Jacinda's Challenge (Imperial 3)

by M. K. Eidem

  "He's done what he can, you know this since you talked to... or should I say tried to intimidate him into telling you my personal, private, medical information."

  "He called you?"

  "Of course he called me. Otherwise, he never would have given you any information. King or not, some things, not even you have the right to know."

  "You mean like the scar you have on your side?"

  "My scar? You asked Portman about my scar!"

  Jacinda sat straight up in bed revealing she was wearing another beautiful nightgown this time in a bronze color that accentuated her skin tone.

  "No." His eyes ran appreciatively over her. "I'm asking you."

  "Why would you possibly want to know about that?" Jacinda laid back down settling the covers under her breasts.

  "Because it is a part of you."

  "Jotham..." Jacinda's eyes softened.

  "You fascinate me, Jacinda." The intensity in his eyes held hers. "Don't you know that? Not because of your beauty, but because of your faults. They are what make you who you are and I want to know you."

  How was she supposed to stay irritated with him when he said something like that?

  "It's not a very interesting story," she finally said.

  "Tell me anyway."

  Jacinda watched Jotham settle back and realized he was laying in his bed too, talking on his personal comm, just like she was. It made her feel closer to him.

  "We were on vacation in the Lake Baku Region, visiting Stephan's brother, Leander's father, when I suddenly got sick."

  "Sick!" Jotham shot straight up in bed. "What do you mean sick?"

  "I had some trouble carrying Stephanie," Jacinda shrugged. "My gallbladder was damaged. It had been manageable, but for some reason that weekend it flared up so badly that it had to be removed."

  "You're okay now?"

  "Jotham, I'm fine. It was over twenty cycles ago. I told you it wasn't an interesting story." She frowned as she remembered. "Stephan and I had already decided not to have more children, but that took the matter out of our hands."

  "That doesn't matter. The only thing that does is that you are okay."

  "I am."

  "Tell me more about your life, Jacinda. Tell me about your time with the Fleet."

  Jacinda's smile returned as she settled deeper into her bed. "Well, let’s see, there was that party at the Rodham space station..."

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  Jotham lay back in his bed smiling as Jacinda went on and on about her time in the Fleet when she worked in communications. He could tell by her tone that she'd loved every moment of it. It made him wonder if Lata would have felt the same way had she'd gotten to go.

  "What's put that look on your face?"

  Jacinda's soft question brought his thoughts back to the present. "I'm sorry, my mind wandered." He watched her smile sleepily.

  "To where?" When Jotham didn't immediately answer she had her answer. "To Lata."

  "Yes." Jotham watched her closely, surprised to see she wasn't upset.

  "She was a part of your life, Jotham. A major part. It's not going to upset me to hear you talk about her, to hear that you still think about her. I do that with Stephan all the time."

  "That's different."

  "Why? Because I had him longer than you had Lata? I thank the ancestors I did, but even if I didn't, he'd still be a part of me. An important part. Just like Lata is to you."

  Jotham could see the honesty in her eyes. He could see that his thinking about Lata, talking about Lata, didn't upset her at all. So he did. "I was just wondering if Lata would have enjoyed her time in the Coalition as much as you did. If she'd had the chance."

  "She might have, but she wanted you more, Jotham." Jacinda's tone held no doubt. "She didn't have to wed you right then, Jotham. She could have put off the Union until after she served. She chose not to."

  "I've never been sure of that."

  "Jotham." Jacinda hoped she was saying the right thing. "I can't tell you with any certainty that there weren't moments Lata didn't doubt her decision. There were times when I doubted deciding to wed Stephan."

  "You did?"

  "Of course. I loved Stephan, never doubt that, but there were times in the early cycles when I wondered if love was enough. If what we had could withstand all the outside pressures and demands. I was changing my life. Not him. Just as Lata changed hers for you. But I'll never believe she regretted it any more than I did."

