Chapter 8
Return of a Friend
It was an interesting thing, Jareth thought, to get this far in his immortal life, filled with challenges and adventure, and realize he hadn't ever suspected what he was actually capable of experiencing.
Pleasure certainly, he was no stranger to that, yet pleasure was a faint taste of the soul-shattering ecstasy from which he was only slowly emerging. Interesting, too, to think at all, since for very long moments he was quite sure he had been capable of doing nothing of the sort.
He turned his head, mildly surprised he could manage that as well, and saw Sarah lying closely beside him.
Her eyes were closed, her mouth curved in a gentle smile. She looked quite pleased with herself.... and with him. He leaned on his side and stroked a long finger along the soft curve of her cheek. Her eyes fluttered open.
"I've a gift for you." He said. She looked surprised. He left the bed momentarily giving her a show as he reached for his grey robe.
"You've already given me my dream tonight. Come back to bed I'd like to savour it again." she purred, recalling his prior attempt to give her her dreams as a child.
Tying the sash, he leaned down to her on the bed. "Close your eyes." He murmured against her lips, nipping the flesh of her lower lip as he gently drew it between his. She gasped at the sudden sensation, and smiled softly, closing her eyes as he directed.
The room was silent of several moments, and she promptly tried to peer from beneath her lashes. "No peaking." He chided, his voice all around her, though she had not seen him.
Moments later, something teased her nose. Sarah tried to wiggle it away but it was back in an instant. She flicked her hand at it, wondering what was taking so long. The gift itself didn't matter, it was the idea that he had thought of such a thing that touched her.
Warm fur was placed next to her on the bed, her hands gliding over the familiar short coat, soft and silky over lithe, slim muscles. She forgot her promise, opened her eyes and found herself staring at...her breath caught. Mistral was curled next to her contentedly enjoying having his neck rubbed by the King. "Oh, Jareth...."
The way she said his name, the aching whisper of sheer delight, made his throat tighten. He wondered when the last time was that anyone had given her a gift and felt a surge of gladness that he was the man to do it. Sarah looked up to him, the look in her eyes as though he had given her the world. Just then, he felt he honestly could.
His warm accented voice was at her ear as he gathered her to him, she holding the cat. "I was told that this young chap holds a very special place in your heart."
"I thought I'd never see him again. Thank you." Her hands smoothed his creamy fur, from his chocolate mask to his darkened tail. Sapphire blue eyes narrowed, looking at the couple, perhaps weighing the Fae man's worth. Decision made, Mistral gracefully moved closer to Jareth and rubbed his head on his shoulder, marking him as his master. Sarah smiled. "I think you have just been claimed." She laughed lightly as the cat moved to snuggle into the tousled sheets at the end of the bed.
"I don't think I'll mind that." clearly not referring to the cat. His hand caressed her hip as his lips moved over her bare shoulder. She trembled at his touch. He looked at Sarah curled into him. The silken curtain of her hair alternately concealed and revealed, but hardly offered her much in the way of warmth. "Cold?" he asked.
"Yes. A bit." She replied.
He used what little strength that had returned to pull the sheets and coverlet over them both. She murmured her thanks and snuggled closer to him.
At the touch of her silken limbs, or perhaps it was the honeysuckle scent of her skin, or maybe the brush of her breast against his arm, or...Whatever the cause, his body stirred in instant response, tentatively but with obvious enthusiasm.
Jareth drew her close, draping her over him, stroking her slender back and firmly rounded bottom. His long fingers delved between her thighs as his mouth took hers in a searing kiss. Ravenously, he tasted her. His tongue stroking deep and hard, mating with her own. He could think of nothing but to ease her beneath him and to make her his when Sarah twisted suddenly in his arms. With the provocative smile of an innocent imp, she sat up, straddling him and tossed her glorious riot of hair over her shoulders. Her eyes filled with tender yearning, she stroked her hands lightly down his chest. Her voice was a soft whisper as she murmured, "Please....I've dreamed of this for so long...."
With a groan, Jareth fell back onto the bed. Already he was painfully aroused and if the look in her eyes was any indication, his torment had only just begun. Her passion tantalized him even as he doubted how much more he could endure.
She was an artless temptress, delighted by her own boldness, glorying in his responses. She explored him with light, flickering touches of her hands and mouth, with leisurely caresses and hungry kisses, with every part of her body and every inch of her warm, silken skin. Soft little sounds of pleasure escaped her, surprised exclamations of delight that filled him with bemused pride and mocked his self control, held in check by a very slender thread.
Beads of sweat glistened on his forehead when she rose above him, a sweetly seductive smile curving her lush mouth and a question in her eyes. He saw it, clasped her hips, and gently guided her onto him. Her stunned surprise gave way to a moan of delight. Slowly, tantalizingly, she drew him within her. When he was fully seated, his fingers intertwined with hers as with innate grace, she began to move. He watched, enthralled, as her skin flushed with the intensity of her arousal, her nipples firm buds beckoning to his mouth.
To her pleasure drenched senses, this was almost too much. Sarah cried out as he suckled her, waves of ecstasy coiling within her, tighter and tighter still until they exploded suddenly in an incandescent burst that seemed to last forever. She fell against him, limp and gasping his name. The world revolved suddenly and she found herself beneath him. His fine boned features were tightly drawn, his eyes shinning as he loomed over her. He drove himself inside of her harder and faster, over and over. Without reprieve, she was hurled again into dark swirling release. A moment later, he joined her, clasping her tighter to him as though he meant never to let her go.
