Disclaimer: I don't own Jareth…but I own his brother (evil smirk and malevolent laughter)
Last Time:
The tall nymph female nodded. "Still, don't let Zaynon do to her what he did to me. He must not corrupt her, or all will be lost."
"My brother," seethed Jareth under his breath. "Will pay for what he did to the woman that loved him with his miserable life." And from the garden the silver haired fae strode with his intended bridle style in his arms.
Eskelan sighed as she hugged herself. "Zaynon, my beloved…what happened to you to cause such corruption…"
This Time:
Daughter of the Labyrinth
Chapter 15- Like an Endless Dance
Jade hummed a little tuneless tune as she sat before her vanity. Kira was behind her pinning up Jaden's mass of dark tresses into a beautiful style that the mortal girl assumed was fae. There were no sausage curls for Jaden, her raven hair was put up so it was in a disarrayed fashion, but elegant. Two strands of ebony hung down to curve back up into the rest of Jade's hair; creating loops at her temples. Course it wasn't just her hair that was done up; Jade's lids were painted a violet with black eyeliner (her personal touch).
Jade's dress however, had taken her breath away. When she had woken from her deep sleep, feeling more energized then she had in days, she saw it. Hanging outside her wardrobe it was near black in color in the fire's golden glow. Yet with her rising and walking to it in awe, Jade found it was a dark shade of purple, and not only that, it was also made of smooth and sleek velvet.
"You look gorgeous Jaden," exclaimed Kira as she patted her shoulder notifying the humming girl her job was done. "You'll be the envy of the ball!"
"Thank you Kira," Jade whispered smiling into the mirror even if she really didn't want anyone to be envious of her. "I wouldn't look my best if it wasn't for you."
The young fae maid's cheeks flushed with color. "I doubt that my lady, you are always beautiful."
"Indeed she is," stated a masculine voice from behind the chattering woman.
Both maid and mortal jumped two feet into the air in pure shock. Jade however, being that she was sitting down, almost toppled the bench and herself to the floor. Whipping their eyes about behind them once composed, Kira and Jade found the King of Goblins smirking at them with hidden mirth. Jaden scowled at him, trying to ignore how gorgeous he looked.
Jareth was elaborately dressed in black leather britches, with freshly polished knee high boots. Beneath the black leather tail coat hanging loosely open and lined with the maroon of his country, showed off a white poet shirt. The deep V of the frilly neckline showed off Jareth's well toned and pale chest. Around his neck like always was his emblem in gold, settled against the chest Jade fought to keep from starring at. The silver unruly hair was just as unruly as ever, but this time there was black and maroon running through the silver in small streaks. Jareth, the King of Goblins was simply, but elegantly dressed and he was perfectly poised as she stood there arrogantly with his hands behind his back.
"See something you like my dear," inquired Jareth arrogantly with a smirk on his gorgeous face.
Jade felt her face burn with a blush as she realized she had been starring when she was struggling not to. Huffing and turning her nose into the air the mortal girl composed herself the best she could.
"All I see is a pompous ass that nearly made me fall off my bench when he popped out of nowhere like Genie out of Aladdin!"
"Aladdin?" questioned the fae king cocking his head to the side in confusion at Jaden's mortal analogy.
Sighing the young maiden stood keeping her back to her escort. "It was a movie I watched as a child. A giant blue genie who gives wishes is servant to a thief called Aladdin."
"Ah," stated a now enlightened king as he grinned and bowed deeply at the waist. "Then I hope my lady will accept my deepest apologies?"
Looking over her shoulder at Jareth, Jade gave slightly disgruntled look. "Do I have to?"
Remaining in his deep bow, Jade heard Jareth snicker; she scowled again. "If my lady wishes to attend the ball she will," he threatened. "Course if she wants to remain locked in her room that would work as well." Returning to his full six foot height, Jade could see the mischievous smirk that the Goblin King wore. "Kinda like Cinderella perhaps?"
