Sarah was feeling dizzy by the time Jareth stopped turning her around the dancefloor and pulled her off to the side. He waved down a waiter, and got them both a glass of champagne. He handed hers to her, and drank a long pull from his own. She could see a furrow of annoyance between his brows and she sipped her own drink, feeling a twinge of concern.

"What's wrong?"

He was quiet for a long moment, his eyes wandering over the crowd. When he answered, his voice had a slight growl to it. "You lied to me, Sarah."

"I didn't," she objected, confused.

He turned towards her, and she found herself almost pinned against the wall. The angle he stood at left her one avenue of escape, not that she felt the need to do so. "Just a little warm, you said. I know you, Sarah. You flush easily, but at this point, I know this isn't a blush. You have a fever."

She looked into the champagne, pursing her lips. After a moment, she lifted her eyes and looked at him, taking a steadying breath.

"Yes, I have a fever, I checked this morning." He gave a snarl and started to turn away, and she caught his arm, holding him still. "It was low enough that I would have gone to school or the library to study if we didn't have this engagement, tonight. It's not so high that this is overtaxing me."

Another snarl of temper left him.

As ever, it made her pulse race and she looked him in the eyes. "I've been looking forward to this. I didn't get to enjoy New Years properly for very long. So I wanted to go to this one, Jareth. I wanted to dance with you."

He met her gaze and she saw pleasure in his eyes mingling with the temper.

"I didn't lie. I told you before we left my apartment that I had a bit of a fever." She shifted closer to him, not looking away from his eyes, knowing she was challenging him, again. "And I'll remind you, lover, that I already gave you permission to punish me."

"You realize what you're offering to me, Sarah-mine?"

"You're the one who stole my book, so don't act like you forgot that I like that."

The sound he had been making changed from a growl, closer to a purr now. His other arm came to rest against the wall, trapping her there. A sharp smile curved his lips and he leaned closer, his lips very close to her ear. He didn't say a word in answer. His teeth just scraped against her jaw, lips brushing close to her ears. She could see the swirl of dancers behind him and her cheeks darkened. She set her free hand against the wall, pushing herself closer to him and tilting her head to the side in invitation.

Instead of taking her up on the invitation, he straightened back up, a smirk still curving his lips, dark pleasure covering his face.

"Lord Jareth, is that you?"

She gave an internal groan and let her head thunk back against the wall behind her. Jareth shifted, his arm sliding smoothly around her waist as he turned towards the person approaching them. His voice was just a little too cheerful to be actually pleased.

"Lord Diarmuid, I didn't realize you'd be in attendance."

"I skipped the event on New Years, so I thought I'd better show my face at this one if I wanted to keep it. Especially since the people hosting it will absolutely notice if I'm not here." The fae approaching them smiled, and when he saw her, his steps faltered. He gave her an appraising look. "Lady Sarah, you're visiting the Underground, again?"

He didn't even have to mention what had happened to her at the previous ball. There was alarm on his face, and surprise that she'd take such a risk. She forced a pleasant smile on her face, trying to ignore the urges that Jareth had stirred inside of her whenever he'd pin her like he had.

"Since my last visit ended so abruptly, I wanted to make it up to Jareth," she said. "Besides, I enjoy his company so why wouldn't I accept the invitation?"

She could almost feel Jareth preen at her side, as if she'd stroked his feathers just right.

"It was my understanding that was hardly your fault." The other man laughed a bit, looking at Jareth. "I'm surprised you would take such a risk. I did warn you that they'd eat her alive."

"Lady Sarah doesn't need your attempt at gallantry, cousin," Jareth's teeth were on full display, but the smile wasn't a pleasant one. It was a warning, and Sarah recognized that. "I can assure you. I'm perfectly capable of defending her.."

"And more important," Sarah said, stepping forward. She stood straight, looking Lord Diarmuid in the eyes, her own narrowing. "What happened at the ball on New Years eve is none of your concern at all. If I decide to take a risk, that's no business of yours. The situation was resolved with no input of yours, and I'm quite certain no one who knows what happened to Prince Titian would be so foolish to attempt something like that on me again.

Diarmuid's eyes widened in surprise and he took a step back from her, glancing back at Jareth.

