Breaking Barriers (Chapter 28 up)

Jareth waited impatiently for Sarah's arrival at the dining area. He had specifically told Curlique that the girl was to be there at precisely 7 oclock. It was now ten minutes past. Jareth stood up and began pacing the area. He hated having to wait for anybody, especially a mere girl. He was the king for Underground's sake! But Jareth knew there could be little done about it. His kingdom was lax in everything and that included punctuality. Using his powers, he sought out Curlique. Jareth looked through her eyes. The image was moving forward then winked out for a moment as the goblin blinked, then moved to the side. He caught the briefest glimpse of a pair of knees, undoubtedly Sarah's, encased in shimmering blue fabric. Jareth smirked. How quaint. His darling Sarah and himself would even match this night. Jareth exited the goblin's mind. Good, they were on there way. He should have taken into consideration the goblin's height, but there was little to be done about it now. Most goblins were nearly as short as Curlique anyhow. Besides, he had hired her based on her smarts, not on her appearance. Jareth continued pacing. He should still have not been made to wait like this. The whole kingdom was going to the dogs.

After another minute or so the large door creaked open. Jareth wanted to storm up to it with a welcome greeting of "How dare you take this long, especially on my terms, in MY castle...!" but he didn't. The Goblin King swallowed the words he longed to express. His temper had already given him enough troubles concerning Sarah. He knew that succumbing to any emotion, whether it be lust or anger, would not work in his favor. Therefore, he took a deep breath and clasped his hands behind his back.

When Sarah entered the room he nearly fell over. Good God what had Curlique done to her?!

Sarah slowly placed one foot in front of the other in a definitive alluring swagger. She gazed hungrily at Jareth with her cat-like eyes. Her hair was pinned up with curls cascading down around her face and falling loosely in the back. Braids with ribbons and crystals wound in and around the intricately crafted masterpiece. It was designed to accentuate and allure.

And seduce.

Much like the gown Curlique had undoubtedly designed for her. The dress hugged every inch of her curvy frame then spread out in the back in a waterfall-like effect. Her bare arms were covered in the thinnest sheer of iredescent fabric that draped far below her waist and kissed the floor. A small gold key strung about a fine chain hung at the curve of her neck. The front and back both had plunging necklines, the sight of which placed a burning sensation in Jareth's throat, forcing him to clear it immediately. She looked absolutely gorgeous... and positively villainous. He'd never seen such an expression grace her features before. What could Sarah have up her sleeve? Finally gaining some composure, he cleared his throat one more time for good measure.

"Welcome, Sar-" Jareth moved to bow.

"Why hello, Jareth," said Sarah sexily, a glint of amusement in her eyes. Without even stopping to grasp Jareth's outstretched hand she sauntered over to her seat at the table. Heavens, did the infamous Sarah just make him blush? The Goblin King wasn't used to being treated as if he didn't exist. At somewhat of a loss Jareth walked over to her chair. He pulled it back for her, scrutinizing her carefully. He couldn't help but notice her bare shoulder as he helped push her in. When on God's green earth had this human become so alluring?

Although he had been taken aback at first, Jareth attempted to collected himself. He wasn't going to be played for a fool, he thought firmly. Something was amiss, and he intended to find out what. Jareth sat in his chair across from her, never taking his eyes from her form.

"Well, Sarah, you certainly took your time getting here," Jareth murmured, his eyes blazing.

"Well, Jareth, one is always wanting to look their best," Sarah countered, mimicking Jareth's low tone.

"Indeed," Jareth raised an eyebrow.

Jareth poured himself a glass of wine then offered it to Sarah. Sarah seemed to consider this carefully, then gave a brief nod. Jareth watched her lick her lips as the dark liquid filled the cup. The slight tremble in his hand did not go unnoticed by Sarah. She chuckled quietly under her breath, looking at him as if he were prey. Goblins appeared from seemingly nowhere, and thankfully broke the tension. They placed steaming dishes of food in front of them. It appeared salmon was on the menu tonight. Sarah carefully cut into a piece then pierced it with her fork, bringing the delectable meat to her... soft lips.

