Moira, Lady Mother of the Geishal clan, watched as her personal guards escorted the Goblin King into the throne room. It had been almost two hundred years since she last laid eyes upon Jareth, yet he had changed surprisingly little since their last encounter. Perhaps his eyes where more wizened, the cynical lines of displeasure around his mouth where deeper. But the youthful spring in his step, his ever present sophisticated grace, the whirlwind of elegance that was the very essence Jareth - these had not deserted him.

She could only wish that she were able to say the same for her son.

Moira had always liked Jareth, and it had grieved her to no end when the quarrel with Arik escalated to violence. She abhorred war, especially with their numbers already dwindled. Without the Goblin King's alliance, the delicate balance that held their world together was shattered.

But, perhaps this was best, she mused. Perhaps this is the way it should have been long ago. A slow, painful death for the Geishals...

Jareth cleared his throat politely startling Moira out of her silent reflection. Dropping into a low, courtly bow he spoke. "Well met, Lady Moira. Would that we have encountered each other under a more pleasant situation."

She inclined her head slightly, acknowledging him. Clearing her mind of melancholy musings, she focused on the present. "Would it where, my Lord. Would it where." Her eyes moved to the young man standing to the left of the King. Her senses immediately recognized him as human. "Both you and your friend are welcome guests. It has been long since we have entertained."

Jareth smiled, but the strain of keeping up the polite charade was obviously taking it's toll. "I appreciate your attempts at civility, however, I fear I must speak with you on a matter of the utmost importance." He paused inclining his head politely. "Where is your son?" The tension in his eyes belied the simplicity of his question.

Moira's eye twitched almost imperceptibly. "Arik is indisposed at the moment."

Jareth nodded. "Good, because I fear that he is not the one that I must deal with at the moment. I'm looking for someone very dear to me, Lady, and I believe that she has been taken here." He gazed at her steadily, searching her face for some sign of a reaction. There was none.

"My Lord, why would you believe such an absurd thing?" A spat of nervous laughter escaped her scarlet lips. "Have you been led to believe that the clan Geishal has been involved in something on the lines of a kidnapping?" Although her words suggested otherwise, Moira's tone did not sound as if the idea was so absurd after all.

Jareth took a step forward, eyes burning with intensity. "I believe that very thing, indeed."

An unexpected voice sounded from the shadows. "You always did believe whatever you where told, my boy." Jareth turned to meet the newcomer while Moira instinctively cringed. As if from nowhere, Arik came to stand beside his mother. She stiffened when he placed an arm protectively on her shoulder. It was obvious from the way his eyes burned with hatred that he did not appreciate being left out of this particular meeting.

Jareth meet Arik's gaze evenly, undaunted by the larger man's menacing leer. "I've come for the girl, Arik. Elyssa has nothing to do with our disagreements. Why must you insist on dragging the innocent in on our own private conflict?"

Arik laughed harshly. "Amazing. I getting lectured by you? I've never seen you have any qualms about harming the so called innocent."

Jareth's voice was deadly quiet. "Give me the girl, Arik. Or I swear by god that I will make you pay."

"You'll do nothing of the sort, and you know it. Besides, your precious little chit isn't here. Perhaps she ran away when she saw how terrible a lover you make. It's much more likely, the gel decided to run off with your butler instead. Next time, try checking the servants quarters before going through the trouble of running all the way over here."

Only Jareth's iron will kept him from attacking Arik as he stood. Instead, Jareth threw all of his concentration into straightening the lace of his cuff. "Really? I find that notion rather interesting, Arik. But I would have to say that your darling Nadia would disagree with you."

The Lady Mother gasped. Arik silenced her with a cruel shake. "Has my beloved sister scampered into your lands again? I'll be sure to punish her for breaking our treaty for you, Jareth. Nadia has been filling your head with stories once again it would seem, a habit of hers I have long since tried to break."

Jareth voice cut with a knife's edge. "Give up the charade, Arik. I grow weary of it. You accompanied Nadia to my castle last night and stole something very dear to me." His eyes made known their disdain. "Revenging yourself against my lady, Arik? I had thought that was beneath even you."

"You judging me?" Arik scoffed. "I can hardly believe what I am hearing."

"Return Elyssa to me now and we can forget all of this. There's still time to escape bloodshed."

