— PLEASE NOTE: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS MINOR ROMANTIC PROXIMITY. NOTHING SERIOUS. BUT HEY, I MADE THIS CHAPTER EXTRA LONG FOR Y'ALL. ;) —
The rooms Jareth had assigned to her were nothing short of fantastical opulence. With her own giant fireplace, golden accented furniture, hundreds of books, magnificent bathroom facilities and a bed larger than the entire bedroom in her old apartment, she shouldn't have anything to complain about. There even were a selection of dresses and various apparel and accessories she could freely use, including jewelry that she was scared to even touch because they looked priceless.
Yet she felt, for lack of a better description, like absolute shit. Her entire body hurt. She was exhausted. Starving, yet she didn't give the food brought in earlier a second glance. She threw a gander towards Jareth and the two healers. He was standing tall and his brow was furrowed while listening to the elderly man. Part of her was annoyed that after being prodded, pulled on and submitted to all kinds of nasty sensations, they didn't bother to include her in the findings. Yet at the same time she couldn't care less. She was desperate to crawl under the sea of bedsheets and stay there for a few days.
She was currently curled up on one of the couches in her quarters, clad in a simple blue dress. It had been the only one offering her some reprieve from the heat and provided some comfort. All other dresses in the wardrobe were thicker, had corsets or were nightgowns.
Leaning her head sideways against the back of the couch she closed her eyes while trying to tune out the weird pressure she felt in her shoulders.
A few moments later she felt a gentle caress against her hair. Leather clad fingers tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Opening her eyes she was met with Jareth's mismatched gaze. He was leaning against the back of the couch, looking down at her. "How are you faring, sweetling?"
"Tired. Overheated. Hungry. Sore. Stiff. I could go on."
"I do apologize, Sarah. Upon Aemus's recommendation I opted to do a full examination at once, so you wouldn't have to be submitted to more discomfort later. I offer my sincere apologies. I should have consulted with you first."
Sarah shrugged. "It's probably best I got it over with. I hate doctor appointments, so I'd rather be a little lab rat for…" She gazed at a clock on a nearby wall. "Two and a half hours, then having to go through it several times on separate occasions."
Jareth smiled softly. "Allow me." He took one of the fingers of his gloves between his teeth and tossed the item aside. Two fingers pressed against the pale skin between her brows, applying a gentle pressure.
Her eyes fell shut. The alien sores and discomforts ebbed away like water through a sieve. The warmth of his fingers against her skin nothing short of blissful. She never could quite get used to his spells.
"Sit straight, Sarah."
Her eyes fluttered open, slightly snapping out of the trance she'd been in. Obediently she turned on the seat so her feet touched the ground. Before she could look up at him she spotted his other glove being discarded next to the other. The man's hands came to rest on her shoulders, his thumbs angled to the back of her neck. Carefully he tested the muscles before starting to rub and knead the sore and tight areas. His touch alternated between firm squeezes, precise strokes and gentle caresses. Each touch made her long for it to never end.
Her soft sigh was a sorry response to the best massage she'd ever had. Her body rejoiced in the skillful way he eased the tension and lulled her into relaxation.
The low murmur in her ear was so close that she could feel his breath against her skin. Despite the warm weather, goosebumps prickled along her skin. "Is that better, Sarah?"
Sarah moaned softly in approval and his fingertips briefly brushed down the column of her throat before his lips replaced them. The woman shivered at the chaste touch, her hands slightly bunching in the skirts of her dress. Her eyes were still closed, yet she felt no desire to open them, drinking in the feeling of the physical contact. "Not just magic fingers, I see." Her tone was joking, but breathless.
The way he chuckled caused her heart to skip a beat. "You don't know half of it." With teasing confidence he let his fingertips trace the line of her collarbone, chuckling at her shiver. "In fact," he said in a way that distanced him from a heady path down a road she'd likely not be quite ready to take yet. "These magic fingers have set themselves to work while you were seeing the healers."
Sarah could sense him stepping away from her, allowing her mind to refocus on the matter at hand. "Yeah, about that… Am I going to be let in on what they found or not?" Looking around, she caught his hand resting on a small box. When she spoke up, he pulled back from it.
Smiling, he tucked his hands behind his back. "Business first, then. Could you join me at the table, or are you still feeling faint?"
"I'm fine," she said swiftly. A good part of the aches had dissipated already, but she was definitely still out of sorts. He held out a chair for her and she sat down murmuring a quiet thanks.
The man sank down to a seat opposite of hers. "Firstly, I'd like to clarify that I was not at all intending to keep this information from you. You looked rather worn out, so I wanted you to rest before you thrust yourself into something that might cause you stress."
"Stress? Why? What's wrong with me?" Her fingers curled up nervously on the tabletop.
The Goblin King put a hand over her own. "Currently, nothing that the healers can ascertain. Your vitals are fine and your blood is untainted, save for the magic in it. There is no visible or detectable signs of poisoning or Feyblight, but-"
"Feyblight?" Sarah frowned at the term, her mouth growing dry.
"A disease found in novices or people and creatures unable to restrain their magic." His voice was calm and unbothered. "It is known to blacken skin and whiten hair." Her increasing panic spoke volumes. "However, as I said, there was no sign of it and I have absolutely no reason to believe you will develop it. That being said, I am more than ready to offer services from the royal healers to provide you with periodic appointments, at least until the magic has faded from your body."
Sarah shuddered at the thought.
"Which brings me to the next matter. There is a very real possibility that the magic will not fade from your body, so long as it's not depleted." He held up a hand to silence her when her lips parted. "All that is said under reservation, though. Much like me, Aemus and his student have not heard of magic being transferred to mortal humans. They will conduct research and provide us with more information as soon as they can."
