Labyrinth: Cruel Intentions Chapter 20, a labyrinth fanfic

CHAPTER 20

They got to the coat check and Jareth took off her cloak with his own. He smiled, putting his arm around her waist and his hand on her hip. They walked away together to the sitting room as the people were watching and whispering to each other. Jareth said close to her ear, "I have my dagger on me."

Sarah whispered back at him looking forward just before they entered the room, "I have my dagger and gun. I had a feeling long before in the castle before we left." Jareth squeezed her hip.

The sitting room, with its arched windows veiled in red velvet, buzzes with the low hum of aristocratic discourse, where elegant fae lords and ladies lounge in opulent, dark-hued attire, sipping from crystal goblets filled with a shimmering nectar. Their conversations, laced with a blend of arrogance and intrigue, flit like wisps of smoke toward the onject of their fascination. Sarah's presence was striking in both ethereal and electrifying. A fae lady's hushed whispers spoke of her beauty as they twirled delicate curls around long, elegant fingers saying snobbily yet filled with desire, "She is but a fleeting dream of sexual release."

A lord standing next to her proclaimed, "Dreams are for the foolish; only the worthy should claim such beauty as her as a prize. It seems the Goblin King had exotic and unique tastes these days. I can admire that." The Lord licked his lips leering at Sarah.

The Unicorn Prince Rabban stood tapping on his crystal goblet and announced, "Thank you all for joining me tonight. Please enjoy yourselves."

The air crackles with envy, admiration, sexual tension and unspoken rivalry as laughter drifts through the room. It was punctuated only by sharp glances, drawing a web of tension around the object of their questing gazes. Sarah could feel their pricks in her mind and had her iron wall up to guard against their trying to invade her mind. She was grateful for Gaia showing her how to repel them.

Jareth went over to the wine fountain and poured two glasses and returned to Sarah's side. He handed her the glass and smoothed his hand around her ass to her hip making claim to her before their eyes. He leaned in and open mouth kissed her neck whispering, "I must show that I lay claim upon you or they may get bold enough to try too soon to approach you." That's when Sarah realized that it was a posturing technique for him to be the possessor.

As they sipped their wine, a very Georgian style looking servant walked into the room. He was dressed in a long red velvet waistcoat with a white ruffled shirt. He had short black pants and white socks to the knee with buckle black shoes. His hair was dark blonde and tied with a black ribbon in a ponytail to the middle of his shoulder blades. He was patiently standing in the doorway and cleared his throat and announced, "Lords and ladies if you will follow me to the dining room for dinner to be served." Everyone got up and filed in behind him following him into the formal dining room.

The dimly lit dining room was adorned with dark velvet drapes and flickering candlelight. It gave the room a cavernous feeling with the high vaulted ceilings. The air was thick with the scent of night-blooming flowers and the soft hum of ethereal music in the background softly playing. The fae lords and ladies were draped in opulent attire and gathered around a long, intricately carved table laden with exotic delicacies, crystal glass stemware, silver cutlery, lace tablecloth and porcelain dishware and candelabras.

A lady leaning forward, her voice a sultry whisper to Jareth said, "My dear King Jareth, I must say, your presence here tonight is as intoxicating as the finest elixir. Perhaps you would consider a private stroll through the moonlit gardens after dinner during the dancing? I have a few… secrets to share."

Jareth smirking, his eyes glinting with mischief, "Ah, Lady Seraphine, your secrets are as alluring as the night itself to some. But tell me, would you trade such a delightful rendezvous for a creature as exquisite as the one sitting next to me? Surely, a mere stroll cannot satisfy your appetites as I recall. Yet, I get plenty of pleasure these days from my lovely companion that I am courting. She is sweeter than the finest honey on my own tongue."

A lady across the table interjected with a playful smile, "Oh, but what if I were to offer a taste of my enchanted nectar? It's said to awaken the senses in ways one could only dream of. A sip shared between us could lead to… delightful consequences. You can bring your companion and let me taste her honey also. I can smell her lovely scent from over there." She giggled. The servants came in and started serving the dinner.

Suddenly, Sarah felt the room shift and become heavier with a sense of something pressing on her causing a sense of heightening arousal. It shocked and caught Sarah off guard. She shifted in her chair thinking of what it was affecting her. It had to be the hormones they were releasing into the room that Jareth spoke of.

