Cassandra's Challenge (62 page)

“Yes.” Valerian sits back he is going to enjoy
this.

“I found Tibullus to be mildly conceded,
somewhat irritating, and totally intrusive.” The King can’t keep
the shock off his face, no one in the room moves. Cassandra feels
William’s hand gently touch hers under the table. “That being said,
he was also thorough, competent and damn good at his job.”

Jotham is silent, Dadrian is not.

“You will not speak about my brother that way!”
He pounds a fist on the table, causing the crystal to ring.
“Especially when he maybe dead!” He’s given Cassandra her in.

“Why would you think he’s dead?” She’s cool and
questioning.

“His ship is lost!” Dadrian’s voice carries just
the right amount of anguish.

“The Sentinel wasn’t
lost
, the Talon was.
The Sentinel is
dead
in space.”

“It’s the same thing.”

“No it’s not. The Talon experienced rapid
decompression after the Regulian attack, the ship was destroyed,
the entire crew, eight-hundred and thirty-five to be exact, died.”
Cassandra’s tone is that of a teacher to a dim student. “The
Sentinel is
dead in space
. That means it has no defenses, no
propulsion system, and no ability to communicate. But it has life
support. Its crew
is
still alive. That means there is a good
chance Tibullus is alive.”

“He’s not on any list.” Dadrian fires back,
enraged that he is being talked down too.

“You
did
serve didn’t you?” She questions
Dadrian, knowing very well that he had, but only for the minimum of
one year. “The military never puts a name on a list unless they can
back it up. It makes them look incompetent.” Cassandra shifts her
focus to Valerian. “Isn’t that right High Admiral?”

Valerian sits up straight as suddenly all the
eyes in the room are on him, including the King’s. “No name goes on
a list without verification.” Valerian reluctantly agrees with
her.

“What does that prove?” Dadrian demands.

“That there is no proof he’s dead. So unless you
know something no one else does, there’s no reason to assume he
is.” Cassandra’s voice is cool as she watches Dadrian.

“You haven’t explained to
me
why you
think my son is alive.” While King Jotham’s voice is steady
Cassandra can hear the pain not knowing is causing him, she’s going
to give him what she can.

“Because of everything I said before Majesty.
Tibullus is smart, he knows his job, how to handle things. I can’t
see him allowing a Regulian attack to get the better of him.”

King Jotham says nothing as he stares at
Cassandra. Leaning back he allows the servant to remove his
course.

The meal continues with others asking questions
of Cassandra ranging from simple to complex. The King listens but
does not participate. Cassandra manages several bites from each
course, some she forces down. William leans over occasionally to
tell her something.

“Why do you call him Tibullus?”

Cassandra glances to the King as she gladly puts
down her forc. This course didn’t agree with her.

“I call him Tibullus because that’s how he was
introduced to me, as Chief Tibullus. It wasn’t until…I believe nine
days ago that I discovered he was the First Son of the House of
Protection.”

“You seem to have acquired a great deal of
knowledge since your arrival on the Retribution, how is it you
didn’t know Tibullus is the family name?”

“I have learned a great deal your Majesty.
Mostly from books and memory foils on the Retribution. I’d
challenge you to find a book that states the family name for any of
the Royal Houses.” Cassandra’s eyes are steady. “It is considered
common knowledge, for a Carinian. You are never called King
Tibullus, it’s always King Jotham and ‘Tibullus’ is referred to as
Prince Barek.

“So your opinion of my son?” She sees Dadrian
tensing out of the corner of her eye.

“Was formed before I knew he was First Son.”

“And once you knew?” Cassandra raises an eyebrow
to the King.

“It changed nothing, if anything it reinforced
it. I would think all the traits I described would be necessary in
being First Son and eventual King.”

While the King says nothing the look he gives
William is full of humor, before he leans back so the last course
can be presented.

What is placed in front of Cassandra can only be
described as a masterpiece. If it’s what she thinks it is, she’s
going to enjoy it, but she’s not getting her hopes up. Picking up
her forc she takes a small piece of what appears to be a four layer
chocolate cake, with a cream filling, chocolate frosting and
chocolate sauce. Her taste buds tell her, that her eyes haven’t
deceived her.

