Jacinda's Challenge (Imperial 3) (56 page)

"What has you so concerned, Deffand?" Barek asked.

"It had been decided that only the King's Guard would accompany you to the Ball as Captain Chamberlain's trainees would be assisting the House of Knowledge security. But I refuse to trust my future Queen's security to anyone other than our own people. I also need to make sure Assemblyman Michelakakis has protection along with Stephanie."

"I'll be fine, and Stephanie
is
a guard," Danton told him.

"You are no longer
just
an Assemblyman, Sir. You are now directly related to the Royal family. If the purists react badly to this, they could attack you. It's my job to make sure that doesn't happen. Get used to it."

"Barek," Danton turned to him looking for assistance.

"He's right, Danton. While the majority of our people are going to react favorably to this, there are those that will not. No one is going to get close to Jacinda but you.... You know as well as I do it would devastate your mother if you were harmed."

Danton sighed heavily, "Alright, but I don't want them near me until you are about to enter the Ball. It will make everyone suspicious."

"I make no promises," Deffand told him. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to inform Peter of this change and Green. Prince Barek, you will be remaining in the Royal Wing until we leave?" Although Deffand phrased it as a question, neither man doubted it was an order.

"Yes," Barek told him.

"Good, then Assemblyman Michelakakis, if you would follow me I'll make sure the proper security escorts you back to the Public Wing.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Adelaide's eyes widened as she watched Danton Michelakakis walk out of the heavily guarded door that she knew led into the inner wings of the House of Knowledge. A place neither she nor Elliott had ever been allowed to enter. Following behind him were several House of Protection Royal Guards.

"Elliott!" she hissed. "Do you see what I see?"

"Hmm?" Elliott's eyes traveled around the room quickly spotting what had his wife so upset, his own eyes widening. "Yes, I do."

"What do you think it means?" Adelaide demanded.

"I have no idea. Why don't you go ask Danton?" Elliott told her shortly, thinking it looked like he would have to move up his plans to 'disappear' with Bebe.

"I was serious, Elliott." Adelaide gave him a sharp look.

"So was I. If you want to know so badly, go ask him." For the first time in his life, Elliott Pajari wasn't going to defer to his wife. She would be on her own soon, just not soon enough for him.

"What has gotten into you, Elliott Pajari?!! You know I can't just go up and
ask
."

"Why not?" he taunted. "Danton just might tell you."

"These things have to be done subtly. Have you learned nothing in all the cycles we've been wed?"

"Oh, I've learned a great deal, Adelaide. A great deal. You just might be surprised."

"Doubtful," she snorted inelegantly. "You've never 'surprised' me in your life, Elliott."

"Things change, Adelaide. Now, do you want to go into the Ball or just stand here and argue?"

Adelaide gave him a sharp look. She wasn't sure what was going on with him, but he had a point. People were starting to give them strange looks. "Let's go," she ordered then held out her arm so he could escort her into the Ball.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Jacinda stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the circlet so it nestled securely within her hair but was still prominently seen. She still couldn't believe it was on
her
head.

"You look beautiful. You always do." Jotham's image joined hers in the mirror, his eyes full of love. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" she asked turning around to face him.

"For not realizing people would consider you my companion. That
you
considered yourself my companion. That was never my intent."

"That didn't matter, Jotham.
You
were what mattered."

"No.
You
are what matters. You should have told me what Adelaide said to you."

"How did you find out...." Jacinda's eyes narrowed. "Green."

"No, but
how
I found out doesn't matter. What matters is that
you
didn't tell me. How would you have reacted if that had happened to me, or Barek, or one of your children and no one informed
you
?"

"Infuriated," she admitted with a sigh. "It was just..."

"No. Jacinda, there is no 'just.' We are going to have enough challenges ahead of us; we don't need to add more by keeping things that matter from one another."

"You're right. I'm sorry. I should have told you." She wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up at him. "Next time I will."

"There won't be a 'next' time. If anyone says something to you, Jacinda, and I mean
anyone
, you have the right to respond
any way
you want. You always did, my Queen or not."

"I know, and normally I wouldn't have allowed Adelaide to have the last word, but it had been a horrible day and I just wanted to get away. Letting her think she was in charge was the easiest way."

"Ready to show her who’s
really
in charge?" Jotham watched a smile bloom on her face making her even more radiant.

"Oh, yes. I can't wait to see the look on her face."

"Then let’s go show the people of Carina the most beautiful woman on the planet and the one that holds my heart."

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Stephanie just stared at Peter to stunned to speak. She had been worried when he pulled her aside, thinking he was removing her from the security detail, but she never for a moment thought it could be for something like this.

"Could you please repeat that?" she asked quietly.

"Your mother has agreed to be Jotham's wife. Because of this, I need to pull you from the security detail."

"No! This is where I need to be," she argued back.

"Lieutenant..."

"No sir, I mean it. I know
this
is where I need to be. It's a feeling that's been growing all day. Please, I understand what you are saying, but don't pull me off the security detail. Hardly anyone even knows I'm here. They'll be focused on Mom and Danton. Please."

Peter gave her a considering look. His own instincts had saved him on more than one occasion. He needed to trust Stephanie's.

"Alright, but if I see anyone overly interested in you, I'm pulling you. No questions asked. Agreed?"

"Agreed." Spinning on her heel, Stephanie returned to her post along the wall behind the members from the House of Protection and while her eyes were sharp and clear her mind was in turmoil.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Danton stood talking to Assemblyman Terwilliger and his wife, Evadne, as the first of the Royals began to arrive. There was never any set pattern to who arrived when at these things. Except for the fact that the House hosting the Ball always arrived first so they could formally greet the other Royals.