Arik eyed Jareth carefully. "Bloodshed? Dare I suggest that you are threatening me in my own throne room? Surely I must be mistaken. Not even the King of Goblins dares threaten the Lord Geishal in his own keep."

Jareth took a deliberate step forward meeting Arik's challenging glare with his usual cool grace. Behind him, Marcus shifted nervously, suddenly aware of the vampire guards ringing the room. Jareth was well aware of the danger himself, but ignored all else but his enemy. His voice was deadly quiet. "It's not a threat, dear fellow. It's a promise. Currently, your sister sits safely in a cell deep underneath my castle. I can only wish that through your cooperation, I can return her to you in the same condition. Return Elyssa to me now, and come nightfall I will release Nadia to you."

Arik's lips curled back into a sneer. His razor sharp teeth gleamed in the torch light, a dangerous reminder of his nature. Jareth's arrogance was starting to provoke his considerable temper. "And if I refuse?"

Jareth's voice lost it's cool edge, matching Arik's harshness. "Then come the dawn, I will force her into the light and send her home to you as a box of ashes and dust." There was no room for doubt in Jareth's tone. As he had said, this wasn't a threat – it was a promise.

Beside Arik, Moira groaned. She stared pleadingly at her son, but he blithely ignored her. "It pains me to hear you speak so callously, Jareth. And to think of the loving friendship we once shared." Arik's mocking eyes danced with glee.

Jareth had taken all he could stand. White hot fury mingling with impotent frustration welled up inside, threatening to explode. Ignoring Arik, he pleaded with Moira. "Lady, please speak reason to your son. I do not wish to kill your daughter, but I will not let your son harm my lady."

Moira opened her mouth to speak. She was instantly silenced when Arik put a warning hand on her arm. "The Lady Mother is grieved that she can not help you, old boy. So grieved in fact that she is unable to express herself in words. Unfortunately for all of us your lady is not here. Like I said earlier, the chit probably ran off with some other man."

Marcus lunged unexpectedly forward, his face contorted with rage. "Call her that one more time, asshole, and I'll shove my boot so far up your ass you'll be tasting leather for weeks."

Jareth grabbed Marcus seconds before he could reach the vampire. Arik would certainly have no qualms about abruptly ending the impetuous dancer's life. Struggling to hold him back, he whispered fiercely. "Calm yourself, fool. This isn't going to help her." Arik's mocking laughter set Jareth's teeth on edge.

"Let the little man come, Jareth. Perhaps he would like to discuss the virtue of his lady friend with me one on one."

Jareth ignored Arik, and kept a firm grip on the enraged man. Gradually, Marcus calmed back down. He kept his burning eyes firmly glued on Arik who stood watching with grim amusement.

When he thought he could trust Marcus not to lunch again, Jareth turned back to face Arik. Jareth's heart sank. From the defeated look in Moira's eyes, he knew his cause was lost. There would be no help from her. Arik stood beside his mother silently gloating. "Well, old boy, was there any other business you would like to discuss before my guards escort you off my land?"

It was impossible to keep the defeat he felt out of his voice. "Let Elyssa go, Arik." He held his arms up and away from his body. "I'll not fight you. Take me instead. I'm the one you wish to punish, not her."

Arik sneered. "This is pointless. You're lady is not here…"

Jareth interrupted. "Will you continue this insane course of action even at the cost of your sister?"

Arik moved to stand directly in front of Jareth. Although he tried to keep his face impassive and cool, the glee he felt was unmistakable. "I'll tell you one last time, Jareth. Your lady is not here. But, if it makes you feel any better, go ahead and kill Nadia. It's about time she finally paid for her sins." With a gesture, the guards moved to surround Jareth. "Was there anything else?"

Jareth swallowed back his rage. He could fight them, yes. In fact, he could probably kill the majority of them before they could take him down. But he knew that Arik would escape, and where would that leave Elyssa? The thought of anyone touching her filled him with white hot anger. No, this was not the time to fight. Looking once again at Arik's gloating eyes, Jareth promised himself that the time would come soon…very soon.

Bowing to the Lady Mother, Jareth allowed himself to be escorted out.

As soon as the guards had emptied out, Arik rounded on Moira. "So you thought to get Jareth alone, did you? Perhaps you wished to tell him about my little guest before I could stop you?" He loomed over her, hands balled into fists.