William watches as her eyes half close at her
first bite of the dessert. The look in her eyes tells him she more
than likes this course. He’d have to let Hutu know.

“Admiral Zafar?” Madame Terwilliger sets her
forc aside, wanting information more than dessert.

“Madame Terwilliger.” The Admiral watches her
closely she’d been married to an assemblyman for nearly fifty
cycles. She wasn’t as harmless as she looked.

“During the gathering today it was suggested
that Earth was destroyed to keep Princess Cassandra from
challenging Queen Yakira.”

“Yes.”

The High Admiral’s eyes widen. He hadn’t been
informed this had been discussed at the gatherings.

“That you have proof of this.”

“Yes.”

“Can you explain further what that means?”

“Admiral Zafar, you will not answer.” Valerian
orders, as the two men’s eyes clash, Cassandra puts down her own
forc.

“It means someone on Carina is working with the
Regulians, and has been for nearly eight cycles.” Cassandra replies
to Madame Terwilliger.

“I said you will not answer!” Valerian’s eyes
bore into Cassandra’s.

“You have no authority over what I can and
cannot say, High Admiral.” Cassandra’s eyes are as frosty as her
tone.

“You
know nothing.” The High Admiral
lies.

“I
know that for the last eight cycles a
traitor has gone undetected under
your
command.
I
know that this traitor has been sending and receiving transmission,
in Regulian, on Carinian channels.
I
also know that if it
hadn’t been for Admiral Zafar and his crew, you
still
wouldn’t know anything about it.” Cassandra is unaware of the power
her voice carries, the power of a Queen.

William watches her as she tears the High
Admiral apart. Her conviction is absolute, her power undeniable.
His Queen is a sight to see when she’s righting what she sees as a
wrong.

Jotham can also see. He sees a young beautiful
woman who will make a remarkable Queen, if she’s given a chance. He
sees his friend’s pride in his life mate. He’s see her total
commitment to him, something he hadn’t believed, in her subtle and
not so subtle defense of him. He wonders if they know what they are
up against.

The sound of the High Admiral’s chair being
shoved back has the Admiral tensing, turning to protect Cassandra
from possible attack. Seeing this, the King’s eyes shoot to
Valerian.

“Is there a problem High Admiral?” The King asks
in a calm voice.

“Your Majesty,” Valerian nods slightly. “Forgive
me, I am not feeling well. I need to retire for the night.”

“I will call for the Doctor, High Admiral.”

“No Majesty, thank you, that’s not necessary. I
believe I have just over indulged in tonight’s delicious meal. I
will be fine by morning.”

“If you’re sure High Admiral.”

“I am.”

“Then I will have Captain Deffand escort you to
your transport. To assure you reach it without interruption.”
Jotham speaks briefly to a servant.

“Thank you, Majesty.” Valerian says through
clenched teeth. As the High Admiral leaves the table, Deffand waits
in the doorway.

With the exit of the High Admiral, conversation
resumes at the table. When Cassandra goes to pick up her forc she
finds her stomach wanting to revolt. Carefully she reaches for her
water hoping it will settle her.

William senses the change, watching closely he
sees the slight tremor in her hand as she reaches for the goblet.
It is 2200, she’d been observed, assessed, attacked and criticized
for nearly eleven hours and she’s held, but she is starting to
tire. Looking to Jotham, William sees his friend has also noticed.
Jotham remembers when his Queen had been pushed too far.

Standing King Jotham addresses the table. “I
want to thank you all for coming tonight. I would like to
personally thank Princess Cassandra for her open and candid remarks
on some serious issues. I believe her life experiences have given
her a unique opinion and outlook not only on Carinian life but life
in general.” Cassandra returns the slight bow he gives her. “You
will be escorted you back to the Guests Wing. I look forward to
seeing you all tomorrow night at the Royal Ball in the Public
Wing.” With the King’s dismissal everyone rises.

“Princess Cassandra if you’d join me? Dadrian.”
Looking at William Cassandra joins the King, discovering he is
forming some sort of receiving line.

Standing between the King and Dadrian, Cassandra
thanks the Assemblymen and their spouse for attending the night’s
dinner. With each couple Dadrian moves closer to Cassandra. Not
quite touching but invading her space.

