Disclaimer: I do not own anything that is not owned by me… I think… therefore I am…?
Summary: Princess Sarah of Sylvan lived a quiet life, day after day, the same routine. When a demon, a fae, the same species that had slaughtered her mother years before, drops in front of her, her routine shatters. But if he thinks she's just gonna roll over and let him kill her, he's got another thing coming.
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Of Demons and Goblin Kings
By Kadasa Mori
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Chapter 3
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"SARAH!" Kitsune bellowed after the girl who raced down the hallway cackling evilly. As she spun around the corner, the maid there lifted the tray in her arms up high so she could duck under it.
"Thanks Jenny!" The older woman just waved and continued on her day, used to the brunette running around crazily. As she reached the top of the stairs, she peered around. Seeing no one (except the guard posted at the door who shot her the 'it's all clear' sign) she grinned and leapt onto the banister, sliding down. She hit the ground and spun then shot him a victory sign, grinning when he laughed, and took off out of the castle, heading for the barn.
"Gooooooood morning Bella!" she cried as she reached the mare's room. Bella whinnied happily. Sarah giggled and unlocking the stall, letting the mare out and tying her to the post. "It's a beautiful day today Bella! The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and that grass is just aching to be eaten!" Bella whinnied again, rubbing her face against Sarah's. Sarah giggled and kissed her nose. "Thank you sweetie. Now it's time for your daily grooming my fair horsey lady!" As she began brushing the mare out, a guard walked out of the office and out of the barn. Sarah sighed but continued her brushing.
Fifteen minutes later found her and the un-saddled Bella trotting out into the forest, back to the riverside. Sarah took a seat on the bank this time to watch the water flow or the clouds float. She took off her boots and stuck her feet in the water, turning her head to see where the mare had gone. Bella usually trotted downstream to a shallower area to stand in rather than the neck deep water where Sarah often frequented. Sarah smiled as she watched the mare's tail float around the bend in the river and out of sight. They were close enough if either of them shrieked the other would be there in a heartbeat.
Sarah had once been hopping from rock to rock and landed on one of those 'you-may-think-I'm-dry-but-I'm-really-wet' rocks and went flying into the water, screaming her head off as she did. When she popped back up, Bella was on the shore and whinnying. Sarah climbed onto the grass and allowed the horse to check all her limbs, assuring her she was fine. Once she did so, Bella nibbled her hair as though scolding her and stayed the rest of the day to make sure it didn't happen again.
"I had a feeling you'd be here."
She turned and found her demon 'friend' standing on the opposite bank. She grinned. "Come to visit your barbaric human friend again have you?" He raised an eyebrow. "Well I'd be delighted for some somewhat human company. Take a seat." He glanced between her and the river then shrugged and sat where he stood, legs Indian style instead of in the water like hers. "So how's life my demon friend?"
"Fine." When he didn't say anything else she sighed softly. "And your own?"
She looked up quickly but he was staring at a fish in the water that had caught his attention. "Mine's fine as well," she replied brightly, happy at the chance for actual conversation.
"Very good."
"… demon? I have a question."
"My name is Jareth, princess."
"Don't call me princess."
"Don't call me demon."
"Fine. Jareth, I have a question."
"Yes?" She opened her mouth then shut it and tapped her chin. "Yes?" he repeated.
"I forgot." He shot her a dull look. "No really…" She bit her nail. "Damn it!"
"Such language. And from a princess."
She scowled at him. "Shut up."
"As she commands."
Rolling her eyes, she reached back and grabbed her bag, pulling it towards her. A sharp movement across the water made her look up. His eyes had darkened from their lightened playful state, hand at his hip where she saw the hilt of a knife, legs uncrossed, one foot flat against the ground and muscles tensed in case he needed to flee quickly.
She raised an eyebrow and pulled out her book, waving it in the air. "I don't think 'Beauty and the Beast' is gonna hurt you."
"Beauty and the Beast?"
"It's a story."
"About?"
