An After Dark Fairy Tale
Chapter 4
Sarah tossed and turned on her small metal-framed bed. To her chagrin, she found she couldn't sleep or stop thinking about the Goblin King. Every time she closed her eyes she saw his — burning into her very soul. Sarah could still feel his touch all over her. He had burrowed underneath her skin and she was craving him like a drug. The memory of the way his tongue had circled her most sensitive spot left her dripping with desire. Damn him, Sarah cursed under her breath. It would be easier if she could convince herself she had been under a spell the previous evening. Dismiss it as another fever dream as she had done before. But she couldn't lie to herself again. The tenderness between her legs was all too real, for one thing.
When the Goblin King tried to tempt her to stop her from reclaiming Toby, she knew she was too young for what he was offering. This time around, age had been no barrier, even if he was an immortal being. There was also no baby brother in peril to keep her from giving in to him. The worse thing was it was only Jareth's abandonment that made Sarah regret losing her virginity to him. She wanted him to make her feel like she was the centre of his world, and he did — until his disappearing act. Her college friends had told similar tales of guys who couldn't get out of the door fast enough once they'd got what they wanted. She should have paid attention. But, perhaps it was something one could only learn from experience.
If only she'd had some basis for comparison. The Goblin King obviously found her attractive and Nox leered over her, so why had no mortal man ever shown an interest?
The hours ticked away and, instead of plotting ways to escape, Sarah was wrapped up in obsessing over Jareth. Her fellow captives remained as vacuous as when she first met them, lost in whatever kept them bending to the Midnight Prince's will. Sarah failed to notice she was slipping into a stupor of her own. Every time she came close to snapping out of it, her mind would be flooded with thoughts of the Goblin King and she would be trapped inside another fantasy bubble.
When it came time to go to work, Sarah didn't argue. Ebony informed her of the etiquette she should observe for the club's non-human clientele. Apparently, the fae hated salt, although it wasn't actually harmful to them. They also hated being thanked, verbal expressions of gratitude were treated as an insult. They believed a good deed should be rewarded in kind or with offerings and not with words.
Ebony omitted to tell Sarah or any of the other girls that some of the bar's regular clientele drank blood or fed vampire-like off human emotions. Often girls were taken into the back rooms, and occasionally they never returned. Their screams were easily masked by the music and their blood cleaned up, but death had a smell that never really went away. The number of captives was always twelve. New women were procured to replace the missing when the need arose. A few were sold as concubines, if they caught the eye of visiting fae nobility. Some were chosen to fulfil specific requirements and tastes of a more exotic nature. The Midnight prince didn't care either way, so long as he made a profit.
A gruff voice made Sarah start.
"Waitress, a Brandy Alexander and make it snappy."
The male patron's silver hair, sparkling blue eyes, and sharp features, indicated he was probably fae. When he conjured the money to pay for his drink with a flick of his wrist, Sarah's suspicions were confirmed.
He took a sip of his cocktail and hummed with pleasure. "Cream and brandy! Does it get any better?" He closed his eyes to savour the experience.
Sarah found her mouth-watering. "I've never tried it," she drooled.
It had been a long time since her grocery budget could stretch to anything that fancy. Plus, the food and drink rations served to her and the other girls were worse than anything she ever got at the school cafeteria.
"Cream is like catnip to us," the fae purred. He looked Sarah over, letting his eyes linger on her barely covered breasts. She was wearing a black leather thong and bra that left nothing to the imagination. He smiled in a predatory way, and noticing Nox across the bar, he signalled to him. "You should try everything at least once," he drawled. "Why don't you bring me another of these, while I have a little chat with your master?"
Sarah knew exactly what the Fae wanted to talk to the Midnight Prince about. Nox would probably threaten her family again if she refused to obey him. Her eyes darted over to the curtained entrance area and she saw Ebony standing guard. In desperation, she made a hushed wish for Jareth to come and save her. The sound of raised voices snapped Sarah out of her quiet attempt at invocation and she almost spilled the drink on her tray.
The silver haired Fae was furious. "Of course, I saw the mark. But none of them have ever been off limits before. What is so special about her?"
The Midnight Prince muttered something she couldn't hear which seemed to placate the Fae and all was calm again. One of the other girls was summoned to the table and a deal was struck. Sarah delivered the drink and hurried away as Nox glared at her through narrowed eyes. She was grateful to have been spared a trip to the private rooms, but curious as to the reason why. In her contemplative state, she managed to collide with a patron and drop her tray. Sarah stooped to pick it up, offering apologies for her clumsiness. As she did so, her green eyes met with familiar odd, blue ones. She stumbled back in shock, landing on her ass with a painful thud.