Moira raised her head, tears forming in her eyes. "I only wanted was best for the clan, my son. Please Arik, Jareth meant what he said. He's willing to kill for the girl – even die for her. Can't you see that he loves that her?"

Arik sneered. "Love? Jareth knows nothing of that word and neither do I."

"And so you will let Nadia die. You are a fool, Arik. You have brought ruin upon our clan."

Before Moira could prepare or react, Arik struck. His fist sent her sprawling. She cowered on the floor, expecting blows that never came. Arik spoke, his voice cold and emotionless. "Enough. I go now to feed. When I return, I want you gone from the stronghold. You are banished from my lands. Perhaps your precious Jareth has enough love left to take you in."

Tears began to flow down her cheeks unbidden. She watched in silence as Arik disappeared into the shadows.

* * * * * * *

The first thing Arik noticed up on entering the chamber was Elyssa sitting calmly and sedately on the bed. He wasn't exactly sure what to expect when he came back to claim her neck – perhaps an ambush, maybe some pleading or blubbering for her life. To see her sitting so demurely on the bed was shocking. It was almost as if she were looking forward to his arrival.

Never taking her eyes away from his own, she stood. "My Lord, you've retuned. I was beginning to think you had abandoned me here to my solitude." She offered him a charming smile, something that he found unnerving considering the situation.

The wench had caught him off guard, not a wise thing to do considering his already foul temper. When he spoke, his voice was harsh. "You should have saved yourself the trouble. I always return for fresh blood."

She wrinkled her nose at this, choosing to overlook that particular comment. "My Lord, I must apologize for my behavior earlier. I was scared and frightened of you at first."

Arik moved slowly towards her, taking his time. The folds of his scarlet robe flowed behind him. Somewhere along the lines, the ribbon had fallen out of his hair. Now it cascaded down his back and shoulders in an ebony flow. The violet of his eyes where undeniable. Looking down at her, his lips pulled back into a macabre smile revealing the deadly fangs.

"And why, pray tell, do you not fear me now, my little baggage, when I have most assuredly come to kill you." Arik wasn't sure what game the little chit was playing, but if she thought to toy with him, she was gravely mistaken.

Elyssa met his gaze without showing an ounce of fear. "Because, my Lord, you have already saved me from a fate worse than death. Even though I know you've come now to take my life, I realize that you have already freed me from bondage." A small smile played at the corner of her lips. "I can honestly say that I will die in peace knowing that I am free."

Arik sneered. "You expect me to believe that you were somehow forced to play Jareth's lady love? I find that extremely farfetched. His lordship has never wanted for a warm body in his bed."

Elyssa glared, her temper flaring. "His lady love? I hate that bastard with all my heart. You dare suggest that I willing served the man who kidnapped me from my home then forced me to be his whore? You're a fool. I fought that monster with all my heart, but he took me anyway, against my will. You will never know how true your words were, nor how deeply they cut my heart." Elyssa could no longer keep the hot tears from welling up in her eyes. "I was his whore as you said. But I did not wish to be."

His hand caught her chin, then lifted her face to meet his own. What a curious little female, he marveled. When he looked into her eyes, he could see the anger that burned beneath the surface. Whatever she was, the wench was not lying about her hatred. "A fool madam? You dare to call me such," he questioned mildly. "Plenty of men have died for much lesser insults."

The anger fled as her eyes widened in embarrassment. A blush spread across her cheeks. Arik knew that she would have turned her face away from him if only he were not holding her chin. "Forgive me, my Lord. My mouth has a will of it own."

Arik grinned. "A problem I intend to deal with momentarily I assure you. It will be hard for your mouth to speak when I have drained the life out of your lips." The casualness of his speech was calculated. He searched her eyes for the fear he craved, but was immensely disappointed when he saw none. Again, Arik was forced to marvel. This was not how he intended this encounter to occur.

Instead, Elyssa murmured softly. "You may take my life, Lord, I give it freely. But first..." She paused, gathering her courage. "If it please you, my Lord, may I ask something of you first?"

