Sarah found that engagement to Jareth wasn't that different from being his lover. Their working relationship that had been going on since their reunion still worked just fine for both of them. Sarah was refreshed to find there were no jokes being made in the kingdom about her being a ball and chain. On days she wasn't studying for her exams, he brought her to his office, and started educating her on things she'd need to know in order to be an effective queen. There was a sense of deep emotional fulfillment in the work that she'd never experienced before.

She didn't even know how to express to him how relieved she was that her trust in him hadn't been misplaced.

As he'd promised before, Jareth took her "shopping" in the Underground before the celebration of Beltane. Shopping there was a far more involved process than it was in the Above, which wasn't something she'd been prepared for. It was even more involved when your lover was someone who took notice of fashion and knew the value of how to dress to one's advantage.

He took her to a boutique that catered to the gentry and nobility, and she was heaved into a hurricane of movement. Jareth wasn't having her fitted for a single gown. It seemed like he was commissioning her a full wardrobe. Several exquisite gowns, as well as dresses for working days at court were fitted on her. Fabrics of every color and lustre were laid against her skin, as if they were looking for the very specific looks for each.

"This seems like too much," she said, looking at Jareth as he relaxed on a couch during one of her fittings and saw the grin on his face take a sharp edge."

"Love, you're going to be a queen. That means a shameful number of functions we'll be expected to attend, especially after your station is announced and you've been coronated. Which is why I don't intend to announce that until towards the end of the year. I assure you, your own restraint is all that is keeping this from being a larger fiasco than it is." He shifted out of the way of a few goblin merchants who were bringing more bolts of fabric, jewels, and lengths of beaded trim. "A regent's clothing is always bespoke. You'll have a lot more day dresses that are for working days at the castle, rather than balls or courtly affairs, but never underestimate the power of a perfect outfit upon the courts."

The pale gold gown he'd commissioned at the same time for Beltane certainly qualified as a perfect outfit. The neckline had cold beaded trim that created a v down the bodice and made her waist appear slim, especially with the aid of the corset she wore beneath. The skirts were filled with the aid of a crinoline, and there was a modest train on the floor behind her. Her slippers matched the darker gold of the floral embroidery on the full skirts. The jewelry was as elegant as everything else he'd chosen for her, sophisticated pieces that sparkled and caught the eye. She had a nagging suspicion that these pieces weren't just yellow topaz or citrine.

Well before Beltane, he'd insisted that she practice wearing the boned corset. She appreciated that when she was first laced into it. Even with the enchantments that she knew were woven into it to make wearing it more comfortable, she could feel the pressure of the boning when it was laced up, the pinch in her ability to draw a full breath. Even though it could have been laced tighter, like most of the ladies at the balls wore, he'd refused.

He said he liked the curves she had too much to diminish them, which flattered her and led to them ending up in his bed, again.

Still, she spent a great deal of time in her own realm, preparing for her tests, and she knew Jareth took advantage of the days there so he could rest, as well. Some days when she'd be studying at the table, she'd realize that Jareth was sleeping on her couch. Once or twice, just seeing him there convinced her that it'd be a good idea to tuck in right there with him and have a nap, herself.

The morning of May first, Jareth met her in her apartment, and she noticed there was tension that she hadn't expected around his eyes. Before she could even ask, he transported them straight into their dressing room in Tir na Nog. He didn't speak at first, and she recognized that he was struggling with himself at the moment.

She took his hands and met his gaze, her own serious. "What's wrong?"

His eyes lifted to her own and he took a deep breath. His jaw clenched, and she could see that whatever the answer was, he didn't want to give it to her. Still, she waited, and after a long moment, he released a breath and nodded his head.

"Titian will be in attendance. I just found out when I arrived here to procure a private space for us to dress." His words were short, and she didn't like the anxiety she saw in his eyes. He didn't speak for a long moment, instead pulling her to his chest, and holding onto her tight. "Nothing will happen to you. I swear it to you."

Meaning Titian was probably still pissed with her, and likely Jareth as well, after whatever he'd suffered as punishment for what he'd done on New Years.

That was just fine, she decided, clenching her teeth. She was still pissed off at Titian, too. Regardless of how amazing Jareth had been at taking care of her, she had been dealing with anxiety whenever the bastard brushed against her life, and she couldn't just keep pretending she didn't feel it. Maybe if she got the chance to punch him once or twice, she'd feel better about the whole thing.