"Read it and find out." She opened the book to where her bookmark was and began reading. When she felt his stare, her eyes flickered up from the pages. "What?" she asked cautiously.
"Why are you reading?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Because… I like reading?"
"But I am a demon. Shouldn't you be watching my every move in case I try to hurt you?"
She rolled her eyes, returning to her book and turning to the next page. "Jareth dear, I hardly think I could do anything to try and stop you from killing me."
"True…" She rolled her eyes again. "You know if you keep doing that your eyes will stick princess."
"Thanks for the tip."
"You're welcome."
She sent him a dark glare. "I was being sarcastic."
"Oh? Where you? Why, I couldn't tell." He smirked at the scowl she shot him and lay on his side, propping his head up with one hand, one leg stretched out, the other bent at the knee. Sarah let out a 'hmph!' and went back to reading.
Time flew by for Sarah, the brunette not noticing due to her reading. She did notice, however, when the blond across from her sat up quickly. She looked up, then winced at the crick in her neck, rubbing the sore muscles. "What?" she asked. He was watching the bend in the river. Bella suddenly came trotting out, several dandelions hanging from her mouth.
She spotted Sarah and whinnied happily, trotting over and holding out the flowers. Sarah smiled. "Want me to braid them in your hair?" She nodded and the brunette stood.
"Is the horse the princess or are you?" Jareth snorted, both turning to glare. Bella whinnied angrily, stepping in front of Sarah. Jareth sent her a cool look. "Call off your guard dog -pardon- horse please, princess."
Sarah patted Bella's neck. "S'all right Bella. He's okay for now." She ignored the 'for now?' from across the water and smiled prettily. "Shall I braid these in?" Bella nodded so she set upon braiding the yellow flowers into her dark mane. Once finished, she stepped back and smiled.
Bella trotted in a circle as though saying 'well? How do I look?'
Sarah giggled and curtsied. "You look fantastic Lady Bella. What do you think Jareth? Would she pull off the princess look?"
"Fantastically," he droned from the opposite side, now lounging on his back, arms beneath his head.
Sarah pouted. "You didn't even look!"
He looked over dully. "Fantastically."
"Yay!" She clapped her hands together. "Fantastic!"
"Sarah!"
She turned towards the trees. "Eh?"
Kitsune fell out of the tree line. "Sarah! Sarah the knights are coming back! You have to go back now!"
Sarah's eyes widened and she grabbed her bag, tossing it over Bella's back. She climbed on and held a hand out to Kitsune, the fox grabbing it and hopping on behind her. Glancing back as Bella hurried out, she found no sign of Jareth and mentally sent him a good bye.
Jareth meanwhile was lounging in a tree across the river, stolen book in his hands. "Beauty and the Beast huh?" He shrugged and opened to the first page.
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Lady Annabelle of the third state of Sylvia looked around the room with a dull look on her face. The knights had been fighting a group of demons in one of the northern countries and had just returned victorious. Each knight had to pass by the platform the King, his advisor, the higher members of court and his daughter stood on. Everyone but the young girl looked incredibly happy, nodding to each one as they passed by.
She smirked, just imagining Sarah's thoughts, the pretty brunette like a doll. A quiet smile was on her face, eyes closed and head bowed slightly, right hand atop her left and placed on her knees as she sat. Annabelle chuckled and lifted her wine glass to her lips, taking a sip as the last of the knights trotted by. Sarah's eyes opened a crack and her head turned slightly to her father as he began speaking.
Annabelle had been good friends with Sarah for a long time now. Even though she was nearly seven years Sarah's senior, Linda, Sarah's mother, had been best friends with Annabelle's mother and as such, sent Sarah to play with Annabelle when they visited. Annabelle had more often than not ended up getting the young princess into trouble whenever they were together. That and extreme embarrassment.
