Chapter 29.

Morea handed her purse of coins over to Solea; her fingers trembled like leaves in a cold wind. Solea read the fear and knew the Dryad had made a bad choice of companions. She looked at the other and warned. "Perhaps you should speak to someone?"

"Who?" Morea whispered. "Who could I go to at this late date?"

"Why not start with Cairbre, and the Keeper of the Pool?" Solea suggested firmly. "Do so before it's too late."

The Dryad hung her head. "It may already be too late." Her voice was desolate. "None of what has taken place was I privy to."

"Who is plotting against the brothers?" Solea asked.

Morea cried green chlorophyll tears. "I don't know, Solea, I swear…I only knew that the suggestion of a challenge had been made to Quinn…that his vanity had been used to bend him to a will."

The Water Sprite led the Dryad toward the Keeper and the Bard. "State talking."

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Jareth frowned at his brother. "Not on your life, brother."

Quinn growled softly. "What is said is said, brother."

"Back off," the King warned. "Before one of us gets hurt."

Garfrith left the field in the company of the guild masters who were going to be staying for the evening's celebrations. Celestia remained on the field with Giles and the Labyrinthia Mystic. She looked at the little bird on the shoulder of the girl in the costume that revealed womanly curves.

"I did not know nightingales resided with in the boarders of Labyrinthia." Celestia said softly.

Jareth looked at the bird and frowned. "They don't." He stated. "Where did that bird come from?" He questioned Sarah.

"A gift from a friend." Sarah said with conviction. "I've learned never to reject a gift."

Jareth's look softened. "Have you, now?" His voice went husky.

Hearing that Quinn produced a sprig of jasmine and handed it toward Sarah. She looked at the sprig, and frowned. Quinn laughed and tucked the sprig in his tunic. He called his entourage to follow him back into the palace.

Anne was now standing next to Sarah. "Next time warn me."

"Next time?" Sarah quipped. "I should live so long."

Ryan growled down at her. "Hubba hubba, hot mama!"

Sarah went demure. "Oh this old thing?"

Jareth cleared his throat, "What was wrong with the dress I gave you?"

"Nothing." Sarah said sweetly. "It was just too…sweet and young…and innocent and…"

Jareth put gloved fingertips to her lips. "Shhhhhhhhh. I get it." He looked down at her outfit. "Interesting colors and…line, Sarah."

She tilted her head; "You approve?"

He nodded, never taking his eyes off her curves. "OH yeah."

Ryan, Anne, Giles and Celestia all snickered.

Jareth, ignoring them all extended his arm to her. "May I have the honor of escorting you, Lady Sarah, into the banquet in your honor?

Sarah slid her hand over his. "I can think of no one I'd rather be escorted by, Sire."

Anne watched them walk toward the palace, and shook her head. "I wish those two would get serious."

Giles extended his arm to Celestia. "All in good time, Lady Anne. Today, Jareth learned that Sarah is not a little girl any longer. Give him time for it to sink in."

Anne sighed. "Quinn has eyes too, Giles."

Celestia nodded, "And he's not nearly as shy as your King appears to be."

Giles frowned.

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"We've failed." One voice said.

"All is not yet lost." The other said. "There is still the dragon race on the marrow. And I have a little surprise for the paladin."

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Sarah was seated again between the brothers, more than once she caught Quinn scrutinizing the back of her outfit, or lack there of. She heard him growl low in the back of his throat, and shift his position.

Jareth stood, toasted his Mystic. "To the Lady Sarah, who never ceases to amaze me." He sipped his cup. Then toasted the Tarsi Mystic, "To Garfrith, who did not disappoint us."

When Jareth took his seat again he looked at Quinn, "That's three for me, and one tie. I'd say I win…but you already know I'm winning."

"There's winning, and then there's winning." Quinn quipped back, looking from his brother to the beautiful young woman between them. "And I can afford to lose some of the minor battles to you, brother, for I shall not lose the war."

