Chapter 25. New wounds
"You really believe he's got the girls mother?" Devon asked as he approached the bed.
Jareth looked up at him, smirking wildly. "It's not speculation; he's got the mother… I wonder how our good High Queen reacted to that bit of news."
Paying no attention to the way Jareth was trying to shift subjects and taking into account that he was not yet fully recovered from the attack and his wounds, Devon turned to his cousin with an uneasy gaze. "How are you feeling?" He asked honestly, no games, no façade.
"Tired," Jareth lay back, letting the pillows embrace his weight. "I'm very tired." Remembering his guest he shot up, "I've got guests."
Devon's hand pushed gently to King's shoulder halted him. "I've sent them home… told them there was a summons. If you're not seen for a day or two, everyone who's not in the castle staff with think you're watching a runner." He took a seat on the King's bed. "You had me worried for a few minutes there cousin."
"Stay here tonight," Jareth requested softly. "Please."
"I had not planned on going home," Devon said as quietly. "I have a feeling I'd receive a chilly reception there just now." When Jareth gave him a quizzical look, Devon explained. "Miss Cystennin is not overly fond of subterfuge or lies, and earlier today I used both."
"You like her," Jareth stated, his voice devoid of emotions.
"Yes," Devon acknowledged honestly. "I do like her."
"Guard your heart, Cousin!" Jareth closed his eyes. "These mortals have no idea how fragile a Fae heart is…."
"That may be our fault," Devon said as he rose from the King's bedside. "I'm going to bed." He moved toward the door that would lead to the corridor.
"Say good night to Charmaine for me," Jareth murmured.
"I sent her home," Devon announced as he placed his hand on the door knob. "I'll be sleeping alone…"
Jareth rolled on his side, "I don't believe it," he commented a bit more snidely than he'd have liked it to come out. "You actually sent Charmaine home, and are planning on being what… celibate until the mortal decides to allow you entry?"
Devon turned slowly, his face was not pleasant, nor was it jovial. "Cousin, I have no intentions of discussing my relationship with Miss Cystennin with you… You would never understand the complexities of it, you have too many prejudices. Some are justified, some are not." He experienced an urge to tell Jareth to take a flying leap. "Suffice it to say, for now I choose to sleep alone. Good night, cousin."
Jareth, lying on his side watched the man exit with as much dignity as he could muster. "Poor bastard," the King whispered to himself. "He's bewitched." Not bothering to remove his garments the King curled up in fetal position, drew long slow breaths, and went to sleep.
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Sarah wondered why the Harpy chose to sit directly in the center of the window sill. It was the only window low enough for any view, but no one could look out the window with the Harpy sitting there.
Daisy looked at Sarah pacing the tower room like a caged cat. "Would you like a glass of wine to sooth you?" she asked.
"No," Sarah said curtly. "Thank you."
"It's not poisoned if that's what you're worried about," Della snickered wickedly.
Stepping in would have been easy, and Daisy could have but chose not to. Sarah was in all likelihood going to spend a very long time here in the Kingdom. Not all of the inhabitants were going to feel about the mortal girl the way most of the Goblin community did. Some were very likely going to display behavior like or worse than that of the Harpy's. Daisy saw something of a spark in Sarah, and knew the girl was going to need that spark and more in the days to come. She stepped back, and waited.
Sarah turned to the winged creature and glared. "Why don't you go fuck yourself?"
"Pretty talk," Della felt her wings twitch.
Sarah, now draped in a spare sheet, paced again. It was hard to ignore the creature with the wings, but she was going to give it a try. "You said your name was Daisy?" She addressed the Goblin. "Can you tell me if my friend Bryn is safe?"
Della nearly fell out the window in shock that the girl was concerned with someone out side of herself, but the Goblin moved closer. "Yes, your friend is safe and sound… and being treated decently."
Sarah looked at Daisy, and found the Goblin female had very honest eyes. "You're sure?"
"I have it on the best authority." Daisy assured her.
