Chapter 10:
"Alright, Miss, up ya get. No good ever came from sleeping the day away."
With a pitiful moan, Sarah curled up in a compact ball, burrowing deeper into the soft down mattress as she dragged a plump feather pillow over her head.
"Still tired," she grumbled.
"Tsk tsk... poor lamb's all tuckered out. No help for it now, though. His Majesty told Mim to wake ya, and wakin' ya Mim is," the housekeeper said as she opened the French doors that led out to the balcony. A warm breeze began to waft inside, freshening the air in the stuffy chamber.
"Come on now, Lovey. Mim has a nice hot cuppa tea for ya. Sit up like a good girl," she cajoled, yanking the pillow from Sarah's grasp.
Accepting defeat, Sarah grudgingly rolled onto her back and stretched, grimacing as her stiff muscles lengthened. Hoisting herself into an upright position, she let out a very un-ladylike grunt, and then situated herself so that her back was propped against the carved headboard.
Squinting, her bleary eyes dazzled by the brilliant sunlight, Sarah peered over the side of the bed, finding an ancient, stern-faced goblin staring back at her. The diminutive creature was dressed like a proper antiquated housekeeper, her prim black dress and highly-starched white apron covering her from neck to toe. A large ring of skeleton keys hung at her waist, jangling with her every move.
The wizened servant stood no more than three feet tall, though she seemed somehow larger, perhaps due to her authoritative demeanor. Her crinkled-leather skin was a peculiar shade, somewhere between gray and purple, and it bore a striking resemblance to elephant hide. Her eyes were rather beady, their irises as black as a beetle. Though they weren't remarkable for their beauty, they gave the impression that they had seen everything, at least once, and now possessed an infinite knowledge of the universe.
Her round, apple-cheeked face also held a set of thin, dark-gray lips and a broad, slightly piggish nose. Her head looked disproportionately large compared to her body, and it was topped with a wealth of fluffy hair that looked just like a shredded cotton ball. Wispy tufts stuck out in all directions, staging a valiant coup against the severe bun pinned at the nape of her neck.
Sarah took an instant liking to the homely creature because of her comforting, grandmotherly charm.
"Mercy be! You's certainly is a pretty one, alright. I's understand why the king's been all adither now. Such a fuss..." she chattered on, her words trailing off as she flitted around the room like a hyperactive bumblebee.
Sarah felt her cheeks grow warm and prickly, embarrassed by the goblin's frankness regarding Jareth's attraction to her. That was a subject she was not at all comfortable with at the moment.
Had she really agreed to become the Goblin King's lawfully-wedded broodmare?
A shiver ran down her spine as she recalled the agreement between them and all that it entailed.
Mim, oblivious to Sarah's discomfort, beckoned to a timid-looking young maid who hovered in the doorway, ordering her to wheel in the tea cart. The tiny housekeeper plunked the silver tea tray down on Sarah's lap a little too hastily, causing the dainty teacup to tip precariously. Sarah steadied the wobbly cup, avoiding a painful scalding, and then stirred in a generous amount of sugar from the porcelain sugar bowl. Once it was prepared to her liking, she began to sip at it slowly, savoring the warmth as it moistened her dry throat.
Feeling a bit better, she watched as Mim bustled back and forth between the bedroom and dressing room, clacking her tongue against the roof of her mouth the whole time.
"You's clothes ain't fit for a chimney sweep," she called from the other room. "But never you mind, Lovey. His Majesty's done give ya a whole new wardrobe. Ain't that just lovely?" she asked as she re-entered the bedchamber, her gnarled little hands filled with the garments she'd selected. "Hurry up, now, if ya please. No time for lolligaggin'. You's expected at table and we's got to get ya dressed up real pretty like for you's husband-to-be."
Sarah suddenly felt queasy, her many fears and doubts beginning to roil around inside of her. She had to take several deep breaths to keep her stomach calm.
Rushing to Sarah's side, Mim dragged a small wooden step stool from beneath the high bed and proceeded to climb up on the mattress. Setting the tea tray aside, she put an arm around Sarah's shoulders, pulling the frightened girl into her nurturing embrace. Her knobby little hands smoothed the dampened hair away from her brow.
"There, there now, Sweeting," Mim said soothingly.
Pouring out another cup of tea, the goblin heaped several spoonfuls of sugar into the brew. "Drink this," she said, pressing the cup into Sarah's shaking hands. "It'll make ya feel better."
Once Sarah had drained the contents Mim took the cup and replaced it on the tray.
Patting Sarah on the knee she said,"Now then. How 'bout a nice hot bath, hmmmm?"
Sarah nodded, wrapping the lightweight duvet tightly about her as she rose from the bed and followed Mim through the large dressing area and into the bathroom.
