Jacinda's Challenge (Imperial 3) (52 page)

"I would love to see them," Jacinda told him honestly. "Maybe if it's not too late when I get back I could call him?"

"That would be fine." Peter turned his attention to Stephanie. "Lieutenant, I'll see you in the training room in fifteen."

"Yes, Captain," Stephanie immediately responded.

Jacinda waited until they were alone before speaking. "You never answered any of my calls."

"I didn't want to talk to you."

"I gathered that, but ignoring a problem doesn't make it go away, Stephie."

"Is talking about it?" Stephanie demanded.

"Not in the way you want, but it might help you come to terms with it."

"And if I don't want to come to 'terms with it,' as you say?"

"Then we are going to have a problem."

"I can't believe you're doing this, Mother!" Stephanie hissed. "What about Dad!"

"What about him?"

"If he were alive...."

"If your father were
alive,
none
of this would have happened. I loved your father, Stephanie, still love him, will always love him. But now I also love Jotham and I would no more give him up than I would have your father."

"But..." Stephanie frowned, looking confused.

"But what?"

"How... you always said Dad was your life mate."

"And he was, is, but that doesn't mean I can't love someone else. It's not the same as the love I have for your father, Stephanie. It's different, but that doesn't make it wrong. I'm not the same woman I was when I wed your father and became a wife. It changed me, just as it changed me when I became a mother, just as it changed me when I became a widow. I'm sorry if that upsets you. I know, of all my children, you were the closest to your father because you were his little girl. You idolized him so much more than Danton did or Ethan ever did, and I know you see this as a betrayal to him, but I don't. I see it as a tribute. Your father's love was so true that I know he wouldn't want me to remain alone, not if I found myself in love again."

"You can't be sure of that," Stephanie denied, but she didn't sound so sure.

"I can because it’s what I'd want for him if the situation were reversed."

"I... I have to go, Mother. I can't be late for training."

"I understand. But please, Stephanie, think about what I've said because in a few days everyone is going to know."

"What do you mean?" Stephanie demanded. "Is Jotham going to make an official announcement?!!"

"In a way. I'm here because I'm going to be attending the Royal Ball with him."

"What?!!" Stephie took a stumbling step back.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

"Keep your arms
up
, Michelakakis!" Peter's warning came a moment too late and Stephanie found herself on the mat, again, with Woodrow grinning cruelly down at her. She hated Wortham Woodrow. He made no secret that he believed women had no place in security, and as Stephanie was the only remaining woman in this program, she was his favorite target.

"Everyone take a break! Michelakakis! My office!" Peter ordered, spinning on his heel.

Woodrow snickered as he went to get a drink of water.

"What's going on in your head, Lieutenant?" Peter demanded slamming the door shut before moving to his desk.

"Nothing, Sir," she responded standing stiffly at attention.

"I can see that. Otherwise, Woodrow would never be able to take you down with such a telegraphed move."

"Yes, Sir."

Peter leaned back in his chair giving her a considering look. "You, Lieutenant, are the most naturally talented recruit I have ever trained."

"What?" Stephanie gave him a shocked look.

"You're smart, quick to learn and adapt, and realize that brute strength is rarely the answer."

"I... Thank you, Captain."

"Which is why your performance today is so annoying. Now I want to know what is causing it."

"Sir, I'm sorry, it's a family matter. But I swear to you, I will not let it affect my training again."

"You're upset about your mother's relationship with King Jotham." Peter didn't think it was possible, but Stephanie became even stiffer, her eyes piercing his much like her mother's had.

"Sir, while I have nothing but respect for you,
that
is none of your business."

"Normally I would agree with that statement except in this case it affects one of my trainees. So unless you want removed from this program, you will answer."

Stephanie was silent for several moments weighing what mattered to her most and realized that if she failed this program now it would be her own fault.

"Yes. I'm having a problem with my mother's... relationship with King Jotham."

"Why?"

