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Last Time:

Jade still looked at the male fae she admired. "He? Who's he-" Jade cut herself off as pure darkness came crashing down on her, so her breath came out in a harsh whoosh of air, and the answer came instantly. Her eyes grew wide as nervous panic was replaced with fearful dread. "Zaynon," she gasped in a whisper her knees buckling under her at the realization and Crow caught her before she could reach the ground.

"Zaynon," she whispered again as Crow forced her to his side and on her feet. "Zaynon is here…" and as the words left her pale lips, the gate doors crashed open as the sound of them hitting the wall echoed through the hall.

There standing proud and strong, a companioned by two others as clouds of dark vapor flowed about them. This was none other then Zaynon, the Dark King himself making his appearance.

This Time:

Daughter of the Labyrinth

Chapter 13- Family Reunion

That evil grin was plastered across his handsome yet fearful face. The mane of ebony tresses was unbound to flow down the fae's back. There was not a single breath of a breeze, but still Zaynon's hair floated around him as did his dark traveling clock. The dark king was garbed in of course black, all black leather. It clung to his frame like a second skin as he dark haunting powers did the same.

Jade was trembling in her place, as her green eyes were wide with dread and fear. She would have bolted from the room to lock herself in her bedchamber. However, mortal girl was too afraid to move for fear of drawing unwanted attention to herself. And that was the last thing the young woman wanted; to have those cold amber eyes burrowing into her very soul and stripping her bare. But building what courage she could, Jade snuffed out her whimpers as she huddled closer to Crow. The harpy male remained starring forward, but touch Jade's hand ever so slightly.

Zaynon strode forward with his long muscular legs that flexed underneath the layer of tight leather. He came to a stop before the stern Goblin King; a cold sneer spread on the Lord of Darkness's face. "Jareth," he growled out to his younger brother.

"Zaynon," Jareth said calmly but with venom lacing the despised name.

The dark man's grin broadened as harsh gold clashed with unyielding blue and black. The brothers were the spitting image of each other; it was freaky. Jade had to fight the memory of the Dark Lord every time she looked at Jareth. The raven haired human remembered it was said the King of Goblins was cruel and harsh when crossed; she knew all to well. Zaynon on the other hand was a far different matter. He was evil incarnate with no need of motivation to be cruel and merciless. The banished Dark Prince put new meaning to the word brutality.

Zaynon motioned to the individuals at his right and left. "Goblin King, I believe you've met Kraven and Axel?" The dark haired fae just stared back at Jareth as he ignored the others as if they didn't even exist.

Jareth snarled but nodded every so slightly. "I do believe I have."

Jade could just hear the silver haired fae barking out "Fucking pleasantries can go to hell!" within his head. The humorous thought of Jareth swearing put Jade a little more at ease, but still she was trembled. Still she tore her eyes from the dark fae to gaze at his dominating companions.

Facing Sheera with a malevolent sneer was a male fae with short hair while the bangs remained long and covering his right eye. Odd enough was the hair cut, but as well as the color; the top layer of hair was pitch black, while underneath was a mix of red and orange giving the impression of fire. His obsidian eyes seemed to be bottomless and soulless, making the young Jade shiver. Turning her emerald gaze to the man before Crow, the air in her lungs froze in her chest. The evil dark creature before her was none other then a harpy as well. Worse yet, he was almost a replica of Crow. The difference thought, was this new harpy's had keen ruby eyes. Jade sharply gasped in fear; in the crimson depths of those eyes she found a soul screaming for blood and war. Jaden never felt herself become as pale as a sheet of paper.

However, Jade's fearful gasp was enough to draw the ruby eyed harpy's attention to her. Scarlet pools like blood burrowed down on her with a lustful gaze for blood, anyone's blood. A sinister smirk spread across the Crow look-alike.

"Yours young Crow," inquired the harpy.

Crow stiffened and unfurled his inky black wing to eclipse Jade from view. "Keep your blood stained hands to yourself Kraven," seethed the younger harpy male as he spat out the name.