Jareth mentally shook his head. What had gotten into him? Never before had he been so completely captivated by a woman's mere appearance. He tried to focus his thoughts on what he was here for, how he had intended to sweep her off her feet then present her with his false reason for keeping her here. But even as he thought this, he noticed his eyes following her as she delicately pressed her lips to the soft napkin. Her eyes were watching him as well, and the slightest hint of disdain and mirth were behind them. So far, Jareth thought he was doing a fair job concealing the sudden constriction in his throat and palpitating heartbeat, but he was yet unable to tear his eyes away from her... positively enticing visage...

He had to stop this madness! With a loud clank Jareth dropped his fork on his dish, startling Sarah. That was a good sign. At least he knew she was real. Even though his throat was dry, Jareth forced himself to speak. This continuing silence was doing nothing but increasing his desire for her.

"Now Sarah," Jareth spoke carefully, willing his voice not to break, "I believe you had something you wished to ask me."

Sarah slowly set down her wine.

"That I did, Jareth, but I was hoping it was something you'd be willing to recount to me after the ball. Perhaps in a more... " Sarah glanced at the dull expressions of the goblins, "...private setting."

Sarah sent him a sexy smile that went straight to his groin. Perhaps talking wasn't the best thing for him after all. What had caused this sudden change of heart? Sarah had been quite demanding the other day. For her to suddenly change her mind like this was quite disconcerting and highly uncharacteristic. But as much as Jareth tried to convince himself of this, his body was having none of it. In fact it could care less at the moment. Jareth watched her continue to eat feeling his want increase with each bite.

He was trapped. Completely and utterly trapped.

But he wasn't so sure he cared anymore...

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Sarah watched Jareth from beneath lowered lids. So this is what it felt like to be in control of the Goblin King. Needless to say it was quite... intoxicating. Seeing Jareth bend to her will for a change was liberating. It was about time he owed up to a bit of retribution!This little rendezvous had turned out to be the perfect way for her to brush up on her acting skills. And from the look on Jareth's face, she was doing a very convincing job of it.

With some help from the dress of course. Sarah couldn't help but smile. She would have to thank Curlique later.

The Goblin King's expression was beginning to look pained. For a second she almost felt sorry for him. Almost. Sarah refused to feel pity for someone who had been nothing but cruel to her. But she had to admit it was nice to see something going on behind those mismatched eyes. Finally she was able to see an expression other than vague amusement on his handsome features.

Handsome? When had she started thinking that?

Well there was nothing wrong with that, Sarah justified. There was no reason why a person shouldn't find another being attractive as long as she didn't have feelings for him.

Which she didn't, right?

Absolutely. That would be absurd.

Sarah noted that Jareth's hands still visibly trembled. Sarah began to worry. She was beginning to wonder just how affective this dress was.

Well that was just too damn bad for him! It was about time he got a taste of his own medicine. Although he tended to control her through his words and actions and not an enchanted dress what he did to her was just as effective. She never felt like she had control of a situation or even herself when she was around him.

Sarah looked at her surroundings, fully aware that Jareth was still boring holes through her with his eyes. Good Lord this place was bare. This is what Jareth considered a dining hall? More like a torture chamber. Torture in the form of... boredom. The walls were that same dusty looking sand color that was found throughout the Labyrinth. The floor was covered in the same cement bricks. There wasn't a window in sight, yet the room was incredibly spacious. The dining table could easily have fit twenty guests and the ceiling seemed to go on forever, vanishing into a darkness that mere candlelight could not penetrate. What a completely dull place this castle was, Sarah thought. She almost preferred the maze to this, despite it's many treacherous creatures and traps. How on earth could a man live like this? Surrounded by dirty, ignorant goblins no less! Although Sarah wanted to provide no justification for Jareth's actions, in a way she couldn't help but empathize. She was probably the most exciting thing this kingdom had seen in... years from the look of things. She wondered how Jareth had ended up here in the first place. She hadn't seen any other humans around, ever. Well, minus the "humans" that had appeared in the masquerade illusion. Perhaps real humans lived in a kingdom somewhere else in this world. But then again, why wasn't the Goblin King amongst them? Maybe he wasn't human. After all, he was immortal. Was it his magic that granted him immortality? Or perhaps all humans were like Jareth in this place. Sarah looked at her captor again, careful not to show her thoughts on her face. She had been in his land for nearly four days, had met and defeated him in the past where he had claimed he wanted her love, had endured several sharp-tongued conversations with the man... yet she knew almost nothing about him. For a moment, Sarah was struck with this notion and wondered for the briefest instant how this could possibly be.