She didn't know if Jareth was standing behind her looking particularly intimidating, or if she was what made the other man back up a step. A glance at Jareth found him looking entertained by the whole thing, and not intimidating in the slightest. As a tray-laden servant passed, she set her champagne flute on the tray and turned towards Jareth fully. "I think I've had enough of a rest, your majesty. I want to dance."

Jareth stepped up to her side, offering her his arm and slanting a patronizing look in Diarmuid's direction.

"My lady needs me for a dance," he said, his smile all teeth as she took his arm and guided her back towards the floor. Once they were on the floor, his hand slid up her back, coaxing her close to him, a look of amusement on his face. "I must say, darling, I don't think he knows what to make of you."

She gave him a grin of her own. "Good. I'd better keep everyone on their toes, hadn't I?"

She let herself get lost in his eyes, enjoying the pleasure she saw in them. He seemed to like that she could hold her own against his kind. As much as he liked that she wasn't afraid of him. She hadn't bothered telling him the truth of her feelings for him, yet. She didn't want to risk the easy relationship they had going.

The evening was close to ending when she noticed her condition wasn't getting better. She was starting to feel dizzy and too warm, and she hung on Jareth a little harder the longer time went on. She could see the look in his eyes, and thought he was starting to be suspicious that she wasn't as well as she had led him to believe. The side of him that bullied her was shining a little brighter in his beautiful eyes.

"Are you unwell?"

She took a steadying breath, taking honest assessment and she sighed, resting her forehead against his shoulder. "I think my fever is getting worse. I don't think the champagne was a good idea."

"Drugged?"

"Dehydration," she answered, lifting her face to look at him. "I'm feeling dizzy. My head hurts and everything aches. I'm sorry."

"As you should be," he said, his voice a bit harsh against her ear. "Why'd you let this go on for so long?"

"Because I wanted to dance with you, and it's harder to notice things like a fever when you're pinning me against walls and trying to seduce me breathless."

He gave her an unrepentant grin. His hand cupped her chin, lifting her face and the smile fell away. "You are looking a bit peaky, darling. We can go. I'll let my parents know I'm taking you home."

"It's a pity," she said, giving a quiet sigh and nodding her head. "I would have liked to dance with you more."

The expression softened and he nodded in agreement.

"There will be other parties, darling."

Will there be, she wondered, watching as he headed towards the dais, leaning to speak to his parents briefly, before returning to her side. He put an arm around her waist and she noted that as they left the ballroom, her strength was waning fast. His arm kept her up, and kept it from looking like she was about to faint, even though she was.

They'd just left through the massive double doors when her strength finally gave, and she slumped against him.

The next thing she knew, she was waking up in the castle beyond the Goblin City, staring up at the canopy of Jareth's bed. She gave a quiet groan, and a hand touched her cheek.

She looked over and saw Jareth sitting on the bed beside her, no longer dressed for the ball. She wasn't, either. And her teeth felt a bit grimy. She gave another groan, lifting her hands over her face.

"How bad was it?"

"Your mild fever spiked towards the end of the celebration. I suspect the thermal measurements we use are not the same, so I retrieved your thermometer from the bathroom. While you didn't lie, you should have told me when you noticed your condition start to change."

"I wasn't certain it wasn't the champagne at first."

"Don't make excuses, darling."

She bit her lower lip, glancing away from him. "I'm sorry."

"So you've said several times since we've been here." He caught her chin, turning her face back so he was looking at her. "I haven't administered your punishment, yet. You weren't well enough to appreciate it."

Heat rushed to her face, and she stared at him wide-eyed, remembering that she promised he could if she did something imprudent. His fingers stroked over her face, down the side of her cheek. "You're spending today in bed."

"Is that my punishment?" She asked, frowning a bit at him.

"Oh, no. You still owe me for worrying me when you fainted because you waited too long to let me know."

Her heart skipped a beat. "You could punish me, now."

"No, I couldn't." He said, leaning over her, his face stern. "I don't plan on punishing you until you're well. If you wish, you can consider that a portion of it. But I intend to punish you with force so you know to not worry me in such a way ever again."

