Chapter 20- Act III, Scene III: Games of Skill and Chance- Risk

Sarah glanced around her bedroom. Nothing had been the same since she had returned Aboveground. If she never really fit in before, she certainly didn't now. Oh, her parents weren't acting any differently than they ever did. However, now that she'd gotten what she wanted it didn't seem to be enough anymore. It wasn't their fault. They were how they were and she was how she was. What was terrible was that she had regretted her decision to come back after a grand total of three hours. She felt extremely fickle. However, Sarah soldiered through the rest of the school year and then even went away to college the next year with Matt and April.

"I wanted to finish high school first? What the hell was I thinking?" Sarah murmured to herself incredulously.

Finishing any sort of schooling here Aboveground would be pointless in the long run, Jareth had been right about that. She was probably going to outlive them all, and it would make more sense to learn what she needed Underground. She'd probably have decades of education ahead of her there.

"Stop it, Sarah. Don't depress yourself."

She was being foolish. It wasn't as if the denizens of the Underground had left her alone even now. If she looked out her window, she'd bet anything there were all sorts of creatures out there watching her every move. Some friendly, some spies, all knowing she didn't belong Above.

"Move the stars for no one, my ass!" Sarah grumbled. "He could have at least given me warning that he was going to send me back to Samhain immediately after the time I originally left."

That had certainly complicated things. Just thinking of the idea of paradoxes not seeming to exist when they definitely should- by her reckoning anyway- gave her a headache. The thought of how powerful Jareth must truly be astounded her. Sarah suspected he only did it to prove just that point.

Jareth was probably laughing his ass off at her expense at that very moment, considering Irene had yelled at her for bringing her clothes and groceries back from church that evening, and because she hadn't been gone long enough to stay for any kind of service. However, Sarah quickly rallied and informed Irene that she discovered they didn't even have services on Halloween. Irene hardly had time to berate her further as her parents had taken Toby trick-or-treating anyway.

Now it was exactly one year later. This found Sarah at a loss of what to do with herself. It was Samhain and she was depressed, bored, and alone. This thought made her frustrated. She was not about to relegate herself to passing out treats. Her friendships had been strained and uneasy since she had returned. It wasn't even their fault. Sarah was different now in ways she couldn't even explain. However, Sarah bit her lip in indecision, but then sighed. She had no choice. They were all back in town for the weekend and it would look bad if she avoided them. She picked up her phone and dialed April.

"Hello?"

"April?" Sarah asked hopefully, while winding the phone cord around herself dramatically.

"Sarah! Ha! You're gonna ask to go to the party with me, aren't you? I knew you weren't going to church!"

"Can't get anything by you, April. So, I'll meet you there?"

"Sure! This'll be awesome. It's been like three years since you've come to these Halloween parties with us."

"Yeah- thought I'd do something new."

Well, that was that. Sarah didn't have any idea of what to wear. After experiencing glamour, her old costumes just didn't seem to measure up anymore.

Then, Sarah had an epiphany as she remembered the crystal that she had left on her dresser. Cautiously picking it up, Sarah looked at it longingly. It was evidence that she wasn't mortal. It was evidence that she had magic, no matter how corrupted. It was evidence of who she really was.

"It's a crystal. Nothing more," Sarah murmured in remembrance. It was definitely a fond remembrance, but she was determined to quash that down for a moment.

Sarah closed her eyes in concentration, and then, as Jareth had done, she threw the crystal into the air. When she looked in the mirror she laughed. It was perfect.

Outside, it was a beautiful evening. The wind was brisk, the moon glowed brightly, and the leaves even made a satisfying crunching sound as she crushed them under her heels with every step. Sarah was in her element. She twirled like a dervish and she heard appreciative snickers behind her.

Sarah smirked. "Escorting me to the party, are you?" she seemingly asked to the wind.

"We promised him we'd look after you, girlie," Robin Goodfellow opined, while stepping up out of the shadows to walk alongside her.

"Always the gentleman," Sarah said fondly, and then laughed when the hobgoblin blushed.

Sarah left him in the shadows as she stepped up to Matt's door and rang the doorbell. "Trick-or-treat!" Sarah said in a singsong voice as the door opened.

Zombie Matt was roughly pushed to the side, while glammed up Ziggy Stardust April gave Sarah the once over. Why April decided to repeat her costume from last year, Sarah had no idea. Many of her their other friends had stopped to watch their interaction.

"Oh. My. God," April said in awe. "What the hell are you supposed to be? You know what? I don't care. That's the most awesome costume I've ever seen."

Sarah glanced down and admired her garb once again. She was wearing a black velvet cotehardie with delicate silk designs etched in silver on the sleeves, and a real silver girdle sitting low on her hips. Her hair was braided intricately around her face, but she had left the rest hanging down enticingly. She wore a cloak of the finest, luminescent spider silk. She still wore Jareth's token- and she fingered it lightly. Sarah smirked. "I know, right?"

