“Jaq....” Edward said with a smooth voice. I only smiled up at him before moving to go around him saying nothing at all to him. HE watched me leave the area and go up the steps. I knocked on Felicia’s door.

“Come in, darling.” She said. I sighed hoping it wasn’t Edward she was hoping it was. I opened the door and her bright eyes looked over at me. She was brushing her damp hair at the vanity, in her long night gown. “Thank you, darling.” She said placing her brush down as I placed the tea on the side table.

“Your welcome Felicia.” I said when I turned her hands had suddenly grasped both of mine. Her slender finger run under my eyes taking one last tear that I had missed from my eye lash.

“Darling, why are you crying?” She asked sitting us both down on the bed. I shook my head but she kept a grip on my hands.

“Nothing.. really!” I exclaimed.

“Your in love with him aren’t you.” She said. I looked up at her eyes as she looked down at me.

“Who?”

“Edward!” She exclaimed back.

“Well....” I trailed off as she turned to pour the tea in the cup then the sugar stirring it.

“I can tell.” She said not sounding one bit put off by what she had already guessed was the truth.

“I’ve known it for a year now.” I said looking every where else then at her. “But he doesn’t love me. He’s made up his mind to find someone better to take care of Alora.”

“But it doesn’t make sense.” She said sipping her tea. “When hes got a beauty like you to take care of her and that little thing adores you like there is no tomorrow.”

“I’m the only thing she has had to consider for the job.”

“It’s not a job, deary.” She said placing the empty cup on the table. “It’s a privilege. Look,” She grabbed my hands again. “I am not a women to step on someone else feet. If you love him, go after him.”

“Doesn’t matter Felicia.” I said standing. “Please, have a good night. Breakfast will be ready at eight.” She watched me leave the room, taking more tea into her cup. I heard her sigh as I closed the door. I went back down to the kitchen. I took the other 10 cupper pot and poured the coffee in it. I took the tray with two cups, the pot, creamer and sugar into the den where both men were.

“Look Seymour, I have already told you what I thought about your fantasies.” I swallowed as I stood outside the door listening. What would he say to Edward now? I heard him laugh.

“Even if this girl was almost right under your nose.” I felt my heart skip a few beats. He wouldn’t dare? It was Edward’s turn to laugh.

“If she was right under my nose, bro. I would have been able to tell by now wouldn’t I? I mean the use of magic isn’t hard to hide.”

“Unless you don’t use it.” Seymour said. I opened the door before I could hear any more of their conversation. Both sets of eyes were on me as I entered. Seymour was the first to stand and take the tray from me. His lean hands grasping mine as he took the pot. He placed it on the table between the two couches. I avoided the look Edward was shooting his older brother as I waited for Seymour to sit. He looked up at me, patted the seat next to him. I put my hand up.

“No...”

“You’ll learn, love.” Seymour said standing then taking my up hand and taking me to the seat next to him giving me no other choice then to look at the jealous, blank expression on Edward’s face before the arm came around my shoulders. “I do not take no for an answer.” I sighed. The jealous look was replaced with one of concern on Edward’s face. I looked down at my hands now in my lap as the arm was almost protectively around my shoulder. His hand playing with the strands of hair along my shoulder. Edward poured him a cup and his brother putting creamer and sugar in his own cup handing the black coffee to Seymour.

“Let’s talk about something else.” Seymour said taking a sip of the dark brew. “Nice job, sweety.’ He said giving my shoulder a squeeze as I felt the tears lining up.

“Jaq looks rather tired, Seymour.” Edward said. The coffee cup now empty was set on the tray, lean tanned hands were on either of my cheek as he turned my face to him. I had no other choice then to look into the blue green eyes of Seymour. The lump threatening in my throat.

“Yes, you do look every bit tired. Then, we can get to know each other tomorrow. I have no intentions of leaving any time soon.” I felt the last beatings of my heart fall to my stomach. “I would enjoy if you would accompany me to my room.” He said in a low voice. I felt my cheeks give a blush.

“I can show you to your room, sir...”

“Seymour.” He corrected with the same huskiness.

“But I won’t stay.” I said my eyes shooting violet sparks at him. He seemed to ignore them as he just smiled the wicked grin.

“Very well then.” He said dropping my face. I stood as Edward nursed his my guess un wanted now coffee.

“Did you need anything else, Edward?” I asked. He shook his head. I turned and Seymour followed me. “I take it the room with the darkest colors is yours then?” I asked as he grabbed his two cases and I stood waiting for him on the steps. He grinned.

“Of course, how you already know me.” I turned on my heels and going up the steps. I opened the door, moving in as he came in.

“Good night then. Breakfast will be served....” The door was suddenly closed behind me, my back against that closed door as his hands were now next to my head on either side blocking me from moving away from the door. When I looked up his face was right there in front of mine, the grin playing on his handsome face. His black platinum hair falling forward almost tickling my chin as it was just as neatly parted as Edward’s.

“Never!” His voice was low, harsh and almost angry as he spoke. I looked down at his chest. “Would I in a million years think to come looking in my little brothers house for you.” I felt my heart that was currently in my stomach, fall even further to my knees making them weak. “You’ve been teaching Alora magic.” Then the blush continued. “The little bit that she can learn. Don’t think just because you are here, just because you share a bond with her that I won’t take you with me when I leave.”

“I am not going anywhere with you.” I said low.

“What would Edward think if he knew who you were.” He took his hand and unbuttoned the first few buttons of my blouse. I swallowed about to bring my hand up to stop him but he was quicker. He took my hands and held them above my head making my chest prop up more. His other hand still working at the buttons as he stopped right at my cleavage. The pendant was then between his fingers as he twirled it around before turning it to the birth certificate side. “Born March 3. Princess Jacqueline Leah Vanderpool. daughter of King Jared and Queen Jessybella. Home town Kilimaria, Virgoain City.” I felt the tears at the back of my eyes as yet again he twirled it around, then letting it fall between my breasts. His eyes lingered there for a moment before looking up at me. “We can do this the easy way, or the hard way. Doesn’t matter to me.”