Her heart hammered in her chest and she looked up at him through wide-eyes. Then, she nodded, a blush heating her cheeks. He dropped a kiss to her forehead, and she sighed, closing her eyes. His fingers worked through her hair as she lay there, and she opened her eyes, looking up at him.

"I really am sorry I worried you, Jareth."

He nodded. "Just rest, darling. If you're so overworked that you're getting sick, you need it. And don't think I'm above putting a sleeping spell on you for as long as I think you need it."

She pouted, but nodded, looking up at him. "Then you crawl in here, too. Don't think I don't know you weren't just as tired as I was, yesterday."

His lips twitched, and he arched a brow. "The goblins brought me a lap desk. I do have work that I must do, but I planned on staying close, today. When my work is finished, I'll lay down and have a nap. Good enough?"

She nodded, curling onto her side and closing her eyes with a sigh. She could feel his warmth at her side, and it put a smile on her face. She dozed in and out, and occasionally, between naps, Jareth would put food in front of her. Fruits and cheeses with bread, soups, a seasoned beef that was a little spicy. He wouldn't turn down bites when she'd offer them to him, and she saw by midday, he'd set his work aside and was curled up on the bed with her.

He enjoyed spoiling her, she remembered, but she wondered how often he'd had someone take care of him, spoil him. So whenever he gave her a chance, she'd try to return the favor. It did make her wonder if he'd let her spoil him in bed the way he'd spoiled her, so far. Thinking about it made her cheeks burn a little.

Jareth's fingers brushed her cheek, then her forehead. "I thought your fever had broken."

She didn't know if she wanted to answer the question he hadn't spoken. "It did."

He lifted a brow and waited.

"I was blushing," she admitted, taking a grape off the plate that had been brought after their dinner. Speculative interest on his face, again.

"Oh, now I'm very curious." He leaned close to her, looking into her eyes.

Her lips twitched, and she considered telling him, then she shook her head. "I'm not going to say."

"Don't defy me, darling," he teased, feigned annoyance in his eyes. He leaned closer, and his lips brushed her ear, sending shivers down her back. "Or I'll have to modify the punishment I've already planned for you."

"And how do you plan to punish me for that? How are you going to make sure I don't worry you like that, again?" She felt her heart hammering in her chest as she asked.

He drew back just enough to give her a grin that sent all her blood rush out of her head all at once. His fingers traced over the neckline of that lovely wool dressing robe he'd given to her. Somehow, not touching her skin felt just as arousing as having him with his hands on her, and she gave a quiet gasp, biting her lower lip.

"Precious thing, I think you know exactly how I plan to punish you."

She noticed too late that the plate they'd had settled between them was gone. Jareth shifted, his weight pinning her to his bed. Her breath caught, and she felt her nerves made her tremble. His lips curved into a wider smirk, and he moved his hands to her wrists, taking them in his own. She noticed too late that he'd taken the tie from her robe and she watched as he used the length of it to tie her wrists together.

The knot was skillfully done, she noted, and when he'd finished, he tucked the length of it between her hands.

A failsafe, she realized. A way to escape if she freaked out. She took a steadying breath and lifted her eyes to look at him. "If I need to stop, I'll say 'red'."

He searched her eyes for a long moment, and then inclined his head, as if to say he understood what she had told him.

She trusted him, she thought, taking a steadying breath as he lifted himself off of her. His hand curled in her hair, the grip tight enough to sting, but he didn't pull her hair. He used that hold to force her onto her knees. She winced, surprised a bit at the movement, but she rose with him, and met his gaze for a moment. He was gauging her, again, as if to measure her willingness. She took a deep breath and relaxed into the hold he had on her.

His voice was rough against her ear when he spoke.

"Place your hands on the headboard, and don't move. Count out the number of strikes."

She turned her back to him, gripping the headboard and she took a steadying breath. She could feel the cool air of the room on her backside when he flipped the bottom of the robe out of his way. A blush burned on her cheeks, and she worried her lip, nervously. His hand stroked over her for a moment, and then his hand drew away. She flinched, taking a deep breath. Before she could fully brace herself, his hand came down hard across her ass.

She yelped, the sting startling her. She leaned forward, pressing her forehead against the backs of her hands, taking a shaking breath. His fingers were gentle on the mark she was sure he'd left behind.