"WHY?!!" Stephanie looked at him as if he were crazy. "She's my
mother
and he's..."

"Just a man."

"That's not true! He's a King, a leader of people, he, and my father..."

"He and your father?"

"They were friends. I used to sneak into my dad's office and listen to him and Jotham talk. I never really listened to what they were saying, but the way they said it. You could tell, even when they were arguing, that they respected each other."

"And you think Jotham has somehow now violated that friendship, that respect, by loving your mother."

"He doesn't love her," Stephanie instantly denied.

"He does," Peter told her quietly.

"He can't."

"Why not?"

"Because if he did, he would be making her his Queen and not his companion." She finally said what was truly bothering her. Her mother was never meant to be a 'companion.'

"Perhaps he will."

"No. He's always said that Lata would be his only Queen."

"To who?"

"My father. Dad wanted him to meet someone once. Can you believe that? My dad trying to set the King up with a woman? Jotham said it then that there would only ever be one woman for him, one Queen, and she was gone."

"People change, Stephanie, time changes us and life changes us. I don't know if Jotham will make Jacinda his Queen, but I do know he loves her. All you have to do is see them together to know it." When Stephanie didn't answer, he asked her a question. "Let me ask you this, if the situation were reversed. If you fell in love with a man, a good man, a man who loved you and wanted to share his life with you. If that happened and your mother felt, you needed to give him up because it might interfere in
her
life. Would you?"

"Of course not! She's my mother! All she's ever wanted is my happiness."

"But you don't want that for her. Should she have died with your father?

Stephanie paled at the accusation. "No!"

"Then let her live, Stephanie. Let her love and be a part of it, be her daughter."

"It's not that easy."

"It is if you let it be. Family is a precious thing, Stephanie. I know that better than anyone. You don't want to lose yours because of
your
selfishness."

"I... I'll think about what you've said, Captain."

"Do that. Now get back out there and don't let Woodrow take you down again."

"Yes, Sir." Spinning on her heel, she left the room.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

"King Jotham?"

Jotham looked up from the comm in his office to find Deffand standing there looking slightly ill at ease.

"Deffand, I'm in for the night," he told him.

"Yes, Majesty, I know. I was hoping I might be able to have a word with you."

"Of course," Jotham eased back in his chair. "What can I do for you?"

"I... something was brought to my attention that I feel you should know about."

"Alright." He didn't think he had ever seen Deffand this uncomfortable before.

"It concerns Jacinda."

Jotham was immediately on his feet. "Has something happened to her? Is she hurt?" She had only left the night before, deciding it would be easier if she slept on the flight to Kisurri so she could wake refreshed and start her day. He hated watching her get on his shuttle without him, hated knowing he would be sleeping alone for the next few nights.

"No! No, Majesty! I never meant to imply that!"

"Then what?!!" Jotham demanded, his heart still pounding in fear.

"There have been some comments made about Jacinda,
to
Jacinda, that I don't believe you have been made aware of."

"Comments?" Jotham slowly sat down. "What kind of comments? Made by who?"

"Madame Adelaide Pajari."

Jotham groaned. He knew this wasn't going to be good. "What happened?"

"Apparently, Madame Pajari confronted Jacinda in the Public Wing about her not belonging there and demanded she be escorted out of the Palace."

"She what?"

Jotham's voice had gone colder and more lethal than Deffand had ever heard it. "Green was following Jacinda, per your orders and witnessed the entire thing. When he stepped forward to interfere, Madame Pajari took it that he had come to
her
aid, as she is an Assemblyman's wife. Before Green could correct her, Jacinda asked him to escort her out of the room."

"And he did it?"

"Green's immediate concern was to get Jacinda away from a possible threat. I went back and reviewed the recordings. Madame Pajari was acting erratically."

"And why am I just finding out about this now?"

"Green believed Jacinda would tell you about it and that you would then send out a clear and detailed directive in regard to how these situations were to be handled with your..."

"With my?" Jotham asked.

