Disclaimer: I do not own the Labyrinth or any of the characters associated with the Labyrinth. I do not own the Beauty and the Beast either.
AN: whoa—that was a massive delay. Apologies to all. And a round of tequila shots. Life's been busy! Not disastrous, just busy. I always feel bad that I don't have some major life crisis when I apologize for delays. Sometimes you read fics where every AN is about some disaster (like major disaster) or the other. One time I was all 'whoa—this person either has the worst fucking luck in the world, or possibly, Munchausen-by-internet.'
Chapter 29: Thoughts Left Unsaid
Heat crept up my face, spreading down my neck and chest. Trust him to make an apology sound so indecently obscene instead of…and then it hit me. Jareth didn't mean a normal apology.
My breath hitched in my throat as I looked at him. "Depends on how hard you work on it, Jareth."
The corners of Jareth's lips curled upwards ever so slightly, his eyes gleamed with humor…and something more intense. "That sounds like a challenge. Perhaps I shall start by helping you out of your clothes."
Wait a second—was he serious?
My eyebrows shot up and my mouth went dry. "Um…" I faltered as his gaze turned heated, and I felt like I was burning under it. Blood crept up my cheeks as I felt extremely awkward.
Damn Jareth.
The kind of sex we'd had, so far at least, was spontaneous and organic, not a teasingly polite conversation of 'perhaps I shall start by helping you out of your clothes.'
How ridiculous.
I couldn't stop a nervous laugh from escaping my lips.
Jareth's reaction was immediate. He bared his teeth in a predatory smile, eyes glowing with conviction He moved too quickly for my eyes to follow—one second I was standing next to him, the next, I was pushed against the wall, his arms caging me in an inescapable hold.
His voice was a low growl when he spoke. "You laugh at me, Sarah dearest. Wrong move."
My body responded instantly at his nearness. A heavy mix of adrenaline and desire flowed through my veins, and my heart thudded like a frantic drum. He was close enough that I could feel his hot breath on my face, my neck…much too close for comfort.
"Are you trying to intimidate me on purpose, Jareth?" I asked, thankful that my voice came out steady.
Jareth rumbled out a slow, dark chuckle—the sound vibrated against my chest. "I don't know, Sarah dearest. I was under the impression that you aren't so easy to intimidate."
I raised a brow, mimicking him. "This conversation is going nowhere," I retorted, deliberately affecting a bored tone. "I'm very curious as to what you're apologizing for."
The statement caught Jareth off guard. His diamond hard eyes softened a fraction before he turned away, hiding the expression on his face.
Way to kill the mood, Williams.
"If I ever gave you the impression that I hate you, precious thing…" his voice drifted off, he kept his face hidden from my view.
I raised my brows in surprise. I'd thought he was going to apologize for being a total ass…not that. "You've given me the impression ever since I've come here, Jareth. More than once."
Jareth lifted his head to look at me, his gaze so intense, I felt my skin sizzle with a touch of his magic. "I could never hate you."
His eyes were unyielding—pale as ice, yet sharp enough to scrutinize my every movement. But at that moment, I believed him. He didn't hate me…perhaps he hated himself.
After a few seconds of excruciating silence, I looked away, unable to take the intensity of his gaze. "You hate that you lose control around me, Jareth—I've read it in your face every time you've fucked me. You're desperate like an addict, but you're also angry…furious."
Jareth didn't respond to that. Instead, he wrapped his arms around me, and whispered into my ear. "Let me heal you, Sarah…please."
The low murmur of his voice made me shiver, but I did what he asked. Perhaps I was tired of fighting him, fighting what I felt for him—or perhaps I wanted to sleep without aching all over. Either way, I let him undress me slowly, without the aid of magic before leading me to the bath.
"Close your eyes," Jareth said softly, once we were both submerged in the steaming hot water. He pulled me against him so that I was leaning against his chest.
Once again, I did as he asked—a shiver ran down my spine when I felt his magic tingle against my skin. The wet, hot suction of his mouth as he ran his lips over a bruise on my upper arm. The thick hardness of his cock as he stirred to arousal.
"What are you-?"
My words were cut short as he gently pressed his finger against my lips. "Shhh, precious thing—I'm only healing you. Keep your eyes closed."