Afterwards, they fell into sleep so deep that not even the usual early morning noises of the royal household disturbed them.
***
The King's solar occupied the middle floor on the eastern side of the castle. It was a bright and cheery room, well suited for comfort and private audiences. This morning it was filled with the warm yellow and red glow of morning. The mouthwatering scent of freshly baked bread lingered in the room.
A few servants moved about, serving the morning meal, but otherwise it's only occupant was the Goblin King. There was no sign of Sarah, and Will made a mental note, as he entered the room, to speak with her today regarding his wound. Although not fully up to snuff, and after the festivities of the night before, he noted that his abdomen hurt much more than he expected it should.
Returning to the Underground should have assisted the process of healing, and he was quite surprised when he rose this morning to find the stomach wound red and tender to touch.
Jareth was sitting at the lavish table scanning a document, his face set with an amused frown. "The wolves are calling already?" Will asked, fully aware of the pleasure Jareth would take in turning the tables on his enemies within the counsel.
The King nodded. "Mordraith has called the Counsel together for this afternoon to discuss the return of the Traitor." He stated, his voice growing cold, angry. "How dare they refer to my wife in those terms." The parchment landed on the floor in a crumpled heap.
He grimaced briefly as he sat to join Jareth. Noticing the concerned appraisal of his friend, he attempted to relax and ignore the stinging burn of his wound. Gingerly, he reached for a roll and began to lather the moist biscuit with jam. Assuming a forced smile as he made eye contact with his Lord, he attempted to defer the change in topic certain to occur. "Obviously the news of your marriage has not yet reached them. I daresay that certain elements will be less than pleased to hear of your nuptials." His friend's discomfort did not go unnoticed, despite his applaudable acting. Jareth shook his head nearly imperceptibly as he stood and walked to the window . Will was right. Sarah's protection was imperative.
He regarded his friend for a moment. Jareth trusted Will as he would never trust another man, and he knew that trust was returned in full. His mouth tightened derisively, "Will, I must call on your assistance again. The peace will be tenuous for some time and Sarah at risk from those on the counsel who still have their sights on my position. I want to appoint you as her personal guard until we have this settled."
He nodded inclining his head slightly. "My sword and life are yours to command, My Lord." He patted his friend on the shoulder, while taking his seat and added, "You do realize of course that she will not be pleased at the idea of being, what do the abovegrounders call it," he mused, "oh yes. Babysat."
Jareth nodded and smiled knowingly. He was quite well aware of her temperament. "She has great spirit and can be quite stubborn when provoked. However, she has also changed since our last meeting 11 years ago. Sarah has a depth and maturity that matches her beauty, Will." he returned to the table. "I will explain it to her so that she will understand."
William smiled at his friend. Never had he seen the King this relaxed, this content, or this happy. "I will protect her with to the last of my breath. Jareth."
"Thank you, little brother."
He saw Will's attention lock suddenly on the entrance to the Solar, his friends mouth dropped open, Will rose.
Jareth turned, aware of what he would see yet not truly prepared for it. Sarah, in the evening light, was exquisite, wrapped in his sheets, she was....he would not think of that right now.
Now, here in this room, dressed in a simple gown of lavender silk, she was gut -wrenchingly breathtaking. Her hair was gathered back, curls tumbling between her shoulders. Her cheeks were high in color and there was an unmistakable light in them as she came towards him.
"Good morning, Sarah." His voice was low and soft, memories of last evening stirring him.
She gently raised her hand and caressed his warm cheek. "I missed you this morning." She chided, smiling softly.
"Duty called, love." He covered her hand and brought it to his lips for a moment. His eyes were absorbing her, drawing her into him. She could feel the soothing touch of his mind inside. "Come you must break your fast." Escorting her to the table, he assisted Sarah with her seat, his hand trailing a delicious heat across the small of her back
Will settled back into his chair wincing as he did so. Noting this, concern furrowed her brow. "Will, how are you feeling?"
"As fit as a fiddle." He jested.
"After breakfast, I would like to check the fiddle's wound and change that dressing." She chuckled, taking up his banter.
He frowned, shaking his head in polite refusal. "I'm fine, Sarah. It was only a scratch.
Jareth looked to Will with obvious amusement at the preposterous statement. "A scratch?"
"Yes, just a scratch." He looked to a confused Sarah for support. "Wouldn't you agree, Doctor?"
"Well, I've never heard of full cardiopulmonary arrest from a six inch stab wound, diagnosed as "a scratch" before," she stated thoughtfully as she baited her trap, "but, you said that you do heal faster here at home."
"Thank you, Sarah." He replied, with a smug grin.
"Then again," she continued thoughtfully, "I seem to recall that your wound was fairly close to more delicate parts of your anatomy. An infection in that area could lead to difficulty with the proper function of the organs in that area, especially those needed for reproduction."
"That would be a shame." Jareth added with mock sobriety, knowing full well, Williams love for the opposite gender.
"A shame?" Will barked. Now he was alarmed. "What would be a shame?"
Sarah's expression spoke that the consequences should have been common knowledge to him. "Malfunction." She stated delicately. "You could end up very ill, or even loose your....."
"Loose what." he yelped. The alarm in his voice neared panic.
"the ability to engage in private matters." Jareth provided. He would not have believed it possible for Will's eyes to grow larger, yet suddenly they did as the impact of his words struck home. Jareth continued, smiling innocently. "So since your feeling back to normal, Will, perhaps you would join me this morning to inspect the northern battlement." He knew this would call Williams bluff. The trip to the Northern Battlement of the Labyrinth was a rough one even when one was healthy and in possession of a fresh mount.
