Jacinda's Challenge (Imperial 3)

  "No. I hardly noticed another woman when Lata was alive."

  "Good answer." Jacinda gave him an understanding smile.

  Jotham finally gave in and started to pace, his mind racing. If Jacinda was right then, he hadn't betrayed his wife, his Queen. He had been drugged, tricked, but the real victim here was Dadrian.

  "That explains so much," Jotham said quietly.

  "What do you mean?"

  "All Rani could talk about was how we would raise our 'son' together. How he would change the House of Protection. Once I made it clear that I wouldn't be making her my Queen it all changed."

  "I can imagine."

  "No, you can't." Jotham looked at her with shuttered eyes. "I didn't want him, Jacinda. If she had informed me sooner, I would have insisted she end the pregnancy."

  "Jotham..."

  "I know it was wrong, that it went against all I believed in, but Lata was the only woman I wanted having my children. It felt like a betrayal at the most basic level to allow him to be born."

  "But the law is the law," she said quietly, her heart breaking for him.

  "Yes. She was too far past the time that it would be the taking of an innocent life."

  "You made the right choice, Jotham."

  "Did I? You don't know my other secret, Jacinda. The one where Dadrian betrayed not only me, not only Barek but every citizen on Carina. He caused thousands of deaths and was never held accountable for it."

  "What are you talking about, Jotham? Dadrian fell down the stairs in the Royal Wing of the House of Protection.... Didn't he?"

  "Yes, but he fell down them because he was running away. Running away because William and Cassandra discovered he had been trying to assassinate Barek."

  "What?" Jacinda's normally golden skin turned a deathly pale. "Jotham..."

  "Cassandra discovered what he was trying to do when she was investigating who was responsible for the destruction of Earth."

  "Audric," she supplied.

  "Yes. She was able to link transmissions Dadrian made to Barek, with those that allowed the Regulians to carry out speed attacks on the Fleet."

  "The ones that destroyed the Talon? The ones that for a time we all thought killed Barek?"

  "Yes."

  "That's why Cassandra was so suspicious when I said I knew when you contacted Lata."

  "Yes. Cassandra broke the codes. Barek had just arrived back on planet when Dadrian was confronted with what had been discovered."

  "And the codes?"

  "Cassandra made sure no one would ever break them again."

  "Good."

  "That's all you have to say? Good?"

  "What did you expect?"

  "I expected you to ask why I never informed the Assembly of his betrayal. Why I never admitted to my failure not only as a father but as a King. I expected..."

  "Jotham! Stop!" Jacinda surged to her feet grabbing his arm when he would have turned away. "You are not responsible for what Dadrian did. He was a grown man."

  "I was his father! Maybe if I had given him more attention...

  "I can't tell you if that would have made a difference or not," she told him honestly. "What I can tell you is that you are the same man that raised Barek. They were both given the same opportunities, the same chances. How they chose to use what they were given was up to them."

  Jotham's shuttered gaze slowly began to open. "You're not disappointed in me for not reporting to the Assembly as I should have? I had planned to, planned to announce it before Cassandra's Challenge, but Will and Cassandra persuaded me it would harm Barek if I did. Then they destroyed all the evidence linking Dadrian to the attacks."

  "Oh Jotham, no! I could never be ashamed of you. I'm just sorry you had to go through all that alone, that you have had to carry the burden of it all these cycles. Will and Cassandra were right, you know. If you had revealed what Dadrian had done..." Jacinda shuddered slightly at the thought. "The Assembly would have lost its faith and trust in you, in Barek, and in the House of Protection. Cassandra might never have been able to take her place as the rightful Queen. Audric would have succeeded in keeping control of the House of Knowledge and Valerian would still be High Admiral. Our world would be a very different place and not one I'm sure I'd want to live in."

  Jotham felt his eyes fill with tears and didn't even try to stop them as he lowered his forehead to rest against hers. Her unwavering support moved him. He had worried he would lose her when he revealed not only Dadrian's actions but also his own response to it.

