Chapter 19

(To save my friends)

Sarah stood quietly on the Balcony off the throne room. She was thankful Jareth had been so busy with the other UnSeelie kings he hadn't bothered her very often. He'd been so busy he hadn't even molested her in the last two days. An event that she was thankful to have missed. The Goblin King was beginning to scare her. It wasn't that he was being cruel during these sessions. No it was quite the opposite.

When Jareth touched her it was gentle. She hated to admit it, but the King knew what he was doing. He made her body respond so easily it was infuriating. Her body betrayed its satisfaction every time. Jareth would finish playing with her and chuckle at how angry she got over her bodies response to his touch. The dark haired girl was beginning to fear she might surrender to him. Something told her not to. That if she did it would cause dire consequences.

'I have to save my friends so I can save myself.' She told herself in thought. The only question was how?

"Sarah." The dark haired girl turned to see the UnSeelie High Queen walk out onto the balcony.

"Your Majesty."

"There are decisions that must be made. Our men are far too busy. It is time you took control of your wedding dear. Besides it should be the way you want it."

Sarah looked at her with a raised eyebrow. Was the UnSeelie High Queen that deaf of hearing? The dark haired girl had been very clear on every opportunity to voice how much she didn't care about, or even want, the wedding.

"I don't care how he does it."

Lorelei internally smiled. She loved the dark haired girl's stubborn nature. She'd gained a wicked sense of humor since surrendering to Ormond. Where she had once despised cruelty she now enjoyed it. The blonde woman delighted in the suffering of the Goblin King's obsession.

"As I said he is far too busy with my husband's plans. You will make decisions from now on. The first where on the grounds would you like to have it?"

"An Oubliette?" Sarah suggested.

Lorelei narrowed her eyes at the human girl. "That is hardly appropriate."

"Fitting, considering the reason I'm marrying him." The green eyed woman said pointedly. "I'm not going to rush around and play the happy bride. We both know I'm not."

"You made an agreement," The blonde woman reminded her curtly.

Sarah crossed her arms across her chest. "I agreed to marry him. I never said I'd be happy about it or that I'd help with the wedding."

She smiled at the Goblin King's bride. "Perhaps we can make another agreement."

"I don't think so Queen Lorelei. I'll already be suffering for all eternity over the last agreement I made."

"Even if it would allow you to see your traitorous friends?" The UnSeelie High Queen coaxed as she walked closer to the balcony's railing.

Sarah's eyes narrowed slightly in suspicion. 'What is she up to' The dark haired girl wondered. Still her curiosity was piqued. "I'm listening."

"Finish the wedding plans to an appropriate wedding and I will see that you are able to see your…friends."

"See as in there they are or see as in get to spend actual time with them?"

"Learned have we?" The blonde woman said amused. Sarah narrowed her eyes at the woman again but not in suspicion. Sarah was still angry over Jareth not setting her friends free. "A visit."

"No. Their freedom."

"That's a lot to ask don't you think?" Lorelei said looking out at the labyrinth.

"No, I don't." Sarah said flatly. "I'm losing everything. I at least want my friends to not suffer with me."

"That is something I cannot offer alone."

"Pity. We might have had a bargain." Sarah said and looked out over the Labyrinth herself.

Lorelei smirked at the girl use of Jareth's favorite word. "I said I couldn't offer it alone. That doesn't mean it can't be done." Sarah didn't watch as the blonde woman left the balcony and returned inside.

Internally Sarah felt a sense of hope. This might be her way of getting free. With her friends gone there would be nothing to stop her from trying to escape. The thought of her friends being free even if she couldn't be gave her hope. If she never got free she would revel in the fact they had.

The dark haired girl sighed as she realized the sky had turned dark and cloudy. She'd been so preoccupied with her thoughts she had been unaware the sky had changed. Seeing so many shadows in the labyrinth should have alerted her to a change, but hadn't. Feeling a few rain drops it was time to go inside.

Silently she strolled through the halls. The green eyed girl avoided the UnSeelie queens as much as possible. They had such a cruel nature she couldn't be around them for long. They were mean to servants and anyone of lower class needlessly. Sarah had found she was the only exception. Then again, she was to marry the Goblin King.

A roll of thunder echoed through the halls and she jumped. This was the first time the human had heard thunder in the Underground. She hadn't even known if it could thunder. As the thunder grew louder she covered her ears at the violent sound. Moments later she saw a flash of lightning.

