Chapter 51. Seeds of deceit
Daryl Daniels was as mystified now as from the moment that she appeared in his cell. For no reason, she freed him of the asylum and the drugs that had poisoned him. Now, they walked in silence until they stood on the edge of the town. "Do you know where you are?" she asked.
"I've been here before," he curtly answered. "The girl~" he paused. "The Williams girl was from here. I hear she's dead," he smiled, thinking she was dead and he lived.
"She lives," Circe informed him, watching his smile fade and a disbelieving expression form on his face. "Not here, but she lives."
"What do you want of me," Daryl asked thinking more clearly now than he had in months, perhaps even years.
"I want only what you want," she said banally. "Revenge."
Dr. Daniels studied the face of his patroness; she was unlike any other woman he'd ever encountered. "What has the Williams girl done to you that you would set me upon her?"
Calculating that this creature would not survive, Circe saw no reason to not give him an honest answer. "She stands in the way of what I want."
It was a more honest answer than Dr. Daryl Daniels had expected. "She's known to do that," he growled menacingly. "What is it you want?"
"Power," she answered eloquently. Circe regarded the man. He was hardly worth the effort she deemed. However if he could be persuaded to do her bidding, it would start the domino effect to the pawns in her plan. "I was told you had a plan to bend her to your will."
"It was a foolish plan, and I had idiots execute it. She got wind of it and I paid with my mind and body." Daniels crossed his arms, holding back the anguish of the memory of the mock trial. "Had I but had a taste of her," he mused, "It would have all been worth it." He looked at the woman. "She was the only one of the "patients" that I didn't have the pleasure of sampling in my efforts to stabilize them."
Giving him a cool gaze, she could only imagine his idea of treatment. "You seem to still desire correcting that oversight."
"That girl cost me my job, my reputation, and my very soul, madam," he answered curtly again. "Of course I want some of my own back." He surveyed the horizon beyond. "What are you offering?"
"What did you plan to do to by means of attracting the girl's attention? What did you have that she wanted?" Circe knew fully what he had planned, and this time she'd see to his success.
"The girl had only one weakness as far as I could see," he sighed. "An unusual devotion to her little brother;" He pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'd intended to take the boy captive and draw her to me. but I instead was taken captive and brought to her at an old asylum, where she pumped me full of the drugs that I had prescribed to my patients."
"What a fitting place for her to meet her end," laughed Circe. "Show me this asylum," she held out her hand. "Touch my hand and I will see what you've seen."
Daniels was reluctant to give that information out. "For what reason?"
"Your asylum will make the perfect place for you to wreak revenge on the Williams girl and her kin." Circe said with as sweet a smile as ever a cobra wore.
"So you will give me both the boy and his sister?" He didn't quite believe it, but he liked the thought.
"I will make it possible. The having is up to you," she shrugged, extending her hand. The man passed his hand toward her.
--
Tanya stood looking in her bath mirror at the mark Jareth had place upon her. She blushed deep rose as she traced the mark with the tips of her fingers, remembering being in the arms of the Goblin King. It was only a matter of time, she told herself, until he would see that she was the perfect wife for him. She'd even vowed to be tolerant of his keeping that creature in the tower. After all, a Queen was much more important than a mere slave~ she could afford to be generous.
--
Sarah looked at the scratches and bruise marks on the King's face. "You deserve far worse," she lamented.
Naked and basking, Jareth glowered over at her. "Care to inflict more?" he taunted.
"Get over yourself," she said, standing up and looking at the mess.
"Tagaan," the Goblin King murmured, holding out a hand to her. "WE are what we must be."
Sarah looked at him without judging. "I suppose that's true, but that girl has no idea of what your plans are. She thinks you're going to make her your queen."
He stood up, crossed the floor unconcerned and unhampered by his nakedness. He was as graceful out of clothes as he was in them. "No one will wear that title Tagaan, nor your title, either."
Sarah hated what the sight of him could do to her, she hated being weak. "I know you mean that, but…"
"No buts," he interrupted her, snaking his fingers into the tangled hair on her neck. "I will do what I have to. I will drag this kingdom and the entire Underground back up… but only you will bear my sons."