Jareth helped her into the complicated underwear, and then her dress and she turned towards him, resting her hand on his face. His eyes were busy feasting on her, but she stayed like that until his eyes met hers. Whatever he saw in her eyes had him take a steadying breath and step towards her. His arms wrapped around her as if to shield her from all harm and his chin rested at the crown of her head, rubbing against it for a moment.

"Until there's a reason we should worry, we shouldn't worry, right?" She said, her voice quiet. She was using his own words back at him. Once he'd used when she'd first panicked over their relationship. It wasn't quite the same, but the message was. She heard his rough chuckle and he stepped back, his hands holding her shoulders as he looked at her.

"Yes," he agreed after a moment. "However, that doesn't mean we shouldn't ensure your safety, love. I will not put you at risk as I did on New Years."

"You couldn't have known he would pull something like he did."

"I knew his nature. I should have."

She slipped her hands along his arms until she found his own, and stepped back just a bit to look up at him. She searched his eyes for a long moment, coming to a conclusion. She could tell him that what had happened wasn't his fault until she was blue in the face. It wouldn't do any good, because he'd always blame himself a little for that reason. He knew Titian and she hadn't. She gave his hands a tender squeeze and pressed up onto her toes, giving him a soft kiss on the lips.

She wouldn't argue with him over this, she decided as she dropped back to her heels, looking up at him, still.

"Are we calling Pan to help with my hair and makeup again, tonight, or am I going out like this?"

The change of subject told him that she wouldn't press the matter, and he grinned, then shook his head.

"I thought we'd try something different, this evening. A glamour. In part because it will leave them wondering what you're hiding -" He stopped himself before he said anything else and a smile curved her lips at the sparkle she saw in his eyes.

"In part because it'll hide whatever spell you're putting on me to protect me?"

There was a flash of surprise in his eyes when she called him on it. Then, a smile curved his lips that was masculine pleasure and a bit of pride. His forehead came to rest against hers and he chuckled, trailing a finger up her arm. "You've got more enchantments and spells on your dress alone than they'd expect. Not to protect you. I know you're already aware of some of them."

"And the ones on my shoes," she teased, smiling back at him.

"And your shoes," he agreed, his eyes brilliant in his amusement. "No point in attending a function like this if you're in pain and unable to enjoy yourself as a result. But, yes, also so they can't see if I've put a spell on you to protect you - because they will be checking, this time. To be honest, it's something I should have been doing from the start."

Some of the humor died, his face growing increasingly serious.

She nodded her head in understanding, lifting a hand and brushing her fingers over his face. He relaxed, and his lips brushed against her forehead. As they stood like that, the scent of a summer storm filled the air around them, and she breathed the scent of his magic deeply. She could almost feel the crackle in the air around them.

It was over in less than a moment, and when he stepped back he started looking her over, as if checking for problems with the glamour. When he reached her face, his pupils dilated very quickly, and his brows raised in shock. Confused, she turned and looked at herself in the mirror. It took her a moment to realize what had startled him.

Dark marks from the corners of her eyes, small ones, but too dramatic to be makeup. Her skin seemed luminous, more than when the shimmer would be applied to her. Her breath caught and she stared at herself in surprise.

"That is not expected…" he said, his voice low and quiet.

She turned and looked back up at him with wide eyes. "What do you mean this 'isn't expected'?" She asked, taking his hands and reading the depth of confusion in his eyes.

Rather than answer, he turned them both towards the mirror and looked at her reflection in it for a long time. There was something pensive forming in his eyes as they looked at her feral, fae-like features. Pensive and yearning.

"I had intended to ensure your hair and make-up was suited for the event, Sarah. Not to make you look like one of us. I don't understand why this happened.

"Do you want to change it so it's what you intended?" She looked at his face in the mirror, watched his expression grow soft, that yearning sharper.

"I don't think I do, love," he said after a moment's consideration. His eyes met hers and his hands slid down her arms until he took her own.

She couldn't blame him for that. Pan made her look ethereal, but she'd always looked human after. Right now, she didn't look human at all. The two of them looked like a matched set. It sent a surge of possessiveness through her and she took a deep breath, turning away from the mirror until she faced him.

"Then let them wonder," she said, giving him a wild smile.

