Chapter Four

"Duties to the King"

Sarah woke to the sound of a click. She looked over to see the door had reappeared and was opening. Fearful it might be the Goblin King she watched. A moment later she saw a woman that appeared to be in her late sixties enter the room.

"Good you're awake. Saves me the trouble." The elderly woman said. "Get up deary you need to get some clothes on you." She added looking the bikini the girl wore over. "Here be your clothing for today."

The dark haired girl watched as a dress that was a short version of a renaissance peasant was laid on the bed. "I'm supposed to wear this?" She asked looking at the rather sexy styled Emerald green, white and brown dress.

"His highness certainly doesn't want to see me in it. Now get dressed and meet me outside the door." The aging woman said and left a pair of shoes and undergarments as well. Sarah watched as the woman left and the door closed.

Sarah did not want to put the dress on. She looked over the white, off the shoulder topped dress. Surely he didn't really expect her to wear it did he? She shook her head no. He could something more appropriate.

"Are you… you're still not dressed." The woman said shocked.

"I'm not wearing that. It's practically indecent!" The dark haired beauty announced.

"Whether you like it or not does not matter Lady Sarah. If the king says he wants you in this then this is what you wear." The white haired woman said gesturing to the outfit she'd left on the bed. "Refusal is not wise."

"You can't expect me to wear that." Sarah said stubbornly.

The elder woman frowned. "It is what the king expects that matters. If you refuse to wear the clothes he has provided you, I will have no choice but to inform him."

"I'm refusing!" Sarah said firmly.

"Very well but he will not be pleased. You may very well regret it ma dear but so be it." The woman turned around and left the room closing the door but left the outfit on the bed. Sarah heard a click and suddenly the door vanished.

Sarah stared at the area wondering why the door had vanished if he was planning on letting her out. "Things aren't always what they seem." Sarah said remembering the words the worm had said during her first trip through the Labyrinth. Getting up she went to where the door had been and started moving her hands along the stone walls hoping to find the door.

Suddenly hearing flapping the dark haired beauty turned to see a white owl enter and transform into the imposing Goblin King. "Surely you aren't already being disobedient this morning." He said, looking at her less than pleased. "Why are you still in that?"

"You can't expect me to wear that!" Sarah said pointing to the clothing he'd sent her.

"Oh really? And why is that?" He asked.

"It's practically indecent!"

Jareth raised an elegant eyebrow and looked over her current outfit. "There is certainly more fabric to the clothing I sent you than what you are wearing now."

"I was headed for a beach party!" She shouted.

"Watch your tone!" He snapped. "I am your sovereign. You will speak to me as such!" The king warned. "Now get dressed!"

"No!" She refused.

"That will cost you." Before Sarah could react Jareth grabbed her and flung her back to the bed. The moment she landed she was suddenly bound once again. "This time no protection." He said as his riding crop materialized in his hand. He waived his hand and the bikini disappeared just as he brought his crop down on her bare bottom.

Sarah screamed feeling the full force of the crop. The bikini hadn't offered a lot of protection but its material had actually softened the sting from the crop. She hadn't realized how much until she'd felt the sting on her bottom was far worse after three strikes than it had been with several with her bottoms on.

"Please Jareth!" She begged as she screamed through tears. He struck her three more times. As if it dawned on her she'd said his name she yelled. "Please Majesty!"

It wasn't master but he would accept Majesty. "You will get up, get dressed, and perform your duties or you will pay for it." Jareth looked at her bare bottom appraising it for a moment. He ignored the redness enjoying the sight. "You will find Mrs. Cumbers waiting outside. Get dressed and get to work." He sneered.

A moment later the green eyed girl heard the fluttering of wings and then she was alone once again. She cried a whole minute before finally managing to sit up. Jareth had left leaving her naked. She had no choice but to obey him.

Still sniffling she put the outfit he'd sent on. Finished, she dried her eyes. Turning to where the door had been, she watched it appear once again. Defeated, she went to the door and opened it.

Mrs. Cumbers looked at her and Sarah knew the woman knew what had happened. "I trust you will comply next time. Come." Without another word the woman began descending the stairs. A solemn and suffering Sarah followed in silence.

Mrs. Cumbers lead her through the castle and over to two large black carved doors. The elderly woman opened the two doors and led the girl inside.

Sarah looked around at the massive room in awe. The furniture was dark mahogany. There were large windows and a set of glass French doors directly across from where the two women stood. A table and four chairs were between the women and the doors in a private eating or sitting area. An enormous mahogany canopy bed was nestled between two large windows on the right side of the room. Everything was masculine and luxurious.

"This is his majesties bedroom." The elderly woman announced. Sarah's eyes widened and looked at the white haired woman. "You will be responsible for keeping his Majesty's suite in perfect order. Pay attention to where everything is and how it looks. King Jareth expects perfection. He like the drapes open during the daytime unless he says otherwise." Mrs. Cumber informed her. "Anything not perfect he might view as you being disobedient." She warned. Sarah made no verbal reply but nodded she understood.