"The High King," she muttered. "The council…"
"Can all go to blazes," Jareth pulled her to him. "What I do, I do for the future of our worlds… yours, mine, all of it. Both sides of the mists."
Under different circumstances she might have applauded him, and stood as his most fervent follower. "You are a dangerous man," she gritted through her clenched teeth. "Jareth Tuatha Dé Danann Huukec Mec, Warrior King."
"Part of my charm," he buried his face in her neck. "As long as I have you to come back to, as long as you are with me, I can withstand anything and anyone."
"I'm not yours freely," she reminded him.
"You are the price of peace with the Above," he acknowledged before moving toward the window. He said nothing more to her before he transformed and soared into the midday air.
Sarah shivered, wanting to cry out and warn him. Of what she was not sure.
--
Della arrived at the rookery, tossing the bloody carcass to the center of the rookery floor. She crowed as she'd heard others crow upon returning from mating. Iris entered the common ground followed by others of the flock; the matron looked at the body and asked carefully. "Fae meat? How did you come by this?"
Docilely gazing at the remains of her mate, Della shrugged, "Couldn't hold his liquor."
The harpies gathered, the aroma of fresh meat drawing them out from every corner of the rookery. They held back, looking from Della whose kill this was, to the Matron who would decide if they could or could not eat. Iris understood the sarcasm in Della's tone, but needed to know more. "This is a Fae Lord who has given our King much… difficulty. He has been a nuisance for quite some time. How is it you…"
Della looked down at the donor of the seed that was even now being nourished and nurtured within her. "He drugged a goat," she answered with a grim expression. "Seems he was knowledgeable of our preferences in game meat. He boasted to me of his having used such temptations on our kind before." She was even now, one week hence her being taken captive, feeling foolish for having been captured. "I should have noticed the creature in the brambles was not struggling as it should have been. Had I not been distracted by the aroma of warm fresh blood…"
"We were informed that you had gone missing and had been taken captive," Iris said with a nod. "The King ordered us to stand our grounds and protect the hatchlings."
"Jareth Tuatha Dé Danann Huukec Mec, Warrior King gave good advice, " Della sighed heavily. "That one was one of the conspirators and the collaborators who took the life of the first Tagaan or Rhuukarlaan." She felt the weight of responsibility fall heavy on her shoulders. "He used us, and was planning to use us again. He planned to kill the Tagaan or Rhuukarlaan, and drive King Jareth to the same despair that took the life of Zoltarie. The old fool thought that I was just an animal, that I didn't truly understand his boastings, and disclosed to me the past and the future."
Concern for the young female filled the Matron's eyes. "He starved you?"
"He was a fool," Della repeated. "He thought he could… train me." She crossed her arms.
The Matron's taloned hand moved to the chin of the defiant guard. "You mated with this one?" When Della nodded, Iris sighed. "It's the first time one of our women has mated with a Fae. We must take care to nourish you." She snapped her fingers and the women gathered round the mound of flesh that had once been Talagon. "You may feed first," she said to the harpy who'd bought the meet home.
"I've fed," Della said curtly. "I brought the rest for our flock."
"There is a tradition," Iris reminded her. "You've taken his heart. Now take that which delivered the seed to your fertile ground."
Della looked at the remains of his erection as she moved closer. "Mind if I take a bit more? I know a little goblin that could use a new change purse." With one quick swipe of her extended talons, the harpy removed the reproductive organ. Scrotum and penis were severed from the lifeless form. Della held them up and crowed.
Iris nodded and the feeding frenzy began. Della took her place beside the Matron. Iris clasped hands with the younger harpy while the rest fed. "You did good, daughter," she whispered. "You have avenged our flock and our line."
"Not good enough, mother," Della sighed. "There is still danger, to our flock now as well as to the rest of the Goblin kingdom."
"You expect retaliation from the High King?" Iris sounded doubtful; she had heard rumors of Talagon being out of favor.
"No, from the daughter of this one," Della said coldly. "She's an icy little piece of work," adding as an afterthought. "She'd have made a fine harpy in another life."