A few seconds later, I didn't know whether Jareth meant to heal me, or whether he meant to torture me to insanity. He dragged his lips over every inch of my upper body, his touch feather-light. There wasn't anything particularly sexual about his touch, but my body responded nonetheless. My nipples pebbled into hardened nubs, and liquid heat gathered between my legs. I was a trembling mess when he reached my hips, where he lingered for a few moments before kissing his way up my spine.
Jareth lifted me with his strong arms, and placed me in a seated position at the very edge of the sunken bathtub. My legs dangled into the water—I braced myself with my hands, palms flat on the surface.
"Can I open my eyes now?" I asked, my voice breathy. The aching pulse of desire between my legs made me squirm uncomfortably.
A low, lilting laugh.
"Not right now, precious," Jareth rumbled, touching his finger tips to my eyes. "Don't be alarmed, I've used magic to make sure you keep your eyes closed in case you can't resist the urge."
"I guess I can play along for a while," I replied—even though I wasn't quite happy with how he manipulated me so easily with magic. I was about to tell him to up his game, when I felt his hands push my legs apart.
I felt Jareth kneel between my legs and kiss the insides of my knees and my lower thighs. "I want you to tell me how you feel, precious thing. Can you do that?"
I gasped a yes when I felt the tip of his tongue on my inner thigh—the touch barely perceptible, and yet…
"It tickles." I moaned when he repeated the caress on my other thigh. The muscles in my core clenched in anticipation.
…but I was sorely disappointed, as he didn't do what I expected him to.
Jareth used his tongue and his lips on me, everywhere but my center. He grazed the surface of my skin with his fingertips, and then he followed the movements with his lips—with the occasional nip of his teeth. Put a whole new meaning to the term sexual healing. The aching pulse in my core intensified into a painful, pounding need.
"Jareth, please." Touch me.
He chuckled darkly—the sound vibrated along my core. "Tell me how you feel."
"It hurts," I pleaded. "Please just…" I whimpered—my pleading words cut short, as I felt his sharp teeth nip the skin over my hipbone.
"Shhh, precious thing," he murmured along my thighs, his lips suckling the sensitive flesh. "Tell me what I'm doing to you."
"You're killing me," I said through gritted teeth. His lips were so close to my heated flesh…but not quite there.
"Do you want me to touch you?" I could hear him move between my legs…and after a few seconds, I felt his lips on my breasts, kissing every inch of skin, but my nipples. "You're fucking wet for me, aren't you?"
"Yes," I whispered hoarsely.
"I don't hate you, precious thing, tell me you believe me." Jareth's rumbling voice was equal parts taunting and hopeful—his lips continued their slow torture. "Tell me you believe me, and I'll fuck you until you're fully sated."
"Stop talking," I gritted out, straining desperately, trying to touch my nipple to his mouth. Anything to relieve the painful wave of desire that was running wild in my veins. Trust him to have this conversation now.
"Tell me you believe me," he repeated, a smile evident in his voice—as if he enjoyed watching me writhe with want. With those words, he touched the tip of his tongue to a hardened nipple.
Fuck.
I'd have told him anything he wanted to hear at that point. At least, I believed he didn't want to hate me
"I believe you," I panted, trying to open my eyes, desperately fighting off his magic. I wanted to see what he was going to do to me—anticipate his next move.
"Tell me again, precious."
"Fuck, Jareth. Just fucking touch me."
Rich laughter reverberated against the stone walls of his bathroom.
"Not until I'm convinced, Sarah dearest. Convince me and I'll fuck you as long as you need me to…and you do need me, precious. I can see you fighting to keep yourself from clamping your thighs shut." Saying that, Jareth rolled both my nipples with his fingers, and pinched hard enough to make me cry out.
"I fucking believe you, you jerk," I hissed. My body arched into his hands, craving more of his deranged touch.
Jareth chuckled. "Perhaps I believed you the first time, Sarah dearest. Perhaps I like seeing you so desperate."
Right at the moment, he removed his magical hold on my eyes, and my eyes flew open.
I glared at him. "You are such an ass—aaaah." I didn't have a chance to express my anger, as he sifted us out of the bathroom and onto the massive bed in his guest chambers.
Jareth didn't give me a second to recover—his naked body covered mine, as knees held my legs apart. Looking at me through his pale lashes, Jareth's hands urged me to lie down on the bed with uncharacteristic gentleness.
When he spoke, his voice was rough with emotion. "I want us to clear a few things tonight, precious thing—but you must listen to me. Do I have your…compliance?"
