Chapter 5

hisangel18: Hahaha :P

Lunawolf1300: I will, definitely :)

pyewacket-moonlite: Aw! Glad you're enjoying it my dear!

The bells from the nearest clock tower chimed the hour as Sarah's cab pulled up to the Redheart Hotel. The ride had mostly been spent in silence, with odd shadows passing over the older gentleman's face as they traveled in the dark. There was a familiar glint in his misty eyes that Sarah could not place, but she was certain she had seen it somewhere before. Upon arrival, the driver left the front seat to open the cab door, holding out his hand for Sarah to take.

"Thank you very much, sir…" her voice trailed off as the splendor of the Christmas lights caught her attention, gleaming with festive cheer in the bitter night air. Green, red, and white fairy lights encircled the massive overhang which led to the grand front entrance. Oversized kissing balls swayed in the wind, dangling with ribbons and pine boughs, sparkling with gently dusted snow. The gentleman came up behind her, wrapping his strong arm about her waist and leaning in close.

"This is just the beginning of the evening's splendor, my dear. Leave some of your awe for later!" he smiled, gazing at her attentively. Sarah gave a nervous chuckle and allowed herself to be led into the front lobby; the walls were lined in blood-red wallpaper, and the lighting was low. The gentleman pulled a gold-and-silver mask over his lined face and presented himself to a man dressed in black, guarding the gilded double-doors.

"Miss Sarah Williams, escorted by Earlkrig Faenit," he whispered. The man in black nodded, and opened the doors for the couple.

Sarah was not sure what she had expected, but it was certainly nothing like this.

The ballroom was expansive, extending far and away from the relatively small entrance. Large stained-glass windows depicting scenes of romance and conquest lined the walls to the east and west. Numerous couples, garbed in all sorts of colors and fabrics, waltzed and paraded across the cherry-wood floor. Gay laughter could be heard above the din of strings and harpsichord, echoing up into the rafters of the old hotel's finest function room. Sarah was aware of her name being announced behind her, and of many masked heads turning in her direction. She inclined her head and looked up at her escort, who inclined his head in turn, bowing and smiling.

"Shall we?" he said, taking her hand and placing it on his shoulder. Sarah nodded, taking his other hand in hers. Earlkrig embraced her form with his arm, and the two began a waltz, in time with the rest of the party's attendants. In the back of her mind, Sarah could never remember learning how to waltz. Maybe it was just one of those things that you pick up as you go along; once you start, you understand how to move your feet, and your body, and your head sort of goes along with it.

The elegant man's eyes never left hers; he seemed almost unaware of the rest of the gala's guests, or of the divine room they were spinning about in, or of the gorgeous music they were dancing to. Sarah, however, was forever entranced by the ceiling's glittering antique chandelier, sparkling with magical candlelight. The room was filled with scents of expensive perfume, dark chocolate, pine, peppermint, and champagne. Some of the darker corners of the rooms were filled with pillows, where the more influenced company was giggling and fondling their partners in drunken stupor. Sarah was suddenly aware of a pair of lips at her neck. She leaned her head back and sighed.

"You are a most exquisite young woman, my dear," the man whispered, purring low and continuing to place kisses along the length of her neck.

"Why… are you doing this?" she slurred, vaguely aware of the gentleman's actions. Her head was abuzz with the atmosphere; her mind was far away.

"Why shouldn't I?" Earlkrig chuckled, raising his head and leading her further into the crowd of swirling perfumes and glossy fabrics. Laughter played itself into her ears, echoing and bouncing off the walls of her subconscious. The beauty of the movements was slowing down to the point of otherworldy motion; there was no possible way that people could normally move in such a smooth fashion. Limbs were graceful; there was no hint of mistake or accident. Each and every motion made by the dancing revelers meant something that Sarah did not understand. There seemed to be some underlying motive to the entire gathering. They all seemed to know something that she did not.

In a sudden moment, there was the opening of the gilded doors, and a flash of black. The lights in the room dimmed, and smoke filled the air. Candles floated in mid air, reflecting off of glassy surfaces. Voices died down to swirling whispers. The older gentleman was immediately gone from Sarah's side. She was aware that she was standing in the middle of the ballroom floor, and that the other guests were no longer dancing. The stained-glass windows were almost coming alive, lit up by the candles' warm glow.

The dancers bowed. An elegant figure had swept through the entrance, his hair glittering, eyes severe and demanding. No one dared to give him a direct glance… except for Sarah. She stayed right in her place, unmoving, unblinking. It was him. Was it not? Her betrothed. Her Goblin King.

His eyes swept over the crowd lightly, vaguely acknowledging the presences of everyone else in the room- but the man was striding forward, directly to the woman in blue and silver. The possessiveness in his gait was visible; the magnetism in his movements clarified once he locked eyes with the girl, that Sarah creature who had temporarily destroyed his kingdom. The King's attraction to his Champion was not a surprise, the crowd whispered. The news of their engagement had been expected.

Sarah removed her mask and tightened her lips. Jareth continued towards her, releasing his cloak and letting it fall to the floor behind him. The markings around his eyes had grown darker since last she saw him; his eyebrows more severe. The King's presence was much more commanding than Sarah had remembered. She took a shaky breath, realizing that she was presently trembling. His stride was somehow seductive, boots silently hitting the floor, posture tall and military, structured with wisdom and strength. Jareth was wearing an outfit of regality; fitted jacket lined in scarlet and black, shirt white and loose with ruffles and lace, tucked into black fitted pants. His boots were similar to the ones he usually wore- except the heels were even higher, and the leather tightly laced around his calves.

Sarah gasped as he gave her a small smirk. He stopped just a few feet before her and bowed low.

"Miss Sarah, it has been far too long…" Jareth smiled, taking her hand in his and kissing it tenderly. His voice was much richer than she remembered. Everything about him was better…

"Where have you been?" She blurted out, covering her mouth when his eyebrow quirked dangerously.

"Tsk, tsk. That is not the way to address a king, now, is it?" Jareth's lips tightened into a thin line as he took her into his arms. "I would prefer a more respectful tone in the future."

Sarah's head was clearing. "I apologize, Your Majesty," her brow quirked in turn. "But what is all this? Why am I here? Why are you here? What-"

Jareth hissed at her quietly. "You ask far too many questions, Miss. Besides, you seemed perfectly content before."

"You mean, you were the-"

The King chuckled at her confused expression. "Not quite, love. Old Earlkrig was my eyes and ears, but no, he was not I. I didn't know what you would do if I had simply shown up on your doorstep. I feared a massive amount of yelling, or a few bruises on my shoulders, or a hand-shaped mark on my cheek. But I knew that if I met you in the middle of a large ballroom, you wouldn't dare perform such a scene."

Sarah's nostrils flared, ignoring his widening grin. "He was flirting with me."

"He is Fae, as is most everyone else in this room," the King's eyes scanned the crowd. "Our kind feed off of affection. Surely you have noticed this by now."

"How could I? I've barely been around any others, except for you!" Her voice rose.

Jareth bared his teeth and loosened his embrace. "You are to dance with me now. We will continue this headache of a conversation later."

"Don't tell me what to do-"

"Sarah, I am warning you… do as I say. Don't defy me," his voice lowered to a dangerous octave as his eyes sparked with annoyance.

The girl gulped down her last defense and allowed the man to wrap an arm around her waist possessively. The music grew louder as the party continued their leisurely dance. Sarah fell back into a waltz, much more structured and intentional with Jareth as her partner. In the lower light, more couples were fleeing to the shadows, and soft moans began to intermingle with the merry laughter…

I will update soon!

Reviews would be most appreciated! :D