A/N: Sorry I took so long…I this chapter hints at some of the reasons I
made this PG13. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed so far, it means so
much to me that you like what I am writing! I hope I don't disappoint!
Enjoy (
Disclaimer: Screw copyrights! They should be mine, they should!…but theyre not. Fine, take them, take them all back!…but I want jareth…*tug of war ensues…all is lost* Damn you, Henson!
Chapter 8: A Whole New World
Candlelight lit Sarah's face as she slept, caressing the dips and curves there like silk. A gentle breeze drifted through the open window, causing the flames to leap and dance, creating a ballet on the soft contours of her body, which lay prone on a large bed. But the shifting fingers of the candles' luminescence did not reach the slender figure that stood just within the shadows. In fact, the tall, slim creature would have been an invisible but for a pair crimson eyes that shone faintly with an inner radiance that reminisced of glittering reflection. She had been instructed to serve this sleeper, but what a fool her mistress must be! The creature's keen senses detected the strong, steady beat of the mortal heart, pumping glistening red decadence. The eyes poured over Sarah's delicate skin, swathed in candlelight, and the creature thought that, if she looked hard enough, she could see the faint tracings of full veins beneath the alabaster surface, coursing, pulsing, flowing. Her bottom lip trembled as her tongue moved over sharp, white fangs. She could have just a little, what could that hurt? She wouldn't dream of killing her, no! No, no, no, but there was so much rich red life flowing through that sleeping body; such easy, willing prey, so fresh and untouched. Just a little…just a little…Suddenly, Sarah's eyes fluttered open and the creature started, realizing in silent horror that her bloodlust had almost overcome her better judgement.
For a moment, Sarah felt an overwhelming sense of panic as she gazed around the poorly lit room, not knowing where she was and trying to sort out what was going on through her grogginess. She didn't have to wait long, as memories of the fireside conversation hit her like a semi rig driven by a drunken monkey.
"Oh, holy shit!" she moaned, clutching her head and rubbing her eyes, "What the hell have I gotten myself into?"
"Are you addressing me?" the creature asked, emerging from the shadow into the candlelight and causing Sarah, who had not seen her there, to start and give a little cry of surprise. The creature, a thin, pale woman, bowed her head slightly in apology. "I am so sorry, miss. I did not mean to frighten you. Lady Anikara sent me to tend you, but you were sleeping. I am far more accustomed to the darkness than the light, and I suppose I slipped into the shadows out of habit." She cocked her head slightly, examining Sarah's eyes, surprised. She had never seen a fae with matching eyes before.
"Oh…" Sarah was unnerved by woman's unblinking crimson gaze. "…Um, I'm Sarah," she muttered as she looked the woman over. She was surprisingly tall, at least six feet, and her remarkably slender body was covered by a clinging black dress that seemed to melt into the shadows at her feet. Her long straight hair was black as pitch, contrasting sharply with the nearly white face that it framed. She was strikingly beautiful in a dark, dangerous way, and Sarah unhappily noticed sharp white fangs peeking from between full red lips. Against her better judgement, she asked, "Um, you're a vampire, aren't you?" As soon as the question left her lips, she regretted it. She wasn't sure she wanted to know.
The woman nodded once, slowly, never taking her eyes off of Sarah's. "I am Brexis." She paused and Sarah was surprised to see a flicker of curiosity in those seemingly passionless eyes. "Begging your pardon, Lady Sarah, but what happened to your eyes?"
"What…?"
"Your eyes, miss. I have never met a fae with matching eyes. It seemed strange to me." The vampire's voice was soft and silky, yet with an edge that gave Sarah the impression of a snake poised to strike. Yet, at least for the moment, she didn't appear to want to hurt her.
"Oh, I'm not fae…at least I don't think I'm fae…" she stated lamely, realizing that she wasn't sure, now that she had accepted the amulet, which she suddenly realized was still hanging around her neck. "I think I'm still human."
"Ah," Brexis murmured, "that explains much." At the question in Sarah's eyes, she lowered her eyes, ashamed, and continued, "Mortal blood is much fresher and sweeter than that of an immortal….and I was tempted to taste yours."
There was a long, uncomfortable pause during which Sarah squirmed a bit on the soft comforter before deciding that if Brexis was planning to suck her blood, she probably would have done so already and definitely would not have told her about her intentions. Then, for a moment, as she looked over her pale, thin form before her, she felt a pang of sympathy for the creature. What would it be like to crave blood, be tempted by it constantly, and yet get no respite from the need without scorn and derision? Sighing heavily, Sarah decided it was best to simply change the subject.
