Alrighty, I'm so proud of myself. I got this out today! ::excited look:: Woohoo! Um, as you can see I'm a little excited about this chapter. The thing is that I was stuck big time and had not a clue as to how to continue and then "BAM!" this chapter just hit me and here you go.
::Jareth pops in:: "Are you ever going to get to the honeymoon?"
::I look to Jareth with a sideways glance:: "Yes, don't get your tights in a wad"
::Jareth in turn arches his brow before disappearing. Rolling my eyes I shake my head:: "I swear that's all that Fae thinks about!"
Okay, so as I was saying before you know who had to interrupt me ::clears throat:: Thanks to all that have supported me through writing this and to all of you that have commented on my works. A big hug to all of you! Well, come on! Group hug! Um, okay so I'm a bit hyper. Gotta love it! Shutting up now so you can read. **This has been brought to you by a hyper active writer who is overly excited and has had way too much sugar and too much GK!**
To What May Come
Chapter 32
The scent of roses and jasmine wafted to her sense as she stirred in her sleep, her pale cheek nuzzling against a soft warm chest causing her to smile. Breathing in again Sarah noticed that Jareth's smell was unlike anything she had ever encountered, a pleasing smell of magic and musk. Coherency started to seep its way to her senses, bringing her out of the comfortable darkness of after dreams and waking, she could tell that she was still within Jareth's arms, his hold a comfort.
His mismatched eyes watched over her sleeping form, contently studying her lovely features. He could feel her stirring and starting to wake the smile that tugged at the corner of her lips tugging at his heart. Before her eyes could flutter open, Jareth gently kissed her just above the collar bone making his way slowly up towards her lips, smiling against her skin as he heard her pleased sigh.
Oh she could definitely get use to this! Eyes still closed, her fingers blindly skimmed over his strong arms, over his shoulders until finally they tangled into his soft mass of blond hair. As his lips met with hers she felt as if she would explode from the desire that his actions were bringing about. Kiss deepening, she moaned into his mouth, her heart racing as she felt him pulling her closer his body pressed fully against hers.
Reluctantly, Jareth pulled away his eyes looking over her flushed face, those swollen lips that he wished to capture once again. She was a vision to behold, her desire and love for him seen clearly within her eyes as she gazed wondrously up at him.
Sarah watched him as he watched her, taking in the look of desire and love that his eyes so clearly held for her. It was amazing to think that she, a mortal woman, had somehow captured his attention and then his love. Hands coming up to trace the contours of his face she smiled up to him, "Good morning."
His lips edged into a pleased grin touching her hand that rested against his cheek. Pulling her hand away he kissed the inside of her palm never taking his gaze off of her, "That it is."
The way his lips touched the inside of her palm, the deep sound of his voice as he answered her and the look within his eyes made her heart flutter. From the intensity of his gaze Sarah had to look away. What was that feeling that fluttered like butterflies within her stomach? Jareth loved her and she loved him so why did she feel so nervous when he looked to her that way? She knew that she was being ridiculous; they were engaged for goodness sake.
Gently tugging at her chin so that she would face him he smiled kissing her lightly on the lips. Pulling away he gazed into her eyes, "What is it?" he gently asked.
Words caught in her throat, as she knew of no way to verbalize what it was that she was feeling. Angry with herself she sat up within the bed leaning against the headboard. Her fingers nervously played with the edge of her nightgown as she tried to fight down the butterflies within, "Nothing."
He knew better than to believe those words, sitting up himself he gently took her hands that were playing with her gown and waited for her to return his gaze. When she still kept her eyes downcast he gently stroked the side of her cheek, "Sarah, please tell me. Whatever it is you can tell me."
Biting the inside of her cheek she looked up to him from downcast eyes, "Its…" oh how could she phrase this? Looking back down, she was afraid that he would laugh at what she had to say but allowed her thoughts to drive her words, "What you make me feel, it scares me a little. I…I love you but I'm just a little scared about…" she trailed off to embarrassed to finish her statement.
A grin tugged at his lips as he understood exactly what she was speaking about, she was so beautiful. Jareth pulled her to him allowing her back to rest against his chest, "My love, I will do nothing that you do not wish me to do. It is perfectly natural what you are feeling."
Tipping her face up so that he was looking at her from the side he continued, "I promise you that there is nothing to fear from me."
Sarah could not help but to smile her face blushing slightly, "I know. I guess this is what they call having cold feet before a wedding."
