Cassandra's Challenge by M. K. Eidem
Releasing himself he slowly enters her heat. Resting on his elbows he frames her face, watching her as he fills her. Accepting all of him her passion filled eyes begin to lose focus, causing him to harden even more. Slowly withdrawing he tortures them both.
“William!” Cassandra hands slide down his sweat slicken back, trying to pull him closer. She’s even tighter with his second slow thrust his arms starting to tremble with restraint. As he starts to withdraw again Cassandra wraps her legs around him.
“No!” She has to have him. Her hips surge up bringing him back home, she will have him. Now! William’s control snaps at her demand. Surging into her he sets a frantic pace that has them both gasping as they climax together.
Catching his breath William rests his forehead against Cassandra’s, his elbows keeping him from crushing her. How had he ever lived without this woman? She touches his soul, makes him whole. She loves him, desires him, only him. She makes him a better man all that just by being.
Feeling her loving touch on his back he raises his head, looking into satisfied blue eyes. Does she know what it does to him, knowing he put that look in her eyes?
Cassandra looks up into her life mates eyes. Here is the man she’s dreamed for all her life but never thought she’d find. He loves her, protects her believes in her. When he’s at her side she can face anything.
“I love you William.”
“You are my life.” Giving her a hard kiss he moves out of her arms. Turning off the lights he returns, pulling her back into his arms. “Sleep.” Closing her eyes she lets the beat of his heart lull her to sleep.
Chapter 17
The third sun is up before Cassandra wakes. Reaching out she finds William’s side of the bed cool. Sweeping her hair out of her face she opens her eyes. The room is filled with light, but no William. Sitting up she looks at the time 0900. Sliding out of bed she pulls on her robe, heading for Victoria’s room. Finding it empty she panics, turning she rushes straight into William’s arms.
“Whoa! What’s wrong?” William’s arms go around her.
“Where’s Victoria?” Voice shaking, her panicked eyes meet his.
“She’s with Amina in their suite.” Understanding her fear he pulls her close. “She’s fine. We just wanted to let you sleep.”
“Oh God, I’m sorry.” She takes a shuddering breath. “I should have realized when I slept so late…”
“Enough.” He gives her a slight shake. “After Valerian’s comments last night you have every reason to worry. I should have left you a note.”
“She doesn’t know?”
“No. I’ve informed Lucas, Marat, Quinn and Leander. With instructions they are not to inform anyone else. Until we find out who’s working for Valerian, everyone else is under suspension.
“Not Javiera, not Hutu.” Cassandra insists.
“No, but they aren’t part of security.”
“William, you can’t possibly think it’s one of the guards.”
“I’m not ruling them out, someone is feeding Valerian Intel.” The Admiral’s eyes are hard.
“It has to be someone from Jotham’s house.” Looking in his eyes Cassandra realizes this is what makes him such a good Admiral. He’ll look at every angel, every possibility, whether he likes it or not. Just like Dadrian. If she wants to keep Victoria safe she needs to think like he did.
“Okay. I may not like it but okay.” Resting her head on his chest she takes a moment. “So do we bring in more security?” She looks up trustingly to him.
Her trust in him is humbling. “I’m working on it. There are some people I can call that I trust if I need too.”
“Okay.” If William trusted them so would she. “What do I have for today?”
“Nothing until tonight.”
“Really? I thought there’d be more gatherings.”
“Tonight will be the Ball, the Assemblymen from yesterday will be there along with whatever others have been able to attend on such short notice.” William pauses.
“What?”
“Queen Yakira will be here tonight. Along with her husband and whatever Assemblymen they bring.”
Cassandra is silent, her mind working through everything. “You intentionally kept this from me.” Her eyes clear as they meet his.
“Yes. You had enough to focus on yesterday.”
Stepping out of his arm she walks over to a window. She doesn’t like what he’s done but understands it. He is right she wouldn’t have given her full attention to the Assemblymen at last night’s dinner if she’d been worrying about Queen Yakira.
“Where will they stay?” Her question surprises him. He’d expected anger.
“They will return to the House of Knowledge after the ball.”
“The House of Knowledge is on the other side of Carina. How can that be possible?”
“Cassandra,” He comes to stand behind her. Looking out at the gardens they’d walked in the night before. “The House of Knowledge is the wealthiest of all the Houses. It has the fastest ships, traveling here will only take them several hours.”
“The wealthiest?” She turns to look at him.
William realizes this is one of the things assumed. She hadn’t realized Jotham had thought she was after wealth.
“Yes. You’ve always known knowledge is power, on Carina it is also wealth. Past Queens’ have used their knowledge to secure their wealth.”
“They’ve profited from their knowledge? They haven’t shared it?”
“Each House profits from its specialty. That’s the way it is.”
“You’re telling me the House of Healing would not share something that would save lives? That the House of Growth would not share food?”
“No, that’s different.”
“How?”
“All Houses share, it’s just that who has it first, profits the most.”
“Knowledge is for everyone. Health is for everyone. Everyone deserves Protection. Everyone deserves to be feed.” Cassandra’s eyes bore into his.