Kraven only let a small evil chuckle rattle his chest as he sneered at Crow. "But my dear little brother, you don't want me to rip your arm off like I did your wing, do you?"

Jade looked up at her guard with sympathy in her bright pools of green. She saw him clench his jaw and his hands balled into fists. Crow, the patient and perverted Crow was fighting the urge to fling out a fist and punch the mocking harpy. Jade knew she could grant little comfort for her friend, but she placed a hand on his shoulder none the less and happily felt him relax.

The short conversation however, had gained Zaynon's attention.

"What is it Kraven?"

Kraven huffed fluffing his dark obsidian wings adorned his back. "Just a human wench mi'lord."

Jaden snarled at the insult and threw caution into the wind in that instant. Spreading some flight wings carefully, Jade glared at the other harpy. "Watch the insults bub, or you'll be the one with one less wing, or two for that matter."

Crow used his arm to shove the teen behind him while through her a warning glare over his shoulder. Jade only gave her friend an innocent apologetic smile.

Zaynon contemplating the presence of just any mortal girl being in the Underground, he raised a dark brow at Jareth; who remained passive as possible. "A human girl…is that right?" smirked the dark foreboding fae. "She wouldn't go by the name of Jaden, would she?"

Hearing her full name leaving Zaynon's lips fear gripped every fiber of her being. Whipping around skirt held up Jade bolted for the stairs at her back, all she wanted was to leave the dark filled room. Yet for Jaden, it wasn't as easy as she had thought.

With a sudden surprised squeal Jade was grabbed around the waist and felt her back hit a strong chest of iron, incased by leather. "Leather!" screamed her mind. "Don't look Jade, don't look," she told herself, but still she looked up and over her shoulder.

Molten gold eyes, diamond hard and just as cold burrowed into Jade's shock filled eyes. Upon seeing Zaynon's face so close, she remembered the kiss he gave as well as took. As fearful as she was anger swelled in her chest; fire burned in her veins at the memory. A snarl crossed the human girl's face as she her struggles were fought against the relentless iron grip. Even as she struggled for freedom, Jade noticed that as she was held against the dark prince's chest, her struggles were further subdued by the bellowing cape.

The clock stroked her bare arms with a soft misty caress. Like a heavy fog clinging to a wander's skin. A heavy and suffocating fog, with an eerie presence of darkness dwelling within it; was waiting till terror grips you and never let's go. Something you couldn't get away from, no matter how far or fast you ran.

"Let me go!" cried Jade, her ire and distress lacing her words as she continued to struggle. She was never afraid of anything before, but when it came to the Dark King, all she felt was fear; overwhelming fear that would swallow her and keep her there forever. All Jade wanted into those frightening moments were comfort; warm comfort and security of an embrace of one strong man.

"JARETH!!!" she screamed.

And then he was there, fighting off the darkness swirling around Jade's mind waiting to devour her with the simple vibrations of his voice. "Let her go Zaynon!!"

Lifting her head and raising her bright green eyes, Jade's fearful spheres met the blue and black of the Goblin King. "Jareth…" she murmured as her body became slack and motionless.

Zaynon glared daggers at his younger brother. "Why should I little brother?!" And with a quick jerk the Dark Prince forced Jaden closer to his body, while a cry of surprise and fright left her pale lips.

Jareth glared fire and daggers as his elder sibling. "You are on my land, within my home and the Lady that I am courting hostage in your arms. I think it would be wise to release her; the High King and Queen don't take kindly to having their future daughter-in-law being manhandled."

Jade straight at Jareth with surprise and uncertainty in her emerald gaze; the Goblin King had called her the "Lady that I am courting". Jareth had always been a mystery and a puzzle unable to be solved, and now he was even more so to Jade. "Why did he call me that?"She asked herself, her gaze never leaving his gorgeous face.