Sarah looked down at their hands, quietly digesting what he'd just said. "So… I have magic? At least for the time being." He nodded patiently. "And there's no way it will just, like… kill me?"
"No, sweetling. For the time being, you are in a perfectly fine and stable condition." Raising her hand to his lips he pressed a kiss to her knuckles. "Now then, would you allow me to show you my latest craft? Or do you have any further questions?"
"I am morbidly curious about everything I've been subjected to by the healers today," she said thoughtfully. Then her eyes locked on him. "But I'm dying to see what the mighty Goblin King has been up to."
Jareth caught her eyes flashing towards the box and before she'd even moved an inch his hand shot towards it and snagged it away. Her lips parted in disbelief when he rose to his feet and ambled away, casually turning the small box in his hands. "Oh, come on!" Rising to her feet she moved over to him, fishing for the box. With graceful flourishes he kept it out of her reach, grinning playfully. "Jareth, give it to me!"
Amused at her childlike petulance he gently shook the box. It immediately caused her to pause, listening to the sound it produced. "What? This little thing? You were hardly interested in it before."
"I'm interested now," she said with a pout while jumping for it again. She made a particularly valiant effort to grab it then, nearly bumping her head into his chin and causing him to stumble back in an attempt to keep her from hurting herself. His heart skipped a beat when the back of his legs bumped into something and he tumbled back. In blind excitement at his lapse in poise she scrambled on top of him and reached for it.
Suddenly, it vanished from his hand.
"Oh," she exclaimed loudly. "You cheat!"
His grin was positively unashamed. If Sarah wasn't so painfully curious, she would have let him play his games. His cheerful smile was almost too adorable, and his hand on her back more than a little distracting.
Wait a minute.
Her entire body froze, now suddenly wildly aware she lay sprawled on top of him. One of her legs was between his and her elbows braced on the seat he'd fallen onto. Her body grew warm, though not as unbearably hot as her face. She shifted her weight backwards, now looming over him. The teasing smile on his lips caused her heart to skip a beat. "Don't leave now, darling. This game was just getting interesting."
"You and your games," she said with a huff.
He seemed unbothered, pushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "Won't you play, dearest?"
Sarah scoffed. "What? A game? With you? Why? For what?"
"The box." The man grinned at the slight widening of her eyes, her interest clearly piqued.
"What… game, exactly?" Her slow pronunciation illustrated her distrust but careful consideration.
"Don't flinch, and I'll give you the box."
"You can't just offer something and when I want it, come up with some awfully convenient rules to get it!" His cocky grin told her that he very much could. With distrust still clear on her face and in her voice, she tilted her head. "Don't flinch from what, exactly?"
"Being on top of me, obviously." Her eyes widened again. "You are free to do whatever you like, or-"
Her eyes narrowed. "Don't say who. Don't you dare."
Jareth laughed. "Very well. So, don't flinch… and the box is yours."
"Including the contents? No small print or rules I should know about?"
"Of course. No other requirements."
"But you were going to give it to me anyway!"
His hand casually traced invisible patterns on the soft skin of her shoulder. "Says who? I just said that I wanted to show you something which I had created while you were being examined. You simply wished to stake a claim on something in my possession. The price is to stay. Quite generous, don't you think?"
"You're insufferable."
"Yet you are still situated on top of me, seemingly without plans to remove yourself. If I didn't know any better, I'd suspect you intentionally incapacitated me in pursuit of physical contact." His hand was still teasing by her shoulder, and it was incredibly difficult to keep her attention on the things he was saying. "Perhaps my magic fingers are even more potent than I know them to be."
Sarah's hands curled into fists next to his head. The mischief sparkling in his eyes and the sharp teeth flashing from between his lips were becoming more and more difficult to resist. Those haunting mismatched eyes carrying an unusual hint of boyish trickery and roguish defiance…
Before she fully realized it she'd leaned down, catching his lips with her own. He was quick to respond, burying his fingers in her hair and holding her close. Considering he had little experience with what seemed to classify as mortal or human kisses, he was definitely quick to catch on. And gods, Sarah had never kissed a man with lips this soft. They brushed against hers, molding together perfectly and effortlessly reacting to her own. The tingling feeling of his fingers caressing her hair spread all the way down to her shoulders. The kiss deepened and her body ached for more contact. Pleaded to let herself settle against the hard planes of his body. His kiss perfectly straddled the line between demanding and teasing. Eager to take the lead yet curious about what she might teach him.
Sarah's heart was racing. Her embarrassment waning when she found herself hopelessly distracted. His scent clouded what little was left of her senses. Her teeth briefly nipped his lower lip. His fingers tightened in her hair. Her body tensed in anticipation when his leg angled up slightly, taut muscle brushing along her thighs and pushing up the dress just a tad higher. She gasped and he eagerly used the reaction to nibble on her lower lip. Sarah now cursed her cowardice for all the times she had backed away from his intimacy.
Her fingertips traced down along the leather cord of his necklace, down to the amulet and over it. Her hand brushing down along his neckline resulted in the fastenings coming undone as though they hadn't been there. His shirt gradually fell open and readily presented his skin.
Jareth's kiss faltered at the feeling of her touch. One hand was on her lower back, pulling her closer, then froze. His head pushed into the seat they were laying on. He growled quietly. "Sarah?"
Opening her eyes she met his gaze. There was a faint tint of pink on his cheeks and his eyes openly displayed a fierce hunger. His hands cradled her face while he made a visible effort to clear his mind. "Jareth?" She slightly adjusted her still hovering position to shift her weight from her elbows to her hands.
"We should slow down." He let out a slow sigh, licking his lips. "I'll curse myself any moment now, but this is not the place nor the time for our first tryst."