"April, you're so dense. It's obvious that she's the Goblin Queen," Matt added factually. However, it didn't escape Sarah's notice that Matt was blushing.

"Close, but no," Sarah said lightly. "The Goblin King and I are quite close, as he's my Lieutenant, but we're not married. Think bigger."

"Hmm. Ooh, I know! The Seelie Queen!" April said excitedly.

"That bitch, Titania? Girl, please!" Sarah curled a lip derisively at the very thought.

Matt snickered at April's expense. "The Unseelie Queen then?" he asked.

Sarah smirked wickedly. "Now you've got it. Mab proved too little to hold a candle to me, and I took her throne. I'm the Sarah!"

"All hail, Queen Sarah!" Matt intoned dramatically.

"Thank you, my mortal minions. Now, invite me in nicely or you'll regret it," Sarah stated imperiously. Was it odd that she was only half joking?

"Oh, no! We're being threatened, Matt! What'll she do to us?" April asked playfully, though Sarah did think she detected a slightly wary look in her eyes.

"She'll sic her Lieutenant on you. And trust me- you wouldn't- want- that. Goblins are rather unforgiving creatures," Sarah said menacingly. This was too much damn fun.

"I'll believe it when I see it, your Highness," Matt scoffed in a faux dismissive manner.

However, Sarah caught the confused looks the two of them gave each other. She had gotten too weird for them over the past year. Everything about her, from her sense of humor, to her style of dress was just slight darker and more intense.

Yet, ever the peacemaker, April continued to humor Sarah. "Well, I wish the Goblin King was here right now! I bet he's hot," April added.

Sarah's smirk of mischief immediately vanished and she groaned in exasperation. She gave them both a genuinely dark look. "Oh, no- now, look what you've done!" she hissed.

Sarah knew Jareth was there before she even turned around. The air changed dramatically, it became heavy and forbidding, with a menacing feel. Frankly, it was exhilarating. Sarah took a deep breath of the enticing darkness. The surprised looks on April's and Matt's faces would have told her everything though. The sinister changes in the atmosphere also applied to Sarah herself. With the Goblin King's arrival she felt her own nature responding accordingly, and wasn't that just the biggest surprise?

"Well met, your Highness. This is certainly an unexpected pleasure," Jareth's dark voice purred.

As she turned to Jareth, Sarah took in his form. He was darkly handsome, and she thought then and there that she'd never tire of seeing him. He looked dark, menacing, and sexy as hell.

Jareth executed a perfect bow and picked up Sarah's hand, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. "And what does milady wish for this fine night?"

There was more of the predator to Jareth tonight than she recalled seeing before, which was saying something, and it was all focused on her. He was looking her over quite obviously and very appreciatively. Sarah felt her stomach flip and her heart started to race.

"Oh, this and that," Sarah said coquettishly. "Did I need an excuse to see my Lieutenant?"

The look Jareth gave her was devouring. It was for the best that they had an audience, because Sarah wasn't so sure he would have held back otherwise.

"Never," Jareth told her seriously. "Did these mortals wish for a trick instead of a treat? I'll deal with them if they've displeased you."

At that, both of her friends looked as if they'd come out of a trance. She could sense their unease and their fear.

"You're him, aren't you? You're the Goblin King," Matt asked fearfully.

"Oh, come on, Matt! There's really no such thing. Right, Sarah?" April asked, and then laughed nervously.

However, April broke her laugh off when she saw the look on Sarah's face and the devious smirk on Jareth's. "Oh, f ck! Hell no! This is impossible! Come on, Sarah! This isn't funny."

Matt grasped April's arm tightly in a protective manner. "You weren't lying, were you, Sarah?" Matt asked her quietly. "When you said you were the Unseelie Queen."

Sarah's stomach sank when she saw the looks on the faces of her friends. Everyone inside had given up on pretending not to notice the scene on the front porch, and it was eerily quiet. She could smell their fear, and what is more, she kind of liked it. This thought kind of even creeped her out, but she reckoned it was just her nature, and that couldn't be helped.

"Um, guys. I'm just me. I'm Sarah," she offered lamely.

"The Sarah, you said," Matt whispered.

It would have been better if it hadn't been said in fear. It really would have. It also wouldn't have hurt if all of her friends hadn't looked at her like she was about ready to slaughter them all. Sarah turned away from the disturbing scene.

Her presence, Jareth's presence, the hidden goblins, and her unseen Unseelie retainers- all of them collectively gave off a very off-putting vibe- especially if one of them was actually summoned. She knew they did. None of them could help it, she supposed. It had to have a devastating effect on her friends- on mortals. She should have known better. They weren't like her. This was just her luck. She looked imploringly at Jareth.

