Sarah awoke to a pit in her stomach.

"Today's the day," she said out loud in a mock-cheery voice.

Today was the Intended Ball, the day she would be presented to the court (and allegedly rulers of the other realms) as the king's intended bride. She slid out of bed and headed to the wardrobe.

"At least I can pick out a nice dress—though I'm sure wearing trousers would piss him off to no end," she laughed inwardly as she opened the wardrobe.

"WHAT?!" she cried.

There was only a single dress hanging in front of her.

"No way. No. WAY. How can he pick where I go and who I meet and what I wear?! I should get to at least pick for my first ball. I mean, COME ON. It's my first ball, my—"

Sarah stopped short.

"My…second ball." She thought with a sigh. "I guess he doesn't have the worst taste in the world," she said out loud through a smirk. "Though the leggings are a bit much," she added inwardly.

Whatever sense of peace she felt disappeared when she pulled the dress from the wardrobe. Her mouth ran dry and she gave a nervous gulp; it was a more grown-up version of the gown she has worn when she ran the labyrinth.

The poofy sleeves were now form-fitting, but the gold-amber gem detail and silvery sheen of the material was the same. She may have been enchanted at the time, but she remembered. She remembered the dress, the dance, the music…everything. The back of the bodice now swooped low, and the hoop skirt was now an A-line fit, but the golden brooch beneath the left hip was exact. The accessories hung from the hanger as well; the earrings, the necklace, the ring…exact.

What truly differed now were the hair accessories: instead of swirling, jeweled hair pins, a single tiara was intended to adorn her brow.

Sarah couldn't take it. She dropped the dress and ran to the balcony, taking deep breaths of fresh morning air.

These mind-games were cruel. Was he doing this to taunt her? She remembered her longing for him as she searched through the crowd of groping hands. She remembered how desperately she had searched. The enchantment had drawn her to him inexplicably, but her will had torn her from his arms. She had to save Toby.

The ball had been everything she could've dreamed of, but in the back of her mind was a sense of fear that had never left her even during the dance. And yet…he had looked so happy. So truly happy. There has been no hunger or mockery on his face, but she knew it was all wrong.

She remembered his words.

"Stay in your dream, Sarah. Believe me. If you want to be truly free, wholly yourself — you do want that, don't you?"

Sarah had nodded. She had wanted that.

"Then you will find what you want only as long as you stay in your dream. Once abandon it, and you are at the mercy of other people's dreams. They will make of you what they want you to be. Forget them, Sarah. Trust to your dream. Trust to me."

She believed in that moment, he had truly loved her.

But that ball had been part of a fight. Part of a test. She had won the battle, but at the cost of her childhood innocence. The cost of her dreams. She couldn't go back to that naïveté and unburdened hope and imagination.

Could she?

Whether or not she wanted to go back, Jareth did. He had had power over her there, and apparently he wanted to recreate that environment.

When she returned to her room, the dress, mysteriously, was hanging once more in the open wardrobe.

~ .*. ~ .*. ~ .*. ~

Three knocks on the door announced Berta coming with lunch.

"Finally. She's learned to knock," thought Sarah with an exasperated huff. Sarah did enjoy seeing Berta every day, but some privacy would be nice.

Sarah opened the the door and immediately took a step back in surprise; accompanying Berta were the two Dryads who had dressed her for the dream-weddingJareth had orchestrated.

"You," she said.

"Begging your pardon, ma'am?" said Berta from behind the tray if food, "This is Daria and Michelle. They'll help dress you once you're finished your lunch."

"You were there. In my dream. At the…the wedding."

The dryads looked at each other in confusion.

"I'm sorry, my lady," said the one on the left who was apparently Daria "but I don't know what you're talking about," she remarked. moss eyebrows furrowing.

"But I saw you," said Sarah, slowly becoming aware how awkward a conversation in the doorway seemed. "You were there in my dream. When the king…" she didn't finish her sentence.

