Chapter 4 BOA

Stepping away from her Jareth made an elegant gesture with his hand towards the crystal. Brushing quickly past him Sarah began to follow the little sphere as it led her to her room. Truth be told she really needed help to her rooms but she would never let him know that.

Sarah slammed her door shut, so hard that the dangling glass from the huge chandelier clinked together throwing tiny rainbows all over the room. If Jareth was in his room next door she hoped she rattled his brains loose.

That smartass had no idea what kind of hell she was going through. She had beaten him six years ago and she had never expected to see the goblin king ever again. He probably put that book in the attic on purpose. This is what she gets for house-sitting. She's never do it again. Ever.

Then he had the nerve to invade her memories and dreams too often than she would have liked, memories were private. Why couldn't he just stay out. Was that too much to ask for?

XOX

The low hiss and crackle of the open pits' fire filled the room with noise as it's yellow light cast the shadow's of two people against the wall. One was cloaked with the hood pulled over her head so none could see the visions clouding in her eyes. The other wore breeches and tall boots and a loose grey shirt, a cat in his arms watched the shadows wearily. Gold eyes searching the dark for something no one else could see.

"I have searched thine e'e for your kingdoms future." the cloaked woman paused. The cat turned it's slender head so it's gold eyes could study her. "ye wi' marry in a winters' time and produce two child. Your eldest son, in time wi' receive the throne on thy deathbed an' must yet again in time take a queen."

The young prince, barely over seventeen in human years, stroked the cat's head. It's purr vibrated through the room clear and loud. "is this all prophet?" he asked interrupting her.

One pale, slender hand was brought up to ask silence as she continued.

"nay thy prince. Wouldst thou like the rest of thy prophesy?" when he nodded she smiled under the darkness of her cloak. "the girl wi' naught be from thine own realm but from another. When the time comes I wi' help her find her way to the underground." inclining her hooded head her slow voice whispered. "farewell thy prince an' be warned should my prophesies go ignored thy castles' own people wi' lead a revolt diminishing your kingdom."

Turning the cloaked future-seeker left the shadowy room with it's crackling fire. Hair on the elegant white cat's back stood on end as it hissed through sharp teeth at the woman leaving.

XOX

872 years later

Roran. The prophetess poured herself a tall glass of wine. Dumping herself unceremoniously into a high backed chair she sighed.

"time drags on so slowly when one hath immortality." she moaned. Sinking further into the plush cushion she took a sip waving her white hand elegantly in the air summoning the large mirror in front of her to play scenes.

The first scene was short. It showed her Jareth, her younger half cousin. The tall blonde man was taking a young girls' hand. Sarah wasn't it? She watched as the couple danced in circles around a fantastical ballroom. Soon, Jareth was leaning towards her perhaps to place a kiss to her ruby lips.

She had heard much about this Sarah creature. Her cousin was hopelessly infatuated with the lovely mortal. This girl was the one from her predictions, she had seen her in her visions. The one from another realm.

The second played the hurt on his face as Sarah defeated him even after offering her his kingdom, her dreams, and himself. Perhaps she hadn't of comprehended what was it he was offering. The scene then went to a destructive and mopping goblin king.

Roran sipped at her wine again. Discontent ruining her perfectly flawless features.

The mirror rippled another scene to it's surface. Sarah was equally unhappy. Apparently after thinking her choices over going home was not what she wanted. There she sat on the edge of her bed in a short nightgown made of a soft fabric looking at her hands, a frown marring her brow.

Making another gesture to the beveled mirror Roran closed her grey eyes. Sarah's thoughts and feelings rushed into her body. The room went deathly silent for a few moments then a wide grin broke her perfect fey features. She had found a feeling, a longing in the mortals heart. She maybe…loved Jareth, her foolish half cousin.

Being a prophet was a great advantage for her. In being so Roran could control the future. All she'd have to do was pull a few strings, change the present even and viola, the perfect future. Roran had to get Sarah, the prophesized maiden to the underground anyway. Why couldn't she have fun and play her part at the same time.

A giggle broke the silence of the room. As it were permission the casual noises re-appeared burying the silence.

She had the perfect plan. All she needed was to create a problem in the mortal world resolving it with Sarah. Lifting herself gracefully from the plush chair the mirror went dark at her command. She needed to seek out parchment and an ink pen.

Watching the glass dangle and clank together her anger flared up again, but damn slamming that door felt awfully good. Her face went red again as she thought of his head clanking together against the lit ceiling piece.