"Is that so?" snarled Zaynon with venom dripping form his mouth. Angry amber eyes finally turned to the married couple standing off to the side. The Lord of Darkness pierced the couple with a glare, to only have Vannor glare back while holding his distressed wife close. "Father…mother…" hissed out the dark fae.

"You are no son of mine, Zaynon," seethed Vannor, his face emotionless other then the burning rage in his black eyes. "Release the young maiden, now."

Zaynon snarled, flashing pearly white fangs as his molten eyes shimmered with pent up wrath. With a growl of frustration, to Jade's surprise she was shoved away like an unwanted toy. Tumbling over both skirt and feet, Jade finally felt warm and strong arms catch her and wrap her in a blanket of security. Looking up, the young mortal woman found Jareth peering down at her with concern deep within his mismatched eyes.

"You alright?"

"I am now," answered Jaden with a nod as she remained clinging to the Goblin King. "Just a little shaken up is all."

A chuckle of malevolent intent chilled the air and gripped Jade with icy fingers; she whimpered awaiting the beautiful yet cruel voice.

"If I only shook you up, then I'll have to try harder next time."

Then before Jaden's eyes as she clung to the warmth the silver haired fae gave off, she saw them. Sheera, Crow, and even Jareth's parents were there standing before her; defending her, as Jareth hugged her closer. It surprised her greatly to see so many coming to her defense.

"You will not lay a finger on Jade," seethed Sheera as she brandished a sword at the Dark Lord. The dark fae just raised a brow. "You'll get to Jaden over my dead body!!"
A sinister snicker rumbled through the air as the oddly haired man stepped forward with long daggers in both gloved hands. "That can be arranged, wench!"

Crow snarled as he took a few steps forward to have the fae thief at his back. "You'll go through me first, fire-sprit!"

"Then that means I can take that other wing of yours," smirked Kraven. "Brother."

Crow said nothing, just spat fire at his brother with his molten gold gaze, while glossy black wings ruffled in pent up ire.

The young teen found herself awed at how many rivalries flaring and sparking with tension; it could be felt in the motionless air. Jade felt so out of place, yet said as well. She was the cause of all of the confrontation, yet they protected her without hesitation. Looking to the High King and his lady, she searched for guidance, but was shocked to find that they had taken their place at the front.

"Vannor…Terra…" whispered Jade.

The father of the Goblin King stepped up to his banished son; they sized each other up while flashing glares at each other. "Zaynon…you show any violence here, and I'll personally see to it that your immunity of the council is stripped and let your enemies tare you apart."

The elder son snarled as his he became livid with the elder fae's threat, but he leashed his temper surprisingly. With a curt stiff bow Zaynon answered. "Very well my king," he raised his head and the King of Darkness let his relentless gaze pierce of the group till it lad itself upon Jade in Jareth's arms. "Till the council then," and the trio of dark creatures disappeared in a misty cloud of inky blackness.

Jaden could suppress the shiver that crawled up her spine from the look she received from Zaynon. It gave a message that would no doubt be carried out. "You're mine!"

Vannor as well as the rest turned to the still shaken young girl as she clung to her fae protector. "If he bothers you again my dear, do not hesitate to tell Jareth or I; we will take care of him."

"Don't leave me out of this," pouted Crow as he crossed his arm over his clothed chest. "I got a debt to give the bastard Kraven that needs to be taken care of."

Sheera shockingly laid a hand on the handsome harpy's shoulder. "We know Crow; we know,' she whispered with encouragement in her soft words. "We all have unfinished business we need to take care of."

Everyone glanced at Jareth who remained as stern and expressionless as always. The awkwardness in the air however, was like a tickle of a feather, slight and irritating on Jade's skin.

"Sooo…" droned out the raven haired girl trying to break the uncomfortable silence. "To the council then?"

"Yes," spoke Terra with surprising strength. The High Queen hadn't uttered a single word to her eldest son, but the look in her azure eyes was one of being deeply troubled and depressed. "The council will be held in an hour or so; we have things to take care of before then."

