Cassandra's Challenge

  Oh yes, she would definitely needed more. Before she can rise he returns. Lifting her legs he slides them under the covers, than slides in next to her. Dimming the lights he pulls her close.

  “Sleep.” With his arms around her she lays her head on his chest, letting the beat of his heart lull her to sleep.

  Chapter 14

  William sliding away wakes her.

  “William?”

  “Shhh, go back to sleep.” Sleepy eyes see light outside the bedroom windows.

  “What time is it?” She sits up.

  “Early, it’s just first sunrise.”

  “First sunrise?”

  “Carina has three sunrises.” William leans over kissing her as he eases her back to the pillows. “Sleep some more.” He can still see fatigue in her eyes.

  “You’re up.”

  “I need to see about security for Juruas’ shop.”

  “You won’t let me sleep too late?” Her eyes are closing.

  “I won’t”

  “Okay.” She mumbles. Watching her for a few minutes more, he rises to dress for the day.

  With the third sun rising so does Cassandra. Searching for a clock she finds its 0700, time to start the day. Entering the bathroom she heads straight for the walk in shower. Last night she hadn’t been able to enjoy the multi head experience that it offered. She’d been to nervous meeting the King. But this morning she would allow herself the luxury of trying all it had to offer. Thirty minutes later she emerges, deciding the waterfall effect is her favorite, wondering how soon she could William under it with her. Wrapping a towel around her she finds him entering the bedroom.

  “You’re up.” He quickly assesses her.

  “Just a little bit ago.”

  “You could have slept longer.”

  “I’m fine.” Stretching up she gives him a gentle kiss. “Good morning. I missed you.”

  William’s arms wrap around her, pulling her close for another kiss, his hands sliding under the towel. As her head starts to spin he eases back, resting his forehead against hers.

  “I missed you too.” His portable comm beeps. Releasing her he answers.

  “Zafar.”

  Turning away Cassandra walks to the drawer were William had put her eadai. Opening it she finds he’s arranged them by color. The thought of this large man taking the time to arrange her underwear for her brings a soft smile to her face. Selecting a blue set she moves to the closet. Once inside she dresses in one of the outfits from the Retribution.

  “Juruas’ shop has been cleared.” William tells her entering the bedroom.

  “Good. What time?”

  “Security will be ready to transport you at 0830.”

  “What! I need to get Tori moving, let Javiera know. Have Hutu get breakfast.”

  “Slow down.” He stops her from rushing past. “I’ll let Hutu and Javiera know. You finish getting ready and wake up Tori. There’s time.”

  She looks into his eyes and calms. He is right. There is time.

  “Time to wake up Victoria.” Cassandra turns on the light after having finished getting herself ready. “We have things to do.”

  Victoria rolls over, in the mound of pillows, to look at her aunt with sleepy eye.

  “What are we going to do?”

  “We’re going to Juruas’ to get fitted for our clothes. We need to leave in about forty five minutes so we need to hustle.”

  “Really? Is Amina coming too?”

  “Yes. Now get up and get ready.”

  With Tori dressed, they enter the private living room to find Hutu setting up breakfast.

  “Thank you Hutu, I know it is short notice.”

  “Not a problem mam. I will prepare a meal for all of you and deliver it to the shop.”

  “I…thank you Hutu.”

  “You’re welcome.” Smiling at Tori he leaves.

  Tori digs into the plate of flat cakes like it’s her last meal. Shaking her head Cassandra starts in on her own.

  If she closes her eyes she can almost see herself sitting in her father’s kitchen, eating pancakes with him. He always managed to burn them. Her father had been a lousy cook. Smiling at the memory she takes another bit of Hutu’s perfect flat cakes.

  The Admiral enters the room as they are finishing.

  “Morning Admiral.” Victoria runs over to give him a hug.

  “Good morning Tori.” The Admiral drops down to return the hug. “How was sleeping in that big bed?”

