A/N: For some reason, I'm not getting the email alerts when someone replies. Hopefully that will straighten out soon and I can reply to the reviews sooner instead of having to wait several hours. Thanks to Etsuki-chan and Kelsi678 for their reviews. I'm delighted that you're enjoying the story :) Here's the next chapter for you! Hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Labyrinth. Serina, Kelgar, Matilda, Ralir, Lisae and the storyline are mine.
Chapter 12
"Looks like you survived another encounter with the she-cat, Jareth." Kelgar chuckled when Jareth appeared in his throne room once more, the enraged scream still echoing through the air.
"Yes, so it would seem, my friend." Jareth chuckled as he dropped down onto his throne. "What's my sister doing here?"
"Apparently rescuing the poor girls that you seem determined to bed, brother." Lisae replied as she appeared before him in a shower of glitter and smoke. Jareth snorted, then threw his head back and laughed hard. "Must you accost that poor child in the middle of the gardens?"
"Lisae, my darling, if the Lady Serina was a mere girl, she would not have spent the past three weeks either trying to kill herself or me."
The woman glared at him. "Who is she exactly?"
"That my sweet is a long story. Suffice it to say I was called to her world and found that her village was hunting her down so they could kill her. Though if I had known then what I know now, I have to wonder if I would have bothered."
"What's wrong with her?" Lisae tilted her head curiously.
Jareth sighed and ran a hand through his hair, "What isn't wrong with her? She was badly abused by her people and has proceeded to attack me at every turn since she recovered from the injuries. I was forced to restrain her in order to feed her." He laughed at the disgusted expression on Lisae's face. "Believe me; things have certainly been lively here lately. Might I also add that this poor girl as you call her, proceeded to defeat my entire army this morning, including myself?"
"My my…" Lisae paced the floor. "Has my brother finally met his match?"
He snorted and glared at her. "Even if I was interested, the damn woman has no heart."
"Then why were you mauling her in the gardens!" Lisae asked harshly.
"Because that was the only way to stop her from trying to kill me!" he snapped testily. "You saw what she did!"
"Surely there must be some other way?"
"Short of harming her, no." He shook his head in disgust. "I have tried everything these past weeks and nothing but a restraint spell has worked. What you found in the garden was simply a last resort. A very enjoyable last resort to say the least," he laughed again at Lisae's disgust.
"Really Jareth! If that's how you've treated her it's no wonder she's angry with you."
"I had no choice!" he shouted as he stood up.
"Then send her home!"
"I can't! She is mine now." He sat back down and sighed, "Besides, her priestess said she belongs here now. If I send her back, she'll die at the hands of her people."
Lisae stepped back in shock, "But why?"
Jareth shook his head. "The First Elder of her village wants her dead. He's managed to turn everyone against her."
Shaking her head, Lisae looked around. "Let me speak with her then."
"No," Jareth sighed as he hooked his leg over the side of his throne.
"Why not?"
"Dammit Lisae! Have you heard nothing of what I have said? You saw how she reacted in the garden! The woman is dangerous! She is defiant and head-strong and would think nothing of harming you. Even after swearing an oath of fealty, she has already attacked me twice!"
Lisae smiled softly, "That is you, dear brother. Has she attacked anyone else? I will assume that Kelgar has been in attendance with her on several occasions since he is the healer." She looked back at the man in question and smiled when he confirmed her words. Turning back to Jareth she patted him on his knee. "I shall go talk to her then, perhaps I can help."
"Fine. Suit yourself Lisae, but don't say I haven't warned you." He pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed miserably. "However I will explain this to our parents is beyond me."
Lisae gave a short silvery laugh as she stepped over to the mirror and waved her hand. Serina's room appeared and showed her pacing the room again. She glanced over her shoulder and stepped through, reappearing in the woman's room.
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Serina felt the air shift and spun around, expecting to find Jareth standing behind her. Instead she found the raven haired woman that had been in the gardens. They froze in place and eyed each other warily.
"Who are you?" Serina snapped, her head held high as she studied the woman.
Lisae sketched a slight curtsey, "I'm Lisae, Jareth's sister. I only wanted to make sure that you were alright and hopefully speak with you."
"Please your Highness. There's no reason for you to curtsey to me." Serina turned and gestured towards some chairs, her manner suddenly courteous and relaxed. "Would you like to sit down?" Lisae smiled her thanks as they moved towards the fireplace and sat down. "I'd offer you a drink, but as you can see, you brother is wary of allowing anything breakable around me."
Lisae arched a brow and waved her hand over the low table between them, a bottle of wine and two goblets appearing. "Yes, my brother. He can be a bit of a brute at times." She smiled when she heard Serina snort. Leaning forward, she poured some wine in the glasses and passed one to Serina. "You are displeased to be here?"
Serina snorted again as she raised the glass to her lips. "You could say that."
"You have everything that you could want here, why can you not be happy here?"
"I want revenge against the First Elder and those who want me dead."
