The Academy - Book II Editing For Publication

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

Ah'Taria - Lawson Estate

Ebony rolled out of bed and looked at her hand held frowning; Jacob wanted to be woken up at 09:00 and it was 05:00. Her stomach ached from the dinner she'd eaten in the kitchens the night before.

Walking to the bathroom she rubbed her stomach. Gazing into the mirror she frowned; the reflection no longer resembled the Ebony she once knew.  Years of being in a loveless marriage and dealing with greedy family had made her look strained, sad and weary.   Sighing she thought of Kayo, her precious baby, the reason she'd made a deal with a cucuy.

Stretching she ran hot water into a small oval tub hoping the warmth would ease the knots in her belly.  Taking off her robe she frowned as she examined the bite marks left by Jacob.  Ah at least they aren't as painful as they look, she thought.  Touching the one on the top part of her bosom she remembered how he'd said she wouldn't be wearing low cut bodices.

Sighing she stepped into the hot fragrant water, sitting down she let it melt away her stress.  As she closed her eyes she thought about the days before her world fell apart:

A young and innocent Ebony sat in front of her father swinging her legs as he brushed her blue-black hair.  She stared up at the glass doom their small town was housed in.  She could almost see the sun rays as they tried to penetrate the dark waters.

"One day," said the deep voice of her father, "you will grow up to be a beauty just like your mother!"

Giggling, as he parted her thick hair for a three strand braid, she said "Uncle Randolph told me mom was the prettiest girl in Avalon."

Darius completed the braid tying a red ribbon at the end. "Honestly, I believe she was the prettiest woman on Mizu," he replied starting the other braid.

"Tell me about her again," she asked excitedly. She'd never met the woman that gave birth to her.  After having Ebony she left with a rich man as his paramour. Without remorse she'd left her family for a better life and now lived in luxury.  Though she sent her husband and daughter royals and gifts and her decision had brought immediate status to her family she never visited them.

Tying the red ribbon he chuckled, "She is a kind woman that loves you more than life itself."

Ebony nodded, knowing that was not true.  However, she'd listen to his romantic idolizations of Aleah Tara Talisman knowing he'd never mentioned any of her flaws; the biggest flaw was her selfishness and greed.

Darius unaware of his daughter thoughts continued, "One day when you are older she will have you come visit her on Azul de Raus.  She lives in a beautiful home on the shores of Mu where the sand is white."

Ebony turned to look into her father's dark purple and gold chipped eyes, "I don't want to ever leave Mizu."  Looking around, with her almost 10 year old eyes, she smiled, "No place can be more beautiful."

Darius laughed as he stood up looking around; he frowned taking in the dark brown and black sands, the wooden buildings with thatch roofs and the dark waters that the bubble kept at bay.  "You don't think the golden sun shining down on the waters and white sands of Azul would be beautiful?"

Ebony's carefree giggle drifted around them, "Nope!"  Running barefoot through the dry sand she dodged a rock and continued, "Nothing is more beautiful!"

Darius swooped in to pick his angel up as she tried to whiz past him, "One day soon I will take you above ground so you can see how wrong you are."