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

Guiding her to the right, Deffand led her passed the Servant’s Wing to another set of guarded doors. These led to the Royal Wing and the King’s Wing. The Royal Wing was to the right, and if she remembered correctly, it was where Queen Cassandra of the House of Knowledge had initially stayed when she arrived on Carina all those cycles ago. Before she’d been able to challenge Queen Yakira and claim her throne. What an amazing thing that had been. For a descendent of the lost Princess to actually return and reclaim her throne. Stephan would have loved to witness such a historic event. Unfortunately, he died two moon cycles before it occurred.

“Madame Michelakakis?” Deffand’s question had her realizing she had stopped moving and was looking toward the Royal Wing. “Is everything alright?”

“Yes, Captain, forgive me, I was just thinking back to when Queen Cassandra arrived and stayed in that Wing.” She nodded toward the Royal Wing. “Stephan would have loved to have witnessed the return of the true Queen.”

“He was a good Assemblyman, Madame, and an even better man.”

Jacinda looked up to the Captain and had to fight the tears that wanted to fill them at his sincere words. “He was, Captain, thank you for saying that.”

“It is the truth, Madame. Assemblyman Michelakakis was well thought of and respected. His guidance in the Assembly has been sorely missed at times.” He gestured to the corridor to his left and they slowly began to walk toward the King’s Wing.

“Yes. Well, while I may not have my finger on the pulse of the Assembly anymore,” she gave him a sideways smile. “I do still hear things and you’ve had your hands full lately.”

“Yes, Madame,” he replied noncommittally.

“So tell me, Captain, have you found your life mate yet?”

“I… my what?” Deffand’s steps faltered.

“Your life mate. The last I knew you were single.”

“I… yes, I was and still am.”

“That’s a shame, Captain.”

“Shame, Madame?” Deffand raised his eyebrow at her, hearing the sincerity in her voice.

“Yes. No one should go through this life alone, Captain. Especially not a man like you. You have dedicated your life to the protection of our King and in doing so, have protected his people.”

“That is why I remain single, Madame.”

“I don’t understand,” she frowned at him.

“And neither do other women.”

“No, Captain, what I don’t understand is why you feel your life mate wouldn’t understand your dedication to your King.”

“I discovered early in my career, Madame, that women do not like to have a man leave unexpectedly with no explanation.”

“That would be because they weren’t your life mate.”

“You are saying you never became… upset with your husband, when he was suddenly called away?” Deffand’s tone was disbelieving.

“Sometimes,” she admitted, “but being upset didn’t mean I didn’t understand. I knew who Stephan was before we had our Union and what it would mean. My father was also an Assemblyman, Captain. I grew up with him suddenly leaving, but Stephan and I also sat down and discussed it. If I couldn’t have accepted that part of his life, then we wouldn’t have had our Union.”

“There are few woman that are that understanding, Madame,” Deffand told her quietly.

“Oh, I don’t know about that. I believe the right woman for you is out there somewhere, Captain. You just haven’t met her yet. Perhaps I can help you with that.” Jacinda gave him a smile before her gaze traveled to the portraits hanging along the walls. They were the portraits of the past Kings and Queens of the House of Protection. She knew the only time they were moved was when a new King took the throne and then they were moved down allowing the reigning monarchs the place of honor next to the doors of the King’s Wing.

As they moved closer to the doors, Jacinda was saddened to see that only Jotham’s portrait hung outside them. The space that had once held Lata’s portrait remained empty, as it had been since her death.

Jacinda had never understood why Jotham had it removed. Maybe if he had taken another Queen, it would have been understandable, but he hadn’t…. She wondered where the beautiful portrait had gone.

Deffand silently noted how Madame Michelakakis’ eyes paused on the space where the Queen’s portrait once hung. He hadn’t even been in the Academy at the time of Lata’s death, all those cycles ago. He remembered his shock the first day he’d been allowed to guard these doors and her portrait hadn’t been there. Looking at the current guards, he nodded and they silently opened the doors.