  “Good. Did you know we’re going to Juruas’ shop to get new clothes?”

  “I did.”

  “Everyone’s going.”

  “Just about.”

  “Victoria, why don’t you go wash your hands and face before we go.”

  “Okay.” As Victoria heads to her room, Cassandra asks William.

  “Did you eat?”

  “Yes, with Tar and Marat.”

  “Tell me what’s going on.”

  “Marat, Leander, Lucas and four guards will go with you to Juruas’. You’ll be traveling in two Limisins that the King has provided. Hutu will make you a meal and deliver it to the shop.” William’s eyes bore into hers. “You will go nowhere else.”

  “Where else would I go?” Walking over she puts a hand on his chest, understanding his concern. “You’re not going?”

  “No.” Taking a deep breath William pulls her close. “There are things to arrange here. There are no events scheduled for tonight but tomorrow Jotham has a small dinner planned, here, with about twenty members of the Assembly from the House of Protection.”

  “That’s small?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll make sure Kia knows I’ll need a gown for tomorrow. What else.”

  “There will be some gatherings during the day, smaller groups to meet, around the palace.”

  “Okay, several outfits.”

  “Yes.”

  “Have you heard from the Judgment?”

  “They’re still four days out.” He gentle caresses her cheek.

  “But safe.” She scans his eyes.

  “Yes.”

  Knowing William’s concerned about how Jotham is going to react when Tibullus gets to Carina she lets it drop.

  “I assume I’m not getting my goodbye kiss in front of everyone.”

  William raises an eyebrow.

  “So I’ll take it now.” Rising to her toes she pulls him down to her, giving him a heart stopping kiss. “That ought to hold me until I get back.”

  “It won’t hold me.” He sweeps her back into a kiss that has them both breathless. “That might do.” He says watching her eyes come back into focus.

  “It might.” She agrees.

  “I’m ready.” Victoria comes skipping into the room.

  “Then let’s go.” The Admiral escorts his two ladies downstairs.

  Entering the formal foyer they find everyone assembled.

  “Marat, we’re ready.”

  “Yes Admiral.” Marat opens the exterior doors, his guards closing around the group, Cassandra and Victoria in the middle. After they pass through Colonel Tar secures the door, before rejoining the group.

  To Cassandra’s surprise they don’t travel far before they turn into a garage of some sort. Waiting there were what appears to be two white cigar shaped vehicles except they have no wheels. They seem to float above the ground. As they approached one of the King’s guards lifts the door open.

  Marat’s men part allowing the group to enter the first vehicle, Cassandra turns to look at the Admiral, knowing their being watched.

  “Remember what I said.” The Admiral’s voice is brusque.

  Nodding her understanding Cassandra turns and enters the vehicle. As the door shuts she looks at the interior. Leander, Amina, and Lucas sit facing her while Javiera and Victoria sit next to her.

  “Aunt Cassie, this is like a limo at home.”

  “Pretty close I’d say. What’s it called here?” Cassandra asks, after several seconds Lucas answers her
.

  “A Limisin.” He looks at Cassandra then slightly nods his head towards Javiera and Leander.

  Looking at her two friends she realizes something is wrong. The tension between the two is palpable. As the Limisin starts to move she raises an eyebrow to Lucas.

  “So Amina, Tori what should we have Kia make for you first?” Cassandra asks, and the two little girls start talking like magpies.

  The Admiral watches the Limisins pull away, his gut tightening. She’s way from his protection. Even knowing she has five guards doesn’t lessen the feeling. Nothing will until she’s back with him.

  “She’s protected Will.” Tar reassures his friend.

  “I know.” Turning he looks at his long-time friend. Leaving the now empty transfer room the two head for their meeting with Deffand to discuss tomorrow’s security.

  Arriving at Juruas’ shop Cassandra reaches for the door handle.

  “Cassandra no.” Lucas stops her.

  “What?”