Iris chuckled. "Go to the sands, clean your wings and rest," she ordered.
"And the King?" Della asked.
"Has problems of his own," Iris observed. "We must tend the flock, it would be his wish. You've mated, and need to rest. Go… little will happen without our knowing. Your sisters are keeping watch."
--
Tanya was taking a quiet walk by herself. Her father was still in council and her mother had taken to her bed as she often did after a trauma. Walking along the pleasant garden path, Tanya placed her hand over the place where she bore the King's mark. Her face was peaceful and serene, her thoughts diplomatic. Jareth Tuatha Dé Danann Huukec Mec, the Warrior King was her lover and she could withstand anything.
"Miss Winderspire, might I have a word?" Circe stood in the girl's path, having transported herself into the garden. Her voice soothing and very pleasant, her face a painted mask of cordialness.
Taken by surprise, Tanya pulled in her step. Her breath caught in her throat, unsure if she should scream or not—her heart was pounding at the sudden and unwelcomed intrusion on her personal secret thoughts. The gardens of the ducal palace were private and outsiders unwelcomed. Tanya decided not to~ it was not like Circe was going to cause her bodily harm. However Tanya didn't like or trust the other. "What can I do for you, Lady Talagon?" her tone was wintry and exceedingly formal.
"One hears that you are~ favored by the Goblin King," Circe stated composedly, almost congratulatory. The girl didn't deny it, so the older Fae woman went on. "I know that his attentions at the fete were happenstance and not to be counted on." She leaned toward the girl, as if ready to divulge a secret. "Is it true?"
Tanya wondered if there were any servants nearby if she had need of them. "I don't know what you're talking about," she quickly stated wondering how anyone could possibly know of what transpired but three hours ago.
"I'm sure that's not so," Circe said trying to sound reasonable. "I'm fairly sure that the King's attentions to me were for your benefit, a ploy to make you see how desirable he is. When he took me into the nook, it was your name he spoke, not mine." She saw the blush rise on the other's face and knew the answer the other was trying to hide. "Did the cat's bait work on his chosen mouse?"
Tanya's hand, poised over the mark over her heart, seemed to hover and the girl's face took on a serene possessiveness. "I did see the Goblin King earlier today," she admitted quietly. "He and I have~ an understanding."
As if they had been lifelong friends, Circe held out her hands to the younger girl. "I wish you joy." She saw hesitation in the young woman. "I come to you now to ask for your friendship."
"Friendship?" Tanya questioned, holding her hand tighter to the mark over her heart. She had seen this woman brazenly waltz into a nook with Jareth. She had witnessed her behavior and had been the brunt of cruel remarks from her only last night. For years her mother had ragged on and on about Talagon and his daughter. The only pleasant words were spoken of the late Lady Talagon whom the Duchess pitied.
Piqued that the girl was being a bit more difficult than anticipated, Circe tried being contrite. "Miss Winderspire," she lowered her eyes remorsefully, filling her voice with repentance. "I do so beg your forgiveness if anything I've ever done has caused you sorrow or hurt. It was never my intention."
Tanya didn't quite believe it, "Why should you want me as a friend?"
Moving to her side, as if they were confidants, Circe placed a hand on the hand that was not at the girl's heart. "My father is getting on in years," she confided. "Soon the responsibility of his office shall fall upon me. I have had to pick up the pieces behind him for years now, and he's made an enemy of the Goblin King. It would be good to have a friend in the Goblin Courts…" she kept her tone respectful while wanting to gag. "I should very much like someone who can plead my causes for me."
"Are you suggesting that King Jareth is unfair in his treatment of your accords?" Tanya asked stiffly. "What does that have to do with me?"
"No," Circe sighed. "My father however may have left the King with a very bad impression. He's brash, to say the least."
"So I've heard," Tanya remembered Talagon's threats and Jareth's reactions.
Circe sighed heavily. "Yes, well that's my lot," she heaved another sigh for emphasis. "How can I combat King Jareth's ill will? Oh, he was very clear last evening that his little waltz with me was not to be taken as anything more than him… amusing himself," she looked pleadingly at the young woman. "You have his favor, and most likely will be announcing your nuptials soon." The blush on the girl gave Circe pleasure. "I can see how you glow, you're in love."
