Jacinda's Challenge (Imperial 3)

  "Yes, Queen Cassandra's nephew. He's nine."

  "Nine!" Kasmira's eyes flew from the signature to Jacinda then back to the drawing, forgetting about the subject matter, she concentrated on the massive skill she knew it had taken to convey so much with the simple lines.

  "Nine. He has had no formal training, but that's going to change. He gave this to me and I would like it treated and framed as the masterpiece it is."

  "I can understand why," Kasmira said nodding then looked up. "But Jacinda...."

  "Hello! Where is everyone?" Ethan's voice echoed through the house.

  "Come on," Jacinda took Kasmira's arm. "Let's go find Ethan and I'll tell you what's going on."

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  The meal was a somewhat a stilted affair with Ethan's gaze going from his wife to his mother, frowning.

  "Alright what's going on?" he finally demanded. "What's wrong?"

  "There's nothing wrong," Jacinda pushed her plate away, "and as I've already reassured Kasmira I'm fine, but something has occurred that I need to tell you about. First I have a question."

  "Alright," Ethan leaned back in his chair.

  "What do you know about the Sokol Corporation?"

  "The Sokol Corporation?" Ethan tossed down his napkin in disgust. "You mean besides the fact they have Assemblyman Pajari in their pocket and, therefore, win every government contract?!!"

  "That," Jacinda agreed, "but what else? Have you heard anything about substandard practices causing accidents?"

  "A few." Ethan frowned at her. "Mother, why are you asking?"

  "Because of Nuga," Jacinda told him.

  "Nuga? You mean the explosion there?" Ethan looked to Kasmira. "I thought it was caused by the Regulians."

  "It wasn't, but that isn't public knowledge yet, Ethan."

  Ethan watched as his mother gave him that look she had given him so many times in the past, telling him this was important.

  "Alright," he nodded that the information would go no further.

  "The explosion was caused because the manager of the mine lied about making the required repairs and upgrades."

  "What?" Ethan couldn't hide his shock. "Why would he do such a thing?"

  "So he could keep the credits."

  "But Sokol is in charge of Nuga," Ethan told her.

  "I know that."

  "How would you know that?"

  "Because at the time of his death, your father was chairing a committee that was looking into Sokol's practices."

  "Really? Why didn't I ever hear anything about that?"

  "I don't know. Just as I don't know what happened to the committee after Stephan's death. I forgot about it until the explosion."

  "Mom... you don't think it had something to do with Dad's death. Do you?"

  "What? No!" Jacinda instantly denied, never had she even considered that. "Your father died from a massive heart attack, Ethan. It had nothing to do with Sokol!"

  "Alright, then why are you taking an interest in this now?"

  Jacinda took a deep breath knowing her next words would change her son's life forever. "Because I was in Kisurri when it was discovered what caused the explosion."

  "I don't understand," Ethan frowned at her.

  "I was invited to Kisurri to attend Princess Sabah's Second Father Ceremony."

  "You were?" Ethan didn't try to hide his shock. "Why? By whom?"

  "Jotham," Jacinda told him simply.

  "Jotham? As in King Jotham?"

  "Yes."

  "King Jotham invited you to attend Princess Sabah's Second Father Ceremony... who is her second father?"

  "Jotham is."

  "Why do you keep referring to the King by only his first name?"

  "Because I went there with Jotham, Ethan." Jacinda watched as understanding suddenly filled her son’s eyes, along with shock and disbelief.

  "No!" Ethan's chair clattered to the floor as he surged to his feet. "No, that's not possible."

  "Ethan, calm down." Kasmira rose putting a hand on his arm.

  "You knew about this?" he demanded of his wife.

  "I only just found out before you got home," she told him softly.

  "I... I don't understand this. How could this be? How did it happen?"

  "Sit down, Ethan." Jacinda, who had remained seated, looked up at him. "Please. I know this is coming as a complete surprise to you and honestly it surprised me, but I'd like to explain."

  "Explain? What's there to explain?"

  "Come on, honey, this is your mother. Let’s sit down and listen."