"Jerk," snapped Jade as turned on her booted feet to stare at him, ignoring the fact that he had just made another Disney reference without knowing it. Her green eyes met the mismatching sphere of Jareth and she mentally sighed feeling her resolve failing. "I forgive you…I guess."
"You guess?"
"Yes, guess."
Jareth shook his head enjoying his little spat with his spitfire mortal but they needed to be off or they would be late. "Is she ready Kira?"
Kira nodded while sweetly smiling at the pair. "She'll be the most gorgeous woman there; Lady Jaden will be the envy of the ball as I said earlier." The maid gestured to Jade's hair piled atop her head. "I put her hair up in a traditional fae style with intertwining ribbons the shade of her gown and silver beads as well."
He strode to the slightly blushing mortal girl who had her head bowed politely as well as bashfully. She was an exquisite image of embodied beauty. The deep purple of the gown showed off Jade's flawless porcelain skin where it was exposed from the low and open neck. Jareth found that he had to restrain himself from laying passionate kisses across Jade's neck. The already slim waist was magnified by the purple cloth and the silver ribbons that braided the front of the dress to tie in the back. The bell like skirt flared out, but not to the point where it looked ridiculous like the dresses some of the noble woman wore. Yet through Jareth's examination, he found something was still missing.
Stopping just before her, the silver haired fae placed a flow in the cress where the piled hair met the back of Jade's head. Stepping gracefully back to admire his work, Jareth smiled softly and spoke just as softly.
"Now, she's finished."
Lifting her head, Jade stared at her escort for the evening. The soft sincere smile made nervous butterflies take flight in her stomach. But gaining her composure, Jaden looked into the vanity's polished mirror to see what the youngest son of the High King Vannor had placed in her ebony hair.
There atop her head, off center with her mass of pinned hair was a beautiful flower of deep magenta, with a yellow throat, and as big as her palm. "This is Eskelan's flower isn't it?" She knew it was, but she knew it was polite to ask.
"It is," answered Jareth with a slight nod. "She asked that you wear one of her flowers; it would honor her if you would. Course she was the one that said you would be beyond gorgeous in that shade of purple." Holding out a leather gloved hand Jareth waited for the young woman to take it, and she did instantly. "I have found that I must agree; your beauty is beyond words to express."
Words failed her as Jade stared up into Jareth's transfixing gaze. She could barely breathe let alone speak. Still she felt the warmth in her cheeks as she blushed from the compliment. Jareth smirked down at the speechless girl with a bright blush on her face saying nothing.
"Shall we go then?" and without an answer the King folded Jaden's arm around his and the duo vanished from Jade's chambers to appear just outside a pair of heavy doors the girl knew instantly.
She gawked at them in shock and gulped. Jade's stomach churned in nervousness as her heart fluttered about her chest. What lay beyond those large wooden doors she knew, yet didn't quite know; nobility yes, what they expected of her…not so much. But what truly nerve racked the poor anxious girl was the fact that a certain dark fae king was lurking somewhere within that crowd of people.
"J-Jareth…" Jade stammered as her body shook.
With a steady hand, Jareth stroked Jaden's cheek and Jade found herself immediately calming. "We will be announced, and then proceed through the doors and from there down the stairs to the dance floor."
Jade turned to the fae male at her side. "W-why, I t-though…"
"It is a custom to have the hosting King to lead off the ball."
From the other side of the doors Jade heard her and Jareth's named and titles being announced; she swallowed again, loudly.
"You could have told me that!" she snapped under her breath as the doors opened. Jareth merely shrugged finding it unimportant. "You-" Jade seethed under her breath but was drawn short of her insult as Jareth tugged her forward.
Nervous fear built up in the bottom of Jade's stomach weighing her down. She clutched Jareth's arm till her knuckles were white; Jareth only chuckled at the mortal girl's anxiousness. Course all Jade wanted to do was glare fire at daggers at the male at her side, but kept her face politely passive, masking everything she felt. Emerald eyes wandered over the eerily still and silent crowd that stood about the Ballroom; all eyes on the descending pair. Was it shock of the mortal's almost unnatural beauty that kept words at bay, or the immense power that flowed off the odd yet fascinating couple? What ever it was the crowd was speechless and starred on in awe. Only the sound of the orchestra starting up shook them from their daze.
