Chapter Thirty

Ward Home, Nah’Bye

Hours and days passed. Then finally three and a half weeks went by as Kayla and Kaelen spent time on their home world of Nah'Bye. She told her family about the wonderful sites to be seen on Ah'Taria. When she wasn't regaling them with her tales, she was helping Zay-Ro and Zahar study for the entrance exams into the Academy. At first she and Lucas talked everyday for hours at a time. However as the time came and went his communications became less frequent, and when he did contact her he was always in a hurry. Kaelen also became too busy to talk to; he was assisting in setting up the new military bases and trading stations.

Standing abruptly she felt a surge of dizziness. "Jael Quin, I think I am coming down with something."  Kayla placed her hand on her forehead and frowned.

Jael Quin walked over to her and replaced Kayla’s hand with her own, "You seem a little feverish." Walking toward the stove she said, "I will make you some barley tea.  Drink it and relax. It is probably a small cold."

Kayla nodded and went to the small bedroom she shared with Zahar to lay down.  Several minutes later Jael Quin came in with a tray of cookies and tea.  "Since you will be leaving soon I thought we could talk like we used to before you left for the Academy."

Kayla smiled sweetly at her stepmom before giving her a hug.  "I have missed you so much."

Jael Quin's eyes teared up as she gazed at Kayla. "And I have missed you.  You need to communicate with us more.  I don't care if you send messages by placing pen to paper-"

"Pen to paper?"

Kayla had never heard of this form of communication. Jael Quin told her stories about the ancients until Kayla dozed off.  Rising Jael Quin pulled the covers over her and walked out the door bumping into Kaelen.

****

"Kaelen! Is everything ok?"  She could see the anger rolling around his beautiful hazel green eyes but when he shook his head she knew that he wouldn't discuss it with her.  "Keeping all those secrets bottled up will only cause you needless worry and stress."  Looking into his eyes she sighed, "If you ever need to talk remember that your dad and I are here for you."

Kaelen smiled down at Jael Quin. "I'm sorry Jael Quin," he smiled faintly.  "I didn't mean to appear bothered."  Looking into the small bedroom he sighed, "I'm done with my business here and I've been summoned back to Ah'Taria."  He pulled on his ear and grimaced as he thought of what awaited them. "Mia and I will be leaving tomorrow."

Jael Quin pouted. "I can't believe you both are leaving so soon."

He laughed. "We've been here for almost four weeks. I think the house has grown smaller with our presence."  He bent and gave her a kiss on the cheek before walking into the room and watching Kayla sleep peacefully.

*********

Ah'Taria

Kaelen walked into the Wilson gala with Mia on his arm and waited for them to be announced.  They had arrived a day early and he wanted his sister to enjoy today before the storm came.

"Announcing Ambassador Kaelen Matthew Ward and Paramour Makayla Aubree Ward," said a loud and deep voice clearly.

Kaelen paused briefly before escorting Mia down the stairs.  "Mia," he began.

"Kae and Kayla, you arrived early."  Jacob stood smiling toward both them, pumping Kae's hand as he glanced quickly around the room. He turned toward Kayla and gave her a small hug. "You look beautiful," he admired her lush figure in the form fitting cream dress.  His smile stayed in place and his eyes scanned the room again.

"Jacob,” Kayla's eyes narrowed as she watched him behave a little suspiciously.  "Who or what are you looking for?"

Jacob took Kayla's hand and placed it on his arm and started to walk her in the opposite direction he kept looking in.  "I'm not looking for anything."

Kaelen turned and looked in the direction that Jacob had been staring and he saw Lucas looking directly at him while talking to a group of women that all seemed to cling to him.  Kaelen frowned and started toward Lucas.

Kaelen scowled and he knew Lucas saw it. Sure enough minutes later he came over, separated Kaelen from the people he was conversing with and stopped him before he could start.

"Let's talk on the balcony.  It would be best not to cause a scene."

Kaelen glared at Lucas but turned toward the balcony. Once out there he stared at the gardens not saying a word.

"Why do you and Kayla do that," asked Lucas hoping that the question would lighten the mood.

********

Kayla was walking with Jacob when she felt the connection being made.  "Jacob can we sit down, please."  Kayla smiled sweetly at Jacob. She felt a wave of dizziness assault her as Kaelen formed the link.

“Sure” Jacob drawled frowning slightly as he noticed her forehead was clammy.  He led her to the dais and sat her down in the seat that would have been to the left of Lucas.  She frowned when she saw that he sat next to her on her left instead of in the seat that was to the right of Lucas.

Jacob stood abruptly, "I'm going to find you a glass of water. You really don't look good."

Smiling Kayla nodded and stared toward the array of people.

*******

"Kae, I know you are upset."

Kaelen's bark of laughter cut him off, "I'm not angry. I knew it had to happen but the way you did it was so underhanded that I doubt Mia will ever understand or forgive you."

Lucas turned to see Jacob making his way toward them and his smile was dripping a deadly poison that kept everyone away.

He ran his hand through his hair and sighed, "I have responsibilities and it was time for me to embrace them."