Furiously ripping off the silver bracelet and blue-stoned necklace she put them harshly down on the vanity's surface.

Stomping over to one of the chairs she slid her way from the dress with a small fight and a string of curses. Tossing the material to the cushion she huffed. She needed lily to undo her corset for her. There was no way in hell she was ever going to be able to get out of the stupid thing by herself. Where was lily when you needed her?

Flipping her golden hair over her shoulder Roran gave a wide smile. "you aren't that angry wi' my dearest cousin Sarah, doesn't thou need help? You hath judged him so quickly."

Her spell had worked. The portal she had created was successful. The couples meeting went just as she planned. This was just a small obstacle she could definitely fix this.

Waving a manicured hand to the mirror the prophetess whispered a fey chant to change Sarah's views. Even just a bit. Besides the maiden was to love the goblin king not despise him with every fiber of her being.

Sarah's anger sputtered the died out to helplessness. She couldn't even dress without any help. Not that she was tired or anything. Maybe she should ask Jareth to call lily for her. Wait, was she not mad at him?

Getting up off the soft stool she went to her bathroom for her lacey robe. Putting it on Sarah confidently walked over to the common door and knocked.

Listening for permission to enter she pressed her ear against the wood. Hearing nothing her slender hand went to the brass knob. turning it. Shadows hid everywhere. His poster bed was much larger than hers which evoked thoughts that really creped her out.

"Jareth?" she whispered. No answer. "Jareth?" a little louder.

"missed me already?" turning her head to his voice she gasped. There he stood in all his royal glory half naked. Wet hair was plastered to his neck and bare shoulders, shoulders that were connected to a beautiful bronze chest. "walking around in your underclothes Sarah, highly unladylike."

Rolling her tongue back up she swallowed. "at least I'm fully covered." holding the thin material closer to her chilled body her mind took a turn to the darker recesses of her mind. The place where she saw the platinum blonde doing naughty things with her.

Crossing his arms in front of his chest he stared at her. "get used to it darling were getting married in a few days. Now, you called me what would you like?" he was definitely enjoying the view of her curves against the filmy robe.

"I…um…need help." she told him slowly. He waited for her to elaborate between her pauses to get it out. "I can't find lily to help me unlace my corset so I…uh…could you?" her cheeks went a visibly color of pink in her embarrassment.

He could have laughed at her but he didn't. waving a hand over his hair while he walked behind her his magic dried it to it's gravity-defying state. Taking the housecoat at her shoulders Jareth let the cloth slide down her small frame exposing perfect white skin to his mismatched eyes.

She looked like one of those white chocolate deserts he liked so much. If he could only taste her she would probably be just as sweet and heavenly. "you truly are a fey." he told her as his long fingers untied the carefully made bow to her corset loosening it for her. No trace of mortal could Jareth find through his magic-probing fingers it was as if someone altered her DNA.

Roran's giggle vibrated along the empty corridors of her palace.

Her changeling spell had worked just right. There was no fault to her fey magic. If her cousins superior magic believed her a true fey then her work was done.

A private blush soon spread over her cheeks as she watched the two in her mirror. The way Jareth was looking at the mortal would make any woman's' bones melt. At least they weren't yelling at each other.

Having seen enough Roran cleared the glass' surface. It was best to leave them alone she thought, besides if her haughty relative ever found out that she was scrying him she'd be head first into the bog. Sighing the prophetess left the sparsely decorated room, wine glass in hand.

"why are we getting married Jareth?"

Stopping what he was doing he sighed softly. " because I declared war on the northern kingdom, your kingdom. To hold my army back Ayden offered me his daughter. I though why not, having someone else put up with the goblins' stupidity would ease my mind but the daughter, so I found out was you dear Sarah. You are marrying me technically to save the northern kingdom."

"oh." feeling his fingers loosening the laces again she fell silent. Thinking. Not for long though. "would it be possible to ever go back home?" Sarah's voice held so much hope as she turned to take the corset from him.

When she turned he almost pinned her to the ground to take what would be his in only a few short days. There she stood dressing gown open wearing a long, very thin slip with a high slit for easier movement and stockings. His Sarah was such a tease, she just didn't know it.

"you can be wished to the underground not from it. You my dear, I am afraid to say are stuck here forever."

