Chapter 8.

Robert's law partner was at the airport waiting when they stepped off the plane. He waved to them. Robert ushered the hollow-eyed Karen past the other passengers disembarking. "Kevin, thank you so much." He said as they approached. "I didn't think a cab would be a good idea." He looked to his wife with sympathy.

Kevin MacNulty nodded, paused to kiss Karen's cheek. "I agree." He took the arm of the mourning woman and guided her towards the baggage area to reclaim their luggage. "Did you let Sarah know you coming in this morning?"

Robert nodded. "She said she'd have everything nice and quiet for Karen when we got there."

"That is one great kid you got there, Robert." Kevin said as they stood waiting on the luggage. "Smart, kind hearted, and not bad looking."

Robert gave his partner a sideways glance. "You think she's pretty?"

Kevin thought about it, "Not like Linda was…not showy pretty, but yeah, I think she's pretty…don't you?"

Robert did not smile, did not laugh, "I've never given it much thought I guess." He looked at Kevin. "Would you be interested in her if she were older?" He asked softly not wanting Karen to hear this conversation.

For a moment, Kevin looked like he was not going to answer. "Well, truth be told, her age does not really matter to me, Robert. I just always held back because I figured you wouldn't approve."

Robert knew his partner had a bit of a playboy reputation. He considered and said quickly. "Would you like to date my daughter?"

Kevin looked surprised. "Bob, are you trying to arrange a marriage?" he joked.

Robert looked guilty. "Maybe."

Kevin looked at his long time partner; "Bob…I'm not the marring kind…strictly a love em and leave em sort…that's me."

Robert reached for the bag coming on the carousel. "That's too bad." He sighed. "I need to get her spoken for and fast."

"Bob?" Kevin put a hand out. "You look serious."

Robert nodded, "I am." He leaned closer. "I'm half tempted to call that client in Arabia and see if he wants to expand his harem."

Kevin looked over to where Karen sat holding the box containing her father's ashes. "Bob, don't do anything rash…I mean…if your serious, Yeah…I take Sarah." He advised. "Let's just give this conversation a day or two…"

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Jareth sat in the window, orb in hand. Why he had the urge to watch Robert was beyond him. Hearing the conversation did not please him at all. "Quinn! He is going to force her to marry someone! And it's not us!" Jareth left the ledge. "We have to do something! She can't marry a mortal…she's our consort!"

'Jareth, be calm.' Ordered the other half. 'I believe it's time to make a visit.'

"Giles!" Jareth shouted. "Giles! I need you." Jareth listened to the plan in his head.

The Archer entered the throne room. "Sire?"

"We need to go rescue Sarah, her father is trying to arrange a marriage." Jareth stated.

Giles stumbled. "He's what?"

Ryan was right behind Giles. "In this day and age?"

Jareth frowned, "It would be wrong for him to do that in any day or age…she's our consort!" He looked at Giles, "You have half an hour to change and be ready. We will use the complex portals. We don't want to be popping out of Sarah's walls." Jareth headed to his chamber. "Go man….move!"

Giles ran behind the king.

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Sarah had made sure the kids were clean and fed. She did not want Karen to worry about anything. She saw MacNulty's car pull up and took a deep breath. When Karen emerged from the car, Sarah felt for her. Sarah met her at the front door, took the box to place it on the credenza. She then hugged her Stepmother who whimpered pitifully.

Toby and Kerry then hugged their mother, who clung to them as if her life depended on it. Karen's best friend Marge was there and took Karen up the stairs with the kids toward the master bedroom.

Sarah looked at her father and Kevin as they carried the bags in and deposited them in the front hall. "Daddy." She hugged him and looked to Kevin. "Thank you, Mr. MacNulty, for picking them up."

Kevin, spurred on by his conversation with Robert, looked at the girl with interest. "You're welcome…Sarah." He looked at Robert. "Go rest old friend." He watched as his partner went off towards his study. "Could I have a word with you?" The lawyer whispered to the girl. "Outside."

Sarah followed him to the porch expecting him to voice concern for her parents. "Yes?"

Kevin looked at her, a half smile playing at his lips. "How old are you now?"

The little hairs on the back of her neck suddenly rose. "I'll be eighteen in October, why?'

He looked down at her; the summer dress hugged the womanly curves. "Would you like to go sailing some time this summer, Sarah?"