Will looked to Jareth disbelievingly. Of all the days to choose to inspect the roughest piece of land in the Underground. He'd never make it. Jareth would be dragging his debilitated carcass back before they hit the outer walls of the maze. And the lecture he would receive...He sighed as he realized he had been defeated. Cornered, he glared at his conspiring friends. Both stared at him with anticipatory innocence. "I'm afraid I must decline your kind invitation, Sire. I have a previous booked appointment with my doctor."
Chapter 9
Examinations and Disclosures
"It's infected." She stated flatly as her fingers deftly palpated the edge of the inflamed wound. Will grunted, clearly uncomfortable with her ministrations. He shifted on the rough surface of the make shift examination table, concealed within the castle's pharmacy.
Three walls of the room were lined with cases stocked with various bottles and jars, mortars, oils and instruments. An open window adorned the forth wall. A gentle breeze floated in, stirring the scent of drying herbs.
She frowned as she moved to examine the contents of the shelves. "This would be a lot easier if I had attended medical school in the middle ages" she sighed.
"With all due respect, Sarah, if you'd attended medical school in the middle ages, chances are good that I wouldn't be allowing you near me." He chuckled.
She gave him a withering look and picked up an evil pronged instrument. "I wonder what to do with this?" her eyes glittering with mischief, as she momentarily glanced back at the nervous, reclining male behind her.
She moved to the next row of instruments, on the upper shelf. Many of them were old fashioned versions of the tools she used each day. Most were dirty or rusting and she looked at then with disgust. "Memo to me. Clean up this room and get some updated equipment and modern medications." She frowned as she inhaled a quick sniff of the contents of a bottle, three quarters full of amber liquid. "Perfect! This should do the trick. And this." She turned to him with a small pointed scalpel and a bottle of Brandy.
His eyes went wide in astonished shock. "Ah, Sarah? What are you planning to do with that?"
"I plan on lancing your wound and taking out the infection." Her eyes were firm suggesting that this was, of course, perfect common sense.
He didn't seem convinced. "And of course a liberal drink to control the pain and sooth the nerves." Will suggested hopefully. "What a thoughtful soul."
She shook her head. "This isn't for drinking. It's for cleaning the germs off of the wound and the instrument." She nodded firmly.
His dark brows drawn together, his arms crossed stubbornly over his chest, Will mockingly glared at her. "Such a spoil sport, Doctor. I think I'll wait until tomorrow." He stated as he started to sit up.
She placed a hand on his shoulder, stilling his movement and frowned seriously at her reluctant patient. "You have an abscess developing Will. If I don't incise and drain this infection today, it will spread and you'll become very ill." Her tone was thick with the worry and confident censure reserved for noncompliant patients. She moved to the table, and set the scalpel into a small basin. She suppressed her smile at Will's sudden gasp of disappointment and frustration, as she poured a good measure of the alcoholic beverage over her instruments.
Retrieving some small white squares of cloth from a large dressing basket, she set to her task. "Now, just relax. This may be a bit uncomfortable." She advised. Seeing the look of apprehension on his face, she decided to try a different approach and distract him. "How long have you known Jareth" she asked pleasantly.
He seemed to relax somewhat at the change of topic. She dabbed the surface of his abdomen with the alcohol. His muscles jumped under the cold fluid. "Just over 2000 years." Will replied, chuckling, "He and I have been friends since childhood. We were inseparable as youngsters and always getting into mischief together."
"I have difficulty picturing you or Jareth as children." She smiled, moving the scalpel over the puckering edge of the inflamed tissue. Jareth seemed so timeless.
Will was looking at her most peculiarly. "Fae may age differently than Humans, Sarah, but we are all created in the same way. Born the same way. We have more similarities then you realize."
"Yes, so I'm learning." She murmured, remembering her activities the night before. A warm flush crept onto her face.
He grimaced again as she deftly poked the tip of the knife into the abscess. Immediately, yellow, milky exudate flowed from the incision. A small, silver sliver was visible within the wound, as she cleaned away the puss with a clean cotton cloth.
"When you were attacked, the blade appeared to be composed of wrought iron." She hesitated looking at the dark Fae. "It's true then, the myth about Iron being the bain of the Faery?"
He nodded his dark head. "It is deadly to us Sarah. Like a toxin only with a much more destructive effect." His voice was darkly serious.
"How so?" She puzzled, flicking the metal sliver out of the small well created by the drainage of the infectious fluid.
"It acts like a poison, affecting us at the genetic level. Humans have certain components that make up their DNA. The building blocks of existence." He explained, as she cleaned the wound again with more alcohol. "As you know, Fae can shape shift. It is our gift and is intertwined with our use of magick. For example, Jareth's favorite form is that of an Owl. But he can take on others as well, he just prefers not to. Our DNA contains a library of sorts, of every living creature. To accomplish it, our bodies have another genetic element that manipulates the DNA into the genetic pattern of the form we choose to become. That intended form is reassembled from our base DNA and we take on the shape of that creature." He gestured to his stomach. "The iron interrupts that process and if the poisoning is severe enough, we cannot maintain even our birth form. The DNA structure collapses completely and we fade from existence."