  "Ancestors, Jacinda." Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her close capturing her lips in a soul-searing kiss. "I love you."

  "I love you too." Carefully she wiped away the tracks of his tears then gave him a sexy little smile. "Take me to bed, Jotham."

  He was quick to obey.

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  Jotham woke and lying on his side, curled a strand of Jacinda's long, silken hair around a finger as he stared down at her as she slept. They barely made it to the bed before Jotham had been inside her, and once in the bed, they had loved each other late into the night. Now, with the first sun barely starting to rise, she slept peacefully beside him, her breath coming out in little puffs from between her lips.

  He couldn't believe how content he was to just lay and watch her. It felt so natural, so right that he knew he would do whatever it took to keep her with him. The side of his mouth quirked slightly as his comm went off playing Barek's tone. William had been right, Barek was going to contact him before first sun.

  Rolling away from Jacinda, he swung his legs over the edge of the bed and picked up his portable comm.

  "Do you know what time it is, Barek?" Jotham demanded in the way of a greeting.

  "First sun should be rising by now. You are always up by then. I want to know why I'm being recalled."

  "Because I ordered it."

  "That I know," Barek said in a disgusted voice. "What I don't know is why."

  "Something has occurred that you need to be made aware of, as it will affect not only you but the entire House of Protection."

  "What?"

  "I want to discuss it with you face to face, Barek. It's important. You need to be on planet."

  "Dad... are you ill?"

  "No! Why does everyone keep asking me that?" When Barek just gave him an uncomfortable look, Jotham frowned. "Barek?"

  "You work all the time, Dad, just look how quickly you answered my comm. My guess is you have a meeting planned for before second sun rises."

  "I don't." Jotham reached behind him to rub a hand down the naked leg Jacinda was moving under the covers and made sure Barek couldn't see her through the comm. "And the only reason I answered the comm so quickly was because I knew you would be calling, demanding answers. I need you here, Barek."

  Barek's eyes widened on the other end of the comm. When had his father ever told him he needed him. Oh, he had told him that he loved him before, that he respected him and was proud of him, but never had he told him that he needed him.

  "I'll be there as soon as it can be arranged."

  "Thank you, Barek."

  "You don't need to thank me, Dad, all you've ever had to do is ask."

  "I realize that, now... and Barek."

  "Yes?"

  "This move will be permanent."

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  Jacinda woke to Jotham moving to answer his comm. Was the man ever going to learn that he didn't have to get up at first sun? Not wanting to distract him or let whoever was on the comm know she was in bed with him, she carefully began to stretch.

  Finally waking up enough to really hear Jotham's words, she stilled just as his hand caressed her calf. He was talking to Barek... about him coming home... permanently. Was he really going to start letting Barek take over some of his responsibilities? Had he taken to heart what she wanted and taken action?

  "Jotham?" she queried, pushing up on her elbows when he disconnected from Barek.

  "Good morning." Dropping his
comm, Jotham twisted and he captured her lips in a soft but firm kiss as he slid back over her, settling between her legs as he pressed her back into the bed.

  "Good morning," she whispered back, her arms and legs wrapping around him as he nuzzled her neck. "Jotham?" she asked as she felt his shaft press against her.

  "Umm?"

  "Did you really just recall Barek?" Jotham lifted his head to look down at her. "Permanently?"

  "You didn't think I would."

  "I thought it would take you some time to consider it. I didn't know what you would decide."

  "Have you ever known me to be an indecisive man, Jacinda?" He tilted his hips so the head of his shaft pressed against her opening.

  "No, it's one of your strengths," she told him in a slightly, breathless voice.

  "So you are aware that once I decide something, I remain firm." He thrust forward filling her completely.

  "Yes!" Jacinda exclaimed as her entire body arched up.

  "And once I set my course I do not deviate." He began to slowly move inside of her, making sure he hit that spot that he knew drove her crazy.

  "Yes!"