Releasing her chin, Arik grabbed her wrist. She offered no resistance when he brought the delicate flesh of her inner wrist up to his mouth. He opened his mouth to bite, watching carefully for her reaction. The white of his teeth caught the torchlight gleaming with deadly menace. Elyssa's eyes never wavered from his. When she remained unflinching, he turned his bite into a tender kiss. So the lady had some steel in her spine as well, he mused. Fascinating.

"What is it you wish," he murmured, lips pressed against the sensitive flesh of her inner wrist. His highly attuned vampiric ears could hear her heart beat quicken. Perhaps she is made of fire as well...

She blushed again, this time averting her eyes. Seeing the roses bloom in her cheeks was intoxicating. Suddenly Arik was extremely interested in hearing what the lady had to say.

When she spoke, he voice barely rose above a tentative whisper. "In my world, my Lord, there are many legends of your kind. Many stories, indeed. Some of them say that..." She paused as if gathering her courage. Her eyes flittered up to meet his own, intensifying the blush on her cheeks. "They say that... that what you intend to do with me... that it need not be so terrible. In fact, there are some stories where the Dark Ones take and give pleasure in their feeding." She licked her lips nervously, but did not turn her eyes away.

For a moment, Arik could only look at her in stunned silence. All angry thoughts of revenge were banished. All he could see where the endless pools of her mossy green eyes. "You do not know what you are asking," he whispered.

Elyssa looked up at him earnestly. "My Lord, you have freed me from my captor. You have saved me when I could not save myself. The only thing I can do to repay you is to give you myself. I give myself to you freely and gladly, and ask only that you take my gently. Please sir, take my life, but do not cause me pain." For the first time, a glimmer of fear shone in her eyes.

All at once, a wave of tenderness overcame the Vampire Lord. He had banished his mother and condemned his sister to death. Who would love him now, who would serve him now? Perhaps this unearthly, strange creature was sent to him for a reason. Perhaps she could be his salvation. Arik placed his hand on her waist and guided her towards himself. For the first time, he realized just how small the woman was. There was something about her indomitable spirit that made her seem so much larger than she actually was. Looking down at her, he suddenly realized the fool he had acted. The lady was innocent of Jareth's crimes. Gently, he touched her bruised lips, caressed her injured skin. Was it so surprising that the little warrior had fought him so fiercely at first? It would be a tragedy to make such an innocent pay for the sins of the Goblin King.

Lowering his head down, he whispered into the skin of her neck. "No, my dear. You do not need to fear me. I was wrong to hurt you before, but I did not know how much you already suffered." His heart thrilled in his chest when he felt her sag against him, leaning on his chest for strength.

"Oh, my Lord," she sighed wearily. "I trust you. You would never hurt me."

His lips caressed the skin of her neck. One hand rested on her waist, the other moved to cup her cheek. "And would you serve me, little one?" A slow scarlet glow overtook the violet in his eyes as he greedily eyed the milky white skin of her neck.

"Gladly."

Gently, he guided her to tilt her head, exposing her neck to his mouth. His eyes blazed scarlet at the sight of her exposed skin, the smell of her hidden blood. "And would you love me, my sweet?"

"If you commanded it, my Lord, I would love you with every ounce of my being."

A slow, secret desire competed with the hunger in his eyes. Leaning down, teeth bared, he prepared to bite.

*******************

"Damn it Jareth, we can't just leave her here," Marcus said in anguish. he was dismayed to see that the surrounding guards had led them once again to the empty courtyard. Jareth stood beside him, eyes closed in silent concentration. To Marcus, he looked like a man resigned to some terrible fate. Marcus simply couldn't admit defeat. "Jareth, are you even listening to me?"

Jareth spoke, his eyes remaining closed. "She's here. I can sense it. If I could just get a little closer, I know I could find her." His eyes opened, scowling in frustration. "Damn you, Arik. Where are you hiding her?"

"If you know she's here, let's go look for her."

Jareth shook his head. "It's not that simple, Marcus. Arik would never allow it. He would kill her before we could find her."

Marcus visibly paled. "So what are you planning? We can't just leave her here." He pleaded desperately. Surely Jareth hadn't given up so completely.

Jareth stared at a point somewhere beyond Marcus' shoulder. "I'm not sure, but perhaps the Lady Mother might have a suggestion. It would appear that she would like another word."

