Chapter 40. Kingdom come
Jareth lay blissfully peaceful, asleep in the arms of the woman he'd taunted. For Sarah sleep didn't come easily or peacefully. Something kept nagging at her, something filled her with more dread than even the Goblin King who had taken her dreams and now directed her life. Her eyes studied the face of the man beside her in the bed, had she made a mistake? Should she have accepted his offer to move into his chambers? No, she told her self, no she'd been right to refuse, and yet she found herself longing to hear him make the offer once more.
Heavy lids, lined with a double row of long dark lashes fluttered open over stormy eyes. "What is it?" he asked as he awoke.
"Dangerous question," she whispered.
His hand went to her throat, "We live dangerously, you and I, Sarah." In the darkness he reveled as his touch drove her back into a tempestuous windswept state of ardor. "I shall spend the night," he teased, "showing you just how dangerously we live."
"Are you not worried that the guards will return?" she asked, looking toward the window entry of the tower.
"Daisy will not disturb us," he promised moving to take her once more. "As for Della, she'd most likely offer to join us."
Sarah froze, "You wouldn't, would you?"
Playful at first, he sobered quite quickly. "No, Sarah, I wouldn't." His eyes devoured her, "You are solely for my pleasure."
"Solely?" her eyes looked away, upset by his words.
Gently his hand drew her to look deeply into his eyes; "Solely for me, Sarah." His body seemed to be wrapped about her and within her all at the same time. "You are just for me."
--
Daisy found Della sulking at the base of the tower; she looked up at the enchanted structure and smiled to herself. "You may go to your nesting area," she addressed the Harpy. "I doubt we will be needed anymore this evening. I shall stay here and keep watch."
"Don't you think a second guard is needed?" Della asked grimly.
"The tower is enchanted; no one can enter, nor leave. I think they are safe enough tonight." Daisy said taking a seat on the wall.
Della hesitated, "Would you like another guard sent in my place?"
"No," Daisy leaned back, looking up at the stars over the Goblin landscape. "Why do you ask?"
Della took a seat as well on the wall, her wings dipping over the back gracefully. "No reason," she murmured before turning to the Captain of the King's guard. "Runt, everything between us is… okay?"
"Fine," the captain yawned. "Now be a good birdie and go feather your nest." She waved the Harpy off. Sneering, then smiling Della spread her wings impressively and took to the skies. Daisy watched her quietly knowing her partner was nearing the time when she'd be taking a mate. When the Harpy vanished out of sight Daisy looked up at the tower. No one could bring harm to the King or to his Tagaan or Rhuukarlaan, not as long as they were ensconced in the tower. The enchanted wards would protect both, as far as Daisy understood them. Standing guard over the tower would be an easy enough task. The stars in the Goblin sky gave Daisy an unusual sense of comfort. This was her world, her kingdom and her heart soared looking at the night skies. Her resolve was renewed; no one would take this king from them, not on her watch!
--
Jareth awoke as the sun rose over the horizon, sitting up he stretched before looking down at the woman who lay sleeping still. Her face was different from when he'd first seen her, but in sleep she still retained some of the innocence that had attacked him in the first place. Even in dreamless sleep she was enticing, her scent filled the tower room, and he was enchanted by her beauty. Leaning over her, he gazed at the captive with pride. She was his, not willingly, but his none the less. He wondered quietly if his romp with her had caused any changes in the orb that stood on the nightstand beside his bed. He looked forward to what new discoveries it would bring him. His hand moved softly over the bare skin of her forearm, skimming the surface. Her skin was soft, like the velvety petals of a rose.
The prideful smirk changed as his eyes hardened and the memory of what she'd allowed to befall him rushed forwards. It hardened his heart, and gave him more turmoil in his soul than he'd want known. It mattered not that he was still attracted to her, that he was a moth to her flame. It mattered not that his entire being cried out for her, that she was still the only woman he'd ever considered an equal. All that mattered was the fact that she'd waged war, and lost. He tossed back the light cover from his body and rose, not caring if he disturbed her sleep. He stormed over to the window, intent on transforming to owl and getting the hell out of there, however as he neared the window something halted his steps. Sarah moaned softly as if in pain, before he could stop himself he was back at her side.
'Love me and I will be your slave,' he had told her in a last ditch effort to impede her. He had never been sure until this very moment whether or not he'd really meant the words or if they were yet another ploy. At this moment, with her looking so pained, so vulnerable, he was sure. He had meant the words. He found himself defenseless against the one thing he had never counted on. He loved Sarah Williams. The girl stirred, opened her green eyes and looked at the man who was hovering over her. "Its sunrise," he said working at keeping control of the voice he used. "You must prepare for your lessons; I will take my leave of you now."
