Expect some smut next chapter, happy reading ;)
Chapter 5; Dance with me, Make me Sway.
As they entered the room, they captured the attention of everyone in it. The crowds parted making space for two to dance. Sarah couldn't help but listen to the whispers that surrounded them.
"The King isn't possibly about to ask her to dance with him surely?"
"The Scandal! His majesty dancing with a woman who dared dress as though she was entitled to his attention!"
"He did always take a liking to brunettes…"
Jareth stopped as they found the middle of the floor, Sarah unlinked her arm from his and took a few steps back before facing him. She was no expert in ballroom dancing nor did she know what they might dance like in the Underground, but she knew basic etiquette and had some rhythm. She only hoped her limited knowledge would come into play in this circumstance.
She lowered herself to a curtsey remembering her rank, she noticed through hooded eyes that Jareth bowed his response, he began to approach her to tell her to arise. One hand settled on his shoulder as his wrapped around her waist, their free hands joining together, they fit together so well that Sarah felt apprehensive. It was not supposed to feel so right.
A familiar twinkling echoed from the musicians, a song, a sad but beautiful love song began to play and Sarah couldn't hide her horror. It was their song, the song from their first time. Why would he do this? Sarah's eyes bore into Jareth's, they demanded an answer or at least some excuse. Jareth's eyebrow quirked showing he was not feeling obligated to obey her.
"Why?" She whispered a hiss at him, and he smiled. She knew the song but could not prepare for what came next. The King began to sing.
"There's such a sad love deep in your eyes,
A kind of pale jewel opened and closed within your eyes,
I'll place the sky, within your eyes"
It was all too much for Sarah, reliving this closeness, hearing his voice torment her the same way it once had. She turned her gaze to those around them, faces struck with awe and jealousy were focused on the two and she could not fathom why. Was it because it was his first dance? Was it they thought she held his favour? Was it because they felt the same thing Sarah did? Did they see how well the two foes fit together?
Sarah closed her eyes as the king sung the words that hit her hardest;
"As the pain sweeps through, makes no sense for you,
Every thrill has gone, wasn't too much fun at all,
But I'll be there for you, as the world falls down"
Every words like a dagger to the chest, it was all true, it was written almost for her. Her life was falling apart and Jareth was the only one stopping her failure from drowning her, he was the one who could save her career and her home. And he was there for her, just as he said. Without thinking Sarah leant into Jareth, her head lightly resting on his chest. The movement was processed with a slight smirk from the goblin king as he continued to sing, his triumph had come Oh so easily, and this night he would revel in it. For this night he had truly ensnared Sarah, just as he intended.
Jareth continued to sway Sarah gently as the song came to an end and the clock counted their time this night, Jareth would ensure he did not have to return her, not this night or any other. The music stopped, Sarah and Jareth broke apart to curtsey and bow to one another once more, the crowds clapped loudly and their chattering started up once more.
"He serenaded her!"
"Well we all know what this means!"
"Hahaha the poor girl, Jareth has staked his claim"
Sarah's head whipped round at those words. Staked his claim? Like fuck! She didn't know how true the statement was, but she sure as hell wasn't anyone's to claim. Is that why he did all this? The invite, the dress, the pendant and now the song? He was staking a claim?!
Jareth's hand on her shoulder pulled Sarah from her inner turmoil, as her eyes met Jareth's she saw the hunger in his gaze. That hadn't always been there had it?
"J-Jareth… I have to go…" she stammered. He knew she had finally caught on and his grin widened further. Whilst having her come so blindly too him had been fun, it was Sarah's fire he desired more. She started to back away slightly, keeping herself calm in the hopes he wouldn't notice she was planning on retreating as far away from him as possible.
"You cannot run this time, my little Victor"
That's when the penny dropped… it had truly been him in the dream, he hadn't manipulated her, taken advantage of her weaknesses, he had exploited her, and now she was at his mercy. "Jareth, let me go home" she said breathlessly, suddenly the ballroom felt overcrowded, her vision was growing blurry as she panicked. Looking around her, her eyes met with the double doors again, she had to leave.
"I dare you Sarah, I dare you to run from me. But beware, when I find you, I will claim you."
Her eyes widened. Surely he didn't mean it? He couldn't be serious! She took two steps back all the while watching him to see if he was going to directly chase her.
"You have till the thirteenth hour to hide, for when the clock strikes, you will be mine"
Sarah saw the seriousness in his warning, although he appeared casual and calm, she saw his shoulders square up, poised and ready for the hunt. She refused to allow him the satisfaction of her cowering any longer, trusting he wasn't immediately about to follow her, Sarah turned towards the double doors and walked quickly out of them so not to cause too big a scene. Once she was out of the doors, she planned to kick off her shoes and run as quickly as she could. She may not be able to magic her way home, she may not be able to say the verse she once had to defeat him but she sure as hell did not have to give in to him.
Jareth watched Sarah's walk quicken as she got closer to the double doors, his victory was fast approaching and he would enjoy her surrender, especially knowing she had come so willingly to him.
"You're letting her leave your Majesty? I must say from the performance you put on, you two were going to retire early this evening" Kenneth questioned his King with a slight chuckle. Jareth hadn't cared how it looked to those observing them, to him he was in the room enjoying Sarah's warmth.
"She is being allowed a head start, but otherwise Kenneth, believe me when I say that Sarah Williams will not be leaving The Underground. Not now, not ever".