“I agree, unfortunately that’s not the way it is.”
“So I’m not only a conniving little bitch, I’m one who is money hungry.”
“Money hungry?” He raises an eyebrow.
“I want wealth.”
“That’s the way it would be seen.”
“So this traitor isn’t only worried about losing power, he’s worried about losing wealth.”
“Yes. When you are declared Queen, you receive everything that goes with it. Yakira is only the trustee until the true Queen arrives.”
“That’s a lot to lose.”
“Yes.” William realizes this new information bothers her. She worried about paying for her clothes when she’s challenging for the wealthiest house in the Coalition. She doesn’t yet realize the power and wealth she’ll have as Queen.
Wrapping her arms around him she sighs, “You have something I can study on them?”
“It’ll be ready shortly.”
“Okay. William….” He feels the sudden tension in her.
“What’s wrong?”
“Dancing?” He’s eyes widen before he starts to laugh. Cassandra frowns up at him.
“You amaze me,” He continues to chuckle. “With everything going on what worries you is dancing?”
“Stop laughing at me!” She slugs him playfully in the arm. “Everyone is going to be watching, especially when I’m dancing with Jotham. I assume I can’t refuse.”
“Not Jotham, he’s your host.” William frowns he hadn’t considered her dancing with anyone other than himself and Jotham.
“William?”
“We’ll work on it after second meal. You’ll be fine.” He gives her a quick kiss.
“Okay, I’ll go shower, get dressed.”
“And eat.”
“And eat.” She turns mischievous eyes to him. “Unless you’d like to join me in the shower.”
Pulling her close he lets her know just how much he’d like to join her when his portable
“Zafar.”
“Admiral, I have the new plans ready for you.”
“I’ll be down shortly.”
“Time to be Admiral.” Cassandra lightly kisses him. “Are you going to be bringing or sending the data?”
“I’ll send it. I’m not sure how long I’ll be.”
“Okay. I want to spend time with Victoria today.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem.”
“Second meal?”
“I’ll be here.” Giving him one last kiss she turns, heading back to their bedroom.
Going over to the bureau Cassandra opens her eadia drawer, thinking about what William has told her.
The wealthiest of all Houses, isn’t that just perfect, like they weren’t contending with enough. Power and wealth, someone wants to keep it, is willing to kill for it has killed for it. Reaching into the drawer her hand touches a small box.
Looking at it Cassandra realizes she’d forgotten. Today she is going to take the test to verify she is carrying William’s son. What will William’s reaction be? With everything that’s happening will he welcome this child?
In the bathroom she turns on the shower. With a deep breath she sits and takes the test, then sets it aside to process. Stepping into the shower she lets the warmth of the water relax her suddenly tense muscles. Taking her time she washes first her hair then her body, her hands pausing over her still flat stomach.
A child, William’s son is here. She knows it as surely as she knows William is her life mate. As surely as she knows he will love their child, but he will worry, for her. Turning off the water she wraps a towel around her head then one around her body. Walking over to the counter she picks up the test.
Positive.
With suddenly weak knees Cassandra sits. When does she tell him? At second meal? After the ball? Will he think of Salish? Of her lies?
“Aunt Cassie?” Cassandra looks up to see Victoria standing in the door way.
“Hi sweetie.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Pulling on her robe she slips the test into a pocket. “Sorry I slept so long. Did you get first meal?”
“Yeah, with Amina.” Victoria looks at Cassandra’s pocket saying nothing. She remembers when her mom had had one of those tests.
“Good. Why don’t I get dressed then we can go out in the garden.” Cassandra walks over giving her a niece a hug.
“Can Amina come?”
“Sure. Why don’t you call over and see she if she wants to go.”
“Okay.” Walking over the bedroom comm she picks up the headset.
Shaking her head Cassandra walks over to the bureau. Victoria has easily adjusted to all the changes in their lives. How is she going to react to a baby? Pulling out an outfit suitable for the garden she quickly dresses. Quickly towel drying her hair she pulls it back.
“Ready?”
“Javiera says to go ahead without them. They’d be down later.”
“Oh, okay.” Cassandra frowns as they walk down the hallway. “How’d you get over here?”
“I brought her over.” Lucas tells her as they enter the formal living room.
“Oh.” She stares at Lucas. How is he going to react to having another brother?
“Cassie, you okay?”
“What? Oh, yeah I’m fine, just thinking.” She smiles. “We’re going down to walk in the gardens, you want to come too?”
“Sure.” But the look in his eye tells Cassandra he isn’t satisfied with her answer. “Have you eaten yet?”
“It’s late enough I’ll just wait for second meal.” Cassandra tells him as she walks to the door.
“Dad’s not going to be happy about that.” Lucas pulls out his portable comm.
“It’s only a couple more hours. Let’s go Tori.”
Walking in the garden Cassandra and Victoria catch up with each other. Lucas follows a little bit behind, giving them some privacy.
“So some of the food was icky?”
“Some was, but some was really good. The dessert was chocolate cake.”
