Jacinda's Challenge (Imperial 3)

  “Just eighteen. Newly graduated from the Academy and ready to join the Coalition.” As Jacinda spoke, Barek realized he’d said the last words aloud.

  “I can’t picture it. There is so much about her I don’t know, don’t remember.” Barek couldn’t believe he just said that to her, someone he really didn’t know.

  “What about her albums of visuals?”

  “What albums?” he demanded.

  “Lata had albums full of visuals of her trips with her family and of her time at the Academy. She always seemed to be taking visuals of your father and then there were the ones of you.”

  “Of me?”

  “Of course. Oh, there were the ‘official’ visuals of you, but Lata had her own album of the ones she’d taken. She showed them to me once when she visited. There were ones of you in the bath. Of you sleeping in your crib. She even had one of you running around the King’s garden, butt-naked.” Jacinda laughed at his dumbstruck look.

  “My mother visited you? In your home?” Barek coughed trying to cover his embarrassment and shock.

  “Yes, with you. You don’t remember?”

  “I’m sorry, no.”

  “Well, you were very young. My first son, Danton, is only a cycle older than you so your mother and I would get together and swap stories. We were the only ones with new children and relied heavily on each other in the beginning.”

  “Why only in the beginning?”

  Jacinda gave him a considering look. “I’m sure you are well aware of how Assemblymen try and,” Jacinda hesitated over her next word, “position themselves around you and your father, hoping to forward their own agenda.”

  “Yes.”

  “Well the wives do the same with the Queen and when some became aware of how much time we were spending together it caused… tensions.”

  “My mother should have been allowed to spend her time with whoever she wished.”

  “And you know that is true only up to a point, especially with an Assemblyman’s wife.” Jacinda saw the understanding in his eyes. “So we began to curtail some of our meetings. Your mother began to reach out to some of her old Academy friends that were returning from their first tour in the Coalition and she began to find other ways to relieve the pressure.”

  “By driving,” Barek spit out.

  “Yes.”

  “Which is what ultimately killed her.”

  “It was an accident, Barek.” Jacinda was unaware she had dropped his title. “Something no one could have foreseen or prevented.” When Barek only tightened his lips, saying nothing she knew she needed to let the subject drop. “So you’ve never seen your mother’s visuals?”

  “No,” he finally admitted.

  “Would you like to?”

  “What?”

  “My sister, Palma, also has albums of visuals from that time. I’m sure she would be more than willing to share them with you. I know there are some visuals she took the day of your parents’ Union. Palma assisted your mother on that day.”

  “I…”

  “Palma lives in Kisurri now and I was planning on visiting her in a few days, so I could ask if you would like.” Jacinda easily lied to Barek. She had no plans to visit her sister but plans change.

  “Kisurri?”

  “Yes,” Jacinda followed her intuition, “hopefully while I’m there I’ll be able to see the rest of my relatives. It’s been too long since I’ve seen Javiera and Leander.”

  “Michelakakis? Leander and Javiera Michelakakis are related to you?”

  “Why, yes. Leander is Stephan’s brother’s son. I haven’t gotten to see them in awhile. Unfortunately, I missed Amina graduating from the Academy and I was hoping she would still be there.” She saw Barek’s eyes flare, then quickly go blank when she mentioned Amina. Maybe Jotham was on the right track about Barek’s interest in Amina even if how he was going about it was all wrong.

  “She is,” Barek said revealing he was keeping tabs on Amina.

  “Wonderful.” Jacinda didn’t ask how he knew, knowing it would raise his suspicion and looked at the watch on her wrist. “It will make the trip that much more enjoyable. I’m sorry, Prince Barek, but I have to go or I will be late for my next appointment.”

  “Of course, Madame… Jacinda. It’s been a pleasure talking to you.”

  “Oh the pleasure has been all mine, Prince Barek, and as soon as I get those visuals I will have them delivered to you at the Palace.”

  “Thank you. I will be on planet until the Guardian departs.”