Sarah had bathed the night before, after the healers had seen to her injuries, but it had been a very brief affair. She knew she was expected by the king and should probably hurry, but Sarah longed for a nice, proper soak. Hopefully it would help her feel more inclined to face her first day here in her new home.
The bathroom had been an extremely pleasant surprise, nothing at all like what she'd envisioned. A claw-foot tub large enough to hold her and several others sat on a dais in the middle of the stone chamber. On the far wall, a white pedestal sink stood beneath a row of tall, arched windows that gave the room an airy spaciousness. A normal, flushing toilet was tucked discreetly away in a small, private alcove in the corner.
Sarah had felt relieved, even comforted, by the modern facilities, glad that her visions of dirty chamber pots and wooden washtubs had proved false. She hadn't known what to expect of the Underground's facilities since she hadn't had a chance to see them when she'd run the Labyrinth. Unfortunately, on that occasion, she'd had to meet her pressing needs while she'd traveled through the wild maze, squatting behind trees when the call became too urgent to ignore.
The memory of it made her shudder.
Sarah soaked for as long as Mim would let her and felt much better when she was done. Once she was dry, she began to dress. First she donned a pair of panties, followed by a white cotton chemise and sheer white stockings. Next came the gown Mim had chosen. It was a pale blush color and as soft as a butterfly's wing. Sarah was amazed to find that it fit her perfectly. The scooped neckline rested against the swell of her cleavage, which was further accentuated by the high empire waist. The sleeves were long and loose and the bottom hem of the skirt brushed her ankles, revealing matching pink slippers.
Sarah would have preferred to wear her own clothing, if only to spite her future... husband... but she didn't want to hurt Mim's feelings.
And she really did like the dress, so it wasn't so bad.
Unwilling to keep the king waiting any longer, Mim decided to leave Sarah's hair un-styled, allowing the waist-length waves to hang naturally.
"Best get ya down there, now, Lovey. Can't keep the king waiting all day."
Taking a deep breath and holding it, Sarah silently disagreed, but obediently turned and followed the housekeeper out of the room.
On a sunny little terrace just outside of the dining room, Jareth sat at a linen-covered table, absent-mindedly whacking the table's edge with his riding crop, leaving dents in the old wood. He fidgeted anxiously, too hyper to sit still.
"What the devil could be taking so long?" he demanded aloud, to no one in particular.
Attempting to stand too quickly, he sent his chair toppling backwards to the ground. Ignoring the upended chair, he began to pace, his boots making a hollow clicking sound against the patio stones. Back and forth he stomped, his arms folded behind his back, the crop dangling from his limp hand. It's swishing movements kept time with his footsteps.
Servants scurried here and there, finishing up the breakfast preparations. A goblin maid set the dining table while an elf from the kitchens placed chafing dishes on the buffet table near the doors. A rotund goblin in a food-spattered apron wheeled a cart up to the buffet and proceeded to help his fellow kitchen worker unload it, putting the silver pans inside the insulated bins and lighting the flames underneath them.
Jareth's penetrating gaze scrutinized the setting, searching for flaws and finding none. Everything looked perfect, from the arrangement of fresh flowers to the spotless utensils.
His thoughts then turned to his personal appearance, and he grew uncertain with his choice of attire. After considering his clothing for a ridiculous amount of time, he'd settled on a snug pair of camel breeches, a dark burgundy waistcoat, and his usual open-necked poet's shirt, this one off-white with flouncy cuffs.
Jareth ceased his circuitous prancing and turned towards the open doorway where a flash of pink caught his eye.
Suddenly all was right with his world.
The meal was superb, though neither diner was really aware of that fact. Delicate pastries, fragrant fruit and fluffy egg dishes lined the small table, offering a tempting variety. Sarah took a small serving of what appeared to be scrambled eggs in a rich yellow sauce and nibbled at it hesitantly, unsure of her nervous stomach.
Jareth ignored his plate, content to watch the beautiful creature across from him as she pursed her lips and blew on each small, steaming bite she took. She had changed over the past two and a half years, growing even more beautiful, he thought. Her face was leaner, more sculpted, her brows more delicate, her cheeks more prominent. Her hair had darkened to a glorious sooty black and now fell in waves that brushed the top of her pert young backside.
He felt his member begin to swell and crossed his legs beneath the table.
Sarah, growing ever more uncomfortable with the silence, set her fork down and directed her gaze upon the handsome Fae across from her.
Her breath caught in her throat.
He was so very attractive, with his wild blond hair and those strange, mismatched eyes that enthralled her. The impressive expanse of his naked chest drew her attention and she swallowed convulsively, her cheeks flushing with heat.
She cleared her throat and stared back at her food.