Jade stepped away from the platinum blonde that held her to go to the troubled Terra. However, Jareth's grip on her remained strong and prevented her from going to his mother. Looking up at the fae King with a questioning look, he shook his head.

"I need to speak with you."

"…okay," shrugged Jade; she was trying to shrug off the feeling of helplessness Zaynon had put her in, but that proved fruitless. Nothing she did convinced her that everything was alright; Zaynon, the Dark King was in the same castle and who knows how far from her room he was.

"Alone," Jareth said shacking Jade from her thoughts with the harsh undertone the King of Goblins spoke in. The mortal just nodded know it better to submit then fight when it came to Jareth, whether or not if she had a choice in the matter.

Taking Jade one more securely around the waist, vanished without a trace; only a patch of glitter a reminder of their departure. The group left behind looked amongst themselves perplexed. Sheera looked at Crow, who looked right back as they shared a look. Jareth's parents caught the look and grew confused.

"What's is it?" inquired Terra.

Raising their hand, the pair had three finger held up, as if they were counting. "Three," spoke the thief and harpy in unison. "Two…One…"

"WHAAAAAAT!!!!!?" Shrieked out a female voice, so that it rang out through the whole Goblin Castle and reached all the residence's ears.

"Good lord," gapped Vannor looking about at the ceiling as if his dark orbs could find the screeching girl. "That girl's got a pair of lungs on her, that's for sure."

The thief and harpy nodded several times in unison, agreeing without hesitation.

Terra grinned up at her husband with glee. "Looks like Jareth's going to have his hand fulls with this one."

Vannor chuckled, a masculine sound rumbling through the Grand Hall as he led his beloved wife to their rooms. "Yes indeed; it looks like our young Jareth as finally met his match."

Crow and Sheera followed behind trying to smoother their laughter, but still the sounds of mirth burst forth to bounce off the stone walls.

-O-

"You got to be kidding me!?" gapped Jade, more frustrated with the silver haired fae then she ever remembered. "When did I become you intended, Your Highness!?"

Jareth wanted to groan noticing the sarcasm Jade had spoke his title with. He had enough on his plate already, he didn't need Jade's temper to be the sugar topping. He refrained from groaning however, Goblin Kings don't groan, especially in front of a female of any race. "When Zaynon had you in his arms, I thought of the first thing that would make him let go."

Jade looked up from where she sat atop the foot of Jareth's bed; her eyes burned with ire. "That's what you came up with! And besides that, why is he even here anyway!?!"

"He's the Lord of Dagon, the Land of Shadows, and the Realm of Evil. King of everything dark and sinful, and being king, he is part of the High Court."

Green eyes stared on in confusion. "I thought he was stripped of his royal power and became the Dark Fae. You said it was degrading to be announced as the Lord/King of Darkness."

Stopping his anxious pacing Jareth turned to an immobile Jaden and nodded. "There is no greater shame then being proclaimed the ruler of Dagon."

The raven sighed. "He shouldn't be here then…" she whispered as she placed her chin in her fist, her eyes starring intently at the floor.

The Goblin King saw the tress burdening the seemly fragile human girl, with the urge to comfort her, Jareth stood before her in two large strides. Taking her face between his gloved hands Jareth turned Jade's to look up at his.

"I can't agree with you more Jaden, but what's done is done. He is the reason we are having this meeting as well; he's the cause of the imbalance of power." Still seeing the troubled look in the green pools, the fae king kneeled before the young dazzling maiden. "He will not touch you Jaden. If I have to guard your chamber door myself, I will."

To Jareth's surprise, Jade gave him a full lovely smile. "I trust you Jareth; I know you'd do anything to keep me safe," she giggled a little and Jareth let his gloved hands fall to Jade's side, flat upon the bed's blankets; he was obviously confused, so Jade choose to enlighten him. "Your comment of me being your courted female is proof of that."

