Chapter Fourteen

The Duties of the King's Paramour

Willa saw how worn out Sarah was, and that she had not eaten. Willa took her back to the king's rooms, leaving the Domovoi to watch the children. She treated Sarah as she would treat any child who did not have the sense to take care of itself. She ordered food, made sure the woman ate, then tucked her up like a child and watched as she fell into troubled sleep. Once Sarah was asleep, Willa returned to the children.

Sarah slept for a long time, not even waking when Jareth entered the bedchamber at the end of the day. He stood in the entry looking at her for a long time. He had already been to the nursery, seen the children, and tucked them in for the night. He even sang to them again as he had when they first slept in his bed while Sarah was in the Labyrinth. He instructed Willa to stay with them. Now, standing in the doorway, and looking at the sleeping woman, he questioned his own methods.

One voice in his head told him timing was everything. She was fertile, he needed an heir, and she needed punishing. He was killing two birds with one stone. Then there was that other voice, the one he really did not want to hear. Telling him he could have achieved his goal though gentler means. He could still hear Sir Didymus' admonishing of him. He shook off the feelings of regret; what was done was done. What was said was said. Sarah now carried his heir, and that was what mattered. It had been the goal and it had been achieved. Paul wishing the children into the eager hands of the Goblin King had been a welcomed bonus. It had given him easy access to the woman. He had known she would never give her children up with out a good fight.

He walked over to the bed, sat on the edge and watched her sleep. He had watched her sleep countless time in twenty years. Yet this was the first time he had the advantage of doing so in person. There was no cold mirror or crystal between them. She was asleep in his bed. Her hair fanned out on the pillow, she looked like a young girl again. Her face showed that it was a troubled sleep; restless. The longer he sat watching, the more disturbed her sleep became. It was as if she were aware of his watchful mismatched eyes upon her. Suddenly she sat bolt up right, terror in the green eyes that met his.

"It was no dream," she whispered hoarsely. "I'm back in the Goblin Kingdom."

"Yes, you are." He replied.

Sarah looked around the room. "This is your bedchamber?"

"That's right." He knew she was orienting herself. "The children are all tucked up and happily asleep. Having their own beds and their belongings seems to have made them feel less ill at ease about the move."

"Move? Is that how you're going to refer to what you've done?" She was getting angry. Her eyes held fire.

"Sarah," he said in tired voice. "Your husband wished them away. I did not have to offer you the chance to win them back. I could have just taken them." He stood up. "And you didn't have to accept my offer."

Sarah threw off the blanket, jumped out of the bed, grabbing his arm. "Not accept your offer? Just let you have them with no fight? Is that the kind of mother you think I am?"

Jareth looked down at the hand, like a talon on his sleeve. "No, I know the kind of mother you are. You, Sarah Williams, are a tigress when provoked. You never give up, never give in. You are stronger in ways than many of my warriors." He was smiling, "Come with me, I want to show you something." He motioned her toward the doors leading to the balcony. Her hand was still gripping his sleeve.

The balcony was curved, wide and had an excellent view of the Labyrinth. More than that, it had a splendid view of the Goblin City and the heart of the Goblin Realm. Jareth lead her to the low wall. With pride, he looked out at his kingdom as the stars filled the early evening sky. "Look Sarah, and tell me what you see."

Sarah looked; at first she was not impressed. It was just the Goblin City, with its ramshackle houses, broken down buildings and winding lane. The moon was rising, and below a sound rose to the darkened skies. It was singing, many voices singing the same song, a lullaby. The Goblin mothers were singing their goblin babes to sleep. The moonlight bathed the houses, and they no longer looked broken down or old. They looked enchanted and loved. The Labyrinth, like a great snake, moved side to side. "It's alive," she whispered.

"Yes." He sighed. "It's a living entity."

"It looks different at night. Not nearly so fierce." Sarah placed her hands on the baluster. "And the City looks so peaceful."

"This is the heart of the Goblin Kingdom, Sarah. The Labyrinth and the City. You are in the capital of my Kingdom. What lies beyond are deserts, and forests and fields and so much more." Mismatched stormy eyes gazed at his kingdom. "It's not always at peace, like now. Some times, it is wild and free. Sometimes it is angry and fierce."

