, there was no doubting that being back in Sarah's company was doing much more for him. While her natural healing abilities made him better physically, though, her presence continued to hurt him emotionally. He found that watching her grow with a child again brought up memories that cut him worse than his attacker had.

In direct contrast to Ciaran, Jareth was so happy he was beside himself. He was absorbing every little difference in Sarah's personality and appearance, and he was loving every minute of it. Even her mood swings seemed to amuse him. With every day they seemed to grow even closer together.

Despite his best efforts, the whole thing depressed the hell out of Ciaran. He did his best not to show it while either of them were visiting him, but he let go of the fight when they left him alone again.

"Lord Ciaran? I believe we should speak." Thaelyn came into the room quietly, as usual.

"Ahh...I was wondering when you would get around to speaking to me about it."

Not surprised in the least that the god knew what he was there for, the healer simply sighed. "I will not attempt to tell you how to feel. However, I will say that I wish you three would work something out. If only because this is hindering your recovery."

"I believe, young one, that we have worked out the only thing that we could all live with."

"But you are not living with it well, are you?"

Eyes closed, he grimaced. "I am doing my best, healer. I truly am happy for them, but I cannot help feeling...things that I don't understand."

The admittance of ignorance startled the fae so badly that he gaped before he caught himself and closed his mouth. "Ciaran, if I may be so bold?"

A simple, tired nod was his only answer.

"I can, if you wish, remove the memories associated with your time with Sarah."

"NO!" The god growled. "Those times are precious to me, and I will not lose them."

"Then stop moping. You are exactly where you want to be, and I will not have you tearing yourself up further over it. Either deal, or leave."

"I am still a god. I do not appreciate being spoken to like that."

"Then stop acting like a child. I am already a forgotten one, and though I am ecstatic to be here, and extremely curious to see what happens, I am not afraid of you or what you can do."

"Leave now, healer. I have heard you. If you would, please send in my friends and my daughter."

Nodding sharply, Thaelyn left and went to fetch the others.

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"What is it, Ciaran? What has happened?"

He held out his hand and wrapped his fingers around Sarah's when she put her hand in his. "I need to go."

Jareth's eyes widened slightly, though his voice was the same slow drawl as always. "Are you healed?"

"Enough to leave this place, I believe."

"Ciaran, I have allowed you to leave before, and see what happened? You belong here with us, with me and Maeve even if you don't feel kinship with Jareth. We cannot protect you if you leave again."

"Sarah, my Sarah." He smiled sadly. "I have no intention of needing protected again. Besides," he looked down at his daughter, cradled so comfortably in Sarah's arms while her abdomen was barely starting to show the coming child, "I find that I am having large issues with watching this."

Following his eyes, hers flashed. "You have seen me do this before! There is absolutely nothing wrong with my having my husband's child!"

"No, there is not. But that does not mean I think I am emotionally capable of watching you give birth to someone else's child. Even though I am truly, truly happy for you and Jareth."

Jareth spoke. "I understand, Ciaran. I will send my best warriors with you if you would like, in order to help shore up your defenses."

"I would appreciate that."

"NO! You can't go!"

"Come here, Sarah."

She stepped closer, sitting on the bed when he patted it.

"You have to let me go, Sarah. I cannot be here with you two. I love you, and that is the problem. It is not fair to ask me to watch you live and love another man."

"But..." Sarah had no more than gotten the one word out of her mouth before she gasped and doubled over.

"Sarah?" Two worried voices asked in unison.

"The...the baby...help me..." She was panting, and barely managed to hand Maeve over to Ciaran before she had to wrap her arms around herself.

"Thaelyn!" Jareth and Ciaran's voices rose in harmony as Sarah began to scream.