“There is nothing that you can do that would make me go home with you.” He laughed.

“Oh, what about telling Edward who you are.” I looked up at him, fear written on my face for a brief moment, then I gave him a blank look.

“Why do you think that would matter now? He’s already trying to find a mother for Alora. I won’t be here very much longer if Felicia takes the job.”

“You are in love with him.” He said, all the anger that was there was now plain on his face. He turned around, my hands still clamped firmly in his as I was now pressed against the pole of the bed that held up the canopy. His once clear lustful blue green eyes reflected the dark green of Edward’s that showed jealousy. “Has he touched you!” He yelled. I grinned.

“Well, I’ve hugged him. Kissed his cheek. Every....” At that I was slammed harder against the bed post. I yelped slightly, the small painful sound catching in my throat creating a soft moan.

“Has he had sex with you!” The lack of answering his question was only fueling his rage. I looked up at him, violet sparks flew to those of his green jealous lustful sparks.

“I don’t see that any of your business.” I spat back at him. I moaned painfully as he lifted my arms so far above my head that I was going on tip toe as his hands tightened about my wrists.

“So help me Jaq.....” His voice low, as his face was right in front of mine. I felt the warmth of his heated angry breath. “If he has...”

“No, Seymour....” I said just as low. I was lowered slowly and took a breath. “Edward... wouldn’t even consider it.” I said saying a slight lie as the memory of the night before I left came crashing into my thoughts.

“Good.. Keep it that way.” I was placed on my feet then and he let me go, still standing in front of me though. I leaned heavily on the bed pole. “I will be the one to have your innocence.” His hand snaked around and was placed on my lower back ushering me to the door. “We will finish this later. Don’t think about running. Remember, I know how much you love Alora. How much you care for both of them.” I turned just as we had reached the door. My hand landed on his chest as he was so close.

“You wouldn’t!” I exclaimed. “They are your family.” His one hand was placed on the door frame as his other moved a piece of stray hair behind my ear.

“Never under estimate me. I do not care who gets in my way if it’s what I want, i will kill for it and you are on the top kill for list.” He opened the door. “Good night, Jaq.” I turned and walked out of the bedroom, tears threatening at my eyes as I heard him laugh as he closed the door. I stood there for a moment, calculating everything that had happened in the past hour in my head.

“Jaq...” I heard Edward. I looked heaven ward, said a little help me prayer and looked over at him. “Your shirt...” He trailed off before walking towards me. I panicked too quickly probably causing all sorts of not so true thoughts going through his head. I buttoned the buttons re-hiding my pendant.

“I unbuttoned it on the way up here. It gets hot and I haven’t sat down for a while.” He was standing right in front of me. His head tilted. I was suddenly grabbed again as he jerked me in the direction of his room. I was guessing my prayer was still on rout when he opened his door and took me in his room. The lighting was low, dim as he let my hand go. He moved more into the room as he ran his hand through his thick black hair. I waited by the door for him to say something. He was definitely not his brother. he started to unbutton his shirt, his broad back towards me. Where Seymour was easily able to hover over me, give that fear into my heart, Edward was the complete opposite. He pulled the shirt out of his pants and sat on his bed. His legs were spread, his elbows on his knees as his hands in fists were at his forehead as he bent his head, back arched to look at the floor, at his feet.

“I’m sorry, Jaq.” He said looking down at the floor. With everything that was going on so fast, so unexpected even the laugh from my lips was just as unexpected.

“Whatever for?” I asked watching him. His green eyes looked up at me as his elbows were on his knees, his hair in a disarray.

“For Seymour.” I shrugged.

“Nothing to be sorry for.” I turned to the door, placing my hand on the door knob and thought for a moment. If Seymour was really going to kill Edward in order to get to me....... “Edward...”

“Yes...” The room was silent for a moment.

“About.. about what I said.. in the kitchen earlier.”

“Yes.”

“Forget about it.” I heard the sound of the box springs as he sat full up right. “I wasn’t lying, Edward. I never lie and I am not about to start now. But, I think Felicia will make a good mother for Alora. She’s kind, generous, spirited, and you go way back. Even farther then me taking care of Alora.”

“Jaq.. I didn’t mean...”

“I know. You didn’t mean for me to fall in love with you.” I gave him a small smile as now he stood up. His green eyes taking an up and down motion of my body as now the threatening tears fell down my face. “I did it knowing that you were looking for a mother for Alora. Knowing that you wouldn’t return the feelings. I can continue my life knowing what loving someone felt like. Thank you Edward.” He looked like he couldn’t move for a moment and as the glue apparently wore off, he started slowly towards me. “Good night, Edward. I will see you in the morning.” I opened the door and left the room before he could reach me. I ran down the hall as I heard his door open then slam shut. I didn’t look back as I heard the sound of his still shoe feet running after me.

“Jaq!” He called after me. As I reached the bottom he reached the steps but he still ran after me. I opened my door, got in my room and locked the door stepping back from it as I heard his feet stop right in front of it. I watched as the door knob moved, then he pounded on the door. “Jaq.. open the door...”

“Daddy.” I heard Alora. He stopped.

“Alora, why are you still up?’ He asked calmly to the little girl.

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“Lets get you back in bed, OK sweety.”

“OK dad.” I went and locked the door that lead into Alora’s room. I jumped in the shower and that is when I let all the pent up tear flow, right into the drain, and before actually falling a sleep most of them on my pillow.