"I glow?" gasped Tanya, thinking it was a good thing her mother had not yet seen her.
"Indeed," the cunning Fae female simpered. "Why, it's only a matter of time before we see you crowned. And I'd like to be one of the first to offer you my hand in friendship, and to show my friendship to you," Circe simpered patronizingly, "I've come with an olive branch."
"An olive branch?" repeated the younger.
"Yes," Circe hooked an arm into Tanya's, mimicking the way she'd seen some of the younger women do on Avalon when she attended Court. "I'm afraid I've witnesses witnessed several occasions where that woman, that Tagaan or Rhuukarlaan, has insinuated herself. She had cut you off from King Jareth once or twice. She obviously does not know her place." The pout formed before Tanya could prevent it and it was witnessed by the observing Circe. "I bring you a means to be rid of the problem of the Tagaan or Rhuukarlaan. A way to send her back to her own dimension and her own kind. surely you don't think she belongs here," Circe practically crowed. "I happen to know that her little brother is going to be in grave danger, and you can open a portal to send her to his aid … and then close the portal, trapping her once more in the mortal plane."
"How do you know this?" Tanya extricated her arm from the scheming woman. "How do you know anything about the Tagaan or Rhuukarlaan?"
"Suffice to say I've the information," Circe sighed. "Act quickly and you will achieve two things. Riding yourself and the Kingdom of the Tagaan, and secondly you will have been the means of rescuing a mortal child. Surely that will elevate you in the eyes of the Goblin King. One hears how~ fond he is of the little creatures."
"No," the girl with doe eyes pulled back from Circe. "I don't know what you are planning, but it's no use! I won't help you," she felt panic set in. "You don't belong here, Lady Talagon. I don't want to be your friend. I'll not do anything that will upset Jareth, and removing his slave would surely make him very angry."
"Pity," Circe said coolly, "For the boy will be in danger whether you do or don't."
Lips trembling with fear, Tanya blinked. "What have you done?" She looked about, franticly searching for help.
"I? I have done nothing," Circe lied smoothly. "I brought this information to you as a means of showing you my friendship."
"I don't believe you," Tanya argued. "You're just a jealous old crow! You want him, I can smell it on you. You want Jareth." She backed away. "My father and mother talk about your father openly, you know."
"Do they," some of her mask slipped a bit, allowing Tanya to see the barely concealed distain that Circe harbored. "Pity they didn't warn you to be more careful about your walks in the garden." Her hand shot out a flash and the girl fell to the ground, rendered unable to move or speak. "I'm going to have to borrow your pretty little flying pony," Circe said standing over the young woman. "And if you don't mind," she breathed evenly as she took on the glamour that would make her appear in Tanya's likeness. The wide-eyed shock in the girl's eyes was satisfying to the other. "I shall do this in your stead, in your name and likeness. Pity you didn't just agree to be the hand of justice." The intruder laughed cruelly. She smoothed the riding habit and winked at the fallen girl. "Good bye, little Tanya. I doubt very much that I shall ever see you again." Turning, the woman vanished.
Tanya could feel the invisible bonds that held her. She stilled, focusing on finding a chink in the ties.
--
Jareth could feel something was about to happen, the air tingled about him and he knew a summons was coming. "Donatien, we must put this on hold," he held up his gloved hand. A moment later it struck with full force, the call that could not be denied. He grabbed the edge of the table. "A summons," he muttered.
The Master of the Guilds watched with rapt attention, never having witnessed a summons. "Is there anything I can do, sire?"
Taking a deep breath, Jareth nodded. "Prepare the quarters as we have laid them out. My harem will need to be furnished before the women are housed. I leave that to your capable hands, and those of the Guild. Rosalind will be a willing student as will many of the others. However, remember I don't want the Duke's daughter included in that assemblage. She is a separate issue." The first wave of shock had passed and before a second came, he transformed himself. He was now in the full regalia and preparing to take flight. "The Goblins are on their way and I too must go."
Donatien bowed, "The Goddess's speed," he bid as he watched the king open a portal.
--