Cassandra's Challenge Read online

  “Amina and I are going to play until Kia and Pazel get here, then we get to look at the rest of our clothes.”

  “That will be fun.”

  “Yeah. You two have to be in gatherings all day.”

  “That’s right then we have a meal with the King.” Cassandra turns to Tori. “So you’re not going anywhere without Javiera or Lucas. Right?”

  “Right.” Tori nods.

  “That’s good Tori.” The Admiral tells her. “We don’t want you to get hurt.”

  “I know.” Tori looks to her Aunt. “I’m done can I go over to Amina’s?”

  “Let me call over, see if their up yet.” After talking to Javiera, Cassandra turns to Tori. “Go wash up and I’ll walk you over, I need to talk to Javiera.”

  “Okay.”

  Sitting down Cassandra puts a hand on William’s arm, she feels the need to touch him. “What’s wrong?”

  He should have known he couldn’t fool her. “Kyle was downstairs.”

  “Kyle? Your Kyle?”

  “Yes.”

  “And this is a problem because…” She waits, hoping she’s wrong.

  “He’s upset that he wasn’t been informed we were on planet.”

  “He should have been, I’m sorry, I should have realized.” She’d forgotten about Kyle with everything else going on. To forget about William’s family is inexcusable.

  “No. This isn’t on you.”

  “He should have been included. If all he hears are Valerian’s rumors he’ll be upset.”

  “He’s getting his information from Dadrian.”

  “Dadrian….”

  “I’m ready.” Tori comes skipping out of her room. Cassandra looks at William knowing the conversation is over for now. Giving him a hard kiss she rises.

  “Let’s go kiddo.”

  “Bye Admiral.”

  “Bye Tori.”

  Javiera is opening the door to their suite as Cassandra closes the exterior one.

  “Amina’s back in her room.” She tells Tori, and she’s gone. Javiera closes the door.

  “Javiera?” Cassandra follows her as she walks down to the common area. “Is everything okay?

  “It’s better, thank you for telling Leander.”

  “It was my fault.”

  “No. It’s something that Leander and I have been avoiding.” Javiera sits on one of the couches rubbing her hands together. “I’ve wanted to have another child for awhile now. Leander doesn’t.” Javiera looks into Cassandra’s eyes. “I had problems with Amina. It was recommended that I not conceive again.”

  “He’s worried he’ll lose you.” She grips her friend’s hand.

  “I know, but Cassandra, I have this need, to have just one more, to give Leander a son. I know he says it doesn’t matter to him. That he loves Amina. But still…”

  “There’s a different connection between a father and son.” Cassandra finishes.

  “Yes. You understand?” Javiera’s shoulders sag in relief.

  “I do. I’m a second child Javiera. My brother was nine years older. There were things he and dad could talk about, shared experiences that only they understood. It never meant he loved me less, it was just a ‘man’ thing. It was special for both of them.”

  “I want Leander to have that.”

  “But he wants you more.” She squeezes her hand. “After my mom died, my father couldn’t look at me.” Javiera’s eyes widen. “I looked too much like her. It reminded him of everything he’d lost.” Cassandra’s eyes sadden. “He had to send me to boarding school so he could heal. I understand that now, I didn’t at nine. I just knew I’d lost my mother and then my father.”

  “I never knew…”

  “We worked it out, it took time, but when it’s family you work it out. That’s what you and Leander have to do. He loves you Javiera. He’s scared of losing you.”

  “I know, but Cassandra, I want this so badly.”

  “Then you need to tell him that, and if you do decide to conceive again then you need the best doctor on planet, because Javiera, I don’t want to lose you either.” Hugging they both wipe their eyes.

  “Okay, enough of that.” Javiera leans back to pull the test out of her pocket. “You’ll get the best results if it’s done first thing in the morning.” She goes on to explain what she needs to do.

  “Okay, so tomorrow I’ll know.” Cassandra gives her a wobbly smile.

  “It’ll be okay, either way. The Admiral loves you.”

