Ch 32
Jareth took Sarah to a living room connected to his bedroom. They settled next to each other in a big, comfortable black couch.
"I don't know what to think about Julie and Bayron," Sarah told Jareth. "I mean, I'm truly happy for them, Julie deserves someone like him. But it's all so sudden…I don't know. I guess it's really not my business, is it? They're happy and that's all that counts." Plus, she recalled how thrilled for her Julie had been when Sarah told her of her engagement. Yes, Julie deserved nothing but her support and happiness, and that was what she was going to give her.
Jareth had taken a hold of her hand, and he was rubbing it gently. "That's true, love. They're happy, and I'm glad for them. And not to sound selfish," he said with a smile, "but now she's okay and they're happy, we can finally get back to us."
Sarah nodded her agreement as she snuggled up closer to Jareth, laying her head on his shoulder. "Mmmm," she sighed. "You're right. So much has happened, it seems like years ago that you even asked me to marry you." Speaking of his proposal sent her mind in a different direction, and she thought of Merelinda. Thinking of the beautiful mermaid made Sarah's heart sink a little. Even though she knew they didn't love each other, and their engagement was almost over, Sarah was still a little bit jealous. Merelinda was so incredibly beautiful, and what if she decided she wanted to marry Jareth after all? How could Jareth say no to someone like her?
"Love? What are you thinking about?" Jareth asked, sensing her mood change.
Sarah sighed. She didn't really want to be thinking about Merelinda right now, there was so much else she and Jareth could be talking about. But now that the thought was in her mind, she knew she couldn't let it go.
"I was thinking about you and Merelinda," she told him honestly. "I know you explained it all to me, and said I have nothing to worry about, but, there are so many 'what if's'," Sarah said. "I mean, what if she decides she wants to marry you after all? What if something suddenly changes in her screwed-up laws that makes her need to marry you? What if-"
Jareth shushed her, putting a finger up to her lips. "Sarah, my love, I swear to you, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Merelinda has never felt more for me than friendship, and she never will. The same goes for me. You are the one I love, Sarah. As for the laws of the Merfolk, well, you needn't worry about them changing; they've remained the same for many millennia. And even if the rules did change, or Merelinda did want to marry me, I wouldn't do it."
Sarah looked at him in surprise. "You wouldn't?"
He laughed. "No, of course not. Sarah, it's simple. I don't love Merelinda, but I do love you. You are the only one I want to spend my life with, and if it ever came down to breaking my word with Merelinda, well, I would do that for you."
Sarah looked at him gratefully. "Thank you Jareth, it means a lot to me to hear you say that. And hopefully, if what you say is true, it won't ever be an issue."
"I can assure you it won't be," he said to her. A thought occurred to him, one he wasn't sure how she would react to. "Sarah, would you like to meet Merelinda?"
Sarah was quiet for a moment. She had never thought about actually meeting the woman who had asked Jareth to marry her. Now she knew it was silly of her; after all, Merelinda was one of Jareth's closest friends, and if Sarah was to marry Jareth, of course she should meet all his friends.
"Okay," Sarah said finally. "I can't say I'm jumping for joy at the prospect of meeting her, but she's really done nothing wrong, so I suppose I can't put off seeing her. If anything, meeting her should put my mind at ease."
Jareth let out a sigh of relief. He was grateful that Sarah could be so understanding and mature about this. "It's too late to see her tonight, but I will arrange for a visit tomorrow." He kissed Sarah on the forehead. "I'm sure you'll enjoy it, the kingdom of the Merfolk is unbelievably beautiful."
"Wait," Sarah said, realizing what he'd said. "Merelinda is a mermaid, right?" Jareth nodded, and she went on. "So I'm assuming that their kingdom isn't on land?" Jareth laughed, understanding what she was getting at.
"No, love, it's completely underwater, at the bottom of the Sea of Serenity, to be exact. But don't worry, you'll be fine during the visit." Seeing her confusion, he smiled. "You'll just have to wait and see for yourself."
Mystified, she let it go. "Okay then." She absently played with a strand of Jareth's fluffy blond hair. "How long am I able to stay here?" she asked. She knew she should go home soon, at least to talk to her parents, but she really just wanted to stay here.
"Not much longer, unfortunately," Jareth said with regret. "Since we aren't yet married, you'll have to go home no later than tomorrow night." He had been trying not to think about that; he was enjoying having Sarah in the castle with him.
Sarah was disappointed, but understanding. "Well then, I don't want to waste any time talking about me leaving. Let's talk about how happy I am that you came back into my life."
He smiled, saying, "I would love to talk about that. So tell me, just how happy are you to have stolen the heart of the Goblin King?"
She grinned back at him. "I'm the happiest girl in the world. If anyone had told me a week ago that today, I'd be in your arms, engaged to you, I would have laughed in their face. I've loved you for so many years, but I'd given up hope of ever seeing you again. I had convinced myself it was better to forget you, but I never could. I wish we hadn't had to spend the last ten years apart, but I'm truly grateful for the chance to make it up now." She paused. "I love you Jareth, and I can't wait to spend forever with you."
His heart warmed at her words. He would never tire of hearing Sarah profess her love for him, and he was eternally grateful to the fates for seeing it necessary to bring them together once again. Suddenly, his thoughts left him as Sarah pressed her lips against his in a deep kiss, and he could think of nothing more than how good she tasted, how wonderful it felt to have her body pressed against his, how great it felt to have her arms around him. Then he thought of nothing more as he completely surrendered himself to the kiss.