Jacinda allowed Deffand to lead her into the King’s Wing. There had been a time when Lata had been alive, that she would come visit the Queen here. They would walk through the gardens and talk, but that had been in the very early cycles when they both had been new to their roles and responsibilities.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Jacinda and Stephan’s Union had only been six moon cycles old when Jotham assumed the throne and made Lata his Queen. There had been dissent in the Assembly about her and Stephan’s Union that Jotham’s father, King Kado, had done nothing to stop. Jotham had immediately taken action informing all that an Assemblyman’s spouse
could
come from another House, that only the heir to the throne must choose within it. It had been a relief to both her and Stephan.

While Jacinda had grown up in politics, she had never actually dealt with the inner workings of the Assembly wives. Each one of the wives was trying to position themselves in the best possible way with the Queen to help their husband. Queen Johanna had already chosen those she favored and those she just tolerated. She hadn’t yet made up her mind about Jacinda before she had died.

When Lata became Queen, there had been a mad scramble among the wives with each trying to become a member of Lata’s ‘inner circle’. Most were hoping to be able to take advantage of Lata’s youth and inexperience to forward their own agenda. Jacinda had been one of the few who had made no attempt. She had just silently watched as Lata carefully but calmly navigated the waves of comments and advice flowing around her. She had never appeared flustered or agitated. She would thank them, saying she would consider their advice and then make a kind comment about either the woman or her husband before moving on. She had acted like an actual Queen.

It was only when Jacinda found Lata in the garden one day, her shoulders slumped with her face in her hands, that Jacinda realized the toll it was taking on the young Queen. Lata and Jacinda’s younger sister, Palma, had been best friends in the Academy and while Jacinda was several cycles ahead of them, she still remembered Lata coming to their house during breaks. Lata had always been a smiling, outgoing girl ready with a kind word and a gentle touch. Seeing her like that had hurt Jacinda’s heart so she reached out to her.

At first, it had been stiff, as Lata thought Jacinda too wanted something from her. However, over time Lata realized Jacinda was just offering her friendship, no strings attached, and they had become friends. Much to the consternation of the older wives.

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

“Madame Michelakakis?” Deffand’s quiet question had her realizing her mind had drifted again as she walked passed the familiar rooms. But now she stood before the doors to the King’s office, a place she had never been and it was time to put those memories away. Her smile told Deffand she was okay and he opened the door.

Inside sat, a man Jacinda knew was Chesney, the King’s Personal Aide. He immediately rose as she entered.

“Madame Michelakakis,” he greeted, “a pleasure to see you again.”

“Mister Chesney, it’s been a long time.” Jacinda’s voice was as warm as her smile. “How is your family?”

“Yes it has and they are well, thank you for asking. I will let King Jotham know you are here.” Turning, he went to the doors that his desk seemed to be guarding.

“Madame Michelakakis,” Deffand moved to face her, “it has been a pleasure to escort you today.” He bowed slightly to her.

“The pleasure was all mine, Captain. It’s been a long time since I’ve strolled down a corridor with a good-looking, young man.” Jacinda laughed softly when Deffand began to flush and couldn’t help but tease. “I will make sure to keep my eyes open for you.”

∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

Jotham looked up from the report he was reading as the door to his private office opened and Chesney entered.

“King Jotham, Madame Michelakakis is here.”

“Wonderful.” Closing the folder, he rose and walked around his desk moving toward the door, surprising Chesney. In all Chesney’s cycles in serving his King, never had Jotham gone out to greet someone, they came to him. “You’ve arranged for refreshments?” Jotham asked.

“Yes, Majesty.”

“Good.” Moving passed Chesney, Jotham entered the outer room to greet Jacinda. He paused when he heard her words,
‘
I will make sure to keep my eyes open for you
,’
and saw his Captain’s cheeks darken slightly.

“Madame Michelakakis,” Jotham spoke pulling her attention from his Captain to him.

Jotham’s voice had Jacinda turning from Deffand to address the King and for a moment, she found herself speechless. Somehow, she had forgotten just how handsome Jotham Tibullus was. While Stephan had been her life mate and the only man she’d wanted to spend her life with, it didn’t mean she still couldn’t appreciate a good-looking male when she saw one. And Jotham had always been that.