  “I know. I’d better get back. I need to get ready for the gatherings.” Cassandra stands.

  “Do you need help?”

  “Maybe tonight, I’ll let you know.”

  Finding their suite empty she sighs. She’d hoped to finish talking about Kyle. He’s family, family stands together. William is going to suffer over this, his son, his life mate, she doesn’t want him put in the position where he has to choose. Realizing she needs to get ready for the first gathering she heads for the shower.

  Lucas enters the ready room to find his father, Marat and Quinn deep in a conversation about the day’s security.

  “That should cover it Chief. Have your men in the foyer by 1045.”

  “Yes Admiral.”

  Lucas waits until Marat leaves. “Dad about Kyle….” The look in the Admiral’s eyes has Lucas pausing.

  “Not now.”

  “Dad…”

  “NOT NOW!” The rage the Admiral has been trying to control slips out. “Quinn I’ll be in my suite if you need me.” Quinn and Lucas watch him leave.

  “What was that all about?” Quinn looks at Lucas.

  “Kyle was here earlier. Dadrian’s been filling him in on how dad is being ‘used’.”

  “Kyle listened to that little foabhor?”

  “Agreed, but yeah he did. Especially since none of us bothered to fill him in.” Lucas rubbed his neck. “Fuck Quinn I think they’d have come to blows if I hadn’t shown up. What Kyle was saying….Dad told him not to come back.”

  “Fuck, no wonder the old man so pissed.”

  “Yeah, just what he needed before these gatherings.”

  “Could have been planned that way,” Quinn sits down to think. “Dadrian has never cared for your father or you for that matter, to many comparisons. He’s probably sitting back enjoying all these rumors about how the mighty Admiral has fallen, and over a woman. Fuck, he knew exactly what he was doing talking to Kyle!”

  Lucas looks at Quinn. “What are we going to do about it?”

  “Nothing. At least not right now. Right now we concentrate on finding the traitor. That will go a long way in explaining things."

  Discovering Cassandra wearing only white eadia turns William’s remaining anger into desire. “That isn’t appropriate for gatherings.” Walking over he kisses a bare shoulder while his hands caress her sides.

  “No?” Cassandra is more than willing to play if it keeps that earlier look from his eyes. “I thought it would make an impression.”

  “Oh it would, believe me.” He runs a finger over the swell of breast her eadai has pushed up. “But I like to be the only one you leave this kind of impression on.”

  “So do I.” Putting a hand behind his neck she pulls his head down for a deep kiss. As their tongues spare, his hands sliding under her eadai gripping her bare bottom pulling her up against him, his desire obvious.

  “William.” She gasps tearing her mouth from his. Wrapping her legs around him she dives back into the kiss.

  William is on fire, this passion igniting too quickly for him to control. Pinning her against a wall he releases himself, grips her hips and thrusts. She’s hot, wet, already tightening around him and he wants more, he wants all.

  Tearing his mouth away he looks into her face, it’s flushed, her lips swollen, breathing rapid, but it’s her eyes that send him over the edge. They’re blazing into his, full of passion, desire, love, just starting to lose focus.

  The orgasm is sudden catching both of them off guard. Cassandra�
��s head drops to William’s shoulder as he braces an arm against the wall to keep them upright.

  When they are finally able to move again, Cassandra looks up at him, a slight blush staining her cheeks.

  “What?” He has to know what caused her to blush.

  “I’m really liking my new eadai.” Her blush deepens.

  William laughs, a rich, full laugh that relieves the last of the rage. “So do I.”

  Chapter 15

  Cassandra checks herself in the mirror, Kia did a wonderful the white pant suit. It was just the look she’d been wanting. A beaded sleeveless tank just passes the top of the straight legged pants that hugged her hips and skimmed her toes enclosed in white heeled boots. Covering it all is a shear long sleeved jacket that stops at her knees. As she turns beadwork of the jacket shimmers and flows like a flame in the wind.

