Chapter 22. The sacrifice of love for ones people
Ona sat at the bedside of the Princess, bathing her face with damp clothes that were soaked in herb waters. There was little comfort she could give the girl now. "You succeeded," she told the child restless in the bed. "You've bound them together for all time. You've given your husband his one true love. And she will give him a child… one no Fae could."
"And my people will be safe…. He will guard them now with every fiber of his being." Adrianna whispered. "Our principality is safe, perhaps he will give it to the child my Sarah will bear him." She mused. "I'd be happy with a child of hers leading our people."
Ona nodded letting the single tear fall down her cheek, "Perhaps."
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In the Oubliette Breanna raised her head, cocking it to one side, closing her eyes she smiled peacefully. "It is done, they are one." Looking at Hoggle she waved her hand and the shackles vanished. "I apologize Hoggle, but I could not allow you to interfere."
"Don't give me your phony words of contrition!" He spat at her. "You're nothing more than a lying, thieving, perverse Fae! You'd sell your own son into hell for your own purposes!"
Breanna gave his accusation a moment of thought, smiled and nodded. "All true."
Hoggle glared at her, "What did you do to my Sarah?"
A brow rose, "Still you think of her as yours? She is now the vessel that holds the child of the King."
Hoggle looked horrified. "She would never consent."
"We didn't actually ask." Breanna boasted proudly. "Now, do be a good little…what ever it is you are… and go back to your duties. Go back to your perverse dreams of a girl you could never have."
He moved to the exit that now was clear and open. "Conniving Fae bitch!" he spat at her. "May you rot in a hell of your own making."
Breanna snickered at the creative curse. "As if I believe in hell," She mused. She lingered in the darkness of the oubliette, and drank in the dark powers of the underground. Creating an orb she commanded it, "Adrianna?" She saw the figure lying in the bed. Casting the orb back into the air, she teleported herself to the side of her daughter in law, "You did well, " She praised. "You've earned your rest, sweet child.
Pale and weak, the Princess wanly smiled up. "How long have you known?"
"That you are dying?" the girl nodded and the daughter of the High King took a seat on the bed. "From the moment I danced with your father at your wedding." She raised her hands. "I don't wear gloves, it's one of the reasons my father limits my interaction with anyone. My touch gives me access to ever inner secret. I don't even have to try, it just happens. Oberon is the only Fae whose mind is closed to me. Because he likes his truces, he does not allow me to have contact with others for prolonged times. Only my son has never been limited to me."
"I've always admired the High Royal Fae." Adrianna sighed, peace on her pretty face. "I never considered the price they pay for what they are."
"No one does." Breanna commented gently. "All stations have their prices, child. I have few if any real complaints. I've lived a life of privilege. And few can make the claim that they are the Daughter of the High King."
Ona brought more water and clothes. "Excuse me, my Lady." She said to the High King's daughter.
Breanna vacated her seat and allowed the maid to care for the Princess. "All is now as it should have been. The King has his Goblin Heir, a child who is loved and revered by even the Hobgoblins. His seed is planted, and a child will be born to rule the lands you so loved. Your people are safe, and your husband is once more whole."
Adrianna snuggled into her pillows, "Not bad for a dying girl, eh?"
"Not bad at all." Breanna smiled back.
The Pink Princess smiled, "Don't forget we restored Sarah to her rightful place at the King's side."
"Right now, it's more under the King I should think." Teased the King's mother.
Ona shook her head, "You two are acting like this is a party…"
The Pink Princess giggled. "It is, Ona…it is."
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The hunger was building yet again; Jareth sat upright, gathering her into his arms. When her eyes turned questioningly to his, he whispered teasingly. "My bed is more comfortable, and nothing is worse than a pruned Fae." Without effort he moved them from the warm scented waters to the center of his massive bed, dry as if they had never been in water.
Sarah lay beneath him now; his shaft within her was now throbbing again. She gasped as he pressed his weight against her. "So soon?"