  "If you knew this, then why did you doubt I would take the steps needed to satisfy you?" He thrust harder.

  "Because I didn't expect you to move so fast," she cried out.

  "You want me to move slower?" He immediately slowed his thrusts to the point his shaft dragged along the sensitive walls of her channel still swollen from their loving the night before.

  "Jotham!"

  "Or do you prefer fast?" He began to pound into her, knowing he was driving her higher.

  "Both! Either! I don't care! Just don't stop!"

  "Oh, I'm not going to!" Jotham growled into her mouth. "You are mine, Jacinda, and I'm never going to stop loving you!"

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  "Will. Cassandra." Jotham waited until he had their attention before he continued. First meal had been pleasant enough, the children chatting happily, while Cyndy, who had sat down next to Jacinda, talked amicably. Sabah wasn't present. Once the boys left for the morning, Jotham spoke.

  "I think you need to reconsider me being second father to Sabah." Everyone looked at Jotham in shock, including Jacinda.

  "What!" William who had been about to rise sat back down with a thud. "Jotham, why?"

  "Jacinda is a part of my life." He let his gaze travel from his friend to Cassandra. "An important part and she always will be. If the worst were to happen then both of us would have a hand in raising Sabah. Given your attitude toward her, I think you should choose someone else."

  "Jotham." Jacinda put a hand on his arm. "You don't have to do this. You are the perfect second father for Sabah, whether you have to assume the responsibility or not. Cassandra might be the Queen now, but she didn't grow up the heir. She will never fully understand the pressure and attention that brings from the moment you are born. Not even Will fully understands. Only you and Barek can truly help guide her through that. Don't let what's happened here affect that little girl's future. Not because of me."

  "You know as well as I do, Jacinda, that every decision we make affects the future and my decision is that you matter more than ever being a second father, even to one of Will's children."

  Silence reigned around the table as Cassandra pushed back from the table and left the room, without a word.

  "I'm sorry, Will." Jotham looked to his oldest friend and hoped this wouldn't change that friendship.

  Will just raised his hand to silence him, his eyes remaining on the door Cassandra had gone through. It didn't take long for Cassandra to return, carrying a squirming Sabah. She walked over to where Jacinda still sat.

  "This is our daughter, Sabah," Cassandra told her and after kissing Sabah's forehead leaned down to set her in Jacinda's arms that immediately cradled the precious bundle.

  Sabah immediately stilled when the new arms surrounded her. Her sparkling blue eyes stared up at Jacinda with more intelligence than one so young should have. Then she blew a bubble and Jacinda laughed.

  "Well aren't you just adorable." Leaning down, Jacinda rubbed her nose against Sabah's. "I bet you already have your daddy wrapped around this little finger." She lifted it to kiss.

  "She does," Cassandra confirmed moving to resume her seat. "All she has to do is peep and William is at her side." Cassandra gave her husband a disgusted look. "If she cries, he's calling the Healer."

  "All Daddies are like that with their daughters." Jacinda cooed at Sabah causing her to giggle. "It's good for them, it makes them remember all those naughty thoughts they had about girls growing up. Yes, it does." Jacinda cooed to Sabah. "And they suddenly realize there's going to be some boy out there that will be thinking the same things about their daughter and do things like sneak into the showers. It makes them crazy." Jacinda looked up to see both William and Jotham were pale as they looked from her to the innocent bundle in her arms. Looking at Cyndy and Cassandra, they all started to laugh. Peter just snorted.

  "Lucas was just lucky my daughter was already in love with him when I met him. Otherwise, he would have found himself on the wrong end of my fists."

  "Peter!" Cyndy turned to him in shock. "Lucas is a wonderful man!"

  "True, and the only one that I would trust our Tori with, but I still would have made him work to prove it."

  "William says he will let Sabah date... when she's thirty."

  "Good luck with that," Peter looked to William. "You do remember she is a Chamberlain, don't you?" Peter looked from Cassandra to his wife. "They tend to do whatever they want."

