"So, I don't suppose you had anything fun planned for the rest of the day?" she commented.
"Nothing set in stone, but since you're already dressed up so beautifully I was thinking about continuing your dance lessons." he answered.
"Alright, might as well not waste the effort." she agreed.
"Come now, precious. It wouldn't hurt to at least fake a little enthusiasm." he remarked, grinning.
"You know how I get when something doesn't come easily to me." she told him.
"Then think about it this way, love. Another dance lesson means you and I get to hold each other for an indefinite amount of time." he replied.
"Touché, Goblin King." she said, grinning back at him.
"It's all about perspective, Raeya mine." he stated.
When they reached the Great Hall, it transformed itself into a ball room once again.
"This time I thought I might teach you an older dance; one that the Fae are especially fond of. You won't be familiar with it, since the humans Aboveground have forgotten it." he told her.
"Ooh, an old forgotten dance of centuries past? That sounds interesting." she commented.
"I certainly hope you'll enjoy it." he answered.
With that, he helped her into the starting position before leading her through the steps. For some reason, Raeya found herself learning this dance more easily. It wasn't long before the two of them were twirling around the room with music playing in the background.
"I have to wonder if my Fae blood has anything to do with my expedited learning of this particular dance." she remarked.
"It's possible I suppose. Though I'm slightly more inclined to think it's because your muscles are learning how to memorize." he replied.
"Well sure, if you want to take all the magic out of it." she mumbled.
"I know you're used to looking for magic in everything, precious, but you don't have to here. You're surrounded by it." he said.
"Yeah, it's not going to be easy getting used to a magic deprived world again." she stated.
"It's only three more years, love. Then this will be your home, and you'll only have to go Aboveground for short visits." he told her, saying it as much for her sake as his.
"That day can't come soon enough." she replied.
"I understand your impatience." he said.
"I'm sure you do, Jareth." she answered.
"Can I help it if I want my future Queen here with me?" he questioned.
"I guess not, and I want to be with you too." she told him, clinging tighter to his torso.
"I know, precious, but what is three years when forever is not long at all?" he responded, holding her closer as well.
Later that night, the two of them were enjoying their usual cuddle session before bed in Raeya's room. The tone was slightly melancholy though, as this would be their last night together for awhile.
"I'm really going to miss getting a wake-up call from you every morning." she commented.
"I'm going to miss being able to give you that wake-up call every morning." he replied.
"I think I'll miss this even more though." she continued.
"Honestly, love; holding each other and talking before we go to sleep, not having the opportunity to kiss each other breathless whenever we wish?" he asked, grinning playfully.
"Your mind is going to dive into the oubliette on a regular basis until we get married, isn't it?" she remarked, raising an eyebrow.
"Perhaps, but it's also my way of making sure you know how irresistibly desirable I think you are." he told her. "What makes you believe it's going to stop when we're married?"
"Oh you're determined to corrupt me, aren't you?" she responded, sighing.
"I only wish you see you acceptant and comfortable with that side of yourself, precious." he stated seriously.
"That's going to be a difficult wish to grant, and you know it." she said.
"I know, Raeya mine, but I'm going to do everything in my power to help you." he replied.
"I still find your patience with me astounding." she commented.
"Really, precious; shall I ruin that for you?" he asked.
"I'd prefer you didn't, but at the same time I'm curious." she answered, narrowing her eyes suspiciously.
"I'm willing to be patient with you, because I know my patience will be rewarded with a priceless treasure of a prize." he purred softly.
"You just couldn't resist, could you?" she questioned, blushing heavily.
"Whose mind is diving into the oubliette now, love? I don't recall saying what my prize would be." he replied, grinning.
"You, you insinuated! Considering the trajectory of the conversation, what was I supposed to think you were talking about?!" she exclaimed.
"Now now precious, what have I told you about taking things for granted?" he said, still grinning.
"You still haven't denied that I'm right about what you meant." she stated.
"Perceptive as always, Raeya mine; yes that is half of my prize, but the other half is much more important to me. What I truly want, more than anything, is the bond with you that will last forever." he told her.
"I love you too, you dirty minded Fae." she teased playfully.
"Oh come now love, you know I'm nowhere near as bad as most of my race." he retorted.
"True, but that doesn't change the facts." she replied.
"So cruel, my precious thing." he remarked.
"Now look who's using emotional warfare." she commented.
"Turnabout is fair play, not that being fair has ever mattered much to me." he stated.
"Fine, you win this round Goblin King." she sighed.
"What's this, you're giving up? Where's my little fighter?" he asked.
"We're not going to be together again like this for awhile. I don't want to fight with you tonight, I want to snuggle with you." she told him.
"Your logic is flawless as usual, love. Alright, wish granted." he agreed, holding her closer.
"Will you sing to me one more time? I want to make sure I have your voice memorized in case I ever have trouble getting to sleep." she requested.
"Of course, Raeya mine. Anything for my most precious thing." he consented.
As he sang her to sleep, he gently toyed with a lock of her hair and tried not to think about how long it would be before he had the chance to do this again. Instead, he focused on memorizing how she looked as she fell asleep so he would have a mental image to go with the illusion of her arms around him when they were apart. After he finished singing, he gently kissed her forehead and then disappeared to his own room. He decided to have a look at her dreams again, but got an unexpected laugh out of it when he saw that they now included his future Goblin Queen vengefully sicking the goblins on Catriona. Oh, his precious love was indeed a little fighter! She was every bit as strong and willful as he was. For a moment he wondered if this could potentially cause problems in the future, but quickly dismissed it when he remembered how much she hated conflict. No, should they ever disagree on something the matter would be calmly and rationally discussed. He also took comfort in the fact that, although she never wanted to fight with him, she was more than capable of fighting anyone or anything else that threatened her.
"I will miss you greatly, Raeya mine. This week has been most heavenly, and I cannot recall a time during which I've been happier." he whispered softly, as he stared lovingly into the crystal.