Disclaimer: I don't own it, I make no profit from it, too bad for me.
A/N: Ah, the dreaded cliff hanger. I'm sorry I had to do that to you, hopefully some lemony bits in this chapter will make up for it. As I said before, nothing is ever as it seems. It seems that the review function is again down. I see them all in my notifications, thank you all!
Ebony-Dove: Yes, he just seemed to accept things a little too easily, didn't he?
Kellyn1604: Consequences, lots of consequences.
Sazzle76: I cannot promise I won't do it again. But I will make it worth it.
Ariella21: Sarah being Fae and the bad guys not knowing it has such endless possibilities.
Kevin looked at Sarah with a combination of fascination and horror. Deep fear kept him rooted to the spot. Sarah was awash in bright white light, making her seem ten feet tall. Her head thrown back and her mouth opened in a silent scream.
"What is happening?" Fiona asked weakly, concern on her face.
"The Labyrinth" Jareth replied. "She has called on its power. It will infuse her with incredible strength and power for short bursts, but it will leave her exhausted, mentally and physically."
Kevin ran from Sarah to where he had Jareth, Fiona and Conall shackled. Pulling an iron dagger from his pocket, he grabbed the nearest hostage, Conall.
"One step, Sarah, one move toward me and his blood will be on your hands." Kevin said as he grabbed Conall be the hair and pointed the dagger at his throat.
"Kevin, you sniveling coward." Sarah said. Her green eyes brighter than emeralds, her voice vibrating with anger and power. "I should have known that you accepted us too easily. You didn't even bat an eye when I transported us or when Jareth showed up. How long have you known?" She demanded.
"Sarah, listen, I didn't have a choice. He came to me and said, If I help them get the kids separated from their parents, got them tied up in court and held in jail for a couple of days, they would make sure I was well compensated. I would have been able to pay off all my debts, retire in style." Kevin whined.
"Money!" Sarah shouted. "You did this all for money?" She closed her eyes and took a calming, cleansing breath, then asked with deceptive gentleness, "Did you do it? Did you kill Barry?"
"No!" He exclaimed. "No, I swear, it wasn't me!" His hand convulsively tightened on the dagger, his eyes rolling in fear. "I went to the bodega, just like I said. Only I didn't call Barry, I called the boss and told him that you had the kids and the parents. I told him I thought you wanted to put them in a safe house and that I was supposed to call Barry. That's all I did! I swear! I just made a phone call!" By the end, Kevin was shouting hysterically, waving the dagger around and nearly stabbing Conall in the eye.
Sarah waved her hand and the bindings fell away from Liam and Siobhan, she waved it again and the glamour fell away, their true forms emerging as they slowly woke from their forced sleep.
Looking again at Kevin, she smiled an evil smile, a feral gleam in her eyes. "Just a phone call? JUST A PHONE CALL?" Her voice rose several octaves. "Do you know what you set in motion? They took his head off, you bastard! They gutted him like a trout! Cut out his tongue and CUT OFF HIS HANDS!"
Jareth leaned over and whispered to Fiona, "She's losing control. It's too much power for her, she can't wield it." Fiona nodded, her eyes as round as saucers as she watched Sarah glow brighter and become more unstable.
"We must do something, My Lord." She whispered back. "Help her in some way."
Sarah, my love. Jareth whispered to her mind. Let me in, let me take some of this burden from you.
Sarah turned diamond bright eyes toward Jareth and snarled. Lifting a hand to her head she raked it down her face, leaving bloody trails in its wake. In her mind, she whimpered.
Jareth! What do I do? I feel like I'm exploding!
Share the power with me, Sarah. He replied. Open your mind for me and let me in, together we can control this and direct it toward Kevin. No one else needs to get hurt here today.
Help me! She whispered.
Kevin looked with confusion from Jareth to Sarah and back again. "Whatever you two are doing, stop!" Kevin shouted nervously.
Sarah opened her mind to Jareth and immediately sensed a calming relief. Some of the agonizing power ebbed away from her. She felt more in control of herself. Jareth took immediate advantage of the power surge and shattered his iron shackles, placing a hand on Fiona, he helped her do the same.
"Go to Sarah," He ordered. Fiona ran to Sarah, Liam and Siobhan. Embracing the latter two as they turned to watch Jareth advancing on Kevin.
Kevin, in true cowardly fashion, placed Conall in front of him and pressed the dagger to his neck.
"One more step and he's dead!" Kevin shouted, continuing to move back, dragging Conall with him.