I looked up at him and nodded, not trusting myself to speak. He'd driven me insane by teasing me into a painful state of arousal, and I was lying naked on his bed. I'd say yes even if hell froze over.
"Good," Jareth murmured, lowering his lips to my ear, his teeth nipped my earlobe. He kissed a scorching trail down my neck before raising his head to hold my gaze. "I've wanted you more than I've ever wanted anything else, Sarah."
I gasped as I felt him settle against my soaked flesh of my slit—hard and twitching. He didn't make any move to enter me…only thrusted against me slowly with agonizing friction. It wasn't remotely enough to make me come, but kept me extremely aroused and hypersensitive.
Entwining his fingers with mine, he held my hands on either side of my head—his grip soft but unyielding. "I've wanted you for so long…only you. Tell me you believe me."
"I believe you," I whispered…I wanted to believe him. I drove my hips against his, satisfied when he let out a strangled groan. "Show me how much, Jareth."
I braced myself, thinking he'd lose control—that he'd enter me in a forceful, yet smooth thrust. But he didn't. He lifted my knee and hooked it around his hip before entering me slowly, filling me up inch by inch, until he was so deep, it felt like we were one single entity.
His hold over my hands tightened, his eyes burned into mine…and he began to move. He moved slowly, drawing out our pleasure…his mouth quieting my moans, as I begged him to pick up the pace.
"Do you need me, precious?" Jareth whispered hoarsely, as he drove into me—his movements languid and unhurried. As if he had all the time in the world to turn me inside out.
I moaned out a throaty yes, pleading him with my eyes. "Fuck me harder, Jareth…I can't stand this anymore."
A dark look crossed his face—and in a flash of a second, he reversed our positions. The Goblin King lay below me, looking at me through his silvery lashes—his face drawn out in agonized ecstasy.
"Fuck me, Sarah—show me how much you need me."
I didn't need to be told twice—Jareth had teased my body to the point of no return…I was delirious with need. Clenching his hard length with as much force as I could garner, I pounded against him, fucking him in a wild, crazy rhythm.
Jareth threw his head back in pleasure. "Fuck. That's it, precious. Take your desire."
…and I did. I rode him until my body exploded into bliss. Until he came inside me, choking out an anguished moan. We stayed like that for a few moments, catching our breath as our breathing returned to normal.
"You're not leaving," Jareth told me, voice raw, but firm—leaving no room for argument.
I grinned weakly. "I don't think I'd be able to walk Jareth."
Jareth chuckled as he pulled me into a loose embrace. The word he uttered next was very much a command as it was a request. "Sleep."
I wanted to ask him what this meant. What he wanted from me—not the Labyrinth's vessel, but me…but I left my thoughts unsaid.
I woke up the next morning with sunlight streaming down my face, last night's events still fresh in my mind. A slow flush crept up my neck as my blood ran hot—Jareth beneath me, looking up through his silvery lashes. His face drawn out in pain and ecstasy as I rode him, taking him deeper than I ever had before. Fuck. Just thinking about it made me weak with desire.
Get to work, Williams—I scolded myself. I had a long fucking day ahead and wet fantasies about Jareth weren't going to help.
I stretched my muscles like a lazy cat before examining the space next to me. Once again, it looked only slightly mussed, as if he'd left the second I fell asleep. Leaving me wondering, how long had he slept next to me last night?
And that inevitably led to another question that nagged the back of my mind. Why the hell did I care at all?
"Stop being clingy, and get over it," I told myself aloud—only to jump when I heard Jareth's deep chuckle reverberate around the room.
Had he been there all along?!
I looked up…and sure enough, the Goblin King stood at the foot of the bed, his dual eyes aglow with bemusement.
Jareth's lips twisted into smirk. "Your things are in the bathroom, precious."
That meant I didn't have to walk the walk of shame across the castle—thank god for small mercies.
"Great," I replied. I recalled his words from last night, and looked away.
"Only you, Sarah."
If Jareth noticed my growing discomfort, he didn't show it—instead, he kept studying me with his intense gaze.
"Did you want something?" I asked, unable to keep up with his staring game any longer.
Rich, dulcet laughter. "From you? Always."
I frowned. "Maybe you should tell me, Your Highness. Can't expect me to read your mind."
Something dangerous flashed in his eyes, but it disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. "I believe I have. The question remains, what do you want, Sarah dearest?"
Ah. He was in the mood for word games.