Marcus whirled around in time to see Lady Moira emerging from the shadowy entrance. Her violet eyes, so much like her son's, sought out Jareth's. With determination, she strode to where the two men waited. Again, Jareth offered her a low, courtly bow. Even now, his natural grace made the gesture seemed natural despite the tension that mounted each passing moment.

"Lady Mother, you honor us. Did you come to bid us a personal farewell?"

Moira's expression admonished Jareth for his gentle stab. "You know damn good and well that I did not." The fear she felt crept into her eyes. Did Jareth not realize just how much was at stake for her?

"Then speak Lady," Jareth prodded softly. "I would hear your words."

"You must promise me first that you will not harm Nadia."

Jareth shook his head impatiently. "Of course. Despite her annoyance, Nadia is innocent of any wrongdoing. You of all people should know that."

Moira swallowed. "Defying Arik in this might very well cost me my life, but I will not let him carry out his plans. He means to kill her, Jareth. Perhaps I am already too late."

Jareth grabbed Moira's arms, his eyes blazing. "Where?" he grated. At that moment, Jareth's eyes widened. Before Moira could speak, Jareth had disappeared.

Marcus moved forward. "He must have already found her. Typical of Jareth to leave me straggling. Can you take me to her?

The sound of a monstrous scream filtered down from above. Moira's eyes widened in alarm. "Come with me," she cried. "I'll take you to them."

*****************************

Elyssa stood in the circle of Arik's arms, caught up in his deadly embrace. His lips caressed the skin of her neck while his cold, fetid breath toyed with her skin. "Do you trust me little bird?" he murmured. "The pain will only last a minute, then everything will be so sweet." The smell of her blood was intoxicating, filling his mind with hunger mingling with desire, clouding his reasoning. Dimly, he was aware that the protective covering he held over Elyssa's mind was momentarily lifted. Arrogance pushed away any reservations he might have held. Jareth was probably halfway back to the Labyrinth by now, grinding his teeth at the thought of loosing such a precious morsel to his hated enemy.

Gripping the stake she held concealed underneath the folds of her cloak in one sweating palm, Elyssa whispered her response. "I trust you. Take from me what you need, my Lord. I give myself freely."

Lowering his head, Arik moved to bite. Gathering her strength and her courage, Elyssa freed the stake from underneath the heavy cloak. Just as his teeth touched her skin, she thrust the stake forward with all of her might plunging it as deeply into his chest as she could.

Arik's eyes flew open, a monstrous scream escaping his lips. Thick, black ichor poured from the gaping wound in his chest. Elyssa tried desperate to get away, but Arik grasped her wrist, wrenching her arm painfully behind her. Despair filled her heart. It was obvious from the strength in his arms that the wound was not fatal.

"Little bitch," he growled, pushing her to the floor. The force was too great to give any chance for her to catch herself. Pain lanced up and down her leg when the bone in her thigh groaned then gave way. "Little whore!" he screamed.

She tried to stand up, but her broken leg wouldn't cooperate. With a cry of agony, she crumpled to the floor. Shrouded in pain, Elyssa offered no resistance when Arik's hand shot out to grasp her neck. Claws extended, this was meant to be a killing blow. His eyes widened in shock when one elegantly gloved hand intervened. Holding Arik's wrist back, a vicious grin crossed the face of the Goblin King. "Hello old boy. Did you miss me?"

"Jareth," Elyssa whispered, her eyes clouding over before falling unconscious.

Roaring in fury, Arik jerked his hand away from Jareth. With a grimace, he pulled the wooden stake out of his chest sending another flood of black ichor streaming. "I should have known that any bitch of yours would be as false as her master."

"Elyssa!" Bursting through the chamber door, Marcus moved immediately to where Elyssa had fallen.

Without taking his eyes away from Arik, Jareth ordered, "Get her out of here, Marcus. I'll take care of this little bit of unpleasantness." The two enemies where eyeing each other, waiting for someone to make the first move.

"You don't have to tell me twice," Marcus muttered, moving immediately to her side.

"I've suffered the insanity of your existence too long," Jareth grated, "a situation I intend to remedy." One of his gloved hands plucked a crystal out of nothingness. Imbuing it with power, the air around it began to crackle and swirl with magical energy, forming into a ball of pure lighting that hovered scant inches above his open palm.