Sarah had stopped cleaning his wound as was listening intently. She pictured the double helix DNA matrix dancing with a silver crystalline chain, moving amino acids from place to place, recreating patterns and genetic sequences. It made sense now. "I understand it now. Your x rays and lab values back at the hospital. They would be correct for certain forms but not others. Had you been human, the knife we pulled from you would have done major damage. But yet in Fae form you had no major organs or vessels in the area to be hurt. Your body genetically adapted you to the form best suited to survive." She stared at him in wonder and astonishment.
"Very good!" he exclaimed.
Yes Jareth, you are indeed one lucky bugger, he mused.
After dressing the wound with an antibiotic poultice of goldenseal flowers and brandy, Will escorted Sarah outside of the castle to the garden. As they walked, their conversation turned to that of Sarah's trip through the Labyrinth. "It was a huge blow to him. Afterwards, he wasn't fit to speak with for months." Will was explaining. "He cares about you Sarah very deeply. As stubborn and impossible as he can be at times, he had a good and noble soul."
"I rather thought that the stubborn, impossible bit, was part of his charm." She joked, smiling mischievously. "He's nothing like I remembered. Then, he was cruel and arrogant,.... frightening, but now..." she trailed off, sighing. "I knew back then that he felt something for me. Something eternal, consuming, and frightening....Something I didn't understand then."
She appeared vexed. "The way I saw him and our time together in the Labyrinth, changed as I grew older. Truthfully Will, I couldn't stop thinking about him. I was still afraid of him on one level, but there was something else.....something much deeper...." She sat down on a large rock and looked up at him with serious eyes.
"Did you ever discover what that something was?" he asked gently. She looked away from him to study the skyline.
"Yes." She replied watching a bird light onto the limb of a tree and adjust his sleek, black feathers. She hesitated only a moment. "That I loved him. Even then." She shook her head. "I realized that I had been selfish, self centered, and terribly immature. He was giving me the opportunity to redeem myself and learn a painful lesson about what was really important in life. It did take a while, but I realized that only a true friend would risk his friendship with the person he cares about, to be that honest. It was quite an epiphany." Sarah smiled lightly then sobered, looking around at the damaged city. "But Will, the cost of my immaturity.....these people didn't deserve this."
He smiled at the love and warmth evident in her eyes "Love is about and sacrifice Sarah. Jareth was willing to risk his position and endure the rage of the Counsel for your happiness. You were willing to risk your dreams with him for Toby's safety, and," He gestured out to the city, "the people here risked their lives and momentary happiness to stand loyal to their King."
"Your presence here will be a constant reminder to all, that love is the source of all true strength and courage." He pointed out gently. Sarah's eyes misted with unshed tears as he spoke.
"You are an amazing person Will. Jareth is very lucky to have you as a friend." She said with heart felt sincerity.
"Indeed I am Sarah." Jareth's voice was behind them, warm and gentle, nonetheless, startling her slightly. She rose from her perch on the rock and walked to him gracefully, arms extended to him, eyes glowing with happiness. He gathered her to him and placed a brief kiss on her lips, savoring the way she moved closer to his warmth, responding to him.
She broke their kiss and pulled back slightly, looking up at him. "We have a lot of work to do to rebuild our home." She stated with soft determination.
Home. His and hers together. Jareth's arms tightened around her. His pleasure in the moment was boundless. "We will start planning immediately after the Counsel meeting." He smoothed a loose strand of hair away from her forehead. "How was your Doctor's appointment?" he added to Will.
"Well, let me see." Will pursed his lips together tapping a gloved finger on his chin. "Ah, yes! Beside, being stabbed with a nasty, little knife and wasting a very generous portion of your best brandy," he teased her openly, "it went quite well. Sarah has even managed to learn a thing or two about us."
"Wasted brandy! That certainly explains the yelling I heard earlier." Jareth countered at the imp of mischief's prompt."
Sarah was mollified. "The two of you are a bad influence on each other. I swear." Their deliberate provocation earned them both a glare, but Jareth was pleased by it. Will wasn't the only one who found Sarah teasable. He did too, and was in a much better position to take advantage of it.
Will leaned back against a mossy tree. "Funny thing that. Seemed to be Mother's opinion of him as well." Grinning pointedly at his friend.
"Who replaced the Dragon Queen's perfume with Bog water?" Jareth smirked, "I'm sure I haven't seen her at Court gatherings for what? 1200 years...?"
"I really don't think that this is..." Will began.
"Then there was the incident at the Beltane festival the following year......" Jareth continued blithely. He looked at Sarah with a conspiratorial wink, "He certainly gave new meaning to the terms fertility rights...." Sarah laughed at the image his comment invoked
Will sighed, as if savoring the memory, "Remind me why you dragged me away, Jareth, I forget....."
"What I'm trying to remember is why I didn't leave you there." He replied, pointing at Will for emphasis and adding, "When they said Wild Hunt, they were not referring to you and a harem of she-elves playing skyclad hide and seek."
Will laughed, shrugging elegant shoulders, "You must admit, I did liven things up."
Sarah laughter at the men's banter settled slowly. "Thank you for proving my point." Quickly kissing Jareth on the cheek.
Jareth warmed at the affection in her gaze. Setting back to his present task, he looked to Will. "The Counsel members arrive within the hour. Perhaps you could show Sarah the library. I'm sure there are numerous texts on healing and Fae medicinal practice that she would find quite engrossing." His tone was casual, but the message beneath his words clear.
"With that collection of yours, I'll need the troops to pry her out for dinner." He nodded, acknowledging the unspoken order.
