Valeria and Ariana watched the party continue. There were rumors swirling that the royal family had been called away but as of yet, no one there knew the full story. Eventually the tale would be told, but for now, Ariana turned to gaze at her sister, as if looking for something. She noted that her sister was watching Lydia's father. Hmm, that seemed interesting.

"Valeria, is there anything you want to talk about? You look troubled."

"What?" Valeria frowned, tearing her eyes away from Michael. "Do I look unpresentable?" She went to fix her hair and Ariana smothered a giggle.

"No, you look restless. And none could blame you, you've been through much the last few days."

"I find that now that we have battled Orion and seem to be in one piece, the exhaustion is catching up with me," Valeria wryly admitted. "I hardly know what to do with myself."

"Perhaps you should go upstairs to the guest room I've been given. You could take a hot bath and let yourself relax a little. I'm sure William's family would not mind. Then you could come back down and well, spend some time with your family, or - friends."

Valeria glanced over to where Michael was dancing with Lydia and a small sigh escaped. Yes, perhaps she did need to have some alone time before coming back downstairs. Maybe she could think about the kind man who seemed to think she hadn't made a mess out of everything. Not that she'd admit any sort of attraction to anyone but herself. She rolled her eyes, exasperated with her thoughts - in some ways she was still such a child.

"Give my apologies to everyone," Valeria smiled. "A hot bath is just what I need to unwind." She looked over at where Darien stood, staring at Ariana with a barely concealed hunger.

"And I see someone may want to help you unwind as well," she smirked. Ariana blushed but smirked back over her shoulder as she walked toward the Lord of Justice and grabbed his hand. Darien pulled Ariana out of the room and into the shadows of the night with an evil grin on his face. Well - something was about to change for those two, and about time.

Valeria grinned. She might be getting a new brother in law soon, someone who wasn't afraid of her family's power. She glanced at Michael once more, then went up the stairs for her bath.

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Robert sat watching Karen sleep. He'd certainly never pictured their French vacation to turn out as it had. Part of him wished he had told her everything years ago, but she would have thought he was crazy. And they wouldn't have Toby.

Toby. Sarah had wished him away, not realizing what would happen. Again, because Robert had not thought to explain anything to his own child. And now Sarah was engaged to the Goblin King. How exactly did you explain that to your wife?

She seemed to be resting comfortably. He shifted onto the bed to lie next to her and she smiled sleepily.

"Robert," she said slowly. "Merry Christmas."

"I guess it is," he laughed low in his throat. "A strange holiday indeed."

"So - about this magic," she asked, pulling him closer and he gasped happily as her hands grew bolder. "Why don't you show me more of what you can do?"

He laughed. All was forgiven. "It would be my pleasure," he said, kissing her slowly.

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Valeria sunk into a hot bubbling tub and sighed. She was free. She'd faced her husband and faced her demons. Her parents deaths had been avenged. Why then, did she feel so restless? Like something was missing, but she had no idea what it could be?

Rinsing off, she quickly dressed and sat on her bed, lost in thought. Why did she feel so lost when she should be celebrating? A twinge of warmth flowed over her like a hug and she held herself, wishing she was in her mother's arms again.

"Mother, what do I need? What do I do?"

Michael is there for you, child. Let him be there for you...her mother's voice whispered in her head. Valeria jumped off the bed, looking around before laughing to herself. Now she was hearing things. Some warrior she was turning out to be - first she allowed an evil into her family's realm, then she allowed herself to be drained like a puppet. She'd been careless and reckless. And so many had suffered for it.

Michael didn't blame her for any of it though. He'd told her that she was not a bad person and she wanted to believe him. He was so handsome and the way he laughed made her feel - well - safe. She wondered what it would be like to kiss him.

Where had that thought come from? Lydia's father was charming and kind, but Valeria wasn't interested in a male. A human male. Not after Ryan. She was just tired, that's all. In the morning she'd forget about Michael and the way he made her feel while they'd been dancing earlier.

He's not like Ryan. He's nothing like your husband. Listen to your heart this time instead of your emotions.

"What is the difference, Mother?" she asked aloud, not really believing the High Queen was with her.

Silly child, your heart is who you are - your emotions are how you react. And I am with you whenever you need me. I'm still your mother, still real, still present. And now that your heart is free, you can finally hear me.

"And Daddy?" the whispered question hung in the air, waiting.

And Daddy, her father's voice said soothingly. You are worthy of love. You need to let yourself start to believe that my daughter. Now - go back downstairs and talk to the young man. I believe that the party has ended and people are leaving.

Valeria dressed in a comfortable pair of black leggings matched with a pure white button down shirt. Brushing her hair quickly, she took a look at herself in the mirror then smiled.

Time for a new start.

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Sarah walked outside into the cool evening air, watching Jareth following her, wondering what was to happen next. He must be furious with her, she thought to herself. She sighed, fighting the urge to hide from him. What had he expected her to do? Ignore the fact that Karen was in trouble because of Sarah's problems? She let him lead her down a secluded path to where a small lake sparkled under the moonlight. He motioned for her to sit on one of the stone benches, and paced in front of her as she sat.

Long moments passed. Sarah began to wonder if Jareth was simply going to pace in front of her like a giant cat. Suddenly he spun around and knelt before her, taking her hands in his and staring at her with an intensity that startled her. She looked into his eyes, looking for anger, hurt - anything that would tell her what he was feeling.

"I'm sorry I didn't listen to you, Jareth," she said haltingly. "Karen needed me and I have to protect my family. I-" her words were cut off by Jareth pulling her down to the ground and kissing her hungrily as they knelt together in the lush grass. His tongue easily slipped between her parted lips to caress Sarah's, and her moan of desire seemed to urge him to kiss her with even more passion. As he pulled back to gaze at her, she caught her breath.

"I do not deserve you," he panted. "I do not understand why you are mine even as I know it to be true. You have bewitched me and taught me to trust in someone other than myself. I did not want to admit it. I have never needed anyone, never wanted to need anyone. But Sarah - you cannot go off on your own and save the world. We cannot be divided."

"Jareth, you don't trust me," she said but he shook her gently and kissed her again, slowly this time, making her melt against him. They found themselves lying in the soft grass, in each other's arms.

"I do not trust myself," he said quietly. "I do not know how to trust in my own feelings and that frightens me. You walk into a room and the room disappears. You leave a room and my heart goes with you. Do you not know how you affect me, Sarah? Like I can only breathe properly when you are in my arms? You've entered my soul and taken up residence there and I cannot exist without you."

"Marry me." The words coming out of Sarah's mouth were quiet, but firm. Jareth looked shocked and for once was speechless.

"Jareth, I don't want to wait until I'm eighteen for an above ground wedding and I don't want to wait for my sixteenth birthday for our real one."

"Sarah, I love you madly," he kissed her again, hard and fast. "But we will wait until your eighteenth birthday. Orion is gone, but there are things you still need to do - to experience. I will not take that from you."

"You don't want to marry me now?" she whispered, letting her hand slide down his back to pull him closer. His breath caught as she rubbed against him and he ran kisses down her throat, then back up again to her willing mouth. She growled and bit his throat gently, causing him to pin her to the ground.

"I want many things from you now. But we will do this in the proper time," he groaned, she was running her hands over him wildly. "But - it would be - most correct to - um, celebrate the engagement a little."

She pulled his head to hers and showed him how much she agreed.