"One," she managed, closing her eyes.

His hand drew away from her, and then another stinging slap landed not far from the first. She bit back the urge to cry out, tightening her fingers on the frame of the bed, taking a steadying breath. "Two."

One of his hands settled in her hair curled loosely in it, holding her head up so she couldn't lower her head, again. When his hand came down on her ass a third time, the strike pulled at her hair just a bit.

"Three," she moaned, biting her lower lip and trying to focus.

She managed to get to five before she failed to count. The next strike was harder, and she yelped again, twisting a bit.

"I didn't say stop counting, precious thing," he growled, his voice soft and very close to her ear.

"I'm sorry," she breathed. "Five."

His fingers teased over her backside, to her slit, and she felt his fingers slide against her. Shit. She couldn't help press back towards those fingers, and was rewarded with another sharp strike on her ass.

"Six," she gasped, trying to stay still, this time.

"Very good," he praised, and she sighed, closing her eyes. He rewarded her by giving her a single finger, teasing it against her clit, just for a moment. When he stopped, a whine escaped her.

"Please," she whispered.

"Already begging?" The dark, pleased tone in his voice sent a shiver up her spine. "But I'm not nearly done, yet."

That was the only warning she had before his hand struck her ass again, and she yelped, her face twisting in pain. Tears pricked her eyes as the strike hit a previous spot, causing the fading burn to sharpen. "Seven!"

She lost count of how long the spanking went on. Her ass burned and her slit throbbed. He released her hair and her head hung between her arms, seeing a widening circle of wetness on his sheets. She stared at it with dazed eyes, moaning as his hands found where she clung to his headboard, and she felt his warmth at her back, pulling her hands from the wood.

He turned her, so she faced him, still on her knees, and he guided her back so she leaned against the headboard now. He gave her wrists a gentle squeeze, and when he set them over her head, she realized he'd pinned them there with magic again. She looked at him, dazed, and desperate.

He inclined his head, a smirk on his lips reminding her of when he'd stood in front of her the first time when she'd been a teenager, and had stolen her brother. Dark pleasure and amusement. A shiver worked its way up her back and she squirmed against the bindings.

It had been too long since he'd touched her, she realized, her face flushing. A full month since New Years, and he'd been teasing her with kisses and touches since then, but never more. She hung there by her arms, looking at him and panting.

"Please," she whispered again.

He stroked her hair, the contact soothing, and then he traced his fingers down her from her lips to her clit. She wasn't certain if she liked the look on his face, or not. It was mischief, mixed with a little bit of meanness. Dark and playful. His fingers traced over her, light and teasing, and she sighed in pleasure and need, relaxing into the touch.

He kept right on teasing his fingers against her, and she moaned, rocking against his fingers, aching. She was so close. Then, he took his hand away, and she sagged, dragging her eyes open to look at him. He was watching her face, and she realized he'd done that on purpose.

"Please?" She begged again, lifting her hips towards him, biting her lower lip. He smirked at her, and one hand cupped her chin, lifting her face.

"You'll come when I let you, precious. I had plenty of time to consider exactly how to punish you for last night."

She groaned, feeling his other hand teasing over her clit, again. She had no warning as his fingers pierced her folds a moment later. One hand held her face where he could see her, the other teasing her, again. Each thrust of his fingers into her pushed her closer to another peak, but just before she came, he'd stop, pulling his fingers from her. She groaned, head falling back.

The hand on her chin slid back into her hair, holding her still as he toyed with her. She'd start to come down a bit from the teasing and he'd resume it. She bucked against his fingers as they slid over her slit, brushed her clit, occasionally giving her their fullness before taking them away again. It was deliberate, and she knew it. But she liked it all too well to ask him to stop.

Soon, though, she saw the cruelty in it. He was piling pleasure on her, without giving her the option of release, just making her need greater and greater. She squirmed, trying to prolong the contact just a little longer, and more than once earned a stinging slap on her sex, which just made the arousal worse.

When the teasing stopped, it almost reminded her of the cruel charm that she'd received on New Years. Her cheeks were wet with tears she hadn't realized she'd shed. A moan escaped her and she let her face come to rest against her arm. He shifted, putting his lips close to her ear.