"I'm a Fae, Sarah. Unlike mortal men I don't need a great deal of recharge time." He warned. "I can and will go all night long." His lips touched her forehead. "However since you are mortal, I'll try and give you time to rest between sessions."
His mention of the word time drew her attention. "Time, good lord, what time is it? I was supposed to spend time with Toby and Georgie…"
Powerful hands pushed her back into the pillows she was trying to rise from. "The boys will be taken care of. They are in a castle, with a full staff that adores them. Right now," He growled in her ear as he took her lob in his teeth. "Your duty is to please your king." He drew back slowly, and then slid forward listening to the exquisite sounds of his beloved mortal. "You feel so delightfully pleasing when you're complacent." He pulled back again, and moved deeper into her tender cavity. "So tight, so delightfully tight," He murmured darkly. The tender walls tightened about his thickening shaft. "How long I dreamed of this, Sarah." He growled warningly. "I will never be denied again." He began to pump into her with more force, watching her face as he made love to her. "I should have brought you here, instead of that ballroom. I should have seduced you in your dreamlike state." He lamented. "You would never have left me."
Sarah felt her body answer the needs and demands of his. "In some ways I never did."
Jareth chuckled softly. "Did no one warn you, dearest? Did no one along your journey warn you that there is no escaping the Labyrinth? It and I are joined…. And if you are part of it, you are part of me…" He marveled how a girl so new to the ways of lovemaking could be so damned pleasing. "But you don't want to leave me, do you?"
"I didn't want to the first time," She protested. "I had no choice."
"You did…" He argued. "You choose the boy." His voice betrayed the hurt that was still attached to the statement. In truth he was not sure he'd ever not feel the hurt.
"The man was not an option!" she gasped as he dove deeper, with his thrusts.
He smiled wickedly. "Perhaps I should reorder time, go back and correct my mistake…" He teased. "Go back and rip that gown off your shoulders as we dance. Have my wicked way with you before the witnesses of my court? Plunder the treasure of you for all to see?"
"Jareth!" She gasped worried that he could and would.
"Or should I go back to the moment I entered that room from the storm? Should I forgo words? Pull you into my arms and undress you and have you on your parent's bed? I rather like that idea, pounding you senseless in the bed they made Toby in….yes, that's one that I may have to give serious considerations to…" He was now thinking of all the possibilities he'd overlooked. With each threat, he thrust harder, deeper and faster into his beloved. He was energized by the wickedness of his thoughts, and eager to peruse more as they were feeding fires long untended. "I could manhandle you in the tunnel, like I thought of doing…. Sliding my hands up under your shirt… taking advantage of such a beautiful innocent girl…teaching the wicked pleasures of things she already was secretly thinking about…."
"Jareth, that's enough." She pleaded.
He ignored her plea. "So many places in the Labyrinth I watched over you, and allowed opportunities to slip past me." He growled forcefully, as his body ruled over hers. "I won't make that mistake again, Sarah. This time," He moved deeper as he felt the explosions of seed building in his groin, "This time you will not deny me!" Wildly she moved with him, at first dragged along within the wake of his passions. But gradually it was more willing, her needs demanding to be met. When he collapsed upon her, both were covered in sweat. He kissed her gently and murmured, "Mine." Sarah nodded, the side of her face moving slowly against his. He smiled, collected her into his arms, and growled softly, content to lie within her embrace.
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Zoan and the Goblins noted the change in the castle itself. Few outsiders knew the truth of the castle; few outsides could fathom the truth, even the Elvin staff were ignorant of the truth. The castle was a living part of the Labyrinth; the castle was bonded to the King. What affected the King affected the Kingdom in the truest sense of the word. The Castle was the heart of the Kingdom, what happened with the King was most clearly reflected in how the Castel would behave and be seen. Zoan understood that the boys in his care were far too young to understand the shift. As they seemed unaware he did not bring it to their attention. Zoan understood however, the King had bonded with a woman. Heavily he sighed, knowing that Sarah was now forever beyond his reach. Should the King tire of her and put her aside, she would forever be bound to him.
