Cassandra's Challenge

by M. K. Eidem

  “Dadrian…”

  “Yes, it will help Jotham.”

  “I’m glad.” Cassandra watches as the skies clear and the ‘jewels’ disappear.

  “Aunt Cassie, there’s no rainbow.” Victoria gives her a confused look.

  “There wasn’t always one on Earth.”

  “I know but I thought there would be…”

  “What’s a rainbow?”

  “After a storm… stoirme…when the sun would break through we’d sometimes get a rainbow in the sky. It’s an arch in the sky,” Cassandra motions with her hand. “That has ribbons of color in it. The same colors as your baisteach.”

  “If you reach the end of the rainbow before it disappears there’s a pot of gold, and you’re rich.” Victoria informs the Admiral.

  “Really?” Victoria nods.

  “It’s was also believed by many to be a promise, a promise that the Earth would survive any storm. I always liked to believe it was my mom, watching out for me.”

  “Similar beliefs for similar things.” Kyle frowns slightly as he comments.

  “Beliefs brought by Kayden and Sabah? That survived this long? It’s possible.”

  “Admiral.” Marat steps out. “You have a call.”

  “I’ll be right there. Lucas.” William looks at him see he understands he wants him to stay with Cassandra and Victoria. “I’ll see you later.” He looks down at Cassandra.

  “Okay.” Smiling she steps out of his arms.

  “What do you think Victoria? Should we go in and get you dry?”

  “Yeah I suppose….” Victoria hedges.

  “What?”

  “Can I take a bath?” Her eyes are hopeful. Cassandra knows she loves that tub.

  “Sure, but then you get ready for bed.”

  “Alright.”

  Later with the bathroom put back in order Cassandra runs a brush through Tori’s damp hair.

  “Aunt Cassie….”

  “What?” Victoria turns around to look at her. “What?” She can tell there’s something on her mind. “Is it Prince Audric?”

  “No.”

  “Then what?”

  “I saw the test.” Victoria watches her Aunt’s eyes widen.

  “What?”

  “When you were in the bathroom, the day of the ball, you had a test like mom did when she was pregnant.”

  “I….” Cassandra knows what Victoria is talking about she just doesn’t know what to say. She’s made a point of trying to be honest with Victoria.

  “So are you?”

  “Yes.” She watches Victoria closely worried it would make her sad. Instead Victoria gives her a big grin.

  “That’s awesome!”

  “You think?”

  “Yeah,” Victoria gives her a questioning look. “The Admiral knows doesn’t he?”

  “Yes Victoria, William knows.” She smiles at her.

  “What about Lucas and Kyle?” Tori frowns at the thought.

  “No, they don’t know. We haven’t told anyone. We’ve been getting used to the idea ourselves first.”

  “So I know something they don’t!” Her eyes sparkle mischievously.

  “Victoria Lynn….you will not say anything. It’s for the Admiral to tell them. When he’s ready.”

  “But why are you waiting?”

  “Victoria… you and I…we’ve had a lot of changes to deal with lately. A lot to adjust too. It hasn’t been easy. Has it?” She sees the sparkle go out of her niece’s eyes.

  “No.”

  “We aren’t the only ones adjusting, the Admiral, Lucas, Kyle, the Michelakakis’ they’ve all had to adjust too. We’re just waiting until things calm down a bit, let everyone get used to the changes before there’s another one. Can you understand that?”

  “I guess…but it’s such good news. It’s like I’m still getting a baby brother…or sister…it will be like that won’t it?”

  “Yeah baby it will. You’ll be a great big sister.” Cassandra rubs her cheek.

  “So I have to keep the secret, even from Amina?” Victoria doesn’t like that thought, she tells Amina everything!

  “For awhile, think how you’d feel if Amina told you about it because she’d heard it from Lucas or Kyle.”

  “I’d be upset.

  “So Kyle and Lucas need to hear it from their father, when he’s ready to tell them, not from you.”

  “Okay, I won’t tell.”

  “Promise?”