Sarah looked at him, "How long have you been the King?"

"A very long time." He leaned on the baluster looking at his kingdom.

Sarah looked away from him, back at the kingdom in the moonlight. "Things here are never what they seem."

"That's true everywhere," Jareth pointed out coolly. "Would you say Paul turned out as you thought he was?"

"No," she admitted. "And I sure didn't know he'd just wish my children away." She folded her arms and frowned. "All he had to do was say he could not take them for the weekend. He had done that often enough. Promise the kids an outing and at the last minuet….But to wish them away…to wish them forever gone…"

"Sarah," Jareth sighed. "Explain to me why you would choose him." He looked at her with troubled eyes. "Make me understand why." He leaned deeper into the baluster. "He was never reliable, not even when you were courting."

Sarah looked at the Goblin King. "You seem to have spent a lot of your time watching me, didn't you? Why?"

Jareth stood straight. "I was looking for your weaknesses. I had no intentions of letting you go without another confrontation."

"Yet you waited twenty years, why is that?" she asked.

"The constraints of the rules. You won, and didn't call upon me again. You may have thought of me, and you drew me…but you never called for me. So I had to wait twenty years. The High King's idea of a cooling off period." He narrowed his darkening eyes. "Do you know what twenty years does to an angry man? It makes him dangerous."

He let his eyes wander down her slim figure. "It makes him hungry."

"You said you had been at every major event in my life, how?" She ignored his raking looks.

"I have watched you a long time. Even before you wished Toby away." His eyes held her attention. "No one minds seeing an owl."

"I didn't see any owls at my graduation," she challenged.

"Did you bother to look at the rafters of the old gym?" he countered.

Sarah bit her lip. "No."

"No one does." He sighed, and turned to look at the city below them. "Yes, Sarah, I've watched you. One should know ones opponent's weaknesses."

"And you feel you know mine?" she asked.

He slyly smiled. "I know some of them," he said with self-satisfaction. "Then again, some of your weaknesses are strengths as well. As a King I can see them and appreciate the complexities of them." He smirked. "You were never a simple child."

Sarah blushed, not sure why. "You are one strange man."

"Like you Sarah, I'm complex." He laughed.

"That's putting it mildly." She looked down at the little city. "So you watched me, and plotted." Her face contracted. "Jareth, give me your kingly word that you didn't somehow cause Paul to wish my children away."

"Sarah, I plotted to get you. I had no grudge against the little ones, except that they were not mine." He said honestly. He watched the answer give her some kind of peace. "Why is that so important to you?"

"You've watched me for over twenty years and you need to ask?" She challenged.

"Why did you want me to see the heart of the Kingdom?"

"Touché," Jareth laughed. "I'm not Paul, Sarah." His voice was quieter now, and huskier. "I'm not any of the men or boys you occupied your days with. They are amateurs, and I am a King. I am your King. I always was. None of them could give you what you needed or wanted. None of them."

Some devil had gotten into to Sarah in her sleep. She looked at the King with doubt, "Pretty sure of yourself, aren't you?"

Sensing the challenge, his nostrils tightened. Jareth snorted, and tossed his mane of blond hair. "More a case of I'm sure of you, Sarah."

Sarah snorted right back. "You were always so cocky!"

"You like cocky," he growled.

She gave him a simpering smile and lowered her eyes. "Says you."

"I'm not the one drawing nudes of the Goblin King." He reminded her coyly. She looked away and he laughed.

"Why did you want me to see the Kingdom at night?" She changed the subject.

"Sometimes, in moonlight, one sees what the sunlight obscures," he said. His hand settled on the one that she had put back on the baluster. "This is my Kingdom, and I am its King. What I do, I do for the good of the Kingdom."

"You… got me …pregnant for the …good of the Kingdom?" she whispered, not believing how calculated he could be.

"Yes." He moved closer. "I needed an heir."

"Was that part of your twenty year plot?" She felt the anger rise yet again.

"Twenty years ago I offered you my kingdom." His words were a slap of realty.

"I don't make the same offer twice. I told you that in your parents bedroom when I offered you your dreams."

Sarah turned away, not wanting to look at the kingdom, or its King. "So you took what you needed."