Jareth reached out a hand to help her up. "How flattering," he smirked. "It appears I have the power to literally sweep you off your feet."
Sarah shouldn't have been surprised to see him. After all, she did wish for him to come and save her. Jareth was dressed in the same manner as the night before but with a dark grey raincoat and matching hat, this time around. However, given the way he'd vanished on her the previous evening, she did hesitate before taking his hand. He was wearing grey leather gloves but his touch still sent shockwaves through her. Somewhere in her muddled mind, Sarah knew something wasn't right with her urge to acquiesce to him. His behaviour during their last encounter deserved her anger. It shouldn't have left her craving him so badly.
Sarah tried to focus on something other than his sinful gaze. "What can I get you?"
Jareth inched closer to her until they were almost touching. "I'll have my usual," he drawled in her ear.
If Sarah was a cartoon character there would have been love hearts in her eyes at that point. "A Bellini, wasn't it?" she inquired, fluttering her eyelashes.
Jareth nodded, smiling, amused at how far under his thrall she had fallen. The Fae had the power to literally drive humans out of their minds with lust. Lust would inevitably turn to eventual death by despair if the Fae abandoned them forever. The Goblin King thought how easy it would be to do that to Sarah. He could further stoke her passion and then leave her to pine away to nothing. If he didn't think he'd die without her, he would.
Sarah delivered his drink and he grabbed her by the wrist. "It's not my thirst that needs quenching," he said.
Nox appeared from out of nowhere and slid a key across the table. "Number six is free."
Sarah followed willingly as Jareth led her towards the backstage area.
"The master said I was off limits. But, not to you, right?" she purred.
The Goblin King's features darkened with anger. "The Midnight Prince is not your master," he snarled.
They reached door number six and Jareth unlocked it. The room was similar to the one they'd been in before, complete with big bed and mirrors. Sarah gazed mesmerized by their reflection.
"See anything you like, precious?" He was standing close behind her and his voice sent tingles down her spine.
Jareth removed his gloves and snaked a hand around her to softly caress her breasts. His other one went lower, and she let out a gasp as his fingers worked their way underneath her thong.
"Already so wet for me," he murmured in her ear.
Sarah couldn't help the moan of want that escaped her. The small voice of reason inside her head said she should tell him to go fuck himself — but she wanted him to fuck her more.
Jareth slid his middle and index fingers inside her, stroking her with his thumb and making her whimper. "Lay on the bed," he instructed and she was only too eager to do his bidding. He tore off her underwear and replaced his fingers with his mouth.
Sarah clutched onto the bed sheets as his tongue traced a spiral pattern around her core. Her orgasm hit with a blinding flash sending seemingly endless shockwaves through her body. Finally, catching her breath, she was overtaken with desire for him and it made her bold. "I want to taste you," she said, making a grab for his belt.
Jareth allowed her to push him back against the bed and undress him. He groaned with bliss as she trailed kisses over his body until she reached her prize. Sarah had never performed oral sex before, but he made her enthusiastic to try. She licked and teased him until he was hard against her tongue. Her lips slid over him, sucking in a frenzied back-and-forth motion as he growled out his pleasure. Taking his gentle direction, she worked every sensitive inch of him. Sarah was certain this was not the first time he'd been attended to in such a way but he appeared satisfied with her endeavours. He cried out in ecstasy as his hips bucked and he emptied himself into her mouth. Sarah was greedy for every last drop, sucking until he pulled at her hair to make her stop.
"Oh, my precious one," Jareth gasped once he had recovered the power to speak. "I was a fool to think I could ever live without you. You will be mine," he vowed.
Sarah fell back against the bed letting the buzz she got from his essence permeate throughout her body. She felt more alive than ever before, as if all her senses were enhanced. She looked up to find the Goblin King with a sorrowful expression on his face. "What's wrong?" she questioned as she instinctively reached out to comfort him.
"I no longer wish to play the villain," Jareth sighed, lacing his fingers with hers. "I thought I did. After you left my kingdom in ruins and my heart shattered, I spent nine years consumed by bitterness over your rejection."
"You need to let it go already! I was only fifteen, Jareth," Sarah pointed out in exasperation. "Besides, you were the one who walked away last night, remember?"