"So what is this place?" she asked amiably as she scooted off the bed and tried her feet, finding herself feeling remarkably well. "Are we in the Underground?"
"Yes, miss, I welcome you to the house of Lord Cirus, Ruler of the Maegis and interim governor of the Banshee Wood. Lady Anikara brought you here late last evening unconscious, but I suspect, from the look of you that you have made an excellent recovery." For the first time, Sarah saw a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of the vampire's mouth. "Stay here, miss, I will go and draw you a bath. You look as though you could use a nice long soak." Bowing her head once, Brexis turned and glided across the room and through the heavy wooden doorway that led to the bathroom. Sarah couldn't help but notice the way she moved, light as a shadow, and just as quietly. Moments later, she heard water running into a tub.
As she waited, Sarah took a moment to around her quarters. The bed was in the middle of the room. It was made of the same heavy wood as the bathroom door, and the headboard was carved to depict fairies and fauns dancing and playing flutes and drums. A dark green canopy hung over it, with matching drapes and comforter. Near the bed was a simple yet elegant table, accompanied by two wooden chairs with deep green fabric over the seat. Opposite the main door hung long green drapes that concealed a set of French doors, which led out on to the balcony. Unable to resist, Sarah unlatched the doors and stepped into the midmorning sunshine.
The view was absolutely breath taking. Lord Cirus's 'home' was, as Sarah had suspected, actually a massive castle, situated at the peak of a tall mountain. From her perch in one of the towers, Sarah could see for miles upon miles of the world below. The castle itself seemed to meld with the mountaintop and she could see several large fairways leading to the castle with many lesser roads and trails snaking away off the main roads. The castle was flanked on the left and right by more mountains, though it seemed none could compare. Near the base of the mountains could be seen an immense forest, deep and thick. Beyond the forest was a river valley, the winding path of the river visible even from this great distance. It wound its way through the lush grasslands around it until it meandered out of sight, to where Sarah swore she thought she could see the gleam of water…an ocean? In the distance she could see another mountain range, smaller, it appeared than this one, but between the river and the mountains, where some of the vegetation seemed to thin into the beginnings of a desert, lay the labyrinth.
Even from the great distance, Sarah knew it, just as she had known it in her dreams ever since she had left it. She felt her heart jump into her throat as a mixture of excitement and apprehension rose within her. This was real! She was back, back where she belonged! She felt tears of joy welling in her eyes. There lay her memories, her friends, her dreams….and Jareth. That was a whole other ream of possibilities. As she surveyed the view, she tried to reconcile the fact that she might now be Jareth's equal…she could make him pay for what he did to Toby and her…or could she? It was all too much to think about at the moment, especially with that old, treasonous feeling of longing threatening to overcome her better judgement. She would not, not, NOT allow Jareth to sway her.
Fortunately, her thoughts were interrupted by smoothness of Brexis's voice calling her from with in. Upon entering, she discovered Brexis pressed against the wall near the bathroom door. A closer look showed a red stripe that resembled sunburn on the exposed skin of the left side of her body. Sarah was confused until she remember that Brexis was a vampire and that vampires could not withstand sunlight. Hurriedly, she shut and latched the French doors and drew the curtains, so that the only light came once more from the candelabra on the table.
"I'm so sorry, Brexis, I…well, I forgot…" she stammered as the lightly burned vampire released a sigh and stepped off the wall.
"Not to worry, miss. I know the stories say that sunlight kills us, but its not so. It just burns unless we feed…" she paused awkwardly, "and that's one reason why we…feed…" She let her voice trail off, then turned and indicated the bathroom door. "Your bath is ready. Please, take your time. I will set out some fresh clothing for you and bring up some breakfast. After you have eaten, I will take you to meet with Lady Anikara." Bowing slightly, Brexis drifted to the door and took her leave.
Releasing a heavy, pent-up sigh, Sarah entered the spacious, gold-accented bathroom. Stripping out of her clothes, which she left piled near the door, she slipped into the in-ground tiled tub. The water smelled faintly floral and soothing, and Sarah let herself sink into the calming warmth of it, letting the tension that she had managed to build up within the past few minutes flow out of her and purposefully deciding not to think of anything at all for the duration of her bath.