Kaelen laughed humorlessly, "Do you really believe she's going to give a damn about your responsibilities?  You lied to her." Shaking his head he looked at him and smirked. "I will not be assisting you in making this right.

Jacob stepped onto the balcony as the last words were stated; before he headed back into the reception area.  He hurried away from that conversation as if Hades himself was on his heel.

Lucas sighed and said angrily, "Kayla is mine! If she has any issues with what I do she needs to remember her place."

Kaelen looked at Lucas and scoffed, "If you think saying that will fix what you've done you know nothing about Mia.  If I were you I'd sleep from now to eternity with one eye open."  With those words he turned on his heel and walked away.

*******

Kayla frowned as she viewed the exchange through her brother's eyes; she had no idea what they were talking about but she knew Lucas had done something Kae didn't think she'd like.

Lucas came directly to the table Kayla was sitting at. "Kayla," he said holding his hand out to her. When she took it without hesitation he smiled and pulled her up.  "I missed you," he said as he led her to the middle of the room.

Lucas walked to the center of the room and kissed Kayla.  Shocked gasps and murmuring started, it was low initially and then grew louder.  Kayla smiled up at Lucas gently as he reaffirmed that she was the thing he held dear.

Lucas watched Kaelen start toward them just as a woman with vibrant, strawberry-blonde hair walked up to them glaring at Lucas.   Kaelen grabbed Kayla be the arm and pulled her toward him while Jacob stood behind him with a small frown.  Kayla glanced quickly at everyone, not completely understanding what was going on.

The lady with a form fitting gold dress gazed from Lucas to Kayla. She didn’t try to hide the smirk on her face. "Paramour Ward," she said in mocking tones.  "It is a pleasure to meet you-"

Lucas stared at her angrily and growled, "Not right now Patricia.  This can be done later."

Patricia smiled wickedly as she continued, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you.  I am Patricia Sinclair-"

Lucas glared down at the 5'7 Ah'Tarian and growled, "Go away, Patricia."

Her smile never slipped as she held a manicured hand out to Kayla.  "I am Patricia Sinclair, Lucas's bride."

Kayla stared dubiously at the strange woman, "I'm sorry I must have misunderstood you," she said softly.

Her laughter rang in the large room as she pinned Kayla with a stare full of disdain, “I am Patricia Sinclair, Lucas's wife of three weeks."

Kayla shook; her anger was palpable.  Turning toward Lucas a tear rolled down her cheek and she saw everything click into place.  With a watery smile she looked at him her voice low and filled with heartache.  "You got married while I was visiting my family on Nah'Bye."

Lucas could see that people were starting to become curious and stared coldly ahead of him, "I did."

Nodding as more tears slid down her face she said, "And you thought I would be ok with this? My heart is breaking right now," whispered Kayla only for him to hear.

Patricia laid her hand possessively on Lucas's arm and smiled maliciously at Kayla, Kaelen and Jacob.  Jacob cocked an eyebrow and smirked when she paled under his scrutiny.

Lucas tried to remain calm as he felt Patricia's hand on his arm.  He wanted to shake it off and comfort Kayla but he knew that doing so would only cause more unnecessary attention and gossip. He had publicly shown whom he favored but he wouldn't do anything else unnecessary that would embarrass his family.

"You are my paramour, you are ok with whatever I tell you to be ok with."  Lucas said the words coldly and knowing as he spoke them that he was making a mistake, but he refused to let Kayla or anyone know that.

With a smile dripping with acid, Kayla stared from him to his bride; "Congratulations on your joining."  She turned and looked up at her brother, "Kae and I will be leaving now because I don't feel well."

Lucas frowned and took a step toward her and watched as she cocked an eyebrow at him daring him to come near her.  He ignored the warning and placed a hand on her forehead and felt the warmth radiating from her body.

Kayla flinched away from his hands and without conscious thought she slapped him across the face so hard it resounded throughout the reception area.  All conversation ceased and all eyes turned toward them.  Kayla stared at her hand, "I'm appalled I even touched you," she whispered before turning and leaving with Kaelen.

Lucas stared down at the floor feeling his anger grow with every second.  Glaring at Patricia's satisfied face he removed her hand from his sleeve and growled with a fake smile, "I'm not sure what you thought you were achieving but this did not endear you to me."

Lucas didn't say a word as he and Jacob left; they stayed in amicable silence as they strode to the palace.

"Do you think she went to her rooms at the palace?"  Lucas stared at where her rooms were and sighed.  "Did I mess up, Jacob?"

"Do not attempt to bring me into this debacle . I don't know," he shrugged to emphasize his point. "I am sure that she loves you and will forgive you."

Lucas looked to Jacob and asked, "She has no choice but to forgive me or spend the rest of her days unhappy."

Jacob sighed as he turned to leave, "Are you sure she would be the one unhappy?"

Lucas watched Jacob leave frowning as he thought about how he’d deal with his angry paramour and vicious wife.  Walking into the palace he went to her rooms and found the doors locked. When he tried to enter with magic he found that she'd placed a repelling crystal that he didn't feel like shattering in his current mood.  Going to his rooms he plopped into his bed, pulled a pillow over his head and screamed in frustration.