  "Sabah is a Zafar." William reminded him proudly.

  "True, but she's still a Chamberlain and a Qwes. Honestly, William, with those three names I think you are screwed."

  "Shut up, Peter." William chucked his napkin at Peter hitting him square in the face.

  Sabah's head turned hearing her father's voice, her little eyes searching for him. The moment she found him, she began to squeal and squirm, her little arms reaching for him.

  "See what I mean?" Cassandra said as William immediately rose to go to his daughter.

  "Stephan was the same," Jacinda told her, relinquishing Sabah to her father. "Every little peep, unless it involved a dirty diaper."

  "William seems to always miss those too."

  "As did Peter."

  The three women looked at their men.

  "Hey, don't look at me." Jotham through his hands up in mock surrender. "I never had a daughter."

  "So you're saying you changed Barek's dirty diapers?" Jacinda challenged.

  "I... well... I can't remember now."

  "That means you never did," Cyndy told him decisively. "If you had, you would remember." Jacinda and Cassandra nodded in agreement.

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  "So, Jacinda, Kia will be here later this afternoon, have you given any thought to the dress you want her to make for you?" Cassandra asked.

  "Dress?" Jacinda looked to Cassandra in confusion. "For what?"

  "For the Royal Ball next month."

  "Oh, I won't be going to that." Jacinda waved a dismissive hand turning her attention back to William and Sabah.

  "Oh yes, you will be," Jotham corrected.

  "Jotham, that Ball is for the Kings and Queens of Carina, and their Assemblies."

  A Royal Ball only ever occurred every five cycles and was always hosted by a different House. It allowed the House to present itself in the best light. It also allowed all the Houses’ Assemblymen to meet and mingle. This time the House of Knowledge was hosting it.

  "And you will be at my side." Jotham gave her a hard look.

  Jacinda silently gazed at Jotham, she could see the resolve in his eyes. If they did this, there wouldn't be any need for an announcement because word would spread like wildfire. There would be no going back if they did this.

  "Are you sure about this, Jotham?" she asked quietly. "I won't be offended if you go without me. We agreed we weren't going to make any 'off
icial' statement."

  "We also agreed we would openly spend time together. I want you at my side, Jacinda."

  Slowly she nodded. "Okay, I'll have to let my children know beforehand though."

  "And I'll be telling Barek when he arrives on planet." Jotham leaned over and kissed her. "It will all work out, Jacinda."

  Jacinda prayed to the ancestors that he was right.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Kia was surprised to find Jacinda with the Queen when she arrived at the Palace to discuss the gown Cassandra wished made for the Royal Ball. She was even more surprised when she was informed Jacinda needed a gown too.

  "You will be attending the Ball with Danton?" Kia asked frowning. She had never heard of an Assemblyman's mother attending the Ball before, not even the late wife of one.

  "No," Jacinda spoke up before Cassandra could. "Would you mind if I looked through your sketch book while you work with Cassandra? I wasn't aware until a short time ago that I would be attending the Ball and need a little time to decide what I want."

  "Of course. If that is alright with you, Majesty." Kia looked to Cassandra.

  "It's fine, Kia. I have a meeting in thirty minutes and you and I have already discussed what I want. Did you bring the fabrics?"

  "Yes, Majesty."

  Jacinda tuned out Kia and Cassandra's conversation as she tried to decide what type of gown she should wear. With Stephan, she always knew. It had to be elegant and stylish but understated because she was there to support Stephan, not outshine him. Flipping through the pages of Kia's book, nothing seemed appropriate.

  "Jacinda. Jacinda!" Cassandra spoke louder finally drawing Jacinda's attention.

  "I'm sorry. I was lost in thought."

  "I could see that." Cassandra smiled at her. "I was just trying to tell you that I was done. Kia is here for as long as you need her. And Jacinda..."

  "Yes?""

  "Jotham is a very self-assured man. He knows who he is, and his place in this world. You need to present yourself the same way if you are going to stand by his side." With that, Cassandra left the room.