Howling in fury, Arik charged moving faster than Marcus' human eyes could follow. Jareth was faster. Whirling about, he dodged the vampire's tackle, slamming the lighting ball into Arik's chest. The force threw him backwards, knocking him to his knees.

"Child's play, Jareth. You think to defeat me with such petty attempts at magic?" Arik laughed in derision.

"Not enjoying my little baubles?" Jareth brought up another crystal he had hidden behind his back. "Perhaps you like this little slice." Before Arik could regain his feet, a sheet of ice completely encased his body, trapping him beneath.

Jareth rounded on Marcus who stood kneeling next to Elyssa. "What are you waiting on, Marcus? Get Elyssa out of here. I can't hold him off forever."

Before the words had left Jareth's mouth, Arik broke through the ice with an angry roar. "Bastard," he screamed, "I've had enough of your futile tricks." Lunging forward, he grabbed for Jareth.

"Poor Arik, you never were able to learn from your mistakes." This time, a ball of raging fire hovered in his palm. Arik howled, the flames engulfing his robes.

Seeing the vampire become a human torch was enough for Marcus. Kneeling down, he scooped Elyssa into his arms, unintentionally shifting her injured leg. Her eyes flew open in agony. It took every ounce of control to keep from screaming. "My leg," she whimpered.

Marcus glanced down, for the first time noticing the evil bruise that had already begun to spread. "Oh shit, I'm so sorry," he cried. It was obvious from the way it looked that it was badly broken. "Come on, honey. Jareth wants me to get you out of here." Marcus tried to reassure her. Both of their eyes flew to the battle raging in the middle of the chamber.

Despite the flames, Arik was still trying desperately to get his hands on Jareth, but every time a bolt of magical energy had kept him away. Jareth's attacks were meant to stall Arik, to annoy him enough to keep his attention. Seeing Elyssa in Marcus' arms, Arik suddenly realized just what it was he was supposed to overlook.

A crazed look entered his eyes. Ignoring Jareth, he lunged towards them instead. Marcus ran for the door, but Jareth could see that there was no way he would make it in time. Forgetting all else, Jareth jumped into Arik's pathway, shielding Elyssa with his own body. The impact sent both Arik and Jareth reeling to the floor. Once down, Arik quickly crushed Jareth to the floor, pinning him down underneath.

As fast and powerful in magic as he was, Jareth was not match for Arik's brute strength. Even from where they stood, Elyssa could see that Jareth couldn't keep up the fight for long.

Marcus moved towards the door, a small cry of despair escaping Elyssa's lips. "We can't leave him," she cried. "Put me down, you idiot. Help him." She watched as Arik's jaws snapped a few inches above Jareth's neck. Jareth kicked him back, but didn't have enough strength to push Arik completely off. Elyssa watched in horror as Arik tried again to make the killing blow.

"What can I do?" Marcus shouted. He knew he couldn't just leave Jareth to die, but what chance did he have against a vampire.

He gently lowered Elyssa back down to the ground. "Under the pillow, there's another stake," she tried to explain. Her leg was screaming in agony. The pain was unendurable, threatening to pull her unconscious again, but she fought to stay awake. "Please, Marcus. I love him."

Shaking his head, he dashed towards the bed. "Oh girl," he muttered, "I'd sure hate to see what he'd have to go through if you hated him." Looking under the pillow, his hand closed around the splintered wood. Swallowing hard, Marcus moved towards the wrestling men. "Damn it, now why didn't I watch more Buffy?"

Ariks jaws snapped again, barely missing Jareth's jugular. It was obvious that his strength was waning. Marcus knew Jareth wouldn't be able to dodge another attack.

"Oh hell," he moaned. "If only I had just bit the bullet and taken one of those women's self defense classes at the Y." Carefully standing out of Arik's line of vision, he raised the stake aiming for the heart.

A split second before Marcus struck, Jareth saw what he intended to do. Sacrificing the last of his strength, he launched Arik up, driving him into Marcus. Ariks eyes flew open in a mix of anger and pain as the stake drove home, piercing the flesh of his heart.

"How 'bout them apples, you fucker," Marcus screamed, driving the stake deeper and deeper into Arik's back. The point of the wooden stack peeked through the skin of his chest, completely going through his body.

