The Goblin King dressed slowly, each item of clothing specifically chosen for this most important evening. In his mind, the time shifted back to another ball, another important evening where Sarah had danced with him - so in step with him that he had thought they were made for each other. The words of his love song haunted him yet gave him a moment's joy. Valentine evenings indeed. If only he could really give such to her.

Reaching for the dark blue jacket, he smirked to himself. He had unwittingly dressed as he had for that dream waltz with Sarah. Perhaps he was getting soft in his quest for love. Putting on the jacket, he grabbed the half empty tankard of Goblin ale and downed it. He hadn't touched a drop since the night he'd flown to Sarah's home to flaunt the fact that he did not need her. And somehow he had ended up needing her even more. He refilled the wooden mug and drained it in one long gulp, sighing as he slammed the mug back onto his bed. It bounced off and smacked him in the head. For some reason, he found this funny and fell to the floor, holding his head and laughing until the sound turned to sobs of sorrow and he mourned the loss of the only woman he'd ever loved.

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Devlin hovered near Sarah's door, listening to the conversation. The little fool thought herself in love with the mighty Goblin King? She deserved to die just like everyone else who had stood in his way to get Rialta and the Crystal Kingdom's control. Clenching his fists, he stood there for another long moment lost in thought. Rialta was speaking to this mortal girl through a piece of jewelry? And still longing for that idiot Seth? It was not to be believed. He listened more intently, ignoring the odd feeling that for once, he was being watched. He was being paranoid, that was all. Who would dare spy on him?

Fortunately for Hoggle, Devlin did not notice the dwarf nearby near a staircase, watching him. Hoggle growled, not trusting the Lordos. What was he doing so near Sarah's room? Hoggle crept closer, watching. He couldn't hear what was going on, but he could bet that the Lordos creep was up to something. He might have to watch Sarah be courted by Jareth, but he wasn't going to lose her to some blood sucking monster.

"How do we help Rialta get back to Seth?" Sarah was asking and Devlin tensed, leaning closer to hear. Hoggle almost yelled a warning, but he was curious about this Lordos fool. What was he planning, why was he listening at Sarah's door - was he going to try to hurt Sarah? And if Hoggle could stop him, he'd be a hero to Sarah! Hoggle grinned like he'd just been given a great gift.

"We'll get Jareth and talk with him about it, perhaps he will remember something out of the ordinary," Marissa said slowly. "Since he is the one who attacked Rialta that day, he may be the only one who can tell us what really happened."

"Not the only one," Sarah said almost angrily. "The person who stole Rialta's soul knows exactly what happened. She deserves to get back to her husband and rest in peace."

"She'll be set free soon, Sarah," Karen vowed. "Taking a soul in this way is against all of our laws - I can't believe an Avian would do such a thing. We'll all have to be on our guard."

"What makes you think it's one of ours?" Marissa asked bluntly. "We shelter many races." Devlin growled under his breath from outside the door and Seline tilted her head slightly. He moved backwards quickly - did the witch hear him? He must get that pin tonight and move Rialta's soul into Sarah's body.

"Who would dare - we offer sanctuary to other realms, it would be the gravest dishonor to attack us." The High Queen glared at Sarah's door which had closed slightly. "And the greatest error as we would kill them as soon as we knew of them."

"Is Sarah in danger?" Robert asked, suddenly alert to that strange feeling again.

"Not if we all stay near her. Jareth is our best bet to protect her - they are betrothed and if she accepts him, she'll have his magic surrounding her at all times." Seline glanced at Sarah who paled.

I don't like it - I have this feeling like we're being watched, Robert thought to himself.

Watched? Karen's voice in his head made him pause, she never used telepathy with him unless there was a good reason. She knew he was uncomfortable with someone else listening to his thoughts. But she always knew when she should try with him.

It's probably nothing - but I felt it when Jareth and I were with Alia's father. A kind of sick feeling in my stomach.

Robert, I can't see from here, is there someone near the door listening? He looked at her and nodded.

They had to get Sarah downstairs and find out who was watching and if they were involved with Seth's murder and Rialta's prison. She nodded back her understanding. Grabbing their eavesdropper without proof of wrong doing wasn't going to help matters.

"Jareth could be in danger too," Sarah pointed out, not realizing her parents were discussing the situation. "I won't have him hurt."