"Good… she doesn't deserve this…she tried to warn me, to stop me…" Sarah reasoned. "She does not deserve to be… harmed."
"She has not been," Daisy assured the girl once more. "The Baron, I am told is treating her as a house guest."
The weight of worry lifted from Sarah's shoulders. "I'm glad." She addressed the Goblin directly. "You were here when I visited the first time?"
"I was attached to the place, but had no direct contact with you." Daisy stated honestly. "The few who did, speak highly of you."
"The king said something while I was in the dungeon…something about shifting minds….and erasing memories…" Daisy nodded as Sarah spoke; "My friends?"
"Have no recollection of you," the Goblin felt a pang of regret at having to deliver that knowledge to the girl. "It was for the good of the Kingdom."
Sarah looked at the tower room, "I thought I destroyed the castle…"
"You only tore apart the puzzle room, but it's been mended…" Daisy stated with a playful gleam in her eyes. "Not to worry, that room was originally designed to pull apart if a runner reached it."
"So everything was as it was supposed to be?"
"No," Daisy divulged curtly. "Not everything." She motioned the pacing girl to be seated and then took a seat at the table opposite her. "The realm's King is a Fae, but he's been here so long he's more Goblin now than Fae… his pride is Goblin, do you understand?"
"No, not really."
"You do know he was… courting you during the hours you were in the Labyrinth, don't you?" Daisy asked wondering just how young the mortal had been.
"No he wasn't," Sarah denied coldly. "All he was doing was trying to stop me from getting to the castle to rescue my brother…"
Daisy licked her lips, placed an arm on the table and leaned forward. "Recue from what?"
Mimicking the other, Sarah placed her arm to the table and leaned forward. "From him, from becoming a Goblin…he threatened to turn Toby into a Goblin…"
"Really?" Daisy asked skeptically.
"He said and I quote. 'You have thirteen hours to unriddle the Labyrinth, before your baby brother becomes one of us. Forever.' Now if that's not a threat to turn someone into a Goblin I don't know what is." Sarah's voice was sneering and her lips were curling.
Daisy looked at her as if she were a child asking for a cookie. "You're right, you don't know." She stood up. "His majesty does not turn children into to Goblins…not that he couldn't, he just doesn't…Your brother would have become a subject of the Kingdom, and would have lived here as most mortals who are wished away do."
"He said…"
"He said become one of us forever, big deal…"Daisy retorted. "He never said he was turning the tyke… in fact all who witnessed the King's treatment of the boy will bear witness that he was if anything parental with the boy. Doted on him and saw to all his needs personally."
"He didn't belong here," Sarah growled. "I didn't belong here! It was all a mistake and that… King… of yours took advantage."
"Not from the reports I've read, and he could have…" Daisy countered. "In fact perhaps he should have… it would have saved us all a lot of time." The Goblin simpered at Sarah. "I read the account of the tunnel, Sarah Williams…"
"Nothing happened in the tunnel," Sarah denied too quickly; "Nothing."
"What happened in the tunnels?" Della's attention was now focused on the pair conversing.
"Nothing," Sarah repeated.
"You have no idea of the gossip his attention to you caused," Daisy teased. "Never before had he so much as spoken to a runner during the hours they are in the Labyrinth… with you, he not only spoke to you, but he kept a watchful eye on you as well so no harm would befall you."
"That's a lie!" Sarah rose so quickly the chair flew backward.
Della cocked her head to one side. "Why would he watch her? There's nothing special about her…"
"He was taunting me," Sarah protested.
The Goblin sat leaning over the table, looking at Sarah with a grin. "I've seen Hoggle's memory of the incident. Before it was erased, the King captured every bit of his memory of you in one of his little orbs…"
Sarah backed up a pace; she didn't want to remember that moment, the King, his presences in the tunnel. But with the gaze of the Goblin upon her and the knowledge that the moment was caught forever as it had happened in an orb, Sarah faltered and her mind went to that moment. Daisy had poured wine, and it sat in a pewter goblet on the table. Sarah reached for it and drank it down, hopping. It would drown out the thoughts she didn't want to face. A moment later the wine hit her like a brick wall and she felt herself collapse to the floor.
