Chapter 3

Sarah's jaw dropped open.

It couldn't be...

Oh but it was. There are a great many stupid things she had done in her life, but wishing her brother away to the King of the Goblins ranked up there at the top. True she had fond memories of her adventure and her friends, but had to shove it all in the back of her mind and just remember it as a curious dream.

Which, given the fact that the aforementioned Goblin King was standing in front of her, it apparently wasn't.

He smirked and tilted his head, waiting for her reply.

She shook her head to clear her thoughtdls. "What...why...how? How are you here?"

"May I sit, love?"

She gestured at the chair, still a little at a loss for words.

He gracefully sat and crossed his legs, politely folding his hands in his lap.

"To answer your question, you made a wish, I heard. As you are The Labyrinth Champion I am compelled to reply. I couldn't let our dear Lady Sarah go improperly unaccompanied by some neanderthal. I am cultured, trained in proper etiquette, civilized, and an excellent prospect. Perfect for introducing to your family as your consort."

"Oh please there is nothing proper about you. I remember those indecent pants of yours." Sarah replied.

The King chuckled. "Oh I can do both. I can be decidedly improper and indecent when the occasion calls for it. But we can discuss *that* at a later time."

Sarah tried to ignore how his eyes crinkled at the corners and sparkled with mirth. It was having an effect she really didn't need to be dealing with at the moment. The fact he was one beautiful man and always had been shouldn't be a factor in her current decision

"And just what makes you think you're the right choice to play my boyfriend? Last time we saw one another we were enemies. You kidnapped my brother for crying out loud."

"I did not kidnap. You wished him away, Precious. I merely did as you asked of me." Jareth corrected her.

"Fine, whatever, but what if Toby recognizes you?" Sarah questioned. "I thought it was a dream all these years, but obviously it wasn't."

"No, dear Sarah," Jareth placed his gloved hand over hers, " it wasn't. As for young Toby I doubt he would remember me, especially as I will be glamoured. I doubt your family could handle me in my usual glory." Jareth stated with a grin.

"Not sure they can handle your ego either, your majesty."

Laughing lightly, Jareth lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it softly. "Oh how I've missed you. I look forward to spending the weekend with you."

"Wait just a minute, Sparklebutt, I never said I was letting you go with me as my pretend boyfriend." Sarah argued.

He laughed again. "Sparklebutt, is it? Well, not typically, but we can try that sometime. As long as it's reciprocal." He winked at her. "Now Sarah, you know you will find no better candidate. After all I'm a King. I have no need of your money, in fact, I'm not going to ask one thing from you, except to let do this for you, to prove myself that I *am* someone to consider. I swear I'll be on my best behavior. No strings attached. I honestly could use the holiday away from my kingdom. It's my understanding this gathering is taking place at a winter resort? "

It was true, Karen had decided she didn't want to slave over food, decorations and having 20 people sleeping all over her house with the mess and chaos that comes with it, so they had arranged to have the family gathering at a luxury ski resort in Vermont. They rented several private fully decorated cabins for the long weekend, so there were plenty of bedrooms and bathrooms, and a gourmet holiday dinner at the lodge was thrown in.

It sounded like heaven, unless you were the only single female at a romantic resort with her nosy family.

Her father had gotten a good deal by doing some pro bono work for the owners.

"Well, yes, but, do you even know how to ski?" she eyed him up and down.

"You would be surprised how easily I can learn, Sarah, but yes, I can ski. I've spent a great deal of time in the above, over the years." He answered smoothly.

Sarah studied him carefully. She wasn't sure she could trust him, but what other choice did she have? He was the only candidate that was capable of going to the family gathering with her. And he was correct about being a King and being civilized. "No strings attached?"

"None at all." Jareth assured her. "The only thing you'll be giving me is your time, which given the fact you took out an ad for a fake boyfriend I believe you're more than willing to give a little time to someone. That being said why should it be a complete stranger?"

"We're not exactly friends, Jareth." Sarah responded as she pulled her hand out of his grasp. "And if I agree to this, and that's a big IF, we need to come up with a story to tell my family as to who you are and how we know each other. After all we can't tell them you're a magical King who stole my brother."

Jareth chuckled, "No, I don't think that would be wise. As for who I am, that's easy Jareth King, or Jay King if you'd prefer, from London England. Owner of my own import/export business that you met one day randomly at a coffee shop. We bumped into one another and started talking and one thing led to another. How long we've been together is up to you Precious. I shall play along and be the charming boyfriend that is accompanying you on this winter holiday."

