Chapter Twenty Four

Seven Days Have Passed

"Kayla, you should have something to eat."  Acadia looked down at the tupig she'd made before coming to visit.  "Jacob told me how much you like these," she added picking up a sweet coconut and rice treat.

"No, thank you." Replied Kayla, softly, as she once again gazed out the windows of her suite.  Everyday she'd sit for hours without eating or drinking. Instead she’d just stare out the windows. Sometimes she'd sigh longingly but most of the time her eyes would just tear up as a faraway look entered her eyes.

Celeste sighed in frustration as she looked at the pitiful girl in front of her.  Lucas and Jacob were busy following up on the attempted murder of Kayla and were not expected back until the threat was eliminated.

"You need to eat," she said sharply.  Kayla had lost weight since the attack and was starting to look sallow.

"Celeste you shouldn't speak to her like that," Acadia gave her a reprimanding look as she glanced back down at the treats she knew wouldn't be eaten.

Celeste stood up and pouted as she looked at the girl on the bed, "I cannot understand why she is like this."

Acadia furrowed her brow then glanced with worried eyes toward Kayla. She was relieved to see she was once again gazing out the window.  Quietly she stated, "Both you, and Isaiah, need to understand that she is not an Ah'Tarian or a woman raised under the rule of the Alliance.  Her customs are different, their beliefs are different."

Bitingly, Celeste growled, "She is Lucas's paramour and needs to resume her role.  Her display of weakness is an affront to the Sinclair name."

Acadia looked aghast at what she'd heard from Celeste’s lips, standing she grabbed Celeste’s arm and pulled her toward the door.  With her eyes flashing she asked “Have you spoken to Lucas about what you are saying, Celeste?"  Her eyebrows rose as the other lady glared defiantly at her.  “I’ll take that as a no.”

"I am his mother and know what is best for him."

With a biting laugh Acadia’s gaze crackled with anger, "Do you have his best interest in mind, Celeste?  Do you really think he'd be happy with the words you are saying?"

Celeste frowned at Acadia as she gazed back to Kayla. "She needs to resume her role or be replaced."

Acadia smirked at her as she cocked her eyebrow, "You truly act like you were born a Sinclair.  I guess having to compete against 15 women for your husband's affection has purged you of any emotions you've ever possessed."

Celeste frowned at her words.  "Is what I am saying inaccurate?  Will Isaiah not start the search for a new paramour or even a wife for Lucas if she doesn't resume her role?"

Acadia smiled wickedly, "Are you implying that Isaiah has plans to wed Lucas?"

Celeste stared at Acadia with feelings of jealousy as she thought of her marriage. Her marriage that consisted of no paramours or lovers, it was unheard of to be so devoted to one person.  Acadia born and raised a Lawson didn't understand her position as being a wife of a Sinclair.  Shrugging offhandedly, "It is too soon to see."  With that she walked back into the room and sat back down at Kayla's bed side.  “Isaiah would be furious if he learned you said something so ridiculous  as Lucas being married.”

Acadia’s eyes twinkled. She knew Celeste had said something she shouldn't have.  Acadia smiled ever so slightly and joined her in sitting next to the unresponsive Kayla.  Celeste you act like an emotionless Sinclair but you still have a long way before you think like one.

-----

Lucas stared disinterested at the scene before him.

Jacob was questioning the remaining Saxon's at their compound on Noxin.

"We can do this the easy way or we can do this in the way that kills you painfully.  I don't care how we do this, but I'd rather start sooner than later;” said Jacob, with a voice smooth as silk as he paced in front of the four men and three women.

"What of our children?" cried one of the women.  She was middle aged with yellow and purple hair. Lucas ignored the question as the fates of the children in question rested on what happened here and now.  

Jacob calmly replied, "This, too, is simple.  Tell us what we want to know and they might not lose their lives."

The woman that asked about the children began to sob, "I know nothing of a plot, my lord."  She fell to her knees then cried and groveled at Jacob's feet.

Kneeling down he raised the woman's face up and smiled almost cruelly, "Really?  Shall we see what you know?"  With that he pushed himself into the woman's mind prodding her every memory and thought.  When he was done he released her and she fell to the floor.   Blood flowed out of her mouth and nose as he'd broken her mind when he learned what she knew.

"Well," asked Lucas as he pushed himself off the wall.

With a smirk Jacob looked at the woman; "She knew of her husband's treachery but failed to alert the Alliance.  She didn't know the names of who else were involved."

"Did you kill her," cried a younger woman, with light purple hair, looking terrified as her eyes moved from him to the lifeless body.

"Do you wish to die with her or tell me what you know?" Drawled Jacob in his honey tones,as he reached toward her and gripped her face.

"I really don't know anything," she stated with a trembling voice.