'it's only forever not long at all'

Well it was worth a try. 'I suppose it wouldn't be too bad to stay here after all Jareth isn't all that bad. At least she'd be housed and clothed.

Sarah bowed her head tears threatening to spill over from her green eyes. What about Toby? Sure she used to hate him but that was years ago. She really didn't want to be separated from her half brother that she had come to love so deeply.

Hearing her name being called she didn't have to raise her eyes much to see a little grey box held out in the center of his palm. Pushing back the tears she looked at it like it were something foreign, brows furrowed.

'What an odd time to be giving out gifts. I hope it's not a peach.' she thought grimacing.

"open it." was all he said as she took it from him.

Untying the bow Sarah let it fall silently to the rugged sandstone floor. Opening the lid her breath caught in her throat and all current thoughts were lost. Inside lay a thick gold band with five moderately sized sparkly diamonds. She was in awe as his slim fingers took the ring and her left hand to slip it onto the third finger of her left hand.

"Jareth…I…oh my god." she whispered. Clearly Sarah was at a loss for words. it was all coming so fast, too fast she didn't even have time think if it was right or wrong.

"now go to bed. I've kept you up for far too long." pushing her towards the common door Jareth watched as Sarah mechanically shut it behind herself to leave the room quite again. She really was in shock that there was nothing she could find to even say anyway.

Muffling a yawn with her hand Sarah attempted to blink away her boredomness.

After just coming out of a two hour political meeting she was incredibly not awake. All they talked about was military needs and tactics and something else about a a foreign trade. She hadn't been able to stay awake through it all.

When the meeting had finally ended Sarah was demanded that she be escorted to the royal stables.

Yawning again Sarah turned the corner and almost fell over her escort. The little goblin gave a bow then scurried away quickly.

"good afternoon Sarah." looking around for the body of the voice her search was soon rewarded by Jareth stepping out of a stall, a large black horse in tow. He smiled when she didn't answer him. "don't worry my love Ayden and Malaysian are not coming with us."

'that's what I'm so afraid of, well be alone again!'

"they are aware of my proposal last night. They both are preparing the wedding."

Sarah almost choked on her air. "just the proposal?" she asked slightly gaping, green eyes saucer-wide.

Jareth chuckled. She thought he would tell her 'parents' everything. "why so pale love, I kept the fact that your state of dress was not proper to myself. Besides, I have no desire to share you with anyone else."

Taking her chin he placed his lips gently upon hers. Abandoning the thought of pulling away Sarah let his strong fingers curl around her chin. She was going to be married to the man in a few days anyway so why resist or avoid it. Actually she could not Malaysian had made it clear that morning at breakfast that if she refused the marriage vows they would tie her down and force her to go through with them. Some would say she was damned.

Closing her green eyes Sarah's hands came up to fist his loose shirt. The kiss was gentle and open like a passing butterfly. Dizziness assaulted her knees and she felt lightheaded then all too suddenly the kiss was over.

Actually he wasn't all that bad he was very attractive. At least she'd never have to worry about guys trying to pick her up all the time Jareth was the only humanoid in his entire kingdom.

Pulling away from her an arrogant smirk took over his lips. Sarah was flushed pink and shyly glancing up at him through her thick black lashes.

Yeah, he wasn't that bad.

Inwardly smacking herself Sarah couldn't believe herself she actually wanted him! Seriously! 'look at the situation your in girl you need to change the subject at least.'

"where is my horse?" came the blurted reaction.

Pointing to a stall nearby Jareth frowned. She was avoiding the fact that she actually enjoyed their kiss. Fine then let her but when he got her alone on their wedding night she'd have no time to avoid or refuse. She was his.

Watching her step towards the stall he had pointed at Jareth admired her petite form. She had always been beautiful. Now, six years later her maturing had made her all the more beautiful. Soft curves and slim waist, a womanly air about her. Perfect.

Blinking back to the present a voice roused him. "wow she's already ready to go." 'cool' she thought. Leading a lean looking palomino out he smiled at the tall creature. Rubbing her palm along it's nose Sarah giggled as the horse lipped her palm.

Jareth sighed quietly to himself. What was it with females and animals. The two seemed like a perfect mix, so natural. "shall we go then soal is beginning to become impatient." nodding Sarah followed Jareth out of the stables and into the clean air of the underground.

I am unfortunately discontinuing Bride of Allegiance as of lack of structure and interest. I thank all my reviewers and those who kept up with this story. See you in the next one…

simple