Jade took a large breath in and let it out slowly to calm her nerves that were near the breaking point. Her anxious eyes were strained on the crimson carpeted steps she descending. Jaden didn't even notice Jareth lean closer to her till his hushed honey scented whispered voice blew in her ear, driving shivers down her spine like padded paws.
"Can you waltz Jaden?" he whispered huskily in the girl's ear.
Jade looked to him and was taken back at how close the fae King's face was to her own. With words escaping her grasp, the young Jade merely nodded as they stopped at the bottom of the steps.
The Goblin King grinned wildly. "Good to know!"
"What you-"
But Jade's question went unfinished as she was swept suddenly into a graceful mind boggling waltz.
A strong gloved hand was at the small of the young girl's back, while the other held her right hand strongly, but gently as well. Swirling around the dance floor Jade knew only the man that held her so securely. She felt the leather beneath her naked fingertips; cool and strong, just like the king beneath it.
Jareth lead the dazed mortal about the floor with a feline grace he alone seemed to possess. His soul-searching blue and black spheres only saw Jade. Her wide green eyes starring up at him knew only him in return. The other residence of the dance hall were immaterial, all that was important, all that was heard was the magical flow of the fae waltz. Jade let herself be lead by the proclaimed cruel and cold Goblin King, but being held in his arms she knew that was only a kingly façade Jareth wore. Her Goblin King was so much more; beneath his foreboding nature, intimidating character, and his malevolent twitch of his lips, Jareth was so much more.
Jade always pondered why her mother would have turned down such a fascinating man. Did she not see the gracious man that King Jareth could be? Could Sarah Williams not see that life with the Goblin King would be far from normal; it was an unordinary life mother and child wanted, couldn't the mother see it? Course if that had happened; Jaden wouldn't be dancing with the man she had fallen for.
With a blissful smile spread across her face Jade rested her head on Jareth's strong warm shoulder, while he led them across the open dance floor.
Jareth grinned down at the girl resting her head on his chest and shoulder, a genuine smile on her face. "Enjoying yourself kitten?"
"Mmm," murmured back the girl as she looked up at her handsome host. "Course I am, I'm here with you aren't I?"
"Indeed you are," grinned back the majestic fae. "But this dance is about over I'm afraid."
"Is it really?" pouted Jaden.
The raven haired mortal saw the slight flicker of mischief in Jareth eyes before it vanished leaving Jade to wonder if she really had seen it. Still though, it was her warning sign, and she had learned to trust her instincts when it involved Jareth and her instincts were telling to hightail it out of there.
Jade opened her mouth to inquire about the strange look, but her words were halted as Jareth maneuvered his hands and dropped the shocked female into a dramatic dip. The music stopped, the murmurs of the bystanders finally became noticed, yet Jade's eyes never left the face smiling down at her with soft affection.
Raising a singly gloved hand above his head, Jareth snapped his leather clad fingers. The loud almost harsh sound reverberated off the thick stone walls, sounding like war drums in the distance. From the doomed ceiling the pure white drapes covering the mural fell. The once pure ivory drapes magically changed into the colors of the Goblin Kingdom; maroon and gold. But that wasn't what had caught the whole room's attention.
There in the mural's center were a empty space had once been, was none other then the mortal girl in the King's arms that very instant. Jade stared wide eyed at it, as her dance partner brought her to her feet. The painting she found, as so realistic that it was freaking; like starring into the ceiling as if it was a mirror. Jaden saw that she sat beneath Eskelan's tree in a deep peaceful slumber, just like she did earlier that day. However, instead of the red dress she wore that day, the shimmering emerald and black lace gown she had worn on her first day in the Underground was the dress she wore. It brought back the memory of the murky dungeon but also the fact that she remember Jareth's face when he saw her in it the first time; Jade found herself unable to resist smiling.