  Jacinda sent Kasmira a grateful look as Ethan finally sat.

  "I've known Jotham for cycles, from back in my Academy days. You know that Lata and your Aunt Palma were roommates."

  "Yes, but I never knew you two were involved."

  "We weren't," Jacinda instantly denied. "Never. From the moment, Jotham saw Lata she was the only one for him. Just as your father was it for me."

  "Then how..."

  "Things change, Ethan. Loved ones die, but life goes on." Jacinda took a deep breath. "Several months ago, Jotham contacted me. Why doesn't matter, but because of it we started to... communicate and see each other occasionally. We have a lot in common: history, mutual friends, and interests. Our feelings for each other naturally grew from there."

  Ethan silently stared at his mother, calmly sitting there as she spoke. Everything she said made sense, but she was his mother and he'd never considered...."

  "It was unexpected, Ethan. Neither of us was looking for a new relationship, but sometimes life gives you a gift and I'm going to accept this gift."

  "No matter what your children think?"

  Jacinda opened her mouth then shut it, not sure how to answer him.

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  "Ethan, I think there's something you should see." Rising, Kasmira held out her hand to the man she loved. "I think it will help you understand."

  "What could possibly..." he began.

  "Please, trust me it will," Kasmira told him.

  After a moment, he took his wife's hand and let her lead him back to her workshop. At first, he couldn’t figure out what she wanted him to see. There was a large drawing on her worktable. While thanks to her, he'd come to appreciate art more, he didn't know how it was supposed to help him 'understand' what his mother was telling him.

  "Kasmira..." he started.

  "Look at it, Ethan, at who is in it, at what they are feeling."

  It was only then that he realized the drawing was of his mother and King Jotham. He didn't know where they were, but the background didn't matter because it was the expression on his mother's face that had his throat tightening.

  For the first time since his father had passed, he saw the sparkle back in her eyes. She was happy and... in love... his mother was in love. Looking at the other image, he took in the expression of a man who he had never considered as anything more than a title. It was an image he recognized for he had seen it all his life, but somehow it seemed different. Less stern. More relaxed maybe. He didn't know the King well enough to be sure. He doubted anyone did. Then his eyes went to where Jotham’s hand rested, on his mother's back, and no one could question the gentleness of his touch or the possessiveness. He loved the woman in his arms. Ethan's mother.

  Raising his eyes, he saw his mother hesitantly standing in the doorway waiting for his reaction.

  "You love him," he whispered. "Jotham. You really love him."

  "I do," Jacinda admitted.

  "Then we'll make it work."

  Smiling through her tears, Jacinda walked over and mother and son embraced.

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  "So that's why you have Royal Guards," Kasmira said as they sat back in the living room with a glass of wine.

  "Royal Guards?" Ethan frowned at his wife. "I didn't see any Royal Guards."

  "Well, you're not supposed to, now are you?" Kasmira shot back making Jacinda smile.

  "Yes, Jotham insisted on them, althou
gh we're still working out the details."

  "Well, I for one am glad he's taking the precaution because you know once this gets out it is going to cause an uproar."

  "I know," Jacinda sighed heavily. "Which is why I'm here telling you now. We had planned not so much on keeping our relationship a secret, but private, because in all honestly, it isn't anyone else’s business but ours and our families."

  "So what changed that?" Ethan asked sitting back to put his arm around his wife.

  "Stephanie and the Royal Ball."

  "I don't understand... Wait, Stephie is training in Kisurri."

  "Yes. When she discovered I was there, she became... upset. She thought I was checking up on her. So I told her the truth." Jacinda looked down at her glass of wine. "She didn't react very well. Actually, I'm surprised she hasn't already contacted you."

  "I did have a message from her saying she wanted to talk to me, but it didn't sound urgent so when Kasmira called to say you were coming for last meal, I figured it could wait."

  "Well, now you know."

  "What were you saying about the Royal Ball?" Kasmira asked.

  "Jotham has asked me to attend it with him."

  "With him? As in with him? As in arriving with him?" Kasmira's eyes got wider with each question.