"Also begging your pardon, Lady Sarah," joined Michelle, her blue eyes wide. "But I'm quite sure we've never met before. I apologize for any confusion," she said quizzically, obviously knowing that she had no need to apologize. Sarah realized this was one of Jareth's tricks.

"I must be confused. I apologize. Please, come in."

Lunch was a dainty plate of leafy greens and an orange dressing with a side of nuts that resembled hazelnuts.

"Leaving room for dinner I suppose," thought Sarah.

She finished as quickly as she could, embarrassed as the dryads stood there waiting for her, hands dutifully crossed.

She still didn't like being seen naked by strangers, even though it was apparently part of their job.

This time the dress came with a corset. Sarah tried not to grunt as Michelle laced her up tightly.

"That's…really…tight," Sarah grunted with what little air the corset left in her lungs.

"First time in a corset?" asked Daria with raised eyebrows and an amused smile.

"I suppose a great champion such as yourself doesn't wear corsets to run Labyrinths," said Michelle in admiration.

Sarah had gotten enough practice not blushing with her Fae tutors the past two weeks, but she still couldn't help but crack an embarrassed smile.

"I guess not."

Sarah had always dreamed of makeup artists and costumers getting her ready for the stage, or even the screen, and she suppose this was what it would be like. She tried not to think of what would come next and enjoy the moment.

Dress, jewelry, hair, makeup…it was almost time.

"One last piece," said Daria picking up the tiara and reaching towards Sarah's head.

"Oooh no thank you," Sarah said stumbling back. She quickly covered with a nervous chuckle, "I'll…put it on later. Don't want to ruin my hair. You know how fast it can go flat…" For an aspiring actress she hadn't been very convincing, but the dryad simply bowed her head and relinquished the diadem.

"An escort will come for ye, miss," said Berta on her way out. Sarah exhaled fully for the first time after she had the room. She stared at the tiara in her hands.

It was a circlet meant to cross her brow. In the center of the gold band, an owl perched atop a thirteen-hour clock. It was relatively simple, considering the dress, but the clock-numbers had been replaced with matching gold-amber gems.

Sarah's fingers trembled; she couldn't bring herself to wear it.

Time moved sluggishly as Sarah awaited her escort.

"I hope I don't get to the ball before him," she though to herself. Then again, maybe she'd be more in control of the situation if she entered alone.

A rapping on the door meant it was time to go.

"Finally. I'm going to explode out of this corset if I have to wait any longer."

She opened the door, and stumbled backwards. The Goblin King stood in front of her.

"You!" she cried through clenched teeth.

"Yes, me. You always seem to expect someone else. I'm going to start to get jealous, pet."

"You left me here. You locked me up. I was alone for two weeks."

"It is impossible that you were alone, seeing as you haven't starved to death and the recently acquired knowledge in your head will keep you from making a fool of yourself today."

"That's not what I meant. You can't just lock me up."

"You're right, I can't." The corners of his mouth turned upward and his eyes narrowed in an expression more like a sneer than a smile. "The peryton was a good idea, truly I didn't think of that…but you came back. So you're not really locked up, are you?"

Sarah's face blanched.

Oh yes, he had seen her. She had found a loophole and he had been none the wiser, but a guard had spotted her. The Crystal had felt particularly heavy in his hand as he summoned it to get a better look. Was she talking to the beast? Yes, she was reasoning, but about what? Before he had had a chance to tune in, they were already on their way back to the castle.

"This is bigger than me," Sarah said.

The goblin king tilted his head as he considered.

"Perhaps."

He silently offered his arm which she took without a word. They stepped out of the bedroom, but they did not step into the hallway. As if passing through a portal, they emerged on a balcony.

Sarah's jaw was already clenched, but the vision before her sent a wave of nausea over her.

The dimensions were no longer that of a small bubble, but she was back in the ballroom. The ballroom. Sarah's head swam and she felt her knees cave under her.

Jareth swiftly scooped an arm around her to catch her fall.

