Chapter 34 – Shall We Dance
While Sarah bathed, washing the chalk dust off herself and out of her hair, she had Elsa select a dinner gown, asking her to be sure the skirt would allow dancing. She didn't want to pressure Jareth into it, but if he decided to see what dances she remembered, she wanted to be prepared.
"I stopped by the Goblin's throne room this afternoon, Lady Sarah. The entire castle is abuzz with word about your wonderful mural, my Lady. I saw it when you were about three quarters finished. It was unlike anything I have ever seen; absolutely wonderful!"
The young woman's eyes were shining with admiration and Sarah felt a blush rising on her cheeks. "Thank you Elsa. You haven't seen any of my artwork before?"
"No my Lady. Although you said you were making some drawings of the High Court Ball and offered to let me see those when finished."
"Was I making them for you, Elsa?"
Elsa's eyes widened in shock. "Oh no, my Lady! You said the High King was interested in what you captured from the evening, and that you were making some drawings for him! You were just going to let me see them as well."
"The High King? Oh my, then I had better finish them" Sarah said with a small chuckle. "Hmm, I return Aboveground tomorrow for a doctor's appointment. Perhaps I can finish them after that. And I will be happy to show them to you as well."
Elsa put the finishing touches on her hair and Sarah looked at herself in the mirror. She was in a shimmering golden two piece silk dress. The overcoat was primarily champagne colored with a subtle jacquard pattern woven into it, while the under dress had a golden background with iridescent shades of green throughout. The sweetheart neckline was outlined in a ribbon of the same iridescent green. Her hair had been pulled back into a braid at the back of her head, threaded with ribbons matching her gown. Sarah smiled and thanked Elsa and headed to the dining room, wearing champagne colored ballet slippers from the wardrobe.
Jareth had arrived at the dining room first again, and looked quietly elegant in black trousers, a black silk shirt, a green vest trimmed with gold embroidery and a golden jacket trimmed in green. Sarah hid a smile noticing the color of his attire and made a mental note to ask Elsa how she knew what the King was wearing so that they complemented one another.
He smiled warmly as she entered, delighted to see her dressed yet again in one of the gowns he had commissioned for her. He had been looking forward to dancing with her this evening. He walked up to her and lifted her hand, brushing a soft kiss over her fingers. "You are as lovely as always, Sarah. Did you select a dress so that we could dance this evening? Assuming that you are not too tired of course. I know you did not rest this afternoon, so will certainly understand if you are too fatigued after dinner."
He tucked her hand in his arm and led her back to the table, pulled out her chair and seated her before seating himself. Jareth could not help but mention the mural she had created in such a short time on the goblin throne room wall while they ate the first course; a soup a la reine made of a chicken stock with a heavy white cream flavored with almonds. "I knew you were an excellent artist Sarah, but how did you create such a lively and intricate frieze in less than half a day?" he questioned.
She chuckled "The mural does not have any depth of details. The trees had only two to three shades for the bark and only two shades on the leaves. If I were painting, there would be many more layers of color to create the textures and shadows. I simply did quick sketches and filled the outlines in with color without spending an enormous amount of time on each item. It was just something to keep the goblins entertained for a short while; it's not meant to be something that lasts."
He didn't mention that he had placed a preservation spell on the wall, not wanting it to be smeared and washed away any time soon.
Over the cucumber salad, Sarah turned the conversation to his court session and let him discuss the various petitions and petitioners he had seen that day and the judgments he had made. The cucumber salad was replaced by beef tenderloins with a Bordelaise sauce plus green beans with pearl onions and he described his afternoon while they ate the main course. He had stopped being surprised at how pleasant it was to discuss mundane details with Sarah, but still couldn't suppress the warm feeling he had at having an equal with whom to discuss such matters.
As the dishes from the dessert of cinnamon baked apples were finally cleared away, Jareth looked at Sarah intently to ascertain how tired she was. As much as he wanted to take her to the ball room, he wanted to be sure she was not too tired.
Sarah smiled at his focused inspection. "I hope I don't have something on my face, Your Majesty" she said teasingly.
"My apologies Sarah, but I know you did not rest this afternoon and did not want to press you to attempt the ball room if you were fatigued."
"By all means, let us attempt it Your Majesty" she said with mock formality. "You know I will say something if my energy fades" she added seeing the concern on his face.
He smiled, stood and pulled out her chair and then offered her his arm. A several minute walk brought them to elaborately carved doors which opened at a wave of his hand.
Sarah looked around the room in surprise, having expected a ballroom similar to the one they had danced in during her dream all those years ago. While it was somewhat similar, this room was much more elegant and spacious. Crystal globes flared on the ceiling as they entered, lighting the room. White marble floors were inlaid with intricate Labyrinth patterns in subtle colors and equally muted tapestries provided tasteful color to the walls.
