Chapter 3, Tangled Paramountcy

Sarah awoke as she usually did, to the sounds of chirping birds and the pale rays of morning light. Today however, something was different. She rolled around in bed, trying to untangle herself. She stopped when she noticed it wasn't just blankets keeping her locked in position.

Sarah looked down to see the golden wisps of Jareth's hair peeking over the mounds of fabric. She was a little surprised; usually, Jareth was gone by the time she woke up. She rarely saw him in the morning, he liked to start his routine early, and she liked to sleep in. What also surprised her was the fact that he was still asleep. Jareth usually rose with the sun, he was always up before her. And yet here he was, almost ten thirty and still fast asleep. She stared at him with interest.

"Good morning my love." He grumbled into a pillow. She smiled, pushing stray hairs from his face.

"It certainly is." She spoke quietly. " Not that I'm not thrilled to see your face in the morning light, but may I ask why you're still here?" He rolled over on his back and stretched, wincing once the light caught his face.

Sarah gave him a once over. The morning after was a good look on him. The blanket had trailed itself down his body, resting just below his belly button. His slim figure and pale skin shone like the sun. The muscles in his torso and arms danced as he shifted around the bed.

"I thought I deserved a day off." He replied, his voice still hoarse. She leaned into him.

"Does that mean I get the day off as well?" She said with a playful tone. He looked at her with a slight grin.

"My dear, as far as I'm concerned you may have every day off. In fact, I would prefer it that way." He said casually. She gave him a slight look of confusion, and then it clicked. He's really going to go all crazy overprotective isn't he? If it's starting now I can't imagine what he'll be like in a few months. If he has his way I'll be locked in a tower for the next nine months!

"Jareth, just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I'm unable to function in my daily routine. You can't lock me up until the baby is born" He almost glared at her, as if that was exactly what he was going to do. "Let's compromise then. You can be as over protective as you want, when I can no longer wear a corset. Fair?" She tried to bargain for as much freedom as she could, and then he jumped on top of her.

"No, I do not think that is fair." He said. Sarah laughed a bit.

"Well that's the point isn't it?" She gave him an innocent smile.

"That look doesn't work on me pet. We both know I've taken every drop of innocence you ever had." He said with a snake's grin.

He hadn't meant there to be any sexual tension, but from Sarah's position that was all that filled the air between them. He was directly on top of her, his long blonde hair draping over her body. They were both still completely naked, a factor Sarah took into high consideration. She brought her hands to his chest, rubbing them along his contours, and returning his own mischievous smile.

She lifted her head slightly, and planted sensual kisses along his collar bone. Her kisses turned to gentle nips and licks as she made her way up his neck. He turned his head slightly in arousal, and she felt another part of him start to stir as well. She started sucking on his neck, and teasingly licking his ear, sending subtle jolts down his spine. She started moving against him, arching her back as to push herself harder against him. He let low moans escape as he lowered himself further into her clutches.

She continued to tease him until she was sure he was on the verge of taking over. Once reaching that point she stopped, and pulled away from him. He was all rilled up, watching her intently, not sure what she was doing. She gave him a sly smile and leaned in to whisper in his ear.

"If you think I'm too fragile to do my duty or sort through your paperwork, then I'm too fragile to let this go any further." She purred. "Does that work on you?" She asked in a seductive tone.

"You can be so cruel." He purred in return. She waited. "I believe I am forced to accept...for the time being" He said after a moment, bitting Sarah's lip as he did so.

He started kissing her neck, moving down to her chest. He teased her nipple with his tongue and started moving against her. She felt a sudden flash of heat wash over her. She arched her pelvis towards his as he thrust. He was positioned right at her entrance, the head teasing her folds as it entered her ever so slightly before pulling away. He would enter a little further with each contact. Sarah was on edge, waiting for the moment he entered her fully.

She was surprised, and a little angry when he stopped and moved off of her. He leaned into her ear as he rose from the bed.

"I can be cruel too." He purred. Sarah snarled.

Before She could respond, Mage casually strolled into the room. The little woman nearly fainted when she saw her King standing completely naked to the side of the bed.

"Oh Your Majesty! I am so sorry! Please forgive me, I didn't think you would still be here, oh my..." She rambled, flailing her arms and turning away from the two of them.

Jareth gave little reaction, and Sarah watched with great amusement, trying to hide her chuckles as Mage shuffled around in embarrassment.

"Didn't I tell you once before to be more wary upon entering my chambers?" Jareth said with a commanding tone. Mage continued to rant.

"Yes. Yes, yes, yes Your Majesty. Again, please forgive me. I didn't mean to intrude on anything." She spat.

"Mage, calm down." Sarah laughed. "I've never seen you so worked up. You're telling e you've never seen him naked before?" She couldn't get over all the emotion coming from the little Goblin. Jareth, seemingly unaffected by the situation, had moved towards the dresser.

"Of course I have." She said, recalling all the awkward mornings of walking in on her King with one random woman after another. "I just, wasn't expecting it this time." After all the times of catching glimpses here and there, she certainly wasn't expecting to see his entire rear view in an exposing stance when she came to dress Sarah for the day.

"Mage, I'm taking the day off. I trust you can keep things in order?" Jareth called from across the room, still in the nude. She had finally settled down.

"Of course." She answered.

"Good. Sarah will not be requiring your services this day as well." She nodded and turned to leave. Sarah watched from the bed. "And another thing." Jareth continued. "In this instance I will let it go, but do not keep anything from me again. Do you understand?" He wasn't angry with her, but he couldn't have his first advisor keeping secrets from him either.

"Yes, please for give me." She said with a bow.

"None is needed." He replied flatly. Sarah interjected.

"Mage, how did you know?" She asked. The little woman paused before answering.

"I just did." Mage answered. Sarah started to fidget from beneath the covers.

"How far along am I? If you know that is." She said. Mage eyed Jareth, who was still sorting through the dresser, before she spoke.

"Somewhere around two months." She answered. Sarah gave Jareth an incriminating eye. As if he could sense it, he turned slightly to look at her.

"Well you didn't waste any time did you?" She teased.

"So it would seem." He eyed her messy appearance and grinned. Mage spoke up once more.

"Now that this is out in the open, I offer my congratulations." She said with a grand bow.

"Thank you." Sarah said. "Jareth tells me you're a midwife, I'll be needing to speak with you soon. I have some questions." Mage nodded.

"Of course My Lady." She turned to exit the room. "Oh, and one more thing. You may wish to see your father, he's been waiting for you two to figure it out for some time now." She said while running out of the room, not wanting to explain.

Jareth and Sarah exchanged blank stares as the door slammed shut.