Return of a Friend
It was an interesting thing, Jareth thought, to get this far in his immortal life, filled with challenges and adventure, and realize he hadn't ever suspected what he was actually capable of experiencing.
Pleasure certainly, he was no stranger to that, yet pleasure was a faint taste of the soul-shattering ecstasy from which he was only slowly emerging. Interesting, too, to think at all, since for very long moments he was quite sure he had been capable of doing nothing of the sort.
He turned his head, mildly surprised he could manage that as well, and saw Sarah lying closely beside him.
Her eyes were closed, her mouth curved in a gentle smile. She looked quite pleased with herself.... and with him. He leaned on his side and stroked a long finger along the soft curve of her cheek. Her eyes fluttered open.
"I've a gift for you." He said. She looked surprised. He left the bed momentarily giving her a show as he reached for his grey robe.
"You've already given me my dream tonight. Come back to bed I'd like to savour it again." she purred, recalling his prior attempt to give her her dreams as a child.
Tying the sash, he leaned down to her on the bed. "Close your eyes." He murmured against her lips, nipping the flesh of her lower lip as he gently drew it between his. She gasped at the sudden sensation, and smiled softly, closing her eyes as he directed.
The room was silent of several moments, and she promptly tried to peer from beneath her lashes. "No peaking." He chided, his voice all around her, though she had not seen him.
Moments later, something teased her nose. Sarah tried to wiggle it away but it was back in an instant. She flicked her hand at it, wondering what was taking so long. The gift itself didn't matter, it was the idea that he had thought of such a thing that touched her.
Warm fur was placed next to her on the bed, her hands gliding over the familiar short coat, soft and silky over lithe, slim muscles. She forgot her promise, opened her eyes and found herself staring at...her breath caught. Mistral was curled next to her contentedly enjoying having his neck rubbed by the King. "Oh, Jareth...."
The way she said his name, the aching whisper of sheer delight, made his throat tighten. He wondered when the last time was that anyone had given her a gift and felt a surge of gladness that he was the man to do it. Sarah looked up to him, the look in her eyes as though he had given her the world. Just then, he felt he honestly could.
His warm accented voice was at her ear as he gathered her to him, she holding the cat. "I was told that this young chap holds a very special place in your heart."
"I thought I'd never see him again. Thank you." Her hands smoothed his creamy fur, from his chocolate mask to his darkened tail. Sapphire blue eyes narrowed, looking at the couple, perhaps weighing the Fae man's worth. Decision made, Mistral gracefully moved closer to Jareth and rubbed his head on his shoulder, marking him as his master. Sarah smiled. "I think you have just been claimed." She laughed lightly as the cat moved to snuggle into the tousled sheets at the end of the bed.
"I don't think I'll mind that." clearly not referring to the cat. His hand caressed her hip as his lips moved over her bare shoulder. She trembled at his touch. He looked at Sarah curled into him. The silken curtain of her hair alternately concealed and revealed, but hardly offered her much in the way of warmth. "Cold?" he asked.
"Yes. A bit." She replied.
He used what little strength that had returned to pull the sheets and coverlet over them both. She murmured her thanks and snuggled closer to him.
At the touch of her silken limbs, or perhaps it was the honeysuckle scent of her skin, or maybe the brush of her breast against his arm, or...Whatever the cause, his body stirred in instant response, tentatively but with obvious enthusiasm.
Jareth drew her close, draping her over him, stroking her slender back and firmly rounded bottom. His long fingers delved between her thighs as his mouth took hers in a searing kiss. Ravenously, he tasted her. His tongue stroking deep and hard, mating with her own. He could think of nothing but to ease her beneath him and to make her his when Sarah twisted suddenly in his arms. With the provocative smile of an innocent imp, she sat up, straddling him and tossed her glorious riot of hair over her shoulders. Her eyes filled with tender yearning, she stroked her hands lightly down his chest. Her voice was a soft whisper as she murmured, "Please....I've dreamed of this for so long...."
With a groan, Jareth fell back onto the bed. Already he was painfully aroused and if the look in her eyes was any indication, his torment had only just begun. Her passion tantalized him even as he doubted how much more he could endure.
She was an artless temptress, delighted by her own boldness, glorying in his responses. She explored him with light, flickering touches of her hands and mouth, with leisurely caresses and hungry kisses, with every part of her body and every inch of her warm, silken skin. Soft little sounds of pleasure escaped her, surprised exclamations of delight that filled him with bemused pride and mocked his self control, held in check by a very slender thread.
Beads of sweat glistened on his forehead when she rose above him, a sweetly seductive smile curving her lush mouth and a question in her eyes. He saw it, clasped her hips, and gently guided her onto him. Her stunned surprise gave way to a moan of delight. Slowly, tantalizingly, she drew him within her. When he was fully seated, his fingers intertwined with hers as with innate grace, she began to move. He watched, enthralled, as her skin flushed with the intensity of her arousal, her nipples firm buds beckoning to his mouth.
To her pleasure drenched senses, this was almost too much. Sarah cried out as he suckled her, waves of ecstasy coiling within her, tighter and tighter still until they exploded suddenly in an incandescent burst that seemed to last forever. She fell against him, limp and gasping his name. The world revolved suddenly and she found herself beneath him. His fine boned features were tightly drawn, his eyes shinning as he loomed over her. He drove himself inside of her harder and faster, over and over. Without reprieve, she was hurled again into dark swirling release. A moment later, he joined her, clasping her tighter to him as though he meant never to let her go.