Daisy sighed, "I didn't think it would be so easy to trick her into drinking that wine."
"You drugged her?" Della asked in disbelieve.
"I administered a sleeping drought the healer left with me for her." Corrected Daisy lightly; "Let's get her to bed… the next few days are going to be long ones, and we are all going to need our rest." Daisy grabbed Sarah's feet as Della lifted her by the armpits. Moments later the girl was sleeping a peaceful if dreamless sleep."
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Oberon found his isle at peace upon his return. In the distance he could hear the sounds of the court musicians playing softly. He walked slowly, hands clasped behind his back toward the private garden and his flowery bower where he had left Linda Williams to sleep her enchanted sleep. Looking up he noticed Linda was not the only occupant in his flowery bed. Tatiana was there as well. His wife was lying beside the pretty mortal actress, stroking her hair lovingly.
"What are you doing here?" He asked amused by the antics of his pretty wife.
"She's exquisite!" Tatiana asserted proudly, as if the capture had been her own; "Perfect in every detail."
Oberon knew there would be no getting rid of her, so he resigned himself to the fact that she would want details. He moved to the opposite side of the bower and crawled in beside the sleeping Linda. Looking down at her he too had to agree, she was exquisite. "Few mortals have the fire and appeal of this one," he commented placing a hand gently on the sleeping woman. "I doubt that she is fully mortal, however I know she is not of my seed."
"Still don't like tasting your own fruit?" teased the Fairy Queen.
"It's disconcerting," he conceded as he nestled into a spooned position. "I take it you approve."
"Whole heartedly," cooed the Fairy Queen. "What lovely children this one will make for us."
The High King smiled peacefully at his Queen. "Not only will they be lovely, but they will be full of fire."
"Pity you had to deprive one of your own," The High Queen murmured as she tool lay upon the bower, one hand draped over the actress. "I hope the young man will understand."
"If he's one of mine," Oberon muttered as he began to fall asleep; "It's doubtful."
Tatiana nestled in on the other side of the sleeping actress. "Matters not, she is here, and here she will remain…sleep well, husband."
"Sweet dreams, wife." Oberon sighed peacefully as he warmed to the idea of both wife and new paramour in his bower.
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Ghillie Dhu sat in his hut, calmly writing down the facts as he knew them. He feared there was much yet he had not been made aware of and he was sure it would be difficult to treat both the King and his Tagaan or Rhuukarlaan, if in that tower she was going to be kept. He wondered if his brother would consult with him. It was one option he intended to keep open to him. He looked up to see the eyes of the Lichen watching him as it often did at the bidding of a greater master than even the King. Long ago he'd learned to use invisible inks and once more he was glad he'd made it a common practice. "You won't learn a thing from me, creature," he said aloud. "If you wish to know the King's plans I suggest you go and ask him."
The Lichen eyes of the Labyrinth closed up, and the old healer took a deep breath. Long ago he'd learned to keep the secrets of he who king, not matter who he happened to be. He had seen the power of the living creature called the Labyrinth, and he had seen decline. The rejuvenation that had been experienced in the last few years was a hopeful sign. Still a good deal depended on the King being able to read the signs that were everywhere, and act upon them accordingly. Taking a Tagaan or Rhuukarlaan was something the old man should have expected. After all most everything in the young King's career mirrored that of the last great Goblin King Zoltarie. He closed the journal, moved to place it in the open space of his library wall. He was not as familiar with the story of this king and the girl as he would like to be. He was sure a trip to the palace library was due.
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Hoggle had been having sleepless nights now for three nights in a row. He wondered if he'd eaten some unripe fruit…or had the bean curd broth gone bad again? Or perhaps he'd not baked the bran bread long enough. What ever it was, he was feeling like something the cat had dragged in, and he hated that cat. He hobbled up the path to the gate to count the swarm. No sooner did it seem that he got rid of one, three more Fairies appeared to replace her. 'Little pests,' he thought to himself. 'Someday one of them will bite someone and then the fur will fly!'