"What were you thinking earlier that caused that fetching blush on your cheeks?"

She lifted her head, looking at him, slowly. She wanted to kiss him, but he was just a hair too far away. "I was thinking that you spoil me so much, but I never get to spoil you. And I wanted to give you the pleasure you'd given me on New Years."

Surprise and pleasure on his face, and he stroked her cheek with a touch that brought her face towards him. He didn't brush his lips on hers, instead, catching her lower lip between his teeth just a bit too hard. The sharpness of his teeth just drew a soft moan of pleasure from her.

"Is that something you want, precious thing? My pleasure?"

She nodded her head, a flush on her cheeks.

"Yes, please."

He shifted off the bed, and she watched as he unbuttoned the cuffs of his shirt, pulling it over his head. She ran her eyes over every inch of his skin, her breath hitching in her chest when he reached for his pants. He pushed them over his hips until gravity took them and she stared, blinking several times. Her hands clenched over her head. Her breath shook out of her, and she wet her lips.

No codpiece, she realized.

She swallowed hard, her brain shutting off completely as he climbed onto the bed and moved towards her on his hands and knees. He didn't free her arms from where he'd pinned them on the headboard. Instead, he brought himself onto his knees, his cock close to her face. His hand curled into her hair, and he looked down at her.

"Open your mouth."

She did as he ordered, and gave a strangled little sound of pleasure as his hand in her hair pulled her towards him. She let him guide her, until she realized she couldn't possibly fit all of him in her mouth. He seemed to realize that, as well, drawing back just before she'd gag.

He used that grip on her hair, even as he started rolling his hips towards her mouth. A moan of want left her and she started moving towards him at the same pace, sucking in a quick breath between thrusts of his length into her mouth. She curled her tongue around him, lips tightening as he'd draw back, hearing the quiet growl he made when she did that. She forgot her own pleasure, wanting to please him, knowing he wouldn't leave her hanging.

The man above her froze, the hand in her hair tightened, and she felt his cock swell between her lips. He came with a savage snarl, and she pressed closer to him as he spilled into her mouth, drinking him with enthusiasm. Even after he'd finished and was trying to draw back, she kept trying to lick him until she couldn't reach his length any more.

He shifted, looking into her eyes, and she stared at him in a daze. His breathing was a little ragged when his gaze met hers. His hand softened in her hair, stroking along it. She thought he wanted to kiss her, even parted her lips in invitation, but he didn't lean in, just kept stroking her hair for a long moment.

"Well done, precious thing," he said, his voice rough. "I think it's time I ended your suffering. Do you want that? Do you want to come?"

She nodded her head, looking up at him.

"Please? I want to come."

Any other time, her cheeks would have burned in embarrassment, but right then, she didn't care. She needed him, she needed this, and she'd beg and plead if it pleased him.

He shifted back, and she squirmed, lifting herself to him in need. His fingers slipped down her, stroking her molten core, curving into her, slowly filling her. She looked at him, biting her lower lip and trying to lift towards him further. His other hand stroked over the back of her head, soothing and gentle. She leaned back into his touch and a sigh escaped her. The gentle contact kept her grounded, and she was able to wait, even though she wanted more.

He shifted down her, holding her gaze for a long moment, before she realized what he was planning and a groan escaped her as he crouched between her thighs and she let them hang open wide for him. His tongue against her felt so good she thought she'd come, but the next stroke felt even better and she squirmed against his mouth and the stroke of his fingers inside of her.

He found a point inside of her that made her buck against him, and her head fell back. A gasped cry escaped her as he focused his touch there, fingertips moving against that point inside of her. Her pleasure condensed at the tip of his tongue and the caress of his fingers and she might have screamed if she'd been able to get a full gasp of breath before he heaved her over the edge and she came hard.

All that teasing was gone, now. She felt the press of another finger inside of her, and she bucked against him, again as he kept right on after her first release, pushing her hard towards a second, and then a third. Her vision whited out on the fourth, and she did cried out, sobbing in pleasure.