  Chapter Four

  “This has been wonderful, Sis, having you here.” Palma smiled at her older sister as they sat down at the street-side table in the heart of Kisurri soaking in the warmth of the midday suns, for a cup of coffee.

  “It’s been wonderful being here, Palma. I need to come visit more often.”

  “You do. You know you’re always welcome.” Reaching over Palma squeezed Jacinda’s hand.

  “I do.” Putting her hand on top of Palma’s she returned the squeeze. “Thank you, Palma, I know this was an unexpected trip.”

  “It was, but it’s been fun going down memory lane. I know Lata would appreciate what you’re doing for her son.”

  “I just can’t understand it, Palma.” Jacinda took a sip of her coffee enjoying the rich, full flavor for a moment before continuing. “I mean I always knew that publicly Jotham didn’t like to talk about Lata, but I thought he at least talked about her to Barek. I can’t imagine not talking about Stephan to our children. To have removed all the visuals of him from our home. I’ll admit it hurt to look at them for a while, knowing he was gone.” Jacinda’s voice caught for a moment, “but now I find great comfort in looking at them and remembering.”

  “You are a strong woman, Jacinda. It’s something I’ve always looked up to. I don’t know if I ever told you that.” Palma looked at her sister with eyes full of admiration. “I know I wasn’t as supportive as I should have been when you married Stephan.”

  “Palma…”

  “No, let me say this. I thought Stephan was too old for you, that he was making you sacrifice all those dreams you used to share with me. Suddenly you were like Mom.”

  Jacinda was probably the only person who fully understood what that meant. It wasn’t that either of them hadn’t loved their mother. She had been an amazing woman. Always polished, always polite, always ready to drop everything for her husband. Still she had taken care of her children, had loved them, but she had also demanded they act in a way that never reflected poorly on their father’s position. While they’d both appreciated the lifestyle they’d been able to have thanks to that position, they both couldn’t wait to escape the restrictions.

  “It didn’t take me long to realize it wasn’t the same. Stephan wasn’t just looking for someone that could help him advance his career.”

  “Our Union nearly ended his career.”

  “I know and that’s when I realized he truly loved you.”

  “He did.”

  “Life is funny sometimes, isn’t it? If you hadn’t fallen in love with Stephan, you wouldn’t have been in the House of Protection and been able to help Lata.”

  “I don’t know that I did that much, Palma.”

  “You did more than you think. Lata told me about that day in the garden. How you found her crying. I know it’s wrong of me, but I could just ring Queen Johanna’s neck for how she treated Lata.”

  “Treated her? What are you talking about, Palma? Jotham made it perfectly clear that Lata was who he had chosen.”

  “Queen Johanna refused to believe it. She was sure Jotham would move on after his tour in the Coalition.”

  “Why?”

  “Because while Lata may have been from the House of Protection, her family name carried no prestige. They were ‘commoners’ and as far as the Queen was concerned Lata would never be worthy of sitting beside Jotham.”

  “I always knew Johanna had some very… rigid… beliefs on who should be allowed within ??
?her’ House, meaning me, but I never thought it extended to those from the House of Protection.”

  “Oh it did, and because of it Johanna made no effort at all to help Lata with the extra attention she was receiving. She gave her no training, no guidance.”

  “None at all?” Jacinda couldn’t believe it.

  “None. It really bothered Lata but she, like everyone else, thought it would be cycles before she would have to worry about it. When they were suddenly killed… Lata was petrified.”

  “It never showed.”

  “She told me once that your honest friendship meant a lot to her, that it got her through some difficult times, like when she’d visit your house with Barek.”

  “They were wonderful times. I was sorry they ended even though I understood why.”

  “I honestly believe that was a mistake. Lata shouldn’t have caved to that pressure.”

  “Palma, you have to understand because Lata and I spent so much time together many believed she would influence Jotham to favor Stephan.”

  “So what? It’s not as if Johanna didn’t do the same thing with her ‘favorites’.”