My brows furrowed. "I want a lot of things Jareth—your question requires more context. Did you mean to ask what I want from you?"
Jareth tilted his head, assessing me with cold amusement sparkling in his pale eyes. "In a matter of speaking, I suppose. I meant to ask, what do you want in the end?"
I rolled my eyes. Getting him to speak clearly was like pulling teeth. "The end of what?"
A dark shadow crossed over his impeccable face, and his eyes gleamed silver. In a flash of a second, Jareth went from detached amusement to a somber Goblin King. "The end of all things, Sarah dearest. The end of days…" His voice drifted off to silence, but his eyes remained sharp. "Do you recall the time you asked me if I could send you back to your world?"
I nodded—wondering where this conversation was going. "You said you could manipulate time so that I wouldn't have lost a single day."
"Not just a single day, a single moment."
Well…that was precise.
"Right," I answered, not sure what else I could say. "Anyways, I remember the conversation."
Jareth went very, very still—his eyes lethally sharp. "Assuming we survive the war, precious thing, would you remain here as the Lady of the Labyrinth?"
I gaped at him—he'd made it clear that he would never let me go, so I'd assumed I didn't have much of a choice.
"Remain here?" I repeated, sounding hollow to my own ears.
"Yes, precious thing. Here…" he paused, lips curving into a brittle smile, "…with me."
His eyes searched mine as he waited for an answer. I looked away, emotions warring in my chest—anger, guilt, a sharp pain I couldn't identify.
"Jareth…I…" pathetic response, but that was all I could manage, "…don't know how to answer that question."
Jareth, however, remained persistent—as if he was trying to prove something to himself. "Would you return to your realm, Sarah dearest…if I swore to send you back to the exact second you were taken by the Labyrinth?"
Blood rang in my ears as I contemplated how to answer him. In the end, I went with the truth—I owed him that much. Regardless of what I felt for him, I'd return to my world in a heartbeat. When I spoke, my voice came out steady, belying the turmoil brewing inside. "I'd return to my world."
Jareth didn't move a muscle—the smile on his face tilted enough to become self-deprecating. "Your cruelty knows no bounds."
My cruelty?
I could feel my temper rise, wiping out any tender emotions that remained. "I don't know what you expected, Jareth. Staying with you isn't as simple as you make it sound. And as for being the Lady of the Labyrinth—that thing feasts on lives." I shuddered, remembering how the Gaelian infant had disappeared just days earlier.
Jareth didn't respond—merely looked at me with an unreadable gaze.
"I don't even know what you feel for me, apart from obsession and lust…and I don't think you do either. You like fucking me, okay, I get that. Hell, I like fucking you too. But so, fucking, what? None of it matters in the end." I zipped my mouth shut before I said anything else.
Shut up, Williams—you've said enough.
An icy, cruel smile spread slowly across the Goblin King's face. "What I feel for you," he repeated, the familiar mocking lilt back in his voice. "Are you ready to have that conversation, Sarah? Would you truly like to know the depth of what I feel for you?"
I shuddered as he said my name. My actual name. Not precious, precious thing, or Sarah-fucking-dearest. Just Sarah. His voice had taken on a dangerous tone—a threatening undertone to his words. My brain scrambled in all directions, trying to think of a response.
Something must have shown in my face as Jareth chucked darkly. "I thought not. In any case, breakfast is waiting for you in the sitting area. I believe Daemora wants you to help her today, all the best with that."
That meant I wouldn't see him the rest of the day. "Where will you be?" I blurted out—cursing myself as soon as the words left my mouth.
Not your business, Williams.
Jareth's eyes darkened a fraction. "I have some unfinished business to attend."
So he was back to being secretive. I deserved it, I suppose.
"All the best with that," I told him, repeating his words with a teasing smile.
Jareth threw his head back and laughed in genuine amusement. "Good bye, precious thing. I shall see you at the Goblin Feast."
I stared at the space Jareth had occupied long after he sifted out of the room, lost deep in thought. The Goblin Feast was about a week away—was he trying to keep me at an arm's length? Had I hurt his feelings to the extent that I'd lost him? Should I even care?
Fuck.
I knew the answer to the last question. I shouldn't care.
Then why did I feel like curling into a ball and crying my heart out?
True to his words, Jareth didn't interact with me for the next few days—which I spent mostly sparring with Amer or preparing the castle for the Goblin Feast. King's Castle, it turned out, was far bigger than I'd anticipated. The entire thing was carved out of a single large rock, so that it was part of the mountain.