"Sweetheart, trust in your king," Karen said, turning her attention to the girl. "He's very good at protecting those under his care. And I can't think of anyone he cares about more than you."

"But if he's hurt because of something I'm dragging him into - well, it's not fair to him. I won't be able to live with myself if he's hurt." Sarah's eyes filled with tears and Robert drew her into a strong hug.

"I've seen him in action, Sarah," Robert said quickly. "He's not someone you want angry with you. He can handle this. But I'm going to be there too. No one is touching my little girl." Sarah slowly nodded and wiped her eyes.

"Well, we're about to be late, let's get downstairs and find Jareth. Once you give him your answer, we can move on to saving Rialta and finding out who is harming our family," Seline said briskly, throwing a telling glance towards Sarah's door.

Robert shot her a look but the queen merely held up a hand and shook her head. He nodded back, feeling that tinge of darkness move away from the room. How was he feeling this stuff anyway? Had Jareth given him some sort of gift? He'd never felt any connection with Fae other than Karen and Toby, but lately he'd been feeling protective of the Goblin King.

"Right," Robert said brightly. "Let's go downstairs and sort this out with Jareth. Besides, I get to walk in with four beautiful women, it's my lucky night." Sarah laughed and hugged her father.

Devlin fumed as he stopped himself from entering the room and killing them all in one burst of rage. Obviously Rialta was lying to Sarah, thinking she could get released from the pin and get back to Devlin. His own magic had been interupted by that fool Jareth when the Goblin King thought he was killing Rialta. Devlin had lost his love to an overzealous fool bent on avenging his brother's death.

All Jareth had done was blast Rialta's soul away from Devlin's grasp and destroyed her body. It was only fair that Sarah's body take her place. Once Rialta's soul was in the girl, they'd be together. Sarah's soul, such as it was, would be sent off to the Fade. He wouldn't harm her too much, after all, Rialta needed an unharmed body...but that wouldn't stop him from destroying Sarah's mind.

Devlin walked swiftly down to the ballroom to meet with his grandfather and be announced to the ball guests. Appearances were everything, and he needed them all to see how domesticated the Lordos appeared. Hoggle stood there, stunned by the hatred he had seen on Devlin's face. Hoggle hadn't heard what was going on in Sarah's room but it was obvious Devlin was planning something bad. Should he follow him or stay near Sarah? After a moment's hesitation, he followed the Lordos dignitary downstairs.

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Jareth stood there at the bottom of ivory stairs, his dark blue glittery jacket and black tight pants making Sarah's mind wander into dangerous territory. He looked like her own personal dessert and she really wished they were alone so she could tell him how she felt.

She heard herself being announced and walked down a large staircase. She shrugged off the feeling she was being watched and let her father walk her over to the Goblin King.

Jareth did not speak - he couldn't. Sarah was more beautiful than she'd been during their dream dance. She seemed to be staring at him with a single minded purpose. Of course - she was going to tell him she did not love him. His gaze became haughty as he braced himself for her rejection.

Sliding Sarah's hand into Jareth's, Robert looked at them both with an odd expression. He bowed to Jareth and kept his voice low.

"Your highness, you're looking well." The bruise on Jareth's head was hard to miss, but Robert was not going to mention it.

Jareth never took his eyes off of Sarah. "You too, friend Robert. I hope you are enjoying our world."

"I am. We need to talk soon. There is something important to discuss - it's about Sarah."

Jareth tensed. So Robert was going to be the one to tell him he wasn't worthy. So be it. "Sarah, may I have this first dance?" And our last, he thought, sadly.

"There isn't any music," Sarah started to say, but the soft playing of an orchestra interrupted. She gave a wry grin and curtsied to her king. "Lead the way, your highness."

"I wish for you to call me Jareth," he said softly, twirling her in perfect rhythm to the music surrounding them. "We are courting."

"So we are," she agreed, then grew silent again. He wished he could know what she was thinking. The pin only let her have glimpses of his heart, not that she could decipher the signals. They were not yet bonded and after this evening, that would never happen. He hoped he wouldn't lose his nerve.

"What happened to your head?" she asked, staring at his bruise. Jareth shrugged and glanced away.