“Is there a problem Prince Dadrian?” Cassandra
turns her head to find him within inches of her.

“No. Princess Cassandra.” Dadrian has been
watching the Admiral as he moves in on Cassandra. He can tell he’s
displeased but can do nothing about it. Watching the Admiral he
misses the slight movement of Cassandra’s heel, as it pierces his
instep he lets out a girlish squeal.

“Oh I’m so sorry Prince Dadrian. I hadn’t
realized you were there.”

William watches Dadrian move closer to
Cassandra. He can do nothing unless he wants to cause a scene. Just
as he’s reaching his breaking point Cassandra drives her heel into
his instep. William finds the resulting squeal very satisfying.

Kyle has been watching too, watching his
father’s reaction to Dadrian and Cassandra. She has him worried
about Dadrian? Obviously his father doesn’t trust the woman, at
Dadrian’s squeal Kyle looks back to the group.

“Dadrian, what’s wrong?” Cassandra notices the
King doesn’t ask if he’s ok.

“Nothing father, just a miss step.”

“My apologizes Majesty I hadn’t realized Prince
Dadrian was so close when I moved.”

“I’m sure it was unintentional Princess.”

When the last of the Assemblymen gone Cassandra
walks over to Kyle, “Will you be at the Royal Ball tomorrow?”

“I plan to be, yes.” Kyle responds to her.

“Do you have a place to stay tonight?”

“Kyle is staying in my suite.” Dadrian stands
beside Kyle.

“Really, I’m sure your family will be
disappointed to hear that.”

“I sincerely doubt that.” Kyle watches his
father approach.

“Your security detail is on its way Princess.”
The Admiral informs her as he looks at his son.

“I don’t.” Cassandra waits until Kyle looks back
to her before she turns to the Admiral. “I just need to thank the
King.” She tells him. “I’m glad to finally get to meet you Kyle. I
hope that soon we’ll all be able to get together in a less formal
setting. Prince Dadrian.” Cassandra nods to him. Turning she allows
William to guide her to the King.

“Princess Cassandra. It has been a pleasure
sharing a meal with you.” King Jotham nods to her.

“And with you Majesty, it was truly an
interesting meal.”

“Yes, it was. The King turns to his friend.
“Admiral.”

“Majesty.”

“The High Admiral is now a threat.”

“I know.”

“You will take the necessary precautions.”

“Yes Majesty.”

“As will I.” The King turns back to Cassandra.
“I look forward to dancing with you tomorrow night.” Nodding he
leaves the couple.

“Dancing?” Cassandra shoots William a stricken
look.

“Admiral, your detail is here.” Deffand stands
just inside the door.

“Thank you Captain.” Giving his youngest son one
last look, William puts a hand on Cassandra’s back guiding her from
the room.

Entering the Royal Wing the Admiral turns to
Marat. “Deffand will be clearing someone to repair the runner on
the step.” Marat had been standing at the base of the stairs when
Cassandra had tripped.

“Yes Admiral.”

Cassandra continues walking as William stops to
talk to Marat. She’s tired, she knows she needs to rest, but she
finds herself at the garden doors.

“Cassandra?”

“Can we walk in the garden for a little
bit?”

“You’re tired.” He tips her face up, looking
into her eyes.

“I am. But I’d like to walk in the moonlight
with you.”

William’s heart is touched, a walk in the
moonlight with his life mate, how can he say no? Opening the doors,
he takes her hand. Stepping into the garden they pause, allowing
their eyes to adjust to the darkness. The air is cool and fresh,
scented with night flowers blooming. They stroll along the path
Lata created arm in arm reaching the center she looks up at the
stars.

“Is this what you looked at when you were
growing up?” William looks up.

“Yes. I used to lie on my back and stare at them
for hours on end. Wondering what was out there.
Who
was out
there.”

“They look so different.”

“Different?”

“None of them are where they should be.” Leaning
back against William’s chest she sighs. “Maybe they’re trying to
tell me something.”

“You’re right where you should be, in my arms,
looking at the stars. I used to dream that someday I’d find this.”
He kisses the top of her head.