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Chapter 20.

Jareth returned, alone, late that night. Sarah and Megan were sitting in the Queen's Solar, waiting to hear what had happened. Megan had long since stopped crying, but she was still pale. She played her mandolin softly, stopping only when Jareth appeared in the room.

"Mikkal is to be Banished," Jareth kissed Sarah's forehead, and sat on the arm of her chair with one arm draped around her shoulders. "To the world of Humans, stripped of all Fey magic."

"Jalina must be having fits," Sarah guessed.

"Jalina is blaming it all on Megan."

"The Queen of Par Valon needs to take a long, hard look in a mirror," Megan's voice was bitter. "Her son stole me from my world. He hounded me through three kingdoms…"

"He plotted with traitors, although his reason wasn't treason," Jareth added.

"Where is Devon?"

"Hunting. Garthon made use of Mikkal's obsession with you," Jareth replied. "And now, of course, he is missing. Quite possibly, he's gone to ground at Dumont's estates, since the former duke has also been implicated by Mikkal's rather… wordy commentary." Sarah looked at him with a question in her eyes and mind, and he shook his head slightly. "Megan, I need to know exactly what happened between you and Mikkal yesterday."

"I woke from a nightmare," Megan's voice was soft, and her eyes were on the mandolin. "I could still hear Mikkal calling me, so I knew he was somewhere close by. I also knew he must have something to do with the nightmares. So I went to confront him. What I thought I could actually do…" she shrugged. "He told me if I didn't agree to go with him, to marry him, the nightmares would get worse. And then, they would become reality. I couldn't take the chance he was bluffing. I couldn't!" Her hands shook, and she had to take a deep breath before she could continue. "I know how little Mikkal's word means, so I made him give me his Oath. I told him I couldn't leave then, I'd be missed too soon. He pulled me out of the saddle, and kissed me, then let me go, since I'd given my Oath that I'd be back there this morning."

"When he kissed you, how did you feel?"

"Sick to my stomach," she admitted. "In fact, I had to stop on the way back to throw up. May I be excused? I still feel unwell."

"Good night, Megan," Jareth nodded. Megan left the room.

"She's convinced Devon hates her now," Sarah said sadly.

"He's not happy with her," Jareth sighed. "I honestly don't know what he's going to do. He does feel betrayed, but they are half- Bonded…"

"What do you mean, half-Bonded?" Sarah demanded.

"When Devon gave her the mandolin, he also gave her the Kiss of Claiming," Jareth explained. "Last night, she spent the night in his bed, and he took the next logical step. Only two things remain for a complete Bonding on Devon's level; an exchange of vows before witnesses, and a Royal Blessing."

"You don't think Devon's going to finish the job."

"She could have told him what was going on. She didn't," Jareth replied. "Did you find out anything more of her nightmare?"

"No, she won't speak of it. If I ask, her eyes just get…haunted. Like mine did, when I had nightmares about Dad and Karen," Sarah shook her head.

"Then all we can do is wait and watch," Jareth stated. He looked thoughtful, remembering the scene in the orb the night before. Megan had claimed she'd gone to Devon's chambers to assure herself of his safety and health. What nightmare had pushed that comment from her lips?

"Jareth," Sarah's voice shook. "Look." She was pointing at the floor near the chair where Megan had been sitting. Several blood red petals lay on the carpet.

Devon returned two days later, grim and silent. He reported straight to Jareth in the throne room.

"Dumont has been stripped of Fey magic, and will join Mikkal in Banishment Above," the Captain reported. "Garthon as well. Dumont's wife, son and daughter have opted to go to Huon's Court. There was not enough evidence to prove how deeply they were involved in the scheme, although they knew of it."

"An end to one headache, at least," Jareth eyed his friend closely. "Have you seen Megan yet?"

"I have no intention of seeing the Lady Megan, Sire," Devon said stiffly.

"I think you should. There are still some missing pieces, and I'd like very much to have them," Jareth said carefully. "She won't tell Sarah…"

"I highly doubt she'd tell me, Your Majesty. She had an opportunity before, and failed to do so," Devon's voice was cold.

"And the Bonding?"

"Was never finished, she never acknowledged it, and I will learn to live with the…discomfort," Devon shrugged. "If I may be excused? I do have reports to write up." Jareth waved him off. Now was not the time to push the issue of Megan.

Megan, standing behind the screen of the musicians' galley above the throne room, watched Devon leave. She'd heard every word. Her face was white, but she was bound and determined not to cry. Even if she went to Devon now, it was obvious he wouldn't listen. She turned away, heading back to the Royal Apartments. She didn't notice the petals that fell from her sleeve.

"We'll have to start bandaging this again, my lady," Brin frowned when she saw Brin's arm that evening. "It was doing so well! Almost healed, and now this?"

"It doesn't matter, Brin," Megan shrugged. "And Clorin can always make use of the petals, I'm sure."

"Your Majesty, if I might have a few moments of your time?" Megan had made a decision. Devon had been back for two weeks now, and had continued to go out of his way to avoid her, even to the point of assigning a groom to her riding lessons. She'd stopped going after that. She had lost weight, she had trouble sleeping, and her arm was definitely getting worse, although she'd forbidden Brin from telling anyone about that.

"A few. I'm rather busy," Jareth waved her closer. As usual, he was reclined on his great throne, the picture of complete indolence. Megan knew it was just a picture. Jareth was so deeply connected to Labyrinth, castle and Queen, he could monitor half his kingdom without batting either mismatched eye.