"Easy now. Can't have my intended passing out on me. I thought this setting was most appropriate. Don't you agree?" he smirked with malice glinting in his eyes. Jareth was playing the game and winning. Sarah couldn't let his will be stronger than hers.

She shook him off and regained her footing once more, harshly thrusting his arm from her.

As had been done to her room, the dimensions were stretched once more. The walls were still shimmering and rounded, but there were doorways now. Instead of one cushioned pit in the middle of the room, there were three. The crowd of Fae had now tripled, and they were no longer masked. Parchment-skinned servers once more served wine and fruit on platters. Sarah quickly noticed that there were very apparent non-humanoids present. A large centaur was trotting about to the right side of the ballroom. What looked like a pair of mermaid ghosts were seated at one of the large, rectangular dining tables to the left. Hooves, wings, horns… this must be what it looked like when citizens of multiple realms gathered together.

Jareth offered her his arm, which she took, and approached the edge of the balcony. He snapped his fingers, and suddenly bubbles floated among the guests. They all zipped upward and towards Jareth, merging into one crystal ball floating above his fingertips. All eyes were drawn towards them and silence fell across the crowd.

"May I present," he said, his voice magically amplified, "my Intended: Sarah Marie Williams, Champion of the Labyrinth."

A raucous cheer arose and a deafening clinking of champagne glasses rang the whole while they descended to the ballroom floor. They were mobbed immediately.

"Oh Lady Sarah, we're so glad to have you back."

"Right smart it was to remake the ballroom. Last time was so fun!"

"We had a jolly good time playing a trick on you last time, but you didn't fall for it for one minute, did ye?"

"We could use a Queen like you."

"I thought for sure our jokes would distract you, Lady Sarah. Wrong I was—and now you're back! To be the queen!"

Sarah could swear she recognized some of the dresses and brocades, but she didn't know anyone's face. The dizziness of the onslaught passed and turned into rage that bubbled within her. Trick? Joke? Fun? The Fae really were cruel if they enjoyed kidnapping and betrayal.

She had to remember her manners. After all, she needed a captive audience.

An old man with a pointed hat and waterfall of white hair approached her.

Remember what they taught you… she thought tightening her grip on Jareth's arm.

"Hubert Highclark, the stars have aligned in my favor tonight," she said first, extending her hand for a firm handshake; she wanted to impress.

The wizard didn't look unkind, thought Sarah. He had eyes that twinkled and his hand was soft.

"It is for me that the stars are favorable. You look beautiful, Sarah Williams." He smiled warmly and gave her hand an extra squeeze. He was so…nice.

A tanned man in an elaborate turban approached. She first said nothing and crossed a fisted arm across her chest. "Chikrish Fathad," she acknowledged with a strong gaze. She noticed her nails were biting into her palm.

The sultan did not cross his arm over his chest but instead took her hand and brought it to his lips. He placed a gentle kiss upon her hand and said, "You look marvelous, Lady Sarah. As marvelous as the sun is bright." He was so…charming.

Sarah quickly greeted all the rulers, who approached her quickly and intentionally. The common denominator between all of them, whether ice giant or pixie, was curiosity. They all had bright, wide eyes but did not yet press for conversation. Sarah noticed all of the rulers were there except…who was missing?

A black-haired pair approached her and quickly spoke before she could say anything.

"Lady Sarah, my name is Chandar," said the Fae in a nasally voice, "and my sister Chandra and I are ambassadors to Queen Amalia and King Grenneth Fairskies. They express their deepest regret that they could not be here. They welcome you to the Underground." And with a curt bow they had turned on their heels and left as quickly as they had come.

"Twins," murmured Jareth in her ear. "Odd pair they are. Odd even by our standards." Sarah couldn't help but giggle, but then remembered herself; she was not here to have fun.

People came and went and came and went. It seemed like everyone wanted to get a look at her, but not talk to her. The comments from attendees who were at the last ball flowed like a gushing river. They all mostly remarked how impressed they were she hadn't fallen for the illusion and what a fun time they had all had…Sarah was sure she had let an expression of disgust slip at least once.

