A/N: Whoa. Deep breaths everyone. Calming deep breaths.

Holy shmolies Batman. Those were the most passionate responses I've ever gotten for a chapter, lol...As I predicted, some of you both hate and love me, some with a bit more hate. Ha!

Now go read on and find out what the heck happens after that terrible cliffhanger I left you all on :)

Thanks you great readers: Eliza, CompleteBookworm2, , The Queen of Water, She with the hazel eyez, Yuri Amuyu, Kaytori, Reine Shadow, benslilbug, Kinzichi, Elizabeth Sinclaire, hotforteacher3, DisneyRBD, hungrypiranha, and Guest.

Chapter Eighteen: Live Without Your Sunlight

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In an instant, Jareth had two crystals in his hand and stood in front of Sarah like a fortress wall of protection. He threw one into the air.

It burst in a ball of flame in the distance where the red light illuminated a figure of shadow deeper than those of the night.

Sarah's eyes darted to every side. Would Fiachna attack alone when there were so many Fey around? It all was surreal like a dream shifting from one thing to the next without warning, and she didn't know what to do. She had no power like the Sidhe, no weapon, and they were out in such an open place. She could only hope others would see and come to their aid.

Jareth barely managed to avert another attack. His back was to her, but she could see the tension rigid in his posture. It was awful being completely helpless.

He threw the second crystal with a powerful arm. It hit the ground by the dark figure of the mage, rolled all around his feet, then burst into a wall of encircling energy. The whitish-blue manifestation crackled and leaped up as high as the dark one's head, but his power strove against it like hands pushing out against a pliable barrier.

Just when she thought it might hold, it split asunder and shrivelled away. Fiachna's hands were slightly visible as he waved them around. Nothing came towards them. Instead, all the lights in his vicinity blinked out so that only the silvery outline of moonlight showed where he was. Then he cast a deep shadow around him.

Another attack followed. Jareth cast a sphere into the air that spread into a glimmering wall that destroyed whatever malice the mage had thrown their way.

Sarah felt a familiar touch of unseen hands wrap around her. She opened her mouth to scream, but nothing came out as she felt herself tugged backwards into the air. Her body hit the ground after flying far from the battle, and she winced at the impact; but the invisible bonds did not let go. By her stood a pair of feet touched by the hem of a bright blue gown that was vaguely familiar, but she couldn't lift her head to see. She could still hear the sound of the two men locked in a battle of magic.

Everything had happened in seconds.

For a few horrifying moments she thought she was caught for good this time. Jareth was distracted. She was captured. All they had to do was magic away to some other destination, and the king wouldn't know where to find her.

Icy tendrils crawled around her ankles and then her wrists. She shivered from the harsh cold that clamped around her skin. It was like ropes of ice.

Whoever stood beside her holding her with their power was struck to the ground by a strong force that burst with white light. The Sidhe rolled a few feet in the grass from the intensity of the blow.

Voices reached Sarah's ears, voices coming from the direction of the palace and drawing closer with each breath. Relief flooded her veins.

She still could not see much of the woman who captured her in the dark of the night, but the Sidhe stumbled to her feet and vanished before anyone got close enough to get her. All the bonds holding Sarah disappeared as well. She leapt to her feet but groaned at the throbbing pain in her right shoulder that took the brunt of the fall.

"Are you all right, lady?" a chiming voice asked her.

She turned around and found three different Fey running to her rescue: two men and one woman. Their eyes were wide and their mouths set in determined lines. The one who spoke to her was a tall, willowy fellow with kind eyes and a green coat.

"I-I am," she stammered, "thanks to all of you."

"Well!" he exclaimed. "We are glad to hear it. We'd better get you inside."

"Wait!" She looked where she last had seen Jareth, but he wasn't there.

"I'm here, Sarah."

She whirled around to find him standing right behind her. His face was grim, and his eyes still aflame with wrath; but it was not directed at her. Otherwise he appeared to have no injury and not to have been in any sort of fight to begin with.

