Breaking the Spell

Prologue

Jareth paced nervously, his heavy footsteps filling the small cabin and a large hand worrying his goatee. The queen leaned forward, clasping her velvet dress desperately.

“Please, Jareth, there is nothing I cannot offer you.” Jareth shook his head, thoughts flying through his head like busy spring bees.
“I am a heretic, living in seclusion because of my… black magic.” He spat. He knew he should honor the queen by accepting graciously, but after so many of his kind were executed by King Luther he simply couldn’t. “And now… now I am called to serve those who have killed my family and friends.” His words like venom.
“Please, Jareth… no harm will come of this and I swear to you that I shall decriminalize the Pagans, whose ways I have been so ignorant to, and no more will their blood be spilled upon these grounds.” Jareth knew the pain of his loss would never go away, but an opportunity to prevent more for others…
“And what of the child, my Queen? Should she live in a rosy dome for her entire life? To never know the real world?” The queen’s face reddened and she looked away, a shadow of shame lingering in her pale green eyes.
“I cannot think of my love child being exposed to the corruptions of this life.” Jareth’s pacing ceased. This was no peasant’s child… this was the queen’s illegitimate child to another man, a man she truly loved. He gave a thoughtful breath. She spoke again with a painful mutter. “If you could have taken your loved ones and sent them away to a place where they would know no harm, wouldn’t you pay any price?” Tears stung his eyes. Of course… “Jareth, let this child be a symbol of peace between us, and let us end the persecution of the Pagan people.” Jareth’s heart swelled as he met her gaze. He stepped towards her and her mouth parted as if to say something.
He knelt to the ground and bowed his head.
“My queen, I shall take this child and protect her from the sins of our world.”
“Thank you, sweet Jareth.” Her delicate hand upon his shoulder sent a lost feeling through his core, hope.