Epilogue
Palace Ballroom

Kayla walked into the crowded ballroom blinded by the beauty of the room.  Celeste and Isaiah rarely had balls and this was the first time she'd seen the breathtaking room.

The sounds of those gathered had drowned out Jacob's finally words and she could feel the stares from everyone in the room as she walked in with Kaelen and Jacob.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!  Announcing the arrival of Lord Jacob Kevin Lawson and Ambassador Kaelen Matthew Ward."

Kayla frowned slightly when she wasn't announced, "Jacob, the annou-"

"Kayla you have finally arrived," Lucas stood behind her seeming to have been waiting for her.

Turning toward Lucas she frowned as she looked around the landing, "Where are the children?"

Lucas chuckled as he swept his hands behind him, "They were waiting with my parents in that alcove over there."

Kayla walked toward the alcove as he led her by rubbing his fingers into the small of her back, "Where is Patricia?"

Lucas shrugged, "Why would I know that?"

Kayla frowned at his answer but quickly became distracted as she walked toward Celeste who was coming out from behind green curtains with Sapphire.

"I believe it is now time for us to arrive," said Isaiah as he walked out holding Layette's small hand.

Lucas winked toward Lucca and held his hand toward him.  Lucca laughed and ran to take Lucas's hand as he waved toward Kayla, "Momma we're going to a party."

Kayla smiled as Lucca grabbed her other hand, "Yes we are but I don't believe I'm supposed to enter with you."

Lucas hid a smile, "It's fine."  As he waved to the announcer he winked toward Kayla, "We'll go down together as a family."

Kayla nodded as she looked toward Lucca, "I guess we are going to a party."

As they strolled to the landing as a small group the announcer began to speak to the large group of people:

Ladies and Gentlemen, your host His Highness Isaiah Sinclair and his lovely wife Queen Celeste along with their son His Grace Lucas Sinclair and his wife Makayla are pleased to welcome you to the introduction of their children.  You have already welcomed Sapphire Mia Sinclair now please welcome heir apparent Lucca Sebastian Sinclair and his sister Layette Delilah Sinclair.

Jacob nodded toward people as he walked through large ballroom, grabbing a glass of champagne he turned to Kaelen, "Were you surprised."

Kaelen chuckled as he waved away the champagne for a glass of juice, "No I knew he'd marry her sooner or later."

Jacob sipped his champagne as he glanced around the room, smiling to himself when he saw someone that he hadn't seen in years.  "Kaelen can you excuse me for a few moments."

Kaelen nodded as he watched Jacob walk toward a group of Mizu diplomats and their families. Shrugging he waved toward his father and Jael Quin before joining them.

Jacob walked toward the group swirling his champagne in the crystal glass.  As he came toward the group he smiled when he saw one of the woman in the purple dress stiffen at his approach.  As he walked closer he could smell her fresh and tantalizing scent, he could also smell the slight undertones of fear she was starting to feel as she tried not to turn around.

"Hello," drawled Jacob as he stepped into the group.

Arturo Talisman turned to greet the newcomer to his small group and smiled brightly when he realized who was gracing them with their presence.  "My lord Jacob we are honored that you would stop to speak to us."

Jacob rocked on his heels as his light yellowish brown eye surveyed the low-level politicians that made up the small circle.  Giving them a honey smile he sipped his champagne, "I didn't know my name set me above speaking to everyone."

Arturo stared at the young man gleefully, "My lord allow me to introduce you."  At Jacob's nod he happily pointed to each person in the group. "This is Simon Wan and his lovely wife Jillian, Thomas Zale and his wife Candice, Morris Almond and his paramour Jackie and this lovely lady is my wife Ebony."

Jacob smirked as he looked into the troubled eyes of Ebony and drawled slow, "Ebony and I attended The Academy together."

Arturo looked from his wife's still form to the shining eyes of Jacob and smiled as he saw his means to further his ambitions.  "My lord should I leave you to catch up with Ebony."  As he said the words he nudged his wife toward Jacob, "Why don't you stroll the gardens and catch up."

Ebony stared from her husband to Jacob and gulped as she realized that declining would cause further strife in her marriage.  Trying to smile she looked at Jacob, "I would be happy to."

Jacob smiled as she rested her hand on his arm, "Shall I show you the rose gardens."  Not waiting for Ebony's response he started toward the gardens.  As they strolled out the double doors he could feel the urge to crush her start to claw at him.  Pasting on a smile he turned to stare at her, "You know you should really try to do something about that."

Ebony looked down at her shaking hand before looking up at him, "About what."

Jacob placed his other hand on top of her shaking hand, "That fear you seem to have of me."

Ebony turned away to stare at a pink rose and tried to laugh, "I don't know why you would say such a thing.  You've never done anything that I can remember to make me fear you."

Jacob stopped to stare at her as a breeze blew strands of her black hair into her face, "Your husband plans to use you for his own gains."

Ebony nodded sadly as she glanced at him from beneath her lashes, "Why would you care."

Jacob shrugged as he looked over her shoulder to see her husband watching them eagerly, "I don't care."  Smirking he gazed at her, "But tell me what would you do to secure the position your husband wants here on Ah'Taria?"

