Cassandra's Challenge (51 page)

“So what did you and Amina do in your new room
today?” Cassandra asks as they walk down the hallway.

“No much, just checked everything out,
unpacked.”

“You unpacked?”

“Yeah. There wasn’t that much.” Cassandra
swallows hard.

“Show me what you did.”

William watches the two head into Victoria’s
suite. They needed some together time, he knows she’s worried Tori.
Going into their suite he realizes neither had thought to unpack
their things.

Walking across the room William notices the
multi colored pile on the bed. Picking up the scraps of material
reminds him of the black lace Cassandra was currently wearing.
Smiling, he picks up the items, enjoying inspecting each one as he
puts them in a drawer.

With that enjoyable job done he turns to their
bags. Organizing his uniforms he inspects them for any needed
repairs or cleaning, especially his dress ones. Opening the last
bag he finds Cassandra’s things, shirts and pants. Two shirts, two
pants. Nothing else.

Looking at the drawer he’d just filled with her
eadai he looks back to what he’d hung up.

How had he not realized she was doing without?
He was with her every day, she’d never said a word, had worried
about having clothing made. He is going to have to do a better job
of taking care of her.

“You did a good job Tori.”

“Amina helped. Tonight, when you’re gone, I’m
going to help her unpack.”

“That’s good. When the Admiral and I get back
we’ll come get you.”

“Okay.” Cassandra looks at Tori, being so
brave.

“You know what I thought?”

“What?” Green eyes look at her.

“I thought that after Pazel and Kia got done
with me that they could scan you. Make you some new clothes.”

“Really!”

“Yeah. It might take them a couple days but I
think they’ll have the time, something for Amina and Javiera
too.”

“I can tell them what I want like you do?”

“Within reason.”

“Okay.” Victoria’s smile brightens Cassandra’s
heart.

“Alright then, well I suppose I should go take a
shower and get ready to meet the King.”

“Is it okay if I go to Amina’s?”

“I’ll walk you over.”

“I know the way.”

“Victoria.” Cassandra kneels in front of her.
“Someone, an adult needs to be with you at all times now. You don’t
just go to Amina’s, not without someone.”

“Aunt Cassie?”

“Tori. The person responsible for Earth is on
this planet. Until he is caught we have to be careful. Do you
understand?”

“Yes, but we’re in the King’s castle.”

“Tori, I can’t leave you, go do what I need to
do unless I know
you
are safe. None of it will matter if
something happens to you. I have to be able to trust that you’ll
listen and obey what I, the Admiral, and Lucas say. We’re only
trying to keep you safe.”

“For how long?” Cassandra leans back looking at
her niece, realizing she felt the same way about being kept ‘safe’
as she did with the Admiral.

“Not for long, just until we catch the traitor,
then you can go out and play whenever you want, just like at
home.”

“Okay.”

“I love you Tori.”

“I love you Aunt Cassie.”

Entering their suite Cassandra finds William
just coming out of the bathroom a towel around his neck one riding
low around his waist, hair still damp from the shower. The sight of
him has her heart beating faster. Walking over she grips the towel
pulling him down for a long kiss.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Giving me time with Victoria.”

“She’s a priority for me too.”

“I know. I told her that Pazel and Kia would
scan her and Amina for some new clothes.” Cassandra looks at
him.

“That’s good, whatever she needs. Cassandra,” He
frames her face. “Why didn’t you tell me you needed clothes?”

“What?” She frowns. “I did, now we’re getting
some made.”

“I don’t mean here, for the Challenge. Why
didn’t you tell me on the Retribution? You have a total of three
outfits! Including what you’re wearing.”

“So?”

“Cassandra….”
“William, when we arrived on the Retribution we only had what we
were wearing. I’d say three outfits is an improvement.”

“How many does Victoria have?”

“Six. Thanks to Javiera.” William rests his
forehead against hers.

“That will be corrected.”

“William.”

“Damn it Cassandra! You didn’t even have any
eadia and I never notice!”

“It’s been a little busy lately, what with
traitors and Regulian attacks.”

