Chapter 13.

The King dismissed his champions after the meal. He escorted Robert down to the chambers of the Adjudicator. After introducing him to the staff of magical creatures whom worked in the offices, he left the man to sink or swim.

Sarah was sitting in the throne room, when the King entered. She stood. "We need to talk." Her voice was flat.

The man nodded, "Not here." He warned as his long strides brought him to her side swiftly. Placing an arm round her waist, he held her to him and said. "Hold tight."

The world and throne room fell away and she felt herself descending quickly. She grabbed on to the arm holding her. It pulled her closer, and she heard the soft laugh tickle her ear. When her feet again touched solid ground, she looked around to find herself in the tunnels just past the oubliette. She looked at the walls and frowned. "Do you know what this is?"

The Fae released her and took a few steps, "It's the tunnel system under the Labyrinth." He pointed down one passage. "Down that way is a wonderful little oubliette, and a bunch of false alarms."

Sarah nodded, "I mean do you know what this place is in regards to Jareth…and me?"

Quinn snorted, "He wanted to detain you here…he even entertained the idea of kissing you."

Sarah blushed, "Did he?" She looked at her feet. "I thought maybe he had."

"Piece of cake?" He snorted again. "You really pushed his button with that one. No one calls his precious Labyrinth a piece of cake!" He crossed his arms. "He took time from you, if I recall the memories right."

Sarah nodded. "Yes, he did…for all the good it did him."

"You scared him." Quinn stated with a slight shrug. "He'd never come up against anyone like you. And he was already so besotted with you." His voice took on a sarcastic edge. "He could not understand why you didn't just surrender yourself to him."

Sarah turned her face stony. "I would prefer not to discuss my history with Jareth with you right now Quinn. We have more pressing issues to discuss."

The Fae's face was a mask of indifference, hiding the seething volcano within. "The floor is yours Madame."

"What's the bid idea telling my father that I'm marrying the Goblin King on the eve of my birthday?" She spat at him harshly.

"You are." The Fae stated digging in his heel.

"Oh really? And what Goblin King would that be?" She placed a hand to her hip.

"The only one there is." Was the snappy retort.

"I'm not marrying you, Quinn!"

"No, you are going to marry us…we come as a set." He winked wickedly.

"You've lost your Fae mind!" she gasped.

Quinn stepped forward. "Sarah, you are going to marry the Goblin King, I've accepted it, so should you." His tone was dangerous.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Cairbre tossed the scroll over his shoulder. "Now, I've heard it all."

Solea was trying to stay serious, but kept snickering. "If this was not so serious…it would be funny." She quipped.

The Bard looked at her and whispered. "You are so twisted, my love." Looking at the couple in the Scrying water, he too began to chuckle. "Oh my, this is going to prove to be interesting."

Leaning toward her husband's ear, she giggled. "Care to wager on the outcome?"

Shoving her back gently, he said. "We both know she is going to wed the king."

"Someone should tell her."

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

"I can't marry the Goblin King, he's in hiding!" she shouted.

"Not precisely." Quinn sauntered forth. "You see, dear, only one half of us is in hiding. The other half is more than willing to take up the …slack."

Sarah backed up until her back pressed against the tunnel wall, her fingers clawing the rock wall. "That's not a funny threat Quinn."

"More a promise, Sarah." The voice grew dark and husky. "I didn't save him for you to throw away the kingdom little girl."

Sarah swallowed hard; "Does he know what price you asked?"

Quinn froze; "No." the voice went icy. "Nor does he need to. There are some things I keep from him, just as he's keeping some things from me."

"Don't you think you should tell him, how you forced me into bargaining with you?" She could not stop herself, she found herself taunting the Fae.

Quinn moved closer, "Perhaps I should…or I could invite him to witness his beloved Sarah rendering payment." He reached out and stroked her jaw line with gloved fingers. "Should we let him watch, as I savage your mouth, dear?"

Sarah shivered uncontrollably. "Quinn don't." She pleaded softly. "Don't be that cruel."

Quinn continued to stroke the soft skin. "I should think by now, Sarah, you'd understand that cruel is something both my brother and I are adept at." Leaning closer, he studied his effect on her. "Are you thinking this would be the idea place to make your payment to me?"

Sarah gasped. "No…"

Quinn leaned closer, his cheek to hers, "Why not? It's delightfully private here, my dear." His hands were now settling on her hips.

"Quinn…no." she begged, and found herself hoping he would ignore her pleas. Part of her wanted it over and done with, one less thing he could hold over her. The other part was terrified of what her reactions to Quinn's kiss would be. His skin, Jareth's cheek, touching hers filled her with want. One hand left the wall, reaching for his arm. "Please."

"Please," he closed his eyes, touched her ear with his lips. "Please yes, please no?"

"Quinn." She shivered. "This is not fair! You're using him against me."

The Fae drew back, his face had so many emotions written on it. Pain, anger, loathing, desires, and regrets, so many only for an instant. Then it was all gone. He moved away from her. "No, not here. Not in this place." He said vehemently. "The debt remains, for now."

"How long are you planning on dangling that debt over my head like a sword?" She demanded.

He shrugged, "We've yet to determine the newest debt, now have we. By the time your wedding night arrives, who knows how many debts you'll have run up?"

Sarah turned her face to the wall.

Quinn placed a hand on her shoulder. "Sarah," he rasped. "Forgive me."

He could hear her soft sobs.

"Have you any idea of what this is doing to m?" She asked. "You expect me to behave as if you're Jareth…and you're not."

He pulled her away from the rock wall, turned her and pulled her against him. "I know." He tried to comfort her. "I fear this is only going to get even harder from here on out. I could not allow him to try to hide you and the little ones from us again. I promised Jareth…"

"Why doesn't he come out." She gripped the opening of the King's poet shirt. "Why doesn't fight for us?"

Quinn held her close, his head on hers. "Sarah, you and I are going to have to take a little trip…we need help. I cannot put this off any longer. Talbot has said he cannot do anything more…We need to go see…my father."

Sarah looked up at Quinn, "When?"

"Now." He said resigning his fate. "Now."

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Solea looked at her husband, who had turned to look at the person who had been standing wordlessly behind them.

"Well," Oberon sighed. "It would seem we have company coming. Bard, attend." The High King strolled off toward his palace.

Cairbre held a hand out to his wife. "Come along, dear. This should be very interesting."

"Or very tragic." The Water sprite whispered softly.