Thinking a strange stray thought, he turned to look to the windswept hillside on the border lands of the Kingdom that formed part of the boundary separating Goblin territory from other Kingdoms. For a moment he thought he'd seen the King upon the hillside with the sun rising behind him. For an instant he saw the image of the King and a girl, standing looking down at the Labyrinth. Blinking, he looked again and saw nothing. He muttered to himself as he moved down the path to count the swarm.
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Sir Didymus rose from his bed; another sleepless night had plagued the hapless knight. One of many these past months, and yet another reason he pondered about resigning his commission. He looked at the sunrise from the door of the cottage the King had most graciously granted him. He could hear his noble steed Ambrosius waking and needing his feed bag. Seeing to the beast before he took his own vittles, Didymus wondered if he were getting too old for this life. He had been plagued by strange dreams, and now sleeplessness.
He fed his steed and then went to his cottage to fix his own breakfast. He looked at the little cottage and cursed himself for not having taken a bonny wife when he was a younger man. Many a fair lass had caught his eye, and there were many who had seemed pleased when he'd paid court to them. Still none had ever captured his wild heart, he wondered if any woman in the Kingdom could. He stood for a moment outside his cottage, imagining a bonny wife cooking his vittles and children clamoring for his attention. Quickly he dispelled the dreaming, and went to fix his own meal, knowing his duties to the King came first.
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Ludo awoke from his dreaming, upset and frightened, and did what came natural; He roared.
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Jareth sat up, he'd heard the roar, and it had awakened him. He could feel disturbances in the fabric of magic. He felt the sense of despair of the valiant little knight, the despondency of the cowardly dwarf, and the anguish of the beast. More than any of the others, it was their feelings that plagued the King. He made a promise to himself to check on these three, and keep a closer eye on them now that She was back.
He'd left the bed, and walked to the balcony. The pain in his throat told him he was lucky to have survived the witches attempt to break the spell that held Sarah's dreams captive. Little did the mortal females know how crafty the Fae race could be. For Jareth had worked a special kind of magic when he'd harvested the dreams, keeping them captive in the crystal meant that only he could release them. His death would have meant death to Sarah as well; a cryptal smile kissed his full lips. The thought that he had tied himself to her in such a way pleased him to no end. He had known that Sarah would survive the initial strike against her; after all she was no ordinary girl. Telling Devon she'd most likely had died was a ruse, one that had worked to his advantage.
The golden rays of sunlight kissed the face of the Goblin King, bathing him in it's golden light as it had done time and again. But since one sunrise all others had paled in comparison. The soft winds touched his face with its tender fingers just as it had that morning. Long tendrils of angel fine hair floated wildly on the breeze as they had that morning he'd stood on the windswept hillside with the girl. He remembered the bravado with which she'd faced him, how it had given him a wicked thrill. She had been young, but not so young that she was not interested. Her wild heart had called to him long before she had wished the child away. He had been watching her, waiting, knowing that one day she's call out to him. That day had come and gone, and had left both of them wounded and battle scared.
He had not expected her to regret wishing the boy away, nor had he thought that she'd demand the right to win him back. That spirit was something he loved, and hated about the girl. Even now, yes, even now four years later and a new battle fought, he still loved and hated her all in the same breath. His vixen, his warrior Queen, his…
Movement at the window of the tower that stood along side the wide balcony drew his attention. He looked up with stormy eyes to see green jewels looking down at him. The sun bathed her face in pale light, and she looked more beautiful in her captivity than she had in the crystal ballroom he'd created for her. Their eyes met, and neither breathed for a moment. Jareth had known beauty, he'd taken the pleasures many beauties had offered him. All had left him with a cold void. Yet in this moment, this brief instantaneous moment for just a split second, his heart pounded in his chest wildly. Recognition filled her pale jewel eyes to overflowing, followed by dread and denial, and her face mirrored the way she'd looked at him with defiance in that tunnel.