  “You wait for the guards to open the door, and I get out first. You wait until I give you the okay.”

  “Is this really necessary?”

  “It’s either this way or we take you back to the palace.” He gives her a hard look, reminding her of his father.

  “Fine, but let’s get moving.”

  Once Marat and Lucas decide its clear they are allowed to exit the Limisin, guards on the sides, Leander bring up the rear. Pazel and Kia are waiting to open the doors.

  “Welcome!” As they enter the shop the guards spread out, covering all exits, checking all rooms.

  “Hello Pazel. Kia.” Cassandra walks up to them. “I want to start with the girls first. Get the material picked out and the first fittings, then we can start with Javiera and myself.”

  “But…” Kia looks at Pazel.

  “That will be fine.” Pazel gives Kia a hard look. “While we’re doing that you can look at the gown designs and decide the order you want them made.”

  “That’s fine.” Turning she finds Javiera lost in thought. “Javiera?”

  “Hmmm....What?”

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. What were you saying?”

  “We’re going to start with the girls. We need to decide materials.” She frowns at her.

  “Okay.” Turning, she focus’ on the task at hand.

  The hours fly by quickly. Materials are chosen, designs decided upon. While the girls are cut Pazel turns to Cassandra.

  “Have you decided your priority?”

  “Tomorrow I need several day outfits and a gown for a formal meal. These two pant outfits for daywear. This gown for tomorrow,” Cassandra shows him the design they’d argued about with the open beaded back. “I want it in this material.” She holds up a satiny material the color of topaz. “The beads in the strings in all the royal colors, sapphire and violet at the top.”

  “All the colors…” Pazel gasps.

  “All. Now the pants….” As Cassandra continues Pazel and Kia are franticly taking notes. They’d thought they’d have to lead her through the process, but once she got started she knew exactly what she wanted.

  “Javiera, any thoughts.”

  “No I think you’ve covered everything.”

  “Oh, and for the day wear, no heels taller than two inches. For evening, no more the three.”

  “But….”

  “Kia, there is no way you can make me as tall as your average Carinian female, so I’m not going to try. Besides that my feet were killing me last night. Have we got the materials for Javiera’s clothes?”

  “All done.” She’s informed.

  “Good, so are we ready to fit the girls?”

  “The first cuttings are coming out now.”

  “Good.” As Cassandra is lead to another room a bolt of material catches her eye. “Pazel…what’s that?”

  Pazel brings the thin, sleek material to her. It is the deepest most vibrant violet color she has ever seen.

  “This is silke. It’s made in the Trudor region.”

  “I want some things made out of it.” Cassandra fingers the silky material knowing exactly what she wants. “You’ll need your design board. Javiera, can you handle the girls for a few minutes?”

  “Not a problem.”

  “Aunt Cassie?” Victoria looks at her.

  “I just need ten minutes Tori than I’ll be right there.”

  “Okay.” She follows Javiera.

  “What are you thinking?” Pazel’s mind is flying. This is full House of Protection colors. For her to wear this….

  “It will be very simple.” Cassandra draws loose gown, spaghetti straps with a modest V neck front and a plunging one in back. The gown ending just above the floor. “It’s a single layer.”

  “This can’t be worn in public!”

  “No it’s for private, to sleep in. Does this come in other colors?”

  “Yes Sapphire, black, white.”

  “I want a robe, long sleeved, belted, two inches longer in length in the sapphire to go with this.”

  “I can design that.”

  “Good. Then variations of this in the white and the black. Can you do that?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay, here’s the tough one.”

  Pazel isn’t sure if he’s excited or afraid of what she wants next.

  The gown she draws is strapless with form fitting widening just above the knees.

  And it will be done with this as the lining and matching lace over it.

  “But….”

  “I want it done this way Pazel, the beading will be in violet.”

  “I will see if I can match it.”

  “Thank you, now I need to see about Victoria.”

