Cassandra's Challenge

by Michelle Eidem

  “Time to eat.”

  “Okay we’ll be there in a minute.” Leaning back she looks into William’s eyes, humor cooling the desire.

  “We’ll finish this later.” William frames her face for a gentle kiss. “Go get dressed.” Turning he leaves the room.

  Picking up the forgotten robe Cassandra indulges herself in a small smile. Apparently, Carinian men like lingerie. At least hers does, something to keep in mind when talking to Pazel. Pulling on her pants and shirt she joins her family for a meal.

  “Pazel is downstairs waiting for Kia.” Javiera tells Cassandra as she sits next to the Admiral.

  “Did he get something to eat?”

  “I…I guess I don’t know.” Javiera answers.

  The Admiral takes out his comm. “Hutu, Cassandra would like you make sure Pazel gets something to eat.”

  “Yes Admiral.”

  Giving Cassandra a pointed look, the Admiral starts to eat. Understanding she starts in on her own plate. Conversation is light around the table, the long day taking its toll. Even Victoria and Amina are quiet.

  Pazel paces the formal living area waiting on Kia. They have so much work to do, so little time. The impact of these clothes on Carina society will be unmatched. They need to get material chosen, fittings. Where was Kia?!?

  “Sir.”

  Pazel turns finding the Admiral’s personal chef standing in the entrance to the dining room.

  “There is a meal on the table for you.”

  “Meal?” Pazel walks into the dining room to discover the table is set for him.

  “Yes, Cassandra wanted to make sure you were provided a meal.”

  “Cassandra did?” Pazel is amazed she would worry about it.

  “Yes.” Hutu leaves the room.

  “What an unusual woman.” Pazel sits down.

  “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 wer
e able to destroy part of an orbiting moon the resulting debris decimated the planet. It’s on record.”

  “If the planet was decimated how is she here?” The King nods to Cassandra. William’s tone becomes even icier.

  “Cassandra and her niece Victoria were on the Retribution at the time.”

  “Why Admiral.”

  “Because they’d just gotten done saving Lucas’ life, Majesty!”

  “What happened to Lucas!”

  “His Blade was shot down on Earth. Cassandra’s family helped him, got him to the recovery spot. When the Raptor arrived the Regulians attacked. Cassandra and Victoria were the only survivors.”

  The King leans back in his chair. Obviously, information had been withheld from him.

  “How is Lucas?” Jotham has to ask.

  “Recovered fully in three days.”

  “Good.”

  Cassandra remains quiet during the exchange the King obviously cares about Lucas, a point in his favor.

  “And you believe they destroyed this planet to kill a possible Queen.”

  “If they were unable to acquire her they were to destroy her so she couldn’t return.”

  “All this you got from intercepted transmissions.”

  “Yes.”

  “And Cassandra claims to be the lost Queen.’

  “I’ve never claimed anything.” The King’s eyes shoot to her as she interrupts the conversation. “Forty-eight days ago I didn’t know you even existed. You mattered to me as much as I matter to you. We should never have had any contact. But one of your people made contact. One of your people decided that the Earth posed a threat. A threat to him. He claims the true Queen to the House of Knowledge was on Earth, not me. Until a few days ago I’d never heard of it!” Cassandra eyes shoot back at the King.

  “Yet you’ve been able to obtain the protection of a Coalition Admiral, convincing him you need mine. How?” And there it is what Valerian has been telling him.

  “You tell me.” Cassandra challenges him. “You seem to think you’re so well informed.”

  “Cassandra didn’t ask for your protection!” The Admiral lets his fury show. “I did!”