Gradually the haze faded from her mind and she nodded awkwardly. Bashfully her eyes lowered, briefly seeing the bared expanse of his chest before he angled her head back up. "Eyes up here, sweetling. I don't think you are quite ready for what you will find down there," he said with a smirk. When it dawned on her what exactly he meant her cheeks flushed. "In the meantime, please accept this gift… I made it for you."
One moment his hand was empty, the next the small box appeared in it. Sarah looked at it for a moment. "I… Thank you, Jareth…" If her mind wasn't still lagging behind she might have been cross that it was something he intended to give her after all.
"Wait until you see what's inside." He smiled kindly. Jareth slipped the box into her hand and shifted, propping his elbows up on the arm rest of the couch they were on to create some distance between them.
The woman leaned back so she was sitting on her knees, eyes fixated on the box. Looking up at him he gave her an encouraging nod and carefully she peeled the lid off the box. The moment her eyes fell on what was within she gasped.
Resting inside on a satin cushion was a delicate silver necklace with a small orb pendant. The chain seemed to glitter in the light while the hanger had an opal and pearlescent shimmer to it. In its center glowed a tiny pinprick of light.
She looked up at him, his gaze slightly guarded but curious as to her reaction. "Oh my god, Jareth… It's so beautiful…"
A smile curled around his lips, a tension slipping from his shoulders. "I've been pondering a replacement ever since your previous necklace shattered. Touch it." She took it out of the box to rest in her palm and put the box aside so her free hand could touch the small crystal trinket. There was a rhythmic pulsing coming from the object. It felt like…
"A heartbeat?" Her eyes locked with his.
The blonde smiled a little wider. "Very clever, darling. It is a heartbeat." He took her hand and placed it over his chest. "Mine."
Her lips parted, feeling the necklace thrumming in sync with the pulse in his chest. Her fingers closed around the necklace, the beating a comforting sensation and the chain flowing around her fingers like liquid. "I don't know what to say…" Gently shifting her weight onto the hand on his chest she leaned over, pressing a chaste kiss against his lips. Resting her forehead against his she held the hand with the necklace over her heart. "Thank you, Jareth."
"You are more than welcome, my darling Sarah." He nuzzled his nose against hers, basking in the moment. After a few moments, he guided her back, leaning up from the armrest. "Let's get you something to eat, yes?"
—-
All throughout the meal Sarah had been mentally lingering on their kiss. It didn't help that his shirt was still hanging open. He didn't seem in a hurry to close it. What if…
"You're not ogling me, are you dearest?"
Sarah startled so badly that her hand slammed down on her plate and nearly flipped it over. Jareth laughed. Awkwardly she tucked her head. He rose to his feet and affectionately pressed a kiss to her cheek. "As much as I'd love to spend the entire day with you, I have some matters to attend to." While still standing next to her he casually started fastening his shirt, taking his sweet time for every one of his fastenings. Sarah's eyes were tightly glued to the table. "The day is yours to do with as you please, but make sure you get some rest. We'll be accompanied by the retinue of Warren's court for dinner tonight."
"Retinue?" Sarah looked up at him while he groomed his hair to messy perfection.
"Advisors, nobility and other attendants that reside in the castle." Idly he collected his trademark gloves, slipping them on so slowly Sarah was a little suspicious that he dreaded doing it. "It is as thrilling as it sounds."
Turning to him she fidgeted with the fine fabric of her dress. "It sounds kind of… fancy… I'm not used to fancy dinners. Is there anything I should know? Some sort of etiquette or something?"
He grabbed one last piece of fruit, popping it into his mouth. "I'll send for someone to instruct and prepare you. Though I have full confidence that even without it, you'd carry yourself just fine. You might want to go for seconds," he said while nodding to the table. "While the event starts in the evening, it won't be until later at night until food is served. Rest up for now. I will send for a lady-in-waiting to dress you and instruct you on everything you need to know."
"Okay," Sarah said quietly, anxious to attend a royal dinner.
His forefinger gently guided her face up to look at him. "Enjoy your day, sweetling. You have more than earned your rest. Don't worry about tonight, you'll be fine." The man pressed a kiss to her forehead, then turned from her. "Take solace in the fact that Lana will be there too. I am eager to see you again tonight." With a kind smile he left the room.
Turning back to the table, Sarah decided to heed Jareth's advice and dug in for seconds. After that, the giant bed with silk sheets had her name written all over it.
—-
Sarah woke to the sound of someone entering her room. It immediately put her on high alert and she bolted up from the feathery cushions. A tall, pale woman quietly rode in a cart containing several boxes of various sizes, then closed the door behind her, flicking her long silvery blue hair over her shoulder. Spotting the woman in the bed she gave stoic curtsy.
"Uh, hello." Uncomfortably Sarah fixed her dress under the covers, then slipped out. "Sorry, I was asleep."
"Good afternoon, Lady Sarah." Her voice was cold. Disinterested probably. Sarah dreaded this was going to be a rather unpleasant introduction to manners of the court. "My name is Sorcha. I was summoned to serve you."
Still a little groggy from sleep it was hard to present herself with some dignity. "Oh right, thank you. Any help would be much appreciated."
Sorcha looked her over. "I can see that."
Sarah flinched, awkwardly trying to stroke a few creases out of her borrowed garment. It didn't help that the woman opposite her was impeccably dressed, from the intricate knots of her belt to the delicate braids in her hair.
"I will prepare a bath for you. Dirt and grime have no place at tonight's soirée. Please rid your hair of any knots or tangles while I prepare for you in the lavatory suite. We are expected in two hours."
"O-okay," Sarah squeaked quietly.