Afterwards, they fell into sleep so deep that not even the usual early morning noises of the royal household disturbed them.
***
The King's solar occupied the middle floor on the eastern side of the castle. It was a bright and cheery room, well suited for comfort and private audiences. This morning it was filled with the warm yellow and red glow of morning. The mouthwatering scent of freshly baked bread lingered in the room.
A few servants moved about, serving the morning meal, but otherwise it's only occupant was the Goblin King. There was no sign of Sarah, and Will made a mental note, as he entered the room, to speak with her today regarding his wound. Although not fully up to snuff, and after the festivities of the night before, he noted that his abdomen hurt much more than he expected it should.
Returning to the Underground should have assisted the process of healing, and he was quite surprised when he rose this morning to find the stomach wound red and tender to touch.
Jareth was sitting at the lavish table scanning a document, his face set with an amused frown. "The wolves are calling already?" Will asked, fully aware of the pleasure Jareth would take in turning the tables on his enemies within the counsel.
The King nodded. "Mordraith has called the Counsel together for this afternoon to discuss the return of the Traitor." He stated, his voice growing cold, angry. "How dare they refer to my wife in those terms." The parchment landed on the floor in a crumpled heap.
He grimaced briefly as he sat to join Jareth. Noticing the concerned appraisal of his friend, he attempted to relax and ignore the stinging burn of his wound. Gingerly, he reached for a roll and began to lather the moist biscuit with jam. Assuming a forced smile as he made eye contact with his Lord, he attempted to defer the change in topic certain to occur. "Obviously the news of your marriage has not yet reached them. I daresay that certain elements will be less than pleased to hear of your nuptials." His friend's discomfort did not go unnoticed, despite his applaudable acting. Jareth shook his head nearly imperceptibly as he stood and walked to the window . Will was right. Sarah's protection was imperative.
He regarded his friend for a moment. Jareth trusted Will as he would never trust another man, and he knew that trust was returned in full. His mouth tightened derisively, "Will, I must call on your assistance again. The peace will be tenuous for some time and Sarah at risk from those on the counsel who still have their sights on my position. I want to appoint you as her personal guard until we have this settled."
He nodded inclining his head slightly. "My sword and life are yours to command, My Lord." He patted his friend on the shoulder, while taking his seat and added, "You do realize of course that she will not be pleased at the idea of being, what do the abovegrounders call it," he mused, "oh yes. Babysat."
Jareth nodded and smiled knowingly. He was quite well aware of her temperament. "She has great spirit and can be quite stubborn when provoked. However, she has also changed since our last meeting 11 years ago. Sarah has a depth and maturity that matches her beauty, Will." he returned to the table. "I will explain it to her so that she will understand."
William smiled at his friend. Never had he seen the King this relaxed, this content, or this happy. "I will protect her with to the last of my breath. Jareth."
"Thank you, little brother."
He saw Will's attention lock suddenly on the entrance to the Solar, his friends mouth dropped open, Will rose.
Jareth turned, aware of what he would see yet not truly prepared for it. Sarah, in the evening light, was exquisite, wrapped in his sheets, she was....he would not think of that right now.
Now, here in this room, dressed in a simple gown of lavender silk, she was gut -wrenchingly breathtaking. Her hair was gathered back, curls tumbling between her shoulders. Her cheeks were high in color and there was an unmistakable light in them as she came towards him.
"Good morning, Sarah." His voice was low and soft, memories of last evening stirring him.
She gently raised her hand and caressed his warm cheek. "I missed you this morning." She chided, smiling softly.
"Duty called, love." He covered her hand and brought it to his lips for a moment. His eyes were absorbing her, drawing her into him. She could feel the soothing touch of his mind inside. "Come you must break your fast." Escorting her to the table, he assisted Sarah with her seat, his hand trailing a delicious heat across the small of her back
Will settled back into his chair wincing as he did so. Noting this, concern furrowed her brow. "Will, how are you feeling?"
"As fit as a fiddle." He jested.
"After breakfast, I would like to check the fiddle's wound and change that dressing." She chuckled, taking up his banter.
He frowned, shaking his head in polite refusal. "I'm fine, Sarah. It was only a scratch.
Jareth looked to Will with obvious amusement at the preposterous statement. "A scratch?"
"Yes, just a scratch." He looked to a confused Sarah for support. "Wouldn't you agree, Doctor?"
"Well, I've never heard of full cardiopulmonary arrest from a six inch stab wound, diagnosed as "a scratch" before," she stated thoughtfully as she baited her trap, "but, you said that you do heal faster here at home."
"Thank you, Sarah." He replied, with a smug grin.
"Then again," she continued thoughtfully, "I seem to recall that your wound was fairly close to more delicate parts of your anatomy. An infection in that area could lead to difficulty with the proper function of the organs in that area, especially those needed for reproduction."
"That would be a shame." Jareth added with mock sobriety, knowing full well, Williams love for the opposite gender.
"A shame?" Will barked. Now he was alarmed. "What would be a shame?"
Sarah's expression spoke that the consequences should have been common knowledge to him. "Malfunction." She stated delicately. "You could end up very ill, or even loose your....."
"Loose what." he yelped. The alarm in his voice neared panic.
"the ability to engage in private matters." Jareth provided. He would not have believed it possible for Will's eyes to grow larger, yet suddenly they did as the impact of his words struck home. Jareth continued, smiling innocently. "So since your feeling back to normal, Will, perhaps you would join me this morning to inspect the northern battlement." He knew this would call Williams bluff. The trip to the Northern Battlement of the Labyrinth was a rough one even when one was healthy and in possession of a fresh mount.