  "Yes." Jacinda understood Kasmira's surprise. "Kia is making my gown."

  "That means all of Carina will know," Kasmira whispered.

  "Yes, which is why I'm telling you now. I still need to tell Danton."

  "This is going to affect him the most. You must know that, Mom." Ethan gave her a sympathetic look.

  "I do, I just hope..." A knock on the front door had her pausing.

  Frowning, Ethan rose and went to answer the door. "Yes."

  "Pardons, Mister Michelakakis, might I speak with your mother."

  "Kort?" Jacinda walked up behind Ethan. "Ethan, this is Lieutenant Kort Green. He is in charge of my security detail."

  "Are you any good?" Ethan demanded causing Kort to raise an eyebrow.

  "Yes. I'm very good," Kort replied.

  "You'd better be because if anything happens to my mother, I'll kill you."

  "Ethan!" Jacinda couldn't believe he just said that.

  "I don't believe you'll get the chance, Mister Michelakakis. King Jotham will have my head first."

  "Oh really!" Jacinda said in exasperation. "Now that's enough you two. Kort what did you need?"

  "There is a stoirme brewing. It would be best if we left before it hit." Just then a loud rumble of tuono could be heard.

  Jacinda wanted to argue but then remembered how Lata had died and knew that if Jotham knew she was out in a stoirme he would worry.

  "Alright, Kort." She turned and saw the surprise in her son's eyes and just shrugged. "I don't want Jotham to worry. Kasmira?"

  "I totally understand." She walked over and gave Jacinda a hug. "We never finished discussing how you want the drawing framed."

  "It's going in the living room, Kasmira. I want it to match the frame around Stephan's portrait if the proportions fit. I trust your judgment. You know my tastes."

  "I do. Be safe and we'll talk soon."

  "We will."

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  "Would you mind driving, Kort?" Jacinda asked as they walked to her transport and she saw him glance at her in surprise.

  "Of course not, Madame Michelakakis."

  Jacinda waited until they were on their way before she spoke. "You're surprised I asked you to drive."

  There was a moment before Kort spoke. "Yes, I am. You insisted on driving here."

  "True, and normally I wouldn't hesitate to drive home, even with the approaching stoirme. But I also know Jotham is going to find out and worry. If you're driving, I can talk to him when he calls."

  "You believe King Jotham will be contacting you?"

  "Yes, because I'm sure you informed him where I was."

  "Of course I did."

  "Of course you did. So when someone informs him there is a stoirme in this area... and someone will... he's going to worry and call." Just then her personal comm rang. Reaching into her bag she pulled it out and raised an eyebrow at Kort.

  "Hello, Jotham."

  "Jacinda, where are you?"

  "I'm in my transport heading home."

  "There's a stoirme heading toward Comorin."

  "Yes, Kort informed me, that's why we left early. Kort is driving right now."

  "Good, he's an excellent driver."

  "Yes, well, how was your day?"

  "Busy. You would have thought I was gone for a moon cycle. I'm in-between meetings right now. I'm going to be working late."

  "I figured that was going to happen."

  "Did you now?" Jotham teased.

  "Yes, it's what always happened whenever Stephan returned from a trip." She smiled into the comm. "This isn't my first go-round, Jotham. It's fine. I need to talk to Danton tomorrow anyway and that will be easier to do if I'm at home tonight."

  "That's not what I was inferring."

  "I know, but it would still be best. We're close to an hour out of Pechora and I still need to unpack. By the time that's all done, it will be extremely late. It's best I just stay at home tonight."

  "I know you're right, but I don't like it. I've already gotten used to waking up with you in my arms."

  "I know, I'm not looking forward to it either. Do you think your schedule will clear up enough that we could have last meal together tomorrow? At a reasonable time?"

  "I'll make sure it is. Pack a bag," he ordered.

  "Alright."

  "Call me when you get home so I know you made it safely."

  "I will," she promised knowing it was important to him.

  "I love you."

  "I love you too."

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  "Mother!"

  Jacinda was just coming in from having coffee in the garden the next morning when she heard her first son calling out her name.