Sarah looked at Quinn quizzically. "What are you talking about?"

"Nothing, dear Sarah." Quinn said sipping his wine. "Nothing at all." He looked at her outfit, "Allow me to say how awe inspiring your gown is."

"Thank you." She said coldly.

"Perhaps now I should reissue my…invitation of a few nights ago." The dark Fae mused.

Sarah looked away from him, stared straight ahead, ignoring him.

He leaned closer when he saw that Jareth was occupied talking to someone else. "You look far more receptive to my suggestion." Sarah shivered as his breath tickled her ear. "I can promise you'd not be disappointed."

"You would be." She promised.

Leaning even closer, Quinn allowed one hand to stroke the skin of her exposed thigh. "I assure you, little virgin, I would not be. I'd be honored."

Sarah fought the urge to stand and slap his grin off his face. She controlled her emotions and her anger. "Move it or lose it." She said softly.

Quinn pulled his hand back. "Think about it, Sarah. My offer will remain open." He moved back and turned to speak to Giles.

Jareth looked at Sarah and his smile faded. "Is he bothering you again?"

Sarah looked at Jareth, about to complain when the King began to shutter again. She groaned. "Another summons?"

He nodded, looking pained. "I have to go."

"What if it's another false alarm?" she questioned.

Jareth took her hand into his, raised it to his lips and kissed it. He hoped the entire court saw. "It matters not, false or true, a summons is a summons and must be answered."

She veiled her concerned eyes with dark lashes. "Go, then. I shall see to your guests."

Jareth rose and joined the horde gathering in the hall outside the banquet.

Sarah stood up, "His Majesty, King Jareth bids you all to enjoy the evening. He has received a summons and must answer it." She raised her glass, toasted the Guild Masters, and thanked them for making the journey for the Tourney.

Quinn looked at her as she took her seat again. "You are a jewel, Sarah Williams." He raised a glass to her.

"Thank you, Lord Quinn." She accepted his praise.

One by one, the guest began to leave when the evening had gone long. The courtiers who had attended gave their fare thee well to the hostess. Sarah said nothing when she noticed Giles and Celestia sneak off to the garden. Ryan and Anne went up early as he wanted to be fresh for the big race. Klaws made his excuses and went up as well. Soon the room was empty of guests. Sarah sighed, and let a bit of her guard down.

A hand with a goblet of wine appeared in front of her. She knew Quinn was standing behind her. "I though all of you went up." She said in a weary voice.

"Come, Sarah, one drink. Just you …and I." He coaxed.

She looked at him and the goblet he held out to her. "Why should I?"

Quinn let his eyes travel over her. "You could do it just because you want to, Sarah."

"And if I don't." she crossed her arms.

"Gods, you are magnificent woman! Eyes flashing fire, and your lovely mouth spitting flames." With a flick of his wrist, the goblet vanished. He snorted as he drank her presence in. "What passion you possess, Sarah Williams. Making love to you will as dangerous as dancing with a tiger."

"I believe I turned down your first…invitation." She fought the urge to claw out his eyes.

Quinn closed his eyes for an instant, "Oh yes, feel anger sweet lady." He looked at her. "I'll feed off it, until you are ready to give in." She went to walk past him, he gripped her arm, pulling her close. "You do want to give in, Sarah. Even if you are not ready to admit it. You are attracted to me, and I know it."

"You're dreaming." She said in denial.

"Am I?" he breathed in her ear. "Shall we, explore that dream?"

Sarah turned and again slapped Quinn. "Back off you bastard."

Quinn now pulled her entire body to him, gripped her hair and pulled her head back. "Oh Sarah, the things you and I could do."

"Let me go, Quinn." She ordered, and was shocked when he did. She staggered back.

Quinn smiled crookedly, "Your dress is a promise Sarah. Let me know when you've grown into it." He calmly turned and exited the hall.

Sarah closed her eyes. "No…never…no….never….no…never…"