Zoan smiled to himself, knowing his regrets were of little consequence in the larger scheme of things. For he had long ago accepted that what was good for the Goblin King, was good for the Kingdome. He turned his attentions to the boys.
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Sarah's head rested above the King's heart, she listened to the even sound rhythm. His fingers were toying with strands of her long hair. How long she'd been in his bed she could only wonder. The shadows were now gone and the long Goblin night was beginning to blanket the Kingdom. The King didn't appear to be in any kind of rush to leave his chamber, and she was not even sure her legs could hold her for any length of time. She looked up knowing he was watching her. He looked smugly content, all too pleased with himself and ravenous. Sarah shook her head, "You've got to be kidding!" She groaned as she lay her head back down on his chest.
"Hardly, Sarah." His voice was like honey, and quicksilver.
"Don't you have a Kingdom to rule?" she asked sarcastically.
Jareth growled softly in the back of his throat, knowing the sound would keep her attention. He lowered his hand, his fingers working though her hair, and knotting. His hand tightened and he pulled her head back slowly, once her eyes were focused on his, he spoke. "I will not tolerate complaints, madam." His lips twitched. "This is after all mostly your fault."
Shock registered on her face, green eyes fired with defiance; "Oh really? And just how is this my fault?"
His vigor restored, he rolled, pinning her beneath his powerful body. He looked down at her lovely face with feral eyes. "If you had at anytime accepted my offer…"
"Oh please." She augured. "You sound like a broken record."
"It's true." He growled melodiously. "And because you didn't we have years of catching up to do."
"You plan on doing all that in one night do you?" She felt his hands on her and she gasped.
"Hardly," He repeated in the quicksilver manner again. "I'm just getting warmed up, my precious thing. I've years of payment to catch up on and of course the interest charged."
Sarah closed her eyes tightly, "Unbelievable!"
His lips were at her ear, and the sound from his throat was dark and lingering. "Believe it, baby." Once more he sheathed himself within her welcoming womb. "It will take you only forever to repay your debt. Forever and a castle full of screaming changeling brats."
"Changelings?" she looked at him eyes full of questions.
"You didn't think I'd be satisfied with but one child out of you did you? I intend to fill this castle with our offspring, Sarah!" He looked too pleased. He smiled like a wolf that had cornered its prey. "You're world has a phrase, one I was never too fond of until this moment. I shall keep you barefooted and pregnant. You'll be too busy giving me children to think about anything else."
Sarah struggled, "Now just a minute Goblin King! I'm not a baby making machine!"
Strong hands griped and pinned down the feminine hands. He growled softly, knowing the vibrations of his growl struck cords within her, and she instinctually reacted to him. "You are my mate." He growled darkly in her ear. "My woman, my lover…"
"Jareth…" She closed her eyes, submitting willingly to his needs. "My…King."
Raising his head, he looked down at her, "I need to have children, Sarah. I need to have them with you." He was all seriousness now, as he began the rhythm that would end with both spent. She nodded, understanding some things were going to be very serious between them. "I need you, Sarah. You, you are my heart."
Soon he lay spent again, holding the mortal close, fearfully. "Don't ever leave me again." He warned. "I will not be so generous if you do."
Sarah clung to him. "Where would I go?" She sighed letting the weight of the world fall away.
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Ona and Breanna stood back from the bed; the King's mother looked at the maid. "She's very weak, I don't know how she managed to stay so strong for so long."
The old Fae maid nodded, "Her healer, he gave her herbs and potions and she's used them… he warned her not to use too much magic… it would hasten the end…"
"Magic," Breanna lamented. "It is our life, and yet it takes hers." She touched the maids' arm, reassuring and encouraging her. "Keep her comfortable, and I will seek my father's healer… perhaps there is something that can be done to give her peace and make it less painful."