He had not remembered taking a step forward, but the brush of the balustrade told him he had. Glaring up at her, he gripped the hand rail that decorated the top of the balustrade. She took an involuntary step back, a cry erupting from her mouth as if she could read his thoughts. He hoped she could, he wanted her to be fearful, to cower and beg for mercy that would not come. As she retreated into the dark chamber of the tower room, he smiled and spread his arms to change to the winged form that would give him access to her quarters. She was still backing away with wide eyes when he transformed inside the room.
"Leave us," he ordered not bothering to look at the guards, but expecting to be obeyed without question.
"No," Sarah implored, but knew her guards belonged to the King and she was not surprised when even Daisy made no effort to hinder the King. "No," she repeated still backing away.
Jareth's haughty expression held something more dangerous than before. He had been suggestive in the chamber where he'd been tortured and turned the tables and humiliated her. Now his expression was dark and lascivious as he cornered her. He place one arm above her as he had done when he'd cornered her in the tunnel. "Sarah," his voice was the only one she knew of that could make her spoken name sound either like a caress or a dirty suggestion. "How are you enjoying my Labyrinth's tower?" Cockily he raised a brow as he smirked down into her face.
Alarms going off and being ignored, the girl snarled at his with eyes glaring fiery coals. "It's a piece of cake you ponce!"
Jareth growled in the back of his throat, "I'd a feeling you were going to say that." He slammed his free hand to the wall beside her waist, drawing her to look. When she turned her head he moved forward to nuzzle her neck. She struggled against him as he knew she would, which inflamed his desire to have her even more. The scent of her was stronger now than it had been when he'd first encountered her that night four years ago. She had grown from a beautiful child into a bewitching woman. He grabbed her earlobe between sharp teeth and tugged.
Sarah had kept her hands at first planted to the wall. Then when he'd begun his assault on her throat, she'd raised one to push him away. When she had raised the other was a mystery to her. She struggled, as the teeth took her lobe she moaned, and damned herself for the thrill that ran through her with his intimate touch. "Don't touch me, you fucking bastard." She railed.
Pulling his head back he looked down at her with a victorious expression. "I'm the only one who can touch you," he reminded her sharply. "And touch you I will…" his hand came up from the place it was still resting next to her waist, it gripped the sheet viciously and without care if he'd caused her wounds pain, he ripped it away.
She would have liked to rip his eyes out of their sockets, and eat his beating heart. A roar came from her throat as she raised her hands in a claw like fashion to lung at the King's face and or throat. She was not sure which she had been aiming for, nor did she care what she connected with as long as she did some collateral damage.
Jareth roared at the moment she had, his lips curling and his lungs nearly exploding with in him. He gripped her hair at the nape of her neck and yanked, it was the only thing that had interrupted her attempt to assault his face. He pulled her around and flung her across the room, she landed on the ground, crouching like a wild cat. Her face flushed and her breathing was in quick pants. He didn't remember causing the whip to materialize in his hand, he didn't recall even flicking. He only knew he saw the tip of the whip kiss her skin as he heard the cracking sound and then her yelp. Again and again he felt his hand and wrist move; again and again the leather tip kissed the tender skin on the crouching female.
Sarah didn't remember lunging, she only knew that one moment she was crouched on the stone floor, and the next she was soaring though the space with her hands extended. Jareth had dropped the whip, his hands captured her wrists and she was thrust onto the narrow bed. "No," she screamed.
"Yes," he growled as he pinned her down, "Yes." The wounds of the piercing were not healed, the rings hurt as they were moved and the girl cried out in pain. "I'm here for one reason only," he declared as his clothes vanished, his powerful thighs pressed against hers forcing her to open her legs. "I've marked you as mine, and now I'm taking what belongs to me."
"No, you fuckin' son of a bitch, I don't belong to you! I never will …" she struggled through the pain, and became aware of his own dark intent. He was going to rape her, dry. "Damn you Jareth!"