Pulling her closer to him he nuzzled her neck just below her ear, "Are you having second thoughts? Do you want to cancel the wedding?" His heart sank and ached at the thought but if she were having second thoughts and did not wish to marry him he would let her go, though the act would literally destroy him. He would do anything for her; he just prayed that she would not break his heart.
She turned suddenly in his arms, "Jareth, why would you ask that? Of course I don't want to call off the wedding." Her heart ached at the next question that came but she had to ask, "Are you having second thoughts?"
In answer to her query his lips captured hers in a passionate kiss, deepening as she responded, his arms urgently pulling her against him. The sounds of knocking made them both freeze, as both were a little startled by the interruption.
Fayla waited for Jareth to open the door as he usually did, she was concerned when she did not find Sarah within her rooms. Elizabeth had informed her that Jareth did say that she was safe. Not bothering to wait any longer she squared her shoulders pushing open the door and flushed crimson at the scene before her.
Sitting at the center of Jareth's bed was both Sarah and Jareth within each other's arms. Oh this was not good, he had better of not have done with her what she was thinking.
Grinning devilishly, Jareth pulled away from their heated embrace, "It seems that we've been caught."
Flushing scarlet, Sarah bit down on her lower lip fighting her own grin as she pulled sheepishly away from Jareth and quickly pulled the sheets up over her lightly dressed body. She was breathing hard and was too embarrassed to look to see just who had barged in on them.
Fayla glared accusingly at the Goblin King and quickly got over her embarrassment at catching them in the act. Making her way towards the bed and a flushed Sarah, Fayla grabbed a robe that was sitting within a chair not far from the bed. Quickly she pulled Sarah out of the bed covering her with the robe, "Come Sarah let me get you to your room and freshened up." Shooting a sharp look at the King, Fayla continued, "and you, I will have a word with you later!"
Jareth could not help but to laugh as he watched the scene as Fayla rushed Sarah out from his bedchambers. Shaking his head he could not stop grinning at what had happened. With a smirk on his face, Jareth the Goblin King rose from his bed to make ready for the day. Today he would begin with arranging for the wedding, that is, if he survived the reprimand he would be receiving from Fayla.
Hearing Jareth's laughter, as Fayla rushed her out from his room Sarah could not hold in her own any longer. A fit of giggles consumed her and she hugged Fayla, "I'm so glad that you're okay!"
Fayla smiled warmly to her charge, "And I you, though I do hope that I came before he could…"
Flushing crimson Sarah buried her head in her friend's shoulder, "No, he's been the perfect gentleman. I just didn't want to be alone after what happened."
Sensing Sarah's embarrassment and amusement turn to that of pain Fayla soothed her charge. Rubbing her hand over her back she returned Sarah's hug, "Oh child, that vile creature can never harm you or anyone again. Do not allow his actions to cloud or darken the days that are to come."
Pulling away slightly Fayla continued, her eyes sparkling with mirth, "You are getting married in a few days time and we have much to get ready for and much to be happy about. Let us all wipe that Fae from our memory and concentrate on the now."
Nodding Sarah allowed Fayla to lead her back to her bedchambers. She watched as Fayla busied herself getting a bath drawn for her, "Fayla?"
At hearing Sarah's call Fayla exited the washroom coming to sit beside her charge, "Yes?"
Fidgeting with the robe she wore, Sarah asked, "When you married, were you at all nervous about the wedding…um, I mean the night of the wedding?"
Grinning, Fayla brushed Sarah's hair back behind her ear, "Child I was a nervous wreck!" she laughed, "I had never been so nervous in my life but you know what?"
Sarah looked to Fayla in wait for her to continue, which she did, "When the time came being with him felt so right that I had no doubt as to our marriage. The love we shared that night was the most profound and cherished moment of my life as it will be for you."
Feeling better at having this talk with Fayla, Sarah wondered how she would explain this to her parents. She had it pictured in her mind, her and Jareth magically appearing within the living room of the cabin of her parents and the look on their faces. At the mental image within her mind she started to laugh so hard that she had to lay back, tears starting to stream from her eyes.
Fayla looked to Sarah with worry, "Sarah, what is so funny?"
Rolling to her side she wiped the tears from her eyes shaking her head as she struggled to explain, "Its just… I thought about how to explain this to my family and I can picture it so clearly. Can you imagine the look from my parents if we just appeared before them to tell them the news? My stepmother is the most strict, non-imaginative person I know and Dad, oh God, he would be floored. The only person in my family that would most probably take this well would be my brother. Oh, Karen would probably faint. Oh I'd pay to have such a scene recorded to play over and over again."
