~Update: Without realizing I forgot to add a copyright thingy here. Sarahs changing process here largely resembles that of the process of needing/changing in Black Dagger Brotherhood written by JR Ward. It was not my intention to make them similar but upon reading the books I can see how it would be taken that way. So no copy right infringement is intended with the similarities to any story in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series written by J.R. Ward! (I highly recommend the read, awesome books!) Here you go. Next installment. Hope you enjoy it! I own nothing, except for that which is of my own imagination. Thanks Joie, for being the best Beta ever! ~
Jareth wasted no time in getting Sarah into her suite at the Castle. His parents and Rydin behind them. Laying Sarah upon the bed, he stood back allowing the Healer to approach. Lifting his glamour he ignored his mother's gasp, sitting in a chair by the bed while he waited for some knowledge as to how this came on. Rydin paced the floor, growing more and more agitated by the moment. The High King kept his distance, knowing the tolls the change could take on someone, even as strong as Sarah was. When the Healer began to examine her she thrashed about on the bed, moaning in her agony. Her hands clawed at the sheets, arching her back from the bed. Seeing Jareth's agony he stepped back and motioned for all to follow him in to the hall.
Shutting the doors behind him he addressed Rydin, his voice quiet and reserved. "Your Grace, it is as his Majesty predicted. Her change has come upon her quite strongly. It may be a few days..."
"Days?" No one bothered to turn to look at Aireya, all evidently as surprised as the next.
"Indeed your Majesty. I suggest that she be kept tightly shut up in her room. I have no draught that will ease her in this time. My suggestion is to find a man of great…strength to stay with her. He will need it, as will she."
"There is no one for her that might be trusted with such a situation as this." Rydin growled the words through gritted teeth as Aireya stepped forward.
"Thank you. You may go."
"Your Majesties." Bowing the Healer backed away and disappeared. When Sarah's cries began to grow through the door it was all Jareth could do not to rush to her aide.
"Rydin, please hear me. She cannot suffer through this alone." He backed away as the Queen took a step toward him.
"You cannot ask me to ruin my granddaughter. I cannot, will not allow it. I shall take her home to Ivy and she shall be shut up in her rooms for the duration of her changing."
"You would allow her to suffer? Rydin, you are not thinking clearly my friend." Dracomus stepped forward, placing a bracing hand against his shoulder.
"Jareth…go to her." Aireya moved forward, ignoring the shocked looks that turned her way.
"Mother?"
"Go. I give you leave to go to her. I will lock the way behind you." Aireya ignored her husband's glare, Rydin's anger was harder to ignore.
"I will not stand for this. I will not permit it."
As Jareth moved into the door way, Aireya nodded and motioned him in. With a deep breathe he moved quickly, shutting the door behind him, just as it turned into an immovable wall, barring any other from entering.
"Your Majesty, I cannot stand by and watch my granddaughter ruined. You must open that door!" Dracomus grabbed him around the waist, holding his attempt at barreling through the wall.
"Go home Rydin. It is done. I will send for you when the changing is complete."
Straightening up and jerking his cloak back in place, Rydin turned to look at Dracomus. "All these years I have served you, you would stand by and allow this to happen against my wishes. Have I not served you well and protected you and yours?"
"You have my friend. But we cannot allow her to suffer, even for your sensibilities."
"And if she should become pregnant? What then? Will you have her shamed before the court? Give her babe to the highest bidder in secret?"
"Rydin, should my son take the innocence of your granddaughter I will marry them myself. As you her guardian and I High King of this realm I can force them to marry should we wish it."
"So you would force her to choose, something you assured her would not happen?"
"If it comes down to it, yes. For your sanity and my own. Do you really want her to suffer?"
"No, but nor do I want her ruined. When that door opens, an announcement will be made, or I will resign my position." So turning he left, not looking back. The Irishman was sure to have enough drink to drown them both through the next few days.
Standing at the foot of the bed, Jareth watched her thrash and kick, her hands pulling at her hair and her arms, seemingly intent on clawing the very skin from her body. Removing his cloak, shirt, and boots, he climbed in to the bed next to her, flinching a bit when she wrapped herself around him like a second skin, squirming and crying out against him.
"Jareth…"
"I'm here Precious." Lowering his head to hers, holding her face between his hands he began to kiss her, softly at first, then deeper, harder as her cries and wanting overcame them both.
Laughing and stumbling about Sophie, Vale, and the Princes entered the castle. Standing at the head of the stairs in deep conversation, the High King and Queen argued, though the topic of their conversation was unknown, it was the King's paling and the Queen's summoning of her hand maiden that halted their steps.
"To the East wing Tallie."
Dorian and Garin groaned at once together, the High King merely watched her go, causing Sophie and Vale to look to the Princes for answers.
"Apparently my parents are having quite a row. Mother has not visited the East Wing for many years." Dorian took Sophie's arm, pulling her towards the stairs. "Come dearest, I'll explain in your suite." Nodding Sophie followed, winking at a blushing Vale.
"Are you tired Vale?" Garin turned to smile at her, sweeping her up into his arms, reveling in her squeals of laughter. Shaking her head no, she kept quiet, her nerves getting the better of her. "Will you always be so silent wife? I thought I married a spitfire."