He bared his teeth in a sharp smile and she saw the pleasure in his eyes before he leaned down and caught her lips. She would have happily lost herself in it, but he drew back a moment later. He still had that smile on his face, and she grinned back up at him in return. Then, he stepped back and set about getting ready. She took that moment to appreciate the clothing he'd picked out for himself, this time.

His shirt and cravat were the same pale gold as her gown, with a burnished gold frock coat over that. His breeches were dark brown, with matching boots, and brown leather gloves. She blinked, somewhat perplexed, because that was a deviation from tradition for him, but she didn't question it. Once he was dressed, he shook himself and she noted gold dust in his hair and he gave her a grin when he noticed her devouring him with her eyes.

"I rather like the look you've got in your eyes, precious thing," he said, his voice low and dark with promise as he stepped towards her. She stepped towards him as well, meeting his gaze as she met his challenge with her own. His pupils dilated and his grin only grew wider.

"I'm sure you do, lover, however we've got an event to attend and if we even started on all the promises you're making with your eyes, we won't make it at all, never mind being 'fashionably late'," she said, feeling a smile pull at her own lips. Then, she set her hand on his, tearing her gaze from his to try for some focus.

"A valid point, love," he admitted, lifting her hand to his lips and pressing a kiss on the inside of her wrist. He paused, holding it there for a moment before lowering it while his other hand came to touch her face. His thumb stroked her cheek for a moment and she could see that he was fighting a battle with himself. "Us missing this would mean that you wouldn't be placed in potential danger. And I want you safe."

"It would also reflect badly on you and the Goblin Kingdom, Jareth," she said, her voice quiet. She squeezed his hand and took a steadying breath. "You've protected me, already, yes? So nothing will happen to me."

He exhaled, long and slow, and finally nodded his head, agreeing with her statement. "You're right, of course. I'm just trying to decide how much of a damn I give about my reputation." He shook his head, as if to chase the thoughts away before he lifted his eyes and looked at her again. "Silver linings, I suppose. My parents will be in attendance. So if anything does happen, it will inevitably explode in Titian's face."

Knowing that did much to help her relax, and she smiled up at him. A little mischief filled her as an idea came to mind for how to distract him from his worries for a brief time. He must have seen it, because his eyebrow arched and speculative interest filled his eyes.

"So, how much time do we have before we're 'fashionably late', my lover?"

"About fifteen minutes. I thought I'd thought to take you for a tour of the castle during that time," he looked at her, a bemused smile curving his lips.

"I've got a much better idea for how we could pass the time," she said, her lips twitching at the interest she saw and she stepped towards him, drawing him down into a scorching kiss.

As they walked to the ballroom, she thought he'd heartily approved of her idea for passing the time, even if they were just a bit more late than would be fashionable. He didn't seem to give a whit about that. As they walked, he stood even closer than he had at Imbolc, his hand resting low on her back as his other hand held the one closest to him. The nearness thrilled her, and she knew he was quietly advertising his possessiveness towards her and the change in her status. She wasn't certain if that was an announcement or a warning to those who would try to do something to her.

After all, if the Goblin King lashed out when someone attacked his lower, how would he react if someone attacked his intended bride.

Their entrance into the ballroom was noted, and she could see the reaction to change in how he escorted her. There were startled whispers about her appearance when she lifted her face to meet their gazes. Guests moved out of their way, as if something about seeing a mortal woman wearing the face of the fae unnerved them.

As far Sarah was concerned, their fear slanted the odds in her favor. More than any other time she'd been here, she was an unknown quantity. Before, she was just his mortal lover, an entertainment, amusement, plaything. Now they were starting to recognize their mistake. She was standing here at his side, as his equal, and he was letting everyone here know it.

Jareth escorted her to the dais to meet the hosting King and Queen, who were looking out over the throngs of party goers with disinterest in each other and the event. When they stopped, Jareth bowed and she sank into a curtsy at his side. When she straightened, she found that neither the king nor the queen were looking at them with the warm welcome that Nuada and Boann had given at Imbolc. In fact, Sarah thought she saw outright hatred in the king's eyes.

"King Jareth," the other king sneered at her king and she felt herself bristle. "I'd heard you were bringing a human female to these functions, but I hadn't quite believed that it was true until now. A king, taking a common mortal to royal fae functions? Does your arrogance and idiocy know no bounds?"

Jareth gave her his attention, as opposed to rising to the baiting of the man who looked at least twenty years older than him. "My dear Sarah, allow me the pleasure of introducing you to King Oberon and his Queen, Titania. They are the mother and father of someone you've been acquainted with in the Underground, already."