He bowed his head in acknowledgement of his actions. "I have a confession to make," he announced. "I fear it will make you hate me but you have a right to know." Jareth risked a look into her green eyes, so deep they could hold a sea of tears. "The fae have the power to leave a mark on humans they come into contact with. It is supposed to signify to others of our kind that a claim has been staked. Of course, not all take heed." He fumed in reference to Nox. "The mark also has the side effect of making you undesirable to mortal men, which is why none have ever courted you."
Her muddled mind began to clear. It all made sense to Sarah now, the way men looked through her as if she wasn't even there.
"I wanted you to be cursed with the same kind of despair I felt," Jareth said, righteous indignation burning in his eyes. "To experience the loneliness of never knowing the loving touch of another. And if you hadn't fallen for Nox's trickery, you could have lived out your life without our paths ever crossing again, in person at least. I often watched you through my scrying crystals and mirrors, just to savour your misery."
Sarah blanched at the cruel delight he had taken in making her suffer.
Jareth bowed his head in shame. "When I saw you had ended up in this place, I was forced to intercede. I could have left you to the Midnight Prince and let him sell you off to the highest bidder. But you bear my mark, the right of taking your virginity was mine. I could not relinquish it to another. I intended to take you only as an act of vengeance. But when you offered yourself to me, I knew I didn't deserve you. And yet, I couldn't refuse. Oh, my precious one, if only you knew what you do to me. I hated myself for causing you pain. I love you so much it sickens me, and I can't seem to help it. I must make you mine, forever," he proclaimed.
Sarah had once railed against the unfairness of things, and she wanted to again. Jareth said he loved her but he had robbed her of the chance to be loved by anyone but him. The Goblin King had marked her so why had she never seen it? She glanced sideways at the mirrored wall. Sarah was sure she would have noticed such a mark on her body. "Where is it?" she questioned, easing herself off the bed to get a better look.
"Where is what?" The Goblin King frowned, confused by her actions.
"The mark, where is it? Why can't I see it?"
Jareth placed the tip of his index finger on her chin and traced a line down her neck. "You can't see it because you aren't fae," he explained as his finger continued its progress, stopping just above her left breast. "It is right there," he said, lightly tapping the patch of skin.
Sarah looked down and stared hard at where he was pointing. It might have been a trick of the light, but she could have sworn there was a small tattoo, resembling the shape of his amulet, etched into her skin. "What the…? How come I've never noticed it before?" She batted Jareth's hand away to get a clearer view.
The Goblin King frowned. "It's not a matter of why you couldn't see it before. Rather, the question is, why can you see it now?"
"And what's the answer?" Sarah asked, impatiently. When he didn't immediately reply, her anger burst forth. "I've been so lonely for such a long time," she cried, jabbing at him sharply in the chest, "and it was all because of you."
Jareth continued to contemplate the matter and his eyes widened. "I told you I love you," he said as if realising it for the first time.
Sarah could see he meant it, he really did love her. It soothed the sting of what his mark had done to her. But she was still mourning all the possible love affairs he'd stolen from her. How different her life might have been.
"No mortal man could offer you what I can," Jareth argued, as if he had read her mind. "I want you to be my wife, Sarah, and rule beside me as my queen. Would you refuse me a second time?" he challenged her.
He wanted to marry her? Sarah was aghast. As a child, she had watched her parent's marriage disintegrate before her eyes and it had left her wary of all relationships. It was part of the reason she had never got along with her stepmother. Perhaps ordinary guys would never have stood a chance with her, anyway, even if she had been free of the Goblin King's mark. Sarah certainly struggled to name a single man she would have liked to get to know better. If she was honest, once she found out Jareth actually existed, it felt as if she had been waiting for him all along.
"Fear you, love you, and do as you say, wasn't that the deal?" Sarah inquired, unsure if she could accept those terms, sorely as she was tempted.
"Say you love me," Jareth implored. His confidence seemed to waver. "You do, don't you?"
Sarah heaved a sigh of resignation. "I guess I really should hate you, but I don't."
Jareth gave her a heated look as he surged forward and kissed her with a passion that stole her breath away. "Am I forgiven, then?" he asked, holding her tight in his arms.
"I'm not sure you deserve to be," Sarah said but another dizzying kiss silenced her doubts. It felt too good and she wanted him so bad.
Before she knew what was happening, Jareth's tongue was gliding over the peaks of her breasts and his fingers were dipping between her thighs.
