Jacinda's Challenge (Imperial 3) (2 page)

Barek’s birth had not been easy for Lata, and Jotham decided then and there that he would make sure he never forgot to take the Ollali juice again. Not until Lata was ready for a second child. She had died before that happened.

After Barek had been born, Lata became restless and returned to her Queen’s duties. However, the enthusiasm she had for her duties was not the same as before she conceived. Classmates began returning from their tours with the Fleet telling Lata their tales of adventure. Lata felt it was the tour Jotham and Lata were supposed to take together. The
adventures
they
were supposed to have together. Instead of her being able to experience them, she had become a mother and a Queen, all by the age of twenty.

Jotham had tried to be understanding. He knew that Lata’s dream had been to travel the stars, a dream she’d willingly given up for him. Lata seemed to settle, seemed to return to her old self, but only after he finally allowed her to escape the Palace by driving her own transport. He hadn’t liked it, but it seemed to give her the freedom she craved, and she returned to being the gentle, loving woman Jotham had fallen in love with.

“I shouldn’t have allowed it, Lata,” Jotham spoke quietly, raising tortured eyes to her portrait. “If I hadn’t, you wouldn’t have been driving that day. You wouldn’t have lost control. You wouldn’t have died and then Barek would know that while he doesn’t have your smile, he has your laugh and your gentle ways. Not that he reveals either very often.” Reaching out, he gently caressed her cheek. “What am I to do, Lata? I know what I saw today. Barek
is
interested in this girl, but can she handle being his Queen? I need your help, Lata. Our son needs your help.”

A warm breeze brushed his cheek. It was his only answer and he lowered his head. After several moments he rose, kissing his fingers and placing them on her lips. “I will talk to you later, my love.”

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Jotham entered his outer office to find Chesney, his personal aide, sitting at the desk he always seemed to be at. He rose as Jotham entered.

“Majesty, I’ve compiled for you the list of Assemblymen that will be attending the Annual Ball next week.”

“List?” Jotham frowned at Chesney. “Chesney, I know who my Assemblymen are.”

“Yes, Majesty, but if you remember there are several new ones with the recent elections. I’ve compiled a biography on each so you will be more familiar with them.”

“Yes, of course. Thank you, Chesney.” Taking the folder, Jotham entered his office and began to read.

Jotham frowned as he opened the last folder and looked at the visual. Why did this man look so familiar? Learning his name, his frown grew. Danton Michelakakis? Reading on, his eyes widened.

Was this possible?

Could one of Stephan Michelakakis’ sons really be old enough to be an Assemblyman? Suddenly he realized he had just done the same thing Barek had with Amina because Danton had been born a cycle before Barek. He remembered how proud Stephan had been when he announced the birth of his first son, remembered how the man had shown everyone Danton’s first visual, including Jotham.

Where had the time gone?

Leaning back in his chair, Jotham began to remember more about the Assemblyman that had died suddenly ten cycles earlier. Stephan had been an outspoken Assemblyman with strong beliefs and passionate delivery. He’d had definite ideas about what the House of Protection’s role should be in the Coalition. Some Jotham had agreed with, others not so much, but all were well thought out and always presented with respect.

Jotham also remembered Stephan’s wife… what was her name…? Looking back to the file in his hand he found it.

Jacinda...

Yes, that was it. She’d been a stunningly, beautiful woman. A great deal younger than Stephan, if Jotham remembered correctly. She’d also been from the House of Healing, her father being a powerful Assemblyman there. It had caused some debate within the Assembly, some felt that an Assemblyman’s wife should be from the same House. It was an unrealistic expectation and Jotham had quickly weighed in, silencing Stephan’s critics.

It had proven to be the right choice, for Stephan had gone on to be an Assemblyman whose opinion Jotham could rely on. His death, shortly before the destruction of Earth, had left big shoes to be filled and no one really had. Perhaps his son would.

Jacinda had seemed to retreat from the public eye after Stephan’s death and now that Jotham thought about it, he couldn’t remember seeing her anywhere since the sochraide. It was a shame because Jacinda Michelakakis’ grace and beauty had always brightened any room she was in.

