Cassandra's Challenge

  “Are you his life mate?” The King has yet to let go of her wrist.

  “Yes.” She answers him with no hesitation, her eyes steady as she meets his.

  “Then stay, he’ll tell you anyway.”

  “Majesty,” Cassandra slowly sits. “While William is my life mate, he’d never break your confidence, not even to me.” Jotham gives her a half smile.

  “I know that Cassandra, but I also remember what it was like, to have a life mate, to need to share with her.” She finds she can say nothing, the King’s use of her first name has shocked her.

  “Tomorrow…today, I will go before the Assembly informing them my son is a traitor.” Jotham looks into the cup in his hands.

  “Jotham…” William pales at the thought. This will destroy Jotham’s reign, the House of Protection.

  “Why would you do that Majesty?” Cassandra asks truly puzzled.

  Jotham looks at her. “You know why. My son is responsible for deaths, thousands of deaths. He used when he should have protected.”

  “What I know Majesty is that Dadrian contacted Barek on board the Sentinel to ask his brother for advice on a problem he was having. That I can prove. That’s all I can prove.”

  “You know there’s more, the Regulians….”

  “Attacked the fleet as they always have.” Cassandra rises puts a memory foil into the comm and after a few key strokes removes it. Walking back to William she holds it out to him.

  What is she doing? William looks at her, looks at the foil, he raises concerned eyes to her. Does she really want to do this? Looking into her eyes he sees she does. He takes the foil from her.

  “It wasn’t a normal attack, it was caused by Dadrian.” Jotham watches them.

  “Prove it.” She turns back to Jotham.

  “What?”

  “Prove it. What is your proof?” She demands.

  “He admitted to it, he ran.”

  “He admitted nothing and he fell. What proof can you produce that says anything different?” Cassandra pounds at him.

  “You have the transmissions.” Jotham watches as William snaps the memory foil in two.

  “What transmissions Jotham?” He asks.

  “You can’t do that! There must be justice!” Jotham surges to his feet.

  “I couldn’t agree more Majesty, but this isn’t justice, it serves no better good. It only causes the innocent to suffer and that isn’t justice, or at least not what I consider justice.”

  Jotham looks at his friend. “William, make her understand.”

  “I can’t Jotham, I agree with her.” William rises looking from his life mate to his friend and King. “The only one who will benefit if this is the original traitor. It will put the House of Protection in a position that it may never recover from. Loss of trust, you know what that means Jotham. It won’t affect just you but Barek and his children. He doesn’t deserve that.”

  “We don’t always get what we deserve.” Jotham walks to the window, looking out into the dark.

  “No, Majesty we don’t, we deal with what life gives us.” Cassandra looks at him, sees a man, a father struggling with his son’s decisions. “May I speak freely Majesty?”

  Jotham turns. “You haven’t been?” Her eyes don’t change.

  “Speak.” She looks to William, he nods.

  “You don’t know me Majesty. Don’t know my beliefs. You’ve found reasons to doubt. I don’t hold that against you. But everything I’ve just said I can say about you.” She sees Jotham’s eyes change. “The difference is…William…he believes in you…I believe in him…therefore if I trust his judgment and I do, I must believe in you.”

  She looks at William drawing strength. “Things happen within families. Some good, some bad, you can hurt each other. If you’re lucky you have time to make it right. Dadrian didn’t have that time. That doesn’t mean he wouldn’t have if he had. Grant him the benefit of the doubt Majesty, it’s the least any of us can do.”

  Jotham looks at the two, seeing the unit they make, a solid unit. She should be out for blood, after what Dadrian did to her. But she wasn’t.

  “Others will find the transmissions.”

  “Why would they look?”

  “What?”

  “They aren’t in Regulian,” She stares at Jotham. “There’s nothing there to cause someone to take a second look.”

  “You took a second look.”

  “Jotham,” William looks at his friend. “When Cassandra explained to you how she found the transmissions…she made it sound easy. It wasn’t. She’s the only one to ever break the codes. To link them, no one else will.”