“That’s beside the point.”

“It’s not, and…” She cuts him off. “It’s not a
problem anymore, I have lots of eadia.” Pointing to the bed she
frowns. “Well I did.”

“I put them in the top drawer.” Cassandra looks
up at him.

“You did?”

“Yes,” William can’t help but smile at the
memory. “Very nice.”

“Really?” Cassandra smiles back. “So you
liked.”

“Oh yeah. I’m really going to enjoy thinking
about what you’ve got under your clothes from now on.” His hands
slide under her waist band caresses the black lace.

“Good, I like you thinking about me.” Her hands
slide under the towel covering his firm backside, eyes teasing.

Eyes darkening, William pulls her up as his comm
buzzes. With a deep breath he releases her, walking over to the
table to pick up his comm.

“Zafar.”

“Admiral, Kia has arrived.” Marat tells him.

“Have them escorted up to the outer living
room.”

“I’ll go shower.” Taking a moment William
watches her leave then turns to dress.

Pazel and Kia are sitting on a couch with Marot
standing by the door as the Admiral enters the room in a dress
uniform. Both stand.

“Cassandra will be a few minutes. Kia if you’d
go on back I need a few moments with Pazel. Marat, would you help
her with the cases?”

“Yes Admiral.” Shooting a quick glance at her
husband Kia picks up a case.

“Yes Admiral.” William waits until they are
alone.

“Victoria, Amina, and Javiera all need to have
clothes made.”

“What?”

“You can get your scans after you are done here
tonight. I will let Lucas know.”

“Admiral, what kind of clothes are you talking
about?”

“Whatever is needed, especially for Victoria.
I’m sure there will be some formal clothes necessary, but mostly
daily wear. Speak with Javiera about it. If she has any questions
she will talk to Cassandra.”

“Alright.”

“I will have a hundred thousand credits
transferred to your treasury tomorrow, as soon as I receive the
necessary information.”

“Admiral.” Pazel’s shocked eyes met the
Admiral.

“They will have what they need, is that
understood?”

“Yes Admiral.”

“Good. Marat.”

“Yes Admiral.”

“Pazel, you can go back now.” Nodding he leaves.
“After Cassandra and I leave the Juruas’ will be scanning Victoria,
Amina, and Javiera. You and Lucas will need to coordinate
this.”

“Yes Admiral.”

“Your security detail is ready to escort us to
the King?”

“Yes Admiral. They are waiting for you at the
door.”

“That door will be secured until our
return.”

“Understood sir.”

“Dismissed.”

Leaving the bathroom Cassandra finds the room
empty. Walking across the room she sees William has laid out violet
eadia for her and a robe. Smiling she drops her towel putting on
what William wants her to wear, violet, his houses color, under her
clothing, next to her skin. With her birthmark covered she pulls on
the robe and heads to the private living area.

Entering the private living area William finds
Pazel furiously whispering in Kai ear, her eyes large.

“Where’s Cassandra?” he demands.

“She went into the bedroom.” Kia tells him.

“Lucas is waiting for you down the hall.”
Striding across the room William enters the bedroom.

An ornate free standing floor length mirror
reflects back and image Cassandra can barely recognize. A tall pale
skinned woman whose black hair is clipped back low on her neck. Her
vivid blue eyes made more intense by the matching blue material in
her form fitting scooped necked camisole, the violet thread
gathering the bodice created almost an arrow pattern that was
duplicated on the straps.

Covering it was a black three-quarter sleeve
cardigan style jacket ending several inches below the waist band of
matching pants. Both are made of a silky material that seemed to
kiss the skin as it floats away from the body. Toes strapped into
four inch heels barley peeked out of the pants wide legs.

Staring into her own eyes she wonders who this
person is. She looks…Royal…where had she come from?

Her eyes lock with William’s as his reflection
joins hers in the mirror, the strength and depth of his love easily
seen.

“You’re beautiful.” Her eyes reflect her
gratitude.

“Kia did a wonderful job.”

“I’m not referring to the clothes.”