"Companion, Majesty," Deffand replied quietly.

"Companion!" Jotham shot back out of his chair. "Green called Jacinda my
companion?!
!"

"No, Majesty," Deffand immediately denied. "Jacinda called herself that and informed him that he would have to get used to it, because once it became known the two of you were involved, there would be more comments made."

"Fuck!" Jotham ran an angry hand through his hair and began to pace behind his desk, his eyes flying to the empty space where Lata had been. Why hadn't he considered this? Yes, there were Royals, both men, and women, that had what was politely called 'companions' because many of those Unions were politically motivated like Yakira's, instead of love matches. And while companions were often seen at small private gatherings when the spouse isn't present, they were never acknowledged in public. But Jotham had no spouse, so he hadn't considered it an issue.

"She never said a word," Jotham whispered.

"I gathered that, as did Green, as the weeks passed."

"So why didn't Green tell me?" When Deffand again looked uncomfortable, Jotham frowned. "Deffand?"

"Green knew Jacinda would be upset when you were informed, and he didn't want her upset at
him
."

Jotham's lips twitched at the thought that one of his Royal Guards would be afraid of upsetting Jacinda. "So he wants her upset at you instead."

"So it would seem," Deffand agreed.

"Thank you for bring this to my attention. I will take care of it."

"I... yes, Majesty."

"You have something else you wish to say, Deffand?"

"I... I just want to say that I have the greatest of respect for Jacinda. She is a truly kind woman, and..."

"And?"

"And if someone makes an inappropriate comment about her or to her, in front of
me
, I don't care who they are I will shut them up painfully." Deffand's eyes glittered at the thought.

Now Jotham did smile. "I will give you a medal for it too. Thank you, Nicholas, and I promise you
no one
will be making inappropriate comments about Jacinda."

Chapter Thirty-Two

"Jacinda, thank you so much for coming early." Kia walked up, her hands flying as she spoke.

"It wasn't a problem, Kia, not when you didn't complain about making my gown."

"As if. Clothing you is a joy. How is it that after all these cycles your measurements have hardly changed?"

Jacinda laughed, "Oh, Kia, you are so good for my ego."

"You are good for my business. It's only going to take one look at you wearing this gown at the Ball and every woman on the planet is going to be pounding on my door. Come. Let’s make sure everything is perfect."

"Oh, Kia," Jacinda whispered moments later as she looked at the image reflected back at her in the mirror. "This is amazing."

Kia stood behind her, a satisfied look on her face, as she ran a critical eye over the gown. She really had outdone herself this time. The gown had changed, grown since its original drawing a month ago. It was the same, form-fitting sheath, with no sleeves, that clung to her figure. The applique had taken on a life of its own. Once Kia had started applying the beads, she realized she needed to go bold or go home. Instead of the beading just along the hem, she filled the lower quarter with waterfalls full of beads that pooled around Jacinda's feet, arranged in such a way that House of Protection violet shone through as the royal crown. After that, the upper half of the dress demanded more and Kia had answered. She continued the crown theme across the bodice, knowing Jacinda could carry it off. Then on a whim, she'd inverted the design so it accentuated the curve of her hips. It truly was one of Kia's best works.

"Walk," she ordered watching the movement of the gown carefully. "You need higher heels. Zee!" Kia clapped her hands together and the assistant came running. "Four inch heels."

With just a nod, Zee hurried away to get the shoes.

"Kia, four inch? Are you sure?"

"The dress will hang better and you won't have to worry about stepping on the hem, not even when you're dancing." She looked up at Jacinda and knew her concern. "Jotham will still be taller than you by several inches, Jacinda."

"You're sure?"

"Yes. The two of you together... I will be glued to my comm watching how stunning the two of you will look together."

Jacinda blushed, "Thank you, Kia."

"No thanks needed. Now," she said as Zee entered the room, "lift your foot." As Jacinda did Kia changed her shoes. "Now try it again."