“Chocolate cake! Like Earth chocolate cake?” Victoria stops, looking up at Cassandra, her eyes wide.
“Just like, with chocolate frosting and chocolate sauce.”
“Oh…” Victoria groans. Cassandra smiles down at her, she knows her niece is a choc-o-holic.
“What’s wrong?” Lucas hustles up at Tori’s groan.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing! How can you say it’s nothing when you got chocolate cake and I didn’t!”
“What?” Lucas is confused.
“Dessert at dinner last night, on Earth it’s called chocolate cake. It happens to be one of Victoria’s favorite foods.”
“And I didn’t get any.” Cassandra laughs at Tori’s putout expression.
“Sorry kiddo, I couldn’t sneak any out for you.” As they continue walking they reach the center of the garden. “Maybe you can sweet talk Hutu into making you some.”
“You think?” The gleam in Victoria’s eye tells Lucas they’ll be making a trip to the kitchen.
“It’s possible.” Cassandra stares at the basket sitting on the bench. “Lucas…” She pulls Victoria behind her. Following her gaze he quickly understanding her concern.
“Its fine, I called Hutu to bring something out for you to eat.”
“Oh.” Cassandra releases Victoria.
“Aunt Cassie?”
“Sorry baby, it’s okay. Should we go see what Hutu left us?”
“Sure.” But her eyes go from one adult to the other.
The rest of the morning passes without incident with Javiera and Amina joining them. As the girls play and Lucas is his comm Javiera turns to Cassandra. Saying nothing she just stares at her, giving her a smile, she squeezes her hand.
Entering their suite Cassandra finds Hutu just checking the plates, two plates. Looking at him she waits.
“The Admiral says you should eat, he’ll be awhile yet.”
“Oh.” Cassandra hadn’t realized how much she’d wanted to see him, to talk to him. “Well kiddo,” Cassandra looks down at Victoria. “Looks like we’re on our own.”
“Hutu…” Victoria’s voice is sugar sweet.
“Yes?” He asks suspiciously.
“Can you make chocolate cake?” Cassandra starts to laugh.
“Chocolate cake?” Hutu gives them a confused look.
“At the King’s dinner last night the dessert course was what on Earth was chocolate cake. I don’t know what it’s called here. It’s a favorite of Victoria’s.”
“You mean, fudge torta.” Hutu removes the covers from the plates, showing a slice of chocolate cake on each.
“Hutu!!!” Victoria is jumping up and down with excitement. Cassandra just looks at him questioningly.
“The Admiral he noticed you enjoyed it last night.”
“Thank you Hutu.”
“You’re welcome. If you need anything else let me know.” As Hutu leaves Victoria is already sitting, eating her cake.
“That’s supposed to be dessert young lady.”
“I know.” She mumbles her mouth full. “But it’s sooo good.”
There had been little since the Earth was destroyed that had made Victoria’s eyes sparkle the way they were. Cassandra couldn’t bring herself to dim it.
“Just this once, next time we have it you have to eat everything else first. Deal?”
“Deal.” Picking up her forc Cassandra can’t help but take a bite of cake herself. Closing her eyes she lets herself enjoy its taste on her tongue.
After walking Victoria to Javiera’s, Cassandra returns to start reading the research William has complied on the Assemblymen from the House of Knowledge. Hours pass unnoticed as she digests the material. It’s as in depth as yesterdays but without William’s insider knowledge. Damn she wished he was here.
Rubbing her eyes she rises only to grip the edge of the table.
“New rule, always rise slowly.” She mutters to herself.
“Anything else Quinn?” William looks at the time. 1400. Six hours until the ball.
“Only this,” He holds up a memory foil. “Cassandra asked for some information on the Battle of Fayal.”
“Fayal?” He wonders what she’s thinking. “I’ll give it to her.” Taking the foil he puts it in his pocket.
“Then that’s it.”
“Go get some down time Quinn, I’ll see you at the door at 1945.”
“Yes sir.”
Entering their suite he finds Cassandra standing at a window, lost in thought. Walking over he tucks a piece of hair behind her ear, bringing her eyes to him.
“Hi.”
“Hi, did you eat?” She smiles at him.
“Yes. Thank you for the fudge torta. You made Tori’s day.”
“Good.”
“I hadn’t realized you’d noticed.”
“That you all but moaned at the first bite?” He teases her.
“I did not.”
“Pretty close.”
“Well it was good.” Smiling at him she steps into his arms. “Did you eat?”
“With Quinn, we were working out some changes in security for tonight.”
“What changes?”
“Quinn and Marat will be attending the ball with us.”
“Why?”
“It’s common for there to be extra security for the Royals.”
“I didn’t have ‘extra’ last night.”
“That was a controlled area, everyone always in sight. There will be more movement tonight, people coming and going from the Ball Room and gardens.” William’s arms tighten around her. “You go nowhere without security.”
“That will make it a little hard to dance.”
“You dance with no one but Jotham or me.” Cassandra touches his cheek.
“I have no problem with that. But what excuse do I give?”
“Royal’s only dance with their spouses family members and trusted members of their Houses. It won’t be a problem.”