  “Promise.”

  “Okay let’s finish this hair.”

  Chapter 20

  With Victoria in bed Cassandra finds she’s at loose ends, William has yet to return and she doesn’t feel like going to bed without him. Getting a glass of ale she looks at the tub, it is even larger than the one in Tori’s bathroom.

  ‘Might feel good to just relax.’

  Walking over she turns on the water, around the tub are different jars. Opening one she sniffs, throwing a handful of crystals in she watches it immediately bubble, filling the room with a wonderful vanilla scent. Stripping down she steps into the steaming water, leaning back she closes her eyes and sighs. As the water envelops her, muscles she didn’t even know were tense start to unwind. She should have done this days ago, as she relaxes her mind drifts.

  The suns are high in the sky, their dry heat warming her. It felt, familiar, as does the Palace. Following the path she wanders into a private courtyard with benches and small gatherings of plants that are able to take the heat. Some were even blooming. Walking over she sniffs. Yes, vanilla, how strange.

  “Not really.” Cassandra turns to find Sabah, a much younger Sabah. “I’ve always loved that scent. When I left I took seeds with me.”

  “You planned it all out?” Cassandra raises an eyebrow.

  “Not all, but enough. I took with me what I thought I would most want. What does a girl of eighteen cycles know?”

  “Enough to start a new civilization.” Sabah gives her a smile.

  “You give me too much credit. That was Kayden.”

  “It was both of you, together.”

  “Yes, together, what I didn’t know he did. What he couldn’t do I could.” Sabah leans over to smell the flower. “We were always so much more together.”

  “Where are we?” Cassandra looks up seeing the three suns. “This isn’t Earth.”

  “No it’s the House of Knowledge, the Queen’s garden.” Sabah sits. “Your garden.”

  “Perhaps.” Cassandra isn’t agreeing to anything. Sabah’s eyes harden.

  “What do you mean perhaps? You carry the birthmark, it’s already changed. You are the Queen.”

  “That will be my decision, William’s and mine, together. If I chose to become Queen it will be on my terms.”

  “You will have no choice.” Sabah tells her.

  “There is always a choice. You made yours, I will make mine.”

  “The House of Knowledge will not survive without you.”

  “It has survived 2500 cycles without the true Queen. It will survive without me if it has too.”

  “Not this time. Not once the traitor is revealed. It will never recover, not without the leadership of the true Queen!”

  “That’s not my problem. I will not lose anyone else I love, not for anything as unimportant as being the Queen.”

  “Unimportant! It is an honor to be Queen.” Sabah’s eyes flashes at her.

  “If it’s such an honor you should have stayed!”

  “That was different! I was just the heir it would be cycles before I would be Queen. I wasn’t willing to wait, to sacrifice Kayden for it.”

  “And I’m not willing to sacrifice William!”

  “You don’t have too! You are the Queen!”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Cassandra…”

  “Cassandra….” William touches her cheek. When he first entered she seemed so peacefully and relaxed, but now something is wrong.

  “Cassandra…wake up.” William orders.
<
br />   “What?” She opens confused eyes to his. “William?”

  “Yeah, you’re sleeping in the bath.”

  “I am?” Sitting up she realizes the water has cooled, she must have dozed off. He watches as her breasts rise from the water. Seeing his eyes darken, her breath catches.

  “Come out.” He holds out his hand.

  Taking it she watches him as she stands, his eyes following the water streaming down her body. Gripping her waist he lifts her over the edge, holding her wet body against his.

  “William….” She rests her hands on his shoulders.

  “Shhhh….” Leaning down he takes her lips in a reverent kiss as his hand slide over her slick skin. His fingers igniting fires wherever they touch, groaning she slips her tongue past his lips to tease his mouth open, caressing his tongue. Gripping his shoulders she pulls herself closer to him, needing him.

  Here she is…the one he’s searched for his whole life, the one he’d sacrifice his life for. She is his life mate, he is hers. She carries his son. She is everything. Tearing his mouth from hers he looks into those eyes. Those eyes of deepest, clearest blue that let him see her soul. They let him in, only him. Right now they are starting to lose focus, letting him know her desire for him, only him.