Once her hair was smooth and untangled she walked into the bathroom. The large bath was steaming invitingly and an unfamiliar floral scent rose from the soapy waters. Sorcha turned to her with her chin held high, holding out a hand to the bath. "If you please, lady Sarah."
Sarah froze, eyes moving between the bath and the noblewoman. Was she meant to just undress in front of a stranger? Right now?
"Before the water gets cold, please. Just leave your dress and undergarments on the floor, I shall put them away later."
The cold look withered the longer Sarah hesitated, so despite her discomfort she stripped down and quickly stepped in the bath, hiding her body from the other woman's view underneath the bubbles.
"I have selected a burgundy dress and jewelry by Eire Eilis for you tonight." The rather clueless look on Sarah's face wasn't lost on Sorcha. "Eire Eilis is the capital's royal jeweler. Compliments would be in order seeing as I managed to get my hands on them in such short notice."
After a hot bath and a more than thorough scrub, Sarah insisted on drying herself. She was sure Sorcha was displeased, because when she was dressing her it almost seemed a goal to tighten her dress two sizes smaller than it needed to be.
But then, when Sarah saw herself in the mirror, she couldn't deny that it was stunning. The floor-length dress was elegant and fitted her upper half perfectly. It framed her chest and hugged her ribs and waist so tightly that she only just now discovered curves she'd never seen before. Sarah usually didn't like deep V-necklines, but this one was beautiful, with its delicate lace and embroidery. Long, sheer sleeves with lace cuffs cascaded down from her shoulders, teetering just on the edge as though it could tantalizingly slip down at any moment. While the skirts were rather simple, they made for a perfect finish. The wine red elegant flats were surprisingly comfortable.
Just at that moment Sorcha presented her with a beautiful princess necklace, which was so dazzling Sarah almost feared it would take away from her face. The noblewoman urged her to the vanity where she started to swiftly and skillfully arrange her hair into the perfect messy French roll with earrings matching her necklace.
Sarah had always preferred a natural look, so having someone do her makeup was rather uncomfortable, but she'd found herself now eager to see what Sorcha could create. Some minutes later Sarah looked at herself in the mirror, wide-eyed. Leaning forward she could barely recognize herself. Her skin was flawless and perfectly accented. Not even a single eyebrow hair was out of place. Deep burgundy eyeshadow and winged eyeliner with deep berry lipstick finished the outfit magnificently.
"Wow, Sorcha… I don't even know what to say… This is absolutely gorgeous. Thank you."
Sorcha beamed proudly with her head held high. "His Majesty doesn't select my services at random. You won't find a better attendant in this province, perhaps the entire kingdom." Sorcha folded her hands together. "Now, there is much work left to be done, and I am not soiling a masterpiece with poor manners and tardiness. Join me at the table, please." She stiffly turned to the cart and unloaded the last few boxes. Sorcha opened the first, revealing a leather notebook. She flipped to a specific page and laid it out for Sarah to read.
"This is tonight's attendance list. I presume you recognize the royal family at least."
Sarah nodded, reading the familiar names of Jareth, Warren, Beyza and Alana with their formal titles and details of attendance. She was also surprised to see last names included, which only just occurred to her that she didn't even know it. Islainn, which seemed surprisingly fitting somehow. It also alerted her that Jareth wouldn't be in attendance for the first hour or so. And neither would Alana.
"Marvelous," Sorcha continued. "Sir Thaddeus Briarwood and his wife Isolde never miss a gathering. Sir Thaddeus is chancellor of finance. Lord Alaric Virelle is captain of the guard, joined by his wife Lady Elowen Virelle, mistress of the gardens. Sir Cormac Larksong is a knight of valor. He recently went through a divorce with Lady Fionnuala Steelheart. Both will be in attendance with their paramours."
Sarah tried to follow along as best as she could, but after a while the names started blurring together. She studied the pages, trying to think of mnemonics to memorize them. When Sorcha suddenly pointed to a specific name she jumped.
"And lastly Sir Rioghan Briaric, Master of Shadows. You're lucky I caught staff mentioning it before I reported to you. He was not expected but arrived in the castle this afternoon. Most courtiers you will meet today are perfectly harmless, but be careful when you meet him."
"Why? What does he do?"
"He is the head of intelligence serving His Majesty. However, it is not about what he does, it is about what he is capable of. Do not let your guard down around him and do not answer any personal questions. It is for your best interest. Seeing your rather innocent nature, I would not recommend to offer him any compliments or express any sort of appreciativeness towards him."
"Okay, all this sounds a little ominous. I don't see Sir Girvin on the list, will he be attending?"
"Sir Girvin Valgard? Almost certainly not. Soldiers are hardly commonplace among nobility. He sometimes attends the less… refined festivities. Usually as the right hand of His Majesty the King."
Sarah was a little surprised. Jareth usually kept her under the watchful eye of the soldier. While it felt overbearing sometimes she was nervous he wouldn't be there tonight. There was no time to mull it over, though. Sorcha immediately launched herself in a thorough instruction on all things refined and proper. Instructing until Sarah's head was spinning.
It was almost a relief when it was time to leave. Sorcha's lips were firmly sealed the moment they stepped out.
—-
When they arrived Sarah immediately felt nervous again. As it so happened, they arrived at the same time as Warren and Beyza. Sorcha gave them a deep curtsy before Warren dismissed her. The pair was clad in vivid oranges, matching perfectly and dressed to the nines.
"Lady Sarah, you look positively breathtaking," Warren said, very clearly incredibly pleased.
Beyza, who was on his arm, smiled warmly. "Not just anyone would attract the attention of His Majesty." Her tone was definitely playful and welcoming.
Smiling through her nerves, Sarah gave them a respectful curtsy, mimicking the way Sorcha had instructed her. "Sir Warren, Lady Beyza. You make a very striking pair."
