Cassandra's Challenge (56 page)

“Since when does an Admiral need to explain
things to a Chief!” He fires back.

“This isn’t about me being Chief!”

“No, it isn’t.”

“Then what? Is it my father?”

“No, the King is fine.”

“What’s happened?”

“There is a Challenger to the House of
Knowledge.”

“What?” Tibullus’ mind is racing a challenger
that means a full assembly, the King must be present. But not the
First Son. There’s has to be more.

“There’s been an assassination attempt made on
the Challenger.” William has decided to give Tibullus as much
information as possible without telling him, he’s a target.

“That still doesn’t explain why I’ve been
recalled.”

“The attempt was made by the Regulians. You
needed to be removed.”

“By the Regulians? That make no sense, how could
they attack someone on Carina?” Tibullus demands.

“They didn’t.” The Admiral waits.

“It was out here, the attacks on the fleet.”

“Were assassination attempts, they were trying
to keep the Challenger from reaching Carina.”

“Why would they care? There’s no way they could
know unless….” Tibullus falters, hoping he’s wrong. “You think we
have a traitor.”

“I know we do.” His utter conviction stuns
Tibullus.

“Helping the Regulians attack the fleet. Helping
them kill thousands.”

“Billions.” The Admiral corrects.

“Billions? Earth? This all goes back to the
attack on Earth? That would mean the challenger was on Earth.”

“Now she’s on Carina.”

“Cassandra?” Tibullus is staggered. The
Admiral’s life mate, challenging Queen Yakira? Is it really
possible that she is the lost Queen? Did the Admiral know what it
would cost him if she is? What it is already costing him?

“You needed to be recalled with no one knowing,
to stop another possible attempt on a Royal. The situation with the
Sentinel provided the opportunity no one knows where you are. It
has to stay that way.”

“I need to notify my father.”

“Your father’s being kept informed. You can’t
contact him until your safely back on Carina, you’ll jeopardize the
lives of everyone on board the Judgment. You’re four days out with
no protection. If the Regulians locate you they’ll attack.”

“Why would they risk that?”

“To delay the challenge, your death would do
that. It would give the traitor time to eliminate the Challenger.”
The Admiral waits letting Tibullus process everything he’s been
told.

“I’ll accept the communications block. But once
I’m back I expect to be fully briefed on what’s going on.” Tibullus
doesn’t realize he’s just given an order to the Admiral. An order
only a King can give.

“Once you arrive at the Palace I’ll give you all
the information I have.” The Admiral agrees knowing that
information will forever change Tibullus’ world.

“About Cassandra….” Tibullus hesitates.

“What about her.”

“Are you sure, really sure, she’s the lost
Queen?”

“Yes.”

“But you’ve claimed her as your life mate. If
she becomes Queen….”

“Let me worry about that Barek, you worry about
getting yourself home with no one finding out.”

“I can do that. See you in four days.” Tibullus
disconnects.

Entering their room he finds an empty bed. A
quick scan of the dimly lit room finds Cassandra in one of the
window seats overlooking the garden.

The sound of the door shutting has Cassandra
turning her head. The soft smile on her lips can’t hide the worry
in her eyes. Removing his jacket, he lifts her into his arms before
taking her spot. Sighing she sinks into his embrace the steady beat
of his heart soothing her.

They both know there are things they need to
discuss, decisions to be made. But right now they need this time
together, to just be together.

Closing his eyes William lets the feel of her in
his arms settle his thoughts. Here is what matters, what’
important. He’d unknowingly searched for her his entire life. Every
decision he’d ever made, right or wrong, leading him to her, to
their life together. Absently he caresses her bare leg, enjoying
her softness under his fingers.

The caress of William’s fingers along her leg,
the love in the touch, is something she’s has come to depend on.
For a man who claims he always keeps a distance, he never did with
her. He is always touching her in some way. Giving her his support,
his strength or just to let her know he’s there. He let her in, not
only his world but his heart. A heart she would always protect.