  “And justice?”

  “I will have it.” Cassandra’s hard eyes meet his. “But I will have it from the one who started it. The one that is alive. He is responsible Majesty, for all of it. He started this. He killed seven billion people, to stop me from getting to this point. He’s the reason Dadrian ever thought about doing the unthinkable. Justice will be served when he is revealed. Not Dadrian.” Jotham looks at her considering.

  “Jotham, she’s right. Let it go.”

  “Can you…after he attacked your life mate? Can you let it go?” Jotham watches William tenses, knowing it needed to be said. “Can you?” He turns his eyes to Cassandra.

  She also feels William tense. Wishing Jotham would have just let it go, left it unsaid. But that would have been the easy way, and neither of these men would ever take it.

  “Yes.” Cassandra’s eyes are steady as they meet Jotham’s. She’s not going to let her mistake come between them.

  “William?” Jotham looks at his friend.

  William looks to Cassandra, his life mate, she is the one Dadrian attacked. She’s willing to let it go. Is he?

  Cassandra sees the struggle in his eyes. He raises a hand to gently caress her cheek. She is here, Dadrian is not.

  “Yes, I can let it go.” William’s eyes are open and honest as they look at his friend.

  Jotham sits, a weight he didn’t know he was carrying has lifted. He scrubs his face with his hands. Dadrian’s actions hadn’t cost him his friend.

  “Thank you. Thank you both.” Jotham looks over to see they’ve sat back down.

  “Not necessary Jotham.”

  “Yes it is, and it’s a lot to forgive. I’m in your debt.”

  “No.”

  “Don’t argue with me William, I’m your King.” Jotham smiles at him, the first real smile he’s had in days.

  “You were his friend first.” Cassandra corrects him.

  “Yes, yes I was.” Jotham is still smiling as he looks at Cassandra then back to William. “Do you ever win an argument against her?”

  “Not when she believes she’s right.” William smiles back.

  “Now wait a minute, this is two against one.” William wraps an arm around her pulling her into a hug.

  “Am I wrong?” He looks down at her.

  She looks up at him, understanding. “Trick question. No matter how I answer you’re right.”

  Jotham laughs. Yes these two were truly life mates. They understood each other. They would need it. His smile fades.

  “Queen Yakira has convinced the other Royals and Assemblymen to forego the rest of the gatherings and call the Challenge. Jotham watches the humor leave William’s eyes.

  “When.” He demands.

  “Tomorrow. 1300.”

  “Fuck!” William stands. Cassandra watches him with concerned eyes.

  “William…”

  “She’s trying to control the Challenge.” He runs a hand through his hair as he paces. “She thinks if the Assembly is called now they will vote in her favor.” Jotham nods his agreement.

  “So?”

  “So? Cassandra it might work.”

  “William,” She walks over to him. “That doesn’t matter, not to me, you know that.”

  “What do you mean, it doesn’t matter!” Jotham stands. “It’s what the Challenge is all about.”

  “No it’
s not, not for me.” Cassandra fires over her shoulder, her eyes never leaving William’s.

  “Would someone explain to me what’s going on?” Jotham demands. “The whole point of the Challenge is for you to be declared Queen. It’s why you’re here.”

  “No it’s not.” Cassandra’s voice is angry. “There are more important things.”

  “William…” Jotham looks at his friend.

  “The point of Cassandra’s Challenge is to have a full Assembly.” He finally looks from Cassandra to his friend and King. “You have to have a full Assembly if you are going to accuse a Royal of treason.”

  “A Royal? Another Royal?”

  “Yes.”

  “You were never truly challenging Yakira, that’s why you wouldn’t show your birthmark.”

  “I never cared about being Queen, just justice. And my birthmark is my business.”

  “Jotham, she is the Queen, there is no doubt.”

  “William…” She’s cut off by his comm ringing.

  “Zafar.”

  “Dad, its Victoria.” Through the line all three can hear Victoria’s terrified screams. Cassandra’s halfway down the hall before either man moves.

