Chapter 28.

Solea looked at the Lady Anne, "I'm afraid so."

Quinn, his hand still moving over Sarah, placed his other hand on her shoulder and leaned forward. "What is this one?"

"It is about the Battle for the Shattered Soul." Solea stated. "And I do not have the entire prophecy. For that, you must call the Oracle Laurel here. She is the keeper of that prophecy."

Anne lowered her head to the table. "How many Fae does it take…" she began to mutter.

"Tradition, Anne." Quinn stated. "WE never have but one person involved in the keeping of secrets." He looked down at Sarah. "It is late, and we are all fatigued. I'm afraid you must postpone your wedding trip for a time." He said to Ryan. "I suggest we call it a night, and contact the Oracle in the morning." Quinn said dismissively. "Good night Healer, Bard and Lady. Good night Giles, Ryan and Anne."

Anne watched as the healer, the bard, and even the bard's wife left the room without a second thought. She frowned. "So that's it, you're just going to send us off to our rooms." Quinn nodded. "Come on, Sarah. I'll walk you to your room."

Quinn kept Sarah in her seat with gentle pressure from his hands. "That will not be necessary, Anne. We should like Sarah to stay with us for now."

Anne boldly shoved the man back and away from the Mystic. "Not on your life, Mac!" She yanked Sarah out of her seat. "She's going to her rooms and I'm making sure Meep knows to keep you out."

Ryan placed a hand on Quinn's shoulder. "Don't." He warned. "She's in no mood to be messed with tonight, Sire."

Quinn nodded, "I see that, Ryan. Good night, I regret having to ask you to postpone the trip… "

Ryan shrugged. "Not a problem Babalouie. See you for the morning ride."

Giles waited until he was sure Anne was out of earshot. "Well, that went well."

Quinn smirked back. "I thought so."

Giles raised one brow, "You do know that Anne is serious. She will have Meep keeping an eye out for you. What do you plan to do?"

Quinn tapped his chin, "I could feed him to the dog…"

Giles snorted. "OH sure you could." The archer noted that the shattered soul seemed more at ease. "You look like the weight of the world has been lifted from your shoulders."

"In a way it has, Giles." Quinn sighed. "Shall we?" Quinn motioned to the door. "I'm sure Anne will wait until she hears me go into my chamber before she relaxes."

"What makes you think she won't camp out in Sarah's room?" Teased the Archer.

"On her wedding night? I doubt it." The Fae King walked beside his friend. "Thank you, Giles…I know you've been working quietly to keep things normal. We appreciate it."

"Sire, what I witnessed… It changed me forever. Living here, helping you… being at your side…"Giles spoke quietly.

"I know…" Quinn paused. "Jareth counted you among his closest allies. We feel fortunate to have you with us."

Giles face showed concern. "That must be far more difficult than any of us know…living as you are."

"If Jareth and I were not so…connected before, it might be worse." Quinn quipped.

They reached the door of the King's chamber and Giles bid him good night. As the King entered his rooms, he called across the hall. "Good Night Anne." He could hear her muttering as she shut her door.

Quinn entered the dark bedchamber was greeted as usual by the dog. He listened to the sounds from the chamber next to his. He could hear Meep arguing with Sarah.

"No! Lady Anne said you were to go to bed." Meep said emphatically.

"I just want to sit on the balcony for some air." Sarah reasoned.

"No!" Meep sounded almost forceful.

Quinn moved to his balcony doors, opened them and stood quietly to listen.

"Meep, stop it!" Sarah snapped. "I'm just going to get some air."

"You heard Lady Anne! She said you were to get right to bed, and not move from this room until she comes for you come morning." The Pixie sounded more worried now.

The sounds of slipper clad feet on stone tiles alerted Quinn that the woman was moving out on the balcony. Swift fingers unfastened his tunic and he tossed it aside. He opened the shirt beneath, shook his head to allow his hair to be more relaxed. He waited until he saw her silhouette pass his window and pause at the balustrade to look down on the gardens. Quietly he exited his rooms, and walked over toward where she stood with only a knee wall separating their balconies. She looked like an angle with the wind in her long raven tresses. Her white linen gown and robe glistened in the pale light of the moon.

"Sarah." He said softly.

She turned, her face bathed in the light of the moon looked radiant. "Sire." She whispered. Then she seemed concerned. "You're not angry with Anne, are you?"

"No." He assured her as he held out his hands for hers. "Her reactions were natural. I should have clued them in sooner…"He drew the hands up to his chest.

"She's a bit overly protective of me…" Sarah smiled softly.

"Somebody has to be." The Pixie growled. He got very close to the King's face. "What do you want?"

Quinn smiled, "To say good night to OUR girl."

The Pixie frowned, "I've got my eye on you…you know that don't you?"

The Fae ignored the Pixie, concentrating on the young woman whose hands he held. "You look beautiful in moonlight." He exhaled slowly. The girl looked at him with bewilderment. "Sarah." The Fae bent closer released her hands to place his under her chin.

"Wait." She gasped.

"Silence." He ordered haughtily. "Close your eyes." She did, as he demanded, he placed his lips to hers. It was not like the kisses that he had given her in the Escher room. This one was more possessive without being intimate. HE drew back, "How we love you."

Sarah opened her eyes. "You scare the hell out of me." She whispered.

"The feeling is mutual." He placed his forehead to hers. "Go to bed, my dear."

"Good night…Sire." She began to turn; his hand prevented her movement, looking back up at him she spoke. "Good night…Quinn."

Meep followed the girl back into her chambers bewailing his fate if Anne discovered what had transpired.

Quinn, in the darkness of his chamber climbed onto the great bed and spoke in a low tone. "Jareth…hear me, and hear me well. WE are going to marry that girl on her birthday. You can be party to it or not, it does not matter to me. One way or another, we will wed her."

The voice in his head was soft, pained. 'You think this is what I want?'

"I think you had better fight or you can kiss the girl good bye…because I'm going to fight for her." Quinn announced. "In just four months, that girl is going to become the Goblin Queen."

There was silence, and Quinn became fearful. "Brother, I didn't risk life and limb to have you desert me!" More silence, Quinn let himself weep. "Jareth…stay with us." He buried his face in the long mane of the hound at his side.