The barrage of badgering guests eventually subsided and they made their way to the buffet. Two servers were stationed there; Jareth pointed to the food he wanted without saying a word, and a server silently loaded a plate for him. Sarah followed suite, but added appropriate "pleases" and "thanks yous;" Jareth might forget her manners, but she wouldn't. She swore the man serving her gave her a faint smile.

Already sitting at a dining table set apart from the others—apparently for the monarchs—were the mermaids.

"Projections," Jareth had said, "though they could use legs if they really wanted. I think they feel more impressive this way."

Next to them was Pickering Junip and two other pixies, their wings pricking up as soon as they saw Sarah. Jareth took them to the end of the table away from the others and the servers delivered their plates.

"Want to have me all to yourself, huh?" Sarah quipped.

"I already do."

Sarah rolled her eyes. She lowered her voice, "Why the dress and the ballroom? What are you trying to relive?"

"I pulled that dress straight from your imagination. It was your own creation, I simply made it a reality. I've simply…updated it now; I thought it would impress you."

"Impress me?!" exclaimed Sarah, struggling to keep her voice lowered.

"Fear is power. It's clever, is it not? Did not the thrill of fear pass through you? It's a good tactic, on my part."

Sarah was surprised he didn't physically pat himself on the back. How could he speak of such callous things with warmth in his eyes and smile?

"But why?"

"It's the first place I truly fell in love with you."

He answered immediately, his cool expression unchanging. A full second hadn't even transpired between her question and his answer, and he said it as easily as if he had commented on the weather.

Truly fallen in love?

Sarah had thought a lot about whether or not Jareth loved her. Whatever he felt, maybe it was love, but it wasn't real, true, good love. It wasn't right.

"Jareth…if you love me, surely you know that anything by force isn't the real way to love. What did you think would happen when you took my brother?"

"Truly? I thought you would forget about the baby and accept my offer. Accept my gifts. I saw in you a yearning for something more. A…a darkness, that I knew all too well within myself. I saw in you what I saw in myself, and I thought I had found someone who could understand me. I thought, 'Damn it all, if only I could have someone who just understands.'"

Sarah had no response. His words pulled at her heart, and she filled the silence between them by taking a first bite of her food.

"Don't let it change things," Sarah thought to herself. "Don't let it change the game…"

She couldn't let feelings get in the way of the plan.

The other monarchs were making a beeline towards the table followed by servers.

"Tell us, Lady Sarah, how has your stay here been this far?" asked Lealilyn, the merqueen.

"Very pleasant, thank you," replied Sarah. An urge to complain and throw spiteful words at Jareth was knocking at the back of her mind, but she would not stoop to his level; besides, it would be unbecoming of a Queen. Of a grownup. "The castle is quite comfortable," she finished.

"And how long have you been here," asked the merking Borren.

"Oh, just under a month now," observed Sarah. "Can't believe it," she added in her thoughts. "But the time has certainly flown. I'd like to start seeing more of the Underground," she remarked truthfully.

"No doubt you've seen more than most," said Malachi, toasting to her. The rest of the table toasted to her, which made her blush; she didn't try to hide it.

"You know, you're the first to run the Labyrinth successfully," continued Malachi.

"I didn't know that," she answered truthfully, looking to Jareth.

"Oh yes!" interjected Pickering excitedly and hovering above the table, unable to contain herself. "The first ever! Quite becoming of a Queen. Summertime is always busy for us," she said, now addressing Jareth. "Do you already know when the Engagement Ball will be held? I wouldn't miss it for the world!" she said retrieving her (tiny) glass and toasting, which the others joined once again.

Now.

Jareth opened his mouth to speak, but Sarah quickly interrupted, putting her political strategy into place.