A lord sitting next to the woman across the table said, raising an eyebrow, intrigued at the lady next to him, "Enchanted nectar, you say, Lady Eloise? How tempting of you. But I propose a different arrangement. A dance beneath the stars, where we can explore the depths of our desires among the garden and rut against the trees. In exchange, I would require a favor of a little more… intimate nature participation."

The lady Eloise replied seductively to him, "You wait your turn. My offer is to King's Jareth and his beautiful dark haired companion. I wish to sample what he has been occupying himself with these days."

Another lady chimed in and said with a soft, melodic laugh, "Such bold propositions and desires at the table tonight! But let us not forget the power of words. A well-crafted sonnet or song whispered in the ear can be just as enticing during any physical exchange. I could compose a verse that would leave you breathless, my lords and ladies, if you would grant me a night of your undivided attention at my soon to be dinner party in three weeks time."

Jareth said leaning back, a sly grin spreading across his face, "Ah, the art of seduction through poetry and song, Lady Willow! How exquisite to start off a night. But I must admit, I am more inclined towards the tangible pleasures of the flesh at home these days with my lovely companion."

Jareth turned to Sarah and asked, "Can you sing or compose poetry, Sarah mine?" The lords and ladies were watching her. She was nervous to be put on the spot like that.

Sarah said confidently not letting on with her mask up, "I have sung before but not in a long while and you would not know the songs I sing. I love poetry but have not composed it before."

From down the table the Unicorn Prince said loudly, "Then Lady Sarah, please do us the honor of singing for us a new type of song. I am sure you know some from the Aboveground that will be enjoyable? It has been a long time since we have heard anything new." Sarah had to cast her inhibitions aside and discard her self-consciousness to the side. She was a new beautiful fae woman and told herself to be that woman. She thought, 'Maybe I can sing even better now than I did.'

Sarah said smiling, "It would be my pleasure, your highness." Everyone clapped and started whispering to each other.

Jareth was surprised and whispered in her ear, "Are you sure, Sarah? I didn't know you sang?"

Sarah said smirking, "That is only because you didn't look through your crystals at a time I was singing only undressing." She poked him, making him jump and start laughing at her. Everyone was surprised the Goblin King laughed so freely and boisterous at something the former human said to him. It surprised them that she could get such a reaction from him because Jareth was always so taciturn around them.

Lady Eloise said slyly, "Perhaps a wager, then? A game of chance, where the stakes are to get to release our most secret desires on the loser."

Lady Seraphine her eyes sparkling with mischief, said, "Ooolala, A wager? How delightfully wicked! I propose we each reveal our talent at something and the one who dares to share the worst shall be the prize to claim in any scandalous way we want. What say you, my esteemed lords and ladies?" They were all thinking that perhaps the little ex human would lose being so very new to being fae and then they could have their way with her regardless of Jareth because a bet was a bet in their games that had to be paid.

Jareth whispered in her ear, "If you lose, Sarah you must allow the winner to have their way with you."

Sarah asked, "Who is the judge then out of thirty some odd fae?"

Lord Caelum raises his glass in agreement saying, "To the desire of unspoken pleasures yet to be discovered! Let the night unfold, and may our exchanges be thrilling as the magic that surrounds us."

Jareth said out loud, "My Sarah and myself are exempt. I am not willing to share her with anyone yet and she is not willing to share me either. She is my companion I am formally courting her." Many of them said, "Aww." They were disappointed.

Jareth said, "But…" *They got quiet* "I will be the impartial judge and Sarah gets to sing free of judging."

The Unicorn Prince Rabban said, "Does everyone agree to King Jareth's terms?" They all cheered and clapped.

Lady said out loud, "We were hoping she would lose to get a taste!" Laughter and whispers fill the room, the air crackles with anticipation and each fae lord or lady was eager to explore the tantalizing possibilities that lie ahead. Their diplomacy and desire intertwine in the expectation the night would bring to the winner and the loser.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Once the dinner was over, everyone went to a large drawing room with more wine fountains, punch fountains and liquor tables set up. Everyone was getting a drink and getting settled in the room. Sarah sat down on a loveseat and Jareth joined her bringing her a glass of wine. They sat to the front to see the stage that was the raised floor with a set of draped French paned windows and doors.

Jareth said, "I will have you go up first being you are not part of the bet, Sarah." She nodded and took a big gulp of wine.

