Chapter Four
Princess of the Fae: *smiles innocently*
Lylabeth1: Thanks so much my dear! Hope you enjoy it!
hisangel18: *attempts in vain to get a word in edgewise* Um… No, see… gah… Remember how he met Rose almost a century before Sarah? Rose was one of the three women that he had actually come to care for in his life. They'd had only about two weeks together, and then she had been taken from him suddenly by Zanaphel. And, besides that, he very well knows he must remain true to his promise, especially since Sarah is human. The Fae world, at least the one I've created, is much more lenient about 'sleeping around'. They wouldn't consider it such as crime as we would. But, even though the prospect is tempting for him, Jareth knows not to go there. He can only care for Rose in a distant fashion from now on.
Okay, everyone! Here's the fourth chapter! Hope you all had lovely Christmases/Boxing Days/etc. Just some filler before the big scenes!
Sarah sat on the bed in a crisscross fashion, wrapped in a thick blanket and drinking ramen. She stared blankly at her new space heater, something she had bought at the Salvation Army the day before. Today was Thursday the 24th- Christmas Eve. It was exactly two hours before the Christmastide Ball would start, yet she remained in her pajamas and was completely unmotivated to get ready. Was there truly any point? She imagined herself arriving at the ball only to be taunted and gawked at by the other party guests- just as they had in her crystal dream six years past.
The crystal.
Sarah's eyes unwillingly drifted to the set of drawers which stood next to her closet. The bottom drawer, as she very well knew, contained the crystal Jareth had given her the last time they had been together… the crystal that played a song for her when she held it close to her heart. The music would somehow seep through her skin, allowing her blood to dance in gentle vibrations, blue and purple waves crashing over her flesh and bones. It was his voice, humming so sweetly, a song just for her.
She hadn't slept with the crystal in her hand for over a year. Sarah had begun to give up on Jareth ever coming back for her, even though-very occasionally- the silver engagement ring on her finger would pulse with a green glow. She wondered, in the back of her mind, how she could dare to doubt his promises. Jareth had made it very clear to her how much he cared for her, and in return, she had done the same. But so much of their time together had felt like a long and elaborate dream, that Sarah occasionally doubted her sanity. All she knew was that she had spent three precious years waiting for a man who might as well be considered a mythological creature, instead of going out and dating and partying like a normal young woman should be doing. It was almost embarrassing at times, when people would question her virginity, and she had to reply in the affirmative. Sometimes she would lie to save face, but everyone would simply laugh at her inexperienced vocabulary.
Sarah put down her cup of ramen onto the end table and sighed. The dress was beautiful and perfect, and she wanted, more than anything, to wear it. The night, however, didn't seem right. The snow had melted from days before, leaving slush and puddles all over Boston's streets and sidewalks. And Sarah was barely in a cheery mood. If she wasn't able to pay her bills soon, she would be facing eviction- which would be both devastating and embarrassing. She would be a failure as an adult, as a college student, and as a daughter- she couldn't imagine facing her father if she failed. Stress and fear gripped her heart, and tears raced down her cheeks onto her itchy Christmas sweater. How had she dug such a hole for herself?
Sarah grit her teeth and ripped the silver ring off of her finger, throwing it at the wall and wailing.
"Fucking Goblin King, doesn't care what I'm going through, does he? Liar, liar…" she crumbled onto her bed and tossed about helplessly, sobs wracking her body, straining her vocal cords. "Such a retarded, silly, stupid kid. Look where I am, look at me…"
Knock.
Sarah gulped and paused on her bed. The chimes again? She should take those things down…
Knock.
No, it was coming from the door. Crap, she had been making too much noise. Wiping the tears and snot from her face on her sleeve, she quickly rose from her bed and stumbled to the door.
"Sorry, I'm sorry, I'll be quiet now…" Sarah twisted the knob and opened the door a crack.
"Good evening, Miss Williams. Are you ready to leave?"
An older gentleman dressed in striking finery was waiting on her doormat, hands clasped behind his back in a posture of formality. His long gray hair was coiffed elegantly, tied at the nape of his neck with a gold ribbon. The ponytail flowed down one side of his chest, curling at the end. Sarah was surprised to find him almost…handsome…
"I'm sorry, what? Is this about the ball?"
"Of course it is, good woman. I can see you are not quite ready-"
"To be honest, sir, I wasn't planning on attending. There's been a lot going on lately, and-"
"Oh, but you must attend, Miss Williams. There is no argument to be had. Besides, I am to be your escort." The gentleman stood up straighter, a sly smirk present on his gently lined face. "You wouldn't deny an old man the pleasure of your… most attractive company…" His eyes grew darker as he pushed the door open a bit wider to gaze at her figure. The rest of his words caught in his throat, and he stepped towards her.
"Excuse me, sir-"
"My dear Miss Williams, how you've grown so," the man remarked, visibly entranced by her personage.
Sarah's eyebrows drew together. "I'm sorry, do I know you?"
The gentleman bit his lip and withdrew. "Get dressed. You have half an hour. I will wait here." With that, he firmly shut the door, leaving Sarah's knees shaking and her mouth agape. He had appeared to be the shell of a man hiding the most gruesome of wolves, ready to pounce on her vulnerable self. The more she thought about it, Sarah knew that she would not have resisted. This scared her.
With no other option to be had, the girl reluctantly stripped out of her day clothes and slipped the elaborate dress over her head. The material was luxurious and sensual. Looking at herself in the mirror, Sarah couldn't help but smile. In a sweeping rush, she teased her hair at the crown of her head and weaved the ribbons through the ebony strands, creating an elaborate chignon. She curled the stray hairs that fell out from the sides, and quickly applied a thin layer of makeup to her pale face. Sarah panicked when she realized she only had five minutes left before the gentleman would come into the room. She grabbed a bottle of old perfume from atop her dresser, spritzing the honeyed scent behind her ears, at her cleavage, onto her wrists, and a bit into her hair. Simple blue studs were the only matching earrings she could find, and Sarah knew that she had to find her engagement ring. She was on her knees searching under the cold heater when the door creaked open slowly.
"Miss Williams, are you quite ready?" the gentleman sighed.
Sarah grabbed the ring and placed it on her finger before he could see. "Yes, I am now," she said over her shoulder. She gathered up her skirts and stood, pulling a black coat over her shoulders and taking hold of a silver coin purse.
"You have forgotten one thing, my dear," the man purred, picking up the feathered mask from atop Sarah's dining table.
"Oh…"
"May I?" He had her turn from him as he slipped the mask over her face and tied the blue ribbon into her hair. Sarah inhaled sharply when his lips touched the skin under her ear. "You will dance with me tonight, I presume?"
Her insides clenched in pain. "Of course…"
"Wonderful. We must be on our way, then." The gentleman escorted Sarah from her decaying apartment and led her down the few flights of stairs, out into the chilly city streets. A 1920's-style cab was waiting for them by the curb. Before she could make an exclamation, Sarah found herself in the car, and sitting in the dark across from the mysterious old man. They were on their way through the crowded streets to a ball she would never forget...