Jareth gave a small chuckle as he took to his feet once more. "Indeed Lady Jaden," he said with a smirk. "But there's two benefits to this outcome."

"Oh really?" inquired the young girl with a cocked brow as she starred straight at the tall dominating male. "And what would those two reasons be?"

Bending gracefully at the waist, Jareth made sure he was eye level with the young maiden sitting calmly atop his bed. Jareth's ice and black eyes starred into Jaden's confused green emerald spheres with strange intensity. Raising a leather gloved hand, the fae king held Jade's face in his one right hand, the thumb stroking the perfectly formed cheekbone.

"Do you remember the kiss he shared?" he asked softly with an oddly affectionate air. Jade's face warmed and glowed with a strong blush as the memory came back to her. The Goblin King grinned from the mere sight and the sheer heat that found its way through his glove.

"I believe that to be a yes?"

Jade blushed further. Averting her eyes to her fingers, she watched as they fumbling with her skirt in nervousness. Once finding her voice, the raven haired teen spoke, but very softly, barely meeting a whisper. "How could I ever forget; it was something I never felt before…"

Jareth smirked and took the anxious nimble fingers in his own hands, and pulled Jade to her feet. "I relieve that moment every minute of the day Jaden." Releasing a hand, the platinum haired fae stroked the midnight black tresses. "You're so fascinating Jade; everything about you fascinates me."

"…Jareth..." breathed Jade with a hint of an uncertain whimper. She was unable to say more; she was melting in the strong arms of the Goblin King. The strong agile hands stroking her length of hair was so calming and peaceful it gave her a fluttering feeling in her heart and stomach.

Jareth drew the still blush Jade closer so she fit to his frame, and so perfectly did she fit. And she never resisted either. He was glad to find that the spitfire he had protected for some months truly accepted him as he was…flaws and all.

"Jaden…I love you…I've watched so long, I can no longer hold myself back."

Jaden starred up in shock. "Jareth…I…I…" she couldn't find words to say.

However, even if she had words to speak they would have been consumed by the passionate kiss that was laid upon her rosy lips. Jaden was shocked beyond al reason, but the way Jareth played his lips over her own made her body go numb and slack. The mortal girl was putty in the great ruler's arms, as the male fae woke fires in her body she never thought existed.

Jareth didn't want to hear her answer, he wanted to feel it. Feel the answer from her lips as they were pressed against his in a dance done through the ages. Slipping a hand around the slim waist of the mortal girl and another to grasp the nap of Jade's neck, Jareth deepened the kiss. Jade answered him without knowledge of doing so, because she kissed Jareth back with the same intensity that he bore down on her.

The Goblin King nibbled at Jade's lower lip with a fang to arouse a moan of pleasure of the young woman. Licking where he had nibbled, Jareth asked for entrance, and he was instantly granted it. They fought each other for dominance even when Jade knew she could never win, she fought anyway; Jareth won in the end of course. In their tumbling dance of passionate kisses and nibbles, they clung to each other till nothing but the clothing they wore separated them.

So engrossed into their kisses, Jade never felt her arms leave the hard iron chest of her fae king to encircle his slim neck, deepening their kiss even further. The Jaden didn't know that she had fisted her slim fingers in the silken mane of silver hair until she pulled slightly had found Jareth giving a manly groan into her mouth.

Jareth however, knew that he meeting would be assembling very soon. The time for such intimate moments would have to come later. The Goblin King had control, but the young woman that clung to him like her life like was driving all notions of responsibility and rationality from his mind. If things went on much longer, Jareth didn't know if he could hold himself back. So reluctantly, the mighty King Jareth backed off slowly, but still remained holding the woman close.

Jade opened her eyes, leaving them half lidded. She appeared to be in a drugged daze, but Jareth was the drug. Her breath came in hollow gasps as she fought to get it back from the king's sudden invasion. The King of Goblins had sucked out every last ounce of her strength, leaving her weak and wanting more. The words of love registered in her mind then.