"Jareth," she whispered brokenly.

Without having to be asked what it was she wanted, Jareth reordered time to before she even rang Matt's doorbell. They were left standing in the middle of the dark tree lined street, with only the moon as their light.

"It will be alright, Sarah," Jareth whispered soothingly.

He lifted her chin with his leather-clad hand. He wiped a stray tear away with his thumb.

She looked into his mismatched eyes through a haze of tears. "They hate me."

His eyes were compassionate. "No, they fear you."

"Same difference," Sarah pouted.

"It would have happened sooner or later. Our kind doesn't do so well up here," Jareth said softly.

She pursed her lips. "I think I already knew that. I just—"

"Didn't want to admit it?" Jareth supplied.

Sarah nodded forlornly.

"These things have a way of working out. Cheer up, my love, it's Samhain."

My love? Jareth was all about the pet names, but this was rather new. He'd never mentioned actually loving her before.

"My love?"

Jareth laughed self-deprecatingly. "How could you not know? I make a fool of myself over you. I'm utterly devoted to you, woman," he said darkly. "I thought I had made myself perfectly clear once before."

"If you're talking about the fear me, love me, do as I say, and I will be your slave thing, Jareth, it could have been clearer," Sarah pointed out.

Jareth ignored her quip. "And you, Sarah? Do you love me?" Jareth asked her boldly.

Staring into his eyes, she noticed vulnerability there. Sarah discovered that she couldn't help but to love him. If she was honest with herself, she could admit that she had loved him for a long time.

"Yes. I do love you, Jareth," Sarah stated wonderingly.

"No need to sound so astonished," he said petulantly.

Sarah couldn't help it, she laughed.

"There's only one thing missing here, my Sarah. I know you've feared me before. And now you've told me that you love me…" Jareth trailed off playfully.

Sarah took a step back and pulled away from him, giggling. She decided to play along. If she had been in her right mind, she would have thought herself a nitwit, surely. "Oh, I'm to do as you say, now? Is that it, Jareth?"

He gave her an irascible grin. "Now, there's an intriguing idea."

"And what does my Goblin King suggest that I do?"

"Your Goblin King? Yes, Sarah, do keep speaking that way," Jareth purred in an absolutely wicked tone. "Well, my dear, I suggest we ride together."

Jareth gave no doubt as to what he was referring to, and Sarah flushed scarlet at Jareth's implication.

"Ride?"

He gave her an absolutely salacious smirk. "Of course, Precious. It would be the perfect time. Bucca Boo!"

Jareth's favorite goblin stepped out holding the reins of two familiar horses. "Sire?"

"You heard our Queen. We ride tonight."

Bucca Boo gave Jareth and Sarah both a nasty smirk. "Aye, Sire! Elf-shot's already prepared."

Sarah turned to Jareth accusingly. "What did he mean, elf-shot? That sounds deadly! I refuse to let you all kill anyone!"

"You lot heard the Queen's request. No mortal wounds! Have your fun, maim and torture who you like, but leave 'em alive!" Bucca Boo ordered.

The Unseelie Court actually sounded extremely excited by this prospect, if the chorus of cheers from the shadows was anything to go by.

Sarah gave them all a formidable glare. "That's not what I—"

"Do you need help getting on your horse, Sarah?" Jareth asked solicitously.

"Don't think I don't know what you're doing, Jareth," Sarah responded with narrowed eyes.

Jareth gave Sarah a very charming wink.

In the end, Sarah decided that it was fun. It was beyond anything she could have comprehended before. It was mischief at its finest- and proved to be great sport. Well, great sport so long as she didn't dwell too long on the fact that she was the Unseelie Queen leading the entire Unseelie Court on the Wild Hunt, that is. Yet, the entire host following behind her, at her whim, no matter how reluctant, was heady. They didn't just ride with the wind- it was as if they were the wind- and at many points she had felt as if the horses' hooves weren't even touching the ground. They had ridden from the Witching Hour to the Devil's Hour when Sarah realized that they had made their way back to the Underground- briefly terrorizing the border territories just because- before heading back to the Castle Beyond the Goblin City.

Jareth was laughing and Sarah couldn't help but join in. The ride was over, but the euphoria remained as he was instructing her on how to properly groom a horse.

"Sarah, really. You don't remove saddle marks that way," Jareth admonished. "Observe."

Sarah made a good show of being observant, that is, until she got close enough to snatch the towel out of his hands, laughing all the while. She stepped away lightly, but he was too fast and caught her around the waist.

"Going somewhere?" Jareth asked her darkly, while raking his eyes over her form.

Sarah could hear his suddenly ragged breath, but her own was surely no better. She chose that moment to boldly look him in the eyes, and observed a feral hunger there that she was also certain she likely sported. She blushed profusely, but willed herself not to look away.

"Oh, no. I wouldn't dream of it," Sarah said breathlessly.