The exotic looking woman chuckled. "Lady Sorcha has instructed you well, I can tell." Beyza offered her arm and Sarah took it with a smile. "Let us formally introduce you to our court." A man by the door announced their entry, using their names and titles. Sarah found herself introduced as Lady Sarah Williams, royal guest of the king. It was certainly better than Lady Sarah Williams, unemployed and living with her father.
Stepping into the room everyone inside made a collective bow. She could already see a few people talking to one another in hushed tones. While there was a band, their music was clearly meant to be background entertainment. The room was huge. Three stories high, easily as large as her childhood home and adorned with countless paintings, drapes and art. There were three large chandeliers and five tall windows with seats at their base. The floor was a rich green marble which looked so spotless Sarah was nearly afraid to walk on it.
Warren walked them over to two people. "Thaddeus, it is a joy as always to see you. Please meet lady Sarah."
Sarah smiled warmly and gave the man a deep curtsy.
"Lady Sarah, your radiant presence gracing us tonight is more than I could have hoped for." The burly man, looking to be in his late forties, held out his hand. His white hair was pulled back in a neat bun, his dark blue eyes smiling down at her. His outfit, and that of the woman next to him, were a deep sapphire.
Sarah offered him her hand and he pressed a polite kiss to her knuckles. "Sir Thaddeus Briarwood, it is a pleasure to meet you. And Lady Isolde?"
The petite pale blonde woman next to him smiled. "Very good, Lady Sarah. Such a pleasure. I do hope you enjoy this little get together."
"If everyone is as pleasant and kind as you I am sure I will."
"Your Grace, while I have you, I'd like to discuss some points of our meeting this morning."
Isolde sighed dramatically. "Oh, Theo, for the love of the Winter Moon, could you not jump to work discussions every chance you get?"
"It will only take a moment, Isolde."
The petite woman pulled him down by his arm. "Theo, if you keep this up we won't be invited again."
Sarah stifled a giggle and Warren held up a hand. "We will discuss it later, Thaddeus. Please excuse us, I am eager to have lady Sarah meet with everyone."
"Very well, Your Grace." Thaddeus and Isolde bowed while the three took their leave.
Over half an hour later, Warren had introduced her personally to each and every person present, including some of the staff. It had honestly been a welcome help. It was much easier to remember names when she could picture a face with it.
Sarah excused herself briefly to get a glass of water. Not wanting to be rude by butting into a conversation, she kept her distance and quietly sipped her drink while observing the room.
"Lady Sarah, I'm sure."
A deep, rich voice came from her side, startling her out of her quiet surveying. The man next to her was uncommonly rugged. An imposing figure, standing taller than most, with broad shoulders and a muscular build. His face was shadowed by stubble, giving him a rough and untamed look, contrasting sharply with the more polished faces around him. His eyes were a deep shade of orange. They were sharp and calculating with a predatory glint. He was smirking. There was an intensity to him, an underlying force that suggested he could be dangerous when provoked. His dark, tousled hair fell to his shoulders, windswept and carelessly charming. His clothes, a mix of leather and worn fabrics, seemed exclusively practical, built for movement and not at all fitting in with the finery around them. There was a sense of wildness about him. Though not conventionally handsome, the man's allure came from a rough-hewn charm and magnetic energy.
Her heart suddenly beat wildly in her chest. "Uh…" She cleared her throat, remembering Sorcha scolding her for muttering and stuttering. "Yes. It's a pleasure, Sir…?"
"Rioghan." He took her hand from where she had subconsciously tucked it away. His hold was warm and strong. "Rioghan Briaric. The pleasure is all mine." Like many others tonight, he pressed a kiss to her knuckles.
Sarah felt herself warring back and forth between welcoming the intriguing man and shying away from him. When he kissed her knuckles, it was different from the other men she'd met today. Her mouth had grown unnaturally dry and her heartbeat had spiked as though she was on the verge of a panic attack. Tightening the hold on her drink she kept her ground. Mentally she reminded herself that Sorcha had warned her about him. No compliments. Keep pleasantries guarded.
Wait, had she already screwed that up by saying it was nice to meet him?
Sarah pulled her hand back from his hold, joining it with the other hand that held her drink.
"You look stunning tonight, rich and vibrant like the finest red wine. Your eyes could captivate anyone fortunate enough to gaze into them." As though to illustrate, he deftly picked up a glass of wine from the table next to her.
Oh great, he was a smooth-talker.
While her smile was uncomfortable and bashful at first, there was a comforting lull to his presence that eased her into a sense of security. "You certainly have a way with words, sir. What compelled you to talk to me?"
"You did," he said smoothly, leaning against the table with an air of nonchalance. "Such a beautiful young woman should not be left wandering along the walls by herself."
Sarah looked around the room. He was being perfectly pleasant, maybe a little bit too pleasant. Her skin was tingling with both excitement and dread and she couldn't figure out why.
"Leave it to the common nobility to stick to one another's arm all night, hm? On nights like these, people seldomly mingle for more than shallow sociable pleasantries."
"And I suppose you are different?" Sarah meant to scold him for mocking people that had been nothing but kind to her, but when she met his gaze it was like looking into a roaring fireplace. Warm and hypnotizing.
Rioghan smirked lazily. "Quite. These people hardly go past castle grounds, you know. Life in the castle really isn't that compelling." He waved his hand to gesture to the people around the room. "I could tell you all these people's little adventures, but I wouldn't want to put you to sleep." His eyes shifted back to her. "Not yet, anyway." His voice had dropped to a playful drawl.