"What I needed, and wanted, yes. There are benefits to you being the one to carry my heir," he called to her as she walked away. "You'll get to see your children, and raise them."

Sarah stopped walking away. "You're a horrid man."

"I'm a King, Sarah. Not Prince Charming, and this is no fairy tale." He walked past her back into the bedchamber. He took a seat on the bed and watched her. "We need to discuss your duties."

Sarah looked at him, "Yes, I'd like to know what you expect from me."

"First there's the matter of your title. You are not my wife, I have no intentions of getting married, ever," he said coldly. "I see no need. You are my property, my chattel… my paramour, my concubine. You will give me what children I need. Thus, I never have to take a wife. The kingdom will grant you the title Consort, making you more than a mistress, less than a wife. As my consort, you will be expected to intercede on behalf of some of the subjects with their King."

Sarah was strolling closer. "You're really enjoying this aren't you?"

He nodded, closed his eyes to slits and smiled. "You will, of course, sleep in my bed."

"And if I refuse?" she looked like she had an ace hidden. "You wouldn't harm one carrying your heir would you?"

"Harm her, no. Force her with sexual persuasions? Yes."

"You would rape a pregnant woman?" She fumed.

"Yes." He lay back with a self-satisfied grin. "As a matter of fact I would, and will if I have to. But I don't think I'm going to have."

"Bastard."

"Come here," he said quietly patting the mattress.

"Don't do that." She halted. "Don't treat me like some kind of pet."

"I'll treat you anyway I damn well see fit." Now impatient, he snapped his fingers. "Come here." Pursing her already thinned lips; she took dawdling steps toward the bed. "Well done, but a bit slow. I expect my commands to be answered at once." He pointed to the floor. "Knee before your King."

Clenching teeth, balling her fists, Sarah knelt. "Yes, Sire."

Jareth tapped the top of her head, "As I was saying. In the company of subjects and your betters, you will address me as Majesty, or Sire. Here or when we are alone you may call me Jareth."

"What I'd like to call you is…"

Gloved fingers sealed her lips shut. "Keep it to yourself." He did not look the least bit amused. "I will be spoken to with the respect due my station, most of all before the children."

"Just how are they to address you?" Sarah looked apprehensive. Paul had forced Jenny to call his girl friends 'Auntie'. It had not set well with mother or daughter.

Jareth understood what was on Sarah's mind. "I will not ask them to call me Daddy or Uncle. Once the baby is born we will modify what ever we choose."

Sarah was not convinced. "You don't know how it's been." She looked away, putting her head in her hands. "Paul having new girlfriends constantly, some times two or three at a time. Insisting that Jenny call them 'Auntie'."

"Mr. Jareth, or, Mr. King? Which do you think sounds more appropriate?" He tipped her face back to his. "I'm doing this for them, not you."

"Mr. King."

"The children," he said in a monotone. "Will be well cared for, and I've given Willa instructions. You will be given access to them, but you are to remember, they are no longer yours. They belong to me. I will formally adopt them, and title them as a duke and duchess."

"How long do you intend to keep me on my knees?" Sarah asked wincing. Her knees were beginning to hurt.

Jareth looked at the woman with little sympathy. "Sit on the edge of the bed." When she began to sit facing away from him, he turned her. "Face me."

Sarah settled on the edge of the bed. "Yes, Sire."

"Say my name." His mismatched eyes narrowed.

She stared at him, not wanting to give an inch. "Why?"

"I want to hear the sound on your lips." Knowing it galled her that he was in control only gave him more reason to push. "Now, Sarah, say my name."

"No." she said with growing resentment.

He sat up and leaned on his upraised knees. "Defiant to the last?" He hardly expected her to do as she was told. "Fine, I'll take your privileges away." He threatened. "Last chance."

"Jareth." She closed her eyes, not wanting to see the look of victory that was bound to be worn on his smug face.

"Again." He leaned closer. "Say it again."

"Jareth."

"Now look at me and say it." He whispered in her ear.

Her green eyes opened, they were like furnaces they burned so hot. "Jareth."

"Good." He leaned back, "Now undress."

"I beg your pardon?"

