Free Jacinda's Challenge (Imperial 3) by M. K. Eidem Page A

Deffand.
    “Captain.”
    “Thank you, Madame Michelakakis.” Deffand took the package.
    “Are those the visuals?” Barek’s question was directed at Jacinda, but his eyes were locked on the package now in Deffand’s hands.
    “Yes, and I have to thank you.” She saw the confusion on his face. “Palma and I had a wonderful time going down memory lane. We laughed until our stomachs hurt. We tried to attach comments to each one for you, about who’s in the visual, when and where it was taken. I took the liberty of making hard copies of them, but they are also on the memory foil that’s inside. If you have any questions just contact me and I will do the best I can.”
    “I… I can never thank you enough for this, Jacinda.” Barek’s voice was tight as he spoke. “You have no idea what it means to me.”
    “Your mother was my friend, Prince Barek. She would have done the same for one of mine if the situation were reversed.” She gave him a warm smile. “Now I will get out of your way for you seem to be on your way somewhere. I will see you tomorrow night.”
    “Tomorrow night?” Barek’s question halted Jacinda as she started to turn away.
    “Yes, at the Assemblyman’s Ball.”
    “You will be there?”
    “Yes. My first son, Danton, is now an Assemblyman and asked me to accompany him.”
    “Then I will save a dance for you,” Barek smiled at her.
    “I look forward to it, Prince Barek.” With a nod, Jacinda turned and left.
     
    ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
     
    Deffand watched the gentle sway of Jacinda Michelakakis’ hips as she walked away. She was truly a beautiful woman inside and out and he wondered if he would ever find a woman half as beautiful and kind. He pulled his thoughts away from what he wanted, to what was in his hands.
    “These are visuals of the Queen?” His gaze traveled to Barek to see he too was watching Jacinda leave.
    “Yes.” Barek extended his hand. “You and I both know Jacinda Michelakakis would never cause harm to the House of Protection.”
    “I know that, Sire, but there are still protocols that must be followed.”
    “Those are private visuals, Deffand. Of my mother before she became Queen. Jacinda’s sister was kind enough to share them with me. I won’t allow someone else to view them, especially before I do.”
    Deffand could see that Barek was adamant about this and sighed heavily. Barek didn’t demand much. He had always seemed to understand the need for security, unlike his late brother, Dadrian, who had always pushed everything. For Barek to be this insistent meant these visuals were extremely important to him. Still he couldn’t just hand them over to him.
    “I will personally walk this package through security. It can be scanned and tested without being opened. No one will view what is yours, Sire. That is the best I can do.”
    Deffand watched Barek struggle and knew Barek wanted to argue further even while he knew he was right. Finally, Barek nodded jerkily.
    “Do it, but I want that package waiting for me in my personal quarters by the time I return.”
    “It will be done, Sire.”
     
    ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞ ∞
     
    “Yoo-hoo… Jacinda...”
    The high-pitched, scratchy voice had Jacinda cringing slightly. She should have known her luck couldn’t hold out forever. That she’d managed to get into her house the night before and then out again this morning without Madame Nitzschke catching her had been a miracle, but now it was time to face the music. Turning, she forced a smile on her face.
    “Hello, Madame Nitzschke. How are you this beautiful day?” Jacinda watched as her neighbor came teetering up the sidewalk. Jacinda tried not to shudder at the outfit her meddlesome neighbor was wearing. It was one of her ‘signature’ outfits, that had never been in style, even though Madame Nitzschke seemed to think it had. A knee-length, multicolored skirt with vertical stripes over leggings that if you looked at them too long gave you vertigo. Her shirt, while