"You like it then?"
Jade tore her eyes from the paint to the creature of such masculine beauty it should be a sin. Without really knowing why, the raven haired young woman laid a delicate hand on Jareth's cheek. "It's gorgeous Jareth, thank you…"
Jareth saw the tears of joy in Jaden's gorgeous bright green eyes, but saw her holding them back; he remembered she was never one to openly cry could she help it. Laying his gloved limb over her naked one, he grinned down at her with swelling pride. How was he so lucky to find such a creature as her?
"Anything for you my dear," he whispered then encircled Jade's slim waist and faced his guests. "Welcome," said Jareth loudly but friendly and politely. "Welcome to my home; I hope you all enjoy the yearly ball this year. So with no further interruptions, let the festivities begin!"
At Jareth's greeting words male fae turned to their partners and swept the woman around the floor. Laughter and talk filled the large ballroom as Jareth led his own dance partner to a secluded nook of cushioned couches and chairs before a blazing fire in a marble hearth. Even before Jade had barely sat down she was pounced upon by the High King Vannor.
"My dear girl I haven't seen a mortal dance so fluidly with a fae waltz before!" he exclaimed with bottled ecstasy.
Jade giggled and blushed as she took the glass of sparkling wine Jareth handed to her. "Thank you very much You Majesty, but your fae waltz isn't much different then our waltz. Given that the music is completely different, but the tempo is no different," Jade said as she grinned politely up at the elder king that seemed still perplexed by her explanation. "And I know how to dance anyway; I'm not unfamiliar with a waltz."
Vannor made an 'O' face as his beloved wife suddenly appeared by his side smiling cheerfully the sitting woman-child.
"You were magnificent child! You'll have all the women envious if you don't already, and all the men begging for a dance!!"
Jade gazed between the three figures standing about her chair in a semi-circle. In her emerald pools there was a nervous panic they all could read. Jaden fumbled for words; her mouth working but no words coming out. Giving up Jade just looked down at the bubbling liquid in her crystal glass; she just gave an annoyed humph.
Jareth chuckled and laid a hand on her pale exposed shoulder. "You can always decline Jaden."
Jade gave another annoyed humph. "Yea, like that will keep you male fae's away. If anything that'll encourage them more; a fae male always likes a challenge." Looking to the males in her presence, Jaden found both Jareth and Vannor grinning mischievously. "Am I wrong,' question Jade as she raised a brow in inquiry.
"Indeed you are my dear kitten," answered Jareth silently grinning with mirth lightly.
Jade groaned and downed the rest of her drink in one swallow and savored how the liquid flowed down her parched throat. "This is all your fault for flouncing me about like some trophy; jerk."
"But such a pretty trophy," smirked the silver haired fae king as he lifted Jade's chin with a long finger.
"Which means Zaynon will never leave me alone," whimpered the mortal girl as she hugged herself against the icy chill and shiver that engulfed her body. "I think I'll refrain from saying his name."
"Wise decision my dear," voice Vannor in a far more serious manner. "They say to say the name is to summon the man."
Jaden shivered anew, but kept her voice strong as she spoke softly. "Sounds just like Jareth; more like brothers then just looks…" At Jade's words the trio of nobles went deadly quit. Looking up from her lap, Jade found all three looking uncomfortable and starring in three different directions. The tension in the air sparked like the flames in the hearth. "My apologies Your Majesties; that was uncalled for…"
Jade starred into her lap knowing perfectly well she had said too much.
Terra turned to her and laid a lace covered hand on her cheek; Jaden saw the tears the High Queen was fighting off. "It is not you who needs to apologize." Jade gave the older fae woman a weak smile, with regret and encouragement in her eyes. "Perhaps that lump of laziness I call a husband would be willing to share a dance with you?"
Vannor whined as he glared at his wife childishly. "I am not a lump of laziness."
Jareth and Terra laughed at that, which led Jade to the conclusion that the High King was in fact a lazy bum. Smiling with hidden mirth Jaden raised herself to her feet.