Jacob clutched her chin and lifted her face so their eyes met.  Probing her mind he saw she spoke the truth.   Smiling he released her.  ."Lucky for you.”

She dropped to her knees then bowed to Jacob so low her head nearly pressed against the tiles of the floor. She stayed in that position as Jacob went to the last female.

"Tell me what you know?" He asked.

The lady glared at Jacob, "I will tell you nothing," she spat.

Jacob stared amused at the old woman with a half smile as he asked, "Are you sure you don't wish to tell me?  The lives of the children in the other room depend on what happens here."

The gray-haired woman's hands were neatly folded in her dress as she sat before him on a chair. He was momentarily shocked when she brandished a silver dagger and tried to plunge it into his heart. Grabbing her frail wrist he heard the bones snap as she wailed in pain.  He snatched the knife from her limp fingers then plunged it into her forehead.  Her dead body fell to the floor. Without a backwards glance, he proceeded to the first male,  a youngman. He was no older than 17.

"Tell me what you know?"  

The boy looked at Jacob with his eyes rounded in fear; he glanced behind him to the quiet Lucas and started to shake uncontrollably.  Jacob watched him as he looked at the floor where, his mother and grandmother lay dead while his cousin bowed to the rule of the Ah'Tarians.  

"Please spare the children. My cousin and I are innocent," he said slowly with a  voice trembling in fear; "my only sin to the Alliance is not being smart enough to know that my relatives were fools."  Glancing with blazing eyes toward the other three men he continued, "I knew we had a lot of visitors but I was never included.  I thought they were just having guests come to our home and I was too young and immature to be included.  However, I wrote down the names of every person my parents and relatives have dined and met with in the last four months at our home."  Holding out his left hand, he used his right to reach into his pocket and pull out his hand held device.  Pressing a few keys it unlocked.

Jacob smiled to himself as he cocked an eyebrow at the young man. He took the device from the shaking hands of the boy and glanced down at the names.  He knew the boy was praying that this information would save his life and he was right.  

"Good job, Adam."  He said before swinging his eyes to the other three men.  In unison all their heads twisted viciously making a horrid snapping noise before their lifeless bodies fell to the floor.  Jacob chuckled and glanced back at Lucas, who'd just broken their necks thenhe handed Lucas the device.  

Lucas smiled politely at the boy and his cousin, "The young ones are in the other room." With that he turned on his heels and exited the house.

"Shall we let the survivors keep what remains of the Saxon stronghold and the royals?" asked Jacob as he watched Lucas stare at the name of those who would be questioned next.

Lucas glanced back at the house, "No.  Have them relocated to the Academy on Rax.  Their family name is no longer to be Saxon. Have it changed so they do not have to live with the shame of those stupid enough to go against the Alliance.  The royals the Saxon family held will be used to finance their training toward their new lives."

Jacob nodded his head as they walked to their transporter knowing he would just relay this information to someone else to handle.

----

Jacob was removing his shirt that was caked in blood when the doorbell to his quarters rang.  Without a care he answered them shirtless.

"M-My Lord," the woman said while staring at him with a look of adoration. This  was one of the newest members of his and Lucas's detail.  She stood 5'6 with red hair, dark brown eyes, mocha skin and a willowy figure that was able to fill out her uniform well.

"What?" Jacob asked staring at her with eyes filled with impatience.  He wanted to take a shower and eat dinner and she was interrupting his plans.

Remembering herself the woman gulped, "I’m Cassie. I was told to report to your quarters."

He stared at her wondering who'd pranked her.  Smiling widely at her and he tried to wait patiently as she retrieved a small cube and took an image of him.  He shook his head as he smirked, "Did you need anything else, Cassie."

She stared at him as if he was a god and he couldn't help but want to be nice to her.  He wondered briefly why Ebony never stared at him like that.  Mentally shrugging he waited to see if she wanted anything else.

"Um, my lord..." she began blushing, "if I could have a lock of your hair or something I know I would be the envy of the all the women on the ship."

He smiled as he reached out to grab her by the back of the neck; pulling her close to him, he said in her ear, "I know something that will make them hate you."  With that he pulled her into his rooms.

-------

Lucas sighed as he watched the new member get pulled into Jacob's room, knowing that poor girl had no idea of the attention she'd get after their night together.  He looked at his hand held and submitted new orders to have her moved to a different transport effective immediately.

He ran his hands through his golden wheat colored hair and walked into his quarters.  He wanted to see Kayla again and with that thought he used the  hikaru no sokudo to get to her rooms at the palace on Nah'Bye.

He watched from the balcony as Acadia talked quietly to her while she brushed her curls. After a few more words to Kayla she smiled and left the room. Lucas stepped out from his hiding spot and walked quickly to her bedside.