Ona shrugged. "I will of course, my Lady… I've been with her since she was a babe in arms… love her as I'd love one of my own." She wiped tears that were constantly threatening to fall. "Our healer told her he had sought the elder healers, but no one seemed able to help… the herbs of course… but…. Not even they can…stave off death."
Gently, the High King's daughter placed her arm over the shoulders of the maid. "You must be strong now Ona… Strong for our dear Adrianna… she has shown great strength, and it would be an insult to her for us to falter." She looked over toward the bed where the Pink Princess slept, "She has given herself in sacrifice for her people…. We will honor that sacrifice!"
Ona bucked up, "Yes, Princess Breanna…"
Breanna inclined her head until it touched that of the maid, together they stood watching.
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Jareth had fallen into a deep sleep, content. Sarah watched him sleep, with a peaceful childlike smile playing on his lips. She knew the hour was late, the sun had gone long ago, and stars were in the night sky. The moon had risen and lit up the King's bedchamber brightly. She moved slowly from the King's side, and off the bed. Finding a discarded silk robe on the foot of the bed, she donned it. It flowed to the ground, but at least she was covered. She looked again at the sleeping man and smiled to herself. Her hand clutched the oversized robe close to her as she padded on bare feet to the door and into the hall. It was dimly lit, shadows playing strange games. She closed the King's door carefully, her hand almost caressing it. She turned and went down the hall to the rooms the King had given for her and the boys use. She was sure the boys would be asleep, but knew Zoan or one of his handpicked Hobgoblins would be on watch.
Zoan looked up as she came quietly into the main room of the suite. He wore a cryptic smile. "Good evening, Lady Sarah." He said ignoring her state of undress pointedly.
"Prince Zoan." She returned his greeting as she walked toward her bedchamber.
Zoan watched her, silently, and grinned. As she closed the door of her chamber behind her, he growled softly. "Lucky man, Jareth… very lucky." He envied the King's good fortune.
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Rosalind remained in the shadows that had hidden her from the mortal clad in a silk dressing gown. She had watched the girl exit the King's chamber, a chamber she herself had once been very familiar with. Her sea foam eyes took on a stormy color as she watched the mortal move toward her own rooms. The scent of the King was all over her, so strong that Rosalind could taste it. "No." She vowed aloud. "No, foolish mortal, you will not be with this King long…" She pulled the darkness about her like a cloak, as quietly as she'd entered she left the corridor of the King's private rooms. There would be time enough to reclaim her place in his bed. First she would have to rid the castle of the little mortal slut.
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Something was calling to Sarah, something deep within her, and she had to answer the call. She dressed in a gown that had been left for her on her bed. It was unlike the usual garments she'd been use to in these past days. It was not linen, it was rather made of something softer, something more diaphanous and gauzy. The fabric hugged her form and floated away from her as if on a secret breeze. It was the color of forest moss, and felt as if it had been waiting for her forever.
The sitting room was empty when she passed though it, she didn't even wonder where Zoan was. The call in her brain was getting louder, it was now fever pitched, becoming more than urgent it was desperate.
Sarah followed her instincts and the call seemed to be coming from the chamber used by the Pink Princess. She didn't knock; she opened the door and entered as if the room was always open to her. Ona and Breanna turned to look at her as she came in. Her eyes held questions, but they had no answers. Breanna pointed to the bed and motioned Sarah to go closer.
Sarah looked down at the pale features, even paler than before. "Princess?" She whispered, not wanting to disturb the frail figure in the bed.
Little by little at a snail's pace, the lashes of the lids that were closed fluttered. Lips formed one word. "Sarah."
The mortal knelt down beside the bed and reached for the Fae hand. "No." She moaned. "No!" She held tight.