"Perhaps the High King would grace me with this next dance?" she asked politely as she curtsied.
The silver haired elder fae straightened at the asking after a dance. "Of course dear Lady, I believe the perfect lively dance is about to play. Are you familiar with a folk reel?"
The raven haired maiden gave a panicky shake of the head.
"Fabulous! No time like the present to learn!!" Exclaimed Vannor as he wrapped an arm around Jade's waist, hauling her to the dance floor before protests ever left her mouth.
With a worried glance over her shoulder, Jade gave Jareth a pleading look for assistance, but all she found was a fae male hiding his mirth behind a grin. It was Terra though that was visibly chuckling behind her gloved hand. Jaden gave them both the dirtiest look she could muster, their laughter only became magnified; Terra was in hysterical laughter, while Jareth let loose his charming laughter. Turning once more to where she was being led, the mortal girl exhaled roughly in annyence.
Vannor by her side smirked when a whisper about faes and their annoying sense of humor reached his keen ears. Leading the young lady to the floor with feline grace, the High King placed a hand on Jade's waist, and took the petite hand in his own larger one.
Jade gulped as she saw other couples take up the same pose; stationary as if waiting for a waltz to begin. She looked up at Vannor smiling sheepishly. "Umm…"
"Just follow my lead Jaden," encouraged the man that held her securely in his strong arms.
All the young maiden could do was give a curt nod.
The dance hall burst to life as the jovial music bounced off the stone walls. Vannor, the High King of the Underground spun a bewildered Jaden around in tight graceful and precise circles. Jaden soo fell into the flow of the dance after a few steps, and the stomping of the king's feet which only caused her to turn a shade of crimson. The dance began in a waltz, but soon after about to leading steps of the men, the woman was flung out and spun twice and brought back in. It was fluid, and it was fast. Again and again Jade was swept into the waltzing steps and dizzy spins, however Jade never saw what came next.
Before the mortal knew it, her partner had vanished beneath her hands and she starred at nothing but h dancers around her. Nervous panic bloomed in Jaden's chest; the fact of embarrassing Jareth more then herself driving her panic. Yet all that was swept away by the sudden jerking motion as her feet once more stepped in time with the music. Looking hesitantly up, Jade blushed; the man holding her and staring at her was not Vannor, but a young twin prince from earlier that day.
The deeply tanned young fae male smiled at her. "Lady Jaden."
"Prince Ash?" she inquired softly. The twins were undeniably identical. No visual distinctions separated the two brothers at all. Both had thick black wavy locks, deeply tanned faces and bright pale green eyes that sparkled with youthful mischief. Their wide toothy grins were cute and handsome at once, but like their eyes, were unmistakably the grins of a prankster.
"Prince Scelt actually," he answered politely.
Jade flushed scarlet and murmured a shay apology.
Scelt only smiled that genuine yet pranking grin. "Quite alright my Lady, my own mother has difficulty separating us."
Jaden smiled then, a small sign of laughter in her bright emerald eyes. "So how am I to keep you two apart?" The mortal teen never took notice that the dance had come to an end till Scelt had released her and placed both hands on his hips grinning mirthfully.
"That's an easy one!"
"Yo Scelt, you lucky twerp; you beat me to her!" exclaimed a playful voice.
Jade and Scelt looked behind them and found a devilishly smirking Scelt double. This was Prince Ash, the more reckless, tactless and more blunt brother of the two.
Scelt grinned at his brother. "So I did brother, what you gonna do about it?"
"Beat you to a pulp when we get back to our rooms," declared Prince Ash.
"I have a better idea," chirped up Jaden worried that it would really come to blows. "How about I dance with you next Prince Ash; it would be an honor to dance with you."
Ash let the devilish grin become replaced with a more pleasant and honest smile as he came forward and politely bowed before Jaden. "I do believe the Lady as a point dear brother," calmly spoke Ash as he took up Jade's hand and kissed the back of her knuckles in a charming manner that left her speechless and blushing once more. "But the honor is mine to have; there's not a more gorgeous young maiden here, then yourself."