  “No! No! Let me go!” Victoria is struggling in Lucas’ arms.

  “Calm down Victoria!” Lucas is getting desperate.

  “Give her to me,” Cassandra orders entering the room. “I’m here baby, I’m here. She wraps her arms around her, holding on tight, rocking her. “Shhhhhh….you’re safe. Look at me Victoria.”

  Cassandra tips her head up, “Open your eyes and look at me.” Her voice firm, finally Victoria does. “I’m here, your safe.”

  “The Glitter Man….”

  “Isn’t here, look. Look who’s in the room.” She eases her hold so she can see Lucas, Kyle, Leander, Jotham and William sitting right next to her. “See no Glitter Man.”

  Jotham’s followed William as he raced across the hall. The feisty, charming little girl he’d met before is now a terrified child, clinging to her Aunt as if her world is ending. And it had. He’d forgotten. It had for both of them. Because of this traitor, this traitor she’s worried he will interfere with her exposing.

  “You were falling.” Victoria whispers to Cassandra. “The Glitter Man made you fall, the Admiral couldn’t get to you.”

  “Shhh…just a dream…” Cassandra pulls her close, her eyes meeting William’s. “It was just a bad dream.”

  “Promise?”

  “I promise.” She gives her a quick hug then eases back. “Let’s get you back in your own bed. Okay?”

  “Okay.”

  William stands taking Victoria from Cassandra’s arms. “Hey kiddo, let me carry you.” With Victoria arms around his neck he lifts her with one arm while helping Cassandra up with the other. As a family they turn to leave the room.

  “Lucas….” Cassandra looks at him.

  “Later. Take care of her first.” She nods.

  The first sun is rising as they lay Victoria down in her own bed. Exhausted she falls quickly to sleep. Returning to the private area Cassandra stops short, finding Jotham still there.

  He sees her fatigue and her strength as she straightens her shoulders ready to stand. Stand for what she believes in. Stand for who she loves. In this case, his most trusted friend William. She’s willing to trust him because she trusts William. Maybe it was time for him to follow suit.

  “It’s easy to forget.” Jotham speaks first, looking from his friend to Cassandra.

  “What is?” Her voice is calm her eyes steady.

  “What you’ve been through, what you’ve both survived. She was clinging to you as if her word was falling apart, because it did, for both of you. Everything and everyone you knew is gone.”

  “Yes.” Cassandra’s voice is tight but steady. William puts a hand at her back giving her his support.

  “Yet you fit. Here. You make it look easy, as if this was where you were always meant to be.”

  “Maybe she was.” William tells his friend.

  “Nothing about this is easy, Majesty.” Cassandra walks away from William, pacing. “Having a nine year old little girl terrorized isn’t easy. Having the man I love and trust doubted by his closest friend isn’t easy, but I’ll be damned if I’m going to let that son of a bitch get away with it! With murdering seven billion people on the chance, that I could be Queen.” Jotham final sees her true fury and it is amazing.

  “You want revenge.”

  “I want justice. There’s a difference.”

  “Yes, there is. And the Challenge? Why not be declared Queen then go after the traitor?”

  “Can you decree justice, Majesty? And have it be true justice?”

  “No.”

  “So tomorrow we will find out if there is justice on Carina, after that we can worry about whether or not I take the throne.”

  “Cassandra….” William walks over to her, rubbing her arms, he feels the slight tremor.

  “William claims you are the Queen.”

  “She is!” William’s voice is angry, he’s tired of Jotham’s doubts.

  “Then why is there a question about the throne!” Jotham won’t give up.

  “Because of me!” William’s eyes are blazing as he looks at his friend. Cassandra has pushed too far, again. “Come on, you need to lie down.”

  “I’m fine.” William’s had enough sweeping her up into his arms he carries her into their bedroom, laying her down in the middle of the bed.

  “You will stay here and you will rest!”

  “Damn it William.”