When she came to, he'd stopped and she gave a soft, plaintive moan. She felt his fingers brushing her cheeks, feeling him clearing the moisture away from them. She opened her eyes, looking up into his eyes and saw concern in his. She looked up at him, still dazed, and she leaned into the caress of his fingers. When he leaned forward and kissed her, the first kiss since he started, she parted her lips for him, tasting herself on his mouth. When he drew back, she chased his mouth.

Opening her eyes, she found the concern had edged back towards hot and hungry and he traced damp fingers over her lips. She licked his fingertips, finding the same taste there as covered his lips.

"Do you want more, precious thing?" His voice was rough with desire when he spoke, and she looked over him and a moan escaped her. She could see him hard and ready, again and she knew exactly what she wanted.

"Please," she moaned, looking at him in desperation.

"Please what, precious?"

Her cheeks warmed, because she knew what he wanted to hear. She lifted her hips, looking him in the eyes. She wasn't sure she could get the words out, but she knew he wouldn't unless she said it.

"Please fuck me," she managed to gasp out, looking at the length of him as it throbbed. "Please, I need you. Please -"

He silenced her with a kiss that was rough and hard and she was glad for it.

She needed the contact like she needed air, and she gave a blissful sigh. She felt his hips between her thighs and the magic he'd used to pin her released her. She moaned against his mouth as her muscles protested. He lifted her arms over his neck, and his arm went around her waist, pulling her closer to him. She could feel his considerable length against her and she pressed her face against his cheek, sucking in a desperate breath, feeling light headed, still.

"Please," she gasped, squeezing her eyes closed. "Please fuck me."

"Look at me, precious," he growled soft against her ear.

She forced her head up, meeting his gaze. The look in his eyes was almost frightening. Then, he shifted, pulling her up so she straddled her thighs, his hands curling under her thighs. The head of his cock nudged against her folds and it took all her strength to keep looking him in the eyes. The look in them was almost frightening from the depth of the alien emotions in them. No man had ever looked at her like that. No one ever looked at her with that blend of desire and devotion.

His hands slid up her sides, a slow, deliberate caress, before slipping around her back, his hold keeping her from sinking down onto him. She shook, staring into his eyes, drowning in them.

"Please," she begged. The look in his eyes sharpened, a little darker, like he was as drunk from staring into her eyes as she was looking into his.

He grinned at her, that sharp smile she loved so much, and his grip loosened, letting her slowly sink onto him.

She whimpered, almost looked away, but he'd wanted her to look at him, so she fought the urge. She couldn't draw a full breath as he let her lower onto him. When her downward movement ceased, she let herself look away, looking down between them and finding that he wasn't inside her completely.

Somehow, that made her hungrier for him.

"Please. Oh, please," she gasped, not able to think or say anything else.

The arms around her grew tighter, lifting her off of him, just as slow as her initial descent had been. She whined, objecting to the loss of fullness, When he'd almost slipped free, his grip on her relaxed again, letting her slide back down his length. This time, she was able to take just a little bit more of his length into her. She sighed in bliss, and whined when he lifted her again, squirming against him.

The slowness of this was torture for her, but she liked it too well to ask him to stop. She wondered for the briefest moment how long he could sustain this pace before he snapped.

No sooner that she'd thought it, a growl left him and his arm slipped behind her back, holding her tight against him. He shifted, and she found him over her, her back resting on his mattress. His arms shifted, gripping her thighs and lifting them until they were over his arms and he looked down into her face.

She stared up into his beautiful eyes, so dark with need as he stared down at her, and then he pressed deeper inside of her. That little more was almost so good it hurt. She gave a plaintive moan, her head falling to the side as she pressed her hips up towards him, asking for more. He drew out, holding that position until she moaned again, using her arms around him to try to pull him towards her again.

"Please?" She whined, trying to lift her hips towards him.

He waited, still, and she forced herself to lift her eyes to him, again. When he was certain she was looking up at him, he filled her again. She pressed her head back against the pillow as she felt his hips come to rest against hers and she gave a cry that was filled with joy and need. The sound seemed to break his control, because when he drew back the next time, he didn't hold back, didn't wait. He slammed into her and she cried out again, head thrown back as he did.

