Jacinda's Challenge (Imperial 3) by M. K. Eidem Read Free Book Online

handle him.
    Deep in thought, Barek didn’t look as he turned the corner and collided with someone. Instinctively, he reached out when he heard the soft, feminine cry.
    “Are you alright?” he asked and looked down into wide, teal eyes that he felt he should know for some reason.
    The deep voice had Jacinda looking up to find Prince Barek staring down at her, his eyes so like his father’s full of concern. “I’m fine.” Straightening, she took a small step back and Barek let his hands drop away. “I’m sorry, Prince Barek, I didn’t mean to run into you.”
    “The fault is mine, Madame.” Barek was still searching his mind trying to remember who she was. “I was in a hurry and not watching where I was going.”
    “Then perhaps we should agree that we are both at fault and leave it at that,” Jacinda proposed smiling at him.
    “Perhaps we should,” Barek replied and found himself returning her smile. “Although I’ve never found fault with having a beautiful woman in my arms.”
    Jacinda’s eyes widened for a moment, then she tipped her head back and the corridor filled with her beautiful laughter. “Oh, Prince Barek,” she looked back at him. “You may look like your father, but you definitely have your mother’s gift for giving a compliment.”
    “Well yes…” Barek began, meaning to move on, only to freeze when her words sank in. “My mother?”
    “Yes, and I never knew anyone other than Lata, who could give such an inane compliment and appear completely sincere.”
    “And why would my compliment be inane? You are a beautiful woman.”
    “Who is older than your mother. But thank you, Prince Barek, you have truly made my day.”
    When she turned to leave, Barek’s next words stopped her.
    “You knew my mother?”
    “Of course,” Jacinda frowned up at him and saw something she didn’t understand, hesitant curiosity.
    “I’m sorry it’s just…” Barek stared at her intently still trying to figure out who she was.
    Jacinda finally realized part of what he was struggling with. “I’m sorry, Prince Barek, I should have introduced myself. I am Jacinda Michelakakis. Assemblyman Stephan Michelakakis was my husband.”
    “Of course!” Barek wanted to slap himself. How could he have forgotten? “My apologies, Madame Michelakakis, my mind was on other things.”
    “There is no apology necessary, Prince Barek. My Stephan has been gone nearly ten cycles now. There is no reason for you to remember me and please, call me Jacinda.”
    “Madame… Jacinda… I still should have remembered you because of your beauty alone.”
    “Definitely your mother’s son.” Jacinda felt herself blush only to be bumped by someone walking by.
    “So you knew my mother through your husband?” Barek sent a dark look at the retreating back of the man who hadn’t even stopped to apologize. He put an arm around Jacinda, guiding her out of the traffic flow and into a small alcove that overlooked the Hall’s atrium.
    “No, I was at the Academy when your mother was.” Jacinda allowed herself to be led, finding she wanted to speak more with Barek about his mother. He seemed to need it. She might still be mad at Jotham for his earlier words, but she would not take that out on Barek. She owed Lata that. “She and my younger sister roomed together.”
    “Really? At the Academy? I never knew that.”
    “I was three cycles ahead of Lata, but I got to spend time with her when she would visit during their breaks. Although I could have done without some of the pranks she liked to pull,” Jacinda smiled remembering.
    “Pranks?” Barek’s eyes widened in surprise.
    “Yes, your mother loved to pull pranks. Didn’t you know that?” She watched Barek slowly shake his head. “Oh, well, she especially liked to pull them when you weren’t fully awake. I still find myself sometimes checking the salt shaker in the morning, just to make sure the top is on tight.”
    “She would loosen it?”
    “Oh yes,” Jacinda