A/N: I've had complaints that the chapters are so short, and thought I'd explain why. You see, I write the story in one big document, and then I have to break it up into chapters afterwards. The chapters are short because it's so hard, in a Word document, to predict how long it will be when it's uploaded here. So I usually err on the side of brevity because with other stories I've had people complain that the chapter was too long and it would be easier to read if I broke it up more. Sorry they're so brief, but again, look on the bright side: at least there are generally at least two or three at a time!
Chapter 49: "...And it Feels So Good"
Sarah paused just outside the door to catch her breath. She smiled at the herald, who bowed respectfully as she approached. His eyebrows lifted in appreciation of her dress, and he cleared his throat.
"Lady Sarah Williams," he bawled.
She thanked him and went through the door.
Jareth, two unicorns, Bevelyn, and King Daxon were all waiting for her just inside the door. She curtseyed to the room at large, just as she had done every night, and they bowed back.
Jareth waited an agonizing moment until everyone else had gone back to their dancing and socializing, before he leaped forward and enfolded her in his arms. He kissed her, hands coming up to cup her face, mouth devouring hers hungrily. He pulled her up close against the full length of his body. He held her tightly for a long moment, until a nudge from Alia's muzzle made him release her and step back. He kept a firm grip on her hand, however.
Sarah squeezed his hand and gave him a shining-eyed, boy-am-I-glad-to-see-you smile, before reaching out to Bevelyn. "Bev, did they tell you?"
The brown-haired fae nodded. "They did. Stupid girl, my daughter. I'm sorry for what she put you through, Sarah." She patted Sarah's hand with sympathy.
"What's going to happen to her?" Sarah asked.
"That's up to the Goblin King."
Jareth pursed his lips. "I shall think of a suitable punishment for her. I shan't kill her, Bev; have no fear. But she will learn a lesson or two!"
Daxon stepped forward and nodded to Sarah. "Lady Sarah, I must express my apologies that my promise of safety to all of my wedding-guests was broken by one of them. I vow I will compensate you accordingly."
"That's not necessary, Your Majesty," Sarah reassured him. "I don't hold you responsible for Terrillia's actions."
"Nevertheless, I am responsible, and I will make restitution. Now, if you will excuse me, I should like to dance with my betrothed."
Sarah and Bevelyn curtseyed as he withdrew.
"Welcome back, Sarah," Arien said in her mind in her melodious, bell-like voice. "We are overjoyed by your safe return."
"Yes," her mother chimed in. Her mental voice took on a touch of steel as she promised, "And we shall not allow anything like this to happen again. Rest assured of that, Sarah. Now if you'll excuse us, my daughter and I must prepare to call for the betrothals." The two unicorns nuzzled Sarah, and then turned and trotted away.
"Oh, dear," Sarah said nervously. "That's coming next, is it?"
Jareth said nothing, but lifted her hand in his gloved one, and kissed it. He looked unperturbed, very cool, and very much in his Goblin King persona.
It wasn't fair that he should look so cool after such an intense embrace! Sarah herself was starting to perspire; she was flushed and her heart was still pounding over her reunion with the Goblin King.
"Sarah, I'll see you sometime later, I hope," Bevelyn said, seeing that she'd become a third wheel. "I'm going to see if the guards will let me in to yell at my daughter. Putting on a glamour to look like me? The pretentious little snot!"
"I fully agree, Bev," Jareth said. "Mind, though, that you're back before Alia calls names."
Bevelyn agreed, and stalked off, fuming.
Jareth turned to Sarah. "May I have the rest of this dance, then, lovely Sarah? I believe it will be the last one before Alia calls for betrothals."
Sarah nodded, and put her hand into his to be led out onto the dance floor.
Jareth held her close, whispering in her ear about how worried he'd been, and how glad he was that she'd returned unharmed. He explained that Terrillia had cast a spell of jealousy that not even the unicorns could see through, because it was such an "impure" concept. "I may never forgive Terrillia for denying me the pleasure of your company all day, though," he murmured.
Sarah knew there were still dozens of things they still had to talk about. Why hadn't Jareth mentioned whether or not she could go home? Why hadn't he told her how to use the crystal? Why had he waited so long before contacting her, anyway? She'd expected to have these thirteen days with him to discuss all of these issues, but they had been so busy with politics, meetings, and festivities that they hadn't actually gotten a chance to talk. All of her insecurities called up by Terrillia's meddling were still in the forefront of her mind, and many of her questions remained unanswered.
The main one, though, had finally been settled. Her epiphany from the observatory filled her mind with happiness: she loved Jareth, she really did! It was such a relief to finally realize it. And along with that love came trust—she trusted him. She trusted that together, they would be able to talk and work out the rest of the details that he hadn't mentioned yet.
So for now, Sarah was content to rest safely within the circle of Jareth's arms. As the music slowed, Jareth's arms tightened around her, and she felt him tremble. "I love you, Sarah," he whispered. "Just don't forget that." Then he stepped away, and back into his royal guise.