Chapter Twenty One

Silver Lights District - Ward Residence

"Are you listening to me," sighed Anthony as he reached across the table and pulled the hand held from Sebastian.

Sebastian eyes shot daggers as he glared at Anthony.  "No, I'm not listening to you."

Anthony sighed as he read the banner that announced Kaelen and Ruby's engagement before he tossed it on the table.  Anthony raked his hands through his black hair with a grimace, "I was surprised too."

"I'm not surprised," spat Sebastian.  "He did this without even telling Xara!  You'd think he'd at least give her that courtesy!"

Anthony rose and picked up the bowl of cereal, "How long has it been since she's spoken to any of us?"

"Let me think," replied Sebastian as he grabbed his bowl.  "Five days."

"Five days without a home cooked meal," pouted Anthony as he stared at the dishes in the sink.  "Five days without her fluffy scrambled eggs and homemade toast.  Five days without her brownies with lunch and five long days without her lemon ice for deserts."

"Hire a housekeeper that knows how to cook."  Kaelen raked his gaze around the kitchen before he walked to the ice box.  "She can start immediately."

Sebastian ignored the sound of the cream bowl breaking as he threw it into the sink.  "I am going out," he stared pointedly at Anthony ignoring Kaelen's presence as he bumped past him toward the hallway to the entrance.  "Please arrange with Acadia for Xara and me to be moved back to the palace.  We'd both sit in a prison then be here another day."

"The only person complaining in you," drawled Kaelen as he turned to watch amused at Sebastian's rigid back.  "Xara and I have an agreement and I doubt she will agree to going to the palace."

Burst laughter erupted from Sebastian, "What makes you think us relocating isn't her idea?"  Sebastian gave Kaelen a look of disdain, "Have you spoken to her in the last five days?"

"No," smirked Kaelen.  "But she knows nothing good will happen to you if she leaves."

"So you are using me to threaten her," asked Sebastian enraged.  "You are an ass-!"

"You both need to stop goading each other," interrupted Anthony as he stepped between them.  "Are you both really going to fight over this?"  Anthony sighed, "Sebastian you know very well that he isn't doing anything wrong-."

"And this is why I hate the Alliance rule," yelled Sebastian.  "How can you even think to say he's not doing anything wrong?"

"Everyone in the Alliance does it," smirked Kaelen.  "Except Acadia and Joshua."

"So you'll be fine if Lucas does it to your precious little sister," spat Sebastian.

Kaelen shrugged as he went to the cupboard, "That's his prerogative."

"You're a damn lie," spat Sebastian as he pushed Anthony out of the way.  "If Lucas were to acquire a paramour you'd try your best to kill him!"

"No," laughed Kaelen as he grabbed a bowl, "Kayla would kill him and I would show up for his funeral."

Anthony moved to cut Sebastian off as he stalked toward Kaelen.  "You need to calm down."

Sebastian knocked the bowl out of Kaelen's hands as his gray eyes snapped fire, "You are a liar!"

Kaelen pursed his lips as he looked down at the brown bowl, "Am I?"  His eyes amused hazel eyes met Sebastian's, "Am I?"

Sebastian lips curled back as he glared angrily at Kaelen.  "I could kill you."

"No you couldn't," drawled Kaelen as he tilted his head back and stared arrogantly at Sebastian.  "Even if you wanted to you couldn't beat me."  He grabbed another bowl and chuckled, "Kevin's taught us your little tricks and we know how they work on the other hand you still can't fight worth shit."

"Fuck you," snarled Sebastian as he knocked Anthony's hand off his chest.  "And fuck you too, Anthony."

Anthony watched silently as Sebastian stumped out of the kitchen before he turned to Kaelen.  "I can't believe how much you've changed."  Anthony watched Kaelen shrugged as if unaffected by the situation.  "But something is off with this whole scenario."

"I know," responded Kaelen as if baffled.  "He and Xara have lived in a society that not only practice bigamy but thrive in it but he acts as if they are above it themselves."  Kaelen laughed as he shook his head.  "I am doing my Alliance given right," continued Kaelen merrily as he poured his cereal.  "And now my soon to be paramour and her damn cousin are both threatening me."

Anthony blinked slowly at Kaelen as if he were trying to figure out a puzzle.  "Doesn’t Nah'Byians practice monogamy?"

"I've decided to embrace my Ah'Tarian side," replied Kaelen as he poured milk on his cereal.  "Isn't that what everyone was hoping for?"

"So, you will be announcing yourself as Kevin Jacob Lawson's descendant," asked Anthony with a doubtful smile.

"Yip, as soon as he announcing that he's back," replied Kaelen smugly.  He arched an eyebrow in amusement before he took a bite of his puffs.  With a thoughtful look he stared down at his breakfast.  "But I can't lie...I really miss Xara's cooking."

Anthony patted Kaelen on the shoulder as he exited the kitchen.  As he walked down the stairs he let out a rusty laugh, "I can't believe anyone in their right mind would believe any of that nonsense he just said."  Anthony held up his hand and looked at the employment register, "But I will definitely be hiring a housekeeper because only the gods know how long he'll keep this charade going."

****

The Gold District - Palace Visitor's Lounge

Kayla suppressed as shiver as she listened to Ruby incessant chatter while she flipped through an endless stream of wedding gowns.  Kayla turned her nose up in disgust as Ruby paused at an emerald green gown. 

Kayla rolled her eyes as she was not able to even look at the reed thin model that wore the see through gown without anything beneath.

"That is inappropriate," comment Kayla without emotion.  She ignored Ruby's pout and signaled for her to choose something else.

"What about this one," enthused Ruby as a shimmering navy blue dress with diamonds sewn into the collar appeared.  "My Kae-bear said royals were no object!"