She was pulled back into the present as the king finished his speech, thanking everyone for being there and wishing them all a good evening. As soon as he stepped back to speak with someone, Sarah nearly disappeared off of the platform. Annabelle took a quick step forward, thinking she'd fallen but spotted Sarah a few feet away, walking calmly through the crowd. Smirking, the red head headed in her direction. "Good evening Lady Sarah," people murmured as she walked past. She dipped her head in a greeting, walking calmly back towards the castle to go hide.
"Sarah! Dah-ling!" Sarah flinched and turned quickly as arms wrapped around her tightly, squeezing her into a tight embrace as a voice shouted loudly. "Oh how mah-velous it is to see you!"
"Anna…belle… can't… breathe!" Sarah gasped.
The red head stepped back. "It is wonderful to see you dear!"
"Oh! Have you found Sarah, Annabelle?" They both turned to find Lady Alia of Ereth pushing through the crowd, Lady Omorose of Erda behind her. "Hello Sarah!"
"Hey Alia. Hey Rose." Omorose dipped her head in greeting, turning to watch the people around them.
Lady Alia was from Ereth, a country on the southern borders of Sylvia. Her hair was brown and thick, in a high bun with a ponytail sticking out of the bun (an odd look, Annabelle thought, but it fit the young woman quite well), the right side of her face hidden by hair, only one violet eye peeking out. She was tanned, not nearly as much as her counterpart, but still very much so compared to the others around her, clothes intricately woven with more jewelry on her than Annabelle, Omorose and Sarah combined.
Lady Omorose was from Erda, a country to the southwest of Ereth. Her shoulder length straight black hair fell to her shoulders, eyes very nearly always half shut to give her a disinterested daydreaming look, gold peeking out from long lashes. Her skin was very tan as she was one of the desert folk of Erda. Instead of jewelry she wore strings tied up and down her arms and around her waist. She'd tried to explain the significance of the string to Annabelle but the red head grew more and more confused the harder she tried to explain.
"That was a boring meeting," Annabelle muttered irritably. Sarah's lips twitched, Omorose nodding.
"Well Sarah's father is quite boring," Alia announced. A faint smile adorned Omorose's face, Annabelle snorting into her drink.
Sarah elbowed her as a man nearby turned to look at them. "What are you three doing here anyway?"
"I came to annoy Sarah," Annabelle said. When Alia rolled her eyes, she shrugged. "Why else would I be here?" Sarah snorted.
"Good point," Omorose agreed stoically.
"Why are you here then?" Sarah asked.
"I was bored."
"That's your only reason for visiting me?"
"Yup."
"Well thanks a lot!"
"No problem."
"Ah. Good afternoon ladies." All four turned to Sarah's father.
"Afternoon King Richard," three chimed. Omorose dipped her head in a greeting but didn't say a word.
"It's good to see you again Lady Alia." The girl nodded slowly, looking like a deer in the headlights. Sarah frowned in confusion but didn't say anything. "I hope all is well in your lands." She again nodded, swallowing heavily. He smiled brightly and turned to Sarah. "Sarah, I must say you disappear off stage so quickly I thought you'd vanished into thin air!"
She smiled prettily. "Just wanted a chance to have some small talk with the others."
"Hm. Next time remember that it's politer to try and stay in place for longer than a few seconds my dear. Patience is a virtue." She continued smiling prettily, Richard nodding his farewell and continuing off.
Omorose glanced down at Sarah's hands that were fisted tightly at her side and quietly wrapped a hand around them. Sarah sighed near silently through her nose and relaxed her hand.
"Sarah I must speak with you immediately," Alia suddenly urged.
Sarah blinked then nodded, motioning towards the castle. "We can retire to my chambers if you'd like."
She nodded and all four headed inside. Kitsune met them in the hallway and was given a huge hug from Annabelle. Sarah grinned. "Kit? When you've regained balance, could you bring up some tea and cookies?" The fox nodded and stumbled down the hall.
Getting to Sarah's room, the young woman pulled out their gigantic pillow seats and put them in a half circle around the fireplace that Kitsune lit as she entered the room with their snack. "Kit! Take a seat and stay awhile," Alia offered.
