Chapter Six
An hour and a half later, Tara looked absolutely gorgeous. She had been bathed, and made up, and dressed up in such a short time, that she could barely comprehend the vision that now stared back at her from the shiny mirror she stood before, goblin maids on either side of her, making sure that her dress fell just right for when his highness came to call.
Her raven hair had been pinned up in ringlets and curls that was adorned with a powdery glitter that made it reflect all the light that hit it, and a tiara of crimson had been set as the focal point, wrapping around the front of her head, and then dipping into her forehead between her eyes, in the shape of a crescent moon. Her dress was the color of rubies, and it seemed to have been fitted to her. The bodice clung tight to her stomach, pressing it in, and she was sure that there was boning involved, but she couldn't feel it poking at her pelvic bone the way she usually did with corsets. Her breasts were nearly spilling out of the looser fabric over her bust, and the light catching silk of the skirt flowed over her legs like water to fan out at the feet, as if repelled by the floor. On mentioned feet were soft crimson slippers, and around her pale, long neck rested the pendant she thought she had lost before, the blood colored stone still resting comfortably between the dragons.
But the real show stopper lay not in the dress in which she was clothed, but in her face. She had been treated to every luxury when it came to her makeup. Metalic,ruby lipstick forced her already blood colored lips into the limelight, contrasting dramatically against the ivory of her skin, and black eyeliner almost completely shadowed her emerald eyes. She had almost been frightened as it was applied, finding that it may as well have been done with a sharpie, but it was, she noted, quite breathtaking despite the dramatic call it brought to her. The black was brought to tips at either side of her eyes, the way the Egyptians used to do theirs, and her eyes seemed the perfect frame for the tiara that felt so foreign atop her head.
The maids stepped away, and stared at their work fondly, finding that they had done quite a wonderful job as the young woman turned toward them, frowning slightly as she questioned,
"How long before I can get out of this thing?"
One of the younger maids laughed at the sheer irony-- the blunt words coming from the body of such a beautiful, and stately lady. She, however, was soon glared into silence by the three more matronly of the women, who turned their glare to their subject as soon as the girl had been silenced.
"However long His Highness wishes." One of them stated curtly, looking upon her with disapproval.
"You will have to be more curteous among the nobles, my lady." Another woman stated with more of a note of kindness to her voice, though it held the same sharp tone of disapproval. "They do not think highly of mortals, and a pretty thing like you should not be forced to face their wrath."
Tara sighed as her gaze returned to the mirror, and she tilted her head at it. "Well... how, exactly, should I act then?" She questioned despirately before turning back to the maids.
"Remember that you are among your superiors," The third matronly one advised, "And do not speak unless spoken to. When you do speak, make sure that you speak so politely that it rivals annoying."
Another heavy sigh escaped her blood red lips as Tara frowned. She didn't know if she could be quite that... subserviant. It wasn't really in her nature to do as she was said, and remain silent as the room around her gossipped. Perhaps she would get lucky, and have the blessings of a corner be showered upon her, where she would be ignored, and untempted to rise up against her so called superiors of different races.
"Ah!" The youngest of the maids cried, putting the back of her hand dramatically to her forehead, "I think I'm going to faint!"
"Get ahold of yourself." The second matronly goblin growled, irritation edging her voice, "What is it!"
"His highness nears the door!" She responded instantly, "He's going to fall in love with our handiwork, I'm sure!"
"Not if you don't open the door soon." The first goblin retorted, "Your senses are off. He's already here!" The young goblin let out a little squeel, as she ran around in circles a couple of times, crying out over, and over again her excitement.
"Begilda!" The third hissed, "OPEN the door!"
"Right!" Begilda blushed hideously before turning her bolt toward the door. She hesitated in front of it, expelling one more squeak of glee before she swung the door open wide.
Standing there, in all his glory, was none other than the Goblin King. Blue streaked through his wild blonde hair, his black poets shirt adorning his pale, muscular chest, trademark pendant brilliantly shone. His trousers were tight, as they always were, and there was a whispy black cloak about his shoulders, that seemed to fan out behind him, and his boots were perfectly polished. Glitter had been added over his eyes, but other than the extra makeup and cloak, he looked perfectly normal.
Tara suddenly felt sorely overdressed.
"Lady Tara," Jareth purred as his gaze scorched over her. She settled for crossing her arms over her chest, although she wanted to clasp her hands over her shoulders so he couldn't see her at all, or even better, run off and hide. "You look..." She wet her lips during the uncomfortable pause, knowing full well that he was making her feel this way on purpose. He met her accusing glare with a wolfish grin, "Ravishing."
"Likewise, -my lord-." She growled resentfully, half bowing as she prayed that she would suddenly be drawn into a dark pit of ink.
His grin grew into a smirk as he offered her his arm, "Shall we go?" He suggested as he lifted a devilish eyebrow at her. She hesitated, feeling for all the world like if she took his arm, she wasn't going to get to turn back. It'd be a last act of... something. Something she couldn't quite explain.
She shook the notion aside, deciding that she was merely being paranoid before she slipped her arm through his.
Her world spun as she felt a sense of euphoria envelope her. She fought against the foreign sensation, but it just got stronger, until it became something else... overpowering. Suddenly, she realized that she was no longer in control of the steady footsteps that she took as she strolled beside her king.
Her eyes would have gone wide if she could control herself, and her mind reeled against what was happening to her, but the euphoria returned, blinding her, and stopping her will to fight.
"What," She ground out through teeth that no longer belonged to her, "Have you done to me!"
He responded to her plea with only a knowing smirk. "Don't fight it, love." He hissed, "This way is easier for both of us."
Authors Notes: The Labyrinth, and its contents belong to me in absolutely no way, shape, or form. Tara, however, does, and if you steal her, you will be met with a whole shitload of squirrelly wrath!
...I've watched way too much Foamy...
Anyways, with that aside, I would like to make a few actual notes.
Yes, this is a short chapter, because I found a cliffhanger I liked. Deal with it. Kay? Kay.
lol, I'm just kidding! I'm working on chapter seven as we speak! I swear!
...Okay, I will be in the morning, I swear!