"Damn us both bitch," he bellowed at her as he pinned her arms above her head with leather straps on the bed. He looked with satisfaction at the bindings, made sure they were secure before moving down to bind her ankles while he ignored her screams. Once she was tied down, with no hope of escape he knelt between her legs. Smiling he began to strip off his gloves; "Time to pay the piper, bitch."
"Stop, you don't want to do this," she pulled at the leather that bound her wrists. "Jareth let me go…."
Reaching forward he encircled her right breast with his left hand. He used his thumb to move the ring ever so slightly; she cried out nevertheless it was not a wild painful cry. On the contrary it was somewhere between a mewl and a moan. "I'm going to enjoy this moment Sarah," he said threateningly as he moved his fingers from her breast down to her pubic mound. He made and kept eye contact with her as his fingers spread the soft folds of skin to give him entry to her sex. "Please me and you shall be rewarded, displease me and you will suffer."
"Fuck off," she spat at him.
"Very well," He shoved one long finger deep into her warmth. She cried out, but her vagina clamped down on his finger tightly.
"Go to hell you wingless Fairy." She cursed him as he began to slowly move his finger in and out of her.
"I'll bet you've dreamed of someone being able to finger your pretty little moist snatch." He murmured in a sinister way. "I'll wager you even had to resort to fingering yourself to gain some kind of release," knowingly he slid a second finger in and heard her sharp intake of breath. "That's it baby, get hot; get good and hot… I want you dripping."
"Stop," she bucked her hips, and clenched her eyes closed. "Stop"
Another finger entered her now moistened orifice. "I wonder whose face is was that you imagined when you'd play with yourself."
Green eyes shot open, fire had replaced the black centers. "Not yours." She jeered.
His fingers sunk deeper, "Bullshit, princess."
Sarah bit down on her lower lip, wanting him to stop and silently praying he wouldn't. "Alright so you know how to finger fuck, big deal."
He felt the tremor, and knew she was close to an orgasm; he pulled his fingers from her, as they exited her body made soft sucking sounds. "Just a prelude, precious," he moved to center himself, his eyes still staring at hers. "Brace yourself babe," he warned threateningly with a mysteriously evil glint in his stormy eyes. "This is going to really hurt," he promised as he pressed the tip of his cock and the coil behind it at her damp opening. "Of that I'm going to make damn sure." Sarah screamed as he pushed into the tight opening. "You think that hurts, just wait… I want this to be an experience you never for get… I want you to remember who took your innocents." She tried to sink back from him, force her body deeper into the mattress. It only served to spur him on; he moved to place his hands on either side of her head. "Look at me," he roared. Her eyes met his, he wanted to see if she'd beg, and he prayed she would not. Green pale jewels focused on the stormy eyes that were boring into her, looking for a glimpse of her soul.
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Della watched Daisy pace expectantly. "What are you doing?"
"Shut up," Daisy said coarsely.
Della opened her mouth to speak but a sound shattered the stillness of the early Goblin morning.
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The sound awoke Devon, who for a moment was paralyzed by its terror.
Far off in a quiet corner of the Kingdom on a quiet estate, Bryn sat up in bed and cried out in unison with the soul that was wounded.
Sir Didymus sat upon his steed, "My lady," he cried softly and then could not remember why he had said that.
Hoggle dropped his spray can, a word was on his lips, but remained voiceless.
Ludo in his dark forest den howled, and did not understand why.
Ghillie Dhu opened the door of his hut and looked to the tower, it had happened. The mortal girl the King had taken as his prisoner had become the King's Tagaan or Rhuukarlaan, his slave of bondage. The old man pulled on his outer robe and sauntered slowly toward the Labyrinth where he hoped to find answers to too many questions.
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Jareth's hands were gripping her hips, dragging her forward as she fought to free herself from his impaling cock. "Going somewhere?" he growled boring deeper into her womb. "I'm not finished with you."
The searing and tearing pain began to ebb, and the girl let tears fall to lament her lost treasure. It could not be gotten back, not even if this bastard turned back time; "I hate you," she moaned.
