Cassandra's Challenge (78 page)

“Okay, I won’t tell.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

“Okay let’s finish this hair.”

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.

“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.”

“Are you his life mate?” The King has yet to let
go of her wrist.

“Yes.” She answers him with no hesitation, her
eyes steady as she meets his.

“Then stay, he’ll tell you anyway.”

“Majesty,” Cassandra slowly sits. “While William
is my life mate, he’d never break your confidence, not even to me.”
Jotham gives her a half smile.