Ella shot up from the bed next to Jareth soaked in sweat. Jareth must've heard her scream because he immediately wrapped her in his arms trying to calm her shaking form. "What happened, Ella mine? Did you have a nightmare?" He began stroking her hair and placing tender kisses on her forehead. "Jareth, do you have a brother I don't know about?"
Her voice was trembling. Jareth looked at her confused. 'That's impossible. Nobody knows of Kane's lineage, and any who did are now gone. Something's a miss' I'll need to look into this matter as soon as I can,' Jareth was lost in thought then dismissed them to answer Ella.
"No, love. I'm an only child. Why do you ask?" Ella felt relieved. She pushed her nightmare from her mind. Then smiled sweetly at Jareth. "Oh, no reason just got worried I forgot to send an invitation or something." Jareth looked at her and chuckled.
He knew she was hiding something from him about her nightmare, but not trying to push the subject he smiled back at her. "Come, we must get ready for our wedding." He stood up and grabbed Ella's hand pulling her off the bed and to his chest. Jareth hated lying to her about Kane, but it was necessary for the time being. Jareth looked into her eyes, "I love you, Ella."
He leaned down and kissed her passionately. When they stopped for a breath of air Ella nuzzled her face in his chest, "I love you too, Jareth." Jareth held Ella for a moment longer, then spoke softly in her ear. "Come, my Queen, it's time we get ready for eternity." Ella giggled a little.
Then she gave him and peck on the cheek and ran to the privy and shut the door. Jareth smiled at her eagerness. Then walked out of their bedroom and made his way to his study in haste. On his way, he stopped a guard in the hall, "Inform Sir Raymond I request his presence in my study immediately."
The guard bowed and quickly made his way to find Sir Raymond. Raymond knocked on the door to the study. Jareth gave him permission to enter. "Shut the door quickly," Jareth said while pacing about the room. Raymond chuckled at Jareth's panicked state. "Pre-wedding jitters, Jareth?"
Raymond was Sir Azemar's son. He is the same age as Jareth. They became best friends when they were children. Jareth trusts him more than any other. Excluding Ella of course.
"Raymond we've known each other our whole lives. You and your father before you served me and my father before me with great honor." Raymond's smiled turned serious. "What's the matter Jareth? You would never compliment me. Did something happen?" He gave Jareth a concerned face. Jareth sighed.
"Do you remember many years ago when your father went to The Shadow Kingdom with that servant woman and her child?" Raymond nodded.
Jareth continued, "Do you remember what I told you when you found me sitting on the outer city wall after your father returned?" Raymond thought for a moment.
"Yeah, you said that the servant woman gave birth to King Theodre's bastard. You made me swear to take the secret to my grave. Why? What happened?" Jareth stopped pacing. "Have you heard of the tyrant Kane the Sadistic Shadow King?" Raymond nodded skeptically.
"Yes, but-..." Jareth didn't let him finish. "Kane is my half brother," Jareth growled out. Raymond's eyes widened. "I thought only legitimate blood could become king?" Jareth shook his head.
"King Aien and Queen Naesala could not produce an heir. The queen was baron, so my father gave Kane to them so they could have an heir to one day rule The Shadow Kingdom. I am the only person left who knows that." Raymond still looked confused. "Big deal, your half-brother is a tyrant, your point is?" Jareth glared at him.
"My point, dear friend, is Ella had a nightmare. When she awoke trembling she asked me if I had a brother. She didn't explain the events of her nightmare, but I'm convinced Kane had something to do with it…." Jareth sat down in his desk chair heavily.
"...I think even though he is only half-fae, he somehow gained the same powers I possess. I believe he is able to manipulate dreams possibly even conjure crystals, but that I am not sure of." Jareth placed his head in his hand trying to come up with a plan of action. There were only a few hours until Ella and his wedding. If Kane was planning something Jareth knew he needed to be prepared.
Raymond patted Jareth on the shoulder. "Don't worry old friend, I'll be back in a flash." With that, Raymond disappeared. Jareth relaxed in his chair deep in thought. 20 minutes later Raymond reappeared, but he was holding the collar of a battered soldier.
Raymond threw the trembling soldier to his knees in front of Jareth, "Speak, or I'll cut you treacherous tongue out," Raymond growled. "Y-your M-majesty, King Kane has rallied his t-troops to seize your k-kingdom. He p-plans to make you s-surrend-der by surrounding the c-castle. He m-means to c-claim your kingdom an-nd your b-bride."
Jareth jumped from his seat ready to run to Ella, but Raymond stopped him. "Wait, Jareth I have a plan." Jareth paused in his place and turned. Raymond sliced the soldier's head off then turned to Jareth. "I hate disloyal rats," he said annoyed while wiping the blood off his sword. Then he proceeded to tell Jareth his genius plan. Jareth nodded his head in agreement, "I think that's feasible, alert the men, at once." Raymond bowed to Jareth and smiled. "Right away, Your Majesty." Then he walked out the door.