Labyrinth- Jareth's Return

11. Mind's Labyrinth Part 1

**Pictures curtesy of Lisa AI descriptive generation, Pictured above is Aranel (her skin can be envisioned completely red or patchy red tis your preference)**

The sound of drums echoed in Sarah's head as she sat up in her bed. Silk red sheets slid down her sides, her mind still felt hazy as she rubbed her eyes and yawned. Looking around finally she caught an unfamiliar scene. The bed post were black and carved with dragons, the room was bordered with varying candles; with flickering flames cascading \shadows across the walls. The room was dim despite the fireplace before her being lit as well. It was warm yet not overwhelming, it felt peaceful enough to fall back asleep despite the drums that awakened her that now came to a stop. She shivered despite feeling warm, she felt like she was freezing; her skin felt cool to the touch. 

Where am I? She slid her feet off the side of the bed, feeling the cool stone beneath her feet. After standing to a stretch, she walked to the nearest window. The window, once she approached it, wasn't actually a window but a walkway to a balcony. As she approached the stone ledge she peered over and saw the familiar brittle trees in the distance. An amber glow lit up around what looked to be hills surrounding the castle she was in, giving a very dark and dreary feeling outside. Why does it feel like I've been here before? She thought as she rubbed her cold arms to warm them up before turning back around inside. 

By the fireplace sat a couch and a table with food, an animal pelt of some sort stretched out on the ground, separating the sitting area from the fireplace.  Slowly, she sat down before staring at the fire in a daze. She couldn't help but shake this feeling that something is missing. Sarah sighed as she leaned back and relaxed, trying to wrap her head on how she got here and what she was doing before.

After a while she snapped out of her thoughts to the sound of the door clicking open. In the doorway walked in a handsome man, his raven hair slicked back long behind him as his muscles glistened in the candle light. The smell of sandalwood flooded her senses as she remembered the man before her. "Dracius?" Sarah asked as he walked across the room to her. He smirked as he held her hands and brushed his lips against her knuckles. "Did you finally wake my dear?" 

Sarah smiled softly as her cheeks flushed pink. "Yes, but how long was I out?" She asked softly furrowing her brows as she tried to think of the last thing she did before falling asleep.

Dracius face softened as he sat next to her holding her hands. "Not too long, although, I almost worried I exhausted you. But you are awake now and that's all that matters." He smirked again as he held her close to his chest. She relaxed in his embraced holding him back. "Dracius, do you remember what happened before I fell asleep?"

Looking down with a mischievous grin smelling her sweet honeysuckle smell he sighed, "Oh, don't tell me you don't remember tasting these lips." He pulled away looking down at her now wide green eyes before pressing his lips against her softly. Sending her mind into another haze as he pulled away. "My dear, you had me begging for more, but I know how exhausted you were for traveling as far as you did to see me."

Lightheaded and confused she mumbled, "Travel?" as she looked up lazily into his blue red eyes. Dracius cupped her cheek as he gazed into her eyes. "Yes, you came a long way from your family to come be with me. Don't you remember? We are betrothed to wed in a couple days." He cooed as he kissed her cheek. Sarah looked down furrowing her brows again, "Y..y.yes. I remember." Do I? Looking back at the fire again she went back into deep thought trying to recollect what happened up to that point. Dracius smiled triumphantly and stood up. "Soon, you will be my Queen we have much to prepare," He pulled her up into his embrace and held her tightly. "Will you come for a walk with me through our castle, Sarah." Shaking the haze she was feeling she smiled and agreed. Dracius held her hand and pulled her through the bedroom door and started to walk down the halls. "My dear, there's so much to show you yet so little time. I hope you don't mind the extra time we spend together." Sarah smiled and shook her head. "I don't mind, I love spending time with you." Her smile wavering slightly as she followed him down the corridors.