Michelakakis…. Jacinda Michelakakis… Amina Michelakakis… leaning forward Jotham pressed a button on his desk.

“Chesney, would you come in here, please? I have a job for you.”

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Jacinda sat back on her heels, tipping her face up to the warmth of Carina’s three suns and letting it soothe her. She was in her garden, tending to the last blossoms of the season feeling a sense of contentment that she hadn’t felt in cycles. Her grandchildren had left several hours earlier and while she loved them, loved their exuberance and the energy they brought to her life, there were times she liked the quiet.

She knew her children worried about her, afraid she spent too much time alone, which was why they made sure to send their children to her house at least once a moon cycle. Sighing, she looked back to the house. It really was too big for just her and she should turn it over to Danton. As a newly elected Assemblyman, he would need a residence such as this in Pechora to entertain, but she found she couldn’t let it go yet.

There were too many memories here. This was the house that Stephan had brought her to after their Union. This was the house where all her children were born. It was the garden where further up the path, her life mate had died picking her favorite flowers. Leaning down, Jacinda smelled one of the blossoms.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

This had never been the life Jacinda envisioned for herself all those cycles ago. She’d had such grand plans for her life and not one of them had included being involved in politics, especially not in the House of Protection politics.

She had grown up in a house that had been filled with politics and debates. She’d watched her mother stand beside her father. Watched her support him in every aspect of his life as an Assemblyman of the House of Healing. She knew it was the life they had both chosen and both loved. It just wasn’t the life Jacinda wanted. Jacinda wanted to travel without worrying about appearances. She wanted to be just another citizen, not the daughter of a powerful Assemblyman. She’d known she didn’t wish to be the wife of one.

One should be careful what they wished for… and what they wished against.

Jacinda returned home after her first tour of duty full of excitement and ready to start the next phase of her life. She found Stephan Michelakakis sitting at her parents’ table and her heart had been lost.

Stephan had been amazingly handsome to her, and not just in the physical sense. Although he had been that. But he was a man who’d known who he was.
That
is what first attracted her to him. He’d known what he wanted out of life and was totally confident he could achieve it. He’d been so unlike the boys she’d been dealing with over the last two cycles. They thought they were men, yet they were still searching for their place in life. Stephan had listened to her,
really
listened to her. He would seriously consider what she was saying and not just to get her into his bed. The way it had made her feel was indescribable. He treated her like an equal, an adult. She’d found it so irresistible and sexy. They’d been true partners, friends, and life mates.

Their instant attraction to each other had caught both of them by surprise. Neither had been looking for a life mate and both knew there would be obstacles they would have to overcome. The first being Jacinda’s parents, who had been shocked when they found out about the relationship. Jacinda’s father, while older than Stephan, considered him a contemporary and not someone who should be interested in his daughter. It had taken some time, but eventually her father had come around, thanks to the prodding of her mother and once he saw how much they truly cared for each other.

The next obstacle they had faced had been the Assemblymen of the House of Protection who felt Stephan should not be allowed to serve if his wife were from another House. It had been an uncertain time until King Jotham had finally weighed in stating that an Assemblyman’s wife did not need to be from the House of Protection for him to serve. While it had ended the debate, it hadn’t changed the attitudes of some. Jacinda had just ignored the snide comments made to her by some of the other wives. Over time, as Stephan became more influential and Jacinda had more than proven she was up to the task of being an Assemblyman’s wife, the comments ceased.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

“Madame Michelakakis?”

The voice of her housekeeper pulled Jacinda from her musings to find her standing only a few feet away.

“What is it, Myesha?”

“Madame, there is a messenger from the King at the door.”

Jacinda frowned at Myesha’s words. Why in the world would one of the King’s messengers be coming here? Suddenly she realized the mistake. “He must be looking for Danton, Myesha. You can tell him his address.”

“Yes, Madame, I thought that too, but Captain Deffand assured me his message is for you.”

“Captain Deffand?” Jacinda didn’t try to hide her surprise. Deffand was the head of King Jotham’s security and had been for the last fifteen cycles. He wasn’t a messenger. What in the world was going on?