"A moment of carelessness getting ready. It is not of any importance." She could smell a bit of ale on his breath and wondered if he was a bit drunk. She tried to relax in his arms but the need to tell him her heart was growing within her. Jareth had never been one to hold back from his pursuit of her, but tonight he seemed almost distant.

As for Jareth, he found that dancing with Sarah was like holding a missing piece of his soul. She filled in the emptiness. He would remember this evening for the rest of his life - the night he found his love and lost it. He became lost in his dark thoughts until Sarah spoke again.

"There really is something magical about a ball," Sarah said, gazing at Jareth as if for the first time.

"It's because you are here," he said, without thinking. "Sarah, we have to talk."

"You're right, we do." The music ended and she led him out of the ballroom into a small study. He seemed to stumble a bit and she rolled her eyes. Well at least this time he wasn't threatening to throw himself off a roof.

"Sarah - we - have to talk," he said and she noticed the faint slur of his words. Pushing him down into a chair she tried to hide a smile.

"You said that already. And I get to go first, we can't go on the way we are. It's not working."

The flash of pain that went through Jareth hit him hard. He felt dizzy with sorrow. Trying to stand up, he was amazed when Sarah pushed him back into the chair.

"Sarah, please let me rise," he said harshly only to have her hand rest on his shoulder, keeping him seated. She sat in his lap and gazed into his eyes.

"Jareth, please let me finish," she said, biting her lower lip. Was the child trying to torment him? Outside the study, he could hear the sounds of the ball continuing without him. Much as the world would continue without him after Sarah formally rejected him.

"I release you from our betrothal," Jareth said softly. "You are free of me."

"Excuse me?" Sarah asked, her voice breaking. "You can't do that."

"I realize you wish to be the one to leave me, but allow me some amount of dignity, Sarah."

"Finally I have the two of you alone," a new voice growled from the doorway. Devlin stood there, dressed in black, a devious grin on his face. "I thought you two lovebirds would never leave that ballroom. Sarah, you look ravishing, your body was made for that gown."

A low growl started in Jareth's throat and he stood up, holding Sarah in his arms. Tightly. Devlin tilted his head and grinned again, closing the door behind him. "Really Jareth, don't harm the merchandise. Rialta will not want to have her new body bruised."

"What the devil are you going on about," Jareth hissed. "Rialta is dead as you shall soon be."

"No, she's not," Sarah blurted out and Jareth looked at her, stunned. "What?"

"She isn't dead, she's in between worlds. Devlin stole her soul when she wouldn't leave Seth. He's the one who controlled her brothers to kill yours." She shot a look of disgust at the Lordos dignitary. "That is what happened, isn't it? Rialta would not leave her husband and you had him killed."

"She was to be mine!" Devlin's voice rose into a shriek before he forced himself to calm down and pull out a sharp blade. Jareth's eyes widened. It was the same type of knife that had killed Seth. "She was betrothed to me and Seth stole her away from her people."

"Her people?" Sarah asked, curious in spite of the fact Devlin held a knife and she was still in Jareth's arms. She wiggled to get loose, and Jareth set her down gently, pushing her behind his body.

"Her mother was Lordos, though she hid the fact from you," he spat out at Jareth. "She knew that you looked down on our world."

"We would never have stopped Seth from marrying her," Jareth said, his voice low, his eyes trained on the knife Devlin was now waving around. It was most likely made of iron which would explain how Seth died so quickly from his wounds. Iron was lethal to Avians.

"She offered herself as part of the treaty," Devlin said darkly. "She would not have married Seth otherwise."

"She loved Seth," Sarah said, glaring at Devlin. "And she still does."

"Sarah, my dear. I am so pleased that you are beautiful - when Rialta's soul enters your body, I will have the best of both worlds. She will be mine and I will ravish you as Jareth watches."

"Rialta wants to go to Seth," Sarah said. "And I love Jareth so your plan is never going to happen."

"Lies!" Devlin said, lunging towards Sarah. Jareth gave a confused look to Sarah seconds before seeing the knife. Without thinking, he pushed Sarah out of the way and the knife grazed his arm. Wincing in pain, the Goblin King struck out and Devlin flew across the room into the arms of King Logan who had just walked in to look for his son.

"What is going on?" the king thundered as Seline ran into the room followed by Marissa, Karen, and Robert.