Jade murmured a bashful thank you and curtsied as Prince Ash of the Red Dessert swept her into a graceful dance of the fae.
The night went on blissfully in the swirl of flailing skirts, intake of sparkling wine and the like, to be finished off with the constant sound of marry making. While in the background the consistent thrum of the falling rain and the rumble of the thunder filled the air. Jaden hadn't had such a brilliant night of excitement and joy before, it was a new experience. In the whirlwind of the ways of the Underground the raven haired Jade found herself loving the place she had come to know. She didn't let the icy death glares originating from Princess Krystal bother her and spoil her mood and happy night. There were more spectacular things to worry about, and Jade found herself staring down at it blissfully.
Jade smiled down at the man that had brought so much to her. Jareth smiled back at her from where he stood speaking with Claymore and another unknown lord. Lifting her glass to her rosy lips, Jade let the soothing liquid cure her parched throat. Draining the last bit that lurked at the crystal's bottom, the mortal let her arm fall back to lie on the marble banister.
"I've hadn't had this much fun in quiet some time, if at all," Jade murmured with a half smile gracing her flawless face.
Crow chuckled at her side; her bodyguard for the evening. "Then you lived a pretty sheltered life then ha?"
"Yea," whispered Jade as her half smile fell to a small frown. "I did, but I'm here now and that's what matters."
"So true," agreed the harpy male as his molten pools roamed over the dancing crowd below him.
It Jade was correct, and she was sure she was, Crow was looking for someone. A certain fae lady dressed in breeches and an embroidered jacket the colors of the Goblin Castle. A certain auburn haired thief that now stood alone, lingering against a pillar as she kept her eyes keenly on her friend and king. Jade watched her harpy friend's shoulder hunch as he stared longingly at Sheera. The lack of movement made the spitfire teen a little more then annoyed; she mentally groaned.
"Go ask her Crow."
Crow turned to the mortal girl at his side with a look both perplexed and anxious. "Ask who?"
Jade inwardly sighed. "Sheera, you bloody idiot! Go ask her do dance; you've been eyeing her all night. I'm sure Jareth wouldn't mind if you two slack off guarding him for a harmless dance."
Crow sighed deeply, his eyes never leaving the unmoving thief. "It's not Jareth we're really guarding tonight…" The harpy turned to his mortal charge and friend. "It's you we're all worrying about."
The mortal turned arrogantly away as she huffed annoyingly. "I can take care of myself I'll have you know. I have learned enough magic to protect myself efficiently."
"Yea well…" droned Crow uncertain not in Jaden's abilities but of a certain someone else's abilities. "When Zaynon is around we don't let our guard down."
Jade let her green eyes wonder and search over the crowd for the dark fae king and prince. "I haven't seen him though…not like I want to however."
"He's here, there's no doubt in my mind; Axel and Kraven as well," sneered out the handsome harpy male as his molten amber eyes narrowed over the busy dance hall. "They wouldn't pass up such an opportunity to waltz around among their enemies, without worrying about whose knife it's gonna be stabbing them in the back."
Seeing her friend's still tense stance Jade sighed once more. "Go dance with her Crow, before I take maters into my own hands." She let the warning hand in the air as she eyed her companion with a critical eye. Jade watched as Crow sputtered protests, but soon a gracious smile showed on his tan and handsome face. "Go get her tiger," smirked Jade as she pushed him to the stairs and watched as he went to Sheera and asked surprisingly politely to dance with Sheera.
The thief looked to be beyond surprised from where Jade stood, but soon with a little red in her cheeks Sheera took the extended hand. Jaden watched from her perch as her friends made their way to the dance floor and was swept away in the music, smiles and laughter.
"Who would have thought those two would be love birds…"
"I could have guessed," echoed a malevolent voice from the shadows behind Jaden. "I am his brother after all."
Spinning around Jade's shocked emerald eyes met sinister bloody pools that were Kraven's eyes. She sneered at the dark harpy with as much hatred and she could muster into a look. "If you were really siblings you'd act like it!"