Jareth assessed the situation, trying to decide if there was any way to get a crystal beyond Conall to Kevin, without hurting Conall in the process. Making matters more difficult, was the fact that Conall was tall and broad, Kevin was fully hidden behind him, the only reason Conall had dispatched the mad man already, was the iron dagger at his throat.
"My Liege," Conall said sadly, "It would seem that we are at an impasse."
"You don't speak!" Kevin shrieked, pulling Conall more tightly to him. The blade of the dagger perilously close to breaking skin.
Jareth sighed heavily and looked at Conall with pride and sorrow. "I shall name my first born son for you." Jareth said quietly. With that the two men nodded at each other.
Sarah and Fiona shouted from behind them, Liam and Siobhan were frozen in shock. Jareth drew a crystal to his fingertips, as it elongated and became a silver sword, Conall turned toward Kevin, driving the dagger deep into his own throat. As they turned Jareth drove the sword deep into Kevin's chest driving the blade clear through and out of his back. Blood spurted and sprayed over all of them. Conall collapsed with a look of peace on his face, Kevin, still alive but fading fast, looked at Jareth in horror as he saw his own blood pumping out of his chest.
Sarah and Fiona ran toward them, Fiona throwing herself down next to Conall. "Oh, my love." She whispered. Placing kisses along his forehead and cheek. "You have made me so proud. Such a sacrifice!" She wept, gathering him close to her. Uncaring of the blood that stained her hands and gown.
"Fiona, my sweet," Conall rasped. "I have loved you for centuries," he wheezed and coughed, his gaze becoming distant.
"Hush, don't talk. Save your strength." Fiona said gently. Placing a kiss against his mouth.
"There is nothing to save my strength for my love. You know it and I know it." He paused and looked her deeply in the eye. "I love you." He took his last breath on a sigh then moved no more.
Sarah clung to Jareth, now that the danger had passed, her strength had left her, she looked up at him, sadness and sorrow etched deeply on her face. Siobhan and Liam came and put their arms around Fiona, pulling her away from Conall's body.
When they were clear, Jareth drew up a crystal and whispered a spell over it. Standing next to his body, he placed the crystal on Conall's chest and stepped back. With a wave of his hand, Conall's body disappeared.
"Where did he go?" Sarah asked.
"I sent him back to the castle. He will be prepared for burial there and given full honors. His sacrifice will not go unnoticed." Jareth replied.
Sarah turned her head to look at Kevin's body. "What about him?" She asked, her voice dripping with disgust.
"I will gladly leave him to rot and be eaten by rats." Jareth spat. "Come," he continued. "Let us go honor Conall and take a moment to recoup."
"Wait," Sarah pulled back on his hand that suddenly held a crystal. "I thought Liam and Siobhan couldn't go back right now. I thought you bound to the above."
Jareth chuckled a little at that. "My dear wife," he said silkily, "You shattered that little spell with your rather impressive display."
Holy shit! She thought. I broke his spell? Me?
Jareth threw the crystal at their feet and they all reappeared in the Goblin Castle library. Liam and Siobhan sighed in relief, Fiona cried silently.
"Ah, Your Majesty." A voice said behind them. "I am glad to see you have returned safely."
Jareth turned and shook the man's hand, drawing Sarah forward. "Aldric, this is Sarah." Jareth introduced them. "My wife."
Aldric bowed low and took Sarah's hand. "My Queen." He said.
"Unfortunately," Jareth continued, "We don't have time for social pleasantries. I'm sure you have been informed that Conall's body has been transported here for burial."
"Yes, Sire." He said turning to Fiona. "My Lady, my deepest condolences. I have instructed the staff to begin preparing rooms for you all. Liam and Siobhan," He said addressing the twins, "You may not remember me, but I was a close advisor to your parents. I am honored to see you again in the underground." Sweeping his arm to indicate that they should go with him he said, "Please allow me to show you to your quarters. Majesties, your rooms are ready at your leisure."
After they had gone, Sarah took a deep breath and turned to Jareth. "So," she began, "The Champion returns to the scene of the crime."
Sighing heavily, Jareth drew her into his arms, placing a light kiss on her forehead. "I owe you so many explanations." He said heavily.
"Ya think?"
"If I promise to explain all in due time, can we table this discussion for a later date? There are many things to see to and I think for now, you need rest and food."
"I'll hold you to that promise." She said, understanding his need to see to Conall first.
