Cassandra's Challenge Page 53

  “The Princess just needed some air.” He’s surprised at Dadrian’s arrival.

  “Really, are you okay Cassandra?” Dadrian moves closer. “Kyle would you give us a few minutes? I think I can resolve this situation for you tonight.”

  While he understands what Dadrian is telling him, he’s suddenly unsure of leaving Cassandra alone with him.

  “Go Kyle.” Dadrian commands. Cassandra watches as Kyle leaves her with Dadrian.

  Kyle gets no more than a few steps into the ballroom when he’s confronted by his father.

  “Where is Cassandra!” While his voice is low the urgency is undeniable.

  “Dadrian wanted to speak to her alone.” Kyle has never seen his father’s eyes so hard before.

  “You will take us to exactly where you left them!” The Admiral grabs his son’s arm forcing him out of the room, his heart pounding, hoping he’s not too late.

  “What situation do you think you’re going to resolve. Dadrian.” Cassandra’s tone is icy as she moves out of his reach. She’s been taught better than to allow herself to be boxed in.

  “Kyle thinks I’m going to help his father get his command back.” He’s likes the way she moves. “But I’m going to help you get the throne you so desire.”

  “And how would you do that?” She side steps again.

  “By making sure you have the support of the King of the House of Protection.” Dadrian blocks her way to the rest of the garden.

  “What would I have to do to accomplish that?”

  “First you will lose the old man. He’s going down.” Dadrian steps forward believing he has her. “Then you and I will…get together.”

  “How would that give me the support of the King?”

  “My father won’t be around much longer.” Dadrian’s getting angry as once again she steps out of reach. “You need to be nicer to me.”

  “You will never be anything but a second son.” Cassandra feels her head start to spin. She needs to end this. “An insignificant one at that, your father and brother out shine you the way the Carinian suns out shine the Earth’s.” She sees an opening to the garden path, but as she moves she falters.

  Dadrian grabs her upper arms in a bruising grip. That this tiny woman would even think about refusing him is enraging. He’d show her what a true Carinian man was. Yanking her off her feet he slams her against him.

  “You’ll regret that.”

  “Get your hands off me!” She demands trying to aim a knee at his groin.

  “I’d do what she says, if you want to live.” Dadrian freezes at William’s voice. Ripping her arms out of his hold, her dress tearing, Cassandra moves to him. The look in William’s eyes scares her more than Dadrian.

  “Admiral nice to see you, I was just having a very interesting conversation with your….what exactly are the two of you?” When William takes a step towards him Cassandra puts a hand on his chest.

  “I want to go. Please William, get me out of here.” Looking down at her he sees the bruises forming on her arms. His eyes flare. “Please.” She whispers.

  “Admiral,” Deffand comes up behind them. “We’ll handle this. My men will lead you to your security detail so your party can return to the Royal Wing.” Deffand waits, hoping he won’t have to stop the Admiral from striking Dadrian. No matter how much he deserves it, Deffand can’t allow it.

  It’s the trembling of Cassandra’s hand on his chest that changes William’s focus. Looking down he sees her eyes pleading with his.

  “You’ll inform Jotham?” The Admiral’s eyes deadly as they met Deffand’s.

  “Yes sir.”

  Pulling her close he turns Kyle gets his first look at Cassandra. She’s pale, her dress torn with dark bruises already forming on her arms. He raises stricken eyes to his father’s, knowing he’s to blame for this. He should never have left her alone.

  “Move Kyle.” The Admiral orders coldly. Kyle turns following Marat and Tar as Deffand’s men lead them across the garden.

  With his hand around Cassandra’s waist, William keeps her close his rage barely controlled. The thought of Dadrian’s hands on her, her struggling against him, has him pulling her even closer. That his own son would put her in such danger gives him a sick feeling. If he hadn’t gotten there when he had….he can’t let himself think about what would have happened. If he did he’d turn around and kill Dadrian.

  Cassandra can feel William’s rage. This is her fault she should have never left the ballroom. She should have asked Kyle to stay. She’d underestimated Dadrian, and William is paying the price.