As his breathing slows, his fingers stop moving,
letting Cassandra knows he’s slipped into sleep. Lifting her head
she looks into the face she loves. The moonlight revealing the
sharp angles of his cheek bones, the fullness of his mouth. Sabah
told her that her son would be strong like his father. If he has
half his heart he’ll be a great man.

Unable to resist, she reaches up to trace the
arch of his brow, the angles of his cheeks, his lips that are able
to command men, or give her the greatest of pleasures.

“I love you Cassandra.” He kisses her fingers as
he slowly opens totally unguarded eyes, the depth of his love
undeniable.

“I will always be yours, no matter where we
are.” Lifting her, he carries her to their bed.

“You need to sleep.”

“In a little bit. What happened with Tibullus?”
Knowing ‘their’ time was over he sits beside her.

“I told him what he needed to know. That we have
a traitor, that there were assassination attempts being made, that
he needed to be recalled to Carina to make sure the Regulians
didn’t attack another Royal.”

“He accepted that?”

“He’ll accept it until he reaches Carina in four
days. Then he’ll question everything. And everyone.”

“And when he finds out you only told him half
the truth? That he’s a target. That his brother is trying to
assassinate him?”

“We won’t know that for sure until he decodes
the transmission.”

Cassandra knows he’s hoping it isn’t Dadrian,
that there is a possibility they are overlooking. For his sake she
hoped it was true.

“Come to bed, you need to sleep.” She slides
over pulling back the covers. Striping down he pulls her close.

“Victoria?”

“Won’t run away from her guards again.”

“Good. Sleep.”

Secure in each other’s arms they do.

With the rising of the first sun William wakes
to Cassandra sleeping in his arms her head on his chest. Today is
the start of her challenge, from now on she would be in constant
danger. The thought of her threatened has his arms tightening.

Turning her head Cassandra kisses where his
heart beat before raising sleep filled eyes to his, her love easily
seen.

“Morning.” Leaning down William kisses her
gently.

“Morning.” He responds. “You can sleep longer,
it’s only first sunrise.”

“We didn’t get to talk about today yet.” She
rises up on her elbow to lie across his chest.

“You have your first gathering in the Pubic Wing
at 1100. There will be approximately ten people there for you to
meet.”

“You have the names?”

“Yes, I have the data on each one complied for
you, it’s on the comm in the other room.”

She gives him a grateful look. “You know me
well.”

“I know you.” He tucks a piece of hair behind
her ear. “You want to be prepared before you meet them.”

“I do. Thank you.”

“You’ll spend about two hours with them then
you’ll return here. At 1430 you’ll have another gathering with the
other ten people who will be at tonight’s meal.”

“Another two hours.”

“Yes, then you’ll return here to rest before the
meal at 1900.”

“Are you with me at these gatherings?”

“I’m at your side.” Nothing could keep him from
it. “Marat’s men will escort us to and from each.”

“The meal with the King?”

“Will be in the King’s Wing, with the King,
Dadrian, the members you met earlier, and anyone else the King
selects. It will be formal, with at least a dozen courses.”

“A dozen?” She gives him a worried look.

Understanding her concern about unfamiliar foods
William runs a supportive hand down her arm.

“Watch me if it’s unfamiliar to you, I’ll show
you how to eat it. Take small bites. If you don’t like it, it’ll be
easier to swallow. Then you can just cut it up, move it around your
plate.”

Cassandra has to smile at him. “Sounds like you
have experience with this.” He smiles back.

“Royal meals tend to lean towards the absurd,
every House trying to show off their foods and creativity. It
doesn’t always eat well.”

“How long does it take to eat twelve
courses?’

“It will last nearly three hours.”

“Really? To eat?”

“There will be conversation, amusing
stories…”

“And more questions for me.”

“Yes.”

“Dadrian will be there?”

“Yes.” He sees her eyes change. “What are you
thinking?”

“Would the King have talked to him about the
traitor?”

“Not necessarily. Why?”

“I’d like to see his reaction to the traitor
being common knowledge. To have people wondering, questioning.”
William understands what she’s looking for.