Black blood poured out of the wound covering Jareth in it's filth. With disgust, he pushed out from underneath Arik's weight. The vampire's eyes blinked in amazement, slowly fading from scarlet to violet. Terror coursed through the immortal as the reality of what had happened sunk in. "Damn you Jareth," he whispered, sinking to the ground. "Damn you..."

From the shadowy recess, the Lady Moira moaned in sorrow. Gathering her skirts she ran to her fallen son's body, covering his chest in tears.

Marcus backed away, overcome by the show of grief. He tried desperately to think of something to say. "Lady, I'm..."

Moira lifted her blood soaked eyes to his. "There's nothing to explain, child. There was no other way."

He turned away, unable to meet her terrible gaze. He had never killed anything in his life, let alone something so close to being human. "He was going to hurt 'Lyssa," he whispered to himself. He turned to find Elyssa.

Jareth had already swept her into his strong arms. Elyssa had fainted once again, the strain from her ordeal apparently didn't jive too well with her injuries. The Goblin King gripped her possessively, a worried expression on his face. "She's injured."

Marcus nodded, to exhausted to speak.

"Come, Marcus. Let's take her home."

Thoughts of warmth and sunshine, of laughter and light, of new friends and new love filled his heart when Jareth mentioned that one simple word - home.

"You're right," he managed a grin. "Let's go home.

*************************************

When Elyssa awoke, it didn't occur all at once. For long moments, she continued to drift in and out of consciousness dimly aware of the warm bed underneath her. A spicy, masculine scent filled her senses, warming her heart - Jareth was near. When she finally fully awake, she remained still, keeping her eyes hut. Little by little, she tested her body, experimenting with pain leaving her leg for last. She was surprised to find herself virtually painless, a minor miracle considering the beating she had endured. When she tried to move her leg, however, Elyssa almost shouted in surprise. The leg was no longer broken.

"You're awake." Jareth's silky voice whispered nearby sending thrills of pleasure up and down her spine.

Opening her eyes, Elyssa turned towards the sound. Jareth lay next to her on his massive bed fully clothed in black silks and satins. His impeccably shined black boots were crossed comfortably. Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of him lounging so near.

"How did you heal me?" She asked in a strange, quavery voice that was not her own.

Jareth watched her with a intensity that made her want to squirm. It was impossible to hold up under that gaze. "Magic my dear," he waggled his gloved fingers at her. "Something I like to practice occasionally."

The sound of his voice was like a salve on her wounded heart, it's silken heat doing all kinds of interesting things inside of her body. Elyssa wanted to throw herself into the safety of his arms more than anything she had ever wanted in her life, but a niggling sense of doubt held her back. He cam for you, he saved you, her heart cried out. But does that mean he loves you, her mind questioned with it's accustomed coldness. Does it really matter anymore?

Jareth watched the struggle raging in her mind with interest. Time to take matters into my own hands, he decided. Wordlessly he stood and walked to the other side of the bed to where Elyssa still lay. Scooping her slight body into her arms, he silenced her weak protests with a gentle kiss. A warm blush spread across Elyssa's cheeks when she realized she was still wearing only Jareth's shirt, now badly torn and stained with vampire blood. The blush only got worse when she realized where Jareth was taking her.

Adjoining his chambers was a marble bathroom dominated by a massive stone tub the size of a small swimming pool. It was a bath-lover's dream come true. Steaming water scented with exotic oils beckoned. Elyssa almost died with envy.

"You've had a bath like this all this time and never shared?"

Jareth set her down on her feet in front of him. "That was only because until now you would not share it with me."

"Touche," she grinned, "but there's nothing saying that I'm going to share it with you now." There was something about the mischievous look in Jareth's eye that she didn't quite like.

When he proceeded to unfasten her shirt, Elyssa's eyes flew wide in protest. "And just what the heck do you think you're doing?"

A slow, lazy smile played at the corner of Jareth's mouth while his mismatched eyes danced in amusement. "I thought it was fairly obvious that I was giving you a bath," he said in mock innocence. The silk of his voice was turning her knees to jelly.

Elyssa was about to protest, but his kiss instantly silenced her. The gentleness of his touch brought tears to her eyes. The fear and terror she had felt suddenly welled up, slamming her with unpleasant memories. She sagged against his muscular body for strength.

