So, in order to prevent any uprisings at my lack of updates I've decided to split this chapter into two parts.
NOTE: This chapter (both parts) earn the 'M' rating so beware, and don't say I didn't warn you.
Chapter 4 (pt.1): Deadly Tastes
Sarah awoke to the vaguely familiar sound of knitting needles clicking against each other. Her brain groggily tried to remember why it was familiar, the maid at the castle. Did she somehow end up back in the Labyrinth then?
Her should throbbed dully (a far cry from yesterday. . .had it been only yesterday? It felt like she'd been there longer) as she sat up, looking past her maid (what was her name again? Gladys? No, it was something more exotic than that) at her French doors she noticed the murky darkness (she was still in R'lyeh Ulaid then, and how long had she been asleep?)
"Good morning m'lady." With a start Sarah turned to her maid and mumbled a reply before getting out of bed. "There's breakfast for you over there." Sarah's stomach growled as she saw the table full of food. Walking over she pick up a strawberry and eyed it warily (She really didn't want a recap of the rotten peach), seeing nothing wrong with it she took a bite. It burst over her tongue like no other strawberry she'd ever tasted before, it was divine. She quickly reached for another.
Soon all the strawberries were gone and Sarah was licking the excess juice off her fingers as she decided what to eat next. Choosing the melon she popped one of the squares into her mouth and instantly regretted it. It tasted disgusting, far too sweet and it felt slimy in her mouth. She quickly chewed and swallowed it (she felt like she might retch), eager to be rid of the taste she grabbed a croissant and tore into it.
"Are you alright m'lady?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," especially since the croissant had chocolate in it. Once she had finished that she bypassed the oranges for a far more exotic looking fruit. The meat of the fruit was a dark plum color while the skin was a dark gold. "What's this?" she asked, holding up a slice for her maid to see. The maid looked at her, confusion clearly written on her face. "It's called poppy m'lady, didn't you know that?" Sarah raised an eyebrow, "what, like the flower?" "Actually the flower was named after the fruit m'lady." Totally overwhelmed with curiosity Sarah gave in and took a bite. The fruit had a rich smoky flavor and was most definitely more savory than sweet. She was halfway through the plate when Danu walked in.
"Good morning! How are you?" Sarah couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. "I'm much better thank you." Danu returned Sarah's smile, "that's good to know. Medb said you got. . .the chill. . .Sarah what are you eating?" Sarah held out the piece she'd been eating for Danu to inspect, "it's called poppy." She said, still smiling, before she finished up the rest of the slice. Picking up the plate she offered it to Danu, "would you like some?"
Danu's eyes widened before she stormed up to Sarah and snatched the plate away from her. "How many slices did you have?" she ground out between clenched teeth. Sarah shrugged, "I dunno." Danu gave a growl of annoyance before she went to the maid. "Valdis," so that was the maid's name, Sarah thought sleepily. "How many pieces of poppy did Sarah eat?"
Valdis, seemingly unperturbed by Danu's anger, didn't even look up from her knitting when she answered, "about thirteen, your Highness." The sudden sound of metal forcefully hitting stone managed to snap Sarah out of her sleepy state and into semi-lucidity and she watched in amazement as Danu towered over the now cowering Valdis.
"This was supposed to be a break, a vacation, a lark! Come see how fantastical our world is Sarah, how exotic, how wondrous! Bad enough it started with her getting shot, but now you let her eat poppy and probably some of our food too?" Valdis nodded meekly. "We might as well give her some of my husband's pork right now and maker her an immortal junkie like the rest of the humans who live here! You've royally fucked up Valdis, and if you make another mistake it's back to the Labyrinth with you to beg my grandson's forgiveness, and I highly doubt he'll be in a forgiving mood once he finds out what you've done to his precious thing. Now go and get the healer before I decide I'd rather feed you to Cuthulu."
The woman stood there for a few moments, stunned, before she realized she'd been dismissed and scurried away.
Danu slumped into the chair Valdis had just vacated and propped her feet on the bed, her anger leaving her in a rush. "Sarah dear, come lie down please." Sarah gave her a dopy smile and walked over and lay down on the bed. Danu pulled the chair closer so she could rest her head on her knees.
"I feel like I should be giving a maudlin speech, but I think one needs a coherent listener for that," she giggled softly. "I was going to take you to the healer and then I would've shown you the gardens and we would've talked about the dinner tonight." Sighing she continued, "but apparently not. Hopefully the healer can purge your system and you'll be better by dinner. "She began fiddling with the shackle on her left ankle and with a grimace remembered when it had been attached to a chain, but now it was just a symbol (and a very inescapable one) of office.
There was a faint knock on the door. "Enter." The door opened and the healer walked in followed by Valdis. The two women curtsied, but, feeling vindictive, Danu nodded only at the healer who promptly rose and began to examine Sarah. Not even glancing at Valdis she turned to the healer and explained what had happened. When she was finished the healer pursed her lips in thought.