"Oh. I'd love to but I'm needed in the kitch-"
"Please?"
She frowned in confusion and glanced at Sarah who looked concerned. "Alia?"
"Please?" Kitsune nodded and sat down beside Sarah.
"What's wrong Alia?" Annabelle asked.
Alia wrung her hands together and bit her lip. "I… I'm being married off…"
"Do you like him?" Sarah asked quickly.
She nodded, a bright smile appearing on her face. "I love him."
"That's great!" Annabelle and Sarah gave her a hug.
"I'm so happy for you!" Sarah cried.
Alia's smile had disappeared. "I… I can't be friends with you anymore Sarah."
Sarah frowned in confusion. "What?"
"He's a demon." The world stopped spinning for a moment, Sarah just staring at her. Alia looked close to tears, Annabelle looked speechless for once and Omorose was staring at her hands in her lap. Kitsune's ears went flat against her head and a low whine echoed from her throat.
"Oh…" Sarah swallowed. "Well… we can still write, yeah?"
Alia nodded, chin trembling. "Yeah. Definitely."
"Good." Sarah gave her a weak smile and Alia burst into tears, lunging at her and hugging her tightly.
"I'm sorry Sarah!"
"It's not your fault. It's not your fault," Sarah reassured, hugging her tightly.
"Sarah could never stand in the way of true love!" Annabelle chirped. Sarah smiled weakly and Alia let out a watery laugh, clutching at her tighter. Annabelle reached over to join the hug and pulled Omorose over, Kitsune leaning into the other side so they all clutched at each other tightly.
"I'm so sorry Sarah… I'm so sorry…"
"It's all right Alia. We'll be fine."
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When they finally left hours later, still in tears and trying to reassure each other it would be okay, Sarah swallowed hard. Her father glanced at her and raised an eyebrow but she turned stiffly on her heel and headed for the barn. She saddled Bella up, only because her father was outside and climbed on quickly.
"If my father calls for me, tell him I went out for a quick run," she ordered the guard at the door. He nodded and she tapped Bella's side, the mare sprinting for the trees. They reached the river quickly and she climbed down and pat Bella's neck, giving her a soft smile before taking a seat at the river's edge.
She pulled her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around then, resting her forehead on her knees as she cried silently. Bella nickered softly and lay beside her, curling her neck around Sarah.
"Alia's getting married, Bella… married to a demon." She sniffled. "Father won't let me see her ever again now… we've been friends since we were little kids and now… now I'll never see her ever again. He'll probably rip up her letters before I get them and not allow me to send any! I'll… I'll never ever see her again…"
With a scream of anger she grabbed the nearest rock and pitched it. It splashed into the water, covering her with a wave, hair drenched and sticking to her face as rivers of water dripped down her dress making it turn dark. Bella leapt to her feet and snorted, stepping back quickly and shaking. "DAMN IT!" Sarah screamed. "Damn it! Damn it! DAMN IT!" Grabbing a heavy rock she pitched it into the river, panting heavily as it hit another rock with a loud CRACK! then sunk into the water.
After a minute she let out a wail and fell to the ground, crying once again. She curled back into her ball and rocked back and forth. Bella nuzzled her head and lay back down beside her. It took nearly twenty minutes before she stopped crying, now just staring silently out over the river.
"Goodbye Alia," she murmured and took a deep breath… took several more deep breaths before splashing and cleaning her face. She stared at the sky for a moment and turned to Bella. "Shall we head home Bella?" The mare snort, rubbing her head against Sarah. Sarah wrapped her arms around her. "As long as you don't leave me too Bella, I'll be fine." The mare whinnied as if agreeing and knelt so Sarah could climb on easier.
As they trotted back to the castle, Jareth frowned darkly, seated in the trees above them. Turning on his heel he vanished, reappearing in his room. Walking down the hallway to the library, he threw open the doors to find the librarian seated with a pile of books around him. Only his eyes rose to focus on Jareth.