  “I need you.” She whispers.

  Sweeping her up into his arms William carries her to their bed. Laying her down, her fingers start on his shirt. With it open she slips her hands in to caress his massive chest only to slip around to his wide back as he presses her into the bed, skin to skin.

  “William.” Cassandra arches to feel more of him.

  Kissing his way down her neck William gives his attention to her breast, her full and beautiful breast teasing it until it is a taunt hard peak before turning his attention to its twin.

  She is lost, the sensations he can arouse in her leaves her breathless. How had she ever survived without him? Her release is so close and he’s hardly touched her, he is the only one who can do this to her, make it so she can give everything, while still being protected.

  Moving her hands downward she works on his pants, finding him hard and heavy. Releasing him she guides him to her entrance. Lifting his head he watches her as he enters.

  She’s hot, wet, tight, and welcoming. Her eyes blazing into his letting him know she wants more, more of him. As her eyes flare she wraps her legs around his hips pulling him home. That’s what this is, home, forever she will be his home.

  Rising above her he slides an arm under her hips setting her at just the right angle to pleasure them both, the rhythm long and deep, this will not be a quick mating, it will be one of pleasure, tenderness, desire and commitment. Commitment to the other on the deepest level until desire final takes over and they find pleasure together. Breathless William collapses besides her shuddering.

  Cassandra can’t move. Her entire body is trembling, her mind nonfunctioning. How does he do this to her? She’ll never know, doesn’t want too, she’ll just enjoy it. With a satisfied smile on her face she manages to turn her head. His eyes are closed, hair spiked, breathing uneven. It makes her smile grow that she is able to do that to this beautiful strong man. Make him breathless.

  His eyes open, violet eyes meeting sapphire, honest and open and what she sees there causes her heart to stutter. Love, for eternity, for her, commitment to her, no matter what, no matter what anyone else thinks or believes. She feels her eyes fill.

  “Cassandra? What’s wrong?” He rises up framing her face.

  “Nothing. There’s not one thing wrong.” Touching his hand she turns to kiss his palm. “I love you. Only you. Forever.

  William’s eyes calm, leaning down he gently kisses her.

  “Forever.”

  The comm beside the bed wakes William. Easing away from Cassandra he reaches for it.

  “Zafar.”

  “Admiral…King Jotham is at the door requesting entrance.”

  “What?!? Granted! Show him in immediately. I’ll be right down.”

  “William? What is it?” Cassandra sits up holding a sheet over her breasts.

  “Jotham is at the door.”

  “What? What time is it?” Finding the clock she sees its 0330.

  “I have to go.”

  “Of course.” She puts a hand on his arm as he rises. “Bring him up. You need privacy.”

  Nodding, he pulls on pants and a shirt. As he leaves Cassandra gets on the comm. Rising she pulls on a nightgown and robe before heading to Victoria’s room.

  “William…I wasn’t thinking….I shouldn’t have come.”

  “Jotham, it’s fine, this is exactly where you should have come.” William sees Marat enter. “Does your security know where you are?”

  “What? Oh I’m sure they do.” Marat nods to the Admiral as he leaves the room.

  “Let’s go upstairs Jotham, we’ll talk.”

  “No, it’s late, I should go.”

  “No Jotham, you need to come upstairs with me.” William takes his friends arm, leading him, something he hasn’t done since he’s become King.

  Jotham pauses at the top of the stairs, looks back down, down to where his son had died.

  “Could I have prevented it Will?”

  “No.” Both men turn as the door to the Royal Suite opens. Cassandra walks out carrying a sleeping Victoria.

  “Majesty.” She gives him a slight nod then continues on her way to the guest suite. William moves to open the door wanting to take Victoria from her.

  “I’m fine.” She whispers. “Take care of your friend.”

  “Will, she shouldn’t be carrying that child.”