"The poppy will help me finish healing the wound on her shoulder. Unfortunately, purging her system of the drug won't be so easy." Danu wrinkled her nose at the healer's response, "I guess I should leave now then shouldn't I?" The healer raised an eyebrow, "only if you wish to my lady." Smiling Danu skipped past Valdis' still curtsying frame and out the door.
Now to go find Tristan, and the thought of getting caught made it all the more exciting.
Sarah awoke a few hours later with a splitting headache. With a groan she pushed herself upright and glanced around the (gloriously) semi-dark room. Noticing a strange shape in the middle of the room she leaned forward to try and get a better look.
"Who's there?" She asked, frustrated that she couldn't tell who, or what, it was. The person, or thing, rose and a faint ball of light suddenly appeared illuminating Valdis' face, "it is I m'lady." Sarah winced at the light but didn't look away. "Why were you in that odd position?"
"The queen bade me to curtsy until you awoke m'lady." Sarah's eye widened in horror, the poor woman's legs must be killing her. "Jana also said you were to take the tablets on the side table when you awoke." Turning Sarah noticed the glass of water and the. . .was the Advil? Tablets within arms reach. Scooping up the pills she put them into her mouth and chewed them for a few seconds before taking a drink of water. Done with that she turned to Valdis, "anything else?" Valdis nodded, "I'm to help you prepare for dinner." With a return nod Sarah slipped out of bed.
Ten minutes later she was trying not to whimper as Valdis finished pulling the stays in her under-bust corset taut (at least she wouldn't have to choose between eating and breathing). Next came the skirt, which had so many petticoats Sarah thought she might drown in them. Then before she could blink she found herself sitting in front of a vanity, Valdis quickly applying makeup.
Valdis was fussing with Sarah's hair when her eyes widened as if she'd just remembered something. "I should have mentioned it earlier but his Majesty stopped by and said he would be escorting you to dinner." It took a few moments for Sarah's brain to process that new bit of information. "Wait a sec, Danu's the queen right?" Valdis nodded and Sarah was surprised she was accepting everything so easily. "So you're saying Man is escorting me?" Valdis looked at her, clearly confused, for a few moments before realization dawned on her face. She shook her head so violently that a few strands of grey hair escaped their tight bun, "no m'lady. King Manannan is not the one who will be escorting you; I was referring to King Jareth." Sarah eye's widened in surprise, "you mean Jareth's here?" Valdis nodded and Sarah didn't know whether to be excited or apprehensive.
"Stand up please." Standing up Sarah let herself be guided over to a full length mirror. "Wait here please, I will be back shortly." Before she could reply Valdis had scurried off leaving Sarah to admire herself. The off-shoulder shirt was a rich burgundy color and went nicely with the voluminous charcoal grey skirt, and she was surprised that the cream corset didn't clash with the darker clothes as much as she thought it would. Her only piece of jewelry was a cream silk chocker.
Suddenly Valdis was next to her holding a small wooden box. "Would m'lady like to choose a scent?" she opened the box revealing four tiny vials. Opening up the first one Sarah took a whiff and wrinkled her nose at the smell of candied apples and something else. Quickly putting it away she picked up the next one and opened it. This one smelt old a delicate and she shook her head as she put it away, nice, but not right. Picking up the third one she opened it slowly and didn't even need to inhale before the scent hit her. It smelled. . .hungry was the only word she could use to describe it.
"This one please." She said handing the vial to Valdis who promptly dropped her knees. "If you would lift you skirt. . ." Sarah didn't even bat an eyelash as she did so and a few seconds later she felt Valdis' slightly cool fingers touch her ankles and the backs of her knees. Then came the insides of her wrists and the nape of her neck. Lastly came the small of her back and Sarah gave a small 'eep' as she felt a few drops slide between her butt cheeks. Valdis didn't seem to notice as she put the vial back into the case with its sisters.
As if that was a cue the doors swung open and Sarah turned to see Jareth. . .who was wearing charcoal leggings, a cream colored shirt and a burgundy frock coat. "Don't tell me you planned this?" she groaned.
He gave her a mock frown, "can't you just call it happy coincidence precious?" Rolling her eyes she took a few steps forward, "nothing's a coincidence when you're around Jareth." He put a hand on his heart, "you wound me sweet Sarah." "Would you like me to kiss and make it better?" she replied tartly. "Maybe later," he mussed as he held out his arm. "But for now I will be content to escort you. Shall we go?" she nodded and took the last few steps needed to reach him before linking her arm with his.
HA!
HazlgrnLizzy: Well I'm glad I keep pulling you back. BTW if you're socks are still going missing it's probably the gremlins or Monster of Laundry Room (unfortunately my coupon doesn't cover thefts by either creature)
The Banshee's Tears: I hope this chapter lives up to your expectations.
FireShifter: I'm glad you like it.
Word Junkie: ditto above. And you'll just have to wait to find out about the shadow.
Lilnicky21: What can I say I'm a Irish junkie.
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