Chapter Nineteen

edited by rdiall

Kayla stood outside Kaelen's dorm roomand wondered why he wanted to see her so late at night.  For the past two days he’d avoided her which was weird.  After the sparring match they'd had drinks and then nothing.  She pressed the doorbell and was startled when the door opened and another person stood there.

Staring at his shocked face she smiled politely.  The man's dark blue eyes seemed to avert from hers and he ran a hand through golden colored hair.  Sighing he stepped back to allow her to enter the room.

"Kae," stated Kayla wearily as she entered. The atmosphere in the room seemed very intense and she didn't like it. "Did I come at a bad time?"

Kae shook his head,lost in his thought as he replayed everything that happened in the last two days.

Kaelen went to answer his door believing it was going to be Kayla.  They hadn't spoken in two days and he really needed to talk to her about his and the family's good fortune. After the sparring match and drinks he'd arrived at his room to find a royal steward waiting at his door with a missive that displayed the Sinclair seal.

Once he accepted it he entered his room and threw it on his light brown desk.  It was only later after his nightly shower when he remembered it. After he removed the seal he perused the missive and his heart stopped in his chest.

The missive decreed that with the Nah'Byian counsel's permission he was being appointed the first ambassador to Ah'Taria.  It held his pay rate and where he'd stay once he arrived there.  He flipped the parchment over again to make sure it actually had the royal seal on it.  Smiling he placed the letter back on his desk as he thought about the honor and wealth this position would bestow on his family.

The next day he dialed his father and stepmother to tell them the good news, his father already knew but was happy he'd called.  At that time he couldn't believe he had a bad feeling when the king and queen of the Alliance were looking at him and Mia.  They had bestowed an honor on him and his family that would be talked about for centuries.

He'd been so excited but his father had told him not to mention it to Mia, since she was not going to like the thought of being separated from him so soon again he'd said.  When he'd told Lucas and Jacob they both had seemed genuinely surprised and excited at the prospect of them being able to bar hop around Ah'Taria.  After two days of keeping his good fortune to himself he decided he'd have to tell Mia before she heard it from  someone else.

He'd sent a communication to her asking her to visit him in his dorm room after she'd finished her last class.  When the buzzer rang he immediately assumed it was her. Smiling as he answered the door he was shocked when he saw that it was the King Isaiah and Queen Celeste standing at his door.  Stepping aside he bowed slightly as they both walked into his room.

"I was very pleased when you accepted the position as dignitary of your people," said Isaiah as he moved into the room.  He glanced around the sparse room and placed his hand on the back of a brown chair indicating that Celeste should sit down.

"Yes," Celeste’s voice rang out beautifully.  "Your friendship with Lucas and Jacob will definitely make the transition to Ah'Taria easy for you."

Kaelen nodded his agreement with a tight smile.  The feeling of uneasiness returned as he stared from one to the other.  They both looked as if they had something important to say but were trying to figure out the best way to approach it.

"I believe you want to discuss something with me aside from my recent appointment," he spoke in a clear manner that seemed to shock both of them.

With a laugh, Isaiah said, "Lucas and Jacob said you were very perceptive."  He was clearly impressed. He sighed and looked down at his wife before continuing, "Your sister...."

He arched an eyebrow and  said, "Is betrothed, but what about her?"

The leader of the Alliance stood frozen as he digested what was just said to him. Queen Celeste seemed to recover more quickly from her shock.  She said softly but inquisitively, "She's betrothed?  How long has she been betrothed?"

Kaelen tilted his head to the side, curious why they would want to talk to him about Mia at this hour.  "She's been engaged since she was born.  Our mother, who passed away, and our father set it up with a respected herbalist and his wife."

Queen Celeste smiled stiffly as she continued, "What was the betrothal agreement?"

Still not fully understanding why they were asking him this he shrugged, "I believe that the families agreed to 1500 royals at the signing.  At the time my father had needed to do repairs to the house. Our crops were poor that year and we were in dire need of the funds."

Relaxing a little bit she directed a questioning stare to her husband.  "Did your family receive anything else from the deal," asked King Isaiah.