He leaned down, his lips on her neck, and she felt the sharpness of his teeth on her skin as he sucked a love bite onto her, there. She shifted her head to the side, her arms curling over his head, holding him there as he maintained that hard pace. She arched against him, pressing her breasts to his chest, holding him close as he claimed her.

"Please," she gasped, again, using her thighs to try to pull him closer still.

"Yes, he growled against her skin, and then she felt him thicken inside of her and she cried out, again as he bit her shoulder just hard enough that it hurt. That sharp pain pushed her over the edge and she came hard enough she almost blacked out again.

When she came to, it was because he'd pulled from her and the emptiness made her groan from the loss. The man leaning over her seemed winded, even as he pulled her arms from over his head, and she noted that she ached everywhere. A groan left her and she shuddered, feeling weak and tired.

He freed her wrists, and she felt the faintest tingle as his fingers brushed against her wrists. He rolled her towards him, and she gave another quiet groan of pain, even as his hands started working on the aching muscles of her shoulders. She curled towards him, shuddering a bit, from everything, but the firm stroke of his hands were helping her focus and bring her back down from wherever she'd been.

She snuggled against his chest, still not sure she had words to say anything.

"You liked that," he said, his voice quiet.

Gee, you think? She felt a grin twist her lips and she nodded her head, still feeling mush-mouthed. "Hmm."

A rough chuckle escaped him, and he tilted her face up, giving her a very soft kiss. She bit his lower lip before he could draw back, a happy sigh escaping her.

She didn't even notice the room around them change, but when she opened her eyes, they were on her bed. She looked up at him, perplexed. "Thought I'd be staying at your place, tonight?"

She wasn't sure how she got those words past her lips.

"Yes, well, that was the initial idea, however my bed is a disaster, and right now I think it's best if we recover here." He gave a rough chuckle, his fingers stroking her cheek for a moment. "Are you coming back to yourself, then, darling?"

The endearment changed, and she tried to snuggle closer to him, still. "Yeah, I think so. It was just really intense. That's the first time I've really played like that."

He seemed to pause for a moment, and she thought he looked like she'd stroked his feathers just right, again. A smile curved his lips, and he kissed her shoulder, right where it throbbed from where he bit her at the end. A moment later, he sat up and brought her with him. He pressed a glass of water into her hand, and she suspected his inner bully was pushing him. That was okay, she decided, as she lifted the glass, sipping it.

"I didn't hurt you?"

"No, I'm fine." She hesitated for a moment, and looked at him, her lips curving into a smile. "It wasn't too much. I liked it."

He nodded, and his hands kept running over her until she could take stock of herself. Her shoulders ached like a wicked bitch from being pinned as they'd been. Her thighs felt like jelly. She lifted her eyes to him and she gave him a grin.

"I might not be able to walk, properly, tomorrow."

The smile that curved his mouth was unrepentant and satisfied.

"My apologies."

He didn't sound apologetic in the slightest. She laughed, wrapping her arms around him with a groan. He responded by working the muscles in her shoulders and biceps again, without her even needing to ask.

"I'll be sore as hell, tomorrow, but I feel good, right now. Thank you."

A quiet chuckle escaped him, and he continued snuggling her. "You're more than welcome, darling. I enjoyed our little game, as well." He went quiet for a moment, nuzzling her neck, his lips brushing against her.

Closing her eyes, she let him take care of her, holding the glass between them and taking sips until it was empty, and then she set it aside, curling against him.

"You remember what you asked me the other night?"

"Which thing," she mumbled, feeling sleepy and exhausted.

"Regarding my father's suspicion."

She blinked. No, she hadn't remembered until he'd brought it up, but she drew back and glanced up at him. "Uh, yeah. I had forgotten about it until you mentioned."

"It's not exactly pillow talk," he acknowledged, his expression turning serious. He gave a quiet sigh, and shifted them so they were laying down facing one another. She waited, seeing that he was deep in thought. "When I was still in training for my position, there was a time that Titian and I were in the same courts. We'd been friends, of a sort, or as close as most of my kind can come to that. This was long before he was Prince Consort to Georgine. I don't doubt he wanted me to stay at that court with him when he'd finally successfully seduced her."

She looked up at him, perplexed, a frown pulling at her lips.