Sarah walked up on the raised floor and cast a spell of accompaniment so the music would follow what she was singing. The room went quiet. The first part was acapella and the music joined in gradually. She started humming to herself then sang…..

"The Voice" by Brendan Graham Sung by Celtic Woman

I hear your voice on the wind

And I here you call out my name

"Listen my child, " you say to me

"I am the voice of your history

Be not afraid, come follow me

Answer my call and I'll set you free"

I am the voice in the wind and the pouring rain

I am the voice of your hunger and pain

I am the voice that always is calling you

I am the voice, I will remain

I am the voice in the fields when the summer's gone

The dance of the leaves when the autumn winds blow

Ne'er do I sleep throughout all the cold winter long

I am the force that in springtime will grow

I am the voice of the past that will always be

Filled with my sorrow and blood in my fields

I am the voice of the future

Bring me your peace

Bring me your peace and my wounds, they will heal

I am the voice in the wind and the pouring rain

I am the voice of your hunger and pain

I am the voice that always is calling you

I am the voice

I am the voice in the past that will always be

I am the voice of your hunger and pain

I am the voice of the future

I am the voice

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

She had her arms stretching out slowly with her arms. She then swayed side to side, picked up her dress hem with one hand and twirled as she danced to the tempo of the melody with hand movements. Healing magic was filling the room like wisps of tendrils winding around them softly stroking their being. The fae were in shock and awe. She was beautiful in her long dark red dress and her long curly dark tresses that were loose and curly flowing down her shoulder moving with her. She let the song carry her away in her mind, movements and in her own little world. She never noticed the Jared the Gremlin King had come in and watched her whole performance.

When it ended, everyone in the drawing room was silent in complete awe and stunned. Her voice was strong, vibrant and so very bold yet flowed so smoothly. The words were so appropriate and struck a chord in the all as a new song to them. The soft healing magic was a complete surprise along with it. It affected them greatly. They all erupted scaring the crap out of her for a second with a shout in cheering and clapping. The fae and the servants were all applauding. She was astonished and had no idea she could even do what she just did actually. It was her first time letting go singing like that. She smiled and bowed.

They were shouting, "Another!", "Sing us another, please!" She smiled really big blushing. She looked at Jareth as he stood clapping and he was smiling amazed at her. He was always surprised at her doing something so different and remarkable than anyone else. She smiled and stepped back up on the raised floor. This time she sang a a different song to them with just as deep feelings. The healing magic entwined in tendrils again around them. The fae were enthralled with the feel of her magic as it caressed them and her voice was carrying them away. Jared felt and saw what she was doing and was becoming obsessed with her. He wanted her so bad that he didn't care what his brother wanted with her. He had to possess her. She was beautiful, powerful, had half of the Labyrinth and was the wo.sn from the prophecy and he knew it.

"Night Ride Across the Caucasus"

Song by Loreena McKennitt

Ride on through the night, ride on

There are visions, there are memories

There are echoes of thundering hooves

There are fires, there is laughter

There's the sound of a thousand doves

Ride on through the night, ride on

In the velvet of the darkness

By the silhouette of silent trees

They are watching, they are waiting

They are witnessing life's mysteries

Ride on through the night, ride on

Cascading stars on the slumbering hills

They are dancing as far as the sea

Riding o'er the land, you can feel its gentle hand

Leading on to its destiny

Ride on through the night, ride on

Take me with you on this journey

Where the boundaries of time are now tossed

In cathedrals of the forest

In the words of the tongues now lost

Find the answers, ask the questions

Find the roots of an ancient tree

Take me dancing, take me singing

I'll ride on 'til the moon meets the sea

Ride on through the night, ride on

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They all clapped and cheered for her. Sarah bowed and said, "Now I want to see your talents tonight." Sarah sat down next to Jareth and was sipping her wine.

He leaned over and kissed her deeply and said, "You're so very amazing, my beautiful Sarah."

She blushed and said, "Thank you, Jareth." He put his hand on her leg exposed with the split. They listened to some very talented singers, dancers and poets. They were all such arrogant, creative and beautiful people.

After the contest ended, the winner and loser were declared to spend the night together. All of a sudden, Jared came up to them and stood in front of the loveseat looking down at Jareth.

Jared said, "I see you brought your talented little pet with you tonight, brother. She has charmed the guests."