  “True, but Lata wasn’t like that. She never played favorites.”

  “I know, but I believe if she had continued to visit you then she wouldn’t have felt the need to escape the Palace by driving alone. I talked to her, Jacinda, the day before she died. Palma lowered her voice so no one would overhear. “Something was bothering her and I don’t mean the usual things. I think it had more to do with seeing all our Academy friends going out, following their dreams, seeing the freedom they had to come and go as they pleased when she was always surrounded.”

  “She told you this?”

  “No, it was more the sense I got from her. She told me that driving let her clear her head, let her be just Lata. Not the Queen. Not a wife. Not a mother.”

  “I wish I would have known she was struggling so. I mean, I was struggling too, but at least I had Mom to talk to.”

  “I know. I’ve always felt guilty that I didn’t tell you about it, but if I had, Lata would never have confided in me.”

  “She was so young.”

  “Just twenty-four cycles when she met the ancestors. Can you imagine it, Jacinda? Our children are now older than she was when we lost her.”

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  “Jacinda?” The new voice had both women turning.

  “Javiera,” Jacinda smiled as she rose to hug the other woman. “I was going to call you later today.”

  “Of course you were,” Javiera’s voice held a teasing skepticism.

  “I was!” Jacinda laughed at the woman she considered a niece. “Come. Sit down and join us. You remember my sister, Palma Metaxas.”

  “Of course. It’s nice to see you again, Palma. How is your family?” As Javiera sat, Jacinda gestured to the server to bring another cup.

  “They are well. Donau and his family are out with the Fleet while Tosha and her family are here in Kisurri. How about yours? Jacinda was just telling me that Amina was getting ready to go to Montreux. How exciting for you.”

  “It is.”

  “It sounds like you’ve had a lot of excitement lately. What with the Chamberlain’s arriving, the Queen giving birth early and a Union. Do you have any visuals?” Jacinda asked looking to Javiera questioningly.

  “It has been,” Javiera stiffened slightly, “but I’m afraid I can’t show you any visuals that the Queen hasn’t officially released.”

  “Oh, Javiera, that’s not what I meant.” Jacinda reached over to cover her hand. “I would never ask that of you! I remember how irritating it was to have people approach me for information when Stephan was alive. What I meant was that I heard your family was at the Union and wondered if you had any visuals of your family. The last visual I have of your family, Dell is only three cycles.”

  “Oh, Jacinda,” Javiera gave her a sheepish look. “I’m sorry, I should have known better. There have just been so many inquiries since Princess Sabah was born…” Javiera pulled out her personal comm and found the visuals before handing it to Jacinda.

  “I understand and I should have been more specific.” Jacinda took the comm from her and she and Palma leaned closer together as they swiped through them. “Oh my, what a beautiful visual, Javiera! They look so grown up.” Jacinda’s eyes traveled over the visual, taking in Leander and Javiera standing side-by-side in what she knew was the Queen’s Garden, their children standing in front of them.

  Dell was in front of his mother, looking young and uncomfortable as only a young boy could in his dress clothes. While Amina stood in front of her father, wearing the violet gown Jacinda had seen in Jotham’s visual.

  “That has to be one of Kia’s creations,” Palma said seeing the gown for the first time.

  “It is. Victoria insisted she make Amina’s too. Doesn’t she look beautiful? And so grown up. Where did my baby go?” Javiera found her eyes welling up again at the thought.

  “She grew up.” Jacinda squeezed Javiera’s hand understandingly. “They do that. They grow up, leave home and find their own way. Who knows where their path may lead them.”

  “I know. I’m so proud of her. I just thought I had prepared myself for this, but to see her standing there next to Victoria and knowing that one day that might be her…”

  “We’re never really ready,” Palma told her. “I still look at Tosha and see my baby girl even though she’s given me two grandbabies.”

  “Okay, now that I’m not ready for,” Javiera told her laughing. “Neither of you look old enough to be grandmothers.” She included Jacinda in her look, knowing Jacinda’s second son, Ethan, had two young sons.