  Reaching the Palace the guards open an unseen door, on the other side Marat’s men stand ready. The walk to the Royal Wing is tense, the guards shooting concerned looks at Cassandra, knowing something has happened. No one speaks.

  Entering the Wing William doesn’t slow down.

  “Marat. Quinn.”

  “We’ll double check security Admiral.” Quinn answers the unsaid orders. Watching as Cassandra is taken directly to their suite.

  “What the fuck happened Kyle!” Quinn rounds on the Admiral’s son.

  “She got pale all of a sudden on the dance floor, wanted some air, so I took her out into the gardens. After a few minutes she seemed okay. Dadrian was suddenly there and wanted to talk to her in private.”

  “And you just left her. When you already knew she wasn’t feeling well?”

  “It was Dadrian. How was I supposed to know…” But he had, he’d known something wasn’t right, he just ignored the feeling. “She didn’t stop me.”

  “No she wouldn’t.” Quinn looks at the closed door. “She’d handle it on her own, she always does. I need to secure the Wing. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll get your ass upstairs and explain it to your father.”

  As the door shuts Cassandra turns into his arms. “I’m sorry. God I’m sorry.” Is all she can say as she burrows into his chest. William’s arms wrap around her, feeling her tremors. She’s scared him badly.

  “You were not to leave your protection!” William’s voice is rough, full of rage and relief.

  “I know. It’s my fault.” Cassandra raises dark eyes to his.

  “What happened?”

  Before Cassandra can answer there is a knock at the door. When Cassandra starts to move out of his arms he pulls her back. He isn’t ready to let go yet.

  “They can wait.” Leaning down he captures her lips in a kiss that conveys all his anger, fear and relief. She wraps her arms around him, gripping his back, sinking into the kiss. They both need this, to erase Dadrian.

  Hearing the knocking on the outer door Lucas enters the room to find his father and Cassandra in each other’s arms. Clearing his throat he looks at his feet. As they start to separate he notices her torn sleeves and the bruised arms.

  “What the fuck happened!” He demands as the knocking on the door starts again.

  “Get the door Lucas.” William holds a still trembling Cassandra.

  “Kyle?” Hearing Lucas, William’s head whips around, his eyes hardening.

  “You don’t want to be here right now Kyle.” Lucas is shocked at the rage in his father’s voice.

  “It’s not he’s fault William.” She steps out of his arms to walk across the room. She needs to get herself under control. “Let him in Lucas, close the door.”

  “He left you unprotected!” William rages.

  “Which was my fault!” She fires back. She isn’t going to let this come between father and son. “I knew better, I could have said something. I thought I could handle it.” Kyle watches in some amazement as Cassandra argues with his father, defending him.

  “Would someone please tell me what’s going on?” Lucas demands.

  “Your brother left Cassandra alone with Dadrian.” William’s eyes are like broken glass.

  “With Dadrian….” Lucas looks again at Cassandra’s torn dress. “Fuck Kyle, what were you thinking!”

  “He was thinking about getting his father’s com
mand back.” Kyle’s shocked eyes look at her.

  “What the fuck are you talking about!” William finds himself shouting at her.

  “I’m talking about your son, trying to get your command back.” Cassandra shouts back. “He was trying to help you William!”

  “That’s ridiculous! Dadrian doesn’t have that kind of power, never will! And since when do I need help!”

  “How can you possibly know that?” Kyle asks quietly.

  “Because Dadrian told me!” She fires first at Kyle, then jabs William in the chest. “And we need all the help we can get you big idiot!”

  “Aunt Cassie?” Cassandra spins around at the sound of Victoria’s voice.

  “Victoria’s here?” Her eyes fly to Lucas.

  “In her room.”

  “William…” Even Kyle can hear the panic in her voice. His father is already removing his jacket, helping her slide her bruised arms into the sleeves. Pulling the lapels together he gives her a reassuring kiss.