"Did he," sighed Kayla as her gaze moved pass the dress to rest on Ruby's forehead.

"He sure did," preened Ruby as she gazed longingly at the dress.  "But this one is too splendid and would surely make all in attendance jealous."

"I’m sure," replied Kayla as she stared at the 100,000 royal price on the dress.

"I know it to be so," laughed Ruby.  "I'm sure the universe would be abuzz comparing my gown to that plain thing you wore."

Kayla pressed her lips into a flat line while trying to tilt her lips into tight smile as she looked back at the gaudy dress.  "That is a beautiful dress," sighed Kayla as she placed her hand on the reader.  "I think I will buy it and wear it to the next gala Lucas and I attend."  Kayla had to keep herself from laughing at Ruby's thunder struck expression.

Four minutes later the dress arrived in all its gaudy splendor and Kayla stood up and walked around it.  "I think it's prefect for me," she smiled as she ran her fingers over the flawless marquis cut diamonds that adorned the low collar.  "I will need to have the neckline raised," murmured Kayla’s as she looked down at her overly ample breast. "Or my breast will spill out," she finished with a smile toward Ruby.

Ruby snorted as she stared at the dress, "You will also need to have the waist let out."

Kayla arched an eyebrow as she took in the cinched waist of the gown.  She reached out and touched the diamond adorned waist and giggled, "I surely will.  What with me and Lucas expecting."  Kayla eyes widened as she turned to stare at the shocked Ruby.  "Oh no," she pouted, "I wasn't supposed to tell anyone."

Ruby's eyes dropped to her waist and her lips curled in disdain.  "You are pregnant again?"

"Yes," laughed Kayla as she placed her hands on her stomach.  "We only found out five days ago!  We are so excited!"

"I bet," grumbled Ruby as she stared back at the hologram on the screen.

Kayla smirked at the gown once more before she sat back down with Ruby.  "Shall we continue?"

"Yes lets continue," responded Ruby curtly.

Kayla looked at her device and frowned when she saw that another 45 minutes had passed as she watched Ruby babble about the dresses on the screen.  Each gaudy dress that was displayed on the table's hologram screen was analyzed by Ruby until Kayla thought blood would seep from her ears.

"You must be over the moon happy about Kae and my marriage," gushed Ruby unaware of Kayla's annoyance at the red and gold dress that looked more like a short lace teddy.  "He asked me in such a romantic way," continued Ruby with a self-satisfied smile.  "Do you want to hear about it?"

When Kayla didn't respond Ruby frowned and moved the projection to bright red and pink lingerie like dress with a sheer red bodice, pink lace sleeved and slits that went to the hips.  The dress came with onyx stones sewn into the bodice and draped down to the slits. "Are you listening to me," snapped Ruby as she waved a bejeweled hand in front of Kayla's face.

"No," replied Kayla simply.  "I was too busy wondering why you couldn't wear a simple white or cream colored dress.  That is a Nah'Byian custom and I'm sure it would please Kaelen."

"I am not Nah'Byian and refuse to wear such drivel."  Ruby sent a disgusted look toward the dress Kayla pulled up.  She frowned at the flowing white shirt and loose white top with silver stitching, "If I remember correctly for yours and Lucas's -."

"His Grace Lucas," corrected Kayla sternly.

"Whatever," replied Ruby snidely.  "Soon I will be a member of the council and-."

"But you are not married to Kae yet and are not a member of the council," interrupted Kayla coldly.  "And even if you were on the council you still do not have the right to address him as anything but his grace."

"Kaelen is a lord as well," huffed Ruby as she crossed her hands over her breast.  "Once married I will be lady of the council.  You and I -."

"Will never, and I mean ever, be on the same plain," stressed Kayla as she stood up.  "I grow weary of this you can leave."  Kayla waved a dismissive hand toward Ruby.  "I will contact you when I wish to continue with this."

"What," snapped Ruby as she stood up.  "Kaelen and I are to be married in six weeks and you dare -!"

"I dare a lot," laughed Kayla without humor.   Kayla watched as Ruby's cheeks flushed and an indignant expression filled Ruby's face before she sneered, "Maybe you should ask a friend to assist you."  Kayla pushed her chair underneath the table and smiled viciously, "That is if you have any friends."

Ruby hissed through her teeth as she stared at Kayla's superior expression.  In anger Ruby toppled the mahogany wood chair, "I will make sure my Kae-bear hears about this!"

"As if I care," laughed Kayla.  "I have no idea why he would think I would want to help you."

"You are nothing but a common whore!"

Kayla shook her head at Ruby.  "This common whore will one day be your queen but you will never be anything more than a necessity for Kaelen."  Kayla's lips curled into a smile, "He doesn't love you and he never will."

"Who needs love," laughed Ruby as she patted her now blond and blue hair.  "I will have the third seat!"

"You are a sorry excuse of a woman," sighed Kayla as she waved her away.  "I dismiss you from my presence," announced Kayla arrogantly.  "I wish I could be absent from Kae's engagement party in three weeks but I believe that is asking for too much."

Ruby fumed as she snatched the turquoise cube with wedding gowns off the viewer.  "I will tell Kae-bear you don't wish to attend our engagement party."

"Go ahead," laughed Kayla as she walked away from the visitor's room at the palace.  "Do you really think that will have bearing on me being there?"

Ruby stumped her white leather stiletto on the floor before she turned to leave palace.  "That whore monger," whispered Ruby fiercely.  "I will make sure Kaelen puts her in her place before the engagement party."

Ruby swept pass a guard wearing all black without a backwards glance, "And she has the nerve to have me come to the palace and sit with her in the visitor's receiving area.  How dare she not see me in her and Lucas's rooms?  I will make her pay dearly for this disrespect.  Wait until I tell Kaelen!  Just wait," she ended in a harsh whisper to herself.