Sarah blushed at the insinuation in his voice. "I'll have you know that I-"
"-Am king Jareth's little plaything. Yes, I am fully aware." He leaned a little closer, his low voice slithering into her ear. "I don't see him, though. It is quite shameful that he'd leave you to your own devices. If Sir Warren and Lady Beyza hadn't caught you at the door, you would have been left to fend for yourself."
Looking at him she lifted an accusing brow. "I don't see anyone on your arm."
"Oh, my sweet lady Sarah," he said with a somewhat condescending sigh. "I don't care for attending little tea parties like this with an agreeable pet on my arm." The rather roguish smile was curling his lips again. "You strike me as someone more individualistic as well, am I correct?"
Again, Sarah had that mix of fascination and unease wriggling through her. She wanted to smile. She really did. But her gut instincts were a mere inch away from taking over control and steering her out the room. The weird tingling was back, and this time it came with a sense of intuition. "Are you toying with me, Sir Rioghan?"
His roughened face slackened in something close to surprise. He leaned in close enough to touch her shoulder with his arm, but she didn't budge. The man purred appreciatively. "Quite interesting indeed. This little kitten has some senses on her." His voice dropped to something barely above a whisper. "I can feel you, little one."
At any other time Sarah would have gladly thrown the rest of her drink in the face of someone behaving like this, but she was suddenly caught off guard by an influx of… emotion. There was no other way to describe it. The tickle of amusement, the thrill of excitement, a heated inspiration, pouring over her like thick layers of lava. It was so strong that it almost physically staggered her.
The tingle on her skin clicked.
Magic.
Swiftly her own emotions were thrown back in her face. Confusion. Fear. Discomfort. Anger. Captivation. It buzzed through her until it settled along every inch of her body.
Meanwhile Rioghan pushed himself off the table, making a somewhat dramatic turn to stand in front of her. Right. In front. Of her. Sarah looked up at him with wide eyes, drawn in once again by the flames in his eyes. His scent of pine and bergamot invaded her space. "While I uncovered your regrettable mortal status and the time of your arrival in this realm, I had not yet been made aware you have magic, little doe. How amusing."
Sarah could almost taste a certain sweetness coming off of him. Playfulness? It wriggled between her own emotions and mudded them into one thick haze of confusion. There was no discerning if it was a good confusion or not.
She needed out. Away. She needed room. Agency over her emotions. Yet she needed… more. There blossomed a slight burning in her veins. Something weak but simultaneously powerful. Her fingertips tingled and there were pins and needles in her neck. Something was happening. Something terrifyingly dizzying.
His arm snaked around her waist when she staggered. The man grinned. "Easy, kitten. If you don't rein in your magic you'll soon find yourself sprawled on the floor and making a scene."
With his physical touch came a strange comfort and easy grounding. The dizziness faded away and Sarah gasped in relief. Her eyes met with his. Was it her or were his eyes a shade or two darker now? "That was magic?"
"It was," he said with an amused chuckle. "I could taste it. Frail and uncontrolled. Fluttering through your core, yet not your own." Slowly he withdrew, giving her space. But only a little.
"You know," Sarah said quietly.
"I always do," he replied smugly.
The woman studied him before carefully speaking up again. "How? What is it?"
"Emotancy, mindweaving… Maybe mirthcraft, though that would be an awful shame." The confused look on her face made his lips curl. Looking her over slowly he circled her, studying her. Sarah kept her distance. "I am not quite sure what exactly. Not yet. I need more of you to establish that. But it is a magic close to my own."
Sarah gasped, putting aside her glass and putting her hand on her hip. The other pointed at him accusingly. "A-ha! So you were toying with me."
"It's just a little harmless fun, really," he said with amusement evident on his face. "Had I really been serious about wanting to bespell you, we'd already be behind closed doors and away from prying eyes."
The woman grimaced, only fueling his delight. "How did you know?"
"Magic does not know its own roots, but it recognizes its branches." He eyed her dress again. "Don't get me wrong, the thing that drew me to you from all the way across the room wasn't your magic."
Sarah clenched her hands by her side, not ruling out she was going to physically lash out for his wildly inappropriate comments. There was no denying that she was curious as to what her magic was, though. Rioghan already seemed halfway through figuring it out in mere minutes. Perhaps what he said was true, that similar paths of magic were attuned to each other. Maybe…
"Can you teach me?"
The man laughed. "Are you quite ready to pay the price for that? It will cost you."
A mental leash quickly reeled her back in. She was striking a deal with a guy that had been manipulative and lustful at best. She looked away, dispassionate. "No thanks," she said with a sudden coldness.
Rioghan laughed. "You're an amusing little thing, Lady Sarah. I'll give you that. I can offer you a single lesson, if only to honor my craft. Freely given, no strings attached."
Sarah was lured back in easily, excited enough that it fully drowned out the crier at the door announcing a certain royal presence. "Really? No strings attached? When?"
He regarded her playfully, theatrically tapping his forefinger against his cheek. "How about tonight? You and me. Alone, aided by nothing but the moonlight."
Sarah frowned.
Her heart skipped a beat when an arm wrapped around her waist. Rioghan smirked widely, then turned to her side, bowing deeply. "Your Majesty," he said with an amused lilt in his voice.
Her face immediately flushed, realizing who the arm on her person belonged to.
"Good evening, Sarah. Rioghan." The latter name was spoken with clear distaste. "If you'd excuse us…"
The dark haired man threw Sarah a grin before bowing again. "Of course, Your Majesty." With an amused chuckle he sauntered off, disappearing between the crowd.
"I see you have met Rioghan."
His tone was rather dispassionate, but that didn't withhold Sarah from a certain excitement. "Yes, I have some exciting news to tell you."