Seeing the confused look she received from Fayla, clearing her throat, she sobered but could not stop herself from grinning, "You would have to know my parents to see the humor in this I guess."
Shaking her head, Fayla wondered about Sarah sometimes, the things that she said at times totally threw her, "When do you plan on telling them? The wedding is only a day away."
Sarah frowned, when could she do this, everything was just happening so fast, "I…I don't know. I haven't even spoken to Jareth about it yet."
Laying her hand on Sarah's she smiled warmly, "You can ask him at breakfast. I'll arrange it so that it is only you and him."
Nodding Sarah stood from the bed and stretched, "I guess getting bathed and dressed would be a good idea…" looking to Fayla she continued with a smile, "Thank you Fayla. Talking with you really helped."
Standing Fayla gently nudged Sarah towards the washroom, "You're quite welcome now off with you! I have to see to his majesty."
Not arguing she turned as she stopped at the bathroom door and grinned to Fayla, "Go easy on him, he was just comforting me."
Fayla shook her head, "I'd say he was doing quite more than that but I will not be too hard on him I promise."
Grinning Sarah continued towards the bathroom and her bath her mind already picturing Fayla giving Jareth a lecture on how to behave. Fayla was the best friend that she had ever had and she seemed more like a mother towards Jareth than a servant. Fayla did after all tell her that she did practically raise him.
Glad that Sarah was in good spirits and that everyone seemed to be safe, Fayla made her way to the door only to stop as she opened it. Standing before her stood Edward with fist raised as if about to knock which he quickly lowered.
Eyes sparkling with mirth at seeing Fayla, Edward bowed slightly, "Fayla, I am glad to find you here."
Fayla's brows rose at this, "Edward, if you've come to check up on me I assure you that I am well."
Taking Fayla's hand he interrupted her before she could go on, "Please come with me?"
She looked to him strangely, her heart fluttering at the feel of his hands holding hers, as she stated hesitantly, "All right."
Pulling her from the doorway he led her through the halls and out onto the castle grounds to the private gardens. Fayla followed without question wondering what he could be up to and about her reactions to his touch.
She was still wondering about why her feelings were starting to change towards him as they stopped. Coming back from out of her thoughts she looked around taking in their surroundings.
Before her laid out a small picnic breakfast and surrounding them were a circle of honeysuckle and white lilies. It was a breathtaking sight. For the first time in a long time Fayla was left speechless.
Seeing her reaction Edward took both her hands resting them against his chest as he had pulled her near, "Fayla, I can not go on any longer without telling you how much you mean to me. Since the first day that I saw you I fell in love with you. I accepted the fact that we could only be friends when you and Gaylon were married but I cannot remain such any longer. I love you Fayla, I want us to be more than friends."
Her eyes searched his, she could feel his love for her, sense it but…this was all so sudden, she needed time to think, "Edward I…"
He silenced her as he gently placed his fingers upon her lips, "I wish to court you Fayla. I wish to give us a chance and see where it leads. Please tell me that you will accept."
The feel of his fingers pressed gently against her lips brought about a wave of emotions she had not felt in a long time. She could feel herself trembling from his touch, their bodies slowly moving closer to each other closing the distance between them. Lips met, at first questioning and then deepening as each returned the embrace.
Edward's soul soared as she returned his kiss, his hands wrapping around her waist to bring her closer as the other wove through her soft red locks. He could feel her hands weaving through his own hair and smiled against her lips.
Both pulled away breathing heavily as their passionate kiss ended, both silently looking at the other. Fayla was the first to break the intimate silence between them, "I…I have to go."
Edward caught her hand before she could flee, "Fayla, I know that you feel more than friendship towards me. I think we both know what we feel towards one another. That moment was not one sided."
She was flushed and breathless knowing that he was right, "Edward, I…I would be happy to have you court me."
So filled with delight at hearing her say those words he pulled her to him and kissed her again. After pulling away from his embrace, Fayla's lips felt swollen with his kisses and she felt hot and flushed. A little dazed she stumbled back away from him, "I have to see to King Jareth and Lady Sarah."
Her hand was still held in his and she watched as he pulled it up to his lips kissing the back of it tenderly, "I'll see you later then."
Fayla watched Edward with new eyes as if seeing him for the first time and could only nod in agreement. Stepping back his hand slowly let go of hers as she retreated back to leave. As she made her way back to the castle Fayla held her hand to her lips a smile spreading over her face.