"He is right. We should go inside."

She nodded, not sure what to say. "Thank you all again. I'm greatly indebted to you."

"Not at all," said the Fay woman. "We were not about to let some foolish imps do you harm."

Jareth reached out and put a hand on her arm. She let him lead her back with the three others following close. No one spoke another word until they were inside where throngs of curious onlookers barraged them with questions about what happened. Jareth waved them away and forced a path through their midst as the three Sidhe who had come to help stayed behind to answer some of the inquiries.

Every eye was on them once again. The peace of the Midsummer's Eve gala had not been disturbed for many an age, but here the odd pair had stirred up more than one round of commotion.

King Alaster stepped in front of them as they reached the Great Hall. "I am so terribly sorry, King Jareth! So terribly unfortunate. Whoever it was that did this has broken some implicit rules of the Summer Solstice celebration and will face justice if they are caught. Is there anything I can do?"

"Just don't jabber about this to everyone, have a servant show us to our room, and let us go to rest. We are turning in for the evening."

Jareth pulled Sarah along past the anxious host towards a grand pair of stairs curving up to the second level of the Adamant Palace. Alaster signalled to a servant standing in the shadows who immediately walked ahead of them to show them the way. Many of the guests who were from further kingdoms would take up the hospitality of the king to stay a night or more in the palace. Up the staircase wound to an extremely broad corridor lined with lamps and figurines shaped from crystal on short pedestals. It split off at the end going left and right. They went to the left wing.

The solemn servant stopped at a door at the end of the hall and led them inside.

"You may stay here, your Majesty. You were an unexpected guest, so quarters weren't prepared, but this was unoccupied. I hope it will suffice?"

"Yes, it will. Goodnight."

The servant bowed, then closed the door behind him.

"Um, Jareth?" Sarah said quietly as she looked around the large space. The whole ordeal had diverted her entire focus, but at last one significant detail dawned on her. She was jolted by a stroke of nervousness. "One room? Didn't you mean two?"

"You really think I'd leave you alone after that attack?" he scoffed in a quiet yet sharp tone. "I don't intend to leave your side again until we're back within my own castle."

"You're very angry," she stated simply.

His laugh was scornful. "I'd be a fool not to be! You cannot even understand the depth of it." He gritted his teeth and stormed across the room.

It was spacious with a large bed in the middle covered in deep blue coverlets. A silver mirror the height of Jareth leaned against the right wall, and a couple chairs draped with the same dark shades of the bed sat to the left. Everything was decorated with silver and deep blue. Also, a pair of doors opened out onto a balcony overlooking the lake. It was dark save for one lit silver lamp that cast shadows over the floor.

Jareth had stalked over to the doors and threw them open. The night air swirled in. Sarah wandered around the room to distract herself and give him some time to cool off outside on the balcony. She could see him gripping the balustrade as if it were Fiachna's throat.

Sarah finally joined him out in the evening air, hoping his fury had abated enough to pry a few answers. She settled beside him, resting her hands on the white stone barrier and watching the stars twinkle out on the lake.

"There was a woman helping him, but I didn't see her face. Her dress was a blue like the sky, and she was thin—but most of you are so that doesn't help much. It was too dark for me to see her face, and she didn't say a word."

Jareth's grip loosened a little, but he did not look at her yet.

"I didn't see her face, but what happened reminded me of someone I met earlier. Before you came back when you left me with Ètaìn, Seraphina as good as threatened me and it felt like large hands sliding around my throat. They were gone the instant you appeared. That's what it was like when I was grabbed while you fought the mage."

"Seraphina," he all but growled. "There could be no other. I would stake everything on that fact."

"Please don't. There's so much at stake already."

He finally turned his gaze on her. "You're so very calm about all of this."

"Would you rather I stomped my foot and yelled 'it's not fair!'?"

Jareth actually smiled a bit at her sardonic joke, yet the barely contained fury lingered in his eyes like a fire burning behind glass windows.

"It is what it is," he said, "but that does not change the fact that I've failed you twice."