A/N: *Lifts rock to peek from underneath* so, is it ok? Don't forget to leave a review on your way out the door :D
Disclaimer: Screw copyrights! They should be mine, they should!…but theyre not. Fine, take them, take them all back!…but I want jareth…*tug of war ensues…all is lost* Damn you, Henson!
Chapter 8: A Whole New World
Candlelight lit Sarah's face as she slept, caressing the dips and curves there like silk. A gentle breeze drifted through the open window, causing the flames to leap and dance, creating a ballet on the soft contours of her body, which lay prone on a large bed. But the shifting fingers of the candles' luminescence did not reach the slender figure that stood just within the shadows. In fact, the tall, slim creature would have been an invisible but for a pair crimson eyes that shone faintly with an inner radiance that reminisced of glittering reflection. She had been instructed to serve this sleeper, but what a fool her mistress must be! The creature's keen senses detected the strong, steady beat of the mortal heart, pumping glistening red decadence. The eyes poured over Sarah's delicate skin, swathed in candlelight, and the creature thought that, if she looked hard enough, she could see the faint tracings of full veins beneath the alabaster surface, coursing, pulsing, flowing. Her bottom lip trembled as her tongue moved over sharp, white fangs. She could have just a little, what could that hurt? She wouldn't dream of killing her, no! No, no, no, but there was so much rich red life flowing through that sleeping body; such easy, willing prey, so fresh and untouched. Just a little…just a little…Suddenly, Sarah's eyes fluttered open and the creature started, realizing in silent horror that her bloodlust had almost overcome her better judgement.
For a moment, Sarah felt an overwhelming sense of panic as she gazed around the poorly lit room, not knowing where she was and trying to sort out what was going on through her grogginess. She didn't have to wait long, as memories of the fireside conversation hit her like a semi rig driven by a drunken monkey.
"Oh, holy shit!" she moaned, clutching her head and rubbing her eyes, "What the hell have I gotten myself into?"
"Are you addressing me?" the creature asked, emerging from the shadow into the candlelight and causing Sarah, who had not seen her there, to start and give a little cry of surprise. The creature, a thin, pale woman, bowed her head slightly in apology. "I am so sorry, miss. I did not mean to frighten you. Lady Anikara sent me to tend you, but you were sleeping. I am far more accustomed to the darkness than the light, and I suppose I slipped into the shadows out of habit." She cocked her head slightly, examining Sarah's eyes, surprised. She had never seen a fae with matching eyes before.
"Oh…" Sarah was unnerved by woman's unblinking crimson gaze. "…Um, I'm Sarah," she muttered as she looked the woman over. She was surprisingly tall, at least six feet, and her remarkably slender body was covered by a clinging black dress that seemed to melt into the shadows at her feet. Her long straight hair was black as pitch, contrasting sharply with the nearly white face that it framed. She was strikingly beautiful in a dark, dangerous way, and Sarah unhappily noticed sharp white fangs peeking from between full red lips. Against her better judgement, she asked, "Um, you're a vampire, aren't you?" As soon as the question left her lips, she regretted it. She wasn't sure she wanted to know.
The woman nodded once, slowly, never taking her eyes off of Sarah's. "I am Brexis." She paused and Sarah was surprised to see a flicker of curiosity in those seemingly passionless eyes. "Begging your pardon, Lady Sarah, but what happened to your eyes?"
"What…?"
"Your eyes, miss. I have never met a fae with matching eyes. It seemed strange to me." The vampire's voice was soft and silky, yet with an edge that gave Sarah the impression of a snake poised to strike. Yet, at least for the moment, she didn't appear to want to hurt her.
"Oh, I'm not fae…at least I don't think I'm fae…" she stated lamely, realizing that she wasn't sure, now that she had accepted the amulet, which she suddenly realized was still hanging around her neck. "I think I'm still human."
"Ah," Brexis murmured, "that explains much." At the question in Sarah's eyes, she lowered her eyes, ashamed, and continued, "Mortal blood is much fresher and sweeter than that of an immortal….and I was tempted to taste yours."
There was a long, uncomfortable pause during which Sarah squirmed a bit on the soft comforter before deciding that if Brexis was planning to suck her blood, she probably would have done so already and definitely would not have told her about her intentions. Then, for a moment, as she looked over her pale, thin form before her, she felt a pang of sympathy for the creature. What would it be like to crave blood, be tempted by it constantly, and yet get no respite from the need without scorn and derision? Sighing heavily, Sarah decided it was best to simply change the subject.