"Take your clothes off," he said with an evil grin. "Slowly."

"Not on your life." She stood up and backed away from the bed.

He had not moved, he had no reason to. He was in control. "Sarah, our coupling was unavoidably rushed, leaving little time for foreplay. Time was of the essence, and the planting of my seed in your wonderfully fertile womb was more important than either you or I being gratified. I do not have that restraint on me now."

"I don't care!" she turned her back on him. "You raped me, remember? It was not liked it," he tormented her. "You like the feeling of me buried deep inside you. Deny it."

"Bastard," she muttered.

He snapped his fingers; she was on the bed facing him again. "Sarah, you will do as you are told."

"No." she refused.

He looked at her with an amused grin. "You are no match for me, Sarah," he reminded her. "Don't defy me," he warned. He fluffed pillows behind him, snuggled back, and smiled expectantly. "Come now, my Consort, undress for your King. Nice and slow, if you please."

She blinked, once, twice, then rapidly, trying to think of a way out. "Why?"

"I told you, we were hurried last time. This time I wish to enjoy taking time. I desire that you to entertain me." He placed his hands behind his head. "You are a blessedly lovely thing to look at, Sarah." He looked at her, refusing to move. "Sarah, I can remove your garments with a wave of my hand, as you very well know. If you persist in behaving like a temperamental child, I will not only remove them but I will keep you naked for two weeks. Again, my dear, the choice is yours."

Seeing no way out, she moved her hands to pull free the lacing of the gown she was wearing. Lowering lashes over her eyes, she tugged her arms free of the fabric and slowly lowered it to her waist. Jareth made a sound and she found herself looking up at him against her will, her lips parted but making no sound. Jareth let his eye move over her as if he were inspecting a fine oriental carpet. He removed his shirt and tossed it aside. He then motioned her to remove the rest of her gown. Sarah swallowed what was left of her pride, and obeyed his silent command. The gown dropped to the floor as she stood up.

Placing his hand on the mattress, he made it clear she was to seat herself within his easy grasp. Sarah sat down, frowning. He ignored her annoyance; he reached out his gloved hand to her throat, crooked his index finger and stroked her. "Soft as a rose petal, and just as thorny." Sarah looked away, refusing to be an active participant to his seduction of her. Jareth found her quiet act of rebellion amusing. Smoothly he let his finger trace a path past the collarbone, down to her breast. With index finger, he traced the shape of her breast.

Sarah found it increasingly difficult to ignore his hand on her. Slowly she turned her head and looked at him.

"You really hate this don't you, my dear?" He said now, using his thumb to arouse her nipple to a hardened peak.

Sarah glared at him.

"What do you hate more, Sarah? The fact that I excite you, or that I know I excite you?" He asked knowing he would get no answer. Like lightening, he gripped her waist and pulled her across the bed. He held her down as she struggled to free herself from his grasp. His body pressed hers into the downy mattress and pillows. His hand moved over her, drawing responses. "No mortal man was ever able to bring you to life Sarah." He whispered harshly at her ear. "Ever wonder why?"

"You don't know what you're talking about." She shoved at his shoulder.

"Oh don't I?" he was immovable.

Sarah closed her eyes tight, refusing to look at him. "NO."

He had not expected her to be overjoyed, nor had he expected her to welcome his attentions. This defiance and denial were almost too palatable. "Still insisting, are you?" he slid his hand down her torso, over her abdomen, "All right, Sarah. Then you force me to demonstrate." She balked, but his hand was already at the dark tangle of curls that covered the opening between her legs. He looked at the hand and his glove dissolved as if it never existed. He flexed his fingers over her Venus mound, her whole body shuddered, and she gasped. "And I've only just started." He stated poignantly. "I've not even entered you yet."

"Don't do this," she begged, fearful of losing herself.

"Too late." His fingers migrated to the entrance covered by the dark damp curls. "You issued a challenge, and it will be met. Once and for all, you are going to be made to see the truth." He prolonged the entry, taking time to let the anticipation of his invasion build. She quivered beneath his touch as he toyed with her. When he finally slid his fingers in, her muscle gripped onto him. "Your body hungers for what I alone can offer it. No mortal man can give you what I can Sarah."