"Failed? Is that what you call keeping me from being kidnapped and killed? I'm right here. They didn't get me thanks to you." She leaned forward to try and get him to look at her again. She winced. The right shoulder still smarted from the hard blow to the ground.

He noticed her flinch of pain and instantly reached out a hand to faintly trace the bare skin. It didn't hurt, but Sarah was not unaffected by it in other ways. "Yes," he said, "but both times you weren't left unscathed. Twice he's brought you harm. Twofold he will pay the price."

Sarah shuddered at the severity of his voice and the cold intensity of his face. To have Jareth as an enemy would be terrifying. As far as anyone could tell, it seemed the Raven Mage and the Goblin King were somewhat evenly matched, so who would win an outright contest of power and will? Both battles so far were brief and had involved one of them caught at unawares. What sort of terrifying spectacle would it be for a full-on war between them?

"It will just be a bruise, nothing more," she insisted. His gloved hand lifted away from her skin, and she sighed. That had felt quite nice. Stop Sarah, she told herself. You're getting caught up in all of this. "Why didn't you go after him? You're so upset, I thought…I thought you would hunt him down to the end once he showed up."

The question certainly did nothing to calm him. "Because it is what he expected, for me to behave rashly and blindly chase after him, but all the time I've known him there is no doubt he would have laid a trap. I wanted nothing more." His head turned aside so she couldn't see him very well. "Except…except for you to be unharmed."

Once more he began drifting away in his mind and was no longer fully present. Neither was she.

Sarah's heart tightened in her chest, and she reached out to gently rest her hand on his arm. She had not forgotten what had been happening when Fiachna interrupted, but he was still too angry to talk about it or to pick up where they left off. She was both relieved and disappointed. He cared about her so much! He went to such great lengths to protect her! No one cared for her like he did.

Her soul shuddered.

But all the friends and family back at home…They came unbidden to her mind with memories and an ache of longing from being gone for so long. Last time she was in the labyrinth, no time passed in her world, but it had been so long now this second time, would it be the same? At first she assumed they wouldn't be worrying about her since to them no time would slip by with her absent, but now she wasn't so sure. The longer she stayed, the more she began to wonder about them and the life she was missing at home.

A part of her felt at home here in the Underground—she now freely admitted and understood—but then another part of her longed to go back and leave all this wild adventure and danger behind.

But could she abandon Jareth? After all that had happened this time? With all the emotions she now felt?

She was torn in two, and a sharp pain at the rending echoed in her soul. Something would have to be given up. Something would have to be let go of.

Maybe it was best then that we didn't actually kiss, she thought glumly. He doesn't deserve a girl who can't make up her mind all the way. I wanted it. I know now. But I have to decide before I can offer everything.

In an emotionless voice he said, "Go to bed, Sarah. You'll need the rest."

"As if I could fall asleep after that!" she huffed. Her adrenaline still pumped through her veins, and the tumultuous thoughts still reeled in her mind. "I'm not tired."

That stony gaze turned on her, and she swallowed hard. He leaned over her, using his height and imposing presence to intimidate.

"You look as though you're going to fall over from weariness. I suggest you go lie down for I am no good company tonight."

Any other time she would resist, but right now she didn't feel like fighting back. There had been enough of that for one night already, so she gave him one last hard stare for good measure and went back inside. He was right. At any moment, the adrenaline would run out and all the day's events would crash down around her.

"What am I supposed to wear?" she muttered as she plopped onto the edge of the bed. The dress was too lovely to sleep in. She looked at the wardrobe against the wall and decided to check just in case.

As it so happened, there were a few things in the wardrobe. She wasn't quite so surprised by these circumstances anymore after all the bizarre events that already transpired in this magical realm. What surprised her these days were the ordinary things appearing in such a fantastical place.