  Kyle isn’t sure what’s astonished him more, that one minute they’re arguing and the next working together, that never happened between his parents, or the little girl walking into the room. She’s tiny, no more than five foot, dressed in what he would assumed little girls slept in, her flame red hair messy from sleep.

  “Hey kiddo, did we wake you up?” Cassandra forces a smile onto her face and into her voice as she kneels in front of her niece.

  “Yeah, you were yelling.” She looks into her Aunt’s eyes demanding the truth. It is the one thing she’s has tried to give her since the Earth was destroyed.

  “Yeah, yeah I was. Sorry about that.”

  “Why are you wearing the Admiral’s jacket?” Her little eyes missed nothing.

  “The Admiral thought I should cover up. We were in the garden.” While Cassandra isn’t lying to her niece she is stretching the facts.

  “Oh. Why were you arguing?”

  “Who says we were?”

  “Oh please…” Victoria rolls her eyes. “You used to yell like that at daddy.” Victoria looks to the Admiral. “She’s usually won. It used to make daddy sooooo mad.” She gives Cassandra a half happy half sad look at the memory.

  “Not always.” Cassandra rubs her cheek.

  “Is it because you didn’t eat third meal?”

  “What?!?” The Admiral’s eyes narrow as he looks at Cassandra’s back.

  “Why would you think that?” She tries to put an innocent look on her face.

  “Because it’s right over there.” Victoria points to the table were earlier she’d put her meal.

  Turning she sees Hutu hasn’t picked it up. She’s not so sure he didn’t do it on purpose.

  Walking over William pulls the cover off the plate, discovering it full. The look he gives her lets her know his displeasure.

  “Busted.” Lucas comments.

  “Shut up Lucas.” They say in unison. Victoria giggles.

  “See I told you, you were arguing.”

  “Your right, we were.” Cassandra stands, paling slightly, William immediately takes a step towards her. She shakes her head. “And we still have things to settle, but first, I need to get out of this dress. Want to do me a favor?”

  “What?” Victoria looks at her.

  “You think you can handle these three until I get back?” She nods her head at the men.

  “Three?” Victoria looks around her Aunt to see Kyle. “That’s Kyle.” She walks towards him. “Your Lucas’ brother, the Admiral’s son.”

  Kyle isn’t sure what to make of her. “Yes I am.”

  “Lucas says you’re the smart one in the family.” Her eyes serious.

  “Does he really?” Kyle looks to his brother who gives him a careless shrug.

  “Yup, he says you’re a great little brother.” Kyle watches her eyes go sad. “I was supposed to have a little brother.”

  Kyle’s eyes shoot from Victoria to his father. How was he supposed to handle this? It’s Lucas who steps in.

  “They can also be a pain in the butt.” He draws Victoria’s attention to him. “When I was ten he ‘borrowed’ my favorite air shoes and tried to use them to cross the lake. Totally ruined them.”

  “I was six!” Kyle plays along. “You can’t still be mad about that!” Lucas just raises an eyebrow.

  “So do you think you can handle them? Keep them from arguing until I get back.”

  “Aunt Cassie, all families argue. It’s what they do after that matters.” The wisdom out of the child’s mouth has the three men sucking in their breaths.

  “You’re absolutely right Victoria.” Cassandra eyes each man. Holding out her fist Victoria gives her a fist bump. “You’re in charge.” Turning she heads back to their suite.

  Walking into the closet Cassandra carefully hangs up William’s jacket. Sitting on the bench she puts her head in her hands. Oh God. He attacked her. He wouldn’t have stopped if William hadn’t have gotten there. How could she have been so stupid? So arrogant, thinking she’d handle Dadrian all by herself.

  She needs to get this dress off her body. Striping down she knows exactly what she wants next to her skin. Going to the bureau she pulls out the violet nightgown Kia had made her. As William’s color caresses her skin she sighs, it’s like having his arms around her. Pulling on the black robe she heads back out to confront the Zafar men.

  Watching her leave William frowns. There’s something going on, something she’s not telling him. She’s tiring to easily, he’d promised her a few days that would be ending.