She looked at Jareth, lifting a brow in askance.

"Prince Titian."

She turned her gaze towards them, remembering the misery that Titian had decided she deserved for an insult she hadn't even given intentionally. A 'mean tempered charm', Jareth had called it before. She understood, now, why they were particularly displeased with her presence here, this evening. The same cold smile that she used on her ex-boyfriends curved her lips and when she spoke, her voice was dripping with sarcasm.

"My pleasure, your majesties."

Oberon stood, moving towards him, a sneer on his lips. "It's my understanding that my son's unfortunate situation is your doing, Lady."

The word was thrown out as an insult, and Sarah saw Jareth tense as though he intended to step between her and Oberon. She gave his hand a gentle squeeze, trying to warn him without words that he shouldn't, not now. She had a moment to feel grateful that he didn't even take a half-step.

"I'm afraid that whatever happened at the ball on New Years Eve is still a little fuzzy on my part," she said, keeping her tone cold. "Between the lust charm he placed on me and the attempted spellbinding that he forced on me while I was away from my lover, I still don't remember everything that happened. However, given that his queen was the host of the party, I fail to see how his transgressions are my fault."

There was rage in the king's gaze, now, and he stepped towards her again, aggression in his movement. He reminded her, in that moment, of Tommy, and she sneered at him, squaring her shoulders and taking a step towards him as well.

"Titian was pissed off, because I drew Jareth's attention from his queen, and he viewed that as an insult. If my presence here is an insult to you, I assure you that Jareth and I have no problem leaving and finding far better things to do with our time, tonight."

"My future queen has spoken, Oberon," Jareth said as he stepped up to her side, leveling a look of cold courtesy at Oberon. "You can either deal with her presence or your own insult against her will be noted by the Goblin Kingdom."

The words "future queen" seemed to shock the other king, and it knocked the wind from Oberon's sails. He turned towards Jareth, snarling. "You can slap a glamour on her and pretend she's one of us if you wish. But she will never -"

"If you're quite done verbally taking a piss on my son and his Lady, Oberon."

Nuada's voice behind them was dry as a desert and Sarah gave a half-turn, finding the king and queen of Mag Mell standing there a few steps behind them at the dais. They were resplendent in silver, dressed to match. Nuada gave them both a short bow before approaching with his own queen. Sarah dipped into a curtsy before them, and Boann came forward, taking her hands and bussing both of her cheeks with a kiss.

"You're a vision tonight, Sarah," Boann said, her expression shining like the sun. "I was hoping we'd get to see you this evening. Jareth said you'd be in attendance."

Boann didn't even give Oberon or Titania her attention, she snaked an arm through Sarah's and drew her down the stairs, leaving Jareth and Nuada on the dais to deal with Oberon and his temper.

"I see what Jareth meant that functions in Tir na Nog weren't to be missed," Sarah said, keeping her tone as dry as she could, smothering her temper. She accepted the glass of champagne that Boann handed to her and looked at the queen with a smile.

Boann shrugged, smiling at her. "Titian ran home to his mommy and daddy to lick his wounds. Most of the courts realize that his punishment was entirely justified, however the queen's punishment was by far more harsh than Jareth's. His was a simple physical punishment. Georgine is divorcing him."

"I didn't realize that divorce was something that occurred in the Underground," Sarah said, looking at Jareth's mother in surprise.

"It's less messy than arranging to have your spouse murdered over their transgressions," Boann said with a sharp smile.

"Fair enough," Sarah choked, glad she didn't spray champagne out of her mouth at that.

"Jareth's initial punishment was sufficient as payment for the insult to the Goblin Kingdom. However, Georgine could not allow someone who would harm a guest of her court - a king's guest no less - to remain at her court. The punishment will be viewed as a warning to all the other courts. Do not give Prince Titian free reign. At this point, he'll be lucky to marry a noblewoman, but there isn't a chance in hell that he gets another queen or a princess. And given that Oberon has several sons, there's no shortage of heirs, so he's lost any hope he might have had at ruling a kingdom of his own."

"So, rather than a harsh, brief and painful repayment for his mistake, he essentially ruined his marriage and his own future?"

Boann nodded, looking pleased. There was a sparkle in her eyes that was all mischief when she turned to look back at her. "Jareth is quite smitten with you. He came for a brief visit before Ostara."