He didn't seem particularly eager to share in her cheerfulness. "That will have to wait. Alana and I will have to do our mandatory rounds to greet everyone before dinner is served." Once his withering glare detached from Rioghan's back he took a moment to look her over. There was a sparkle in his eyes. The blonde stepped up in front of her, hesitantly letting his arm slip from her waist. "Though I would do anything to spend the rest of my evening with just you." Jareth brushed a lock of her dark hair behind her ear, then took her hand and pressed a lingering kiss to her knuckles, stealing another quick peck before letting go. "Words cannot begin to express how beautiful you look tonight."
"You look quite breathtaking yourself, Your Majesty," she said with a low curtsy.
And he really did. He was dressed in a pale yellow outfit, his waistcoat and jacket adorned with countless small crystal beads. He wasn't wearing his near-painted-on tights but something a little less revealing. The neckline of his white shirt was low as always, presenting his amulet and the alabaster skin behind it.
"You're not wearing my gift?" His tone was teasing and she pouted theatrically at him.
"Sorcha wouldn't let me."
"Sarah, dear! I barely even recognized you!" Alana practically floated towards them, dressed in an intricate pastel pink dress. She happily kissed Sarah's cheek and gave her a gentle hug. "My brother has an excellent taste in fashion, doesn't he? That dress looks like it was made for you."
"I am so happy to see you, Lana. I missed you." Sarah grinned from ear to ear. "Has Jareth got you up to speed yet?" Alana looked confused, as she did more often around Sarah.
"No, we haven't had the time to share the latest developments yet," Jareth said helpfully, chuckling after sharing a glance with the petite woman next to him.
Alana smiled animatedly. "I'm sure we will have time for that tomorrow morning during breakfast. Jareth, let's make rounds."
"Yes. Sarah, find Warren and Beyza."
"Yes, sir… Uh, Your Majesty," she said quietly, bowing politely as the two took their leave.
Turning to the room she made her way through the crowd. Once she spotted Warren's hulking frame she made her way over. He was talking to Thaddeus, the women on their arms engrossed in their own conversation. It was then that a darkness stirred in the corner of her eye, catching her attention.
It was Rioghan, skulking around the edges of the room with an exceedingly bored expression on his face. He very clearly felt no need to hide his distaste for the nobility and castle citizens. His burly fingers raked through his long hair, sweeping dark locks out of his face. His free hand put his empty wine glass on top of a statue of some sort of creature. It dangled precariously on its stone back, saved only from its demise by an attentive staff member nearby. Rioghan's eyes flitted towards Sarah, likely feeling her eyes on him. A sly smile curled around his lips. With playful ease he sank to the seat by the window, patting the seat next to him in quiet invitation.
As if on auto pilot Sarah found herself already halfway there before she stopped to think if this was a good idea. Her feet shuffled to a halt and her head turned to look back towards Warren. She really should stay away, but what more could this man tell her? She still wasn't quite sure if he'd officially agreed to teach her or not.
Turning her head from Warren back to the window she blinked in confusion. Rioghan was gone. A shudder crept down her back. It was probably for the best. His eagerness to manipulate and toy with others was probably the exact reason why he attended alone, and why his reputation preceded him. Shaking her head she turned back to follow Jareth's orders to join his brother, only to nearly bump into a dark clad chest.
"We meet again, Lady Sarah."
Sarah cleared her throat, wrangling her heart rate back to normal and taking two steps back. "Sir Rioghan. If you'll excuse me, I was about to find-"
"You'd rather talk to me," he said cockily.
It wasn't entirely untrue. There was no way she would stroke his ego by admitting to that, though. "I think you consider yourself a much more pleasant conversationalist than you actually are, Sir Rioghan."
"You want to know more. I can grant you that knowledge."
Her gut told her he was influencing her again, steering her towards him when he could. It was just more subtle now… Right? Which was likely exactly why both Jareth and Sorcha were adverse to her talking to him.
"Rioghan, just the man I was looking for!"
Rioghan groaned quietly in annoyance. A rough, rasping sound.
"I was thrilled to hear you were to attend." Warren approached the two, Beyza still on his arm. "I see you have already met the lovely Lady Sarah."
"I have indeed." His voice had suddenly taken on a bored tone, though when he looked down at her he grinned. "We have already grown quite close, haven't we, Lady Sarah?"
Beyza caught Sarah's conflicted gaze and let go of Warren. She took Sarah's arm and smiled at her. "Walk with me, Lady Sarah."
Sarah let out a small breath of relief which she didn't notice she'd been holding until now. Following the taller woman to the edge of the room she relaxed her shoulders.
"I do apologize, Lady Sarah. It is my duty as host to ensure the comfort of my guests and it seems that I have failed you."
Sarah looked up to the woman with a hurried worry. "Oh, no! It's not like that. Sir Rioghan is a little intense, but he wasn't harassing me. Not… Not really." Sarah looked down at her feet, pondering how much she should be telling Beyza. "Rioghan and I have… Something in common, apparently. I guess he's just curious about it."
"Is it your magic?" Beyza chuckled when Sarah looked up at her with wide eyes. "Don't take me for a fool, Lady Sarah. I wasn't granted marriage to the King's brother solely by being a princess."
Embarrassment caused her free hand to ball nervously. "I'm sorry, Lady Beyza. I didn't mean to insult you. I'm just not sure how keen Jareth is on sharing… Well, anything."
"Not keen at all, as per usual. But I have known him for a long time and I know how to goad him into showing his cards… I need you to know something, Lady Sarah. There was a time where Jareth and I were betrothed."
Sarah almost choked on the lump that lodged in her throat. Her hands instantly grew clammy and self consciously she pulled her arm free. Her feet nailed to the ground and Beyza turned to face her.