Turning away from the mirror Cassandra caresses
his cheek, needing to touch. William frowns as he looks down at
her.

“You’re taller.” Cassandra pull up a pant let
showing him her shoes.

“Levels the playing field a little”

“You don’t need to be taller for that.”

“Maybe, but it can’t hurt.”

“Cassandra,” He frames her face. “You just need
to be you. It’s more than enough.”

Looking into his eyes she sees his belief in
her, it calms the nerves she hadn’t realized she had. Stretching up
she gives him a gentle kiss.

“Thank you.”

“Just being honest,” He looks at the time. “We
need to go.” Putting a hand on her lower back they leave the
room.

Marat opens the exterior doors of the Royal Wing
as they approach. Passing through the security detail closes around
them. Marat secures the door then takes the lead.

The closer the detail gets to the King’s Wing
the more guards are present in the corridors. At the King’s door
they are met by Captain Deffand and his men.

“Admiral, your men are to remain here. We will
escort you the rest of the way.”

“Marat.” The Chief turns to the Admiral. “You
and your men are to stand here until we return.”

“Yes, Admiral.” Marat and his men step aside and
Deffand’s men replace them. The doors to the King’s Wing open and
secured once they pass through.

With eight very large Carinian male surrounding
them, in full dress uniforms and fully armed, Cassandra can see
little of her surroundings.

Arriving at what she believes to be the King’s
private chambers Deffand opens the door. Guards part, allowing them
to enter an empty room. Deffand follows them in.

“King Jotham will be with you shortly.” Deffand
leaves the room, closing the door.

William frowns at the room they’ve been escorted
too. Jotham only uses this room for formal meetings.

Seeing the frown Cassandra can tell this isn’t
what William expected from his friend and King. Before she can
comment a door across the room opens.

Cassandra assesses the man entering the room.
While tall, he’s shorter than William. While fit, appears softer.
His dark hair contains a great deal more grey, his violet eyes hard
and shuttered. What might have been a handsome face, is unsmiling
and unwelcoming.

“King Jotham.” The Admiral nods to the King who
nods back. “May I present Cassandra Qwes Chamberlain.”

The King’s eyes harden as he looks at
Cassandra.

“Majesty.” She nods, her eyes never breaking
contact. She can tell the King has already formed an opinion. She
can guess who she has to thank for that.

The King nods to her then sits in the single
chair facing them, obviously meant for the King.

“Sit.” The King gestures to the two chairs
before him.

“Admiral Zafar.” The King turns his hard eyes to
him. “I granted you protection with the understanding that you
would explain why a challenger to the House of Knowledge would need
it. You will explain now.”

William had planned on explaining to his friend
and King in great detail, everything that has happened. But
obviously he’d already decided many things, one being his opinion
of Cassandra. William’s blood begins to boil at his judgment.

“King Jotham, there are Carinians conspiring
with the Regulians.” The coldness in the Admiral’s voice has
Cassandra’s head turning to him.

“Excuse me?”

William is silent.

“What is your proof!” Jotham demands.

“I have recorded transmissions from Carina to
the Regulians, transmission from the Regulians to Carina.”

“Why would someone do that Admiral?”

“To stop the return of the true Queen of the
House of Knowledge.” The King gives Cassandra the imperial once
over.

“And you think
this
woman is that
person.” He almost sneers.

“One of
your
people was willing to murder
seven
billion
people to not take that chance.” Cassandra
answers, her tone matching his look.

The King sucks in a sharp breath, his eyes
shooting back to the Admiral, and what he sees there shocks him.
William has been his friend and confidant since the Academy.
They’ve been through triumphs and tragedies together he is his
son’s second father. And in all that time he’d never seen such a
coldly contained rage on his face.

“There is proof of this allegation?”

“The fleet entered the Relinquished Zone
forty-eight days ago, after discovering a Regulian wrap signature
in an uncharted solar system. Enroute to the system the Regulians
began a nuclear attack on the planet. A battle ensued in which the
Regulians were able to destroy part of an orbiting moon the
resulting debris decimated the planet. It’s on record.”