A smile curved Sarah's lips and she glanced up the stairs towards where Jareth stood, her heart pounding in her chest. "I know."

The queen's keen gaze found the sparkling ring on her finger and she took her hand, gasping in delight. Sarah looked back and when Boann lifted her gaze to look into hers, Sarah nodded and smiled wider.

"I apologize for how long that particular pissing contest took, love," Jareth's voice met her ear and a familiar hand came to rest low on her back. She leaned back into the touch as Nuada came around to Boann's other side. She saw the king admiring the ring on her finger, as well.

"Oberon always has been a bit of a cunt, son," Oberon said and Sarah blinked, looking towards the man who looked so like her lover. A sound like steam leaving a kettle escaping her before she managed to lift a hand to smother her laugh.

Jareth cleared his throat, but she thought it sounded like he had a laugh in his chest as well.

"Danu's ring looks good on your finger, Sarah," Nuada said, and leaned over, pressing a light kiss to her forehead. "Welcome to the family, dear girl. Do keep this son of mine out of trouble, hmm?"

Sarah gave Jareth her most mystified look, even as she felt a grin pulling her at her lips. "Where on earth is the fun in that?" She asked, looking back at Nuada.

This time, a laugh did leave her king, echoed by one sputtering from Boann. Jareth gave her a wide smile and squeezed her against his side. Nuada had a hand lifted to hide his own smile.

"I did tell you she'd make a fine Goblin Queen."

"So I see. I do hope we'll see you both later this evening. However, I want a dance with my queen, if she'll kindly oblige me?"

Boann rolled her eyes and then gave Sarah's hand a parting squeeze. "Enjoy your evening."

"I like your parents, Jareth," Sarah said with a bemused smile as she watched them walk away.

"What a coincidence, I find I like yours as well. But they're right. Let's get away from the Dais and have a turn on the dance floor. Before Oberon figures out that my father called him a cunt."

"Lets." She smiled up at him and took his hand, knowing her heart was in her eyes. Once they were lost among the dancers, Jareth leaned close to her, his lips brushing against her ear. "You were right to stop me from punching Oberon. Relations between the Goblin Kingdom and Tir na Nog have always been delicate. The last thing we need is a personal situation causing political problems.

"At least now I can see why Titian is as twisted as he ended up," she said, meeting Jareth's gaze. She squeezed the hand that held her own, grinning at him. "I get the distinct impression that he wasn't handled with the same firmness when you misstepped as a youth?"

"I can almost guarantee that, love."

She grinned at him, and he stepped closer to her, his lips so near to her, she could feel the way his breath stirred the hairs on her cheek. A shiver worked its way up her back and she closed her eyes, leaning into him and enjoying the warmth of him pressed against her.

At first, the evening seemed like it would be quiet for the most part, even after the initial fireworks. As the evening wore on, however, she noted Titian seeming to follow them around the dancefloor, staring at she and her lover with malevolence in his gaze. She brought it to Jareth's attention and he made a concerted effort to move them out of his line of sight whenever she noticed him.

"I think he's planning something," she said, keeping her voice quiet, not wanting to cause unnecessary alarm. But she couldn't help the nerves that she felt. Titian's first and second impressions had been unpleasant. She wasn't certain she'd ever feel comfortable knowing the bastard was nearby as a result.

"I've no doubt. We'll keep an eye out. I've no intention of letting him lurk us out of this party, however. For now, Sarah-mine, just keep your eyes on me."

She nodded, resting her forehead against her king's chest, a sigh gusting out of her. As if it was hard to keep her eyes on him. He was as beautiful now, as he'd been standing in her parents bedroom when she was fifteen. After about another hour of Jareth turning her on the floor, he escorted her to a quiet corner table so she could eat and have some water. They talked and laughed while they sat there, and Jareth pointed out several noblemen and women who, in his opinion, would be well served with a visit to the Bog of Eternal Stench.

After the light meal, Jareth was getting ready to whisk her off to the dance floor, again, when Sarah saw Titian standing far closer than she felt comfortable with. She froze, gripping Jareth's hand and looking in the other man's direction, feeling like ice water had been dumped over her.

Jareth immediately put himself between her and Titian, which she appreciated. At first.