Snorting in fury she glared at him, "And what would that be, Oh great King?"

His hand found the spot, and with gentle persuasion, he sent her over the edge. "Release," he answered simply.

Hands that a moment before hand been pushing him away, now gripped down as he induced orgasmic fulfillment. What resolve she had, was washed away with the first wave of sensation. There was no denying he had power over her, and that she craved what she knew he could do. With a labored pant, she surrendered herself to his hand.

"Say my name." He commanded softly.

"Jareth." She did as he bid.

"Now admit you want more, admit you want it all." He smiled at his victory. His smile faded quickly as she refused to say a word. "Need more convincing?" His garments were gone, his bare legs pressed against hers, the knees pushed hers aside and opened her to him. "Yes, perhaps it is best this way."

She could feel him press at her entry. "Stop, you already have your heir planted. What more do you want from me?"

He forced her to look at him, his darkened eyes were aflame. "Your usefulness is not in the bearing of an heir alone. You are my release, as I am yours." He poised, ready to strike. "Open to me." He commanded. When she hesitated, he growled. "Do it." Sarah took a breath, shifted her hips and her body welcomed his entry. Inch by inch he slowly lowered himself, taking his time to show her who was master in this bed. As the last inch was gobbled up he placed his head along side hers, his lips at her ear. "I will have what I want, when I want it, Sarah." He moved his hip, thrusting slowly, seating himself deeper within her. "And if need be I will halt time, to find the satisfaction I know you can give me." Long life had given him many skills. His experience as a lover was indisputable.

Sarah felt the tremble of her lower lip, as she tried to speak. The sound that came rushing from her throat was foreign to her. The quiver in her legs was an unknown phenomenon. All the longing of all the years of disappointment vanished as Jareth moved within her, over her. When his hands cupped her derrière as he had in the ruins of the ballroom, she moaned out his name. Her body glistened with the sheen of sweat.

Jareth kept the pace of his thrusts very slow, wanting her to feel every inch of muscle as he pressed in. "Admit it Sarah, no man has been able to give you this."

"Damn you," she whimpered.

He smiled and pressed harder, thrust deeper. "Only your villain, your worst nightmare can … what is the phrase you mortals are so fond of these days? Ah, yes… get you off." He hissed.

At that moment, Sarah was not sure whom she hated more. Him for having something she craved, or her body for craving him. Emerald green eyes blazed with angry and betrayal. "You're a bastard."

"And you want what I can give." He began to quicken his pace, only slightly. "Your body is even now begging me for more."

It was true, even Sarah could not deny he had her body at his command. "It proves nothing."

"It proves everything, Sarah," he stated. "No man ever satisfied you, until now." When she tried to look away, he growled low in the back of his throat. "You think I've not seen, that I don't know?" As her face blanched, he pressed on. "The clumsy fumbling lads in backseats of cars? The only ones who found release were they, never you. Even their hands grasping and grabbing gave you nothing." His growl deepened. "Paul never cared if you were satisfied, his own needs always out weighed yours. He wouldn't know how to satisfy an ordinary woman if his life depended on it, Sarah, let alone you." He pulled her closer, one hand on her rounded bottom, one at her back. "How long has it been now, Sarah? How long since a real man has touched you?"

"Too long." She had not really believed the words came from her own lips. Nevertheless, she heard her voice answer him.

"Accept what I offer." He counseled. "Admit that you need what I give."

"Bastard," she whispered softly.

"Say it, Sarah. Say I give you what no one else can." The pace quickened, the thrusts deepened. "Say it."

"Yes, damn you! Yes." Her body met his as it moved into her. "Is that what you need to hear? All right, you are the only one…damn you."

Jareth chuckled. Slowing the pace, he drew her even closer. "I've warned you, Sarah. You are no match for me; I will outwit, outwait, outfox, and outmaneuver you every time. You are not dealing with that halfwit, mere mortal ex-husband of yours anymore." Closing his eyes, not wishing her to see his shrouded needs, he proved once more that he alone could indeed satisfy her deepest, darkest desires.

He watched as she slept, totally exhausted, but thoroughly satisfied. He lay back also contented. "You will accept," he said with confidence. "In time, you'll accept that I alone can give you release."