Rising, Jacinda brushed the dirt from the knees of her pants then removed her gloves, dropping them into the basket of flowers she’d been cutting. Moving to Myesha, she handed her the basket. “Would you see to these for me please, Myesha, and I’ll go see what is going on.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Jacinda absently raised a hand to her hair making sure it was still pulled back as she’d arranged it that morning. She remembered Captain Deffand. He had always been present when the King addressed the Assembly. He was a tall, good-looking man who took his duty very seriously. He had never taken a wife, at least he hadn’t when Stephan had been alive, but that could have changed in the last ten cycles.

Entering the entryway, Jacinda saw that time hadn’t dimmed her image of the King’s Captain. He was still handsome and although he had aged as they all had, it looked good on him. The look in his eyes told her he still took his duty very seriously.

“Captain Deffand, a pleasure to see you again.” Jacinda held out her hand and after only the slightest of hesitation, he shook it.

“Madame Michelakakis, it is good to see you again too.”

“Would you like to sit?” Jacinda gestured to the room behind her.

“Thank you, but no. King Jotham asked that I deliver this to you.” Deffand held out the sealed envelope to her.

“King Jotham?” Jacinda was frowning again as she took the envelope, trying to figure out why the King would be sending her a message, let alone have his Captain deliver it.

“Yes, Madame. He also requested that I remain for your reply.”

“Really,” Jacinda raised an elegant eyebrow as she turned the envelope over. Seeing that the King’s seal was still intact, she ran her finger underneath, breaking it. Pulling the single sheet out, she turned away from Deffand and read.

Why did Jotham wish to speak to her? About what? Why in person? Thinking how she could rearrange her plans for the next day, she looked to Deffand.

“Tell King Jotham I will be there at one tomorrow.”

“I will let him know, Madame Michelakakis. A limisin will arrive here at 12:30 to transport you.”

“No, Captain, I have some errands to run tomorrow. I will get myself to the Palace.”

“But, Madame Michelakakis, the King…”

“I will make sure I am on time, Captain. I remember how pressed for time the King always is.”

“Yes, Madame Michelakakis.” Bowing, Deffand turned and left the residence.

Chapter Two

The next day, walking through the Public Wing of the House of Protection, Jacinda let the memories flow over her. It had been over ten cycles since she’d walked through this Wing. It was after the Annual Ball that welcomed in the new Assemblymen for the House of Protection. She and Stephan had attended as they always did and had enjoyed themselves immensely. They had chatted with longtime friends, nibbled on the delicious food and danced the night away. It had been an incredible evening. Less than a moon cycle later, she buried her life mate and she’d never entered the Palace again. Until today.

Stephan’s office and that of every other Assemblyman’s was in the Assembly Hall in Pechora. It was a large building in the center of the City that when a full Assembly was in session had room for the Assemblymen from all the other Houses.

The doors at the far end of the Public Wing blocked the first corridor that would lead to the King’s Wing. When she approached, she stopped.

“Jacinda Michelakakis,” she told one of the guards protecting the door. “I have an appointment with King Jotham.”

Just as the guard raised his communicator to confirm her appointment, the door behind him opened and Captain Deffand stepped out.”

“Madame Michelakakis,” he nodded slightly to her.

“Captain Deffand,” Jacinda returned his nod, smiling slightly. “As you can see I’m on time.”

“I never thought you wouldn’t be, Madame Michelakakis. If you’ll follow me.” He gestured for her to proceed him down the corridor. “The King is waiting for you in his private office.”

Jacinda’s eyebrow raised slightly at that, but she moved through the doorway. Why would Jotham want to speak to her in his private office?

They walked without speaking for several minutes as Jacinda reacquainted herself with her surroundings. She had traveled down this corridor before. If you turned left at its end, you would enter the Guest Wing used for off-planet dignitaries. She’d gone there once with Stephan when he had a meeting. Jacinda had accompanied him so she could entertain the man’s wife. Turning right, you moved toward the Servant’s Wing where all the staff lived if they chose to.