  “Aunt Cassie, these clothes are awesome!”

  “Good. Amina?”

  “They’re great!”

  “Cassandra, Hutu is here with the meal.” She turns to Javiera.

  “Meal?” She looks at the time to find its 1230, where had the morning gone?

  “You girls hungry?”

  “YES!”

  “Of course you are.” The smile Cassandra shots Javiera fades at the look on her face. Cassandra walks over to her.

  “Javiera, what’s wrong?” Javiera looks quickly at Leander then away.

  “It’s nothing. Let’s get the girls fed.”

  Not wanting to push in front of the girls she lets it drop, for now.

  “Aunt Cassie?”

  Cassandra looks at her as she chews.

  “How much longer will we be here?”

  “What, bored already?”

  “No, but if we’re done….”

  “What do you think Javiera?”

  “There’s really no reason for them to stay.” Rising from the table Cassandra walks into the outer room were the men have been.

  “Lucas.”

  “What’s up?”

  “The girls are done. They need escorted back to the palace.”

  “We stay together.”

  “No. They need to go back. You and Leander can take two guards go back to the palace, than send the guards back. Javiera and I have a lot left to do.”

  Marat has been listening, he knows Lucas has final word on Victoria’s protection, but he has final on Cassandra’s.

  “He can take one guard. That’s three guards for two girls.”

  “And four for two women.” Cassandra fires back.

  “One or they stay.” Marat won’t budge on this. He has his orders too. He turns to Lucas waiting.

  “We’ll be fine with one guard.” Lucas interjects, “I’ll notify the driver.”

  “Victoria!” The Admiral’s head whips around at Lucas’ voice to see Tori running down the corridor toward him. Deffand steps out, meaning to stop the small girl, one minute he’s gripping her shoulder the next he’s being kicked in the shin and she’s spinning out of his hands continuing on her way to the Admiral. The King holds up a hand, stopping the guards.

  “Hi Admi
ral.” Victoria smiles up at him. The Admiral frowns at her as he drops down to her level so he doesn’t smile.

  “Victoria Lynn, you know you’re not to run away from Lucas.”

  “But I wasn’t running from Lucas, I was running to you.” Tori tells him with simple logic.

  “Really?”

  “Uh huh.”

  “Is Cassandra going to see it that way?” Victoria looks at her feet then raises hopeful eyes to his.

  “You don’t have to tell her.” The Admiral’s eyes stare into hers. “Okay, okay. I won’t do it again.”

  “Good. Now,” Lifting her up with one arm. “King Jotham may I introduce to you Victoria Lynn Chamberlain. Victoria, King Jotham.”

  Victoria’s eyes widen slightly as she looks at the King. She’d never met one before but Grandpa Jacob had always said that people were just people and this one has nice eyes.

  “I really like my room. Thank you.” She looks trustingly into those eyes.

  Jotham raises an eyebrow at the little girl in his friend’s arms. She is a tiny little thing, flame red hair clear emerald green eyes that currently stares trustingly into his. He can’t help but be charmed.

  “You’re welcome.”

  “You look like Tibullus when you do that.” The King goes still.

  “You know my son?”

  “I met him once, on the Retribution, he came to talk to Lucas,” She looks over at Lucas who nods, “after Aunt Cassie was hurt, you remember Admiral?” She looks up at him.

  “I remember Tori.” The King catches the change in his friend’s voice.

  “This is all very nice. Can we get rid of the girl so we can get back to the matter at hand?” Valerian doesn’t appreciate the interruption.

  All heads turn toward Valerian. Victoria shrinks into the Admiral’s arms.

  “Are you giving me orders, High Admiral?” The King’s voice cold.

  Realizing his mistake Valerian back tracks. “No Majesty.”

  “I didn’t think so. As for the matter at hand, we’re done discussing it. I will let you know my decision.”

  Yes, Majesty.” Knowing he’s been dismissed Valerian walks away.