  "I'm back here, Danton," she called out a smile on her face. "Good morning. I was just getting ready to call you."

  "I just bet you were! What in the name of the ancestors is going on?" he demanded in the way of a greeting.

  "Good morning, Danton," Myesha walked in handing him a cup of coffee. "Here, you look like you could use this."

  "Thank you, Myesha," Danton forced himself to respond politely.

  "You're welcome. I'm off to see my grandchildren, Jacinda."

  " Alright, give them hugs for me."

  "I will. And you, young man," Myesha pointed a finger at Danton. "You control that temper of yours. You're not so old that I still can't put you over my knee if I need to."

  "Yes, ma'am," he told her, his cheeks darkening.

  Jacinda held back her smile as she moved to sit down. She just loved how Myesha, with just a few words, could turn her strong, confident thirty-nine cycle son back into a bashful, five-cycle. She waited until the front door closed before speaking.

  "So, Danton, who have you been talking to?"

  "Last night I received a comm from Madame Nitzschke, ranting about how the King's Royal Guard had you under house arrest. Then this morning, very early this morning, Stephanie contacted me to say you had been at the House of Knowledge, staying in the Royal Wing with King Jotham!"

  "Well, it's good to know Madame Nitzschke still can't get a story right." Jacinda just shook her head. House arrest? Really? The old bat saw her drive away.

  "And Stephanie?"

  "Always could."

  "Mother." Danton slowly sat down on the couch across from her. "What are you saying?"

  "You know exactly what I'm saying, Danton."

  "But..." His gaze went to his father's portrait hanging over the fireplace mantle. "That's impossible."

  "Why?"

  "Why? Well... just because it is!" Now he surged to his feet. "Mother, you can't be with Jotham! He is the King of the House of Protection!"

  "I am well aware of that,
Danton. I've known him nearly my entire life. He's also just a man."

  "He is using you! Just like he has every other woman!"

  "What other women, Danton? Name one."

  "Rani!" he spit out.

  "Seriously, Danton? That was over thirty cycles ago. Name another."

  "I... a..."

  "You can't because there hasn't been any other 'woman.'"

  "That doesn't matter. This can't go anywhere, Mother, and when it ends.... What's going to happen then?"

  "I don't know, Danton. All I know is that I love him. As much as I loved your father, I love Jotham. I know it's going to be difficult, especially for you and Stephanie, but that's why I wanted to talk with you this morning. So you'd be prepared."

  "Prepared! How am I supposed to prepare for becoming the joke of the Assembly? No one is ever going to take me seriously! They will all think I was only elected because my mother is with the King!"

  "You know that's not true."

  "That doesn't matter!"

  "Of course it does! It's the only thing that matters! You can't control what others think, Danton. You know that."

  "You have to end this, Mom, before it gets out or I'll have to give up my dream of being an Assemblyman."

  "Give up your dream." Jacinda carefully set her cup aside as she rose.

  "Yes, you've always known it's been my dream to serve in the Assembly."

  Slowly, she walked over and gripped the mantle, her knuckles turning white as she looked up at Stephan. Her heart and mind were in chaos. All her life she'd done her best for those she loved, even when it wasn't what she wanted. She had left her House for Stephan, endured the snubs and comments and stood proudly at his side because she loved him. She even let him continue on in the Assembly longer than he promised because it had been his dream, his first love, and she wanted him happy.

  Now, Danton wanted her to give up Jotham so he could be a part of that same damn Assembly. Because of what others would think of him. Could she? Should she?

  "No." The word escaped her lips quietly at first then stronger the second time. "No!"

  "No, what?"

  "No. I've given up enough of my dreams for that damn Assembly. Never again!" She spun around to face him. "I won't give up Jotham. Not for you and not for Stephanie. I'm sorry if my loving Jotham makes it harder for you to achieve your dreams, but I've never known you to back down from a challenge just because a task was difficult. I told you that first day in your office that being an Assemblyman wasn't going to be easy. That many lose their way in that place and start believing that their own wants and needs are more important than other people’s are. I told you there would be many tests, that life isn't always black and white or easy. It seems you failed this one."