Thank you so much for your reviews. I'm happy that you are enjoying this. I know Jareth is wrong for keeping her from regaining her memories but he would not be any fun if he weren't just a little bit bad. Ya know he is the Goblin King after all ::grin:: As for Hoggle and his crew, well, their predicament will be looked upon later within the story. Hope you like this chapter.
Faded Memories
Chapter Four
Several weeks had passed by and not one memory had returned on its own. Sarah would have been frustrated if she were allowed the time. After Jareth had reassured her and had shown her the castle and the gardens he had told her that she would be taking lessons. What had surprised her was the fact that he would be the one that would be teaching her the laws and ways of the Underground and his Kingdom.
There was one problem with that arrangement; she had found it quite difficult to concentrate on said teachings when he was leaning over her as he was doing now. One arm was almost touching her shoulder as his hand rested on the desk that she was sitting at; the other was brushing up against her arm as his fingers pointed out a certain paragraph. His warm breath was brushing up against her cheek and she was glad that he could not see the flush that stained her cheeks.
His soothing and deep voice was making her warm inside and she flushed even more as she noted that he had stopped speaking all together and was watching her. Fighting down the blush that stained her cheeks, she risked a sideward glance and was met with his amused gaze.
Sensing that she was not paying attention to the lesson, Jareth paused and looked at her. She was staring at the book in front of her, yet her eyes were not focused and if he were not mistaken it looked as if she were blushing. That's when he took notice to their proximity and the way that he was so close to her, his one arm brushing hers.
As she tilted her head slightly to gaze at him, Jareth grinned with amusement before saying, "Sarah, you have not heard a word that I have said, have you?" it was more of a statement than that of an inquiry.
Biting her lower lip she looked down into her lap instead of answering his statement. What could she say? He made her heart rate rise and made her insides warm when he was so near. It confused her. Why did she feel this way and what was it that she was feeling?
Standing, Jareth leaned back against the edge of the desk looking down at her. Her head was bowed down, her face hidden from his view by her raven curtain of hair and her hands fidgeting with the fabric of her dress. He had sensed within the last week of his lessons to her that she would get flushed quite often and become shy when he would on occasion 'accidentally' brush his hand against her or invade in on her private space. He was becoming quite satisfied with the results.
At the silence and feeling his gaze upon her she breathed in deeply before she raised her head. Her blue eyes looked to his blue and brown ones in question but knew not what or how to ask them.
Taking her hand from her lap, he placed it in between his gloved hands, "You are distracted. May I ask what it is that distracts you so?"
Sarah looked away from his gaze and focused her eyes instead to the corner of the desk. Finally she answered, "I do not know? I'm confused as to my feelings Jareth." Hesitating a moment and feeling his hands squeeze her in an indication for her to continue, she bravely spoke her heart, "I am starting to feel things that I feel that I have never known the likes of and it's… it's because of…" Oh, she was afraid to say the last of her words but found them tumbling from her lips before she could stop them, "you."
His eyes sparkled knowingly. Tugging at her hand, he made her rise from her chair and pulled her to stand before him. Still seated at the edge of the desk he tilted her still averted head towards him.
Warm smile playing upon his lips, he looked within her hesitant eyes, "What do I make you feel, Sarah?" he stroked he cheek with his fingers.
Sarah shivered at the contact, facing him with this was frightening but she knew that she could not lie to him. She never could lie to him, "N… nervous and…" she blushed, "warm inside."
Biting her lower lip, she looked away. She wanted to run and hide someplace. She must be making such a fool of herself! This would be the perfect time for the ground to open up from underneath her and swallow her whole.
Taking in a deep breath he closed his eyes. Oh, how long he had waited for her to feel such things towards him! He had thought it would take much longer than this and he had to remind himself to take things slowly with her. He did not want to do anything that would ruin things between them. By the Gods, she was beautiful!
Hand still held within his, he stood, his body now only inches from hers and he watched as her face turned towards his, her eyes searching and oh so innocent. Cupping her cheek with his other hand he smiled at her warmly, "Sarah, do not be ashamed of your feelings. There is nothing wrong with what you feel and I am flattered that you feel such things towards me."
She felt a type of relief from his words. She had thought that there must have been something wrong with her but his words assured her that there was not. Sarah returned his smile, "What does this mean?" she asked him bewildered.
