Jacinda's Challenge (Imperial 3)

  “It’s a beautiful visual,” she finally said, setting the visual down.

  “It is. It’s why I asked you here today,” Jotham stated.

  “I don’t understand.” Jacinda ignored his attempt to again act as if she hadn’t been summoned.

  “I believe my son has become interested in your niece, Amina.”

  “Great-niece,” Jacinda corrected absently, her eyes returning to the visual, “and why would you say that?”

  “Because I know my son and saw how he acted around her.”

  “He said something?” Picking the visual back up, she looked at it with a more critical eye giving particular attention to the expressions and body language of Amina and Barek. Nothing she saw there gave her the impression that they were looking anywhere other than at the happy couple.”

  “No.”

  “Then what makes you think he’s interested?” Jacinda looked at Jotham.

  “As I said. I know my son.”

  “So why are you telling me this?” Jacinda had a sneaking suspicion why but hoped she was wrong.

  “I need to know more about this young woman before it goes any further.” Jotham pointed to Amina in the visual. “While she is from the House of Protection, she does not reside here. Cassandra considers Amina a member of her family and would not be… pleased… to know that I was inquiring about her.”

  “I completely understand why,” Jacinda told him feeling her anger begin to grow. “It’s wrong.”

  “It is something that must be done if Barek is really interested in her and that is why I contacted you.”

  “Me?!!”

  “Yes, Amina is a member of your family. You either have or can obtain the information I need to decide if this woman is worthy of my son.”

  Jacinda stared at him in shocked silence for several moments unable to believe what Jotham was asking of her. What gave him the right? Surging to her feet, she glared down at him.

  “How dare you!”

  “I dare because this woman might one day be the Queen of this House.” He slowly began to rise. “I dare because I am the King and it is my duty to see that she is fit for the position! I dare because Barek is my son!”

  “None of that gives you the right to decide the worth of someone! To decide if Amina and Barek are good for each other! That’s for them to decide.”

  “The heir to the throne…”

  “Must choose his Queen from his own House! Yes, I know! An archaic law that should have been dissolved cycles ago. I thought better of you, King Jotham.” Jacinda let him hear the full disdain in her voice. “Especially since the High Admiral is not only a relative but a friend. He is from the House of Protection, but he is also the King of the House of Knowledge.”

  “That is only because Cassandra was already the Queen before their Union took place.”

  “So you are saying that if Barek were to fall in love with someone not from this House that he would have to wait until you died before he could make her is wife?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. Barek would never put off his duty that way.”

  “Duty!” Jacinda spun away from him unable to believe what was coming out of Jotham’s mouth. How could these words be coming from a man she and Stephan had so much respect for? A man they had supported and been honored to serve for so many cycles. She froze when her angry gaze suddenly found Lata’s portrait, the one she’d wondered about for all these cycles, tucked away on a wall in the corner. Lata seemed to be staring at her, her eyes demanding something from her. But what?

  “Was Lata just a duty, Majesty?” Jacinda spun back to him, her voice quiet but no less potent. “Is that why you’ve hidden her away? Why you never speak of her? She loved you! You! Not the Prince you were or the King you would become but Jotham Kado Tibullus!”

  “How dare you!” Jotham’s face flushed dark red at her accusation. “You know nothing about Lata and me! You have no right to question my decisions.”

  “I have every right! Not only because I am a citizen of this House but because Lata was my friend, and you have erased her. Not only from this House, but from its people! There are those that don’t even know her name!” Jacinda was surprised at how angry she was about that. “She deserves better than that! Especially from the man she loved. The man she gave up all her dreams for! That you would act as your father did! With your own son! She would be ashamed of you!” Spinning on her heel, Jacinda stormed out of Jotham’s office, uncaring about etiquette or protocol.

  Chapter Three

  “Thank you, Mother. I never expected this.” Danton stared at the piece she’d just placed on the corner of his desk in his new office in the Assembly Hall. He had asked her for her assistance because he knew she would know the best way to organize his office, making sure it represented who he was and what he stood for. She had done that with his father’s office and he knew that because his father had told him so.

  Cycles ago when Danton had first told his father of his aspirations to follow him as an Assemblyman, Stephan had sat him down and told him the truth. That he wouldn’t have been where he was, wouldn’t have been able to accomplish what he had, if it hadn’t been for Danton’s mother. She was his sounding board. She gave him her honest opinion even if it differed significantly from his own. And she always stood at his side.

  He had also confided in Danton that his mother hadn’t wanted a life in politics. That she had always wanted a low-key life but because it was his dream, she’d willingly committed herself to the challenge and he hoped that the ancestors might one day bless Danton as he had been blessed.

  All those reasons were why he had asked for his mother’s assistance today for he had yet to find his life mate, but he hadn’t expected this. This piece wasn’t valuable monetarily, but it was irreplaceable to him because it had sat in that exact same spot on his father’s desk for as long as Danton could remember. He remembered how his father would let him play with it. He remembered how the spherical balls, set up in a linear fashion would transfer their energy from one to the other until the last ball would swing out then come back to start the process all over again. When he’d gotten older, his father had confided in him that whenever he found himself struggling with an important decision he would start the balls moving. He said watching them helped calm him and cleared his thoughts, allowing him to focus. By the time they’d stop moving, he would know what the right decision was. To have it on his own desk now….