Will looked to Jareth disbelievingly. Of all the days to choose to inspect the roughest piece of land in the Underground. He'd never make it. Jareth would be dragging his debilitated carcass back before they hit the outer walls of the maze. And the lecture he would receive...He sighed as he realized he had been defeated. Cornered, he glared at his conspiring friends. Both stared at him with anticipatory innocence. "I'm afraid I must decline your kind invitation, Sire. I have a previous booked appointment with my doctor."
Chapter 9
Examinations and Disclosures
"It's infected." She stated flatly as her fingers deftly palpated the edge of the inflamed wound. Will grunted, clearly uncomfortable with her ministrations. He shifted on the rough surface of the make shift examination table, concealed within the castle's pharmacy.
Three walls of the room were lined with cases stocked with various bottles and jars, mortars, oils and instruments. An open window adorned the forth wall. A gentle breeze floated in, stirring the scent of drying herbs.
She frowned as she moved to examine the contents of the shelves. "This would be a lot easier if I had attended medical school in the middle ages" she sighed.
"With all due respect, Sarah, if you'd attended medical school in the middle ages, chances are good that I wouldn't be allowing you near me." He chuckled.
She gave him a withering look and picked up an evil pronged instrument. "I wonder what to do with this?" her eyes glittering with mischief, as she momentarily glanced back at the nervous, reclining male behind her.
She moved to the next row of instruments, on the upper shelf. Many of them were old fashioned versions of the tools she used each day. Most were dirty or rusting and she looked at then with disgust. "Memo to me. Clean up this room and get some updated equipment and modern medications." She frowned as she inhaled a quick sniff of the contents of a bottle, three quarters full of amber liquid. "Perfect! This should do the trick. And this." She turned to him with a small pointed scalpel and a bottle of Brandy.
His eyes went wide in astonished shock. "Ah, Sarah? What are you planning to do with that?"
"I plan on lancing your wound and taking out the infection." Her eyes were firm suggesting that this was, of course, perfect common sense.
He didn't seem convinced. "And of course a liberal drink to control the pain and sooth the nerves." Will suggested hopefully. "What a thoughtful soul."
She shook her head. "This isn't for drinking. It's for cleaning the germs off of the wound and the instrument." She nodded firmly.
His dark brows drawn together, his arms crossed stubbornly over his chest, Will mockingly glared at her. "Such a spoil sport, Doctor. I think I'll wait until tomorrow." He stated as he started to sit up.
She placed a hand on his shoulder, stilling his movement and frowned seriously at her reluctant patient. "You have an abscess developing Will. If I don't incise and drain this infection today, it will spread and you'll become very ill." Her tone was thick with the worry and confident censure reserved for noncompliant patients. She moved to the table, and set the scalpel into a small basin. She suppressed her smile at Will's sudden gasp of disappointment and frustration, as she poured a good measure of the alcoholic beverage over her instruments.
Retrieving some small white squares of cloth from a large dressing basket, she set to her task. "Now, just relax. This may be a bit uncomfortable." She advised. Seeing the look of apprehension on his face, she decided to try a different approach and distract him. "How long have you known Jareth" she asked pleasantly.
He seemed to relax somewhat at the change of topic. She dabbed the surface of his abdomen with the alcohol. His muscles jumped under the cold fluid. "Just over 2000 years." Will replied, chuckling, "He and I have been friends since childhood. We were inseparable as youngsters and always getting into mischief together."
"I have difficulty picturing you or Jareth as children." She smiled, moving the scalpel over the puckering edge of the inflamed tissue. Jareth seemed so timeless.
Will was looking at her most peculiarly. "Fae may age differently than Humans, Sarah, but we are all created in the same way. Born the same way. We have more similarities then you realize."
"Yes, so I'm learning." She murmured, remembering her activities the night before. A warm flush crept onto her face.
He grimaced again as she deftly poked the tip of the knife into the abscess. Immediately, yellow, milky exudate flowed from the incision. A small, silver sliver was visible within the wound, as she cleaned away the puss with a clean cotton cloth.
"When you were attacked, the blade appeared to be composed of wrought iron." She hesitated looking at the dark Fae. "It's true then, the myth about Iron being the bain of the Faery?"
He nodded his dark head. "It is deadly to us Sarah. Like a toxin only with a much more destructive effect." His voice was darkly serious.
"How so?" She puzzled, flicking the metal sliver out of the small well created by the drainage of the infectious fluid.
"It acts like a poison, affecting us at the genetic level. Humans have certain components that make up their DNA. The building blocks of existence." He explained, as she cleaned the wound again with more alcohol. "As you know, Fae can shape shift. It is our gift and is intertwined with our use of magick. For example, Jareth's favorite form is that of an Owl. But he can take on others as well, he just prefers not to. Our DNA contains a library of sorts, of every living creature. To accomplish it, our bodies have another genetic element that manipulates the DNA into the genetic pattern of the form we choose to become. That intended form is reassembled from our base DNA and we take on the shape of that creature." He gestured to his stomach. "The iron interrupts that process and if the poisoning is severe enough, we cannot maintain even our birth form. The DNA structure collapses completely and we fade from existence."