"This is a letter of resignation, Sire," she handed him an envelope. "I no longer feel competent to deal with the children's education. And I wish to go to Annwn. Perhaps Lord Arawn has a position there which I can fill."

"Why?" Jareth stared at her.

"I could give you a list of perfectly valid reasons," Megan sighed. "But you already know the truth."

"I never would have expected you to run away, Megan," Jareth sat up straight. Megan said nothing, just bowed her head. A few petals escaped her sleeve to flutter to the floor. Devon claimed she didn't know anything about the Bonding, but Jareth wondered. "Resignation rejected." He tossed the envelope into the air as he stood, and it burst into flame. "My children's happiness is more important to me than how well the governess they adore handles her love life."

"Jareth, please…" Megan looked up, pleading.

"And no one here will help you run away to Annwn, or any place else," Jareth stepped down to stand before her. He pulled a crystal orb from the air. "Pretty, isn't it?" His voice was compelling. Megan's eyes lost focus as she gazed at the orb. "Show me, Megan. Give me the nightmares that still plague you, little friend."

The orb darkened. The image of his best friend, bloodied, bruised, and being tortured with cold iron was enough to make even Jareth flinch. So that was what Mikkal used against Megan! No wonder she wouldn't talk about it. Then the images shifted. Devon was still the focus, only now he was hale and healthy… and bedding Amberlee de Corsica. Jareth banished the orb.

"They didn't happen, and they never will, Megan," Jareth said softly, drawing his hand down over Megan's face, closing her eyes. He returned to the throne, reseating himself in his usual casual elegance, then snapped his fingers. Megan's eyes opened again. "Shouldn't you be in the music room at this time of day, my lady?"

"Yes, Sire," Megan sighed, curtsied, and left the throne room in defeat.

"Captain Devon, report to the Crystal Ballroom!" Jareth snapped loudly, knowing Devon would hear him, no matter where he was. Then he vanished from the throne.

Devon was on his guard when he entered the Crystal Ballroom. It was not a place Jareth used for meetings. The king had created the room for Sarah years ago, before Sarah was actually old enough to accept all Jareth offered.

"What happens to a Fey when faced with Cold Iron, Captain?" Jareth demanded as Devon entered the room. The king had his back to his friend.

"Nothing good, Sire," Devon replied, a bit bewildered. "Cold Iron causes twice as much damage to us as it does to humans."

"Something a student of folklore and mythology would know," Jareth turned now. He was playing with the orb in his fingers. "A year ago in this very room, you told me off over my treatment of Sarah. No, old friend, it is my turn. You are acting like a complete idiot!"

"There was never any doubt Sarah loved you. Megan came to my bed already promised to marry another man!" Devon snapped defensively.

"She was already yours!" Jareth insisted. "And you… you were prepared to let her go without any fight whatsoever. I thought you more of a man, Captain."

"She made her choice."

"And you can't bring yourself to ask her about it, can you?" Jareth sneered. Devon said nothing. Jareth flung the orb at him. "Look into the orb."

"One of your tricks, Your Majesty?"

"Look at it!" Jareth commanded. "See why Megan agreed to marry that snivelling little bastard. Or, at least, part of the reason. Mikkal told Megan he could make her nightmares, hers and the children's, reality."

"That is beyond his power."

"You know that, and I know that. Megan couldn't be sure of it, Devon," Jareth shook his head. "Look into the orb."

Devon looked, and his blood ran cold. Then his temper kicked in. If this was what Mikkal had showed Megan, the idea of it becoming real would have driven her to insanity. The second image, of him bedding Amberlee, was a kick in the gut. Nothing could convince him more where Megan's heart was, if that was a nightmare to her. He crushed the orb in his fist.

"I should have asked her," he admitted quietly. "Fine, you're right. I've been as big an idiot as you ever were."

"Maybe not quite. You ignored Megan, you never degraded her," Jareth snorted. "But don't you think you need to do something about it? Before she finds a way to get to Annwn?"

"Annwn?"

"Megan tried to resign as governess, and asked to be sent to Annwn," Jareth nodded. "Of course, I rejected…"

"Megan!" Devon felt a bolt of pain pass through him.

"The music room!" Jareth vanished at the same time as his friend.

Megan lay on the floor, her face white, her arm on a layer of rose petals. Nanny had taken the children out already. Sarah and Talis were kneeling by Megan.

"I thought her arm was almost healed?" Devon pulled the slight form into his arms. "Megan?"

"I sent for Candon," Sarah allowed Jareth to help her to her feet.

"Get her to her room, Devon," Jareth ordered. Devon nodded, and vanished.

"Lady Megan!" Brin had been putting away clean clothes when Devon appeared with Megan in his arms.

"Why was no one told her arm was worse?" Devon demanded, setting Megan gently onto the bed.

"She forbade me to say anything. And when Lady Megan forbids something, it is almost as iron-clad as the King or Queen's edicts," the Elvin maid replied. "It was almost healed. It opened up again the day you… Oh, get out!" She shoved him aside, away from the bed and the unconscious woman on it. "This is as much your fault as hers! She doesn't eat, she doesn't sleep…"

"Go and let Candon in, Brin," Devon ordered, trying to move past her.

"Go let him in yourself!" Brin snapped. "And to think I encouraged her about you. Get out, Captain. I'll tend my own mistress!"