He focused briefly, and a waltz began playing. "I thought we would start with a dance you remembered this morning" he said softly, bowing and holding out his hand. She stepped gracefully into his arms and he led her around the floor, delighting in how easily she followed his movements. Once the waltz had played through to completion, and they were both comfortable with dancing with one another, he called up the music for first dance she had taught him.
Sarah tipped her head as the music began and Jareth led her in long continuous flowing movements across the floor. "A foxtrot" she identified with a smile.
"Indeed my Lady" he said moving her in the slow, slow, quick quick steps that were similar to, but not exactly like a waltz. "We danced a waltz in your home and learned they were similar enough that we did not need to practice them, and then you taught me this dance. However, we never did determine why it was given that particular name."
She chuckled and admitted it was a good question. At the end of the dance, he asked "Shall we continue on to a salsa Sarah, or are you tired?"
"By all means, let us try the Salsa Your Majesty" she replied with a curtsey enjoying how well they danced together. "I'm pleased at remembering these steps, but perhaps it is because I learned them several years ago."
Jareth faced her and placed his right hand on her waist, slightly towards the back then extended his left arm bent at the elbow and accepted her right hand. They moved together in the step, step, pause, step, step, pause motions of the dance. Seeing that she did remember the dance, he added in the small flourishes and the more complicated maneuvers they had practiced, pleased with her smooth and graceful movements.
At the end of that dance, he paused and produced a crystal that became a tray with two chilled goblets. She smiled at his thoughtfulness and sipped from her goblet, then chuckled at him. "Peach schnapps and orange juice! You made us Fuzzy Navels!" He smirked, pleased with her reaction.
Once he was sure she was refreshed, he said "We are up to the tango, Sarah. You said it was one of your favorite dances when you taught me. You played instructions from your computer and I remember part of the introduction." He paused and then recited in a low voice "It starts with a simple walk and yet the excitement grows as the passionate song unfolds. This is the Tango experience. It takes your breath away, so breathe, relax, enjoy."
The first chords of the Latin beat began the song and Jareth stepped closer and placed his right hand on the middle of her back while his left hand reached out and clasped her right. Once her other hand was on his shoulder, he stepped forward slowly on the first two beats, slinking forwards towards her as she retreated. On the third beat he stepped forward quickly with the left, then immediately moved his right foot to the right side, shifting his weight and felt her torso against his, felt her hips touch his before they moved again. To his immense delight, she followed every move he made as if they had danced together for years. He began adding more of the flourishes, their legs intertwining. He kept his eyes on hers, although he recalled that the instructors seemed to think he should be looking over her shoulder, feasible if it was a crowded dance floor he supposed. But it was much more satisfying to gaze into her eyes, watching her enjoyment, seeing the curve of her lips and the slight recognition of a common attraction as their bodies touched.
For the first two dances, Sarah had been thinking more about the dances than her partner. As they began a salsa, she recognized what a talented dancer he was, how poised and elegantly he moved. She found him an altogether charming dance partner.
As he recited the introduction to the tango, she found his voice mesmerizing, almost a low purr. She followed his movements easily, led by the slight pressure of his hands. His eyes seemed to darken as they danced, and she found herself unable or unwilling to look away from them. They seemed so tender; she felt she could get lost in his eyes.
When the last strains of music faded away, he held her close, their torsos and hips slightly touching. She had felt her lips curve with a small smile. He raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"We are quite good at it" she said mimicking his words. "I think that might have been an understatement, Your Majesty."
His own lips curved into a slight smirk and he reluctantly stepped back, but brought her hand to his lips, brushing them a split second longer than was necessary. "What would you call us, Precious?"
"Hmm, exceptional perhaps? Or perchance inspired" she smiled up at him.
"I can live with inspired, my Lady" he said smirking and bowing over the hand he still held. "And now I see that you are finally feeling the effects of your long day. Allow me to take you to your room Sarah."
Even as she wondered how he knew she was starting to feel fatigued, he transported them to the hallway outside her door. "Sweet dreams, Sarah" he murmured, kissing her hand and barely restraining himself from doing more. "Thank you for the dances." He released her hand and began to step back.
To his immense surprise and delight, she lifted the hand he had just released to his face and gently stroked his cheek. "Thank you, Jareth. I look forward to dancing with you again soon."
Unable to curb himself, he turned towards the hand caressing him and kissed the palm lightly, then with an effort, he forced himself to transport away before he behaved in a manner she was not yet prepared to accept.
Sarah felt the tingle in her fingers where she had touched his cheek and where his lips had briefly touched her palm, thinking that perhaps she should have kissed him good night. If her fingers tingled from touching him, what would his lips on hers feel like? She gently rubbed the palm of her hand and sighed softly, before entering her suite and heading to bed.
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