"Through there is his Majesty's dressing area." She said pointing to the right. "The back door on the left leads to his bathing chambers. You are responsible for those areas as well." Again Sarah nodded. "I suggest you take a look around and familiarize yourself with his suite." Again Sarah nodded.

"Good. Beginning tomorrow it will be your job to wake him and see to the delivery of his breakfast. He likes to eat on his balcony where he can look out over the Labyrinth." Sarah simply nodded. Mrs. Cumber walked past the dark haired girl to the doors. Pausing she looked back. "Please him and he can be very generous Lady Sarah."

"Generous." Sarah scoffed.

"You turned down not only a Fae but a King. Did you think there wouldn't be consequences? You should be grateful you aren't in the dungeon!" With that the woman left closing the doors behind her.

Sarah stayed where she was, looking the room over. As much as she hated to admit it, Jareth had excellent taste. The walls were a gold collar. It offset the dark furniture and gave a very dignified appearance. Add the crimson red curtains and comforter and other touches of crimson and it was truly a room for royalty.

Slowly she walked around the room looking at where everything was. She was surprised to find the room seemed to be in perfect order and beyond clean. Becoming curious she headed into Jareth's dressing room.

She gasped at how large and precise everything was. It was a closet most women would kill for. Shirts were hung precisely, as were slacks and dress garments. Everything was neat and orderly in the Mahogany closet. Even the Kings' shoes rested on perfect shoe racks. In one corner of the room was a raised area with mirrors on three sides. Sarah could tell it was used for tailoring and ensuring perfection of his outfits.

The dark haired woman left the dressing room and made her way across the King's bedroom and over to his bathing chambers. Again she gasped. It was enormous. She guessed it was probably the size of a small house. It was definitely bigger than her parent's living room.

The floors were covered in marble black tile. The walls were gold. There was accenting crimson tile around the room keeping in color with the bedroom. The shower was large, measuring about eight feet wide and four feet deep. There were three shower heads. Sarah couldn't help but wonder why he'd need two showerheads let alone three.

The tub was sunk in with five steps leading down into it. It was also very large. It was bigger than a large hot tub but not quite the size of a small in ground pool. Again the size confused the mortal girl. "Why would he need such a large bathtub?" She questioned. Shrugging, she looked the bathing chamber over and again found it spotless.

She left the room and headed into the main room. From there she walked to the left toward the French doors. Opening them she walked out for a look at the view.

Sarah could instantly understand why Jareth liked to begin his day here. The Labyrinth was breathtaking. A gentle breeze blew and Sarah closed her eyes for a moment enjoying its gentle caress. She sighed in contentment. For a moment she could fully relax.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" Came the sound of a silky voice in her left ear. Sarah's eyes flew open at the sound of the king's voice.

"I was just..."

"No need to explain," The Goblin King said as his hands rested on the railing, effectively keeping her there. "The Labyrinth is both beautiful and quite relaxing. Of course, it isn't the only thing that can relax me."

Sarah stiffened feeling his left hand move her hair from the side of her neck. She gasped at the feel of his lips suddenly where her neck and shoulders connected. The dark haired girl grasped the banister in shock.

"What are you doing?" Sarah asked unable to hide her surprise as she felt his lips begin to travel up her neck.

Jareth smiled against her neck as he continued to places kisses on the side of her neck. "I believe I'm bestowing some attention on your very pretty neck." He felt her shudder and frowned. The shudder was not one a pleasure but of fear. "Relax Sarah." He removed his lips and brought his hands to her shoulders. Very gently he began to massage them. "There's no need to be scared. I can be both gentle and generous."

"I thought I was supposed to be learning my duties." Sarah reminded him.

"You're duties are to me." The Goblin King replied. "Yes, you are responsible for my chambers being perfect, but that is not all. You will also have lessons to teach you court etiquette."

"Court etiquette?" She asked.

"Of course. You will be on my arm whenever I want you. You will see to my every whim." He whispered seductively into her ear. "Whether it be at my side at court.." Jareth said and kissed the side of her neck. "Or here in privacy."

"You'd really force me into your bed?" She asked fearful of his reply.

"I don't have to take you into my bed to enjoy some of your…..assets." He said reaching around her and pulling her firmly back against him. "I won't rape you Sarah. There are plenty of women who are willing to warm my bed. If you enter my bed it will be by agreement." Sarah relaxed at his words. "Once you do it will also be forever."

"That won't happen." Sarah said firmly.

"So sure? It would be a pity if you decided something too rashly as you did when you wished your brother away. Perhaps you'd like to see something before you decide that. Care to take a walk?" He questioned. Sarah did not want to go for a walk, but the look in the Fae king's eyes told her if she didn't go, she'd wish she had.

"Come." Reluctantly, Sarah followed.

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