"Jasper. I need information."
This time he moved, lifting his head from his palm and straightening with a sigh. "On who?" he asked, pulling out a quill and paper.
"A demon who has just married a human." His eyes rose to focus on Jareth again. "A human named Alia of Ereth."
"Hm… That would be the demon Larken, I suppose. He's been obsessing over some A-named human female for about a year now. I'm surprised you'd not heard of it yet."
Jareth grunted. "Larken? Then the girl is fine."
Jasper leaned back in his chair and interlocked his fingers, laying them on his stomach. "May I ask why you're so curious?"
"No you may not. Continue as you were." Spinning on his heel, Jareth continued out of the room.
Jasper sighed through his nose and leaned forward to continue where he'd left off. "Fae."
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Jareth snuck into the castle that night. He'd not tried it before, not wanting to risk getting caught, but the pent up emotion the princess had displayed earlier made him uneasy. He was used to her scowling and shouting but not the screaming rage she'd let out. He made his way to the balcony he'd thought was hers and peeked inside. She wasn't there, of course, as it was dinner and she was probably in the dining hall.
Wrapping himself in magic he quickly made his way into the hall and followed the most recent trail. It did indeed lead towards the dining hall but before he could make his way in, the doors slammed open, Sarah stomping out.
"SARAH! GET BACK IN HERE!" King Richard shouted.
"NO!" she shouted back. "GO TO HELL!"
He flew out of the dining room and caught her arm. "How dare you-"
"How dare I what?! I follow your rules! I do whatever you say! What more do you want from me?!"
"I want to know what is wrong with you!"
"You know exactly what is wrong!"
"How could I? You never speak to me anymore."
"You never want to speak to me!" She smiled a wide smile that showed all of her teeth and sent a shiver down the recipient's spine. "You planned it, didn't you?"
"Planned what?"
"Her marriage. You knew she'd fall for him, knew they'd get married. Hell, even her speaking to him was grounds enough to ban her from speaking to me. Are you planning the same for Omorose? Annabelle too?"
He scowled darkly. "I don't know what you speak of, girl, but if your friends associate with demons, I fear you will have to disown them."
She laughed, a harsh laugh like nails on chalkboard. "Dear father, please tell me, what are these friends you speak of? I've learned long ago with you as a father, there are no such things."
Before he could say another word, she had disappeared down the hall. Jareth swallowed uneasily and glanced at Richard who shook in fury then slowly sighed and headed back into the dining hall, apologizing to the guests. Jareth shifted uneasily then decided to visit Sarah tomorrow morning when she'd had a chance to cool off.
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To all readers and reviewers,
Mwhahahaaaa! More characters! For all of you who are familiar with Heal Me, Hurt Me, you know of my fascination with adding my own characters. Is so much fun!
Anyway, my deepest apologies for being such a horrible fanfiction writer. School, life and work has kept me busier than ever. It seems like whenever I'm not reading a book for this class, I'm writing an essay for another or helping people at my job. Fanfiction has unfortunately taken a backseat to real life but it is my hope that I will soon get into the rhythm of things, have homework/essays done earlier than the night before and have time to update more often.
Thanks to everyone who has reviewed and favorited/alerted this story! I will try and reply to your reviews as soon as possible!
Kadasa Mori
Next chapter preview: Chapter 4
"Hm… what do you draw?"
"Lots of stuff. I usually draw Bella when I come out here… once there was a family of deer grazing so I drew them… I drew Kitsune once without her noticing. It came out pretty well I think. Wanna see?"
"Sure." She crawled over and flipped to the page, holding the book out. He took it and raised an eyebrow. "This is quite good…"
"I told you I was good."
He chuckled, handing her back the book. "So you did princess."
"Don't call me that. What should I draw?"
He pointed to the grass between them. "This blade of grass." She frowned and he waited for her to complain but she never did, only moving back and lying on her stomach to study the grass. He raised an eyebrow. "Are you seriously-"
"Shhh… focusing…"