Now was one of the moments she missed certain items from home. A pair of sweats and a large sweatshirt sounded wonderful and incredibly cosy, but they didn't have those here. So she pulled out a white nightgown that maintained a sort of decency—Jareth's presence in the same room during the night didn't go overlooked—and draped over her slender frame in pretty folds of soft muslin. There was a changing screen in the corner that she hastily threw it on behind without too much trouble getting out of her exquisite gown, for which she was overwhelmingly glad considering she did not want to ask Jareth for help getting out of it. Dark pink stained her cheeks.

He still hadn't come back in. Sarah sighed and slid underneath the thin blankets of the large bed, and as soon as her head hit the luxurious pillow a wave of exhaustion swept over her. Her eyes fluttered closed, and her breathing grew deep. The last few coherent thoughts clung to consciousness and hovered around the front of her mind.

He was going to kiss me. The Goblin King that stole my baby brother was going to kiss me. And I was going to let him...

I hate you Fiachna...

Jareth heard Sarah's soft shuffling come to a stop after a while and took a glint over his shoulder. It appeared she had done as he asked—commanded really—and settled into the bed to sleep. She might not fall asleep right away, which was perfectly reasonable after the blood rushing through their veins after barely escaping a catastrophic event, but he knew eventually the excitement of the day would take its toll.

Anger still burned within him.

The whole night he had been on his guard with a sharp eye on the lookout for anything suspicious or any sign of the Raven Mage, but then he'd completely let it fall as he got caught up in a rare moment and, of course, that's when the wretch decided to show himself.

He finally had made a breakthrough with Sarah, but the attack ruined it all. He finally felt at ease in hope that the mage would leave them be at the grand occasion, but he was taken by surprise when he should've seen it coming.

But what angered him most of all was the fact he didn't follow Fiachna to hunt him down and slay him, and so the great fool had escaped unharmed all because Jareth couldn't bring himself to leave Sarah behind or risk flying into a trap.

Not again. This was the last time. As soon as they returned home, strategies he'd formed in his mind would be put into being.

Fiachna the Raven Mage's time amidst the living was slowly ticking away just like Sarah's thirteen hours had once counted down the babe's fate.

Jareth pushed away from the balustrade and the view of the lake under the moonlight and returned to the shadowed confines of the room. He closed the doors gently behind him when he saw that Sarah had indeed already fallen into sleep. Her hair was like silken shadows splayed over the pillow, the moonlight illuminated her alabaster skin with a pale glow, and her face was cast in a serenity only slumber could grant where all her features were at rest. She was a vision for his tormented soul.

The encounter with Fiachna worried him on more than one account for he'd learned too quickly that the mage was more powerful than he thought. Long years ago Jareth had been the greater without question and Fiachna the annoying fly buzzing about his ears, but clearly someone was training and growing his powers for just such a situation. Fiachna had become a real threat, a threat that might even match him in strength.

He slipped the cream gloves from his hands.

With cautious movement and careful approach, he stooped over Sarah's still form clothed in gossamer white and reached out a bare hand. His long fingers softly touched her brow, imparting peaceful dreams and warding from nightmares. They caressed her cheek and swept over her jaw.

So much for the dance, he thought.

"I will protect you, dearest Sarah," he murmured softer than a whisper. "Even if it meant giving my life. And I fear...it may very well be so."

At last he pulled away with great reluctance and drew his hand from her face. He put the gloves back on and settled into one of the chairs most distant from the bed.

And there he would remain until the morning.

Sunrise the next day turned everything to hazy gold and gilded the surface of the lake. Even the Adamant Palace looked more golden than silver in the warm sunlight. The air was sweet with flowers and the sap of trees.

Sarah opened her eyes to a new day. For a few moments, she was lost as to where she was and why, but soon it all rushed back to memory. Then she also remembered she wasn't alone in the room in the Adamant Palace.

She quietly rolled over to survey the other side of the room and there sat the Goblin King in a simple chair as if it was the throne back in his castle, a casual posture with a leg hanging over the armrest and his elbow resting on the back. However, his face was anything but casual.