Kraven stepped further from the shadows to be followed by the fire haired Axel. "Blood sings to blood my dear, whether if laws banish a son doesn't change that the fact that I still exist." The harpy from Hell took a few more steps closer forcing Jade to back into the stone railing. "Zaynon still exists even when his family thinks he doesn't."
Jaden snarled and glared fire and daggers. "Zaynon betrayed his family, just as you had! You both are lucky to be alive, and be happy that your families didn't kill you on the spot!!"
Axel stepped forward as he raised a fist wrapped around a battle ready blade. "Bitch," he seethed.
Kraven threw out his arm to stop his companions advance. "That may be so girl, but we are still alive, so don't forget it." The dark harpy took another step forward so his legs brushed against Jade's skirts as he lined down to her. "Zaynon sends a message Lady: Save me the last dance."
"Tell Zaynon and you two for that matter can go to fucking Hell!!" seethed out Jade through clenched teeth as she struggled to appear brave instead of fearful.
Kraven only chuckled devilishly as he lifted a hand to Jade's cheek, she flinched away but still the back of his knuckles stroked her cheek bone. "After you little human… after you." In a wisp of black mist the two dark creatures were gone, leaving a shivering and fear struck girl behind.
How long she stood there in a fearful daze she didn't know, but someone was calling her name through her scared mine.
"Jaden? You alright Jaden?" asked a nervous Jareth, he didn't like her pale face, or how her body seemed to quake with almost invisible shivers.
Blinking several times to clear her glazed vision, Jade turned to the man speaking her name in a soft anxious caress. She found Jareth standing at her side, concern in his blue and black pools.
"Jareth?" whispered the girl uncertain if it was real or just her overactive imagination.
Jareth lifted a hand to cup his consort's cheek. "Jaden you alright, you look shaken and pale. "
Lining into the warm comforting hand she smiled softly. "I'm alright…"
"You sure? If you're tired you can retire for the evening," smoothly spoke the Goblin King as he pulled the shaken maiden into the warm circle of his arms. "I have course won't be able to join you I'm afraid."
Jade looked up to peer into the mismatched eyes Jareth possessed, while she fought to keep the smile on her face to hide her unease. "I'm alright Jareth, really, so how about you stop worrying about me and be my partner for the next fae reel."
Jareth grinned proudly and bowed deeply at the waist. "It would be an honor my Lady," and taking her hand, the King of Goblins led Jade to the dance floor once more.
However, no matter how much she smiled, no matter how hard she tried to hide and push aside her unease, it only became greater in weight. It bore down on her as if someone or something was pushing her beneath a mass of frigid water. It grew in intensity till it was no longer felt like water, but lead. All the while in Jareth's arms, Jade felt herself weighed down by the fact that something was going to happen. Something horrible was going to shatter the moment that she had with Jareth this night.
In a whirl of skirts and laughter, Jaden was thrust from her thoughts and worries by the disappearance of the man that had held her so warmly. However, before the raven haired girl could thick clearly she was wrenched once more into the dance by a pair of new hands.
Her vision blurry, she made out black clothing; black leather to be exact. A chest of iron steel lay beneath the layer of clothing; she could felt the rippling muscles against her chest as she moved with the music. Cold hands like vices held her firmly but not painfully; one held her right hand while the other was dangerously low on her back. Forcing away the fog that gripped her brain, Jade found the strength to gaze into the spheres of the man that held her. What she found was something that took her breath away with little to no effort; she had no breath to spare to gasp or scream for that matter. The young innocent mortal Jaden just stared transfixed in absolute blood freezing horror.
"What's wrong little Jaden, surprised to see me?"
A/N: thx for waiting so patiently with the long time it has taken me to update. I've been unbelievably busy as of late and it's beyond annoying. I hope u like this chapter, nothing to terribly important in it, but it certainly leads up to something. Hope the cliffhanger didn't irk you ppl too much XD
Thx for read, and remember to review, I love reviews!
BLAZE