Cassandra's Challenge

  It opens into a large living area, not as formal as the first level but still not what Cassandra would consider homey.

  “This is your public area, back this way,” Lucas crosses the room to open another door that leads down a wide hallway. “Private living area. Small suite for Victoria. Your suite.”

  “Mine and your father’s. Is that going to be a problem?” She asks entering the suite. The room is huge.

  “No, not for me.”

  “Then who?”

  “Cassie…..”

  “Lucas, if there’s something I need to know tell me.”

  “There’s going to be talk.”

  “We’re both aware of that.”

  “Kyle’s going to have a problem with all this.”

  “All this?”

  “The talk, you, what’s going to said and whispered about the two of you.”

  “That I’m a much younger woman, using your father to get to the throne.”

  “Yes.” His eyes shoot to hers. “You’re aware of what’s going to be said.”

  “Yes, William thought I should be prepared. Anyone who believes your father can be used is an idiot.” Cassandra’s eyes flash. “Kyle’s problem is going to be me.”

  “Yes. He likes to believe that dad and mom would have eventually gotten back together if she wasn’t killed.”

  “They wouldn’t have.”

  “No they wouldn’t. But Kyle’s never had the idea challenged before.”

  “So I’ll be the scapegoat.”

  “The what?”

  “The one he blames.”

  “Yes.”

  “Aunt Cassie!”

  “Coming. We’ll talk more later but Lucas he’ll just have to deal with it.”

  “Is this my room?!?” She’s in the smaller suite.

  “It is for as long as we’re here.”

  “Awesome! Amina come look!” As the two girls go explore Javiera enters.

  “Sorry, they got away from me.”

  “Not a problem. Where’s Leander.”

  “He went to see if the bags have arrived yet.”

  “I’ll go help him.” Lucas heads out. Sitting on a couch Cassandra leans her head back, closing her eyes.

  “How you doing?”

  “Better, but there’s a lot of day to go. I’m going to need an outfit for tonight.”

  “Tonight!”

  “Audience with King Jotham, 2000.”

  “I don’t know if any of the gowns will be done.”

  “I was hoping for one of the pant outfits.”

  “That might be possible, they didn’t need as exacting measurements for those.”

  “Well that will be the priority when they get here.”

  “Okay. I was able to get a test before leaving the ship. Once we get settled I’ll get it to you.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Aunt Cassie!” She sits up.

  “There’s a huge tub in here!”

  “Is there?” Cassandra smiles.

  “Yeah. Come see.”

  “On my way.”

  “The King’s men patrol the other side of the garden wall. Marat, I still want one man patrolling inside.”

  “Yes sir.”

  “That should cover everything for now. Get your men settled, gear organized. Once you have your duties assigned turn it over to Colonel Tar for approval. Dismissed.”

  As Marat and his men leave the Admiral turns to Quinn.

  “What do you think?”

  “The place is a fortress, well designed, easily defendable, if anyone could even get in the palace.”

  “It’s not people getting into the palace I’m concerned about. It’s the ones already inside.”

  “You’re thinking one of the King’s people?”

  “It’s a possibility.”

  “Will, you got her here. She’s safe.”

  “There’s still the traitor to deal with. He’s not giving up. It’s gone too far.”

  “It’s one thing to attack some unknown woman on some unknown planet, Will. But to attack a challenger to the throne, under the protection of King Jotham, that’s suicide.”

  “Maybe. But this is the situation he’s been trying to avoid, now it’s in his face, could make him more dangerous than the Regulians.”

  “Admiral.”

  “Yes Hutu.”

  “Where do you want the meals served?”

  “Where is everyone?”

  “Lucas and Leander are transporting bags, I believe the women and children are in the Royal suite.”

  “Send the meals to the Royal suite, the guards to the third floor. Tell Marat to make sure the men at the door are relieved to eat.”

  “Yes sir.”

  Entering the Royal Suite the Admiral finds Hutu has set up a table in the large living area. Everyone is eating except Cassandra, she isn’t in the room.

  “Where’s Cassandra?”

  “Back in your suite.” Lucas says after swallowing.

  “Eat Quinn.”

  Going to find her he passes through the empty living area and enters the sleeping chamber.

  “Cassandra,” She turns from the window, walking over to her he rubs her arms. “You need to eat.”

  “I will I just needed a minute.” She looks back out the window. “The gardens are beautiful.” Pulling her back against his chest he looks at the gardens thinking about security not flowers.

  “Tell me what’s bothering you.”

  “The day started so fast, I’m just trying to catch up. Understand everything that’s happened, prepare for what’s coming.”

  “Not everyone will be like Valerian.”

  “No? Most will be thinking everything Valerian said.”

  “Let them think what they like, the people that matter to us know the truth.”

  “All of them? What about King Jotham?” William turns her around, tipping her chin up.

  “He’ll come around. Once he gets to know you, understands us, he’ll be your biggest supporter.”

  “Even when he finds out about Tibullus?”

  “That’s on me, not you.”

  “I’m not sure he’ll see it that way.”

  “I do.” A hard kiss stops any response. “Now you’re going to go sit down and eat.” With an arm around her waist he leads her to the outer living room.

