I was Sarah...and myself. Before me was Jareth, Goblin King, even more resplendent in the clothes I'd fantasised once too often about ripping off him whenever I'd watched this movie. I could hear the goblins tittering away behind the stone wall. Ludo gave a mournful wail from somewhere in the garden. Was Hoggle watching from nearby?

Jareth held out an elegant long-fingered hand, pleading with me. "Just fear me, love me, do as I say, and I will be your slave."

The words sang through my body.

The line Sarah always forgot came back to her/me, about to tumble from our lips.

But I was Sarah now.

He'd tormented Sarah through the Labyrinth. Almost killed her and Hoggel with that Tunnel Cleaner.

Saying "You have no power over me" meant safety. Home. Toby. Dad. Her.

Sarah's memories of her dad, so like my own, hurt my heart. Preoccupied with his new wife and son, he ignored her.

Just like mine. I couldn't remember the last time Dad spoke to me.

Jareth implored, "Be my queen, Sarah."

Nice! We were off-script now.

I'd always wanted Sarah to choose the Goblin King over the life she seemed so ready to leave behind.

I doubted Dad would even notice I was gone. I was legal age. The last thing I remembered was propping up an envelope with a letter explaining I'd left.

I looked up through my lashes at Jareth who swallowed in response.

Sarah's recollections of twirling with him in the Dance built an almost overpowering raw need inside me that made me bite my tongue to stop myself agreeing to anything he said. I needed a few securities of my own first.

I stepped forward and slid my hand into Jareth's. Hunger, hot and fierce, burned in his eyes.

One more step and I was pressed up against him. Our lips a hairsbreadth away. "Whatever you ask of me applies equally to you, my glorious Goblin King."

He groaned and his hands seized my waist, pulling me against him. "My kingdom for a kiss, sweet Sarah."

Although I wanted him as badly as I could feel he wanted me, I saw the loophole he'd built in for himself. I knew prepping for pre-law early would come in handy.

"Reciprocity in everything, Jareth, my love." I dragged one leg up his and the air crackled with magic around us.

Jareth's hands swept up my back and tangled in my hair. "Yes, Sarah! I agree. Anything you want."

"Then dance with me, Goblin King."

He snapped his fingers and we were there, amidst glitter-filled air, surrounded by beautifully bedecked people we outshone.

"I must have you. Now!"

His lips crushed to mine as we twirled together at the beginning of forever.

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