His hand left hers and he cupped her face between both of his hands, "My Lady Sarah, would you allow me to court you?" At her hesitation to answer he continued, "Your presence here has lightened my heart and I find that I can think of nothing but you. For so long my heart has been untouched, until now."
Her heart quickened at his proclamation. Could it be that he felt the same way towards her? How could she deny him anything? He had helped her so much since her accident and had helped her fill the empty void of her lost memories.
Not knowing what had compelled her to do so, she lifted her hand towards his face. Hesitant at first but then she touched his cheek, it was smooth and warm and her gaze had drifted from her hand to his lips. Sarah then looked up into his eyes and found herself lost. She then softly answered, "Yes, Jareth…"
Her voice was cut off as his soft lips gently caressed hers, sending a wave of heat into her soul. She was trembling at the gentleness of this kiss and as he pulled away she gazed up into his eyes lost as to what she was supposed to do next.
In a husky voice he broke the silence between them, "Walk with me."
Biting the inside of her cheek, still dazed by his kiss, she nodded. Placing her hand in the crook of his arm they walked from the study and towards the gardens.
As they traversed the immense hallways of the castle, Jareth lead her towards the gardens. He had not meant to propose to court her as of yet, but found the words escaping from his lips before he could stop them. He was relieved that she had agreed to it for if she had not, he feared what she would have done to his heart. Such power that this young mortal woman held over him and she had no idea of her power.
The past few weeks he had found himself even more attracted to her. She held a maturity that well surpassed her age and an innocence that drew him in like a moth to a flame. Her every movement, every jester, and expression he branded into his memory. Jareth, the Goblin King, had truly lost his head over a girl. Oh, but what a girls she was! She might be a young lady but she had the body and mannerism of a fully developed woman.
It took every bit of his strength and power to keep himself from picking her up and whisking her away to his bedchambers. Though he spent a lot of time in her presence it was not enough. To be so close and yet so far apart was maddening. The only thing keeping him in control of himself was the knowledge that he would have her.
Sarah's mind was in a chaotic whirl. Her feelings for the King was so new to her and to have those feelings returned. The fact alone that he wished to court her proved that he did indeed return her affections. What was to become of this? Was she ready for such a relationship?
Glancing up at him, she knew that she could not go any longer without him. He had been more than her anchor since her accident. He had awakened a part of herself that was so new it was frightening in its intensity but she trusted that he would be there for her and help to guide her through this.
Often, when they were not in each other's presence, Sarah would hide within the library and had become addicted to the romance novels that it held. Reading them only seemed to stir her feelings more and she was curious to see what it was like. Was it really like what she had read?
Turning away from watching him, she looked to the doors that lead to the gardens as they approached them. Sarah grinned, she would find out soon enough. The thought alone made her heart flutter with brimming excitement.
Opening the door with his magic, Jareth lead her into the gardens, his hand resting against the one that was placed within the crook of his arm. As they walked the grassy path surrounded by bushes of roses and exotic flowers in bloom, he watched the sunlight dance off of her long dark hair.
The wind was cool and fragrant, a welcome as it pushed back her hair. She loved the gardens. They were her favorite place within his kingdom though she had not seen all for he had forbid her to wander into the Labyrinth that surrounded them unless he was escorting her.
Jareth smiled, "I am curious as to your thoughts Sarah. You seem so preoccupied."
Sarah turned at the deep sound of his voice and blushed, "Just thinking about how wonderful this place is. I love the gardens." And being with you, she mentally added.
Jareth had heard her thoughts and was a bit surprised that she had projected them, though by the look upon her face she did not know. He smiled but at the same time he studied her closely. Could he have missed something about her, something that he had been too preoccupied with her presence alone to notice?
"It is one of the best parts of my castle grounds, though, there is more within my Kingdom that I would gladly show you that far surpass this place. There is still much left for me to show you." Jareth could sense it, magic. How had he not seen it? This would have to be closely monitored. He could not allow her to regain her true memories. He could not bear to lose her. He would not lose her.
Sarah smiled as she sat at the bench they had walked up to, her skirts softly billowing around her, "I would truly like that."
He watched her as she sat with grace, looking like true royalty. He was amazed how much she reminded him of his own kind. If he did not know better he would have sworn that she was indeed Fae.
