Chapter 4; My Eyes adored you.
Jareth's patience had worn thin, his coronation was final, the vows spoken, his parents had abdicated and should he knew he should be enjoying the festivities. But oh no, Miss Williams still hadn't arrived. It was nearing nine o'clock and soon he was expected to choose a partner for his first dance as king. He had wanted it to be her. He even had the blue suit jacket he had worn on their first dance altered especially for the occasion and now he felt a fool.
Amongst the guests all dressed in blacks, greys and whites (As expected from those who weren't of High Status like Jareth and his family) he could not spot her and he knew he would of if she were there. Jareth signalled for Kenneth's approach, his face telling all.
"I know your Highness, I don't know where she is either" The adviser spoke quickly trying to diffuse The Goblin King's rage.
"For every minute she isn't here, is one minute every servant in my keeping will suffer. Including you."
"Yes your highness" Kenneth stepped away from the throne to look up at the grand golden clock, he watched as it chimed nine wincing knowing that was one minute he would suffer. Before he could ponder anymore a flash of red came into his peripheral vision, followed by a gasp and then complete silence in what had been a very lively ballroom. Sarah was here.
The silence had also alerted Jareth, who was firstly relieved to see Sarah but secondly furious for she had disobeyed him in her attire. She was dressed in a colour only permitted to High Fae, she did not wear the pendant he had asked her to and her curves were on show to the entire court.p class
"Continue the music" Kenneth yelled so the ballroom came alive once more, Jareth knew he had to keep himself composed. It was his coronation, he could not be seen to be enamoured with a Mortal, especially who this mortal was.
"My King, I think you may have to ensure your strange beauty is taught her rank. It is scandalous that she show in Royal colours" Kenneth uttered to the King whose ever familiar smirk reappeared on his face.
"You know Kenneth, you're right. However it's about time I take part in my first dance as High King and Ruler of the Southern Realms. Get the attention of the musicians, ensure they play our song."
Sarah was, for better word gobsmacked, her shock was only then replaced with embarrassment as she realised everyone was staring at her, normally she would question why… and then she saw their colouring. She wished she had after all done as the letter instructed. She felt like a dear in headlights, some faces were shocked, other's showed their amusement and worst of all some were eyeing her up and down. See what you've done now foolish girl?! Her subconscious whined. She looked longingly at the open double doors at the other side of the room, she could be alone there to calm at least. Thankfully a man spoke up and the room came to life, beautiful music danced its way into Sarah's ears and loud chatter and laughter echoed all around her. Taking a deep breath Sarah cautiously decided to edge towards the wide spread of food and drinks, praying for something strong to cool her off.
But she didn't make it so far, as she headed for the table a tall figure formed in front of her, she didn't look up, she didn't need to, she knew that stance anywhere, she had envisioned him in that blue jacket a thousand times and she was sure no one could ever magic themselves anywhere as dramatically as he did.
"Well well well… what have we here? Are you trying to get yourself in trouble Sarah?"
She couldn't force herself to look up at him, let alone answer him. She was afraid, in her dream she could control him, but here he held all the power.
"Very well, let us take this discussion somewhere private" before Sarah could protest, she was swept up in Jareth's magic and transported. When she regained her balance she looked around, she was in his throne room, on top of a wide pillar, facing him on his throne.
"I ask again, for the last time. Are you trying to get yourself in trouble Sarah?" To Sarah Jareth seemed very calm, he was lounging lazily on his throne, tapping his boot rhythmically with a riding crop, in his attire he looked far too fancy for this place. "Well?"
"No" she simply said, he straightened up at her response. He didn't seem all too calm now. "Why would you be so foolish as to wear something like that when you have been instructed otherwise? And why do I see you aren't wearing the pendant?" Sarah couldn't help but roll her eyes, a scolding of all things? She was almost thirty for goodness sake.
"Perhaps because I came here of my own freewill, and with that freewill I chose to dress in something I was comfortable in, and perhaps I didn't wear your pendant because as I have said before, you have no power over me, and I won't give you any, not even by wearing your pendant" Sarah couldn't stop her snarl, he was terrifying still but she was not about to be spoken down to by anyone. Her outburst was not met with anger however but more alarmingly with a smirk of intrigue.
"Please tell me you don't still believe those foolish words still offer you some protection? Oh Sarah you are amusing. You willingly accepted the invite of a Fae, you already gave me power by coming here. So let me rectify your little indiscretion." With a wave of his hand the pendant Sarah had left in her apartment was clasped around her neck like a choker, she felt collared and her frustrations teased, she was however thankful he left her dress alone, whether it was using magic or not, the thought of him dressing her was something she did not want to think about.
"Now, I believe we need to get back. In exchange for me allowing you to dress beyond your status, I want you to be my partner in my first dance. An honour for anyone, especially a mortal. Before your smart mouth answers me, you should know this is not a request." Sarah's mouth shut as quickly as it had opened. One dance couldn't kill and she had to accept some form of compromise if she wanted to explore.
"Ok your highness, but I want some ground rules" Jareth couldn't help his smile, even when told she had no power, she still tried to gain it back. He was glad to see that she had not entirely changed. "What are your terms, Sarah?" he rolled her name off his tongue lavishly, the way he said it unnerved her.
"No inappropriate touching, No nastiness or games, and total honesty"
"I will not touch you anywhere you don't ask me too, if you aren't nasty I will not feel the need to do so back or to toy with you and lastly, the Fae cannot lie" The Goblin King purposefully held her gaze so she knew how serious he was.
"Good. After you, your Majesty" Sarah gestured openly, she didn't know why she did that but she grew apprehensive knowing that very soon she would be dancing with him again and she just wanted to have it done now.
"Oh no Sarah, we arrive together now" The words he spoke seemed to have a hidden meaning, the tone he used was far too sinister for Sarah's liking shaking her head to clear her worries Sarah smiled towards Jareth who now was stood below her podium gesturing for her to take his gloved hand. Forcing herself to be strong Sarah took it. You can do it she told herself, she didn't truly believe it, but oh lord did she want too.