  Turning he looks at his sons, two grown men both special in their own way. But right now he isn’t happy with Kyle. Kyle looks him in the eye, never flinching, but William can see the regret in his eyes. Kyle’s never been good at covering his emotions.

  “Sit down Kyle you too Lucas.”

  “What happened to Aunt Cassie?” Victoria faces the Admiral. “Her dress is torn.”

  William should have realized Victoria missed nothing, she’s too much like her Aunt. Walking over he squats down so they are eye to eye. “She tore it in the garden. She didn’t want you to worry. She’s okay. I promise.”

  She stares into his eyes for several moments then nods. “Okay, if you promise.” The Admiral nods to her.

  Kyle watches the exchange, puzzled. Looking to Lucas he sees his brother isn’t at all surprised. What is going on? His father is talking to this child like an adult. Suddenly he finds he’s the focus of clear green eyes.

  “You were at the Ball.” Victoria eyes his clothes.

  “Yes.”

  “Did you dance?” She walks over to him.

  “Yes, with your Aunt.”

  “Really? How are your toes?”

  “What?”

  “Aunt Cassie is a terrible dancer. Even Grandpa Jacob said so, well not to her, he used to say she danced on his toes more than her own.”

  “Her valsa was fine.” Kyle while confused at the conversation can’t help but be charmed.

  “Are you going to help us catch the Glitter Man?” She demands.

  “What? Who? What’s she talking about!”

  “Victoria, it’s time for you to get back to bed.” Cassandra sweeps into the room just in time to hear her last comment.

  She’s wearing a long black robe, but it’s what’s underneath that has William’s breath catching. Violet, House of Protection violet, even after Dadrian.

  “Aunt Cassie…” And suddenly she sounds like a little girl to Kyle.

  “Victoria Lynn it’s late, you need to get back to sleep.”

  “But I want to help. How can I help if I don’t know what’s going on?” Cassandra looks at William this is what they’d just been arguing about.

  “There are some things you don’t need to know Victoria.” William steps in.

  “Why?” Victoria looks at the Admiral with stubborn eyes.

  “Because you’re nine. Some things you need to let us handle.”

  “But the Glitter Man…”

&nb
sp; “When the time comes you get to help with that. I’ve told you that.” Cassandra kneels down to her. “I promise.”

  “Okay. But, do I have to go to bed?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well…..” Even Kyle cans see she’s up to something.

  “What?” Cassandra isn’t sure what’s going on in her niece’s mind.

  “Can I have your piece of fudge torta?” Victoria looks longingly at the plate the Admiral left uncovered.

  “That would be your third piece today.” Trying to keep a serious face, Cassandra starts to stand, finding William there to help her.

  “Yeah but if you’re not going to eat it….”

  “If you go straight to bed you can have it.”

  “Yes! Night Lucas, night Kyle, night Admiral.” Victoria hustles over to pick up the cake before her Aunt can change her mind. “Night Aunt Cassie.”

  “Night Tori.” Cassandra walks over to the hallway. “And I want your door closed! No ‘accidental’ hearing!” She yells after her.

  “Oh man…” Is her only reply.

  Cassandra turns to face the Zafar men. They were quite a sight. All tall, broad shouldered and handsome, but William is her light.”

  “Cassie…” Raising a hand she cuts Lucas off.

  Turning she walks over to a table and pours three glasses of Carinian Ale. Silently she hands one to each man, hearing the door finally shut, she sits down on the couch, tucking her legs under her.

  Cassandra looks to William. “Kyle needs to know William. I know you were trying to keep him safe, keep him out of it, but Dadrian’s brought him in, he has the right to know the whole truth.” She pauses. “So does Lucas.”

  “Damn it Cassandra, we don’t even know if we’re right.”

  “You know we are, especially after tonight. We just can’t prove it, yet.”

  “What’s going on?” Lucas leans forward frowning. “What don’t I know?”

  William looks from the woman he loves and trusts, to his sons. Two men he couldn’t be prouder of. She’s right, he’s had time to cool down, think through what she’s said. Things would have been different tonight if Kyle had known what was going on.