Victoria's Challenge (38 page)

“Not that
. She’s keeping something from me, something you know.”

“Dad
… I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You two
… it’s the looks, the ‘it’s girl talk’. She used to tell me everything.”

“Dad, that’s just…
” She blushes. How is she supposed to tell her father that her mother had guessed she and Lucas had made love?

“What?”

“It was something personal, a woman thing. Mom just hasn’t had that in a long time. She’s not keeping things from you.” She is though, her physical condition, she doesn’t want Peter to see her naked.

“Would you tell me if there was?”

“That would depend.” She’s not going to lie to him. “If mom asked me not too and I didn’t think you needed to know, I wouldn’t tell you.”

“Fuck that
! She’s
my
wife.”

“And she my
mother
!” Victoria turns, taking a deep breath. “Dad, if you think some things wrong, then ask mom, I can’t tell you what I don’t know.”

A knock on the hatch keeps Peter from responding
.

“Dad, let me show you how to open the hatch.”

“I know how to open a fucking door!” When he tries, he can’t.

“I secured it.
” She tells him is a quiet voice. “So you’d feel safe.” Walking over to the security pad, she enters the code. “Try it now.”

When he
does, it opens smoothly to a large golden-skinned man carrying a tray with three covered plates for second meal.

“Dad, this is Kip
. Kip, my father, Peter Chamberlain. You can put it on the table Kip, thank you.” After setting it down, Kip lifts each cover checking the food.

“Orders from Hutu.
” He smiles at Tori’s raised eyebrow.

“Who’s Hutu?
” Peter demands.

“Kip’s
uncle. He’s the personal chef for Aunt Cassie and Uncle William.”

“He stressed I n
eeded to double check the trays after what happened before.” Kip tells Victoria.

“Thank you
, Kip, I appreciate it.”

“I didn’t bring you anything
. What would you like?”

“I’m fine for now, I’ll wait for Lucas.
” Nodding, Kip turns then pauses, looking at Peter.

“Problem?
” Peter looks at the larger taller man.

“No, no sir, it’s just
… it is truly an honor to meet you, sir, a real honor.” Giving him a slight nod, Kip leaves.

“What is it with everyone?”

“I told you dad, you’ve never been forgotten. Do you want me to show you how to secure the hatch?” Sighing, Peter nods and watches the coding.

“You can change that if you want, to anything you want
. You’re in control here, dad.”

“I’m sorry.” He walks up and pulls her close, kissing the top of her head. “You’ve gotten taller.” Tori smiles up at him.

“Only compared to mom, I’m considered very short
on Carina. Kayden’s nearly as tall as I am.”

“
Kayden?”

“Aunt Cassie’s first born
. He’s a couple moon cycles younger than Brett.”

“And he’s almost as tall as you?
” Peter’s eyebrow’s raise.

“Dad, Uncle William is over seven
feet tall. He’s tall, even by Carinian standards. I expect all of the boys will be tall.”

“All?
” At his question, Victoria realizes she’s told her mother but not her father about their enlarged family.

“Dad, sit down a minute.
” She leads him to a couch. “Aunt Cassie married Uncle William a little over nine cycles ago. Kayden, their first son was born seven months later, he’ll be nine soon. He was followed by Jacob, six and Willie, almost three. Aunt Cassie has conceived again, a girl this time, although they don’t want that known yet. I’m guessing she has about three months left.”

“Why don’t they want anyone to know?”

“Because she’ll be the heir to the throne.”

“What?”

“Only female’s rule the House of Knowledge, Aunt Cassie’s daughter will one day be Queen. There will be great speculation and joy at this birth. And great risk.”

“Risk?”

“Dad… Aunt Cassie is the Queen there is no doubt. Her birthmark settled that but there are still those that don’t accept her, they won’t be happy that the heir has been born. They want her power for themselves, people like Audric.”

“Who’s Audric?”

“Audric is the Glitter Man. He was the husband to Queen Yakira. She was the trustee to the throne until Aunt Cassie challenged her for it. Audric destroyed Earth so he could keep the power he’d obtained by their Union.”

“Union.”

“Marriage. It’s called a Union on Carina.”

“She’s happy
? Cassie is?”

“She loves her husband
, dad. He was willing to sacrifice his career and reputation, long time friendships, to protect us. He’s a good man, reminds me a lot of you and grandpa. You’ll like him.

“He
’s Lucas’ father.”

“Yes.
” She gives him a considering look. “Dad, why don’t you rest?” Holding up a hand, she cuts him off. “Then, once you’re all awake, I’ll show you all some visuals and recordings. That way, all three of you will know the same thing, can ask questions.”

Peter thinks about it then nods
. “That would probably be best. I’m going to go lie down with Cyndy.”

“I’ll be back in a couple
hours; I’ll secure the door from the outside.”

Entering the flight deck, Victoria finds a busy place, Blades are in various states of repairs, parts being removed and replaced. Everyone involved with his or her assigned task and in the center of it all is Lucas, giving orders, making sure everything is getting done.

Maybe this isn’t such a good time, Victoria thinks as she watches him
. There are people lined up to talk to him. Her question can wait. Before she can leave unnoticed, he turns and sees her, pointing towards his office. He waits for her to nod then turns back to one of his men.

Entering his office
, Lucas secures the hatch. He knows his life mate. She wouldn’t have left her family if it weren’t important. Seeing the look in her eyes, he knows he’s right. She’s worried.