The logistics of preparing apartments and suites for visiting dignitaries was a remarkably complicated matter. Daemora had her hands full with who would stay next to whom? Were the Ifrits and Zephyrs far enough from each other? Should we place Deimos with Reyerjis, and give Ceres her own apartments? And a host of other ridiculously complicated issues.
"Something on your mind, Lady Sarah." The High General's booming voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Just party preparations," I responded, getting back to my defensive position. Pay attention, Williams—he's going to turn you into burnt toast, otherwise. "My apologies, General, please continue."
Amusement shone in Amer's amber eyes—he didn't get back into position. "Not the King, then."
I grinned—tricky bastard.
"That, too. But there's only so much my human brain can focus on." I was dying to ask him what Jareth was up to, but I didn't.
Amer laughed—the sound far warmer than the Goblin King's icy chuckle. "He seems to be going through great lengths to avoid your presence, Lady Sarah. I can't say I'm not curious as to what occurred between the two of you."
"I think I said something he didn't like," I responded with a nonchalant shrug—but I couldn't' stop a telltale frown on my brows. "At least, that's what I think it is…though with the King, who knows?"
"Arges is visiting us this afternoon, Lady Sarah," Amer told me, wisely changing the subject. "The General inquired whether you would have dinner with him. The King will most likely not have returned, and I must make sure the Goblin Guards are properly trained for the Feast. Lady Meyrra is…spending time…with the Bone Priestesses, so that leaves you."
I raised my brows, mulling over his words…Jareth wasn't here today and wouldn't be back in time for dinner…
Snapping myself out of my traitorous thoughts, I asked, "I don't think the Goblin King's mortal possession is a suitable host for a visiting General, Amer. What about Daemora?"
Amer smiled evenly. "As the sole Astar heir, the Princess cannot entertain a foreign General alone. She's asked you to host the dinner, and for Lord Rhaf to ensure your safety."
I paled at that particular piece of information. The little interaction I'd had with Rhaf proved that he was a major pain in the ass. "I thought Jareth sent him to fight for the Zephyrs."
"He did," Amer replied, laughing at my expression. "But he's here to keep you guarded while the King is busy. As much as I'd like to set fire to his boots, he's a good soldier—he will keep you safe."
"How nice of the King," I said sarcastically. "Should we get back to sparring?"
Amer inclined his head with a twinkle in his eyes. "I believe Renya wishes to have a word with you, Lady Sarah—not even I would get on her bad side."
Throwing my head into my hands, I groaned. I'd forgotten about Renya—she'd made the final alterations to my clothes, and was hell bent on making sure I looked perfect in them. Apparently, as the King's possession, it was up to me to compliment his look. That meant looking like a flashing billboard studded with Swarovski crystals. A half-naked flashing billboard studded with Swarovski crystals.
I'd had to put my foot down and refuse to wear a completely see through dress—where my nipples were clearly visible. The last time I'd exposed my breasts in public was during a summer semester in Barcelona—and that was years ago.
"I don't understand the point of those dresses," I told Amer sincerely. "They're totally sheer—I'll have to wear a thick woolen cloak at all times or risk freezing to death."
"I believe you will be fitted with Ifriti fire bands, Lady Sarah. The King will not risk the Ageans harming you again, and neither will I," Amer said matter-of-factly. "You will remain warm enough not to warrant a thick woolen cloak." He said the last part with a wink.
I rolled my eyes. "So he wants his contemporaries to check out the human possession he's fucking on occasion. Great."
Amer's burning amber eyes immediately darkened at my words, and I realized my mistake a little too late. "I don't believe that's how the King views you, Lady Sarah. But if you're truly uncomfortable wearing Renya's clothes, I'm—"
I raised my hand, and shook my head—I didn't need Amer coming to my rescue. "I made sure the designs were altered to what I'm comfortable with. Don't worry about it, Amer."
The General nodded, expression still somber. "He would never hurt you," he said quietly. "You must believe he would never allow any harm to come to you, Lady Sarah."
I nodded in agreement. "Except from himself, General."
"The King will most likely not have returned…"
"He would never hurt you…"
"You must believe he would never allow any harm to come to you, Lady Sarah."
Repeating Amer's words in my head, I made my way absently to Renya's workshop. I knew I was being unfair to Jareth. I didn't have the right to expect anything from him, when I'd clearly told him I would leave him…if I could.