The sick feeling in the pit of his stomach was starting to grow as he stared at them. Without needing any further information he believed he knew what was going on, "Mia would not make a good paramour, Your Highness..  Though my family is..." he stopped when he heard them both laughing softly.

"No you are mistaken," laughed Isaiah.  He sobered quickly and said, "We want Makayla to become Lucas's paramour."

The silence that came after was deafening as Kaelen stared at them as if they had both lost their minds. Choosing his words carefully he said, "Mia would not be happy in that position," he said as he shook his head.  "She wants a family, a husband and children, so she would definitely decline."

Celeste nodded in understanding as she said, "Lucas is fickle and we aren't sure if he will be happy with Makayla as his paramour."  Continuing she said, "As I'm sure you are aware, this is his father's and my idea.  If he rejects her..."

Cutting her off Kaelen frowned and stated coldly, "Why would he not want her?" before he sighed and rolled his eyes, "The paramour role itself is a lifelong position, she will never be able to marry someone else.  But if she takes this position she would be made the paramour of an Ah'Tarian so she will never have children.  I do not think she will accept this role. Again she wants to be a wife and mother."

Queen Celeste shifted uncomfortably under his penetrating gaze then looked up at her husband waiting to see what he would say.  Lucas had made it clear that if Makayla Ward was not made his paramour that he would make the universe shudder with his displeasure.  She couldn't believe how selfish he was, and knew as his mother she was to blame for it.

"Lucas cannot marry her or breed with her but I'm sure they can still be happy," said King Isaiah.

Taken aback by this Kaelen said slowly, "They can be happy?  Is Lucas never going to marry and produce an heir?"  When they both looked shocked at his question he continued, "If Kayla is being denied this, but Lucas is not, how do you believe she will be happy?"

The king stared at the young man and had to admit he was making very good and logical points.  He realized there was no sense in trying to sugar coat the situation anymore and said with an air of finality, "She will be Lucas's paramour, we will pay whatever the breach of contract fee is.  With you being a dignitary and her the prince's first paramour your family is being honored more than any in history."

Kaelen knew the conversation was over as soon as those words were spoken.  But he wanted to make sure he understood, "Are you asking Kayla to be his paramour or telling her she will be his paramour?"

Celeste took a deep breath. “There are years of tradition and honor that being a wealthy and powerful man's paramour should bring. Makayla should be honored to be offered the role of the prince's paramour. Frankly I’m tired of it being treated as if it were a burden.  We’re Ah’Tarians. She coldly stared with finality, "You are the ambassador of Nah'Bye, Kaylen Ward.  Understand this clearly, for the sake of your people and your family; convince your sister that being Lucas's paramour is what she wants."  She stood and continued, "She is to come to Ah'Taria willingly ..."

King Isaiah cut her off, "She is to come to Ah'Taria willingly or we will find out just how good that barrier is after all these years."  Returning the frosty stare that Kaelen was giving them he continued, "I would hate for your first assignment as an ambassador to be met with failure.  A failure that will result in the end of peaceful talks"

Kaelen nodded and said sarcastically, "So my first job is to make my sister happy with giving up on her dreams and to whore herself to your son?"  Smiling coldly he asked, "Is there anything else you need me to do?"

Isaiah seemed pleased that Kaelen finally seemed to understand what he was being asked to do. He remembered Lucas wanted to be innocent in this farce and added, "Make sure Lucas also agrees."  With that he walked to the door as the doorbell rang.

Looking at his little sister he knew that it would be a hard sell to convenience her to give up on her dreams.  Smiling half-heartedly he waved her into the room.

Skipping toward her brother she looked up at him smiling brightly, "What's up?  Why did you want me to come so late at night?"

"Mia I have great news,” he began forcing enthusiasm into his voice, "I have been asked to be the ambassador for Nah'Bye."

Frowning Kayla shook her head as she thought about not being able to see her brother, "I don't understand.  How is that great news?"

Kaelen gripped both her shoulders as he continued, "It is a great honor to our family that I was selected," as he said this Kayla continued to shake her head in denial.  "You can come too," he continued in an overly cheerful voice.

This caught Kayla's attention and she stopped shaking her head at him, "How can I come with you?"  She asked this question as she prepared for him to say the whole family was coming.