"Oh, we really don't know. We certainly haven't even talked about an engagement yet. I knew I would someday return to the Labyrinth, but I had no eye for the throne. This all happened quickly but quite naturally; we are simply in a courtship. We're getting along just fine," she said taking Jareth's hand, sure to squeeze tightly, warning him to play nice, "but I really haven't decided if the life of a Queen is the life for me." She looked to Jareth, "My…partner and I are figuring that out together. We aren't quite that far yet." She squeezed his hand even harder, daring him acknowledge the pain.

"Yes…" he said calmly, though the vein on the side of his neck was bulging. "We mustn't rush into anything and haven't thought that far ahead. Such a historic relationship takes time to develop," he said, sure to emphasize the word labeling them as together.

"Oh! Oh…oh yes!"

"Our apologies, we didn't mean to assume."

"Of course, time indeed. Most certainly."

The leaders were all laughing nervously and talking over each other, excusing themselves for having made presumptions. The group quickly turned to their drinks, embarrassed and worried they had offended the couple.

Jareth stared forward, denying Sarah eye contact though she stared, daring him to betray his true emotions.

Sarah triumphantly began her meal as the king sulked and ate silently. The conversation was polite and they asked her what had been the most fearsome thing she had faced in the Labyrinth, was her family also in politics or maze-running, what it was like Aboveground, had she missed the Underground much…

Sarah told them all her tale of running the Labyrinth. How she had missed the gratification of an audience. She regaled them the saga of meeting Hoggle, taking time to praise the King for his cunning.

"Can't let them think we are divided. I have to let them know I'm playing the game, and what's more, I understand the game," she thought. She told them about the worm and finding the door. How the eyeball-lichen had stared. She enjoyed adding flourishes and gravitas in her voice; her audience listened with bated breath. Sarah had barely described the relief of being back in her bedroom after the grueling thirteen (well, almost thirteen, as he had fast-forwarded the time after her "piece of cake" comment…) when Jareth interjected.

"I do believe it's time to ask my partner to dance," he remarked, not asking at all. He rose and lifted her by the hand to standing. He swept her off before she could agree and the party could bid her goodbye.

Before she knew it, they were spinning around the ballroom.

"You absolute minx," he growled. "My my my, you certainly know how to politick, don't you?"

"I'd think you would thank me," she retorted. "I've saved you a lot of embarrassment for when I get out of here. 'A relationship not meant to be' is whole lot nicer than 'the Queen left the King.'"

Jareth gave a shout of anger and grabbed her by both arms. He spun her so quickly her feet left the ground. He roughly twirled her into a dip, grasping her by the waist and leaning her nearly all the way to the floor.

"Jareth…you're hurting me," she said quietly as his hands squeezed her lower back. A passing couple gently applauded them, thinking it was a show of skill.

"You precious thing, you may think what you did was smart, but we are still together. I am still in control. Your political game will not make a fool of me. Your kingdom is as great, but you're in my kingdom."

He roughly jerked her to standing and pulled her tightly to him. As the gap closed between them, Sarah felt as though the air was sucked out of the room. She had done it. She had played her cards well. He had no choice but to postpone the engagement. Sarah knew he would never let himself look out of control. If he had disagreed with her, he would've had to admit she was there by force—which, by the way the rest of the Fae acted, they probably wouldn't have even cared about. But, she had hoped it would've been embarrassing to have an unwilling wife, and it seemed that was the case with the other rulers, if not with the Fae.

They danced and danced. Honestly, Sarah was hungry and would've loved to finish her dinner, but she didn't think she had much say in her actions tonight and dared not ask.

Soon the court dances began. Sarah's shoulders relaxed away from her ears as she had chances to dance with others and make small talk. Most simply made comments on her appearance or how much they enjoyed the last ball. There wasn't much conversation, but the occasional question on the Aboveground popped up from time to time. Among the most interesting questions were whether the moon really was made of cheese and if there really were humans who changed into wolves at the full moon.

"Lady Sarah, you are a fitting match for my nephew," said her newest partner as she took his hand.