"Don't cry for me, sweet Sarah," Adrianna whispered.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Sarah moaned. "Why, Adrianna?"
"My first obligations, sweet mortal, are to my people….." She sighed peacefully. "I have given them you…."
Sarah turned to the King's mother. "Why is there no healer?"
Breanna looked into the sad green eyes, "You know why. Look in your heart, child."
Sarah laid her head upon the bed and let out a mournful wail.
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Jareth awoke from his sleep with a start, something was dreadfully wrong. He reached out a hand, found his bed empty and closed his eyes to locate the missing girl. The vision in his dark reassesses of his mind cleared, Sarah was with Adrianna and she was weeping.
Tossing the blanket from him, he left his bed, his royal garments covering his nakedness in the blink of an eye. He pulled open the door, filled with annoyance and rage at having been deceived by wife and mother. The enchantments that had been used this night were now spent and he was again only too aware of what was going on in his Palace. He entered the rooms of his wife and ignored his mother's presences.
Adrianna smiled up at him, "Hello, my husband."
"Wife," He snapped and overlooked the sharp glance he was being given by his lover who was weeping on the side of the bed. "You've much to explain, and you'd better get started."
Peacefully she chuckled. "So impatient… so petulant…" She waved Ona out of the room. "You needed a mistress…. One who would understand the conventions of the Fae set of laws and structure of life; I had to be sure you had the right one…" She reached for Sarah's hand, "The one true love of your life."
Irritated and irate Jareth took a seat on the side of the bed. "Could you not have trusted me to reach that same goal?"
"No." She said gently. "You were too busy trying to punish her for rejecting you. Too busy punishing yourself for having been fool enough to fall prey to the mortal in the first place."
"Adrianna…" he fumed.
"Listen to me, Jareth…" she begged. "Life, even a Fae life is too short for that…. Resentments make men and women do foolish things. Like dallying with someone who is not worthy." Her head turned and she looked at Sarah weeping for her. "I didn't want to like this one…." She mused. "I'd heard all the gossip of her, you know… the tales told by palace staff… but meeting her… being with her…." She looked back at her husband. "I can understand why you loved her…for I love her too."
Jareth placed his hand on Sarah's head, stroking her hair. "I noticed."
"Were I well enough… I'd have given you a challenge for her," Promised the ailing Fae.
The Healer entered the room, as if he'd been summoned. "Sire?" He approached the King.
"Explain to me why my bride is dying." Jareth said coldly.
The Healer looked at the Princess, "Perhaps it would be better coming from her, Sire.
All eyes went to the Princess, "I have a mutated form of the virus that took my Mother's and my Father's life…it was being controlled by herbs and potions… I was dying long before we wed, King Jareth… my healer strongly suggested I refrain from sexual contact as that was the means that spread the virus from my Mother to my Father… I was born infected. .. it was dormant until I matured sexually…."
"You married me knowing you were dying?" Jareth shook his head.
"I had to secure my people." She stated firmly. "The only way to make sure they would be a real part of the Goblin Kingdom was to make you their ruler… you are now bound to them… as you are bound to the Goblins…"
Jareth met Sarah's eyes and nodded.
"But to insure that you'd never suffer the same fate, I remained Celibate." Adrianna sighed.
"You nearly didn't tonight," Jareth said with a wicked gleam.
Adrianna nodded, "Nearly not, and it was worth it…." She reached again for Sarah this time her hands met his over the girl's hair. "I could not have picked better myself, my King… I ask only that the child she bears, the child created this night be made regent for my lands."
"Done." He wound his fingers into hers. He looked to the healer. "How long?"
"Not long… weeks, perhaps… days…" He shrugged, his long wise face deeply furrowed. "She must be watched and closely attended to ."
"I will watch her." Breanna said softly.
"And I," added Ona.
Sarah looked over at the Princess, "and I."
Jareth sighed. "Bless you Adrianna, my wife."
The girl closed her eyes, too tired to speak again.