Although she'd tried to be quiet, he immediately noticed she was awake and stirring in the bed. Those mismatched eyes regarded her with an unreadable glaze, but no anger or severity was in them when he looked at her.

"Good morning," she said as she sat up letting the blankets fall to her waist since she thought the nightgown hardly scandalous. It was odd to wake up and see him. Amber she was used to bounding in her room on weekend mornings to tell her something or just to bother her, but this was very different. Of course there was a bit of self-consciousness about coming out of a deep sleep to an attractive man watching you when you had no idea if you looked all right or like one of the goblins on a bad day.

"Good morning," he greeted. "What was that about not being tired?"

She glanced down at one of the pillows and considered throwing it at him. He deserved it if he was going to tease her first thing when she didn't have all her wits about her yet. Knowing him, it'd probably stop in mid-air and be completely pointless.

"Yes, well I guess it's exhausting when someone tries to kidnap you." There might have been something of contrition in his face at her remark even though she was joking. "What about you? You look like you didn't even go to sleep at all."

Of course he didn't look like someone who hadn't slept the whole night, but he seemed rather alert as if he had been awake for a while or hadn't even rested at all. With his behaviour, she guessed the latter.

"Since I didn't drown myself in the golden mead of the Sidhe last night like so many of my kindred, sleep was not necessary," he said. "We don't need the amount of rest that mortals do. I trust you slept well."

"Yes. Very well actually."

"Good. You will need all of your strength and wits for today." He rose from the chair. "Today we go before the Sidhe Court."

"What? Whatever for?" So much for a quiet morning after the eventful night before.

"They wish to know everything that happened and why." He flicked a hand in casual gesture. "It seems pointless to me since it's clear they will not act towards Fiachna even when they hear it all, but they left a note under the door as soon as dawn breathed. Don't worry though," he said with a smirk, "you need not speak too much in front of them."

She leaned on her arm, her hair falling around her face. "I guess things don't often go like you plan them to."

Jareth's laugh was not of mirth but something darker as he glowered, staring at nothing in particular. "No, they certainly do not. Do they ever?"

"You would know better considering you've lived a much longer life."

A stillness fell over them. It was peaceful with soft sunlight, quiet birdsong from outside the windows, and a comfortable quiet amidst two who had become more than acquaintances. Sarah slipped out of bed while Jareth watched something outside or drifted in his own thoughts. She stretched on her tiptoes and stood in the gentle shafts of light falling through the window panes. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Jareth's gaze turn to her and take her in. With a glance down she realised the white gown faintly revealed the outline of her figure beneath the sun, and although it was no different if she were in jeans and a t-shirt, she felt a little embarrassed under his piercing eyes.

She turned and directly saw him watching her, but he did not look away when caught. That was the difference about him. With all the men she'd dealt with—more boys still than men—they acted so hesitant for so long while the Goblin King had made it clear from the beginning what he wanted.

A gentle shudder ran down her back.

And yet she was not wholly uncomfortable. Waking up to him first thing in the morning was not so bad.

"I'm going to get ready to go see this Sidhe Court," said Sarah, easily holding his eyes. "So I'd appreciate it if you went outside the room or something." She knew she likely opened up the perfect opportunity for him to tease her somehow.

This time he didn't though. Like a serpent, he darted to his feet, nodded once to her, and hurried out onto the balcony with the doors closing hard behind him. It was a little odd to not hear any sort of quip, teasing, or remark. Was the Goblin King a little flustered?

NOTE: Things are getting a little intense, no? Let me know what you think! Even if you're wanting to kill me for delaying the Kiss ;). It WILL come. There will be around ten more chapters or so left in the story, but it won't take nearly that many for the event we've all been waiting for. Patience! Patience my lovely audience :)

Oh, and let me clarify so none of you need fear: I WILL NOT ABANDON THIS STORY. I NEVER LEAVE A STORY UNDONE. IT WILL BE FINISHED AND I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU HANGING. There you are. So many of you are begging me to keep going and not leave it off, so I wanted to promise you all that that will not happen.