"Then by all means, My Lady." He said, wrapping her in his arms, "Let us retire to our rooms." Throwing a crystal, Jareth transported them to his bedchamber. When her world stopped spinning, Sarah took in the room she found herself in. Spacious and airy, Jareth's private chamber were done in bold, masculine colors. Deep purples, bold reds and accents of smoky grey. Dominating the room, a huge four poster bed with luscious silk and satin bedding in rich purple and grey.
"I feel like I could sleep for a year." Sarah said, walking over to the bed.
"You are feeling the after effects of too much power too soon." Jareth explained, walking over to stand beside her. "You'll feel much refreshed after some food and sleep. Conall's funeral will be at dawn, that gives you plenty of time to rest and eat."
Sarah turned a glittering gaze on him. "I was thinking of another use for this bed." She said slyly.
"Sarah, I,"
"Jareth, make love to me." She interrupted. "Give me this, help me forget all of the death and loss, if only for a few minutes." She implored, looking at him sadly.
Jareth held out and hand and Sarah stepped to him, wrapping her arms around his neck, she brought him to her for a kiss. She poured all of her sadness, her doubts, fears and love into that kiss. When he ran his tongue along her lower lip, she opened willingly for him, sliding her tongue in a dance with his, tangling her fingers in his hair.
He pulled back and looked at her with heavy lidded eyes, "Are you certain?" He asked.
She smiled and pulled him back toward her. "We're married," She murmured against his lips. "What's the worst that could happen?"
With a wave of her hand, she removed their clothes and tumbled him onto the bed. Laughing softly at his huff of surprise, she began nibbling along his neck and running her hands up and down his side. Grabbing her waist, he rolled and took her with him, pinning her beneath him. Sarah boldly moved her hand between them and began stroking him, not surprised to find him hard and ready for her.
"My, my, Goblin King, whatever shall we do with that?" She asked cheekily, giving him a bawdy grin.
Jareth groaned as her hand wrapped around him, he wanted to slow her down, savor this moment when she came to him, not only willingly but knowingly. He dipped his head to kiss her, moving his lips over hers gently at first, then more demanding. He felt her breath hitch and her heart race. He stroked and caressed her, savoring her soft moans and pleas for more. His tongue traced an erect nipple and he grinned as she shuddered, her hand squeezing him more tightly.
"Easy love," he chuckled. "It is attached."
Sarah grinned and continued to stroke him firmly. "Don't worry, My King, your bits and baubles are safe with me."
Jareth groaned and kissed her hard, then he nibbled his way down her neck, pausing to lightly bite at the juncture of her neck and shoulder, feeling emboldened by her heavy moan, he continued down to her collar bone, pausing to run his tongue along the hollow of her throat. His tongue blazed a trail between her breasts and down her belly. He paused to nip lightly at her hip, then continued on to his goal. Laying between her legs, he looked up at her and whispered reassuringly at her look of alarm. "Do not worry, love. If you don't like this, I will stop immediately." Then he ran his tongue along her fold and smiled as her toes curled and she let out a passionate groan.
Sarah felt like her veins were filed with molten lava. The feel of Jareth's tongue against her was like nothing she could have ever imagined. Lost in sensation, she pushed herself against him, trying to ease the tantalizing ache at her core. Mumbling incoherent words of praise and passion, she tunneled her fingers into his hair. "Jareth!" She cried as she felt herself come apart. As her world tilted, she was sure she saw stars behind her eyes as she barreled over the edge.
She felt languid and soft as she stroked her hand down his head. Delightful shivers still running through her body. "That was….amazing." She said, looking down at him and smiling shyly.
"We're not done yet, love" He said and in one fluid movement he raised himself up and thrust deep inside of her. Her startled moan of pleasure swallowed by his kiss.
Jareth set a frantic pace, coaxing and demanding her to keep up, her breathless moans driving him on. When she wrapped her legs around his waist and matched him thrust for thrust, he groaned and buried his face in her neck. He would never get enough of this feeling. Centuries wouldn't be enough of the pleasure she brought him. Her soft sighs and the thrust of her hips nearly drove him insane.
"Now, Jareth!" She cried, sinking her teeth into his shoulder. He let out a shuddering moan and felt his release at the same time as he felt her convulse around him, throwing his head back he thrust deeply one more time and then collapsed beside her, drawing her over to drape over his chest.
Stroking her hair with one hand, he drew the blankets over them. "Sleep now, love." Waving a hand over her, he felt her slide into a deep, dreamless sleep. Tomorrow would be enough time to face the sadness and the danger again. Tonight, they would lay sheltered in each other's arms.