Ch 7
Jareth
I sit here, sprawled on my throne, deep in thought. I did not sleep well, for there are too many thoughts that need to be dealt with. I am not used to this feeling of vulnerability, and I try to find a way out of this. But the longer I think, the more absolute it becomes that there is no way out of this.
I love her, and I must have her.
But I am not going to have her if she does not want me. Oh, make no mistake, I could take her against her will, bring her here with me, but if I were to do that she would be little more than a slave. No, a slave is not what I want. I want her to love me.
I lay my head in my hands as I realize this. How can this be? How is it possible that I have avoided love for countless centuries, and now I am obsessing over a mortal girl? How is it possible that she has bewitched me so? But again, I cannot lie to myself. I know that it is my fault as well, for allowing her to take a piece of my heart. But how was I to know we would end up like this?
My mind wanders back to what I have tried to avoid. The kiss. Oh, what was I thinking, kissing her like that? And what was she thinking, kissing me back? It's enough to torture a man! I don't dare believe she loves me. That would be as foolish as falling in love itself. But I cannot help dwelling on the fact that she kissed me back.
And the way she looked. She was still beautiful, but there was another air about her, something I can't quite put my finger on. I recall that she seemed fragile. What could have happened to cause her to lose her fiery will, her air of stubbornness? I ponder this, unable to come up with an answer.
I frown. What am I hearing? Jareth. How could it be? How could she be calling me? My heart pounds as I contemplate going to her or ignoring her call. Don't be an ass, go to her! I decide to listen to my brain, as well as my heart, and heed her call. I can do nothing but hope that she does not again break my heart, for now I know how fragile a heart can be.
I appear in front of her, and am surprised to see her in bed. Surely she did not mean to call for me while she was still in bed? I look questioningly at her, and she appears to be deep in thought. I notice that she does not seem to be the least bit frightened of me, and that pleases me. She sits up, and I am surprised when she speaks, and even more surprised at what I hear.
"Jareth, I love you." I look at her, unable to believe what I just heard. I stare deep into her eyes, trying to discern whether or not this is a cruel joke, for I could not bear a joke as cruel as this! But in her eyes, I see nothing but truth and hope.
Is this real? Did the woman I love really just confess that she loves me as well? I look at her curiously, wanting her to repeat herself, but she is silent. I sense she is waiting for me to speak.
Of course she is, you fool. Tell her. Still I hesitate, finding it hard to speak my feelings, since it is something I have rarely, if ever done. I can sense her moving away, not physically, but it seems the longer I hesitate, the more withdrawn she is becoming. I speak before I lose her completely.
"I love you Sarah." How wide her eyes are! I can tell she had fully expected me not to respond, at least not with that, and I see happiness in her eyes, and now there is something else, just a flicker of something, but it is there nonetheless. How was I to know that I had just given her back her hopes and dreams?
Without thinking I kiss her. It is a soft, gentle kiss, one she is responding to. Oh, if only I had known how erotic a kiss could be! I pull away gently, not wanting to rush this strange new relationship we are forming.
I look at her, uncertain as to what would come next. I decide not to fear my feelings and instead enjoy them, and I am surprised to feel a smile break out on my face. I do not know that last time I smiled. I see her smile back, and I reach out my hand to her, hoping she knows what I am asking her to do. She does, and she does not hesitate to grab my hand and allow me to take her to my castle, my home, where she can now be my companion, my queen, my wife, and the woman I will love for the rest of time.
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A/N: The End. So? What'd you think? Good, bad, somewhere in between? Let me know!