However, Titian started to approach them, his posture aggressive, expression one of undisguised malevolence and Sarah saw a crystal form in his hands as he walked towards them. That was when Sarah realized that he didn't care which of them he hurt. She knew Jareth must have seen it as well, but he removed to move from between them.

"No!"

The scream was ripped from her chest as that orb was shoved against Jareth's. Her lover snarled, flinched and staggered back a step into her. But he refused to step even an inch out of the way from in front of her. Then, a cough escaped him and she saw red drops of blood splatter on Titian's face. She caught her lover as his knees started to give out and she eased him to the floor, looking down into his eyes, seeing the pain in them.

"Jareth?! What's wrong?! What did he do?!" She gasped the words, holding him tight to her chest.

A crowd was starting to gather around them, but she had no eyes for the people standing there. Jareth snarled up at Titian, blood on his lips, but he didn't answer her. Then, his strength seemed to fail, and he sagged in her arms, his eyes closing.

"Jareth?!" She heard Boann's voice gasp and looked, seeing the king and queen rush towards her, dropping to the floor at her side, near their son. Oberon and Titania approached at a far more sedate pace.

"What is this infernal racket," Oberon asked, sounding bored as he and Titania flanked their son, their support of the spoiled brat clear.

Nuada and Boann pulled Jareth from her arms and Sarah felt some pulsing hot feeling start to surge through her as she rose to her feet. Rage burned through her so hot it hurt. The revellers around them that could see her face staggered back several paces. She turned her gaze towards Titian, and whatever Titania saw in her eyes must have frightened her. She grabbed Oberon's eyes, dragging him back several steps away from their son. When Oberon looked at her, there was shock and something very close to fear in his gaze.

Good.

Titian snarled at her, still close enough she could grab him.

"I didn't mean to hurt him, I wanted to hurt you! This is all your fault, anyways!"

That white-hot feeling burned up through her, starting where her feet touched the opulent floor. She took a slow step towards Titian. When she spoke, she didn't even recognize her own voice for all the rage in it.

"What did you do to him?!" The sound seemed to echo in the space, louder than it should have been, but she didn't understand or care why that might be.

"He should have moved out of the way and let me put that spell on you, you stupid mortal BITCH!"

The rage that bubbled up through her cleared her head of distractions. She curled her hands into fists, feeling her nails bite into her palms. She took another step towards Titian. Something smelled like fire or brimstone, but she couldn't have said where that smell was coming from. She just felt hot, and wondered if her own rage was burning the world around her.

"I'm going to ask you one last time, Titian. I suggest you answer me. What did you do to my king?!" Her hand shot out, and she grabbed Titian by the collar of his frock coat. She noticed that her skin seemed brighter than before, but she couldn't afford to be distracted, right now. She met Titian's dark gaze with her furious one, and for the first time that night, Titian's anger finally gave way to fear.

"The Blessing of ANKOU!" He snarled at her, fighting her grip on his coat.

"Stars," Nuada snarled from behind her. "That's death magid, you fool!"

Sarah's eyes jerked towards Nuada, feeling grief tangling with her rage. When she looked back at Titian, he had a nasty smile on his face again, as if revelling in her pain. Her hand tightened on his collar, and she realized he wasn't on the ground anymore. That rage seemed to pulse through her and when she heaved, she blasted Titian back into one of the pillars not far away. He struck it with some force, and then slid down, sprawled on the floor, staring up at her with shock.

"If Jareth dies from whatever you did to him, you'll die the same day," she said, her rage so strong that she didn't think before the words flowed past her lips. Her words echoed in the space around them, and there was a frightened gasp from Titania, who shook her head in fear.

Then, a series of coughs drew her attention and she turned, seeing Jareth in a half-seated position. He coughed again, wiping the blood from his lips. His face was pale and waxen in appearance, but he was upright, and didn't quite look like he was on death's door any longer. His blue eyes lifted to her face and her relief at seeing them knocked the edge off her anger.

"Pretty words, precious thing, but you should be careful about how you use them in the Underground," he said, and his voice sounded rough with pain. Still, he rose to his feet with a wince and walked towards her. She stared at him, all the rage that had been building evaporating. When he reached her side, she wrapped her arms around him, to help him keep his feet, worried he'd fall again.

He turned his attention to Titian, rather than her, letting the other man see him standing. Then, he gave another, forceful cough, and this time, she saw a crystal come up. Some blood splattered the smooth surface, but he lifted it, and gave Titian a look of dark amusement as the other man stared at it in shock.