Sitting down beside her, he asked, "Then I shall take you out tomorrow. We can ride out and have a picnic. Does that suit your fancy?"
She grinned, "It sounds truly lovely. I have not ridden Starlight for almost a whole week. She's probably thinking that I am neglecting her."
His eyes sparkled, "You do spoil her and she is too spirited."
"But I like her because of her spirit. Give me a spirited horse over a docile one any day!" she proclaimed, earning a chuckle from his lips.
She seemed more at ease than when they were in the study. He enjoyed their talks; she had a way of looking at things that made them more enjoyable to him. Being as long lived as he, it was a much needed addition to his life. There were times when being immortal weighed heavily upon him, when the centuries that have past by grow heavy and unbearable. But when he looked into her eyes or heard laughter escape her lips he found that weight non-existent.
Sarah watched as a colorful butterfly fluttered past them and rested upon one of the white blossoms that grew from one of the bushes that surrounded them. There was so much color here that it made one think that they were perhaps in a dream. Turning back towards Jareth, she felt her cheeks flush at the way that he was watching her.
Suddenly she wished for him to kiss her again and as if he had heard her inner need he moved forward or did she move towards him, mayhap both. Lightly his velvet lips touched her and her eyes fluttered closed from the sensation. The hands that rested within her lap were now resting upon his shoulders.
His arms wrapped around her, pulling her body closer to his. It was pure heaven to have her lips pressed to his, to feel her shyly returning his kiss. One arm still wrapped around her waist, he moved the other to cup her cheek. Long weeks of wanting nothing more than to touch her, kiss her, or to hold her near, Jareth traced her lower lip with his tongue as if asking permission to enter.
Hesitantly Sarah opened her mouth at the touch of his tongue to her lips and gasped as it entered her mouth. She stiffened at first for it was a strange but wondrous sensation, then she found herself relaxing. Feeling his soft warm tongue probe and stroke her mouth, Sarah went on instinct as she slowly started to return his affection by attempting to mimic what he was doing.
Jareth moaned, as she started to move her tongue along his and into his own mouth, his arms tightening around her. Gods, she tasted as sweet and enticing as she looked. Though her returning affection was clumsy and shy, it drove him mad with passionate hunger.
Reluctantly he pulled away, breaking their sweet kiss. Both were breathing hard as he leaned his forehead to rest against hers. Closing his eyes, he breathed in the scent of her, savoring this moment as if it were their last but he knew that it was only the beginning.
Opening his eyes, he watched as she struggled with herself to calm her breathing and he noticed her body trembling. He could picture her white skin covered only in his silken red sheets, her dark raven hair spread out among the pillows.
Jareth pulled away fully then, the only contact being his hands holding hers. Stroking her cheek he huskily spoke, "It is becoming late Sarah. We should return for dinner."
Her eyes opened at the sound of his voice, she was trying desperately to regain her breathing. She could feel herself trembling at the emotions that still raked through her body and this just from a single kiss. His words took a moment to register.
Eyes smoky with passion, Sarah looked to him and wondered why he had gasped at that moment. She watched as he raised her hands up to his lips and kissed each knuckle tenderly as if they were the most precious things in his existence. The look he returned to her took her very breath away. What was it that she saw there? It made heart thunder within her chest and her insides smolder with an aching desire.
He had to stop himself from taking her then and there at the look that she had given him. There was so much need within those eyes, a need for more. Normally he would not pass up the chance to take advantage of such an open need but he hesitated for some reason. No, she was more to him than that of a concubine or passing fancy. She was to be his Queen, his betrothed. He would never let her go.
Rising from his seat on the bench, he helped her to rise as well and tucked her hand within the crook of his arm, "Come, dinner should be ready and waiting for us within the dinning hall."
Sarah could only nod in her agreement and allowed him to lead her from the gardens. She could still feel his lips upon hers, the fire and passion that it had ignited within her, the taste of him still lingering within her mouth. These feelings were far beyond any that she had ever read about. Suddenly she felt giddy and happy inside and could not hold back the smile that spread about her lips even if she wanted too.
AN: Wow! Now that is what I call one steamy kiss! Things are heating up between Jareth and Sarah. Please if you like what you read click on the review button bellow and leave me with your review. HUGS!