  “It was always meant to be yours, Danton.” Jacinda let her gaze travel over her first son. He was the image of her Stephan right down to his passion for serving his people in the best possible way. He still had much to learn and she wished Stephan were here to guide him, but she had faith in her first born. “You are following in your father’s footsteps, not because of him, but because it was what you were meant to do. He would be so proud of you.”

  “I want to make him proud, Mother, but also you.”

  “Just be yourself, Danton. Follow your instincts and do what your heart tells you is right and I will always be proud of you. There are many that lose their way once they take this office. They become more concerned with their own wants and needs for success and power and forget about the people they are supposed to be serving.”

  “I will never do that, Mother.”

  “I know you think that now, Danton, but there will be many tests, many that will try to pressure you, to get you to think the way they do. Life isn’t always black and white, Danton. What benefits one may often harm another and it will be up to you to decide whose needs are more important. It can be a daunting task, especially when others try to influence you and I don’t just mean the other Assemblymen. The King will also try to influence you. Just remember that it is your decision to make and you are the one that must live with it.”

  “The King?” Danton didn’t try to cover his shock. “Mother, you and father always supported King Jotham.”

  “We supported his reign, Danton, for King Jotham has always been a good an
d fair King, but we didn’t just blindly support him.” Jacinda thought about what he’d asked her several days earlier. “He is after all just a man and like all men he makes mistakes.”

  “I have never heard you speak like this, Mother.”

  “Perhaps because I never have, at least not to you. If your father were still alive, he would tell you this, but since he isn’t it falls to me.” Jacinda watched the deep frown that took over her son’s face. “Do not worry so, Danton. You will find your way. You always have. Just know that there is no one within the House of Protection that you must bow down to, and I don’t mean that you shouldn’t be respectful. I just mean that you are all the same: Citizen, Assemblyman, or King. Your basic wants and needs are the same as anyone else’s and no one person should take precedent over another’s just because of their position within the House.”

  “Of course not, but still…”

  “Danton,” Jacinda walked up to her son gently framing his face with her hands. “Do you believe that the man or woman that prepares your food, that serves it to you, deserves less respect than you do now that you are an Assemblyman?”

  “Of course not!”

  “Do you believe that your rights are more important than theirs?”

  “No.”

  “Why?”

  “Because we are the same.”

  “Yes, you are. Just as King Jotham and every Assemblyman, you will meet are the same. They are no better and no worse than the rest of us. Yes,” she saw him open his mouth and knew what he was about to say, “King Jotham deserves your respect because he carries a heavy burden, but he is still just a man.”

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  Jacinda was smiling as she left her son to finish settling into his office. It had been a good day. She hadn’t been sure how she’d feel returning to this place. The last time she’d been here it had been to clean out Stephan’s office. It had been a heart-wrenching day, filled with so many tears. Her children had wanted to help and in the end, she had let them carry out the boxes. However, the actual packing she had done alone. She’d needed to be alone with her memories and not have to worry how it was affecting her children.

  There had been no tears today, at least not externally. She might have shed a few internally, but that was from seeing her first born sitting so straight and proud behind that desk, looking so much like his father. However, life went on and it was now Danton’s turn to leave his mark.

  Turning the corner, Jacinda cried out startled as she ran into someone and started to fall back. Strong hands gripped her upper arms preventing her fall.

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  Barek moved quickly through the corridors of the Assembly Hall, hoping his swift pace would deter anyone from trying to stop him. He had a great many things to accomplish before he could return to the Bering and he wanted to get back there as soon as he could. He knew Gad was still holding out on them. His father showing up at Victoria’s Union had proven that. What he wouldn’t give to go a round with Rogue Stannic, but as Stannic was an Assemblyman from the House of Knowledge, Cassandra was handling him. Barek would just have to satisfy himself with his son, and as Gad was part of the Coalition, Barek would handle him.

  Deep in thought, Barek didn’t look as he turned the corner and collided with someone. Instinctively, he reached out when he heard the soft, feminine cry.

  “Are you alright?” he asked and looked down into wide, teal eyes that he felt he should know for some reason.

  The deep voice had Jacinda looking up to find Prince Barek staring down at her, his eyes so like his father’s full of concern. “I’m fine.” Straightening, she took a small step back and Barek let his hands drop away. “I’m sorry, Prince Barek, I didn’t mean to run into you.”

  “The fault is mine, Madame.” Barek was still searching his mind trying to remember who she was. “I was in a hurry and not watching where I was going.”

  “Then perhaps we should agree that we are both at fault and leave it at that,” Jacinda proposed smiling at him.

  “Perhaps we should,” Barek replied and found himself returning her smile. “Although I’ve never found fault with having a beautiful woman in my arms.”

  Jacinda’s eyes widened for a moment, then she tipped her head back and the corridor filled with her beautiful laughter. “Oh, Prince Barek,” she looked back at him. “You may look like your father, but you definitely have your mother’s gift for giving a compliment.”