  She loosely pulled her hair up, exposing her neck, securing it with matching clips Kia had provided. It gave her a soft windblown look. Satisfied she goes into the private area. She needs to get a hold of Quinn.

  Finding the bedroom empty after his shower, William moves to the closet to dress. One of the bags is hanging empty, wondering what she’s wearing he pulls out a more formal uniform, not dress but not every day. Checking himself in the mirror he turns to find Cassandra.

  “Tar.” The Colonel answers the comm in the ready room.

  “Colonel, this is Cassandra. I want to thank you for the Intel you compiled for me on the gatherings.”

  “No thanks necessary mam.”

  “Well I’m thanking you anyway and want to know if you could look into something else for me.” She waits.

  “What are you looking for?” The Admiral’s right, Quinn loves this stuff.

  “The Battle of Fayal.”

  “What about it?” Quinn can’t help but be interested.

  “The captured Regulian ship, what happened to it? The Admiral said that you got their ship identification codes because of its capture. What else was learned from the ship? Who was in charge of translating the Intel? Who did he report too? And where is he now?” Cassandra fires off what she needs.

  “What do you need to know all this for?”

  “Because it’s connected, I can’t prove it, yet, but I know it is.” Quinn hears the conviction in her voice, and believes her.

  “I’ll get started on it for you.”

  “Thank you Colonel.”

  Disconnecting, her heart skips a beat as William walks into the room in a uniform she’d never seen. Its grey color reflected the hints of grey at his temples while deepening his eyes. On his chest the array of medals he’d earned during his distinguished career, a career he is jeopardizing for her.

  Walking around the comm center she stops in front of him. “You’re a handsome man William Zafar.” And all hers, she thinks a smile on her lips as she rests her hands on his decorated chest.

  “You’re my life mate, the most beautiful thing in my life.” William gently rests his hands on her shoulders as he softly kisses her.

  “Let me look at you.” Cassandra steps back, slowly turns for him, and waits. “The white tower, the tower of the House of Knowledge, that’s what you look like.” William can see what she’s doing. She’s planting the seeds.

  “Is it too obvious?” She has her first doubts.

  “No, it’s perfect.” His eyes reassure her. “It will start them thinking, without knowing why. You truly are a genius.” Cassandra gives him a grateful smile.

  “Ready?” William looks into her beautiful sapphire eyes that have suddenly turned serious. “What?”

  Cassandra rests a hand over his heart. “I love you William. No matter what happens with this Challenge, I am yours.”

  Covering her hand he caresses his life mate’s cheek. “And I am yours. I’ll always love you.” Sharing one last look they turn to start their future.

  Marat watches the pair approach. The Admiral in his grey’s, evidence of a stellar career on his chest, walking beside a small woman dressed in white that shimmered and shined as she move. Together they make a striking couple.

  “Ready Marat?”

  “Yes Admiral.” Turning Marat opens the doors of the Royal Wing. As the Admiral and Cassandra advance the security detail closes around them.

  The Pubic Wing of the Palace is the furthest wing from the Royal Wing. As the detail approaches Royal Guards open the closed door leading to another corridor, Cassandra looks up at William. She’d never seen this door closed before.

  “Whenever there are guests in the Palace or gatherings in the Public Wing the King’s and Royal Wings have extra security measures.” The Admiral quietly tells her. “There will be extra guards posted at each entrance.” Nodding her understanding Cassandra moves into the next corridor.

  As they approach the last door Cassandra raises her internal defenses. She is used to being scrutinized, all those years of study, the defense of her doctorates, the sometimes harsh criticisms of professors. Professors’ who didn’t appreciate being surpassed by someone her age, because of them she’d learned how to keep her thoughts and reactions to herself, to stay calm with pointed questions. They’d all prepared her for this, the ultimate examination.

  Sensing the change, the Admiral looks down at his life mate. Watching her eyes change from open to shuttered, he knows she’s pulling herself in. Not allowing others to see what she’s thinking or feeling. He hated her ability to close herself off from him, now he was grateful for it. She is going to need it in the days to come.

