The High Queen looked at Sarah, sadness in her eyes. "Tell me what you know of Rialta's story."

"I've heard her voice in my head ever since I've gotten this pin. She says that she's using the last bit of magic she has to speak with me. The pin is like a link from where she is to where we are. Like a radio receiver for magic, I guess." Sarah frowned, thinking. "She said that on the day Seth was killed, she argued with someone. He wanted her to leave Seth and be with him. She said no, that he was wasting his time."

"Who was this?" Seline asked, almost growling.

"She can't remember, it's all hazy. She said she was supposed to meet Seth but her brothers showed up and then, everything is cloudy. She doesn't remember what happened, only that she felt Seth die and then someone started pulling at her soul. What does that mean?"

"It means," Marissa said with a hint of anger in her voice, "that someone was trying to steal her soul and make her into a mindless slave. Who would dare?"

"And then Jareth killed her," Seline said softly. Sarah shook her head.

"No, I don't think he did. She said that this other someone pulled her soul out of her and left her where she is now, she doesn't feel dead but she's trapped."

"So, she wasn't technically alive when Jareth attacked her. More like an empty shell." Seline groaned. "How could this happen and none of us know it? We have more magic than sense sometimes, for all the good it does us."

"She doesn't blame any of your family. She just wants to go to the Fade and be with her husband. But the other person won't let go of her soul." Sarah sighed. "True love doesn't really matter when someone wants to hurt you."

"Sarah, true love is a gift, not a right. No one is ever completely safe. That isn't life." Marissa shrugged. "All we can do is love and with that love, make our way through life. Anything less is cheating ourselves."

"Well, maybe," Sarah conceded, "but I'd rather not risk hurting the ones I love by trusting in it too much."

JSJSJSJS

Robert looked around the ballroom, amazed. "This place is beautiful. I can see why Sarah would be tempted to become a princess." Karen laughed and took his hand, her other arm holding Toby to her side. "When will she get here, I've missed her more than I thought possible."

"She's already here, getting ready. I'm going to go find her and see for myself what my sisters have done to her. And, give her a chance to talk about Jareth. On the other hand, maybe you should chat with her about him. I think your approval may mean a bit more to her than mine." Karen's eyes were smiling and Robert smiled back at his wife, then tensed. A chill overcame him, just like the chill he'd felt that night with Jareth. Like he was in the presence of some nameless evil. But that little girl's father had been punished. He was dead. So why did Robert feel so exposed?

"Robert?" Karen looked concerned. "Are you even listening?"

Just as quickly, the feeling faded. Robert shrugged off the feeling they were being watched and shook his head, ruffling Toby's hair.

"Sorry, honey, was just thinking about Sarah."

"Well, let's go see her together then." They walked the long corridors toward the family wing of the castle, nodding at guards along the way. At at a safe distance, Devlin followed.

The door to Sarah's room was open and Karen put Toby into Robert's arms so she could hug her step daughter. "Sarah you look beautiful. How has your week been?"

"Um, well. I've learned a few things about Jareth. He's more important that I'd thought." Robert hugged his daughter as Toby reached for Sarah. She took the baby and hugged him tightly to her. "Oh Toby, I've missed you so much."

"He's important to many people in many different ways," the High Queen said thoughtfully. "But I'd wager he believes you to be more special. That's a very rare commendation. Jareth isn't normally a trusting soul."

"I'm not sure," Sarah said but Robert surprised her by holding up his hand.

"He is a good man and a good king. You could do worse."

"Dad? Did you hit your head?" Sarah blurted out and the women laughed. Robert rolled his eyes, so like Sarah.

"No, I had a bit of a wake up call. I'll tell you about it later. Right now, I just want to look at you. My little girl's all grown up and ready for her first ball."

"I'd rather talk about your wake up call," Sarah said, eyes narrowing. "What exactly did Jareth do? Did he put a spell on you?"

"Sarah!" Karen snapped, suddenly offended. "We do not go around putting spells on people. We aren't witches. Our powers are based on our emotions and Jareth loves you. He has always respected humans even if he couldn't understand them, or you."

"I'm sorry," Sarah said quietly. "I think I'm just trying to find something wrong with him."

"Why on earth would you do that?" Karen asked, bewildered. Sarah looked nervous and miserable as she turned to face her stepmother.

"He can't be real, my feelings aren't real. It could never work out between us." Sarah fought back tears and took a deep breath. Her father would be happy and she could go back to her normal life tonight. "After tonight, he won't want me anymore. He'll realize that I'm just Sarah. He won't die because he doesn't love me. Everything will be fine."

"You love him, don't you honey?" Robert didn't seem upset, and Sarah was more confused than ever.

"I can't love him. I'd have to leave you and everyone. I'd be stuck here like Karen's stuck with us." What was happening? Was Sarah the only one who understood what would happen?

"Kareena is not stuck," Marissa said firmly. "She is still a princess of the realm and comes and goes here as she pleases."

"She gave up her crown," Sarah argued.

"But not her family," Seline said. "No one forces her to stay Above Ground. Sarah,love of family doesn't enslave or command. It protects and trusts."

"I know. but love can't protect you from hurting the ones closest to you. Rialta tried to protect Seth and they both died. I don't want anything to happen to Jareth. He's - he's just so much more than I ever thought."

"Then tell him that you love him," Robert urged. "I spent time with him when he went after Alia's dad." At her amazed look he rushed on, explaining that night to her. She sat there, speechless. "Sarah, he's a good man, and I didn't want to see it. But he loves you and that means something."

"Daddy? I don't know what to do," Sarah said slowly. Robert hugged her.

"Just follow your heart for once and don't worry about the rest of us. We're all going to be fine with whatever path you choose. I am just sorry it took me this long to understand that."

Sarah thought about it and smiled. She did feel something for Jareth, if she was honest, she loved him. Almost too much.

"All right, I'll tell him tonight. Then what happens - he won't die, right?"

"If you love him and he accepts that love, you will both have many years together. But Sarah, be certain of your motivation. Love him for who he is, and not to save him from heartbreak."

"I love him, your highness," she answered. "And I think I'm ready to grow up just a little bit and be honest with him now."

Karen smiled. "Then let's go downstairs and dance."