The tall woman looked around briefly to check if anyone was in earshot before continuing. "Not much came of our betrothal. We were companions in conversation and wit, but that was the end of it. Our match was nothing more than arranged politics." Beyza folded her hands elegantly while Sarah was fighting to keep herself from fidgeting. "His Majesty has sworn not to lengthen his cursed bloodline. Combined with his desire to rule alone, a break in our union would have been inevitable. My father had no interest in a marriage that would doom his own future blood, and so our coupling ended. While not planned, I found romance with my darling Warren. His promise of love and resources for personal studies, brought me where I am today. A scholar with royal blood in His Majesty's court. Were it not for our shared history, the king likely wouldn't have given his blessing for the betrothal with his brother."
"But if you and Warren were to have a child, wouldn't that still be a continuation of the bloodline?"
Beyza smiled. "Our child would not be a suitable heir to the Islainn throne. Only the king and queen or the first in line for the throne may sire legitimate heirs. Warren renounced his right to rule long ago. Should we ever be blessed to bear a child, it will never carry a crown."
"You can't become queen? You are a princess, right? What about Warren? Could he be the successor to your father?"
Beyza shook her head. "Words are powerful, Lady Sarah. What's said is said. Once renouncing your desire and right to rule, one is beyond the point of no return. Centuries ago I would have loved to rule a kingdom of my own, but my union to Warren was admittance to distancing myself from my future crown." She smiled lovingly, her eyes finding Warren in the crowd. "I do not despair that choice, and I never will."
Sarah smiled at the tender look on Beyza's face.
"Besides," Beyza continued, looking back down at her. "King Jareth granted Warren and me a beautiful province to govern in his stead. It is close to the borders of my homeland and thus, he has gifted me with the closest I will ever get to my own rule. And I am eternally grateful for it."
"He cares for you," Sarah said quietly. There was a mild nagging in the back of her head, something she wasn't quite comfortable to recognize as jealousy.
"And you," Beyza insisted. "His Majesty reveled in his solitary rule, knowing that his word alone could sway the masses." Her gaze returned to Sarah's. "But the last few years he has been changing. He was a different man just a decade ago, and we have you to thank for that."
Sarah felt her face heat up. Now she was fidgeting. Wringing one hand with the other while her eyes were wide. Was it her or was the floor turning into quicksand? God, she hoped it was.
Beyza laughed, a warm sound that seemed to attract eyes around them. "I can understand the reason for his affection. You are instinctually emotive. There is a warmth in you that entices to be kindled. Your flame may still be young and small, but it burns bright in you." Beyza touched the brunette's burning cheeks as though to illustrate it. "From what Jareth relinquished earlier today, that flame possesses the power to burn those who have earned your scorn. To speak freely between the two of us, His Majesty could use someone to give him a smack over the head every now and then."
Sarah giggled at the sudden cheerful agitation in Beyza's voice. It eased her discomfort enough to loosen up a little. "Did Jareth ever tell you that I beat his Labyrinth?"
Beyza was now widely grinning. "Is that so?" She laughed again. "Oh how very, very interesting. What were you running his beloved Labyrinth for?"
Sarah smiled sheepishly. "I… Uh… Wished my half brother away. Not my proudest moment I'll admit."
Beyza's eyes went wide. "To the goblins? Truly? Most people challenge it in exchange for riches or passage across the borders. It is a sport for His Majesty."
"I'm not surprised he didn't tell you. He doesn't like being beat at his own game."
Beyza looked around her, dropping her voice lower. "He truly does hate losing. I beat him at chess once. He offered me a fortune to take back my checkmate. My own weight in gold." She regarded Sarah for a moment. "If you don't mind me saying, if he extended you the same price I hope you didn't take it. You would have been swindled."
Sarah blushed, the smile fading from her face. "He didn't promise me my weight in gold, though."
"Oh? What did he offer? If you don't mind me asking."
Thinking back to all those years ago she could still vividly remember the look on his face. "I, uh… He had this whole dramatic speech while the final seconds of my thirteen hours were ticking down." Sarah very much doubted she should be telling this much, but lost in the memory it had tumbled out before she knew it. "He asked, just fear me, love me, do as I say…"
Beyza's sharp gasp drew her from her musings. She looked around in alarm, seeing a few people looking their way. Beyza had covered her mouth with her hand. She moved it to cup her cheek with a worried frown on her face, then looked away, deep in thought. "It was time. He knew," she said quietly.
The people around them turned back to their own conversations and Sarah frowned at the woman. "Knew? What did he know?"
Beyza shook her head. "I apologize. Don't mind what I said. Let's go and find Warren. I'm sure he'll be looking for me."
After some more small talk it was time for dinner. Jareth was seated first at the head of the table. His brother and sister were seated next to him, with Beyza next to Warren and Sarah next to Alana. The other attendees were seated in an order that was lost on the mortal woman.
Looking at Jareth, Sarah thought back to Beyza's reaction to Jareth's offer all those years ago. Beyza was doting on Warren while the first course was being served. Clearing her throat, Sarah leaned forward. "Lady Beyza, if you don't mind me asking… About where we left off privately, you seemed very surprised?"
Beyza's smile faded, she caught on immediately. "Yes. Let me put it this way… The apple falls from the tree, not halfway, but all the way down. It falls fast and hits hard. It does not doubt itself when it disconnects from the stem. It doesn't know if it might bruise when it lands… but it will fall. Even the most stubborn apples do. Correct?"
While the whole analogy was a little strange, Sarah nodded, contemplating it.
"What's with the apples, my love?" Warren reached out for his drink, bumping into it. It seemed he was still figuring out depth perception. Beyza caught his glass before it could topple and placed it in his hand, a patient smile on her face.
"Nothing, my love. Just girl talk." She looked back at Sarah. "That's all."