"Jareth…I…"

"Shh," he whispered placed a finger lightly on her lips. "Your mind may not know if you love me in return, but I know other wise."

Jade just gave him the best confused look she could as she fought to disperse the mists of passion from her mind.

Slacking his grip Jareth let Jade test her footing to see if she had the strength to stand. "I'm afraid my dear, that I must leave you."

"Why so soon?" she asked starring down at her feet that somehow found the strength to hold her numb yet boiling passion filled body.

With a half smirk of amusement Jareth drew the woman in held into an embrace. "I must be there to greet everyone kitten."

Jade nodded as her head rested against Jareth's strong chest; she could feel and hear his heartbeat. Strong and loud, healthy and young; it was this heart that he loved her with, yet she couldn't find the strength or knowledge to answer him. Perhaps the time between the assembling of the council and the ball this evening would give her enough time to reach an answer. The council members were leaving Jade and Princess Krystal to their own supervision; Jade hoped she wouldn't run into her.

Reluctantly releasing Jaden, Jareth smiled down at her with love clearing seen in his eyes; she smiled back. "You're allowed to stay within my chambers if you wish, or return to you own Jaden. You can wonder around at your leisure, except into the council room as you know."

Huffing slightly with hands on her hips Jade growled playfully. "I know that Spiky, so don't worry." Looking around the dark yet slight fengshui (sp?) room, Jade grinned at the Goblin King. "I think I'll stay for a bit, never know what one will find in a fae's bedroom."

Jade blushed instantly as the words left her mouth, and she clasped her hands over her mouth in shock. The words sounded way more perverted out loud then they did in her head.

Jareth let slight mirth grace his face at Jade embarrassment. "Some how, I knew you'd say something like that," Jareth said with a sigh but smiled none the less. "Just don't make a mess, or you'll be the one picking it up."

The teen pouted earning her a burst of silky laughter from the king as he swept down the iron stairway. "Give your brother a tongue lashing for me!!" she yelled after Jareth. Only another burst of silken masculine laughter was the answer that she heard before the chamber door shut.

Still a shiver went up her spin at the thought of Dagon's King; Zaynon. Jade remembered the look he gave her before he vanished in his cloud of darkness. It was a warning look; a look telling Jade that no matter how or where she hid herself, or who protected her, he intended to find her and give her no quarter to his hellish fury. A shiver shook the mortal girl and she hugged herself, wishing for Jareth's warmth. She would never truly feel safe from the demon fae's clawed clutches while he resided in Goblin Castle, she just felt even more trapped.

"Stay safe Jareth," she whispered as she walked to the balcony and looked over the vast Labyrinth.

A storm burrowed on the horizon, a grey-black color, while carrying with it heavy rains and the electric charges of blue lightning. Already the storm front had hit the Goblin Castle. The building wind pulled at Jade's inky black mane and crimson dress as she stood out in the open, unsheltered upon the King's balcony. The storm facing her was so much like the one that was blowing on her balcony windows when Zaynon had appeared kidnapping her. The thunderstorm raging toward her was no different then her last, and it indeed had the Dark Lord's power written all over it.

Hugging herself tighter against the blistering winds Jade gazed down to the maze once more. Even the Labyrinth seemed restless as the wind blew through its constant twists and turns; it wasn't just Jade that felt restless and anxious. "None of this seems right…something's wrong…."

A/N: YEA ITS DONE!!! sry to those that have been looking forward to this chapter. I had less time then I expected to work on it. but here it is and I hope it makes up for the wait! the next chapter is the council chapter and I think this one is going to be a little bit more difficult. Political things involve and I'm not a very politically active person (sigh) but it should be toooooo long. Course I have a fanfic contest among my friends, so I'll be working on that too. (deeply sighs) I can barely write two at once! How can I put another three in there, even if they are one shot!!!? HAAA THE HORROR!!!

Cheers………BLAZE out