Calmly he said in tones that belied his true feelings, "You will be Lucas's first paramour."

Kayla stared at her brother as if he were a simple-minded weevil bat.  She felt like someone had punched her in the stomach. Trying to shake her brother's grip she pushed at his chest, "No.  I decline.  I want to get married and have children."

Sighing he looked to the glaring figures of Lucas's parents and back to Kayla, I'm being made into the bad guy, he thought, as if I would let her think that.  I need to make her think this is a good idea without her coming to hate me.  "Kayla, the people behind you are Lucas's parents, King Isaiah and Queen Celeste, have personally requested you to be his paramour.  I believe that this is a great opportunity for you and I to both go to Ah'Taria."

Turning abruptly she looked at them both accusingly, "I refuse I want a husband and children."  She stated trying hard not to stumping her foot at both of them.  But as she stared at them she had the overwhelming feeling that they were not making a request.

Smiling from behind her he gave them both an 'I told you so look,' but quickly he removed the look from his face.  "Kayla, this is my wish also," he lied.

Kayla couldn't believe what she was hearing, her beloved brother wanted her to become Lucas's whore; she knew instinctively something wasn't right with this.  Sighing she looked her brother in the eyes and wondered what could have transpired that would make him reject a pact made between their family and that of her betrothed.  

He stared at her with all the love in the galaxy and she knew that he'd never do anything to hurt her. Closing her eyes she contemplated what would make her brother say and do this, her only conclusion was the threat of war.

"I want to talk to Lucas before I agree to this," was her final response.  Celeste and Isaiah almost burst with relief as she said this.  They were confident that Lucas would be able to get her to bend to his will, even if she didn't realized that was what he was doing.

Celeste smiled in apparent relief to Isaiah before standing and walking gracefully to the door.  She turned to see the brother and sister silently staring into each other's eyes and she knew that Kayla was a very smart young woman.  Her hands were in fist at her side as she stared with worried into her brother's eyes but stayed quiet.

"We will take our leave now," said Isaiah as and Celeste walked out of the door.

----

"Do you think he will be able to finish convincing her?" asked Celeste as they both used the hikaru no sokudo to get into their suite on the luxury transport currently docked in on Jigu.

Shrugging Isaiah looked at his wife, "I believe she has an idea what is at stake if she continues to refuse." Isaiah remembered looking into the face of the girl his son seemed Hades bent on having. He felt a wave of disgust and self loathing at what he was forcing her brother to do.  Ah’Tarians were known for being ruthless, they had killed billions before, during and after the Bloody Wars. Their need to conquer ran deep but the one thing they had never done was force someone to be their bedmate or paramour.  He'd learned recently that Lucas was willing to do whatever it took to force his will on this girl.

"What is at stake if she refuses?" said an ominous voice.

Celeste turned and smiled at her son, "You know we hate when you do that."  She hugged him tightly and kissed him on both cheeks.  "How long have you been waiting?"

Isaiah walked to the wet bar to pour himself a drink as his wife beamed at Lucas.  He sipped the strong drink and  asked, "Would you really destroy Nah'Bye to have her, Lucas?"

Pulling from his mother's grasp he smirked at his father, "I would destroy everything she holds dear to have her."

With a shake of his head he took another sip, "You definitely got that from your mother's side of the family."

Lucas laughed and shook his head, "I vaguely remember the stories of how you exiled a friend for mother's hand in marriage."

His father poured another glass,"But I didn't destroy a planet to have her."

Lucas sipped the drink as he thought about what his father said.  Shrugging he looked out the window not concerned with what he had to do to have Makayla Ward by his side.

"Lucas," said his mother as she stared at his handsome profile, "she said she wanted to speak with you before she accepted this."

Lucas gulped down the remainder of the alcohol and smiled, "I will convince her I am as much a victim as she is."  With that he stepped back to his dorm room to prepare for tomorrow.

"Isaiah," she smiled, "If he wasn't our son I would fear him."

Isaiah nodded in agreement as they both walked toward the bathroom to prepare for bed.