“What’s wrong?
” He rubs his hands up and down her arms.

“We’ve moved
everyone into the Dignitary’s Quarters.”

“Okay.
” Lucas frowns at her.

“Dad’s feeling a little like he’s losing control.”

“What’d he do to you?” He grips her arms.

“Nothing
! Lucas it’s not that. He thinks we’re keeping something from him. Me and mom.”

“What
? That’s ridiculous!”

“It’s not, because we are.”

“Victoria?” Giving her a confused look, he loosens his grip. “What could you be keeping from him? He’s been there the whole time.”

“Lucas…
. he hasn’t seen her… really
seen
her in a long time.”

“What
? How is that possible?”

“
I don’t think it was that hard between not showering and always having Brett around. They were trying to survive.” Rubbing her arms, he really thinks about what they must have gone through to stay alive. The lack of food, water, and basic necessities that they take for granted. “When I was getting mom ready for her shower on the Phoenix, she made an excuse for dad not to be there.”

“She didn’t want him to see her.”

“No.” She raises serious eyes to him. “I understand why and can’t fault her for it.”

“What
? Victoria….” Lucas frowns at her.

“Lucas, if she allowed
him to see her when they were in the bunker, what was he going to do about it?” Her eyes are hard as they look into his. “There was nothing he
could
do, not without sacrificing Brett and mom would never have allowed that. I would have made the same choice. She protected him from what he couldn’t change.
You
would have done the same.” She interrupts him before he can argue.

With a deep
sigh, Lucas nods, resting his forehead against hers. “I would have. It would have served no purpose to upset you.”

“So now I need your advice
… as a man.” He raises an eyebrow. “Dad knows mom’s keeping something from him. What do I do? Is it
really
so important right now? How would you feel?”

Walking
away from her, he tries to put himself in Peter’s place. A man who’s commanded men in battle, knowing they could die. Who is injured and then suddenly thrust into hell with his pregnant wife, thinking everyone he knows is dead. To watch his life mate and son slowly starve to death and being unable to do anything about it. To have your daughter come ‘save’ you with a stranger and have
them
do everything you couldn’t.

“I would feel like I’d failed you.
” Lucas turns meeting her startled look. “That you were pulling away, looking for someone else to protect you.”

“What
? Why?” She doesn't try to hide her shock.

“Victoria, while you were under my care, my protection
, you nearly starved to death, you got sick. It would be
my
fault.”

“But
that isn’t true! He kept them alive long enough for help to come.”

“That’s not how he
’ll see it, how I would see it.”

“I
… so what do I do? Mom doesn’t want him to see her.” She raises confused eyes to his. “It would really hurt you, if I kept this from you? Even knowing that there was nothing you could do to prevent it?”

“There
was
nothing I could do. There is
now
. He’s been doing all he can, feeding her, tending her. You’re taking that away from him, his ‘control’ if you like, to help his wife. If he doesn’t know, how can he help?”

It’s Victoria’s turn to walk away and think
. If she wants to help her father, she has to go against what mom wants. Does she have the right to do that? How would she feel if it was Lucas keeping something like this from her?

“Mom’s resting right now
. She wants to take a shower when she wakes up. She’s not going to let dad help her.” Troubled eyes turn to Lucas. “If I go against what she wants…. Lucas I just got her back.”

Walking over
, he pulls her close.

“She’s like her daughter, she might be angry but she’ll get over it.
” Sighing she looks up at him.

“Brett can’t be there
. They’re going to need some privacy.”

“I can take him on a tour of the command center
. It isn’t that far from their quarters so it wouldn’t tire him out too much.”

“You can spare the time?”

“It’s family, of course I can. What time are you thinking?”

“I’ll
call you on the comm. Thank you.” Stretching up, she captures his lips.

“Ready for a shower mom?”

“
That would be wonderful.” The happiness in Cyndy’s eyes has Victoria wondering if she’s doing the right thing.

“Okay, give me a few minutes to get everything organized.
”

Peter watches his wife and daughter
. He knows something is going on. A knock on the hatch distracts him. Opening it, he finds Lucas. Stepping back, he lets him enter.

“Victoria’s getting the shower ready for Cyndy.”

Lucas nods.

“If it’s okay with you
, I thought I’d take Brett for a little tour of the Command Center. It’s not that far from here, it would let him stretch his legs some.” He watches Peter raise an eyebrow.

“Brett?”

“Could I dad?” He responds excitedly.

“I don’t see a problem with it
. You say it’s not far?”

“No, I’ll take good care of him
, Peter. It’ll give you and Cyndy some time.” That has Peter’s eyes sharpening on the younger man. Something’s definitely up. “If he tires I’ll bring him straight back.”

“Ready mom.
” Victoria walks out of the bathroom and sees Lucas through the doorway to the main quarters. He gives her a slight nod. Walking over to her mother, she gives her a slightly strained smile.

“I’m ready.
” Not noticing anything, she grips her daughter’s arm, thinking only of a hot shower. “This is going to be wonderful Tori.”

Saying
nothing, Tori helps her mom stand. In the bathroom, Victoria helps her mother remove her clothes, and while she knows she’s improved in the last ten days, it’s barely noticeable on Cyndy’s body. What will her father think when he sees her? Adjusting the water temp, she sends up a silent prayer to the ancestors.