"So has everything been to your satisfaction so far, Sarah?" Jareth asked, taking pity on her. He realized that she was nervous and his silence was making her condition worse.
Sarah took a shaky breath and looked up at him once more, trying to find a spot on his face that she could focus on that wouldn't unsettle her.
She couldn't find one. He was simply too... perfect.
"Um, yes. Yes, everything is fine. Especially the bathroom," she blurted out and then blushed furiously.
Why was she discussing the bathroom?
She wanted to kick herself.
Jareth smiled, finding her utterly charming.
"I imagine you were probably expecting rather primitive living conditions, am I correct?"
His smile was so warm, so disarming, that Sarah felt herself relax a bit.
"Well, I didn't know what to expect, but I didn't realize that you had such... modern... conveniences here. Why, you even have electricity! Instead of candles and torches all of the rooms I've seen so far have wall-sconces and chandeliers..." she realized that she was rambling and became quiet.
"We don't have electricity here in the Underground, Sarah. We have magic," Jareth answered, wearing a grin that made Sarah feel like she was suddenly made of jelly instead of muscle and bone.
Now that the initial tension had abated, the conversation became more fluid. Sarah asked questions about life here in the magical world, things that had always puzzled her.
"So, The dark man who was with you last night... who was he?"
"He is called Bram, which actually means "raven" in our language. He is the commander of my troops."
"Your troops? The ones that attacked me in the Goblin City?"
Jareth shifted in his chair, a little uneasy now that the time had come to discuss one of the things he would rather not have to discuss.
But he knew he would have to come clean. He wouldn't lie to her.
"Well, Sarah... you see..." he paused, looking for the best way to explain.
Sarah waited expectantly, sensing by his apparent discomfort that she was about to hear something she probably wouldn't like.
"The goblin soldiers who tried to hinder your progress to my castle weren't real soldiers, Sarah. They were merely a device I employed for your sake. My real soldiers, the ones who defend me and my kingdom, are all elves and lesser faeries. The goblins were a diversion meant to keep you from reaching your destination, as I would never have unleashed my real forces on you for fear that you would accidentally be harmed."
Sarah sat back in her chair, processing this new information.
"I see. So... the goblin army is just for the people who run the Labyrinth to win back their children?" She thought she understood, but one look at his troubled face told her she didn't really understand at all.
"No, Sarah. Just you."
"Just me?"
"Yes. There are no other runners. There hasn't been a wished-away child in many centuries."
What in the hell was he talking about? Sarah felt even more confused than when they had begun this conversation.
"I'm sorry, but I don't understand. What do you mean there aren't any other runners?"
"Precisely that. You were an exception, Sarah. I allowed you to wish your brother away under special circumstances. Don't you recall what was written in the book I gave you?"
"The book you gave me?" Sarah knew she sounded like a half-wit but she just couldn't seem to wrap her mind around what he was telling her.
"Yes, Precious. I left that book for you to find. So that you would call upon me. It was the only way I could come to you. I am not permitted to interfere in the lives of mortals Aboveground unless they specifically call for me to do so."
"But why did you want me to call for you? Why go to so much trouble for a fifteen year-old girl you didn't know?"
Jareth slowly rose from his chair and wound his way around the table. He gently took Sarah's hands in his and pulled her into a standing position, tugging her up against his chest.
Looking into her brilliant green eyes, he said, "But I did know you, Sarah."
Transfixed by his gaze, his body so hot and firm against the front of her own, she whispered, "You did?"
"Yes, Love. I had been watching you for some time. I watched you playing in the park. I watched you read and recite poetry through your bedroom window. I have been with you all along."
He pulled her even closer, his chest pressing into her breasts, the contact making her feel dizzy.
She inhaled his smell and felt herself melt even more.
He smelled wonderful, like warm, rich spices and electrical storms.
He could see the dawning in her eyes, which suddenly grew hot enough to throw sparks.
"You've been stalking me!" she yelled angrily, suddenly so furious that she tried to yank her arms free so that she could smack the sexy grin right off his beautiful face.
"All those mornings I woke feeling all prickly and smelling that smell... It was you! You were in my room while I was sleeping."
Capturing her flailing limbs securely, he tightened his hold. His breath teased the skin on her face and neck, stirring the fine hairs at her temples.
"Yes. I'm afraid I'm guilty as charged. I just couldn't stay away from you, Sarah. You became more vital to me than oxygen is to you. I couldn't stand to be parted from you."
"You had no right," she whispered, her anger swiftly replaced by the intense new energy thrumming in her veins.
His eyes grew fiery, his face severe.
"I had every right, Sarah."
He could no longer fight his baser urges and captured her lips in a searing, possessive kiss.
"You have been mine since the moment I saw you."