Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own characters and plot
Author's note: I'm sorry for the slight delay in updating but I'm not well. Rolling around in agony doesn't make it easy to type or think of the plot but I hope you enjoy this chapter. Reviews are much appreciated :)
Toby sat on Sarah's lap while they had their picnic lunch, however, they weren't on their own. The Goblin King sat on their right and Alana, who was playing chaperone, was sat on their left. Toby didn't really understand why Alana had to stay but the High Queen said she had to if the Goblin King was staying.
Toby really liked the Goblin King, he was really good at juggling crystals and he was hoping Jareth would help him with his birthday cake spell for Sarah. He also noticed that his sister's cheeks kept going red when Jareth said something nice to her. Alana also had a secret smile while she quietly sat eating an apple from the picnic Sarah had conjured. The best way to know what was going on was to ask, so the young fae boy got up and sat on Alana's lap.
"Alana," he whispered to his friend, "why does my sister keep going red when Jareth says something nice?"
"When a man says something nice to a woman he likes, its called a compliment," she explained in a whisper. "And if they really like each other, it means a lot more."
"The Goblin King likes my sister?"
"When you get older, Master Toby, you will know what signs to look for to know when two people like each other." So listening to Alana's words, Toby watched to try and learn.
"I'm so sorry I pounced on you like that, your Majesty," Sarah apologised, with a small smile.
"I must admit, that is not how I imagined meeting you again," Jareth responded, with a slight smirk. "I will say this though, you make an impressive panther."
He loved the blush that stained her cheeks. He always thought she was beautiful but to see her grown and, being turned fae had just enhanced her natural beauty, made Jareth's imagination run wild. He could see her spread on his black satin sheets, arching in pleasure, her face flush from his hands and mouth.
Jareth shifted slightly to hide his body's reaction and leaned a little closer to her. The breeze at that moment worked in his favour and her vanilla scent filled his nose with it's sweetness. Did she smell like that everywhere? Mentally hitting himself, Jareth snapped out of these thoughts and focused on the present.
"There is something I've been meaning to ask," he said to the woman beside him.
"Oh? What's that?" Sarah asked, curiosity colouring her voice.
"How did you and Toby get back to the Underground?"
"Your mother," Sarah answered simply. seeing the question in his eyes, she explained. "My father and step-mother died in a car accident and due to my title as Champion of the Labyrinth, I was in danger of being taken by a power hungry fae." Seeing the realisation dawn in his eyes, Sarah continued. "Your mother and father offered to take Toby and I as their wards and I also became your mother's Lady-in-waiting. Since then we have been well cared for, educated in the ways of the Underground and protected."
"Im so sorry for your loss, Sarah," Jareth said, his full of compassion. "I never knew what happened to you after you beat me as I was forbidden to look in on you. If I'd have known the danger you were in-"
"I don't blame you or anyone," she interrupted, reaching out to lightly touch his arm to comfort him. "What happened, happened, no one can change it and Toby and I are happy here."
Looking into her eyes, Jareth saw the truth of her words and was secretly glad that she would try and comfort him. Taking her hand off his arm, he held it in his and then brought it to his lips. He watched her carefully as he kissed first the back of her hand, then turned it over to kiss her inner wrist. Her soft gasp coupled with her blush was nearly his undoing till a throat cleared catch their attention.
Pulling her hand gently from his grasp, Sarah looked down at the blanket as she tried to sort out her feelings for a certain King. Looking up at Alana, she saw the fae woman raise her eyebrow at the Goblin King and Sarah had to bite her lip to stop a huge smile from appearing on her lips.
"Mister Goblin King?" Toby, who had been quiet till now, walked up to Jareth.
"Yes, Master Tobias," he answered with a smile at how he had been addressed.
"Could you help me with a spell?" Toby's young face was serious as he looked at the King.
"I would be honoured to help to you in anyway I can."
Holding out his hands, Toby frowned as he conjured a crystal then handed it to Jareth.
"Will it work?" The little fae boy asked. Jareth inspected the crystal, carefully reading the spell inside. Seeing the flaw in the spell, he encouraged Toby to sit next to him and he quietly instructed him on how to fix the flaw and make the spell hold. He was actually impressed with how much progress the boy had made in such a short time, then again he was related to Sarah so Jareth shouldn't of been too surprised.
"Very good," the Goblin King said, giving Toby the praise he deserved as he fixed his own spell. "Now, it will work."
Raising from his place next to the Goblin King, Toby held his crystal in front of him and walked over to his sister with a big grin. Placing the crystal in her hands, he popped it and a gorgeously decorated lemon birthday cake on a plate now rested on Sarah's hands. Seeing her look of joy at his surprise, Toby encouraged Jareth and Alana to join him in singing 'Happy Birthday' to his sister, who put down the cake wrapped him in her embrace and kissed him on the cheek once the song had ended.
The afternoon continued, till Alana reminded Sarah that she still needed to pick out a dress for the ball tonight. Seeing an opportunity, Jareth asked if he could escort them back to their rooms, Sarah accepted and Alana stayed close.
When they got to the door leading to Sarah's sitting room, Jareth took her hand by surprise and place a crystal in her palm. Looking into each other's eyes, he watched as a mischievous light entered her eyes.
"What's this, Goblin King? My dreams?" The smirk on her lips made him want kiss it off.
"No, precious," he replied, smiling at her question. "Just a birthday gift."
"How do I open it?"
"When you enter your rooms, throw it at a mannequin and the gift will reveal itself." raising her other hand, he once again kissed the back of her hand. "I hope you like it," and turned to leave before he got told off by Alana again. However, suddenly remembering her age, he had a thought that had him turn to face her.
"Tonight is your 'coming-out' ball, yes?" His question, had her turn to face him, her hand on the door knob.
"Yes, it is, why do you ask?"
"Come tomorrow, you will be receiving suitors and I wondered if you would ever accept me as one of your suitors?" His question caught her completely off guard and hope blossomed in her chest.
"Yes, I believe I would," her answer slightly coy.
Hope caused a smile to grace his lips and with a bow, Jareth left to get ready for the ball. He had planned on attending anyway in order to mingle but now he had an even better reason to go and he loved the build of anticipation in his heart.
Holding the crystal he gave her, Sarah entered her sitting room to find High Queen Cordelia waiting for her. In the room were three mannequins, each with a different dress and Sarah really didn't like them but had to chose one for the ball tonight.
"What did my son give you?" Cordelia asked, eyeing the crystal in her hand.
"I'm not sure," Sarah replied. "He said to throw it at a mannequin."
Waving her hand, the High Queen conjured an empty mannequin and encouraged Sarah to throw the crystal. The crystal shattered in a shower of sliver glitter that wrapped around the wooden shaped person and what was left behind was a dress so beautiful that both women gasped. The High Queen worried for a brief moment that it would be risqué for a 'Coming-out' ball but all doubt left her mind when she realised just how well the dress would compliment Sarah's figure.
"Well I think we know which dress you'll be wearing," Cordelia said and both women giggled, excitement building for the night.