"So, Danton. How are you finding your first Royal Ball, so far?" Evadne asked him as she took a sip from her glass of wine.

"I can honestly say it's been a life-changing experience," Danton replied blandly.

"It can be, can't it?" Evadne agreed. "I just love this event. I just wish it happened more than once every five cycles."

"I'm not sure our world could handle that." Danton's enigmatic reply had Evander giving him a sharp look.

"Of course, we could," Evadne missed her husband's sharp look. "Your mother loved this event too. Oh, how I wish she were here. We always had the most amazing time together at these things, and her gowns.... they were always amazing. Queen Cassandra is the only one ever to come close to outdoing your mother. Just imagine what it would be like to have them both here together. It might make someone," her eyes went to Adelaide, "finally realize she has no fashion sense."

Danton subtly looked to where Evadne's gaze had gone and nearly choked on his drink when he saw what Adelaide Pajari was wearing. While it was in House of Protection violet that was the only good thing that could be said about it. The gown that he assumed was supposed to enhance her bony, bird-like frame instead hung from it like weeds blown into a fence. The hair she'd pulled back from her sharp features only enhanced her bird-like appearance.

After the cycles he'd watched his mother dress for these events and knew how much pride she took in being at his father's side, in
supporting
him, Adelaide standing beside Elliott was an affront to his senses.

"I see what you mean," Danton finally replied to Evadne.

Evadne was stopped from replying by the changing of the music announcing the arrival of the host Queen and King. All heads turned to watch the arrival of Cassandra and William, and they didn't disappoint. The High Admiral was wearing his Coalition uniform, and although he was the King of the House of Knowledge, his pants were still the deep violet with a black strip down the leg, representing the House of Protection. His jacket, the snowy white formal one all Coalition members wore, announced his rank on its collar while all the medals he'd earned filled his chest.

At his side, her hand resting lightly on his arm walked Cassandra. Her gown was in a deep sapphire blue that made her eyes stand out, but stitched across its bodice were violet crystals showing her support of her husband and
his
House. On her head was the smaller royal crown she had chosen for the event because of its weight and the short royal robe that she wore just over her shoulders so it cascaded down her back to just reach the floor.

They paused for just a moment inside the entrance, allowing everyone to see them and the polite applause to die down. Then they moved through the crowd, nodding occasionally to those they knew until they reached the official 'royal' area where they would welcome the others.

One by one the other Houses arrived. First the House of Faith, then the House of Growth, followed by the House of Healing. All moving to Cassandra and William to be officially welcomed to the House of Knowledge. A low buzz began to fill the room as everyone waited for the arrival of the last house, the House of Protection. Some were wondering why it was the last to arrive when normally it was among the first. Jotham liked to leave early, as he had no Queen, but perhaps it was because Barek would be accompanying him this cycle. His first Royal Ball.

Danton could feel his own tension growing as the moment was fast approaching that would change not only
his
life but also that of their world. Earlier he'd seen Stephanie standing her post behind him and the look they exchanged told him she knew what would be happening that night. Now he took a slight step back wanting to see the Pajaris' reaction to what was about to happen.

"Danton, is something wrong?" Evander asked noticing the move.

"No, I just wanted a better view."

"Then you need to move closer not further away. Here, you can have my spot, I've been seeing this for cycles."

"No, Evander, thank you but I'm fine right here."

"You're sure?"

"Yes."

Just then the music changed, announcing that the House of Protection had arrived and Evander turned around.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Barek waited in the common living area of the Royal Wing, wearing his Coalition dress uniform of purple pants and white jacket. He knew he should probably be wearing his more 'royal' attire, but tonight wasn't about
him
and he wanted to be able to help protect Jacinda if he needed to. He couldn’t move as well in the royal trappings of a robe and crown. So instead, he'd chosen this.

"My, don't you look handsome, Barek." Jacinda's words had him looking up to find her and his father entering the room.

"Thank you."

"If I were thirty cycles younger, you'd be giving your father a run for his credits." Reaching out, she instinctively straightened one of the medals on his chest that was crooked, as she would have for one of her own children. "There, now you look perfect."

Barek found himself blushing at Jacinda's words and a warmth filled his heart that she would take the time and cared enough to correct something he'd missed. It was something he realized his own mother would have done had she been there. "Thank you." He gave his father a teasing look. "And anytime you want to lose the old man...."

"Stop flirting with my woman!" Jotham demanded, but he was smiling as he said it. "Give me a run for my credits," he huffed, pulling her away from Barek so her back was flush against his chest. "This boy doesn't know nearly enough to handle a woman like you."

Jacinda looked over her shoulder and smiled at him. "You know you're the only man I want, Jotham Tibullus, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy
looking
at a handsome man. Especially one that's the spitting image of you."

Jotham found he couldn't argue with that and as his eyes ran over his first son he felt a surge of pride that had never been there with Dadrian. He'd finally made his peace with that, and with what had happened, thanks to Jacinda. Now it was time to get on with the rest of his life.

"You know, Barek," Jacinda touched the circlet in her hair. "We never asked if
you
were okay with this."

"Of course I'm okay with it!" Barek gave her a somewhat shocked look. "You've made my father a very happy man and given my mother back to not only me but to our people. I know she would approve of this so I'm extremely okay with it."

"Given your mother back?" Jacinda looked from Barek to Jotham in confusion.

"I placed Lata's portrait back alongside mine in the King's Wing."

"You did?" Jacinda felt her eyes soften, knowing what it had taken for him to do that. "Oh, Jotham...."

"It's where she's always belonged," he told her firmly. "Not hidden away and forgotten by most, and soon your portrait will hang on the other side of mine."

"But..." The King's portrait was always closest to the door.