"Garin!" Laughing she wrapped her arms about his neck, sighing in pleasure when his lips met hers. Instead of taking the stairs he poofed them away to his rooms.
"Are you ok?"
"Yes. Will you tell me about your mother and father?"
"Of course. But first…where were we?" Leaning his head down he kissed her once more, softly, nipping at her neck, running his hands slowly up her arms. There were no giggles this time, no protests as he took her hands and led her towards the bed.
Dorian opened the doors to his suite, leading Sophie in side by the hand. "Thirsty?"
"You wouldn't happen to have any of that Elven wine would you?"
Smirking he pulled a bottle out from behind his back, complete with goblets. "It was quite good wasn't it." Laughing Sophie walked to the terrace opening the doors and letting the cool breeze inside. She shivered a bit as a soft kiss touched her collar bone. Dorian came up behind her, placing a single hand on her hip, the other offering her a goblet of wine. Taking it she sipped at it slowly. Leaning her head back against his chest she closed her eyes. She kept her thoughts clear, focusing on nothing lest he try to be sneaky and pry again. He had on more than one occasion bought her some trinket she had overly admired in the town shops, or brought her something she wanted without voicing it. When he had finally admitted that he could see into her thoughts she had decided that best she not have any when he was around.
"So are you going to tell me about your parents?"
"Hmm. Well, it's a rather short story. My mother and father had a rocky beginning. My mother was promised to another, in the mortal word. My father saw her and decided he had to have her. It was when he felt her touches of magic that he realized she might belong to the Fae world. Seeking out her origins he found that she was the orphaned child of a Kingdom within the Unseelie court. However, it was also a court he had warred with. Most likely our family was the very reason she was orphaned. So without car he snatched her from the mortal realm and brought her here, just as her changing was upon her. Using her changing as an excuse to marry her, he forced her hand. In the end, my mother moved into the East Wing, refusing to come out, refusing to take part in the wedding ceremony. It took years for her to finally emerge. Then somehow at one point, we can't be sure, her feelings changed. The man she despised became the man she loved. That was around the time Jareth came along. Dorian and I shortly followed. Then Mina of course. When my mother nearly lost her life my father demanded that she be given a draught from that day forth to keep her from becoming with child, and so it was done."
"As odd as this is going to sound, that is actually quite romantic. It's like some Irish tale of the Highland Lord coming to steal a bride away and hand fasting with her till marriage. Of course, it was frowned upon there too." Chuckling, she turned as he pulled away, a confused look crossing her features. When he lowered himself to one knee she nearly dropped her glass.
"Sophie, I know that you are not of this world. I care not. You would give me great happiness until the fade take me if you would agree to become princess of my heart. Will you marry me and share all that I have with me until the end of our days?"
"Oh Dorian… I want to say yes but, I am mortal. My life will be so short. Is that really what you want? To watch your wife fade away and die as mortals do? Have you no other love?"
"None, and your argument is useless my dear. You will not have a changing as Sarah but the longer you stay here the more magic will begin to enter you. You will live as I live, off the magic of the land. So what say you now?"
"How soon can we be married?" Peals of laughter rang out in the hall as Dorian swung her up into the air, crushing her against him. Lowering his head he kissed her senseless, taking the breath from her lungs in one great whoosh. "Hang the protocol." Shocked he pulled away from her just as her hands reached for the buttons of her dress.
"Sophie…are you sure?"
"Scared Dorian?" Grinning, she pushed one after another until the dress slipped from her shoulders to pool at her feet. With a sharp intake of breath she was back in his arms, the world fading tonight as he took all her attention.
Jareth pulled back to stare at Sarah. It was really unfair to take advantage of her in such a situation. His concern for her grew as he knelt by the bed. He flinched each time she called his name. Pulling a small vial from his pocket he uncorked it, staring for some time at the amber liquid inside. With a heavy sigh he poured it in to the glass of water by her bed, lifting her up so that she might take a sip or two. Exhausted, wishing he knew the answer to all their questions he began to undress, then slid in the bed beside her, pulling her to him slowly, no longer able to handle her cries. When she arched against him, wrapping herself around him like a second skin he breathed a heavy sigh and succumbed to the only cure he could give her.
Aireya paced her rooms, wondering what was happening with Jareth and Sarah. Shame she had not been able to give her answer before…
Well that was another matter. There was no help for it now. All would be settled as soon as she opened that door. Something she had no intentions of doing before the second day. Sighing she settled down on her chaise as Tallie entered with a tray of her dinner.
"It's not fair for you to torture the master so Milady. He is most put out. Is there nothing you can say that might ease his suffering?"
"There is. I will not have him ruling over me as if I am one of his subjects Tallie. I thought we shared a mutual respect."
"Aye, that you do Milady, but you can't keep throwing fits to get your way."
"But it works…" Tallie couldn't help but laugh at the smug smile on her face.
~Authors note: The next chapter is email only. You know what to do and you know how to get to me. If not PM me and I will email it to you after your provide your email and your AGE.~