Ebony turned from looking at the flower to look at him, "He is only my husband because my relatives decided that they wanted my father's homes and couldn't get them until I was either dead or married."  Sadly she crushed the rose's head in her hand, "I wish I'd chosen death over marrying him."

Jacob could smell her blood as she pulled her hand back from the rose. "Ebony," he whispered, "I can make yours or his dream come true."  Pulling her into a dark corner of the gardens he drawled, "Do you wish to help him gain status or die?"

Ebony pushed away and stared into his eyes and gasped as the light brown started to swirl and turn gold.  Shaking her head she put her bloodied hand up to him, "I can't - I don't want to die."

Jacob smirked as he stepped closure to her snatching her hand, "Oh you can definitely die." Pulling her hand toward him he licked the blood from her hand.

Snatching her hand away she turned to leave when she felt his breath on her neck, "Don't try to run."

Nodding her head in understanding she stayed still.  I refuse to be chased by him, why are the Ah'Tarians so many Ah'Tarians like predators....monster!  "I don't want to help him achieve his goals if it will cost me what I think you want."

Jacob chuckled as he placed his hands on her shoulders, "What exactly do you think I want?"

Shivering as she felt his fingers massage her shoulders she thanked the goddess she'd not worn the strapless gown Arturo had wanted her to wear.  "I'm sure it's not what I want."

Jacob pulled her back pressing her against him before drawling, "You're right Ebony. I want to break you into pieces and put you back together so I can do it again."

Ebony tried to suppress a shiver of fear that his words caused but failed.  Trying to pull away from his grip she felt his hot breath on her neck as he mocked, "Your husband is so power hungry you know he'd give you to me in a heartbeat.

Ebony stopped struggling as she tried to turn and look at him, "I'd rather you not request that."

Jacob released her and shrugged, "I have no wish to ask a man for something I can easily take."

Ebony turned to stare at him, He's just as scary as he was in school. "I should find Kayla to congratulate her."

Jacob smiled, "I'll escort you."

Holding his arm out to her he smiled when her small hands clenched his jacket's sleeve as they walked from the dark corner of the garden.  Waving toward her husband his smile grew as he read his mind.  You hope I take her as a paramour so that you can use her position as a way to solidify yours.  Shaking his head at the man's foolish thoughts he guided Ebony toward the happy family.

As they approached Kayla, Lucas, and Kaelen, Jacob watched Ebony's smile brighten.  

"Kayla," said Ebony happily as she walked up to her.

"You received my invitation," asked Kayla as she walked away from Lucas and Kaelen.

Ebony nodded and gushed truthfully, "I was truly surprised when you were announced as Lucas's wife.  I can't express my congratulations enough!"  Looking around she smiled, "Where are these twins I've heard so much about."

Kayla laughed and pulled Ebony toward the alcove that housed the children, "I'll take you to meet them.  Sapphire is more precious than anything and Lucca and Layette love her more than words.  Lucca and Layette are little pranksters," as they walked away she began telling Ebony about the pranks they had played on Lucas.

Lucas watched Kayla walk away and turned to smirk at Jacob as he watched Ebony, "You seem to be transfixed by Ebony."

Jacob smiled dripped honey as he said coldly, "I doubt that."

Kaelen frowned as he watched them walk away remembering Ebony from Mia's memories, "Didn't you almost kill her."

Jacob shrugged as he looked around for a server, "I can't remember."

Lucas laughed, "I'm sure you can.  She's the only girl you've ever drank from more than once."

Kaelen cocked a brow at them, "Why do you both say that as if it were important? While in the outlands I drank from the same two women the whole time."

Lucas laughed as a waiter appeared and gave them all drinks.  Taking a slow sip Lucas watched Jacob down his.  "Kae, were you satisfied drinking from those two women."  When Kaelen pondered the question and shook his head, Lucas continued, "I never thought I'd find one woman that would make me want her so much that I'd only want to drink from her."

Jacob waved toward the server for another glass, "And how do you feel when you drink from her."

Lucas smiled, "Don't scoff Jacob.  When I first saw her I wanted to break her into little pieces and put her back together so I could do it again."

Jacob sipped his champagne staring at Lucas with an eyebrow raised, "And do you still feel like that?"

Kaelen stared at them with a look of awe, "Wow!  You both are like two boys pulling on the ponytails of the girls you like and running away."

Jacob coughed on his champagne, "I'm like a boy that pulls on a girl's ponytail?"

Kaelen grabbed a juice from a server as he nodded, "Yes!  On Nah'Bye little boys that like little girls sometimes bully them."  Laughing he stared at the looks of disbelief on their faces, "It's true ask anybody!"

Jacob turned to stare at Ebony who was talking to Sapphire, "So I'm pulling on her ponytail." Turning back to Kaelen and Lucas he asked seriously, "How do I stop doing that?"

Lucas choked on his champagne, "I'd just try to control the impulse to drink her dry first."

Kaelen nodded as he sipped on his juice, "That's a good place to start.  Oh and try not to tell her you want to tear her to pieces; I'm fairly sure she'll find that scary."

Jacob nodded as he noted to himself he needed to wipe her memory before the end of the ball.

**************Check out Jacob and Ebony's Book The Academy - Book Two ************