His soft kisses brushed away the tears which fell down her cheeks. "Why must you always fight me? Will you never learn to simply trust?"

...I trust you...

Words she had spoken before the attack echoed in her heard. Elyssa tried to move away from Jareth, the tears falling now in a steady stream. "Please don't kiss me, Jareth. I've betrayed you, and you don't even know it."

Kissing the top of her wild curls, he murmured. "How have you betrayed me, sweet one?"

"I told him I hated you, that..." Her throat threatened to close on her, but Elyssa fought to speak. "That you forced me to stay with you. That you enslaved me." A broken sob escaped from the back of her throat. "I told him everything he wanted to hear."

She tried to escape his gentle embrace, but Jareth's arms were suddenly steel - utterly inescapable.

"Listen to me, my beloved." He gazed into her eyes, capturing them with his own. "You said what you had to say to stay alive." Jareth wrapped his arms around her tightly, drawing her ever closer to himself. "My poor, headstrong, foul tempered love. I was terrified that your poor manners would goad Arik into killing you before I could find you." He lifted her chin up bringing his lips down to meet her own.

Elyssa froze. "What did you just call me?"

Jareth's eyes danced. "What, headstrong? Foul tempered?"

She poked him in the belly for punishment. "No, before all that."

Before she could stop him, Jareth's nimble fingers undid the few buttons of her shirt sliding it neatly to the floor. Shocked at her sudden nakedness, she made no protest when Jareth scooped her up and eased her into the warm bath. "I do believe I called you beloved, my beloved, something I intend to do for an eternity."

Elyssa's mind reeled in shock. Beloved...

The Goblin King rolled up his silken sleeves before selecting a soft sponge from a tray next to the tub.

"Wait a minute." She grabbed Jareth's wrist before he could begin to scrub her back. "You kidnap me from my home, force me to put on a stupid party, make love to me like there's no tomorrow, rescue me from a psychotic vampire who had some serious anger issues, strip me naked, throw me in a bath tub, then start slinging around terms of endearment???"

Jareth shot her a martyred look. "You do have a way of making things sound so romantic, don't you."

Elyssa crossed her arms over her breasts. "And you have a way of confusing the hell out of me."

She blinked, and suddenly she was in his arms again, pinioned in his strong grasp. Leaning down, Jareth claimed her mouth. There was nothing gentle about his kiss. Instead he poured every ounce of pent up love and passion into the embrace, claiming her mouth, her body, her soul for his own. When he finally pulled away, he was pleased to see her eyes clouded with a passion of her own. When he trusted himself to speak again, there was no denying the huskiness behind the silk.

"Then let there be no more confusion between us, Elyssa. I love you, my irritating little rose. I love every thorn you throw at me, every petal and every but. I love every part of you and will for all time. Now if you don't mind, I'm trying to give you a bath. If you would be so kind, please stop interrupting me."

Gently, Jareth lowered her back into the water. Grabbing the soft sponge, he began to knead and caress the skin of her back. His hands moved with a determination, washing away every hint of fear and pain which lingered in her body. Reverently, he bent to kiss every cut, every bruise, every sore on her body inflicted by Arik's cruel hands.

As his hands washed her body, deep inside he healed her broken heart. When the task was finally done, he lifted Elyssa from the water, wrapping her up in warm towels. After seeing that she was thoroughly dried, Jareth cradled Elyssa's naked body in his arms, carrying her to his massive bed.

His heart swelled when she clung to him. When Jareth finally removed the hindrance of clothing, his heart soared when she opened her arms up to him, welcoming him to share her warmth. When their bodies joined, moving in that ancient rythym, the passion they shared slowly built into a white corona of brightness. Their bodies and minds joined as one, each sharing their thoughts even as their shared their bodies. Elyssa poured her soul into their lovemaking, giving Jareth everything, wanting nothing in return. Her light burned away the darkness in his soul, filling him with an unknown emotion - joy.

Reaching their climax together, they clung to each other, neither wanting to let the other go. Elyssa buried her head in Jareth's chest, drifting off into blissful, nightmare free sleep.

For the first time in the Goblin King's life, he was completely, utterly happy. "My love," he whispered, cradling her body close to his own. "My precious, sweet love. I will never lose you again." Closing his eyes, Jareth slept.