"I promise to make amends," he said, stoking her arousal. His voice was low and seductive. "I will be your slave. I vow to spend whole days pleasuring you, if you wish me too."
Jareth was ready and she was slick as he buried himself deep inside her welcoming heat. Sarah felt as if her body was going to spontaneously combust. Each thrust brought her closer to a much needed release. Her orgasm was so tantalisingly close, but he refused to let her go all the way. Sarah grabbed at his rear to direct him, driving him deeper, and begging him to go faster.
Finally, Jareth relented. "Come for me, precious," he commanded as his own release beckoned.
The force of her climax took Sarah by surprise. The whole room seemed to shake and convulse when Jareth fell over the precipice too. For a while, they were lost to the shared sensations of ecstasy pulsing through their bodies as they lay joined together.
Eventually, Sarah gasped, "Wow!" She could get addicted to this — to him.
When he'd regained his senses, the Goblin King rose to his feet and summoned a crystal. He threw the orb above her head and it exploded in a puff of glitter. When the dust cleared, Sarah was clothed in an exquisite calf-length white gown with a jewelled bodice and black sash.
Jareth dressed in the wave of his hand and the blink of an eye. He held his hand out to her. "Come, my beautiful, bride-to-be. I will inform the Midnight Prince that we are leaving."
Sarah took his arm, swept up in the thrill of getting her own fairytale ending after all her lonely, downtrodden years. But, all of a sudden, the reality of what she was agreeing to hit her and she froze. Jareth was taking her Underground to The Goblin Kingdom. It was all real, which meant Hoggle, Ludo, Sir Didymus and all the others were real too. The memory of the bad dream she'd had popped into her mind.
"What happened to my friends?" Sarah inquired. "Hoggle, Ludo, and Sir Didymus, I mean. Are they still in the Labyrinth?"
The Goblin King's eyes darkened. "They were traitors and I was angry," he scowled.
Fear shot through her. Were they all dead as she had dreamed? Perhaps Jareth could make nightmares reality as Nox claimed to have the power to do.
Sarah felt sick. "Y-you killed them?"
Jareth's eyes widened in surprise and then he burst out laughing. "How monstrous you imagine me to be. I'm almost flattered."
"So, they're okay?" Sarah frowned, trying to discern his meaning.
"Well, Higgle still hates his job and Sir Didymus has been demoted to guarding the Pond of Pity. But, at least, the monster was useful in helping to rebuild my kingdom," Jareth explained.
Sarah chuckled in relief at the picture he painted of her friends. She shouldn't have assumed the worst. But, under the circumstances, she decided it wasn't unreasonable for her to mistake a dream for reality as the line had been rather blurred of late.
The Goblin King kept a protective and possessive hold on her as they made their way through the nightclub crowd in search of Nox. It was then Sarah realised the scales had been completely removed from her eyes. She could now see beyond the glamour that made the nightclub clientele appear mostly human, and their true natures were revealed. Jareth was as handsome as ever, but the burly bald male security guards really were grotesque trolls. The room was full of hideous creatures and the women they were pawing at were being held captive, drugged and unaware of the peril they were in. Sarah couldn't allow herself to be rescued like a helpless fairytale princess and leave them to their dreadful fates.
She tugged at the Goblin King's hand and pulled him into a quiet alcove. "I can't let you just whisk me away. What about the others? What will become of them?" she questioned.
Jareth gave her a curious look. "What of them?" he scoffed. It was obvious he didn't care.
Now that her mind was clear, her fighting spirit had returned. Someone needed to put a stop to what was going on, and Sarah knew it would have to be her. "I won't even consider going with you unless the other girls are freed. I can't leave them here to be sold for sex and goodness knows what." She was adamant.
Jareth's eyes blazed with anger. "Sarah, do not defy me. I will not tolerate your disobedience," he warned.
Sarah stood firm. "If you love me like you say you do, you'll help me get these poor women back to their families."
The Goblin King's heart had turned to ice again, she could see the chill in his eyes. "Come with me, Sarah. Do as I say and be mine forever, or stay here and rot. I will not offer you the honour of becoming my wife and queen for a third time," he threatened.
She shook her head. "Don't you understand? I can't turn my back on them, I just can't. Not for anything or anyone."
"Very well," Jareth snarled.
Sarah's anger flared. "Go on then. Do what you do best and leave me high and dry. Who needs you?"
In a blinding flash of glitter, the Goblin King was gone.