Once upon a cursed king

Chapter 10: Things aren't What they Seem

James paced agitatedly,

"I have to help her, it's my fault all of this has happened." He muttered to himself, finally set on what he had to do, he sat back at his desk to reply to Sarah and tell her everything even if it got him killed.

Dear Sarah,

I'm not asking to be forgiven, I know now that what I've done can never be forgiven. I hope I'm not too late and that this actually reaches you. I didn't mean for all of this to happen but once a deal has been struck there is no going back. I won't tell you everything, I will just give you the details you need to help Jareth. There is a woman, who is after Jareth, she is as evil as they come and she will stop at nothing to get what she wants. She is the Princess of the Unseelie, Princess Duvessa, it was decided at their birth that the two shall form an alliance between the Unseelie and the goblin kingdom through marriage. When Jareth became of age he refused an arranged marriage and it was called off. The word of the underground is that the princess was already in love with Jareth and was distraught when he called it off. Over the years I believe that heartache caused her to become bitter and eventually insane, I would go as far as saying evil. At my darkest moment I met her and through a careless error I became her spy and helped her put in place certain events that have caused Jareth to be where he is now. Sarah I must warn you for she is not all she seems, she hides behind an illusion of impossible beauty but it is just a mask, in fact, she isn't even fae. No one has seen her true form everyone who has seen her hasn't lived long enough to tell anyone, everyone except me that is, for she knew I wouldn't risk turning back into what I was. You need to know though that she is a creature, a foul creature with broad wings, razor Sharp talons and the head and neck of a human but with big black beady eyes, known as a Harpy. Jareth needs to get back to the labyrinth in order to fully regain his memories. I'm sorry I can't help you anymore and I'm sorry for everything I've done.

James

James sighed as he put the pen down, he felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders after finally telling someone one of his deepest secrets. In that moment of clarity, a sudden chill began to pollute the air, a feeling of terror washed over him as he realised he was too late to help Sarah. This letter would never be seen and it was likely that he would never be seen either. James accepted his fate with open arms as he turned around to face the creature he had thought to have escaped. He raised his head determined to look into her eyes as she smiled almost pleasantly, as if she had been waiting for him to go back on their deal so that she could punish him.

" Tut tut James I'm disappointed in you, did you really think that I wouldn't be watching you over the years. To think after all I did for you, you were planning on ruining my fun." She pouted at him like a child who'd had her dolly taken from her.

"This isn't a game and I'm tired of being your pawn, do what you want to me I don't care anymore. I'd rather die than live with what I have done." James spoke with as much courage as he could muster.

"Well, look who has finally grown a backbone. Though a little late don't you think." She laughed as she glanced at the letter he had just written.

"No no no, this won't do at all." Princess Duvessa sighed.

She swept her hand over the letter changing the letter so that it simply read.

Dear Sarah

I am sending someone to help you, her name is Duvessa. You can trust her.

James

"There that's much better, now that the darling Emma has broken the town's curse I can finally pay my dear Jareth a visit. Oh, I'll be sure to give Sarah your best." She grinned menacingly.