  The detail pauses before the last door, waiting. Marat turns, looking at Cassandra. Realizing he’s waiting for her, the Challenger, to give the final order that will start her Challenge she calmly looks him in the eye.

  “Chief Marat, please open the doors.” Marat nods.

  “Yes your ladyship.” Marat opens the doors.

  “Evander,” Evadne Terwilliger softly speaks to her husband. “What have you heard? No one I’ve spoken to knows anything.”

  “I know as much as you, my darling.” Assemblyman Terwilliger knows how his wife dislikes not knowing more than others. The absolute secrecy in all areas concerning this Challenger is unprecedented. As are the rumors flying about Admiral Zafar.

  “We should be finding out soon enough its 1100.”

  “Maybe she’s changed her mind.” As she speaks the doors to the Wing open.

  Evadne runs a critical eye over the couple entering the room. Admiral Zafar is as handsome as ever, his grey uniform impeccable, his stride confident. At his side is the woman they’ve all come to inspect. She’s a tiny little thing, hardly more than six foot, dark hair pulled back, sheathed in shimmering white, and young, she couldn’t be more than twenty-five cycles. Her brilliant sapphire eyes calmly scan the room with a confidence that surprises Evadne.

  Assemblyman Terwilliger touches his wife arm as he moves to approach the couple now stopped several feet inside the room. A smart move, he knows, he’s used it himself, making them come to her.

  “Admiral Zafar, a pleasure to see you again.”

  “Assemblyman Terwilliger, Madame Terwilliger, may I present to you Cassandra Qwes Chamberlain of Earth, Challenger to Queen Yakira.” The Admiral takes a slight step back.

  “Assemblyman Terwilliger, Madame Terwilliger.” Cassandra nods to the couple. “A pleasure to meet you.” Her voice is fuller then they’d expected, and while she didn’t speak loudly her words were easily heard by all in the room.

  “The pleasure is ours, your,” the Assemblyman stumbles for a moment, “ladyship. Won’t you sit?” He gestures to an arranged sitting area where the rest of those present were hovering. “We’ll get to know one another.”

  Inclining her head, Cassandra and the Admiral walk toward the waiting group. Seeing there are only three empty chairs, one obviously meant for her as it faced the others, she looks at Terwilliger.

  “My apologizes Admiral, I hadn’t realized you were staying.” Terwilliger is beginning to wonder how much of t
he rumors were true.

  “I’ll stand.” Escorting her to the chair their eyes meet briefly before she sits, turning her attention to the people before her. The Admiral moves to stand slightly behind her chair.

  “That is a beautiful outfit.” Madame Terwilliger begins. “I don’t believe I recognize the clothier.”

  “It’s from Pazel and Kia Juruas.”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever heard of them.” Cassandra says nothing.

  “Why should we consider you a Challenger?” A voice from further back asks.

  Cassandra moves her head slightly to find the source of the voice. “Assemblyman Umbarger, you don’t have the right not to consider any Challenger presented to the Assembly.” Her voice is calm.

  “You are correct ladyship.” Terwilliger is impressed not only of the Challenger’s knowledge of the process but her calm at Umbarger’s attempt to fluster her.

  “Your home planet is called Earth?” Cassandra looks at the man addressing her.

  “That’s correct, Assemblyman Hortshorn.”

  “I am not familiar with that planet. Where is it located?” He asks.

  “It was located approximately 5000 light years inside the Relinquished Zone.”

  “Was?”

  “The Regulians attacked Earth 50 days ago, decimating the planet.” Hortshorn sees the shadow flicker through her eyes.

  “Why would they do that?” Terwilliger inquires.

  “To stop the return of the rightful Queen of House of Knowledge. What they call the ‘Imperial Light’.” Cassandra’s statement causes a rush of voices, each trying to be heard. Sitting back in her chair Cassandra waits. The Admiral’s fingers briefly touch her shoulder.

  “Quiet! Quiet!” Terwilliger commands the group.