She could feel his hot hands, encased in leather, gripping her more tightly around the waist.

"Is that so?"

His words sensuously wrapped around her, his warm breath tickling her ear, which sent shivers down her spine. Tentatively, Sarah lifted one of her hands toward his face, but Jareth stopped its progress, and instead kissed her inner wrist delicately, as if he was savoring the experience.

Excited, but too nervous to voice a response, Sarah merely nodded and hummed.

She chose to place both arms around his neck at that point, and Jareth wrapped his arms fully around her waist to pull her flush against him. Her senses were certainly being overwhelmed. Sarah could feel his arousal and could smell his natural scent of sweat, leather, and the faintest scent of peaches. Sarah wanted nothing more than to kiss him, but was a little hesitant to make the first move.

"What is it you're thinking, my Sarah?"

"Nothing," Sarah protested, but she didn't even sound convincing to her own ears.

"Nothing? Nothing, tra-la-la?" Jareth teased, his lips quite close to her own.

"Well, maybe I was thinking I'd like a kiss," she said shyly.

"Oh, my lady, I do believe I can accommodate you there," Jareth said, even as he brought his lips to hers.

Sarah responded immediately. It was blissful, and she felt as if she never wanted it to end. She moved one of her hands up to his hair, just to touch it, her fingers gingerly carding through it.

Jareth shivered and broke the kiss, growling into her ear. "Do you have any idea what you do to me, my love?" he asked, while planting sensuous kisses down her neck, and inhaling her scent.

"Jareth, I-I love you," Sarah admitted hazily, as if in a dream.

Suddenly, Jareth dropped to his knees in front of her. His hands were alternately braced on her upper thigh and her hip, and his face was buried at her navel.

"Let me show you my love for you, Sarah. Please- if you'll let me. Ask me, and I'll do anything."

His hand at her waist slid up slowly, beseechingly, hesitantly, as if afraid she would disappear back into the mist. He stopped just shy of the swell of her breast, and the feeling sent an unexpected tremor of pleasure coursing through Sarah's veins.

"Ask me to take you to bed, or I'll go mad. Ask me. I'll be your slave."

Equal amounts plea and demand, he looked up into her eyes, and she found that she was powerless to deny him anything. It was an absolute lie to say that Jareth had no power over her. He definitely did. Love was a definite risk, but it was one that Sarah was desperate enough at that moment to take a gamble on.

Sarah felt so exposed, and the heat of Jareth's gaze caused her to blush fiercely. She closed her eyes in embarrassment. "Yes," she agreed huskily. "Please, Jareth."

"No. Don't shield your cruel eyes from me, my Sarah," Jareth whispered reverently, even as he moved one of his hands slowly up her side. "You are so damn beautiful- and I've imagined this for so long—"

Sarah had no thought as to whether or not she was embracing Jareth or pushing him away. She felt a wildness overtaking her, especially as he moved his lips lower and well— Suffice to say that she was undone.

When all was said and done, Jareth pulled her close and held her possessively. "I may be your slave, but I'll serve you as I will, Wife," he practically growled, with a lascivious smirk on his face.

Sarah had to admit that she felt a stab of pleasure at his possessiveness and stubbornness, even now. It did things to her. His cruelty matched her own. For a first time, it wasn't so bad at all, she reflected. She was sure she had a goofy smile on her face. But wait— "Wife?"

"Hm?" Jareth responded in a dazed manner.

"You called me your wife," Sarah huffed, though there was no real heat in her tone, and if there was it would have been ruined by the way she was playing with Jareth's hair anyway.

"Ah- consummation wasn't just your consent to marry- it upgraded our betrothal to marriage status," Jareth said smugly. He rolled over and pulled Sarah on top of him.

"Well, we're well-suited. I knew you likely had a cruel trick up your sleeve with that one," Sarah admitted with a small smile.

Jareth simply gave Sarah a triumphant smirk. "You don't know the half of it, Precious Thing."

"Don't think you'll win this particular game, Jareth," Sarah admonished lightly. "I'll have you begging for mercy yet. I have forever to do it, Husband."

"Oh- my cruel little queen- I confess that I'm quite looking forward to it," Jareth drawled wickedly.

If Jareth's absolutely licentious look of anticipatory delight filled Sarah with a feeling of belonging, and if she happened to give him a look complete commiseration, she decided it didn't bother her. She still wasn't sure what she wanted out of life, but Jareth was one thing she was sure she wanted, after all. Once she completely conquered the Goblin King, maybe she'd make him help her conquer the Underground, she decided. Hell, he probably already had that planned anyway. It was simply in their nature, and she'd best get used to it. Sarah did know one thing however; it was good to be the queen.

Note: To new readers and old, this is it. It is finally finished now, and I do hope you enjoyed it. Please read and review, if you would.