“Dadrian may be the Second Son, but he’s had all
the royal training, it will be hard to get a reaction from him.” He
warns her.

“Perhaps.” Cassandra runs her fingers lightly
over his chest. “But it’s something to think about.”

“What else is bothering you?” Picking up her
hand he kisses her palm.

“What do you mean?” Her eyes soften at the touch
of his lips.

“I know you. Something’s been on your mind for
the last few days.” He waits patiently.

Sighing, she cups his cheek. “There is
something. I just need another day or two to sort it out. Then I’ll
tell you about it. Can you give me that?”

William looks into his life mates eyes. She’s
always been open and honest with him. Trusted him. Now she’s asking
him to trust her, how could he do any less.

“You’re okay?”

“I promise.”

“Then I can wait.” Pulling her up his body he
gently kisses her.

Knowing what he’d just given her she sinks into
the kiss. The feel of his thickening shaft between them has her
spreading her legs to take him in.

William grips her hips setting a slow steady
rhythm that within minutes has her gasping for breath.

“William!” As her body tightens, he empties
himself into her with one last thrust. Wrapping his arms around
her, he keeps her close as they catch their breath.

He finds the bedroom empty after his shower.
Shaking his head he heads to the closet. Finding three hanging bags
he smiles, soon she will be wearing clothes provided by him, and
only him. Changing he goes to find her.

Sitting cross legged at the comm she’s reading
the information he’s compiled for her. Assemblymen, wives,
children, status in the House of Protection and the Assembly.
Hobbies, interests, dislikes, basically a fully biography. Hearing
the bedroom door open she looks up.

“How were you able to get all this so fast?”

“Most of it is part of their Assembly package,
the rest Quinn and I compiled.”

“I’ll have to thank him.” Her heart beats a
little faster seeing him in his uniform.

“You don’t need to thank him for doing his job
Cassandra.”

“I really don’t think this is a Colonel’s
‘job’.”

“It’s recon, that’s it part of a Colonel’s job.”
He looks at the screen she’s on. “It’s one of his specialties.”

“Really?” Cassandra wonders if she could get him
to look into something for her.

“Really. Assemblyman Terwilliger has been in the
Assembly over fifty cycles. His wife considers herself the ‘Queen’
of the Assembly, since Lata’s death, expecting all others to follow
her lead.”

“And do they?”

“Enough. She has influence. She respects
strength and conviction. She can’t tolerate fools.”

“Good to know.”

Over the next hour they sit going over the Intel
that had been complied. William telling her little things about
each that wasn’t included in the reports. A knock at the outer door
interrupts them.

“You’d better go change.” He looks at her
birthmark she’s yet to cover. Returning she finds Hutu alone in the
room.

“The Admiral got called to the door, mam. He
said you were to eat without him.” While disappointed William
hadn’t told her himself, she realizes it’s going to happen.

“Thank you Hutu. What have you got for me
today?”

“I thought flat cakes would be filling for you
since you’ll be in a gathering over second meal. I will have
something waiting for you here between gatherings.”

“Thank you Hutu, you take very good care of
us.”

“It’s a pleasure mam.” He tells her then with a
slight nod leaves the room.

“Kyle,” Entering the foyer the Admiral hugs his
second son, keeping it brief. “What are you doing here? Thank you
Marat.” He dismisses him.

“Sir.” The Admiral leads Kyle into the formal
reception area.

“Wanting to know what
you’re
doing here.
Why aren’t you with the fleet? And why did I have to find out about
it from Dadrian?” Kyle demands. Closing the doors the Admiral turns
to look at his son.

“Since when do I consult with you about military
decisions?”

“From what I hear there isn’t anything
military
about this
decision
. It’s about you letting
some woman use you!” Kyle’s tone clearly reflects his opinion of
the woman.

“Be careful Kyle.” The Admiral’s voice cold. “Be
very careful.”

“What, I can’t tell my father when he’s being
used. Fuck dad, she’s claiming to be the lost Queen, like that’s
even a possibility! You’re ruining your career over some piece
of…”