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  Jotham found himself smiling when he woke the next morning. When was the last time that had happened? He and Jacinda had talked late into the night. He wasn't sure who had finally disconnected the transmission. Maybe it had self-terminated when they'd both drifted off to sleep.

  All he knew was the only way it could have been better was if he'd been able to sleep with her in his arms, been able to wake with her in them.

  Rising, he quickly dressed, wanting to get through his duties for the day so he could go see Jacinda.

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  "Good morning, Chesney," he greeted as he entered his outer office.

  "Good morning, Majesty." Chesney smiled in response to the King's good mood. "Your coffee is waiting for you on your desk along with the files you will need for your comm meeting with Birgin Casar."

  "Thank you. Anything else I need to be made aware of?"

  "Hagar called a few minutes ago. The High Admiral would like you to call him when you have a moment. No emergency. He will be at the Palace for the day."

  Jotham looked at his wrist unit. He had time. "I'll contact him now. Let me know when Casar is on the line."

  "Yes, Majesty."

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  "What did you need, Will?" Jotham asked when the call connected, taking a sip of his coffee.

  "I said it wasn't urgent, Jotham," William responded.

  "I know, but I have back-to-back meetings all morning. Now is the best chance I'll have to talk to you."

  "Oh, well, okay."

  Jotham frowned, Will seemed nervous... uncomfortable. What in the name of the ancestors was going on?

  "What's wrong, Will?"

  "Nothing. Nothing's wrong. It’s just.... Cassandra said I was the one to do this and... damn it I can't believe I'm finding this so hard."

  Jotham watched Will run a frustrated hand through his hair. "What?" Jotham demanded "Will, just spit it out!"

  "I... we... Cassandra and I..."

  "Will!"

  "We would like to ask you to be Sabah's second father," he said in a rush.

  Jotham fell back in his chair, stunned.

  "You would like me..." Jotham's voice trailed off. Never before had he been asked to be a second father. It was an honor reserved for only the most trusted of friends. A promise to help guide and raise that child if its parents couldn't. While Will was Barek's second father, Jotham had never been asked to be one for any of Will's five sons.

  "We would. I would. It's something Cassandra and I have argued about every time we've had a child."

  "Cassandra didn't feel I was the appropriate choice. I can understand that, Will. Especially after Dadrian."

  "No, Jotham! That has nothing to do with it. For the record, Cassandra always thought you should be, after all, you are my best and life-long friend. Who better to entrust the raising of our children to?"

  "You preferred I not..."

  The words could barely be heard as they passed Jotham's lips, but William did.

  "I never thought it would be appropriate and didn't want to put you in the position where you'd have to refuse me."

  "Why would I refuse, Will? I don't understand?"

  "Jotham, it’s one thing for me to be second father to Barek. He's the future King. But for you to be one to mine... the impression it would give others of favoritism... "

  "Would be intense."

  "Yes. We both know Lucas had to overcome a great deal because I am his father. With you as his second father..."
>
  "No one would believe he ever achieved anything on his own."

  "No, and while I know Lucas or any of my boys for that matter, could care less what others think about them, it still would have been difficult to handle."

  "Yes." Jotham nodded. "I can see that."

  "Even with Kayden, Jacob and Willie, I still refused to ask you. They are the Royal sons of the House of Knowledge, but they also carry the House of Protection Arrow on their forearms. They will always have to straddle two Houses and if you were to be their second father, then they are your second sons, meaning they could be placed in line to take the throne."

  "That's ridiculous, Will," Jotham raised his hand dismissively. "Barek will take the throne."

  "Yes, but what if something were to happen to him. Jotham... think about it... You would be forced to choose a new heir. Who would it be?"

  Jotham frowned, giving Will's question serious thought. Who would he choose? He thought over all those who had the bloodline to assume the throne. Out of all of them, the only one he would ever have chosen was Will. But Will was now the King of the House of Knowledge and the High Admiral, there is no way he could take the throne. So, he would have looked to one of Will's sons, especially if he were their second father.