"As I hate you," he said coldly as he began to deepen his strokes. His face only inches from hers. "No other man in this kingdom or any other will touch you now… you belong to the Goblin King, for his pleasure only."
"How can this pleasure you?" she demanded.
"Knowing that my touch is the only one you can bare…." He taunted with cold fury. "Knowing the only satisfaction you'll ever achieve is at my hand."
"You're a rapist!" she spat at him; "Nothing but a lousy rapist."
Jareth felt the twitch in his check, and the tightening of his jaw. "Is it true," the edge in his voice was now razor sharp. "That it's not really rape if I make you come?" He saw her panic, the façade slipped for only a moment but it was enough. "My, my, my…" he slowed the rhythm, began to caress her, tenderly drawing from her the response she wished she could deny him. His eyes kept hers locked, as he watched for signs of her weakening. Her jaw began to tremor, and her head tipped back, her back arched and her hips spread.
He had planned to pull out, to unload his seed on the side of the bed or on her beautiful belly. The moment she'd arched her back and spread her hip, that plan was abandoned. Bracing himself on his arms, his face inches from hers; he began to pick up the pace again. Their bodies were soon glistening in sweat, and both were groaning and grunting in unison. 'There's still time,' he told himself. 'I can pull out…I can pull out…' but he found himself diving deeper and deeper, pounding her into the mattress until she cried out as the climax swept though her like a storm. Clinging to her, he emptied himself into her until he was wrung dry.
Forcing himself, he pulled free of her and staggered away from the bed. He looked at her with contempt and scorn. "Your…King is…pleased." He said grudgingly.
"This meant nothing to you…." She winced back tears as he headed toward the window.
"Less than nothing," he taunted.
"Then why make love to me?" she whispered.
Jareth had his back to her, not able to look at her for fear she'd read his heart. "Love, oh really Sarah," he scoffed trying to sound like a bully. "This wasn't love, it was only sex." He transformed to the bird of the night and escaped out the window before she could protest or retaliate with a comment he could not fight.
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Daisy watched the sky, saw the bird and the direction it winged off toward. She turned to Della; "Go take care of the girl, if she needs her wounds seen to get the healer."
"Where are you going?" Della demanded as she spread her wings and rose a few feet in to the air.
"Where I am needed," Daisy said as she hit what looked like solid rock. A small panel door opened, and the Goblin crouched down and moved into the castles' hidden passageway. Moments later she entered the circular throne room. A cask of ale went whizzing past her, smashing against the wall. Daisy watched as the King pitched what he could, and smashed what would not be moved. Moving forward she silently handed him objects as he went about the circular space. When he'd destroyed everything with the exception of his throne he collapsed on the dais steps. Daisy approach and knelt down beside him; Jareth looked up at her, tears streaking down his face as he fought to catch his breath.
"I'm supposed to feel better," he moaned. "Not worse."
Daisy put her hand to his shoulder, her eyes were not judging only consoling. "You have come so far, Jareth Tuatha Dé Danann Huukec Mec, did you really think you could resist going the rest of the way? Now, you are a real Goblin King."
"I forced her to respond to me, Daisy." He closed his eyes. "I wanted to hurt her, and I only hurt me."
"She hurts too," The little Goblin sighed. "She hurts too."
"I'm never going into that tower again," he lowered his head, closing his eyes.
"Yes you will," Daisy said with understanding. "You will not be able to help your self, Goblin King… She is… Tagaan or Rhuukarlaan, and only she will please you." Daisy stood up. "Come Goblin King, I will see you to your rooms." He looked at the Goblin woman, sniffling and wanting to resist, to protest. Daisy helped him to his feet. "I suggest you ask Lutin for the scroll about Tagaan or Rhuukarlaan, it makes for very good reading." She looked at him with admiration, "Perhaps before the rest of your subjects see you, you'd like to dress."
Jareth looked down; with dignity he turned his face to the Goblin woman. "Yes, that might be wise. You need not bother yourself further Daisy, I know a short cut to my room." He flicked his wrist, and then vanished.