Sarah would have liked to have pulled the coverlet closer, but modesty would have been lost on the King. "Of course," she said quietly.
Jareth didn't move; he stayed at the side of the bed for a moment longer. His eyes searching hers and finding nothing to hold onto; "Sarah," he whispered in a rasp that startled both the man speaking and the woman in the bed. He pulled away, not looking back he transformed and exited by the window.
--
Daisy was alerted by the sounds of wings too small to be those belonging to the Harpy. She looked up to see the King's owl form fleeing flight from the tower. He didn't wing toward the chamber his belongings were housed in. Silently she prayed to every God she knew and every Goddess as well, that the King would be drawn to the scrolls. Giving a sharp whistle, she signaled her griffin. She was not about to wait for Della, not when there was a chance at being alone with Sarah and giving her subtle hints of where to look for answers and whom to ask.
--
After a flight over the Kingdom to clear his mind of the thoughts that seemed to take up most of his time, the King returned to his palace. From high above he could see how things had improved in the few years he'd been taking more care of his kingdom. Bridges were rebuilt, roads cleared, and even the fields looked more kept. The one good upshot of having been shot down by Sarah was that now his Kingdom was receiving his attention.
He transformed to man form fully dressed so as not to scandalize his subjects. It was now well after sunrise and the market place began to fill with the shop keepers and stalls and carts were being set up. He strolled through the market being greeted warmly by Goblins and other races that now made the Kingdom home. He paused as was now his custom to listen to some of the shopkeepers concerns. He found them a source of information few others would think to give him. He received samples of the wears being sold that morning, thanking his subjects as they presented him with what they felt were the best they had.
One person entering the market that morning did his best to avoid the presences of the King. Hoggle didn't wish to have a confrontation that morning; he was not sure why only that he didn't want it. He cowered behind the wall of one building, waiting for the King to move on.
Feral senses gave the King an alertness most others were void of. He turned his head, only slightly, and the scent in the air told him that the gnomish little dwarf was near. "Good morning, Higgle," he called out puckishly.
Grumbling under his breath, the dwarf revealed himself. "Your majesty;" He bowed a little too deeply and nearly toppled over.
Amused and annoyed, Jareth gave the dwarf a gaze meant to wilt the coward. "Why are you not at the gate?"
"This is my market day," he answered in the tone that was defensive and somewhat disrespectful.
The King fought down the urge to stomp on the little worm of a man. "Hoggle, I have some work for you at the castle, I will send a replacement to your gate this morning. Come with me."
Hoggle frowned; he knew there would be no chance to do his marketing. He followed the King, a few steps behind, annoyed and aggravated that the monarch didn't seem to be in any hurry. He could hear his stomach rumbling, complaining at being empty.
Jareth heard the grumbling noise, smirked and tossed the dwarf a peach from his morning's tributes. The dwarf looked at it suspiciously, not sure of why, and wanted to loudly refuse the offer. Instead he choked back his self-respect and bit into the juicy flesh, cautiously. He awaited some terrible misfortune to befall him, when it didn't he took a second bite. It was not hard to swallow the fact that the fruit's flavor outweighed his suspicion of the King.
Jareth handed his booty to the first maid who came to the door as the King entered the palace. He told the young elfish woman to have food and drink sent to his offices, and then motioned the dwarf to follow him. Once they reached the private suite of offices that the King now kept, Hoggle gave him a skeptical and doubtful gaze. Jareth sighed, but held his temper. "Do wipe that look off your face," he muttered as he moved to the heavy desk and it's equally heavy chair. "I've a great deal of work to discuss with you."
Hoggle moved toward the desk and saw the surface was littered with pages of what looked like forgotten sketches for new gardens and improvements to the palace grounds. "What's this?" He asked reaching for one of the pages.
"Have you ever heard of a King by the name of Zoltarie," leaning back with his head against the back the seat, Jareth watched the dwarf.
"Don't ring no bells, no," the little man was now fascinated by the drawings. "Who was he?"
"The last of the true Goblin Kings," Jareth whispered. "These were some of the last plans he made for improvements here."
Moving closer, Hoggle felt his mouth drop open. "A Goblin did these?"
"Not just any Goblin," corrected the King softly. "He was a Royal."