"My parents tried to think the best of me, and I admit I've not always lived up to that. That's why we need to have this talk, now. Especially if we're going to play like we did tonight, more often."

She gave him a cautious nod, seeing the expression on his face and not liking it. He had a wall up, one she couldn't see past, like he was bracing himself, just in case.

"I'm younger than Titian, by a fair bit. And he didn't always influence me in a positive manner. In fact, he never did. More than once, we were pulled aside and chastised for spellbinding someone at court, for our own amusement. The last time it happened at court, my parents ended up involved. The woman in question didn't leave the situation unscathed, and the disappointment in their eyes woke me up to what I had done. I didn't spellbind anyone again for a very long time. However, it's not unreasonable that they jump to the conclusion that I was equally guilty in what happened."

"How long," she asked, her hand finding and wrapping around his, a frown pulling at her lips. "When was the last time?"

He stopped, his eyes meeting hers, and he seemed to think for a long time before he answered her. "Eighteen years ago," he said, not looking away from her when he said it.

She blinked, surprised. "The peach?"

He shrugged, looking away from her for a long moment. "In that situation, it's excused by my kind. It was part of the game, and my parents are very aware of what sort of game the Goblin King is expected to play with the runner. When warranted, they knew how to play dirty, too. I won't pretend that my motivations back then weren't petty and selfish. You'd insulted me, turned my own subjects against me. I wanted you to pay for that, and to lose and be trapped."

She remembered his comments to his parents, again, remembered that there had been runners before her, and she shifted, looking into his eyes. "I was the first runner to beat you."

He shrugged, and nodded his head, then looked away from her, again.

"When I mentioned who you were, they knew instantly that I'd spellbound you, before. He was making certain that I hadn't done anything since to cause you harm."

She let out a slow breath. "You could have told them about the arrangement? That I was in this because it was beneficial to us both?"

"No, darling, I couldn't. No more than you could explain to your parents when we were there at Christmas." He shook his head, and smiled at her. "They wouldn't understand. Being at court with Titian soured me for those events. They didn't have that sort of experience. They don't have the history that I've had. That's the real reason everyone was nervous of our presence. I'm volatile, and the courts know it. That's why everyone was so shocked that I'd bring a mortal woman with me. It was a risk, especially in Gwales."

She watched him fuss the wool robe around her shoulders, smoothing his hands over it, as if trying to keep her warm. She wondered what his parents would think of the arrangement, and lifted a hand, stroking his cheek, the touch gentle.

"More importantly, they don't understand finding someone who is convenient, and having an agreement like ours was. They've always been so wrapped up in one another that they didn't see anyone else. Everyone at court knew they'd end up married long before it happened. Love at first sight, I think, is what humans call it. They could never understand liking someone, and having affection deepen over time."

"Jareth," She wrapped an arm around him, stroking his cheek gently.

"They don't understand wanting someone there that you trust, because they've always had it. And I never had. So I avoided them like the plague, when I could."

"Besides most of the parties being mind-numbingly boring, are they so bad with me, there?"

A smile curved his lips and he tucked his forehead against hers, looking more relaxed than she could ever remember seeing him. "I admit, these last few have been far more enjoyable than any other I've been to. Even New Years, before what Titian did. I especially enjoyed watching you standing up to Diarmuid."

She grinned, giving him a quick kiss. "Well, if I'm there to act as a buffer, I can't exactly spend the whole time hiding behind you."

"He tries very hard to be a valiant knight. He's not good at understanding that a lady can fight for herself and when it happens, he doesn't know what to do with that."

"I noticed," she said. He was smiling, that relaxed look still on his face, as if relieved that she hadn't kicked him out of the bed. "I could almost see him panic."

Jareth nodded in agreement, and shifted on the bed, laying on his back and guiding her head to his shoulder. His fingers traced soft patterns on her arm and he gave a quiet sigh. She snuggled against him, wrapping her arm over his waist and hugging him.

"Jareth, if I didn't trust you, this wouldn't have happened, tonight. I hope you know that."

He looked at her and she lifted her eyes to look at him. A smile turned up his lips, and he kissed her forehead.

"I know, darling. If I didn't trust you, it wouldn't have happened, either."