She brought her weary eyes to him. "Are you here to bite me?" she asked weakly.

He rested his hand on her forehead and shook his head.  "I'm just a dream," he smiled at her as she nodded slowly.

"Yes, Lucas is on Nox or Ralox right now finding those responsible."  She touched his hand with her own and he smiled wider at her.  

"Are you hungry?" he asked.

"Yes, I am." She sat up in the bed then stared at Lucas expectantly.

"What would you like to eat?" He sat down on the bed.

Kayla stared at him knowing he was going to go all out to make her believe she was dreaming and laughed, "What do you wish me to eat?"

Lucas held out his hand and a bento box appeared.  Opening it he pulled out a piece of spicy tuna roll and popped it into her mouth.  He watched her chew every bite before offering her the peach bubble tea he knew she liked to drink.  When she'd finished her meal he made the remnants of their picnic disappear.

He held her tightly against him and heard her say, "Stop making me forget the  things that you do to me."  When he was about to deny it, she cut him off with an exhausted breath, "Don't deny it.  This isn’t a dream and you’re here to plump me up so you bite me."

He frowned as he listened to her, "I’m here to plump you up to bite you,” he repeated emotionlessly.  He turned her to face him and stared into her beautiful face.  Wiping the stray strands that had fallen on her face he sighed when she averted her eyes.  "Why do you think that, Kayla?"  When she didn’t answer but averted her eyes he said, “Do you want to remember everything we did?”

She shook her head and glanced back at him, "Does it really matter what I want?" She asked this question sincerely as she stared at him.

In response Lucas rolled her onto her back and took her lips in a bruising kiss.  "No it doesn't.” He tilted her head to the side and inserted his teeth into the side of her neck.  When she tried to flinch away he said, “Remember you said I could do this."  He dropped his head back to her neck.

Flinching, she felt a slight pain as he broke through her skin but he pulled her toward him which made her press against him. As she did a wave of pleasure tore through her body.  She moaned and ran her fingers along his neck.

At the sound of her moan he looked into her dazed eyes.  "I want you." Kayla could barely understand his words. But hoped he'd take into account that she wasn't yet ready or able to accommodate him.  Kayla said nothing. Finally with a sigh of resignation Lucas ran his hand through his hair before getting out of the bed. "Be prepared when I return."

Eyes wide Kayla nodded at him at his rare display of restraint.  Watching him pace she pressed her fingers against where his teeth had slid into her body.  Trying to suppress a shudder she pursed her lips as she realized it was a little tender.  I wonder what all he has done to me and made me forget, she thought as she stared blankly at him.

He turned and stared at her before slowly laying back in the bed.  Pulling her onto his chest he kissed the top of her head.  "What would make you better?"

She wanted to know what all he had done to her but she suppressed the urge to blurt that out for fear of his retaliation.  Shrugging she said against his chest, "I don't know."

With a hint of a smile, knowing her train of thought, he said, "Jacob and I will be back on Ah'Taria in 3 days.  At that time I will take you to the medic building for a checkup."

Kayla  nodded realizing he just wanted to get the medic's permission to resume his bedroom activities with her.  

He stared at her with serious eyes, "What are you thinking?" Kayla buried her face into his chest and shook her head. She was aware now of the reason he always wanted her to look at him.  He would make her forget or probe her mind. In a serious tone he said to her, "Eat more and if Acadia tells me your demeanor and eating has improved I'll think about a reward for you."

When she again nodded he added, "And the medic needs to assure me that you are ready to resume your responsibilities as my paramour."  Raising her head he looked into her eyes, "If I can't have what I want Kayla......you will not have what you want."

Weary at what he was saying she waited for him to continue.  "Once you are released to resume your role," he began softly, "I will take you to visit Kae."

She wanted to look away from him but he held her chin as he waited for her to respond.  Sighing she snapped, "That's fine," as she wrenched her head back from his gentle grip.

She wanted to move from his arms but she knew she couldn't.  He came to her every night to talk and eat with her; she knew he was trying to be caring. Laying her head on his chest tears filled her eyes as she thought of how being in the room with her beloved brother would make it easier for her to connect to him.  He was shrouded in a darkness that she couldn't penetrate from this distance.

As Lucas stroked her hair she felt her eyelids get heavy and started to fall asleep.  Lucas what do you really think of me, she thought before drifting to sleep..

When Lucas felt her breathing become even he gently moved her off his chest and onto a pillow. Sweeping his hand through his hair he gently touched where his teeth had punctured the apex between her neck and shoulder.  He closed his eyes and thought: Kayla, you are mine. I'll never let you go. With that he rolled out the bed and hikaru no sokudo stepped back to his rooms on the transport vessel.