Cassandra's Challenge Read online

  “It might be possible. We’d need to make sure he’s unable to communicate with anyone. We’d need to keep the information from not only the High Admiral but King Jotham.” William frowns at the thought of not telling his friend that his son was alive.

  “But it’s only for a little while. He’d rather not know and have his son home alive, than know and risk him.” Cassandra tells him knowing his concern.

  “True, but it will take him time to see that. Especially if…”

  “You think its Dadrian too.” Concerned eyes met his. “One son trying to kill another.”

  “I can’t imagine what it would feel like, to have your son betray you like that.”

  “He’ll need his friend.” Rising to her knees she gives him gentle kiss.

  “I need to make some calls.” He caresses her cheek with his knuckles.

  “Go make them. We have all night.” As he walks away in only his sleeping pants she marvels at the man.

  His broad shoulders, muscled back, trim waist, powerful hips and thighs, all perfectly proportion on his over seven foot frame. And his front wasn’t bad either. He’s comfortable with himself, confident in his abilities. He’s a decorated Admiral in the Coalition of United Planets, a Royal from the House of Protection. And he loved her. He would sacrifice for her, as he’d already done, to make sure she was protected.

  She’s asked a lot of him, not wanting to show her birthmark when they arrive at Carina. He understood, he hadn’t liked it, could have pressed, but he didn’t. He would allow her to handle it her way, while making sure she was protected.

  She needs to make sure she doesn’t let him down.

  Gowns. Clothes. Shit!

  She knew they made a statement. They had on Earth. She just didn’t like all the hassle and fuss that when into them. But William was a Royal. He might serve with women who are in uniform 24/7 but that didn’t mean he didn’t notice what women wore.

  He’s taken enough hits because of her. This wouldn’t be one of them. But she isn’t going to dress like a Carinian. She would be true to herself, she knew what she liked.

  Getting out of bed she goes to their comm and calls Javiera.

  “Cassandra?”

  “Call your family. See if their willing to make my clothes.”

  “Oh they will be.”

  “Javiera, you can’t tell them anything. Not yet.”

  “I know I was working on that. I can tell them it’s a rush because you’ll be leaving for Messene. That will give them the heads up their important clothes but not for who or what.”

  “They’ll accept that?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay. Also tell them they need to be making clothes for Victoria.”

  “I will. Boy that will really drive them crazy!” Javiera laughs. “A woman and child going to Messene. They’ll be racking their brains on every possible Royal.”

  “Javiera….”

  “Don’t worry, they won’t think it’s for someone on the Retribution.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Positive. We’re coming back from the border. There are no Royal children on a Battle Star.”

  “Alright. I’m going to go through these pictures you pulled up. See if there’s anything I like. How’s are the girls?”

  “Their fine. Playing in Amina’s room.”

  “Give them both a kiss goodnight for me.”

  “I will. Goodnight Cassandra.

  “Night.”

  In his ready room the Admiral opens a secure line to Admiral Carnot. He’s about to ask him to break all the rules.

  “Carnot.”

  “Zafar. I need you on a secure line Ferran.”

  “Secured.”

  “Are you on the bridge?”

  “Ready room.”

  “Alone?”

  “Yes.”

  “I need to relay some information to you Ferran. Information High Command doesn’t know, and can’t for awhile.”

  “What the fucks going on Will!”

  “We have a traitor that’s giving the fleet’s location to the Regulians.” He waits.

  “And you don’t think High Command needs to know this?”

  “They know. What they don’t know is that they’re assassination attempts.” There’s silence on the other end.

  “The Sentinel―Tibullus.”

  “Yes.”

  “Why aren’t you informing High Command?”

  “There’s a leak.”

  “What are you wanting?”

  “First you have to find out if he’s still alive. If he’s not the rest won’t matter. But if he is keep him off all lists. Get him on the Judgment with the returning wounded with a full communications block. Once they’re enroute I’ll contact him, fill him in. But High Command can’t be informed.”

  “The King will need to be told.”

  “No. If it leaks that he’s alive, what ship he’s on, it will be attacked. I guarantee it Ferran. It’s gone too far to be stopped.”

  “You want me to lie not only to High Command but to King Jotham!”

  “No. All you have to tell them is he’s not on any of your lists, because he won’t be. This won’t come back on you Ferran, it’s all on me.”

  “This is why you took the Retribution back. Why not just take Tibullus with you?”

  “At the time all we knew is we had a traitor. Not that it was directed specifically at Tibullus.” William leans back in his chair waiting for Ferran’s decision.

  “If he’s alive I’ll get him on the Judgment, keep his name off the lists. But if High Command or King Jotham asks me point blank if he’s alive I won’t lie.”

  “Understood.”

  “I’ll get back to you.” Carnot disconnects.

  Now he has to wait to see if Cassandra is right. That Tibullus is alive. Because if he isn’t and Dadrian is responsible he isn’t sure what he’ll do.

  “Zafar.” He answers his comm.

  “Admiral you’re orders are to proceed to Carina.” High Admiral Valerian tells him.