  “I mean it, you’re trembling. I won’t have it!” Leaning done he kisses her letting her know the extent of his anger, his concern. Framing his face she returns the kiss, trying to comfort him.

  “Alright, I could lie down for a while. But what will Jotham think?”

  “I’ll handle Jotham.” Giving her another hard kiss he rises, shutting the door on his way out.

  He finds Jotham looking at Lata’s garden as the second sunrise starts to rise. He turns when he hears the door shut.

  “Is she okay?”

  “Just worn out.” William walks over pouring them both a glass of Carinian Ale.

  “She stands so strong.”

  “Until she breaks.” He hands his friend a glass.

  “She’d sacrifice the throne for you.”

  William looks deep into his glass. “She wouldn’t see it as a sacrifice.” He takes a deep drink.

  “That says something. It says she loves you, truly loves you.” Jotham finally believes.

  “I already know that.”

  “And if she doesn’t take the throne?” Jotham suspects, knowing his friend, but has to ask.

  “Then we leave. Together. She’ll never be safe otherwise.”

  Jotham sighs. “You have it planned?”

  “Yes. I won’t lose her.”

  “If you need my help you have it.”

  “Thank you Jotham.” Nodding Jotham finishes his drink and leaves the suite.

  Entering their room he slides into bed, pulling her into his arms. He needs to hold her. Tomorrow, tomorrow this will be done, she’d either be Queen or they’d be gone, forever. He’s already chosen their escape route, has everything in place. The thought of leaving his sons, Carina, hurt. But not having Cassandra would be unbearable.

  “You’re thinking awfully hard.” She rubs a hand across his chest.

  “You’re supposed to be sleeping.” His arms tighten around her.

  “I was thinking…” She murmured.

  “You’re always thinking, sleep.”

  “William…”

  “Shhhhhh…later.”

  “No it won’t wait. You’ve given up a lot to get us this far.” She rises up leaning on his chest.

  “I’ve given up nothing that truly matters.” She gives him a soft smile.

  “Things could go wrong at the Assembly.”

  “It won’t.”

  “But it could, you??
?ve already thought of that, thought of how to get us out.” She meets his eyes.

  “Yes.” He sees the acceptance and trust.

  “There’s something I want to ask of you before I’m presented to the Assembly.”

  “Cassandra what do you need?” He tucks a loose piece of hair behind her ear. He sees nerves in her eyes. “Ask.”

  “When I’m presented to the Assembly, I want to be presented as Cassandra Qwes Zafar.” She watches his eyes widen before he sits straight up.

  “What!?!” He whispers gripping her arms.

  “I want you to be my husband when I’m presented to the Assembly.”

  “Cassandra….” William is shocked. He hadn’t expected this. Looking in her eyes he can tell she’s been thinking about it for a while. He doesn’t know what to say.

  “William?” Cassandra had been so sure, now she isn’t. “Honesty even if I don’t like it.” He sees the doubt enter her eyes.

  “You would take my name?” His voice is hoarse.

  “I…yes…unless you don’t want me too. I thought…” William kisses her deeply. Twisting he presses her into the bed, framing her face with his hands.

  “I very much do….Cassandra Qwes Zafar….” She can see how saying it pleases him.

  “Yes, I very much want to be able to call you my husband.” She puts a hand on his cheek, her thumb caressing his lips. “To be Admiral William Zafar’s wife.”

  She’s given him yet another gift, does she even realize it? For her to take his name…she is Qwes…it’s unheard of for the heir to change her name. The husband does. Salish hadn’t even taken his name, wanting to keep her ‘identity’.

  “William?” Cassandra sees his mind has wandered.

  “You humble me Cassandra it would be an honor to have you carry my name.”

  “William….the honor is mine.” Rising she kisses him. As the kiss starts to deepen he breaks off.

  “No.” He says roughly.

  “What?” Confused eyes meet his.

  “The next time I make love to you I want you to be my wife.”

  “William…..” Her eyes fill.

  “You will rest while I get things arranged.”