  Chapter 13

  “Admiral.”

  “Yes Marat.” William answers the portable comm they are carrying now.

  “Door security reports that the Juruas’ are here.”

  “Have them scanned then escorted to the Royal Suite.”

  “Yes sir.”

  “Finish.” His look stops Cassandra from rising. “They’ll be a little awhile.”

  Giving him an exasperated look she takes another bite. When she’s finished nearly the entire plate she pushes it away.

  “I plan on using the private living room for the fittings. Any concerns with that?”

  “That should be fine.”

  “Aunt Cassie, can Amina and I watch?”

  “I don’t see why not. Why don’t you two go on back.”

  “Okay.” The knock at the door announces the Juruas’. The Admiral himself answers the door.

  “The private living space Marat.” He steps back allowing the two to enter, followed by several guards carrying boxes.

  “Sir.” Marat leads the guards back.

  “Kia! Pazel!” Javiera rushes across the room to give her aunt and uncle a hug.

  “Javiera!”

  “Javiera…” Leander nudges his wife.

  “What? Oh, sorry.” She looks at the Admiral. “Kia, Pazel I’d like you to meet Admiral Zafar.”

  “Admiral.” They say in unison.

  “And this is Cassandra.” Javiera turns to find her crossing the room.

  “Hello.” Cassandra stops in front of the two.

  “Look Pazel, she really is that tiny. I was sure Javiera misused the scanner.”

  “And I told
you she wouldn’t do such a thing.” Pazel replies.

  “Javiera, would you take them back to the other room, I’ll be there in a minute.”

  “Of course.” As Javiera leads them to the other room the men head for the door.

  “Admiral, a minute please.”

  “I’ll meet you downstairs.” Closing the door he waits.

  Walking over Cassandra pulls his head down for a smoldering kiss that catches him unprepared. Wrapping his arms around her he lifts her off her feet crushing her against the door.

  Pulling his mouth away William tries to control his desire. The look in Cassandra’s eyes not helping.

  “Cassandra….” Her eyes start to focus.

  “I know. We both have things we need to do.” As her feet touch the ground she puts a hand on the side of his face. “I just needed you for a minute.”

  “You have me forever.”

  “William….” A knock at the door startles them both. “I’d better get these fittings started. See you at third meal?”

  “Yes. Are you alright?”

  “I’m fine.” Sliding out of his arms she walks across the room

  “I love you Cassandra.” Turning she gives him a brilliant smile.

  “I love you too.” Then she disappears down the hallway.

  “Sorry, to keep you waiting.” Cassandra enters the room.

  “Not a problem your….” Pazel trails off.

  “It’s Cassandra. Is it alright if I call you Pazel and Kai?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “Good. Next I need let you know that I don’t need you to make clothes for Messene.” The two look Javiera.

  “Don’t blame Javiera, she was under orders.” Cassandra waits until their eyes come back to her. “I need you to make clothes for a Challenger to Queen Yakira.”

  “What?!”

  “I am challenging Yakira to be Queen of the House of Knowledge.” She gives it a minute to sink in. “Javiera highly recommends your work and felt you’d be up to the task of making gowns for Royal events along with more casual clothing.”

  “Yes…” Pazel stutters. Realizing what is being offered to them. “Of course we can!”

  “Good because we don’t have a lot of time. I need something for tonight. Not a gown.” She sees the panic in the pairs’ eyes. “But something, I have an audience with King Jotham. Javiera sent you my measurements. You said you’d have some things ready when we arrived.”

  “Yes, some, but they will need finishing.”

  “Then let’s get at it, we have….” Cassandra looks at a clock. “Seven hours until I met the King.”

  The two whirl into action, opening boxes, pulling out gadgets.

  “You must remove your clothes for the fitting.”

  “Look I’m not going to stand here naked.”

  “No…no…in your eadai.” Kia looks to Javiera for help.

  “Underwear Aunt Cassie.” Victoria chirps in.

  “Oh, well, you see…” Cassandra is slightly embarrassed. “Since the explosion….”

  “Oh shit Cassandra, I didn’t even think about that!” Javiera looks to her aunt and uncle. “There was a…well forget why, all her eadai were destroyed.”

  “Then we start there.” Kia says going to a different box to pull out some items. “Go into the other room, see if these fit, then we’ll get started.

  In the bedroom Cassandra looks at what the Juruas’ have brought her. Underwear, to have underwear again excites her more than the clothes. She never said anything to William about the lack, it seemed unimportant with everything going on but these were beautiful, she can’t wait to get them on.

  After several minutes of trying things on she decides on a set in black, high cut bottoms, bra very similar to what she was used to just a little more revealing. Pulling on the matching robe she returns to the room.

  “Good?” Pazel asks.

  “Very good, thank you.”

  “Then come, we’ll start. Stand here, take off this off.” Pazel takes the robe off Cassandra tossing it to Javiera. “What is this! It must come off!” As Pazel reaches for the material covering her birthmark Cassandra grips his wrist.

  “No. It stays covered until the Assembly. No one sees it that includes you. It will be covered at all times, with all outfits.”