  “Oh, I so need to come to Kisurri more,” Jacinda shook her head laughing. “It is so good for my ego.” The ringing of Jacinda’s personal comm drew her attention and she reached into her bag to pull it out, smiling when she saw Danton’s name appear on the screen.

  “Hello, Danton.”

  “Mom! Where are you?” he demanded.

  Jacinda frowned at her son’s tone. “I’m in Kisurri, visiting Palma. Why? Has something happened?”

  “No, but why didn’t you let one of us know where you were going? What if something had happened and we needed to get hold of you?”

  “Well it seems you were able to get hold of me just fine, so what did you need, Danton?” Her cool tone had Palma and Javiera looking at her curiously.

  Silence reigned on the other end of the comm, as Danton sat back in his office chair feeling like a little boy who had just disappointed his mother. It had been cycles since he’d felt like that and found he didn’t like it any more now than he did as a child.

  “I’m sorry, Mom. I was just worried when I stopped by the house and it was locked up. Myesha wasn’t there and not even Madame Nitzschke knew where you were.”

  “You went next door to the Nitzschke’s?” Jacinda slapped a hand over her eyes and sighed heavily as she rested her elbow on the table. She would never hear the end of this, Madame Nitzschke’s one goal in life was to know everything about everyone and then tell everyone else about it. By now, half of Pechora knew that Danton had ‘lost’ his mother and rumors would be flying. “Oh, Danton…”

  “I didn’t go to her door. She was walking by and I asked. I’m sorry. I know she’s an irritating old lady, but I panicked.”

  “Why? Why would you panic? I am a grown woman, Danton. I’ve come and gone as I’ve pleased since before you were born.”

  “I know, but Mom…”

  “But what?”

  “We lost Dad so suddenly…. I just… I just couldn’t take losing you like that.”

  “Oh Danton,” Jacinda leaned back in her chair and felt her irritation fade away. “I’ve got a lot of life to live before I meet the ancestors. Now, why were you looking for me in the first place?”

  Knowing he was forgiven, Danton quickly explained why he was looking for her.

  “You do realize that it is only three days
away, right?” Jacinda said exasperatedly.

  “Of course.”

  “And that I have nothing to wear?”

  “What do you mean? You have a closet full of gowns.”

  If Danton had been sitting next to her, his mother would have slugged him. “That are over ten cycles old!”

  “So?” Danton was confused the way only a man could be when it came to clothing.

  “You know, sometimes you are just like your father, and no that’s not a compliment, Danton!”

  “But…”

  “I’m going to disconnect now, Danton. I will let you know when I am home.” Jacinda jabbed the disconnect button wishing Danton could feel it where he was.

  “Problem?”

  Jacinda looked up to find both women giving her a concerned look. “Danton would apparently like me to attend the Annual Ball with him.”

  “And he just now asked you?” Javiera gave her an incredulous look.

  “Apparently I have a ‘closet full of gowns’ that would do.”

  The two women looked at each other before they broke out laughing. “Oh, Jacinda, my nephew is such a man.”

  “Yes,” Jacinda began to snicker with them, “he is.”

  “Well you know what this means, don’t you?” Javiera said rising and received questioning looks from Palma and Jacinda. “We need to go see Kia.”

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  “He gave you three days notice!” Kia shrieked looking at the three women before her. “For King Jotham’s Annual Assemblymen’s Ball! Jacinda! Did you drop that boy on his head when he was a baby?” With her hands flying, Kia spun around and started screaming for her assistants.

  Jacinda found herself wiping away the tears that were streaming down her cheeks at Kia’s tirade. She’d forgotten how much she liked this woman. “No, Kia, I don’t think I did,” she told her following her deeper into her shop.

  “Well, maybe you should have!” Kia spat over her shoulder. “Men! What do they think that ‘poof’ and amazing gowns just suddenly appear?!!”