Sarah considered his offer for several moments.

She certainly wasn't willing to try to find anyone else after the first 2 disasters, and he *was* offering to do it for free, with no strings. She wasn't sure she could trust him but he was the best option she had.

"Okay. Well, I'd say at least 6 months but not since before last Christmas or they'll be questions why I didn't bring you last year. So we'll say 8 months? That would make it so we met sometime in April."

He nodded. "Spring, a lovely time for new beginnings. That would do nicely. I concur. If it was too short a time eyebrows might raise at the hastiness of bringing me along."

"True. My grandmother is very old fashioned and would get upset if she thought we were screwing around after a couple of weeks." She tapped her finger against her lips as she thought.

His brow rose. "Oh? Is" screwing around" one of the activities I'm signing up for? I'll be looking forward to that." He drawled, eyeing her.

Sarah blushed." No! I didn't mean it that way!

Noticing his grin she rolled her eyes. "You're teasing me now."

"Oh Sarah love, you're just too easy, I can't help myself."

She couldn't help but get caught up in his wicked grin, returning it as she replied, "Maybe, but I'm not that easy, Goblin King."

His eyes widened slightly. "Oh, Touche'." Once again his eyes sparkled with mischief. "We are going to have such a grand time, Sarah, I just know it!"

Before Sarah could reply the waiter finally came over. "Sorry for the wait, I'm Philip and I'll be your waiter for the evening. Can I start you off with some drinks? A nice glass of wine perhaps? "

Jareth nodded. "Yes a nice red wine sounds lovely." Sarah hadn't even had a chance to look at the menu much less consider a wine, but it seemed she didn't need to. Jareth ordered for both of them and it all sounded expensive.

Once the waiter walked away, Sarah looked at Jareth. "I hope you plan to pay for all that. I was just going to get a salad."

Smiling, Jareth pulled a single rose from the dozen sitting on the table and handed it to Sarah. "Everything tonight is my treat, Precious. So eat and drink to your hearts' content."

"I'll eat, but no more than 2 glasses of wine for me. Not letting you get me drunk tonight Goblin King, " She told him as she took the rose and held it to her nose. "Thank you for these, by the way. They're beautiful."

"As are you, my dear." Taking a chance, Jareth leaned over and kissed her cheek. To his surprise she made no attempt to move and blushed slightly.

Sarah cleared her throat and shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "So, you said you spend a lot of time above, what all do you do here?" She asked changing the subject.

The waiter returned with their drinks, and Jareth took a sip of wine before answering.

"Oh, this and that. I have investments, properties, friends from the underground who've chosen to live above. Magic is all around you all the time, Sarah, if you pay close attention you'll be able to see it, since you are connected to my kingdom. I rarely get to stay for an extended time, however. Running a kingdom takes a great deal of time and energy."

" There are more like you here? "Sarah asked, surprised.

He smirked." Yes. Look over there." He gestured with a slight tilt.

She followed his glance to a couple a few tables over. There were two handsome, but fairly normal looking men holding hands over dinner, but they kept looking back at her and Jareth." They're from underground?" she whispered. "Why do they keep looking at us?"

"Relax your vision." Jareth guided. "Why do you think? Gossip. They know who I am. It will be all over the underground rumor mills by morning."

Sarah took a deep breath closed her eyes, and opened them. Slowly, over about a minute, the men changed form as the glamor faded from her view and she could see their true form. They had the wild hair, underground markings and a slight sparkle drifting around them that belied their innate magic.

"Oh wow. Do you know them?"

"No. Likely from one of the far lands."

Jareth gave them a subtle salute with his glass, and they returned the gesture, but they were far more interested in her, she could tell.

"Goblin King seen dining above with dark haired mystery mortal. As they say here," he lowered his voice to sound more serious, "news at 11." Jareth joked, chuckling.

Sarah had to laugh at that one. "Nice. Rare that I get to cause a scandal."

The waiter took their orders, Jareth ordering a simple elegant pasta dish, while Sarah ordered salmon. 20 minutes of small talk and the food came. Sarah was glad to get a break so she could think all of this over. She didn't want to end this night without making a decision, and leave both of them hanging.

By the time she finished her meal, and second glass of wine, Sarah had made up her mind. Wiping her mouth with her napkin, she took a deep breath and prayed she wouldn't regret this decision later. "Alright, Jareth. I'll let you accompany me and pose as my boyfriend, but there are some rules I'm going to set first."

Jareth grinned once more. "Excellent. Lay out your rules, love." He leaned back in his, chair and waited expectantly.