  Will was also right on that point that by law, his agreeing to be a second father meant that he was accepting that child as if he/she were his own. And for Jotham to accept, by law, put that child in line to inherit the throne. He had never considered that before.

  "The purists in both Houses would go ballistic," Will said after a few minutes.

  "You’re right," Jotham agreed. "I never considered that before. I just always assumed..."

  "That I didn't think you worthy of it? That's bullshit, Jotham, and you know it!" bracing his hands on his desk, Will leaned closer to the comm, his eyes full of rage. "I didn't have to make you my sons’ second father to know you would automatically watch over them if I were gone. The same way you know whether I'm Barek's second father or not, I will always watch over him."

  "I... you're right, Will. I'm sorry."

  "You should be. Of all the pea-brained, idiotic… if I were there, I'd punch you in the face, Jotham."

  As Will blustered on, Jotham smiled. Will rarely lost his temper like this and he enjoyed seeing it. He also knew Will meant every word he was saying. Will was one of the few people who actually could hit Jotham without any consequences.

  "So why are you asking me to be second father to Sabah?"

  "Because you are my closest friend! She is my daughter! There is no one else I would trust her with other than you."

  Jotham felt his throat tighten. "Cassandra feels the same way?"

  "Yes."

  "But her brother...."

  "We've made Peter the second father to all the boys, but Sabah... Sabah's different, Jotham. She's going to be the Queen one day. A strong, beautiful, and powerful Queen. Peter has no understanding of what all that entails. You do. You are the only one that could ever guide her, without bias. So will you?"

  "I would be honored, Will."

  Jotham watched all the tension leave Will's face and was shocked to realize Will had actually been worried he would refuse.

  "Good. We are planning on having a small, intimate ceremony next week to make it official."

  "You were that sure of me?"

  "Cassandra was. So you can make it on such short notice? Maybe spend a few days? We could catch up, maybe do a little sparring with Peter."

  "I'll clear it." Jotham paused. "I hear he's quite good."

  "Peter's exceptional. Anyone who passes his classes is going to be an Elite of the security forces."

  "I'll keep that in mind." Jotham paused for a moment. "Will, I'd like to bring someone with me if that's okay."

  "Jacinda?" Will's eyes sharpened on Jotham.

  "Yes."

  "By all means, Jotham." A smile broke across his face. "Cassandra is dying to meet her."

  "Why?" Jotham frowned at his friend's smile. "What have you been telling your wife, William?" he demanded suspiciously.

  "Only that our friend has fallen in love. I have to warn you though, Cassandra is skeptical."

  "That I love Jacinda?"

  "No, that Jacinda isn't using you. For some reason, my wife has gone all protective over you."

  Jotham laughed at the putout expression on Will's face. "Poor Will. I always told you I was the better looking of us."

  "You're pretty, but I'm handsome." It was a life-long argument.

  "Maybe Cassandra likes pretty better," Jotham teased.

  "You stay away from my wife, Tibullus!"

  Laughing, Jotham disconnected the call.

  Now he just had to convince Jacinda to go.

  ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞

  "You want me to what?" Jacinda pulled back against the arms that were wrapped around her to look up at Jotham in shock.

  It had been three days since they had physically gotten to see each other. First, Ethan and his family had come to check on her, and then Jotham had an official dinner he'd had to attend.

  Today, to Jacinda's surprise, her new transport was delivered, weeks earlier than expected. She knew Jotham had something to do with it, but before she could bring it up, he had asked her to accompany him to the House of Knowledge.

  "Come with me," he said again.

  "Jotham, you're going to a private event between you and the King and Queen of the House of Knowledge. They aren't going to want a stranger there."

  "I want you there, and you're not a stranger. You know Will and you know Javiera."

  "Jotham..."