Jotham was taller than Stephan by a good three inches. She’d forgotten that. She was able to look her husband in the eye when she wore two-inch heels and took care to make sure they were always shorter than that. It had become a habit. So now with Jotham, she had to tip her head back to look him in the eye. Jotham still had the thick, dark, unruly hair of his youth, although there was some gray starting if you looked close enough. Stephan’s had already been fully gray at Jotham’s age and Jotham’s violet eyes, a testament to his being of royal blood, were nothing like Stephan’s warm amber ones.

If the cut of Jotham’s clothes was accurate, then time had not yet affected the King’s physique either. He was still broad in the shoulders and trim at the waist and the tailoring of his shirt discreetly revealed the muscles of his chest and abs before it tucked into the waistband of his pants.

“King Jotham,” she finally remembered to respond and bowed her head slightly to him.

“It’s wonderful to see you again.” Jotham gestured for her to proceed him into his office, which surprised him when he realized he truly was.

Jacinda Michelakakis was taller than he remembered. The top of her head just reaching his chin. Lata’s hadn't reached his shoulder and her size had always made him feel that he needed to protect her. Jacinda gave off the aura of a strong, confident woman. One that could stand up for and by herself if need be. She had shown that with how she’d handled the sudden death of her life mate.

Jotham remembered Stephan’s sochraide well. The temple had been filled to capacity with representatives from every House, for Stephan Michelakakis had been well-liked and greatly respected outside of his own House. It had to have been a daunting task for Jacinda and her children that day, but they had all rallied around each other. Jacinda had gracefully accepted the condolences of each and every person there, even when you could see it was wearing on her. Her beautiful, golden skin had become pale and her usually bright and sparkling blue-green eyes had been dull and lifeless, filled with such sadness. He had been told she was the last to leave her life mate’s grave… that her oldest son, Danton, had to convince her to leave.

Jotham had always meant to personally check up on her. It was the least he could have done for Stephan, but then Barek had been reported lost, Cassandra had arrived on Carina, and Dadrian’s treasonous crimes had been revealed. Jotham was ashamed to admit he had forgotten all about Stephan’s widow and family until yesterday.

Now he wondered how he could have, for Jacinda Michelakakis was an uncommonly beautiful woman. While he wasn’t sure of her age, he knew she had been a good many cycles younger than Stephan at their Union. Jotham still believed that was the real reason why so many in the Assembly had protested their Union. It had nothing to do with what House Jacinda had come from, but that they envied her beauty and confidence and worried they would be found lacking. His father should have immediately put a stop to it, but he hadn’t. Jotham had never understood why, but
he
ended the controversy when he became King. Moreover, while Stephan had thanked him, it had never stopped Stephan from expressing his opinion when he disagreed with Jotham. It had been something Jotham had greatly respected and missed. Now he felt like he had failed the man by not seeing to his family’s welfare.

“Won’t you sit?” Jotham asked gesturing to the couch along one side of the room.

Jacinda took in the room as she moved to the sofa. This was obviously where the King did the majority of his work. There were files piled on the large desk that faced the door as you entered. Behind the desk, a large window let in the light and scents from the King’s Garden that lay outside. The wall opposite the couch, where she sat, contained shelves, filled with books and what appeared to be items given to the King by the other Houses.

“Your refreshments, Majesty,” Chesney announced placing the tray down on the small table between the couch and the chair the King had moved to sit in.

“Thank you, Chesney, that will be all,” Jotham dismissed him.

“Yes, Majesty. Madame.” Giving each a small bow, Chesney left the room.

“Would you like me to pour, Majesty?” Jacinda looked at him, waiting for the King’s reply before proceeding.

“Please,” Jotham told her and watched as she gracefully poured two cups of the hot tea.

“Do you still take three sweeteners?” she asked, her hand poised above the sweetener.

“I… yes.” Jotham frowned. How had she known? “How?”

“Did I know you liked your tea sweet?” Jacinda finished for him and smiled as she handed him the sweetened cup and saucer.

“Yes,” he confirmed.