Sarah had stopped cleaning his wound as was listening intently. She pictured the double helix DNA matrix dancing with a silver crystalline chain, moving amino acids from place to place, recreating patterns and genetic sequences. It made sense now. "I understand it now. Your x rays and lab values back at the hospital. They would be correct for certain forms but not others. Had you been human, the knife we pulled from you would have done major damage. But yet in Fae form you had no major organs or vessels in the area to be hurt. Your body genetically adapted you to the form best suited to survive." She stared at him in wonder and astonishment.
"Very good!" he exclaimed.
Yes Jareth, you are indeed one lucky bugger, he mused.
After dressing the wound with an antibiotic poultice of goldenseal flowers and brandy, Will escorted Sarah outside of the castle to the garden. As they walked, their conversation turned to that of Sarah's trip through the Labyrinth. "It was a huge blow to him. Afterwards, he wasn't fit to speak with for months." Will was explaining. "He cares about you Sarah very deeply. As stubborn and impossible as he can be at times, he had a good and noble soul."
"I rather thought that the stubborn, impossible bit, was part of his charm." She joked, smiling mischievously. "He's nothing like I remembered. Then, he was cruel and arrogant,.... frightening, but now..." she trailed off, sighing. "I knew back then that he felt something for me. Something eternal, consuming, and frightening....Something I didn't understand then."
She appeared vexed. "The way I saw him and our time together in the Labyrinth, changed as I grew older. Truthfully Will, I couldn't stop thinking about him. I was still afraid of him on one level, but there was something else.....something much deeper...." She sat down on a large rock and looked up at him with serious eyes.
"Did you ever discover what that something was?" he asked gently. She looked away from him to study the skyline.
"Yes." She replied watching a bird light onto the limb of a tree and adjust his sleek, black feathers. She hesitated only a moment. "That I loved him. Even then." She shook her head. "I realized that I had been selfish, self centered, and terribly immature. He was giving me the opportunity to redeem myself and learn a painful lesson about what was really important in life. It did take a while, but I realized that only a true friend would risk his friendship with the person he cares about, to be that honest. It was quite an epiphany." Sarah smiled lightly then sobered, looking around at the damaged city. "But Will, the cost of my immaturity.....these people didn't deserve this."
He smiled at the love and warmth evident in her eyes "Love is about and sacrifice Sarah. Jareth was willing to risk his position and endure the rage of the Counsel for your happiness. You were willing to risk your dreams with him for Toby's safety, and," He gestured out to the city, "the people here risked their lives and momentary happiness to stand loyal to their King."
"Your presence here will be a constant reminder to all, that love is the source of all true strength and courage." He pointed out gently. Sarah's eyes misted with unshed tears as he spoke.
"You are an amazing person Will. Jareth is very lucky to have you as a friend." She said with heart felt sincerity.
"Indeed I am Sarah." Jareth's voice was behind them, warm and gentle, nonetheless, startling her slightly. She rose from her perch on the rock and walked to him gracefully, arms extended to him, eyes glowing with happiness. He gathered her to him and placed a brief kiss on her lips, savoring the way she moved closer to his warmth, responding to him.
She broke their kiss and pulled back slightly, looking up at him. "We have a lot of work to do to rebuild our home." She stated with soft determination.
Home. His and hers together. Jareth's arms tightened around her. His pleasure in the moment was boundless. "We will start planning immediately after the Counsel meeting." He smoothed a loose strand of hair away from her forehead. "How was your Doctor's appointment?" he added to Will.
"Well, let me see." Will pursed his lips together tapping a gloved finger on his chin. "Ah, yes! Beside, being stabbed with a nasty, little knife and wasting a very generous portion of your best brandy," he teased her openly, "it went quite well. Sarah has even managed to learn a thing or two about us."
"Wasted brandy! That certainly explains the yelling I heard earlier." Jareth countered at the imp of mischief's prompt."
Sarah was mollified. "The two of you are a bad influence on each other. I swear." Their deliberate provocation earned them both a glare, but Jareth was pleased by it. Will wasn't the only one who found Sarah teasable. He did too, and was in a much better position to take advantage of it.
Will leaned back against a mossy tree. "Funny thing that. Seemed to be Mother's opinion of him as well." Grinning pointedly at his friend.
"Who replaced the Dragon Queen's perfume with Bog water?" Jareth smirked, "I'm sure I haven't seen her at Court gatherings for what? 1200 years...?"
"I really don't think that this is..." Will began.
"Then there was the incident at the Beltane festival the following year......" Jareth continued blithely. He looked at Sarah with a conspiratorial wink, "He certainly gave new meaning to the terms fertility rights...." Sarah laughed at the image his comment invoked
Will sighed, as if savoring the memory, "Remind me why you dragged me away, Jareth, I forget....."
"What I'm trying to remember is why I didn't leave you there." He replied, pointing at Will for emphasis and adding, "When they said Wild Hunt, they were not referring to you and a harem of she-elves playing skyclad hide and seek."
Will laughed, shrugging elegant shoulders, "You must admit, I did liven things up."
Sarah laughter at the men's banter settled slowly. "Thank you for proving my point." Quickly kissing Jareth on the cheek.
Jareth warmed at the affection in her gaze. Setting back to his present task, he looked to Will. "The Counsel members arrive within the hour. Perhaps you could show Sarah the library. I'm sure there are numerous texts on healing and Fae medicinal practice that she would find quite engrossing." His tone was casual, but the message beneath his words clear.
"With that collection of yours, I'll need the troops to pry her out for dinner." He nodded, acknowledging the unspoken order.