"Interesting." Lisae paused for a moment and studied her companion. "Tell me Lady Serina, why do you keep trying to kill my brother?"
Serina stared at Lisae. "He's an overbearing, obnoxious, self-centered, reprehensible…" Lisae fell back and laughed, causing Serina to eye her curiously.
"That's him alright; though hardly reason enough to kill him. Hurt him possibly, but killing him wouldn't help."
"I do not take kindly to being held hostage."
This caused the woman to sit up, her laughter forgotten. "Hostage?"
"I did not ask to be brought here. I never asked to be healed." Serina stood up and started pacing the room. "Jareth stole me from my home. He brought me here and has held me here against my wishes!"
"Oh…" Lisae murmured as she watched the woman pace agitatedly. She sat back and pondered things over for a moment as she waited for Serina to calm down. Eventually, she decided that the warrior was not going to calm and sighed. "My Lady, you know that you would have died had you remained."
"Yes." Serina walked over to the window and curled up in it.
"If you don't mind my being so bold, My Lady, I would have to say that you are better off here, without being hunted by your people anymore."
She sighed and thumped her head back against the stone, rolling her head to look at Lady Lisae. "No. If I had remained, my husband would still be alive and my friends would not be hunted down like animals for their association with me. "
"No My Lady, I don't believe so. Who is to say that the Hunters Jareth told me about wouldn't have done so anyway? You are a warrior in your world, are you not?" She didn't bother waiting for a response before continuing. "I always thought a warrior preferred to die in battle, not lying under a bush waiting for the end." Lisae ignored the low warning growl that came from the woman in the window. "Jareth saved you from an early death."
"I am already twenty four years old." Serina growled, "Many of my people never live to see this age."
"And that is a good thing?"
"Death in battle is a glorious honor. None of this has anything to do with me being held here against my will!"
"My point is this Serina, I see much life yet to live ahead of you. My brother said you were wounded. Where?" Serina looked out the window, not wanting to answer, her hand unconsciously rubbing the place on her thigh where the arrow had struck her. "Ahh. If it had been your time, don't you think the fates would have allowed the arrow to strike true? Wounding you mortally?"
Serina spun around and dropped from the window, "Who in the Hells are you to say what fate does or not decree?"
"Nothing more than a fellow woman, my friend."
"Then tell me, exactly how am I to live when there is an emptiness in my heart and soul now that I have lost everything I have ever known?"
Lisae slowly walked over to the woman who was shaking with rage. "The same as we all must My Lady. You are not the first to have lost something precious, and you shan't be the last. The pain will always remain, but in time it decreases."
"I will not forget my friends and family."
"No one is asking you to Serina." Lisae put her hand on the other woman's shoulder and squeezed it gently. "But you must understand that they would have wanted to keep you safe. Would you have done any different if it had things been the other way around? If it was them being hunted?"
"No, I would have given my life to keep them safe; to…" She blinked in realization, "live."
Lisae gave her a small smile and patted her shoulder. "They wanted you to live dear. Is that truly so horrible?"
She sighed, shaking her head. "No, I suppose it isn't."
"Live for them, in honor of your love and friendship." Serina smiled, her first true smile since she had arrived and nodded at Lisae. "That's not to say that you can't continue to annoy my brother though." Lisae whispered mischievously with a wink. They both cracked up laughing. For the first time since she had arrived in the Underground, Serina felt her anger dissipate.
"And what is so amusing?" a silky midnight voice behind them asked. The women whirled around to find Jareth standing in the doorway to Serina's rooms.
Serina shot a look at Lisae who only grinned mischievously back at her. "Well, Your Majesty," she smirked as she walked over to him, "I think that some things should remain private between others." She fought to keep a straight face as Jareth edged backwards with every step she took. She stopped for a moment and studied him then glanced at Lisae over her shoulder. "Lady Lisae, I do believe the male is afraid of me," Serina sneered, putting extra emphasis on the word to see how Jareth would react. Lisae giggled behind her as Jareth narrowed his eyes and stepped forward.
"Kitten, you are exceeding the limits of my patience."
"Watch out Your Highness. Kittens have been known to have veritably sharp teeth and even sharper claws." she hissed meaningfully at him as she slid closer. She stopped a foot away from him and raised her hand to study he nails. Jareth growled something under his breath…
"What brings you here dear brother?" Lisae asked as Jareth glowered down at the other woman who was studiously ignoring him now.
He looked up at her and moved around Serina, "I came to make sure that you were alright. I've seen firsthand the damage this woman can do." Since Serina was behind him now, he failed to see her head snap up in anger and turn to face his back. Lisae watched it all, her face devoid of expression.
"Oh Jareth, you worry needlessly. Lady Serina and I were simply having a nice little chat."