  “What! How! Kia! How can I make gowns without showing legs.” Pazel is a temperamental artist.

  “My legs can show, but they will be covered, whether with pants, leggings, hose, or footwear they will be covered. No exceptions. If you can’t do that I’ll find someone who can.”

  “No, no, we can do that.” Kia chimes in soothing Pazel.

  “Good let’s get started.”

  With clothes being pulled on and off, alterations marked, the afternoon flies by.

  “Pazel, I must go if I’m to be back in time!”

  “Go then go I will finish.”

  “Cassandra, which one for tonight?” Kia asks.

  “The black pants and jacket,” Cassandra turns for Pazel. “Blue cami, but I want all the detailing done in the violet.”

  “Violet?”

  “Yes.”

  “But….” Kia shoots concerned eyes to Pazel.

  “Go Kia, do what she wants! Turn!” He orders.

  With Kia hustling out Cassandra steps down to have Pazel and Javiera help her out of yet another outfit.

  “Cassandra….” Javiera hesitates.

  “Yeah?” She steps out of the skirt.

  “What Kia is worried about is violet is the color for the House of Protection.”

  “I know.”

  “You’re Challenging for the House of Knowledge.”

  “Know that.”

  “Normally you only wear your house colors.”

  “Know that too. But it’s not a law.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “You don’t have too Javiera or you Pazel, it’s all on me.” She turns suddenly tired. “What else?”

  “That is all we had done. Now we talk about gowns.”

  “We can sit for that right?”

  “Yes.”

  “Javiera would you mind seeing if Hutu could send something up some type of snack and a drink? I’m sure the girls would like something too.” The girls had long since gotten bored and gone into Tori’s room to play.

  “Sure.”

  “Ready to argue about gowns?” Cassandra turns to Pazel.

  “Argue?”

  “I have some very set idea’s Pazel, I know what I like. Many will be different than what you’re used to.”

  “I’ve looked at the visuals you sent.”

  “Can you make them?”

  “Yes, they are…unique.”

  “They will be considered your designs here on Carina.”

  “No that can’t be.”

  “Pazel, these designs,” She isn’t sure what to tell him. “They’re from a planet that no longer exists, and with the changes I what you to make, from things I like from your designs, they will be Juruas originals.”

  “Why would you do this?” What she is offering is generous, the designs she’d shown him stirred his imagination. Most Royal’s own the designs they wear, it is the cost of dressing a Royal.

  “Because I’m going to be very demanding in what I want, it isn’t going to follow any Carinian rules, but my rules. It might hurt your business, making my clothes. You need to think about it.”

  A Queen, even a possible queen, concerned about her clothier. It is unheard of. This is a very unusual woman. The designs she’d sent him were unique in their simplicity. Royals, especially the woman, were always trying to outdo the other. Juruas’ would stand out, it was worth the chance.

  “We will make your clothes. You will shine like no other Queen.”

  “Alright then let’s get down to it.”

  As designs are brought up on Pazel’s design board, Cassandra dictates the changes she wants, colors, embellishments.

  “That back is not pos
sible!”

  “Yes it is!” She argues back. “You use these beads, draped across, like this and it will hold it together.”

  “I….it would work.” Pazel is amazed.

  “Sapphire and Violet beads.”

  It was a reoccurring theme in her clothes Pazel’s found. There is always a combination of sapphire and violet on every piece of clothing whether its buttons, trim or beads.

  “Alright.” He’d stopped arguing with her about it. She has an agenda.

  It’s nearly 1800 when William returns to the suite, fully expecting to find the clothiers gone. But what he finds is Cassandra arguing with the man call Pazel, over something on his screen, wearing a short black robe.

  “Admiral.” Javiera is the first to see him.

  “Javiera, Hutu is bringing up the meal.”

  “I’ll get the girls.”

  “Meal?” Cassandra gives him a confused look.

  “It’s nearly 1800.”

  “Already!”

  “No, it cannot be…” Pazel looks at the clock. “I must call Kia, see where your clothes are!”

  “Use the front room.”

  The Admiral waits until everyone has left before moving to Cassandra. As she stands he sees he’s right, a very short robe, revealing long, well toned legs, and a concealed birthmark. The material’s silky beneath his fingers.

  “Nice.” His eyes telling her he isn’t just talking about the robe.

  “If you think this is nice, you should see what’s under it.” Her eyes sparkle into his.

  William’s flare as she walks into their bedroom. Following, he shuts the door. Reaching out he slowly unties her belt allowing the robe to fall open. The glimpses he gets of black lace against pale skin starts a fire.

  Sliding his hands under, caressing soft shoulders, the robe falls away, and what’s revealed fuels the fire.

  “Cassandra.” Is all he can say before the mouth captures her, his hands running down her back, under the slip of material covering her. Her arms wrap around him pulling his mouth closer, changing the angle of the scorching kiss.

  “William…” She gasps against his mouth.

  “Aunt Cassie?” Tori calls from the other side of the door.

  “Yeah?” Cassandra drops her head to William’s chest, hoping her voice sounds normal.