  "Please, Jacinda." His eyes pleaded with hers. "I have to go and I want you with me. I want to spend time with you. I want you to meet my friends. I want them to know you're in my life."

  "I thought we were going to take this slow, nothing official."

  "This isn't 'official.' This is you and me, going to visit people we both know. Together."

  Jacinda gazed at him silently for a moment, taking in the depth of desire he had for this blazing from his violet eyes. "Oh alright, but I need to know how formal this is going to be so I can pack accordingly."

  "It's not going to be anything 'formal,' Jacinda." When she just raised that expressive eyebrow at him, he laughed. "Honestly, there are no official events planned. The second father ceremony is going to be held in Cassandra's private garden."

  Jacinda knew Jotham thought he was telling her the truth, but if there was one thing she had learned from her mother growing up, it was that when dealing with a Royal, you needed to be prepared for anything. Plans could change with only a moment’s notice and you needed to be able to adapt.

  It was advice she'd taken to heart when she wed Stephan. As irritating as she found it, there were times when appearances mattered. To be able to stand confidently beside her man, and know that no fault could be found with him because of her, was important to her.

  Jacinda knew it stemmed from those early moon cycles when Queen Johanna had singled her out for her sharp critiques. The worst had been when she happened to wear a pair of earrings her parents had given her when she turned sixteen. She had forgotten about the House of Healing symbol at their base. Jotham's mother had immediately zeroed in on them. She made sure every other wife witnessed the humiliating dressing down she delivered.

  Stephan had been enraged when he heard about it. That, on top of King Kado's letter, had him reconsidering if he could continue to serve a King and Queen that were so narrow-minded.

  Johanna and Kado both died before Stephan had to make that decision, and one of Jotham's first decrees had been to validate her and Stephan's Union, making it known he supported them. She doubted any of them had truly understood how that one act would change all their lives.

  "Jacinda?"

  Jotham's question, along with his arms tightening around her, had Jacinda's mind returning to the present.

  "When do we leave and how long will we be there?"

&n
bsp; Jotham smiled, "Three days and we'll be there for at least that long."

  "Jotham Tibullus!" she playfully slapped his chest shaking her head.

  "What?" he asked confused.

  "If I have to explain it, you wouldn't understand." She knew he had a staff that was used to packing for such things, that all he had to do was tell them he was going. She, on the other hand, would be rushing for the next three days to prepare and pack for the trip. But that was for later, right now she was in Jotham's arms and she wanted to enjoy it. Stretching up, she kissed him lightly.

  "So tell me, Your Royal Highness," she asked teasingly. "What do you know about my new transport arriving two weeks early?"

  "I don't know what you are talking about." Jotham's instantly blank expression was a dead giveaway.

  "Really?" She raised an eyebrow slightly. "I talked to Mister Taggs two days ago and he informed me that the earliest he could get me a new transport was two weeks."

  "And?"

  "And low and behold, he calls me this morning to tell me it’s arrived early."

  "Well that's good, right?" Jotham tried to kiss her, but gentle fingers on his lips stopped him.

  "What did you do, Jotham?" She wasn't going to let this go.

  "Why do you think I did anything?" He kissed her fingers instead.

  "Because the only way that transport could have been built and delivered so quickly would be because of your influence."

  "You refused to use one of my limisins, and I refused to allow you to not have adequate transportation."

  "So you're saying it's my fault?" her twitching lips softened her words.

  "No, not your fault, but you made things more difficult. All you had to do was allow me to assign you a driver."

  "And why would I do that, Jotham Tibullus?" She meant her question to be teasing, but Jotham didn't react that way.

  "Because you could have been killed!" Jotham's hands suddenly shifted to her upper arms, lifting her so they were eye to eye. "If you had been in a limisin you would have been safe!"

  "Jotham!" Her eyes widened in shock at the true rage in his voice, her hands resting on his shoulders. "He still would have hit me," she said trying to calm him.