"Chats with her can be disastrous Lisae. She is dangerou…" Jareth stumbled forward as Serina's booted foot connected squarely with his backside. He turned in time to catch Serina as she pounced on him, her fingers curled into claws as she snarled, her eyes snapping in fury. They landed on the floor, with Jareth cushioning her fall. Without missing a beat, he grabbed her wrists and forced them away from his face and throat as he flipped them over onto her back. "Now do you believe what I say?" Jareth gasped as he looked up at his sister. Serina twisted violently beneath him, her knees coming up to press against his sides.
Serina snarled savagely as she locked her ankles around just above Jareth's hips. Filled with rage, she shifted one final time and began squeezing his waist. Jareth jerked upright in her grip and grimaced. He sent a surge of magic through his body and into hers, sneering as she arched against him and released her leg lock on him.
"It seems to me that the only one she's dangerous to is you dear brother." Lisae replied as she stood over them. "And it's really no wonder with the way you behave. I can't say I blame her." She reached down and pulled Serina out from under Jareth.
"The way I behave? What about her? I can't even turn my back without having to wonder if she's going to attack me or not!" Jareth rose gracefully to his feet.
"Well, perhaps you shouldn't keep baiting her the way you do then." She curled her arm through Serina's and sniffed daintily. "I always told you that you would pay for the way you torment others. You're worse now than when we were kids."
"And you my sister are utterly insane." He bit out angrily as he approached them. He caught Serina's sharp gaze watching his every move, snapping with barely restrained fury. He tilted his head and studied them. Noting the way Serina stood protectively over his sister, he pondered the situation. How strange that she's acting so protective over Lisae. Yet the woman will strike out at me in a heartbeat, he thought to himself as he circled them.
"Must run in the family then dear." Lisae said sweetly as she watched them. She smiled inwardly as she watched the way Jareth and Serina eyed each other. She could feel the tension in Serina's arm. The woman squeaked in surprise as Jareth grabbed her arm and yanked her forcibly away from Serina.
Serina automatically stepped forward when Lisae was yanked from her side, a low growl escaping her throat as she glared at Jareth. He gave her an arched look and they saw the amusement dancing in his eyes. He waved his hand elegantly towards his sister who sputtered indignantly as she vanished. Serina's own brow arched as she continued to glare at him. "I wonder, why it is you are so protective over a woman you just met my lady."
Serina snarled, narrowing her eyes. "Perhaps because she didn't treat me as if I'm a possession."
"I've already told you kitten, I don't think of you as a mere possession." He moved behind her and leaned closer to her ear, his voice dropping to a soft whisper, "No. You are much more than that my dear kitten."
She turned her head and glared. "Strange. That is exactly how you have treated me since I've been here."
"Oh dear," Jareth said as he continued to circle her, "Why would you say that?" Serina shifted her weight and held her head higher. He could tell that she trusted him as much as any demon. That's going to change.
"Perhaps the way you act, the way you continue say that I am yours like some trinket bought at the market." She blinked her eyes and narrowed them again, "And pray tell, why do you continue to flit around me in circles? Do you never get dizzy?"
Jareth stopped in surprise, eyeing her curiously for a moment before laughing. "Does it disturb you?" It was a subconscious thing for him to do, but she was the first to ever call him on it. He honestly found this side of her amusing and wondered what other faucets of her nature she hide. Perhaps her anger was a way to protect herself from others and her fears.
"As a matter of fact, yes it does. No one in their right mind would continue circling someone and eying them the way you do without at least getting dizzy once in a while. It's disgustingly annoying!"
He gave her a feral smile, his sharp teeth glinting in the dim light. "Do tell, my lady, in what manner am I eyeing you?" She glared furiously at him.
"As if you can't decide whether to banish me to some horrid place, proposition me or serve me up with the evening meal." Serina spat in disgust.
He laughed again. "My dear, you are most amusing. First off, banishing you to some 'horrid' location would certainly defeat the purpose of you being here. I took you so that you would be safe." His eyes flicked over her, "And as tempting as you are, I don't believe I want the others dining on your sweet flesh."
"You're wasting your breath if your purpose is to proposition me."
"Am I?" Jareth whispered with a mocking grin as he moved behind her again. He reached out and traced the edge of her ear, "It very well could be enjoyable for both of us."
"Bastard."
"Ah kitten, how you wound me." he replied in mock pain, turning her to face him.
Serina snorted and rolled her eyes as she muttered under her breath. "Give me the chance and I would." He ignored the comment, knowing that she most likely would if he failed to tame her first.
"The nights can get very cold here in the castle, my dear." His hands slid over her shoulders and down her arms to cup her elbows.
"I have spent many nights sleeping in the cold before." She informed him icily. Jareth smiled slightly, her voice was steady, but he felt the tremors that coursed through her at his touch.
"But isn't the warmth of another body more enjoyable my sweet?" he whispered seductively as he pulled her closer to him and lowered his head. He smiled again when she growled at him, brushing his lips across hers. Serina tensed for a moment then relaxed as he claimed her mouth. Try as she might, all thoughts flew her mind as she fell under the spell he had woven around her.