Daisy looked about the room and walked calmly to the gong, she hit it once and the room filled with eager Goblins. "Clean this mess, boys." She commanded. "Replace all the broken furnishings and bring in a new ale cask."
Bodies began to rush about and the splintered wooden bits and pieces of furniture were removed. Daisy turned to Philo who entered once he was sure nothing else was being tossed. "I leave this in your good hands Philo; I must make sure Della has followed my orders."
Philo nodded, "I will see to it Captain." He addressed Daisy with respect. "You may go about your duties without worry about the castle."
"Good, if you need me, call." She paused and turned to the Steward. "Would you order a basket of food, I'm sure the birdbrain didn't think to bring food up to the girl… and I doubt she would like what Della finds appetizing."
The Steward bowed, and excused himself for a few moments, returning with a large hamper of food that he handed over to the Goblin. She tucked it into her arm and exited the throne room. "Daisy," Philo followed her out of the throne room with concern on his wise Hobgoblin face. "How do you intend to get up to the tower? Are you thinking of calling the Harpy down?"
"I won't need to," She gave a sharp whistle and a winged creature of the Labyrinth soared down to her. She mounted it, and looked at Philo, "You didn't see this," she winked at her long time supporter.
"You are more and more like your father," Philo chortled. "Give my regards to him."
"I shall, Uncle." She used her heels and knees to guide the winged creature; "Until we are together again… safe keeping."
"Safe travels, Daisy." Philo hurried back into the castle not wishing to allow the lower caste Goblins too much freedom.
Daisy entered the tower room with the hamper of food only to find Della perched on one of the chairs taunting the young woman still bound to the bed. "I thought I told you to take care of the girl and to see to her wounds."
"She has no new wounds," Della said looking with disgust at the food that Daisy had returned with. "You don't honestly expect me to eat that do you? It's all dead…"
Shaking her head, Daisy set the hamper down on the table and waved the Harpy off as she began to unfasten the binding restraints on the girl. "Go hunt something down, birdie…"
"Lovely... I hope that fool goat herder is still in the southern pasture." She leapt out the window and spread her wings to catch the down draft.
Daisy inspected the girl's wrist; they were rubbed, but not bruised. "He was careful, you should be grateful."
Sara rubbed her free wrists as she sat up, waiting for Daisy to release her feet. "Grateful? For what, for being molested, and raped? For being tied like a…."
"Like a Tagaan or Rhuukarlaan," Daisy retorted without spite. "That is what you are, what you were once is no longer true… you are the King's Slave of Bondage." She pointed to the basket. "I've brought you something to eat and drink." She looked at the disheveled girl. "Perhaps you'd like to bathe first, and pull yourself together. We can talk over the repast," the Goblin motioned the girl to follow her. "Permit me to act as your lady's maid." Sarah stood on legs like jello, but she did make it to the bath where Daisy drew a tub of hot water. The Goblin guard watched the girl descend into the warm swirl of water. Once the girl was in the waters Daisy bowed to her again. "I shall give you a few moments to wash and compose yourself."
"Why are you being nice to me?" Sarah asked with suspicion.
"I'm not," Daisy said respectfully. "I am behaving as all will toward the Tagaan or Rhuukarlaan, with your new title comes the benefit of station."
"You said the Tag…Tagag…" she began trying to say the goblin word. "You said that meant Slave of Bondage… how can that be as respectful Station?"
The Goblin woman tossed back her head and laughed aloud, it was a gay and wonderful sound and it filled the chamber. "You must stop thinking like a mundane mortal, you are now a Goblin citizen, and you will live by our morays not the mundane." She sauntered toward the drawn curtain. "Enjoy your bath, my lady."
Sinking into the bath up to her shoulders, Sarah muttered to herself. "Their all fucked in the head here; every last freakin' one of them." She carefully washed her still tender parts. "And he's the worst of them all." She scrubbed patches of skin that were not tender. "I'm going to get even with him, if it's the last damn thing I do!"
Daisy took the wine from the basket, poured herself a goblet and made a silent toast to the woman behind the curtain.