Disclaimer: I do not own anything from the 'Labyrinth". In fact, I'd
probably get killed off trying to run the dang thing.
Chapter 8
Sarah found her afternoon with Jareth to be surprisingly pleasant. Thanks to his magic snack, she felt completely comfortable with him as he tutored her on the history of his kingdom, the other royal houses and types of Fae. Jareth was impressed with how quickly she grasped the big picture of the politics that surrounded his kingdom and also with her insightful questions. As he described the other noble houses to her, he also spoke of the particular royals she was likely to encounter. He had a gift for impressions and Sarah was soon rolling with laughter.
Watching her face light up and her eyes shine with humor made Jareth want to gather the gorgeous woman across from him into his arms and kiss her senseless. As she slowly opened up to him and allowed him to see the parts of her personality that had nothing to do with combat or anger, his appreciation of her only increased. Not only had he fallen head over heels in love with a woman as intelligent and ruthless as himself, but she was also wise, determined and had a delightful sense of humor. Jareth knew this was a relationship he would richly enjoy both in and out of bed.
What delighted him even more was that the magic of the pear had worn off hours ago.
As their afternoon drew to a close, Jareth grew more serious. " I do think you will make an exceptional queen," he murmured, brushing his lips over her hand as he gallantly helped her rise from her chair.
Sarah flushed with pleasure and then gave herself a good mental swat. What was she DOING? Jareth was the enemy for heavens sake and here she'd been staring into his eyes and giggling like some idiotic schoolgirl. She had to get home to her world Aboveground where she had a loving family and the directing career of her dreams. She couldn't really stay in Jareth's kingdom and be a Goblin Queen - could she?
Jareth sensed the change in her mood. He was a Goblin King - not a saint - and settled for another dirty trick.
"I thought perhaps you'd like to look in on your family a little - just to make certain they're all right," he said solicitously.
"You'd let me visit?" Sarah asked in disbelief.
"I'm afraid I can't do that, but I can at least offer you a glimpse of how they're doing." He produced a crystal that he flipped back and forth between his fingers and then handed to Sarah.
What she saw inside was enough to stop her heart. Her father and stepmother were sitting in the living room, faces drawn and pale. Her father was generally a stoic man, but now his eyes were red-rimmed and bloodshot. Toby was sitting close to Karen on the couch, his face streaked with tears. She heard his young voice pinched with worry "Will they find her? Is she gonna be okay?" Sitting across from her family were several police officers.
"When the NYPD broke down the door to her apartment, the place looked like some kind of struggle had occurred," one of the officers said. "But nothing seemed to be missing - except your daughter. We're sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Williams. We'll do everything we can to find her."
"Oh god, my daughter, my daughter," her father said as tears finally did start to spill over his lashes. He put his face in his hands as Karen leaned in to comfort him.
The image in the crystal abruptly went out. Sarah sat stock still, her face white as a sheet. A steely resolve shone in her eyes and Jareth saw her swallow. She flicked her gaze up to meet his.
"How soon can we marry?" she asked.
"Tomorrow if you like." he replied.
"Tomorrow then." she stated.
Jareth stared at her for a long moment, his eyes suddenly hungry in a way that made Sarah's skin prickle.
"I'll send someone to help you dress in the morning."
"Tomorrow." she said again.
Chapter 8
Sarah found her afternoon with Jareth to be surprisingly pleasant. Thanks to his magic snack, she felt completely comfortable with him as he tutored her on the history of his kingdom, the other royal houses and types of Fae. Jareth was impressed with how quickly she grasped the big picture of the politics that surrounded his kingdom and also with her insightful questions. As he described the other noble houses to her, he also spoke of the particular royals she was likely to encounter. He had a gift for impressions and Sarah was soon rolling with laughter.
Watching her face light up and her eyes shine with humor made Jareth want to gather the gorgeous woman across from him into his arms and kiss her senseless. As she slowly opened up to him and allowed him to see the parts of her personality that had nothing to do with combat or anger, his appreciation of her only increased. Not only had he fallen head over heels in love with a woman as intelligent and ruthless as himself, but she was also wise, determined and had a delightful sense of humor. Jareth knew this was a relationship he would richly enjoy both in and out of bed.
What delighted him even more was that the magic of the pear had worn off hours ago.
As their afternoon drew to a close, Jareth grew more serious. " I do think you will make an exceptional queen," he murmured, brushing his lips over her hand as he gallantly helped her rise from her chair.
Sarah flushed with pleasure and then gave herself a good mental swat. What was she DOING? Jareth was the enemy for heavens sake and here she'd been staring into his eyes and giggling like some idiotic schoolgirl. She had to get home to her world Aboveground where she had a loving family and the directing career of her dreams. She couldn't really stay in Jareth's kingdom and be a Goblin Queen - could she?
Jareth sensed the change in her mood. He was a Goblin King - not a saint - and settled for another dirty trick.
"I thought perhaps you'd like to look in on your family a little - just to make certain they're all right," he said solicitously.
"You'd let me visit?" Sarah asked in disbelief.
"I'm afraid I can't do that, but I can at least offer you a glimpse of how they're doing." He produced a crystal that he flipped back and forth between his fingers and then handed to Sarah.
What she saw inside was enough to stop her heart. Her father and stepmother were sitting in the living room, faces drawn and pale. Her father was generally a stoic man, but now his eyes were red-rimmed and bloodshot. Toby was sitting close to Karen on the couch, his face streaked with tears. She heard his young voice pinched with worry "Will they find her? Is she gonna be okay?" Sitting across from her family were several police officers.
"When the NYPD broke down the door to her apartment, the place looked like some kind of struggle had occurred," one of the officers said. "But nothing seemed to be missing - except your daughter. We're sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Williams. We'll do everything we can to find her."
"Oh god, my daughter, my daughter," her father said as tears finally did start to spill over his lashes. He put his face in his hands as Karen leaned in to comfort him.
The image in the crystal abruptly went out. Sarah sat stock still, her face white as a sheet. A steely resolve shone in her eyes and Jareth saw her swallow. She flicked her gaze up to meet his.
"How soon can we marry?" she asked.
"Tomorrow if you like." he replied.
"Tomorrow then." she stated.
Jareth stared at her for a long moment, his eyes suddenly hungry in a way that made Sarah's skin prickle.
"I'll send someone to help you dress in the morning."
"Tomorrow." she said again.