----

Kayla stood with her brother in his dorm room and they both stared at each other in silence.  When the door slid closed they  both waited several more minutes until the suppressed power levels were no longer within range.

"Kae?" stated Kayla as she watched varying expression flicker across his face.

"Mia, I know you don't understand but I can assure you I will always be there for you," he stated wearily.

"I don't understand," she began.

"They will pay any royals needed to break your betrothal," he whispered.  His words were choking in his throat as he tried to reassure her.

"I still don't understand," she continued.

Kaelen stared at his sister, "They want you to be his paramour and if you refuse the consequences will be felt all the way to Nah'Bye."

"I understand that. What I don't understand is why I am being chosen."  She snapped.

He knew why she had been chosen but he dared not voice it to her.  There was nothing but misery if she knew Lucas was the real reason her world was crumbling.  He'd known from the beginning Lucas wanted his sister but he had no idea he wanted her this much.  As he listened to them, he knew Lucas was behind the threat of war as soon as Celeste and Isaiah said it.  Lucas was willing to take on the barrier that protected Nah'Bye and Kaelen knew he was strong enough to rip through it.

Kaelen tugged his ear as he stared past Kayla.   "Talk to Lucas about this tomorrow. The semester doesn't end for a few more weeks.  Maybe he can talk his parents out of their decision."  He felt bad as he uttered the lie to her but knew this was for the best.  He wasn't just protecting her, he was protecting everyone.

Kayla smiled at her brother then nodded, "You're right!  I'll discuss this with Lucas tomorrow and see if we can change his parents’ mind."  As she said thisher smile slipped.

Kaelen stared at his sister as she seemed to be lost in some type of memory. He gently pushed himself in her mind and frowned at the blocks he saw there. But he  decided he wasn't going to investigate.  He could see the shadow of a memory she was having. What he saw gave him pause but he strengthened the block because nothing good could come of her remembering.

As swiftly as he entered her mind he retreated, "Are you ok," he asked knowing her answer would either be a lie or half-truth.

She snapped her head up  from her memory and smiled at him, "I'm fine.  Just got caught up in a daydream."

He smiled and ruffled her tight curls while  he laughed humorlessly, "Yeah a daydream."

Kaelen walked Kayla to her dormbefore walking to Lucas and Jacob's suite. Once there he pressed the doorbell.  Lucas opened the door and stared at him blankly.  Kaelen pushed passed him as he walked into the room.

Without pausing he said, "Why did you do that to her?"

Lucas turned and look quizzically at Kaelen, "Do what?  What did she say?"

Kaelen watched as Jacob came out of his room in time to hear Lucas's question. He then watched him quickly turn around and walk back into his room.  Kaelen frowned deeper. Clearly he knew that he wanted no involvement in this conversation.

Shaking his head he looked at Lucas with a pained expression, "Am I your friend Lucas?"

Lucas was taken aback by this question, "Yes." He responded automatically without thought as he stared at Kaelen.

He tilted his head at Lucas and asked, "Would you really destroy Nah'Bye to have Mia?"

Without pause Lucas smirked, "Yeah."

Kaelen massaged his now aching temple, "Do you love my sister?"

Lucas stared at Kaelen as he was unable to answer that question.  Finally with a shrug he said, "I don't know but I want her.  Are you going to tell Kayla?"

Kaelen stared into the amused eyes of Lucas.  Above everything, he wanted to tell his sister Lucas was evil personified. But he knew that wouldn't help this situation.  With a breath of resolve he realized  he needed to make sure he protected his sister, "No," he drawled smoothly, "Why would I do that?"

It was at that moment Kaelen knew his best option was to stay quietand pretend he was fine with the events that were transpiring and stay by Mia's side.  Lucas didn't know he'd felt the blocks, the memory changes and suppressions; to Lucas' knowledge he only knew about him wanting Kayla on Ah'Taria.

Smiling too warmly he said as he turned to leave, "You need to finish convincing her tomorrow if you want her to go willingly.  I can only do so much." With that he left for his room with a jaunty wave.  

In his room he touched the twin stones that rested around his neck; he prayed to his mother that he had the strength necessary to protect Kayla and himself.   He heaved a deep sigh and laid down but sleep eluded him that night.