"Cute death spell," Jareth said, and then he rolled the crystal until it came to rest on his fingertips. Then, he lifted the orb to his lips and blew it into the air, where it burst. The intent of the spell hung in the air, clear to the others in the room before it faded, and Jareth waved a hand through it, clearing the last of the smoke.

She swallowed hard, feeling the prick of tears in her eyes. She turned her face against Jareth's coat, even as one of his hands smoothed over her back in a soothing caress. She could hear Nuada and Boann coming to join them, even as Oberon and Titania flanked their own son, again.

"Titian, we were in courts together long enough," Jareth said, with a tone so cold it made almost everyone nearby shiver. "You should know that there are very few of your tricks that I haven't seen or don't know. This was a juvenile trick to play and disrespectful to do at your father's court."

"That bitch cast a death spell, too," Oberon snarled, pointing at Sarah in his rage.

"Which will come to nothing, in the end," Boann snarled back, and Sarah was surprised to see the anger in Boann's face similar to the anger in Jareth's. "Since my son is alive and well, no thanks to you."

"And if he hadn't been, the punishment Lady Sarah had demanded would have been well deserved." Nuada's voice was smooth and cold as Boann's.

Sarah lifted her head from Jareth's frock coat, looking at Oberon, narrowing her eyes at him, letting him see the rage that wasn't quite gone.

Oberon stumbled back a half-step when he looked at her.

The crowd dispersed, Titian was escorted from the room by his parents. As the danger passed, she felt like the room was starting to dance around her. Her grip on her lover tightened and she gave the quietest whimper, trying to keep her feet. The grip on her waist grew tighter, supporting her, and blue eyes met hers.

"Sarah?"

She felt empty, scrubbed out and raw. She ached all over and had no idea why. Her head fell forward against Jareth's chest, and she clung to him, trying to stay present. Heat started to surge up through her again, but this time, without the rage, it just burned, hurt and she whimpered again.

"Jareth, is she alright?"

Boann sounded alarmed, and she felt other hands trying to support her.

"She drew up power in her temper. She's never done that before, I hadn't even begun to teach her how she might do that," Jareth said, sounding alarmed.

"Stars, Jareth, get her out of here. We'll mop up the rest of the mess."

That was Nuada, she thought, but the world around her began to change, and she crumpled against Jareth before she saw where he took her.

She came to with a headache that outshone any hangover she'd ever had before in her life. Still, she could tell by the bedding that she was in her apartment, laying on her bed. She was dressed in a chemise and the lovely wool robe Jareth had given to her after New Years. She lifted a trembling hand to her forehead, staring at the ceiling.

"Welcome back, love," Jareth's voice was quiet, beside her, and she turned towards the brush of his fingers on her cheek. The concern that she saw there was very different from what she'd seen at Imbolc.

"What happened?" She asked, and she noticed her voice was raw and her throat hurt.

Jareth took a deep breath, and then released it with a shake of his head. He looked like he was still having problems processing what had happened, himself.

"I had to take you out of the Underground. First, I tried taking you to my castle, but you weren't getting any better, there. Do you remember the end of the Beltane celebration?"

"I remember being furious," she admitted. "Everything else is a little hazy."

He nodded, and pushed a hand through his hair. "You started drawing up power. Since you weren't taught how to do that, you couldn't quite stop, even when your mood stabilized."

"I did what, now?" She asked, staring at him. He gave her a crooked grin, but there was a lot of worry still in his eyes. "Magic, love. You drew magic into you and channeled it without training. That's extremely dangerous. You didn't realize it, I think, when it happened. I suppose I should have anticipated this, but I didn't realize -"

"Didn't realize what?" He turned towards her, and there was something close to an apology in his eyes.

"I didn't realize that the Underground was starting to change you. I should have, when I saw what the glamour had done to your features." He found her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "You have a knack for making me worry about things that I haven't even realized I needed to worry about. Did you know that, love?"

She gave him a weak smile and squeezed his hand back. "Sorry. Just call it payback for scaring the liver out of me when you took that death spell that was meant for me."

He gave her a crooked grin of his own.

With a groan, she closed her eyes, nursing the headache. After a moment, she forced herself to scoot over, and pulled at Jareth, until he climbed onto the bed with her. Once he folded his arms around her, she sighed and let herself drift back off to sleep, reassured by the weight of his arm across her waist.