Here's another long awaited chapter!

Jareth was livid. He was so enraged he could hardly contain himself, his hands fisted so tightly they shook. He had been not far behind Maura when that dreadful creature he could hardly call a princess had spat all those horrid things at the woman he loved before prancing hautily off to laugh with her friends. Whispers and fast chattering broke out amoungest the guests as they quickly parted for their King, watching as he silently stormed his way to the unknowing princess.

The two haughty fae continued to laugh and boast until something behind Deirdre's shoulder made her friend's eyes widen and silence her.

"What? Oh, please don't tell me that little chit has come back for more?"

"No. But perhaps I will do."

Spinning quickly and falling to the floor in a curtsey, Deirdre whispered,

"Your Majesty."

"Let me make something clear to you two, the woman you insulted this evening will be greater than both of you will ever be. She is one of the kindest souls I have ever encountered, and I have no intention of, how did you put it? Ah yes. Dropping her like a hot coal. I wholeheartedly love her and plan on marrying her if she will have me. So,"

He glaced down at the two,

"both of you can stay down there because that is the only place you will ever deserve to be. Good evening."

And turning to stride up the main stairs, he addressed his subjects,

"Thank you all for coming, but I have had quite enough drama for this evening so I bid you all goodnight. He met their bows with his own before setting out to find Maura.

All the while, while this had been happening, Maura just sat in her now rumpled dress staring out the window at the labyrinth below, her tears now flowing silently. Her headpiece and jewelry had been hastily removed and tossed carelessly on her vanity, her hair falling in messy strands around her face, and down her back. She didn't dare move, or look as a quiet knock sounded, before her door opened and shut almost soundlessly. A shiver ran down her spine, her eyes closing as she heard her name uttered in the most adoring and tender way, barely even a whisper against her skin as Jareth placed his hands lightly on her shoulders.

Turning her face slightly towards him, her eyes that were still shining with tears met his and she sighed as the soft kidskin of his gloves wiped away her tears. Drawing her to him, Jareth lifted her until she stood wrapped tightly in his arms. There was no reason for words, so there they stood, in the silence of the evening as the breeze drifted in through the open window.

As Maura rested her head against Jareth's chest, she completely forgot about everything as his arms tightened and she felt him begin to leave small butterfly kisses against her skin. Running her arms up to cradle his head, Jareth continued his minstrations, causing Maura to tilt her head so he could continue down to her shoulders. As this was happening, Jareth reached up and entangled his hand in her hair, gently running it through until all the pins holding it tumbled out and hit the floor.

"Jareth,"

Maura breathed as she felt his hands ghost down her back, swiftly undoing her dress until it fell to the floor in a pile. Bringing his hands back up, Jareth gently cupped her face and kissed her. It first started out soft, tender and loving, but then they both couldn't contain their built up emotions and the kiss quickly turned heated and passionate.

As the two continued to grapple for control, they backed up until falling back across Maura's bed, Jareth's frock coat being discarded somewhere along the way. Breaking away in order to breathe, Maura gazed up at Jareth, and before she lost her nerve murmured,

"Jareth, I know where this is going, and I'm-I'm sorry but I'm just not ready yet."

It was silent for just a moment as he rolled to the side before he answered softly,

"My dear, that is not a problem. I should be the sorry one. I came here to comfort you, not make you uncomfortable."

Before he could even move, Maura gripped his arm tightly before brushing a stray hair from his face.

"You didn't make me uncomfortable. Your presence is all I need. So please, don't go."

Drawing her close once more, Jareth smiled as she made his now almost bare chest her pillow. As soon as he heard her soft breathing that signified sleep, he waved a hand which automatically changed Maura from her uncomfortable undergarments, especially that horrid corset, to a loose silk nightdress, before pulling the covers over both of them and drifting off himself.