  “Well yes…” Barek began, meaning to move on, only to freeze when her words sank in. “My mother?”

  “Yes, and I never knew anyone other than Lata, who could give such an inane compliment and appear completely sincere.”

  “And why would my compliment be inane? You are a beautiful woman.”

  “Who is older than your mother. But thank you, Prince Barek, you have truly made my day.”

  When she turned to leave, Barek’s next words stopped her.

  “You knew my mother?”

  “Of course,” Jacinda frowned up at him and saw something she didn’t understand, hesitant curiosity.

  “I’m sorry it’s just…” Barek stared at her intently still trying to figure out who she was.

  Jacinda finally realized part of what he was struggling with. “I’m sorry, Prince Barek, I should have introduced myself. I am Jacinda Michelakakis. Assemblyman Stephan Michelakakis was my husband.”

  “Of course!” Barek wanted to slap himself. How could he have forgotten? “My apologies, Madame Michelakakis, my mind was on other things.”

  “There is no apology necessary, Prince Barek. My Stephan has been gone nearly ten cycles now. There is no reason for you to remember me and please, call me Jacinda.”

  “Madame… Jacinda… I still should have remembered you because of your beauty alone.”

  “Definitely your mother’s son.” Jacinda felt herself blush only to be bumped by someone walking by.

  “So you knew my mother through your husband?” Barek sent a dark look at the retreating back of the man who hadn’t even stopped to apologize. He put an arm around Jacinda, guiding her out of the traffic flow and into a small alcove that overlooked the Hall’s atrium.

  “No, I was at the Academy when your mother was.” Jacinda allowed herself to be led, finding she wanted to speak more with Barek about his mother. He seemed to need it. She might still be mad at Jotham for his earlier words, but she would not take that out on Barek. She owed Lata that. “She and my younger sister roomed together.”

  “Really? At the Academy? I never knew that.”

  “I was three cycles ahead of Lata, but I got to spend time with her when she would visit during their breaks. Although I could have done without some of the pranks she liked to pull,” Jacinda smiled remembering.

  “Pranks?” Barek’s eyes widened in surprise.

  “Yes, your mother loved to pull pranks. Didn’t you know that?” She watched Barek slowly shake his head. “Oh, well, she especially liked to pull them when you weren’t fully awake. I still find myself sometimes checking the salt shaker in the morning, just to make sure the top is on tight.”

  “She would loosen it?”

  “Oh yes,” Jacinda smiled at the memory. “Of course it was usually in retaliation for me short-sheeting her and my sister’s bed, but still…”

  “I’ve never heard this before.”

  “Yes, well we mothers have a certain reputation we must uphold, you know, and letting our children know we once did things we’ve told them not to…” Jacinda just shrugged her shoulders, but her smile never dimmed. “She also liked to take visuals when you weren’t looking your best.”

  “She what?” Barek couldn’t hide his shock.

  “Oh nothing terrible,” she quickly reassured him. “I remember one time I was trying out a new beauty treatment.” She missed Barek’s shocked look. “I was trying one of those Goryn-green mud packs,” Jacinda shook her head remembering. “I had my hair wrapped in a black oil treatment and she snapped a visua
l. It cost me 100 credits to get it back from her.”

  “She blackmailed you?!!” Barek couldn’t believe it.

  “Of course she did. And all the while she had the sweetest smile on her face. Your mother knew how to handle herself, Prince Barek. Did you ever really doubt it?” She gave him a curious look. “She did graduate the top of her class at the Academy, you know. She might have looked sweet and innocent, but she was a strong, smart woman.”

  “There is just so much I don’t know about her.” The words seemed to escape out of his mouth on their own. “I always thought…”

  “What?” Jacinda asked tipping her head to the side.

  “That because of my father…”

  “That it had all just been given to her?” Jacinda found she was suddenly angry at how little Barek actually knew about his mother. “Was it just given to you, Prince Barek? Are you just a figurehead or are you actually High Consul for the Coalition?”

  Barek stiffened at the insult. “I have earned every position I have assumed, Madame Michelakakis,” his voice as cold, as hard, as royal as she’d ever heard the King’s.

  “Yet you doubt that your mother had to… before she was Queen… before she was considered ‘Royal’? When she was just someone Prince Jotham had taken an interest in?”

  “I… I never considered…”

  “That she might have struggled more than you had to, not because she was a Royal, but because she wasn’t one? Your mother, at a very young age, handled all that pressure with no assistance from the Palace with a natural grace that I still envy. When she was suddenly thrust into the role of the Queen… I never once saw her be anything but kind and graceful, a real Queen.” Jacinda’s eyes turned sad as she remembered her friend. “Not only have I, but the House of Protection has greatly missed her gentle influence since her untimely death.”

  Barek was silent for several moments, finding his throat had tightened at Jacinda’s heartfelt words. He had never given any thought to what it must have been like for his mother to be suddenly thrust into a role he’d been training his entire life for. And he still wasn’t sure he was ready for. She had been so young.