Sarah had heard the stories of girls going out on the MacNulty boat. She had heard of his boasts of conquests at sea. "I don't think that very wise."

"Your dad thinks we should get to know each other." Kevin said more than suggestively. "Can't say I'd mind…" He was staring at her bosom. "Nope, not at all."

"I would." An accented voice broke in. "I'd mind very much."

Kevin turned and looked at the fair-haired man wearing an expensive English cut suit. "And who would you be?"

"The man she's going to marry." Jareth's voice said. 'Quinn, help! Do not let me lose her.'

'We won't.' came the answer. 'We won't lose her.'

Kevin snorted, then looked down at the girl. "Well, so you are not the innocent I thought you to be." He looked at the man. "Her father is interested in marring her off to me, as quick as a flash, wonder why."

The Fae moved closer. "I wouldn't be in such a rush if I were you." He held a hand out and Sarah rushed past the lawyer into the arms of the Fae King. "You see, the lady is spoken for."

Kevin looked at them; "You'd best take that up with her father."

The Fae protectively and possessively held the girl. "I'm here to do just that."

Kevin nodded. "Well good luck with that." He looked at Sarah. "The invitation to the boat is open."

The Fae waited until the man had pulled away. "Was he propositioning you?" She nodded, and the Fae looked at Giles. "Give us a moment." As Giles walked away, the Fae leaned down and said. "Free pass number four, baby."

Her head snapped up and she growled. "Don't call me baby!" She tried to pull free. "Let go…Quinn."

"Nope, I'm on a mission from…. The King." He pulled her closer, seeing the car come back around the corner. "The vulture is still at our door, and I've promised the King that the royal consort would marry no one but The Goblin King!"

Sarah looked at the Fae and whispered, "You did what?" she looked over to where Giles was trying to look nonchalant. "Couldn't Jareth do this?"

"The man made it as far as he could, have a heart Sarah." Quinn sounded melancholy. "Now, be good enough to announce me to your Father." He looked over to Giles. "Stay out here, and wait for me, I'm going to have words with her father."

Looking dazed the girl exclaimed. "Which you do I announce?"

The Fae smiled. "J. G. King, let's keep things simple, shall we?"

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Robert felt a rising surge of hysteria, as if he were in a trap. He wanted to contribute it all to fatigue, but knew better. His skin was crawling, his hair standing on end. His heart pounded and he could hear the roar of blood in his ears. His knees were quaking and his head hurt. It was just as it had been on the day Sarah graduated…

He had recognized the blond, how could he not. He was Fae. More than Fae, he was Royal Fae. He was…Robert refused the thought. He would not have this thought! He would not draw that to him. He would fix it; he would give Sarah to a Mortal.

Robert paced, wanting to blame someone, but whom? Whom could he blame? Linda for running off with that fancy dandy actor… the one who made him cringe even now as he tried to pretend friendship. He did not like him, did not trust him, he was too…fanciful! He wanted to blame Sarah, for having met the man called King at all…how could she have met him? How could she not see?

Robert saw…he knew…The man called King was a Fae…not just a Fae, but a Royal Fae…Robert was ready to pull his hair out, he refused the thought yet again. This was not his fault; he had done all that he could. He had kept the secret! He had guarded the family, he had held thing together even after Linda had gone running off after fame and the smell of grease paint.

Robert wondered if he had waited too long. Could he be to blame? Sarah should have been warned of the dangers. She should have given up the toys, games, and costumes long ago…but they made her happy…. Robert felt the pain in his temples. It was close…the danger was so close.

A tap at the door came, Sarah's voice said. "Daddy, there's someone here to see you."

The door opened, Robert turned, his face lost all color and he choked out. "YOU." Terror in his eyes and his fists balled up.

The lean fair-haired man with mismatched eyes walked in, cocked his head to one side, sniffed the air and glared right back at the quaking man. "Nephilim…. Child of the fallen …" The Fae accused. He turned to the girl at his side. "Go to your room."

"But I don't understand…" she protested.

Leather clad gloves gripped her chin, then cupped it tenderly. "Go to your room, Sarah." The voice was familiar. "Do as you are told."

Sarah looked from the King to her father, then nodded and backed out of the room, closing the door.

The Fae faced the man, "Robert Williams, thee is Nephilim!"

Robert shook his head; "You're him, aren't you? The Goblin King?" Then cursed himself as the words of recognition were out of his mouth. Robert looked up in terror.