  “Cassandra is somewhat stubborn on what she can and cannot do, especially when it comes to her niece. Come on Jotham.” As he leads his friend into the Royal Suite Leander is taking Victoria from Cassandra’s arms.

  “I’m sorry, I know it’s late.” She looks at her two friends.

  “Cassandra its fine, is everything alright?” Javiera asks.

  “Jotham is here. He needs to talk to William.”

  “Oh.”

  “I need to get back.” She hesitates. “She’s been okay, but we had some new Intel on the Glitter Man today….she might have a nightmare.”

  “If she does I’ll contact you right away.” Cassandra takes a deep breath, knowing she can’t do it all by herself.

  “Okay.” Turning she leaves.

  On the landing between suites Cassandra sees Hutu start up the stairs carrying the tray she’s ordered. Suddenly there’s a commotion behind him. She watches as Deffand and Marat struggle with each other, as each move for their weapons she speaks up.

  “ENOUGH!” Both men freeze. “You will both stand down!” Lifting her robe and gown she starts down the stairs. Both men watch her.

  “Princess, you shouldn’t be here.” Hutu tells her.

  “This is exactly where I should be.”

  “Marat, report.”

  “Princess, Captain Deffand forced his way into the Royal Wing. I was about to subdue him.”

  “I could see that.” She turns to Deffand. “Captain Deffand, you feel you have the right to enter the Royal Suite not only unannounced but carrying a weapon?”

  “I am here for my King’s protection!” Deffand’s uniform is unbuttoned, his hair disheveled. He’d obviously been in a hurry.

  “The King you lost?”

  “Excuse me!”

  “If it hadn’t been for the Admiral having Chief Marat inform you, you would still be sleeping not knowing where your King is.”

  Deffand finds he can’t argue with her, she’s right.

  “Do you feel there is a threat to King Jotham here?” She waits.

  “No Princess.” Deffand is forced to admit.

  “I understand your sense of duty to your King Captain, but he came here tonight to see a friend. His oldest friend. He came as a man, not a King. Chief Marat would have done the same thing.” Cassandra’s comment allows Marat to know she puts no blame on him. “I assume the
rest of the King’s security force will be arriving soon?”

  “Yes.”

  “So you have a choice Captain. The Admiral has made it clear, no one is allowed into the Royal Wing with a weapon.” She sees his eyes flare. “Either you, and your men will be allowed in, unarmed, to wait in the outer room until the King is ready to leave. Or, you may remain, with your weapon. My call Chief.” Cassandra silences Marat with a look. “And your men will stand down, outside the Royal Suite. It’s your call.”

  “You feel you have the right to negotiate with me Princess.”

  “I know King Jotham’s wellbeing is your primary concern, you know there is no threat here. If King Jotham had wanted you in the room with him, he would have put you there himself.”

  Deffand finds he’s unable to argue. “I will remain, with my weapon.”

  “Fine. Marat.” She turns her attention to the Chief. “You will stay with Deffand. Hutu, if you’d carry the tray up for me I’d appreciate it.” Turning she heads up the stairs.

  “Jotham, sit.” William leads his friend back to the private area.

  “Will, I shouldn’t have come.”

  “Yes, you should have, Jotham, you’ve been my best friend for over forty cycles, this is exactly where you should be.”

  “You have enough to deal with. The Challenge, Valerian, the threat against your life mate, the attack on her, by my own son.”

  “Jotham….” He doesn’t know what to say.

  “Majesty,” Cassandra sweeps into the room carrying a tray laden with cups and refreshments. William immediately stands taking it from her, setting it on a table. Leaning forward she pours a cup of Hutu’s ‘coffee’ handing to Jotham.

  “Princess…” Jotham doesn’t know what to say. Cassandra looks to William.

  “Majesty if you’ll excuse me I’ll let you men talk.” She rises only to be stopped by Jotham’s hand on her wrist.

  “Stay…please.”

  Cassandra sends William a confused look. “Majesty, I think you’d be more comfortable talking to William alone.”