But then she remembered, and anger flooded through her system once more. How could she know anything about him? He had stolen her brother, let her fall down holes, become prey to a bunch of monsters she had never known existed and then had the nerve to take her back to this God-forsaken place. There had never been any opportunity to "get to know" him. He was too busy thwarting her in every way possible. In fact, why was she even thinking this? She didn't want to get to know him. She wanted to go home!

Although at this point Sarah was fairly seething with rage again, she kept her face in check. She would have her bit of revenge tonight, then she could be through with the place forever. She didn't care what she had to do to accomplish it. She just knew she couldn't stay here any longer.

"Sarah?" a soft voice murmured, interrupting her thoughts.

"Yes, Jareth," Sarah replied, unable to keep a hint of exasperation out of her voice.

"Would you give me the honor of... dancing with me at the ball tonight?"

Sarah looked at him with slight alarm. Now was this an act or was it the dress? Or was it... something else? Earlier that day she had decided that she would not be dancing with the Goblin King this night. She would be a fool to do it, especially since he was giving her an option. Dancing with Jareth had left her completely confused last time and had only added yet another reason for Sarah to remain cautious throughout the Labyrinth.

But as she looked at his eyes now, whether it was an act or not, Sarah was finding it hard pressed to decline. She had never seen such an imploring look from anyone, ever. Suddenly Sarah forgot why she had been mad at this man a mere moment ago. It would be cruel to deny him, would it not? She could already imagine how his face would fall, his hope crumbling before his eyes. Already there was a fleeting moment of pain across his face, as though he was expecting her to turn him down immediately.

Sarah had come to this dinner firmly intending to seduce this man. Dancing with him would only further her cause, would it not? As long as she kept the upper hand there could be no fault in complying. Slowly, Sarah nodded her head yes.

The pain on Jareth's face broke apart into an expression of uttermost joy, as if she had just given him the greatest gift possible. Sarah couldn't help but feel a little guilty. Naturally she was a sympathetic being and the look on his face nearly broke her heart. She had never seen him so... happy. Where was that clever, caustic King that she had known only a few days ago? She almost felt she knew how to react to that Jareth more than this new one. Most of the changes were probably due to an act or the dress, but she couldn't help but think that some of his reactions might be somewhat true. She didn't know what to make of this thought. She didn't know whether she should be happy at this knowledge or disturbed.

She was no longer relishing her trick of seducing the king. She just wanted this night to be over.
Thankfully, the set of eyes across from her soon narrowed and sent her a burning look; a look that was closer to the Goblin King's usual features. Sarah began to relax. Now this Jareth she knew what to think of. However, although his piercing gaze may have been slightly more familiar, Sarah still shivered to see it. What was she getting herself into? This man was very dangerous. She knew she was playing with fire but it was a game she had no choice in participating in. She only hoped she wouldn't get burned in the meantime.

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A/N Oh dear, that dress is certainly going to get Sarah into trouble! She had intended to seduce Jareth this night, but goodness, he appears almost immobilized! How will this night end???

Again, I cannot express enough how much it means to me to receive reviews. I can see the hit count rising steadily, yet I don't know what most readers' thoughts are on the story. Having some sort of insight would be profoundly appreciated. Thanks again for reading ~TheArtist