  “Understood sir.”

  “I’ll see you in High Command two days from now.”

  “With all due respect sir, the meeting will be held in my ready room.”

  “Is that an order Admiral?” The High Admiral’s voice is icy.

  “Security has already been established here, sir.”

  “You’re questioning the security at High Command?”

  “No sir, but there are more risks involved going to High Command then High Command coming here.”

  “We’ll play this your way for a little longer Admiral. But once you arrive you will be reminded just who is in charge!” The High Admiral disconnects.

  Cassandra enters the ready room just as the High Admiral calls, she hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but hearing the High Admiral’s tone pissed her off.

  “Why didn’t you just tell him it’s at my request?” William’s shoulders are stiff under her hands. Not answering he connects to the Bridge.

  “Tar, we’re to proceed to Carina.”

  “Yes Admiral.” Turning in his chair he pulls her into his arms.

  “It’s my decision.”

  She scans William’s eyes. She’s gotten to know him well and can tell the High Admiral tone has rubbed him wrong too.

  “That you made because me. He has no right to question it.”

  “Yes he does, he’s the High Admiral.”

  “And if you were doing this for a real Carinian Queen?”

  “You are a real Carinian Queen.”

  “Not until the Assembly says so.”

  “Your birthmark says so.”

  “You’re not answering the question.”

  “Caught that did you?” Leaning down he gives his Queen a gentle kiss.

  “Still not answering.” With a deep sigh he leans back, his Queen can be stubborn.

  “No there would be no questions.”

  “So he’s treating the situation, me, differently than if I’d
been born on Carina.”

  “He doesn’t believe there’s a true challenge, just that we have a traitor. He doesn’t have the information we have. I haven’t told him.”

  “To keep me safe.”

  “Yes.”

  “Will you tell him?” William raises an eyebrow. “When we arrive, will you tell him everything? Do you trust him?”

  “He’s dedicated to the Coalition. He lost his family thirty cycles ago in a Regulian attack on Fortas, he’s never forgotten. He wants this traitor.”

  “You didn’t answer the question.” And she’s tenacious.

  “No. I trust that he wants to find the traitor. He’s just not going to care who he has to sacrifice to get him.”

  “William….”

  “We’re not doing it his way Cassandra. We’re not sacrificing anyone.” Pulling her back, he tucks her under his chin. Settling in she closes her eyes, letting his strength and love surround her.

  “Tell me how the meeting’s going to go.”

  “With Valerian?”

  “Yes. How’s he going to approach it, approach me?”

  “What do you mean?” Absently he rubs a hand along her birthmark, a birthmark now in full color.

  “He thinks Victoria and I are expendable. Two survivors from a planet he could care less about. He’ll use us to find his traitor. He’ll use you. He won’t consider he’s talking to a possible Queen of the House of Knowledge.”

  “No he won’t.” His hand rests on her birthmark. “He’s the High Admiral. People do what he tells them too. He’ll expect no less.”

  “What’s he going to tell me to do?”

  “He won’t realize you know about the traitor. He’ll think you’re only here to claim the throne.”

  “Because there would be no reason for you to tell me.”

  “Normally, no.”

  “What will happen when he discovers I know? That you and I are together?” Cassandra raises her eyes to his.

  “It won’t be pretty.” He caresses her cheek.

  “You’ve already thought this all through.”

  “Yes.” He waits for the anger.

  “Do I get to know?” Her eyes don’t change.

  “Now that we’re enroute to Carina I will contact King Jotham and request quarters for your ‘House’. Once he agrees I will then request he send security to transport you to the House of Protection.”

  “You think he’ll agree, with everything going on with Tibullus.”

  “Jotham will agree.”

  “Valerian won’t be happy.”

  “No he won’t. He’ll want you under his control, to lure out the traitor.”

  “Jerk. How should I act with him?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Should I act intimidated, scared, grateful, or all Royal and look down my nose at him?”

  “Look down your nose?”

  Cassandra leans back and gives him her best, ‘You are nothing. I will step on you like a bug.’ Look.

  “That’s really good.” William’s truly impressed.

  “So?”

  “You act however you want.”

  “William….”

  “Cassandra, he has no control here, over you, over me. You act however you want.”

  “Two days.”

  “Yes. I need to call Jotham get things started.”

  “I’ll be in bed.” She gives him a hard kiss. “Don’t be too long.” Rising she leaves him.

  “William! There’s news?” Jotham doesn’t worry about formalities.

  “No Jotham, I just talked to Carnot, he’s still not on any list.” The silence on the other end is deafening.

  “What did you need?” The King asks, the friend and father gone.

  “A situation has arisen while on tour. I’m asking for security and quarters from the King of the House of Protection.”

  “Why.” The King’s voice reveals nothing.

  “Once the Retribution arrives, the Assembly will be called for a Challenge to the House of Knowledge.”

  “Why would the Challenger to the House of Knowledge request my protection?”

  “She’s not. I am.” William waits.

  “You have a lot to explain.”