Still…that didn't stop me from wondering what he'd been doing the past few days…or from wondering where he was right now.
"Lady Sarah, you must come quickly!" Daemora's voice interrupted my thoughts as I saw the princess run towards me. Her usually clipped silver hair was all over the place, and her ice blue eyes were wide with fright—she looked terrified.
"What's wrong, Princess?" I asked, immediately walking up to her. I'd never seen her so distraught before, and it scared me.
Daemora stopped to catch her breath—she looked like she'd been running for a while, trying to find me. "You must come to the infirmary."
The infirmary?
"Is Jareth alright?" I asked—it was the first question that came to mind. A million scenarios ran through my head.
Daemora shook her head. "It's not cousin Jareth—it's Princess Iselin." She gestured that I follow her back to the infirmary—presumably where Iselin was at the moment.
Iselin?
My stomach churned with cold fear as I ran towards the infirmary, with Daemora leading the way. I had encouraged Iselin to spy on Oren and Astre—if she'd been caught spying, the consequences would be dire. Based on what I knew about the First Princess of Nastrondis, death would be a welcome fate as opposed to being her prisoner.
"What happened?" I asked, fearing the worst.
Daemora looked at me and shrugged her shoulders. "I do not know. Cryen said she found her at the portals—she seems to be in some kind of shock."
Shock?
I found a wary Eires pacing the infirmary—her shoulders were tense, and her hands fisted tightly. "Lady Sarah," she said, relief coloring her voice as she saw me. "She says she will only speak to you."
"What's wrong?" I asked, a tremor in my voice. "Has she been hurt?"
Eires shook her head. "She is not physically harmed, but her mind is fragile. She seems very fearful of all of us—the only one she seems to trust, is you."
And yet I'd manipulated her into spying on Oren—I felt terrible.
I made my way into a private chamber where they'd kept Iselin, a gasp on my lips when I saw her crouched at the corner of the room. Iselin's flaxen hair was unbound, it fell in a tangled mess—her clothes partially torn—there were no shoes on her feet. She held her knees to her chest in a protective embrace, her forehead resting on her knees. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed silently.
"Princess Iselin," I said quietly, making my way towards her. I knelt next to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "What's wrong?"
She looked up at me, her gray eyes blurred behind a wall of tears. "Lady Sarah?" Her voice seemed heavy—as if she'd been screaming for a while.
"Yes, it's me," I spoke soothingly. "Let's sit on the bed so you're more comfortable."
Iselin's head snapped up as she looked at the doorway—her shoulders slumped down in relief when she noticed that none of the Silver Bearers were present.
"Come," I said—leading her to the infirmary bed. "Would you like Eires to heal you?"
Her demeanor changed immediately, her body shook with violent shivers. "I don't want any of them near me."
"It's alright—Eires will not touch you without your consent. No one's going to hurt you Iselin, you must calm down and tell me what happened."
Iselin looked through me, her eyes lost somewhere else. "You said I could trust him."
It took me a few seconds to realize she was talking about Jareth…my stomach churned harder with fear and something else.
"You can," I said, hoping I sounded sincere.
Her wide eyes found mine. "You said you trusted him."
"I do, Iselin—I trust Jareth with my life."
She threw her head back and laughed—the sound wild and manic. "He was at Oren's castle…I saw him."
By some miracle, I was able to keep myself calm even though my heart threatened to burst out of my chest. "You must calm down and tell me what happened, Iselin—I don't understand what you're trying to say."
"He was there yesterday," Iselin whispered, fear evident in her voice. "I saw him with Astre and Dagir—as usual."
"I don't know what you mean by 'as usual' Iselin—I don't know their history too well." My voice came out sharper than I'd intended.
If Iselin noticed my distressed tone, she didn't show it. "They were laughing about how Dagir wanted to kill Astre—as if it was one big joke. He was undressing her, while Dagir watched—that's what they've always done…that's when she saw me."
I could hear a faint ringing in my ears—blood crept up my face. In spite of the cold, I felt uncomfortably hot. "I'm sure there was a reason for his actions, Princess Iselin," I told her, unable to keep my voice from shaking.
"Astre asked me to join them," Iselin continued, as if she hadn't heard a word I said. "I told her I wasn't interested…and that's when he laughed." She looked at me—suddenly wide eyed and innocent. So very different from the obnoxious princess I'd first met at the Great Hall.