"So what is this place?" she asked amiably as she scooted off the bed and tried her feet, finding herself feeling remarkably well. "Are we in the Underground?"
"Yes, miss, I welcome you to the house of Lord Cirus, Ruler of the Maegis and interim governor of the Banshee Wood. Lady Anikara brought you here late last evening unconscious, but I suspect, from the look of you that you have made an excellent recovery." For the first time, Sarah saw a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of the vampire's mouth. "Stay here, miss, I will go and draw you a bath. You look as though you could use a nice long soak." Bowing her head once, Brexis turned and glided across the room and through the heavy wooden doorway that led to the bathroom. Sarah couldn't help but notice the way she moved, light as a shadow, and just as quietly. Moments later, she heard water running into a tub.
As she waited, Sarah took a moment to around her quarters. The bed was in the middle of the room. It was made of the same heavy wood as the bathroom door, and the headboard was carved to depict fairies and fauns dancing and playing flutes and drums. A dark green canopy hung over it, with matching drapes and comforter. Near the bed was a simple yet elegant table, accompanied by two wooden chairs with deep green fabric over the seat. Opposite the main door hung long green drapes that concealed a set of French doors, which led out on to the balcony. Unable to resist, Sarah unlatched the doors and stepped into the midmorning sunshine.
The view was absolutely breath taking. Lord Cirus's 'home' was, as Sarah had suspected, actually a massive castle, situated at the peak of a tall mountain. From her perch in one of the towers, Sarah could see for miles upon miles of the world below. The castle itself seemed to meld with the mountaintop and she could see several large fairways leading to the castle with many lesser roads and trails snaking away off the main roads. The castle was flanked on the left and right by more mountains, though it seemed none could compare. Near the base of the mountains could be seen an immense forest, deep and thick. Beyond the forest was a river valley, the winding path of the river visible even from this great distance. It wound its way through the lush grasslands around it until it meandered out of sight, to where Sarah swore she thought she could see the gleam of water…an ocean? In the distance she could see another mountain range, smaller, it appeared than this one, but between the river and the mountains, where some of the vegetation seemed to thin into the beginnings of a desert, lay the labyrinth.
Even from the great distance, Sarah knew it, just as she had known it in her dreams ever since she had left it. She felt her heart jump into her throat as a mixture of excitement and apprehension rose within her. This was real! She was back, back where she belonged! She felt tears of joy welling in her eyes. There lay her memories, her friends, her dreams….and Jareth. That was a whole other ream of possibilities. As she surveyed the view, she tried to reconcile the fact that she might now be Jareth's equal…she could make him pay for what he did to Toby and her…or could she? It was all too much to think about at the moment, especially with that old, treasonous feeling of longing threatening to overcome her better judgement. She would not, not, NOT allow Jareth to sway her.
Fortunately, her thoughts were interrupted by smoothness of Brexis's voice calling her from with in. Upon entering, she discovered Brexis pressed against the wall near the bathroom door. A closer look showed a red stripe that resembled sunburn on the exposed skin of the left side of her body. Sarah was confused until she remember that Brexis was a vampire and that vampires could not withstand sunlight. Hurriedly, she shut and latched the French doors and drew the curtains, so that the only light came once more from the candelabra on the table.
"I'm so sorry, Brexis, I…well, I forgot…" she stammered as the lightly burned vampire released a sigh and stepped off the wall.
"Not to worry, miss. I know the stories say that sunlight kills us, but its not so. It just burns unless we feed…" she paused awkwardly, "and that's one reason why we…feed…" She let her voice trail off, then turned and indicated the bathroom door. "Your bath is ready. Please, take your time. I will set out some fresh clothing for you and bring up some breakfast. After you have eaten, I will take you to meet with Lady Anikara." Bowing slightly, Brexis drifted to the door and took her leave.
Releasing a heavy, pent-up sigh, Sarah entered the spacious, gold-accented bathroom. Stripping out of her clothes, which she left piled near the door, she slipped into the in-ground tiled tub. The water smelled faintly floral and soothing, and Sarah let herself sink into the calming warmth of it, letting the tension that she had managed to build up within the past few minutes flow out of her and purposefully deciding not to think of anything at all for the duration of her bath.
A/N: *Lifts rock to peek from underneath* so, is it ok? Don't forget to leave a review on your way out the door :D