4Chapter 1: The Morning After
Apollo woke and noted that neither King nor Queen was up yet. He'd highly doubted they would be up and about on the morning after their wedding. He found his mother making breakfast. She'd given the staff a day off knowing the newlyweds would not wish to be disturbed. She also liked the feeling of having a good days work behind her, and it wasn't the least bit unusual for her to insist she cook her own food. Apollo came in and put an arm around her shoulders.
"I am very proud of you, Mother."
"I know."
"You didn't have to you know."
"Yes, I know."
"You could've saved immortality for us."
"I know."
"You did the right thing."
"I know."
"You can say something besides 'I know'."
"Yes, I know."
Apollo caught the laughter in her tone and hugger her.
"I love you, Mother."
"I know."
"But you do know how to get on a fellow's nerves!"
He walked out before she could answer, but he swore she was reading his mind. When he stuck his head back in behind her back he heard a quiet voice.
"I know." He sighed in exasperation and could see the teasing smile on her face without actually seeing it. Isis joined them for breakfast, which was a quiet affair. Ione went about her daily duties, but they were relatively light since the goblins were all to tired from the feasting and celebrating to cause any trouble. Ione had time to think. Although she would always love Jareth, he was no longer within her reach, but now she had to be concerned for her children. There was no reason now why they should not know love. Jareth had his beloved, and there was no longer a reason to be jealous of other's beauty. She was more concerned for Isis at the moment. Isis had been looking longingly at Sarah in her wedding dress, and Ione knew what was in her heart. But it wasn't until the following day that the newlyweds came out, and Ione could have a chance to voice her concern to Jareth.
The King and Queen entered the kitchen still laughing from some personal joke, and Ione remained quiet. The family sat down together for breakfast with Jareth at the head of the table. Sarah was to his right and Ione to his left. Apollo sat beside his mother, and Isis was sitting beside Sarah. Ione caught Isis staring at her father and his bride.
Your thoughts couldn't be more obvious if you were drooling, Daughter.
Ione sent the thought to Isis, but somehow Jareth sensed they were talking. He looked between the two, but Ione gave a slight shake of her head. This was a signal to Jareth that he would have to find out later. The time to ask escaped him until later when Isis and Apollo asked Sarah if she'd like to go for a walk. Sarah would ride of course, but centaurs never asked anyone to go for rides. Sarah had accepted, and Jareth found Ione alone patrolling the Junkyard.