Noting the sadness in the King's voice, Hoggle became somber. "What happened to him?"
Jareth looked at the dwarf, pain, fury, and something else registered in the stormy eyes. "He was betrayed."
Not sure why, the dwarf began to quake, and he didn't want to meet with the eyes now centered on him. "What do you want of me, your majesty?"
Placing both elbows on the surface of the desk, the young King looked at the sketches. "I want you to help me bring his dream to life."
--
Sarah looked at the sun climbing in the sky, she turned to Daisy. "Where could the Harpy be," she fretted. "She's going to make me late… you know how Master Sade hates to be kept waiting."
Daisy gave a sharp whistle, "I know," she motioned the griffin to hover near the window and mounted it. She held a hand out to the girl. "I'll deliver you to Sade, and then form a search party for the Harpy. There has to be a problem for her to be so late."
"I hope she's alright," Sarah whispered before adding. "I'll deny it if you tell her I was concerned."
Daisy snickered, but didn't comment.
--
Master Sade was just arriving at the place door when he happened to look up and see Daisy with Sarah on the back of a griffin. He smiled, knowing the Captain of the guard would deliver the student to the training rooms. Upon entering the training room he found the mortal waiting for him alone. "Was your guard not with you?"
"My Harpy is missing," Sarah said from her perch at the windowsill.
The man joined her at the window. "That's damned odd," he agreed.
"Master," Sarah whispered. "Something is wrong… something is very wrong."
--
Della reached on talon out of the bars of the cage she'd been thrust into before she'd awakened from the clubbing. She spat out a string of curses at the man who was standing in the light just beyond her reach, Talagon. He stood beyond her reach, a goblet of wine in his hands and a self satisfied grin on his smug face. Circe stood out of the eyesight of the winged female, she watched as her father began to taunt the creature who had not been given the opportunity to feast.
--
Daisy returned to the palace a few hours later, and reported directly to the King. "Sire, we've a problem."
Jareth looked up from the pages he was going over with Hoggle. "What problem?"
"Someone's kidnapped one of our Harpies."
For the next hour Daisy informed the King of what she knew. When the last she saw the Harpy, and where her investigations had lead. Jareth sat impassively, listening and putting the pieces of the puzzle together. He tapped his chin with long fingers. "Keep the search going, let the outside world see us seeking information on the whereabouts of our Harpy."
"You know who has her," Daisy gasped, surprised he had figured out what she didn't want to suggest.
"I'm sure you've a good idea of who would gain by taking one of my Harpies," Jareth said calmly. "But let's not tip our hand… they see me as a blundering foolish child… let them go on seeing what they want."
For the first time in her life Daisy questioned the King. "And Della?"
"Will be safe enough for now," Jareth assured the Captain with and understanding smile. "As long as they think she's of use to them."
"I feed his bones to the vultures myself for this," the exclamation from the Goblin woman came.
"You'll have to stand in line." Jareth said with quiet calm, he looked at Hoggle. "Start the renovations."
The Goblin dwarf's eyes were angry, but he put it aside. "As you wish, Sire."
Daisy waited until the little man had vacated the room, then she cleared her throat. "Sire?"
Jareth looked up from the sketches he and Hoggle had approved. "Yes, Captain?"
"There's something you should know," she moved forward knowing the walls of this palace had ears. "She's coming into season."
"Not for a few more months," Jareth assured the Goblin woman. "I have it on very good authority." He held up one hand. "Daisy, you'd best pick a replacement for the time being. Pick someone you trust."
"Does it need to be another Harpy?"
Jareth considered her words, and answered carefully. "No."
"Then if your Majesty does not mind, I'll reserve the right to pick another race to fill in… I will have no other partner in my duties but the Harpy Della." She looked at the sketches on the desk. "Those are the gardens of Zoltarie," she said confidently. "Are you completing his plans?"
"In every way that I can," Jareth sighed.
A wide grin spread on the face of the Goblin warrior. "Your Majesty has been reading the scrolls!"
"I'm not the fool everyone thinks I am, Captain Bookworm;" Teased the King.
"You're a sly dog, that's what you are," Daisy stated fingering the hilt of her sword for comfort. "How long were you going to go on letting me worry?"
"I'm not finished reading the scrolls just yet, Captain;" Advised the man with mismatched eyes. "But I am beginning to understand."
Daisy bowed to her king and sovereign. "I would suggest you spend some time with the lineage scrolls, sire. They are most fascinating reading."