  “Yes, but not this way.”

  “When?”

  “We will arrive in two days, we will need it almost immediately. High Admiral Valerian is not going to be happy.”

  “He never is. I will see you when you arrive.”

  “Thank you Jotham.”

  Waiting for William, Cassandra thinks about the day. Everything she’s learned, everything that still needs done. She needs to get her gown ideas to Javiera so her family can get started. She isn’t sure when she’d need the first gown, but would need clothes right away.

  Valerian isn’t going to be a friend. He’s grudge against Regulians will be more of a hindrance then help. Once he realizes William is protecting her, that they are involved, he will make sure he never commands again.

  King Jotham. William’s long time friend, he’s willing to risk that friendship for her, to keep her protected. How is the King going to react to his friend’s life mate? What will he do when he finds out he’s been keeping information about his son from him? So many risks he’s taking. For her.

  “What are you thinking about?” William sits on the bed bringing Cassandra’s attention to him.

  “Hmmm?”

  “You were lost in thought.” Tucking a piece of hair behind her ear he rests his hand on her neck.

  “Just thinking. What did King Jotham say?” She rises up.

  “We’ll have security upon our arrival. They will escort us to our quarters in the House of Protection. What’s bothering you?”

  “He’s one of your oldest friends.”

  “Yes.”

  “Is he going to treat you like Valerian, because of me?” Concerned eyes gaze into his.

  “Protecting me again?”

  “You don’t deserve being treated like that.”

  He should have realized she’d worry for him. He would, if it was reversed.

  “Jotham will be suspicious.” William isn’t going to lie to her. “He’ll feel I’m acting out of character. That I’ve let you distract me, jeopardizing my career, for a much younger woman.”

  “Younger woman… What does age have to do with it?” Cassandra’s honestly confused.

  “A very beautiful, younger woman, who believes she has a claim to the throne. Who needs protection.” With adept fingers he unbuttons the shirt she put on to eat.

  “I’m using you, because you’re Royal. He’ll believe I’m a conniving little bitch who’s using you to get to the throne.”

  “It will be his first thought, yes.” Sliding her shirt off, his mouth gains access to bare shoulders.

  “William, what are you doing?”

  “Hoping you’ll use me.” As his mouth continues its descent, she rises to her knees, pulling his head closer as he suckles.

  All thought disappears as he gives his attention to her other breast. Arching to give him more access she moans, need pooling between her legs.

  Leaning her back, his mouth abandons her breast to work its way down her torso leaving her quivering. Sliding his hands under her, lifting to find her most sensitive spot, he feeds.

  “William!” Cassandra’s body bucks against his mouth. But he is unrelenting. Her taste, her smell, he must have more.

  Her body vibrates under his hands, tells him her release is close. The knowledge drives him, he has taste it. As he slides his tongue in her world breaks apart.

  Her flavor drives him mad. Releasing himself, William surges into her pulsating heat, filling her to near bursting.

  Still lost, William’s renewed assault on her senses has Cassandra’s body tightening around him. His kiss stealing the little breath she had. Wrapping her limbs around him she joins him in madness. As her body implodes she takes him with her.

  Long minutes pass with heavy breathing the on
ly sound. Lifting his head William stares into the face he loves. Her lips swollen, breathing ragged, eyes unfocused, knowing he put that look on her face is a powerful thing.

  As her eyes start to focus she brings her fingers up touching his lips. Gently he kisses them.

  “William….”

  “Yeah.”

  “If that was me using you, I need to do it more often.”

  Grinning William rolls onto his back pulling her close.

  “I think I can arrange that.”

  The morning flies by as both the Admiral and Cassandra are consumed with the details of their arrival on Carina. Beyond the normal routine of bring a Battle Star home the Admiral needs to make sure Chief Marat is prepared to protect Cassandra and Victoria.

  “Chief.” The Admiral lowers the security screen.

  “Admiral.”

  “Are your men ready?”

  “Yes sir. Ten men trained to protect a Royal, as ordered sir.”

  “Good. Tomorrow we arrive at Carina. You will have five men outside my ready room, the other five stationed outside Michelakakis’ quarters. A shuttle from the House of Protection will arrive, once it does your men are to escort the Michelakakis’ family, Hutu, Lucas and Victoria onto the shuttle, is that understood?”

  “Yes sir.”

  “Lucas has the final word on Victoria’s security. Anything involving her is cleared through him.”

  “Yes sir.”

  “On board the shuttle there will be a security detail. They will be escorted to my ready room.”

  “Sir?”

  “Listen Marat.”

  “Yes sir.”

  “King Jotham’s men will be in charge of getting Colonel Tar, Cassandra, and myself onto the shuttle. You and your men are in charge of our protection. You will take orders from only me.”

  “Yes sir.”

  “Understand this Chief, no matter how else is on this ship, no orders penetrate the King’s protection, the only orders you receive are from within the King’s protection. Understand?”

  Marat stands there for a moment, wondering what the hell is going on.

  “Marat!”

  “Yes sir! Understood!”