"Duke Hadsley," she acknowledged. He did not look like Jareth other than the white-blond hair which grew in a mane almost as wild as the Goblin King's. "I'm delighted to meet you."

"The pleasure is mine," he said with a bow of his head as they switched hands and began turning in the opposite direction. "It's good to have you back. I think he has ruled admirably since your victory, but there are those who would say he has been…distracted."

Sarah gulped but kept her mouth shut. She didn't know what to say and didn't want to add fuel to the flames of political scheming. Though she hoped Jareth's own uncle would be on his side…

"My nephew is the strongest leader we've ever had. At least, magically. He certainly doesn't need help. But I think it would do him good to have some…some support, shall we say? I thought a blow to his pride would teach him character, but I'm afraid that's not been the case. I can't say that we're particularly close, but I've known him longer than anyone else here, and I know him well enough to know what's good for him. I'm glad you're here." He spoke earnestly, but the coolness of his voice made Sarah uncomfortable. Like Jareth, it seemed he could speak of matters of the heart without any heart behind his words.

"Come," said Jareth, pulling her from the formation. Sarah didn't even have time to bid his uncle farewell before he swept her away once more.

The ball was hardly over, but Sarah could tell many dancers were starting to totter and sway as they consumed more wine.

She held tightly to his arm and they bid farewell to the royals. She remembered her training and grasped the Merfolk by the forearms, though her hands simply went through the clouds of their projected limbs. It was an unsettling feeling that sent goosebumps over her skin, but she kept a smile on her face. She bowed to Malachi and pulled her left ear towards Pickering. Everyone was warm and friendly from the group of rulers, but she noticed she couldn't find the twin ambassadors from the Crystal City anywhere.

"Should you need us," said Pickering, "for…anything at all, just send for us," said Pickering quietly. The hair on the back of Sarah's neck stood up. Surely it was a coincidence that she had said almost the same words Hoggle had said after she ran the Labyrinth… Pickering winked to her, the informal farewell that friends in the Enchanted Forest used with each other. Sarah took this as a good sign.

"Goodnight," said Jareth addressing all of the rulers at once and pulling Sarah close in an unusual show of affection.

"Jareth, what are you—" before she could finish, they had disappeared in a cloud of glitter. They reappeared in her still-enlarged bedroom.

"Well that went well," he ejaculated in exasperation, throwing his hands towards the sky. He paced back and forth. "I suppose you think you were so clever. Soooo clever. Well, you weren't. You didn't change things at all. I waited this long. I can wait longer. It doesn't matter. Doesn't matter. You'll see. You'll…" his remarks were short and stunted. He was almost muttering, as if he were talking to himself. The sun had long since set, but the stars were not visible this night; Sarah was unsettled by the dark outside and the dark inside.

"Jareth…?" she ventured.

Jareth turned to her sharply as if waking from a trance. He strode towards her and seized her by the face, quickly forcing his mouth onto hers. Sarah resisted.

"You're still mine," he said, panting after the exertion of restraining her. He returned his mouth to hers.

Sarah knew how this went. She had been here before. Still, she had to fight, she had to…

She tried prying his hands from her before they were pinned to her sides. She struggled, but her will to fight dwindled. She let her arms dangle limply as he worked his lips with hers. Sensing her surrender, he pulled back from her. His eyes weren't angry or even aroused, they were confused. He tried kissing her again and pulled away once more, wondering where the fight was. Where was the defiance he loved so much?

Seizing the opportunity to break free, Sarah tore herself from him. She wiped the spittle from her mouth with the back of her hands and glared at him.

"Stop! Stop that! Don't you see that it won't win me?"

"I could never have you any other way."

"You could! You could have! If you'd just court me. If you hadn't kidnapped Toby I would've…"

"I would've what?" she thought. "I would've remained a spoiled child. I would never have learned responsibility. I would never have grown and I never would've realized my will was as strong as his."

"Look, Jareth," she continued, "I don't want a slave I want…a partner."