She gasped at how bright and powerful the lightning looked. Hearing another loud crash of thunder she jumped and began to feel shaky. Sarah had never minded storms before the fateful night that she'd met the Goblin King. Ever since she had feared them.

"It's just a storm," Jareth said soothingly as he wrapped his arms around her from behind. "No need to be frightened."

The green eyed girl was frightened though. She turned into the Goblin King burying her face in his chest. If she had looked up the girl might have pulled away. Jareth wore a triumphant and pleased smile. It was the first time Sarah had willingly clung to him.

"You're safe." Jareth said comforting her.

"Is it always so loud?" Sarah asked quietly.

The Goblin King moved his right hand up from her waist to her face. Gently he stroked her cheek. Without thinking the girl looked up at him. "I'm sure I can come up with a way to distract you."

Sarah had no time to react. Jareth suddenly had both sides of her head and reaching down he kissed her. While most of his kisses were firm and demanding this kiss was gentle. Jareth slid his tongue over the crease of her lips wanting entrance. When she didn't immediately open for him he grabbed her rear causing her to gasp. His tongue was inside in less than a second.

"Sarah," He said not hiding his disappointment at her unresponsiveness. "This is far more enjoyable when both people participate."

The dark haired girl didn't respond and started to pull away. Jareth tightened his grip denying her request. "I don't want this."

Jareth's face hardened. "For someone who wants to see her traitorous friends you're not giving me much of a reason to allow it."

"Yes, see them from afar." Sarah steeled herself ready for what he would say next.

Jareth released her then. It was so quick she almost stumbled. The human watched as the King walked towards a fireplace. It was then she realized he'd transported them to his room.

"Queen Lorelei says you wish to make a bargain for your friends' freedom." Sarah watched with wary eyes from the center of the bedroom. She swallowed, almost fearing what he might say next. "I can grant their freedom. They would be banished from this kingdom but they would be free. Of course you would never see them again either."

"What do you want Jareth?"

She watched as the wild blonde haired man turned to face her. "What are you willing to give me?" Sarah blinked and stared at him. "What will you do to secure their freedom?"

"Haven't I given you enough?" The dark haired girl replied. "I've already agreed to marry you. You'll already own me. What more could I possibly do? You want me to finish your wedding plans?"

Jareth looked at the girl and saw the sadness in her eyes. It was true she had agreed to marry him and in truth the green eyed girl had lost a lot. The Goblin King had already taken part of her innocence. Once they were wed he'd take her virtue and her innocence would be completely lost. Jareth felt himself harden slightly at the thought of having her body beneath his.

"What do you want Goblin King?"

The king saw the look of a pleading loyal friend in her eyes. Internally he smiled knowing he could probably bed her now if he wished. The thought was enticing but he'd come to like the idea of a virginal bride. He would wait.

"You will complete the wedding plans as it should be. You will create what your dream wedding is. I may be the man of your nightmares rather than dreams but I want the wedding to be as you've always dreamed it should be. I'll even give you an additional week to complete the details."

"What else?" Jareth looked at her with an almost angelic face but Sarah saw though it. "You are not going to let my friends go this easily. I know you."

The Goblin King smirked. "No. But you're getting there." Jareth looked her purple dress over. "You come with me into the Labyrinth and allow me to act out one of my fantasies with you. Allow me to do as I wish to you."

Sarah internally groaned. If she agreed it wouldn't be rape. "Release my friends after the storm is over. You transport them out of the labyrinth and onto neutral ground on the border of their choice. No tricks Jareth. They are free and you don't harm them in any way. No putting them in enemy grounds or anything. No leaving things out or turning this."

"I suppose that…"

"I'm not finished. I won't do anything until I know they are truly free. NO crystals. You transport us all out so I can see them leave your lands and know they are truly free." Jareth gave an almost annoyed nod. "No suddenly calling them escapees or anything either. Completely free."

"Very well. Afterwards you are to spend time with me how I wish for as long as I wish. Agreed?"

Sarah hated giving the Goblin King his way but felt she had no choice. She needed to save her friends. "Agreed."

"Shall we seal it with a kiss?" The king suggested. Sarah narrowed her eyes at him. "The deal can be changed until you kiss me. "Perhaps…" Jareth didn't get the chance to finish his sentence as the dark haired girl quickly kissed him to close the deal. It was the only time she had willingly kissed the king.