My throat went dry as I wondered what was coming next—what Jareth could possibly have done to terrify her as such.
"He told her everything—that'd I'd come to you and agreed to spy on Uncle Oren."
My jaw fell open. "I'm so sorry, Iselin…I know it's difficult to understand, but Jareth must have had his reasons…" he had to.
Iselin looked lost in thought—her eyes unfocused. "He helped her strip my magic, you know—it felt like he was tearing me apart. Ripping my flesh and crushing my bones into dust…for hours and hours."
"Oh Iselin," I whispered, throwing an arm around her shoulders. I felt sick—there was only so much of Jareth's behavior I could justify. "I'm so sorry."
"They kept me in the stone prisons, deep below the castle—waiting for Oren to return from Agea."
I swallowed back the bile that had gathered in the back of my throat. "How did you escape?"
She shrugged halfheartedly. "I don't know—I heard a whisper that told me to take a chance. The stone prisons opened up and I ran all the way to the veils…and made my way to you, as I had nowhere else to go."
Well…that made no sense considering she'd ended up in Jareth's kingdom…in his castle, no less. Of course, I didn't tell her that—she seemed hysterical enough.
"I don't know why Jareth did those things, Iselin…but I can assure you that he will not willingly hand over his Kingdom to Astre or the other Nastrondisians. I can't begin to justify why he would hurt you like that… perhaps because he wanted Astre to trust him. What I can promise you is that he will not hurt you in this castle." I'd make him go through me first.
"How can you trust him, Lady Sarah?"
I shrugged. "I just do…I'm going to ask Eires to come and heal you, Princess Iselin—is that alright? She is a healer—she has sworn not to harm anyone seeking to be cured."
Iselin nodded slowly—she scuttled further into the bed and drew the blanket around herself.
I nodded back, making my way out of the private chamber. A wave of vertigo hit me the second I shut the door and I fell to the floor, breaking my fall with my hands.
"Lady Sarah?" Daemora cried out, running to me in concern.
"I'm alright," I answered, standing up on shaky feet.
Everything's fine. Calm the fuck down, Williams—there has to be a reason for his actions. There has to be.
I looked at Eires, and nodded towards the chamber. "I was able to calm her down a little. You should heal her cuts and bruises and help her sleep."
Eires turned a discerning eye on me. "How about—"
"I'm fine." I interrupted, before she could ask her question. Turning to Daemora, I asked, "Can you take Iselin to your apartments, Princess Daemora? She needs company when she awakens."
Daemora nodded helpfully. "Of course."
"Just make sure to keep her as far as possible from the King," I added. "She's very frightened of him."
Daemora raised her silver brows, but didn't say anything.
"I'm going to have dinner with General Arges tonight, in one of the smaller dining rooms. Call me immediately if something happens."
AN: With the looming war and everything, things are going to move fast. One of the reasons I took my time in updating is b/c I want to be able to put out frequent updates when the action heats up. There's nothing as frustrating as reading super action filled chapters once every six to eight months.
Kinda ran through sex in this one. Went with telling and not showing *wink.* It was a bit on the boring side…and I've never been one to write long, descriptive sentences for the actual intercourse part.
I get irritated when I read it too—'he thrusts and she thrusts. And he thrusts and she thrusts. And they thrust and keep thrusting. And breathing heavy. And moaning. And thrusting. And there's emotions.' It's like 'okay, I get it, there's a super wet, tight vagina, a humongous penis, and a shit ton of thrusting going on…get to the orgasm part already.'
And I get all curious when women describe male orgasms—like how do you know how dicks react? I once bombarded my husband with all these questions—like all the stuff I read—'do your balls feel tingly—does your dick jump—how would you describe an impending orgasm?' He was all 'you are such a freak.'
Poor Jareth—his heart might have been broken—just a little.
Poor Sarah—she's in a really screwed up position.
Poor Iselin. I hope she gets to punch Jareth in the balls.
You guys want to hear something ridiculous?
My H and I have moved into a temporary residence until our place gets constructed—we're holding off on buying new furniture etc. so that we can buy everything at one time. In the meantime, I ordered some cheap sheets thinking 'it's only for one year.' Apparently, the sheet is so 'rough' that the skin on my H's ear (like the tops of his ears) is bruised. So now we have to buy fancy sheets b/c he says he's not meant to sleep on cheap sheets.
Does anyone else's partner do shit like this?