He stared at her, thinking. His brow was furrowed as he regarded her quizzically. She didn't say that she wanted him…so did she want him? Partner was unspecific. Was this a no? Was this a yes?

He sauntered up to her.

"Well, we're stuck here together at an impasse. I certainly can't let you leave after that show you gave and I certainly wouldn't anyway. What do we do now?"

Sarah thought.

"I don't know," she said under her breath.

"Excuse me?"

I DON'T KNOW!" she cried.

"Well, you need to know! Because I'm just as uncertain as you. We've reached a stalemate, Sarah! A stalemate! There's always a winner. There's always a loser."

"There doesn't have to be!" she shouted. He was unraveling. They were yelling and getting nowhere.

"Well, you're still mine. You're still not leaving this place."

"I wouldn't try to if you'd just let me out!" she yelled, her voice now a screech. "If you'd let me see my friends. Would it kill you to ask me on a date?!"

"A date?"

"A DATE! LIKE A NORMAL GUY. And ask me on a date, not force me on a date. In the real world, not a dream. You know I would've said yes!"

"You would've? But…isn't this what you want?" he asked.

You asked that the child be taken; I took him. You cowered before me; I was frightening. She remembered what he had said.

"I don't want a fairytale. This isn't a fairytale; this place is real. I don't want the villain."

He grasped her by the arms, gently this time, but firmly.

"That's a shame, because I am certainly no hero. You are here now. We are together again. You may know what you don't want, but I know what you do want: me." He kissed her again. She did not fight, but she did not comply.

"Jareth, if you want to make this work, you have to do it my way. I'm not even asking you to change, I just want my free will."

He was mildly surprised and happy to hear she did not want him to change.

"So, that means you do want to be with me."

"It means I'm willing to try."

The Goblin King's lips parted in surprise. He hadn't expected that…

"Be that as it may," he said, turning from her and pacing. "You are not allowed into the Labyrinth."

"I want access to the castle."

"You can have access to the castle."

"I want access to the grounds."

"You can have access to the grounds."

"And I want access to the Labyrinth."

"Out of the question!" he cried, keeping his back to her.

"But it's not fair!" she yelled.

He roared, turned, and literally flew to her, his feet not touching the ground. He threw her onto the bed and pounced on top her.

He did not advance, he just stared. His chest heaved with heavy breathing. Even under duress, his multi-colored eyes never ceased to impress and entrance her.

"You say that so often," he finally said quietly, his countenance and voice softening. "I wonder what your basis of comparison is."

She had nothing more to say to him. She prayed he would not take her right there and then.

He rolled to the side of her and roughly pulled her to him, holding her tightly. They lay there for a while, not saying anything, not moving, just breathing. He had drawn her in roughly and held her perhaps a bit too tight, but he twirled his left fingers in her hair absentmindedly, and this warmed Sarah's heart.

"So then," he finally said. "We are together."

Sarah said nothing. He sighed, "We've got to make this work. I shall, woo you, 'court' you as you say. But Sarah, do not invoke my wrath. You are no longer a prisoner to this room, and you may see your friends, but do avoid the nobles. And do not try to escape. Fly around with your Peryton. Land, if you must—but don't go running the Labyrinth again. If you disobey me, I shall find out. There are no more loopholes with that beast of yours. I will forever tell you that you are mine. You are mine, and I am yours. I am certain of that already. But, if you insist on a courtship, I shall give you one."

"Your cruelty and power no longer impress me," she said quietly. "I want to know your heart."

"If I have one."

They stayed like that for a while. He stroked her hair and he thoughtlessly ran his fingers up and down her limbs. She let him.

He rose.

"I'm leaving for a few days," he said, walking towards the balcony and not making eye contact. "Farewell, my pet," he said, not even turning to her. He leapt off the balcony. Sarah didn't see him turn into an owl, but she heard the flap of wings from down below.

"Would it kill him to use the door," she muttered under her breath, though she could not muster up any sarcasm to tint the tone of her voice.