Free Cassandra's Challenge by Michelle Eidem Page A

pleasure out of restoring pieces that had been either
forgotten or neglected. He’d tell her that sometimes you just need
to strip away the outer layers to see the true beauty. That it’s
what’s underneath that really matters. She can hear his voice in
her head telling her this is such a time.
    So if she strips way all the crap that’s been
going on since the Regulians attacked, striped back the layers,
what’s really important to her. Her first thought is, ‘William’.
Could she let herself trust that? Could she not?
    Staying in bed is no longer an option. Getting
up she wraps the blanket around her. There is only one place she
wants to be. There’s the light and she moves to it. Standing in the
doorway she sees him, he’s her light, just him. Sitting at his desk
with his back to her, walking over she touches his back.
    William is so deep in thought that he doesn’t
realize Cassandra’s behind him until he picks up her scent a moment
before she touches him.
    Turning in his chair he’s floored. She’s
standing in front of him wrapped in a drooping blanket that exposes
bare shoulders, moving between his legs she sits. Pulling her
closer she nestles into him, the blanket falling away
    “You should be sleeping.” He caresses a bare
thigh.
    “Bad dream.” She rests her head on his
shoulder.
    He should have realized, with everything she’s
been through, the attack, the destruction of Earth, not only
saving, but caring for her niece, trying to find her way in a new
world, and then him on top of it, how much is one small woman able
to take. Putting a hand on her cheek he pulls her in close.
    “Cassandra.” Sighing her name he kisses the top
of her head.
    “Just hold me for a minute, I’ll be okay, and
you can get back to work.”
    William isn’t getting any further then he had
before in figuring out the translation, his mate needs him and that
takes priority. Shutting down the comm center he cradles her in his
arms as he moves into his private chambers.
    “You still have work.” She mumbles.
    “No I don’t.” Laying her on the far side of the
bed he quickly disrobes pulling her close. “Sleep Cassandra, I’ve
got you.” Without hesitation she wraps herself around him, her
utter trust humbles him, together they fall asleep.
     
    Hours later his secondary line rings,
instinctively he picks it up.
    “Zafar.”
    “Admiral?” Leander quizzes. “I’m looking for
Cassandra.”
    “Hold on.” Realizing this has to be about
Victoria he nudges her, “Cassandra, its Leander.” She’s instantly
awake reaching across him for headset.
    “Leander what’s wrong?” Her voice is
panicky.
    “Victoria had a nightmare. We’ve tried to calm
her down but…”
    “I’ll be right there!” She tells him sliding
across William. Dropping the headset as her feet hit the floor.
“Shit I should have known better.” She mutters pulling on
clothes.
    William follows her, pulling on his clothes he
listens to Cassandra berating herself.
    “Stop. Cassandra stop!” He grabs her arm. “You
couldn’t have known.”
    “I should have!” Sitting she pulls on her boots.
“She’s been having nightmares ever since the attack. They haven’t
been as severe lately but still.”
    “You aren’t going to be any help to her beating
yourself up.” Looking up she realizes he’s fully dressed.
    “What are you doing?”
    “Going with you.” Standing she just looks at him
then sighing nods.
    “Okay.”
     
    At Michelakakis’ hatch with William at her side
she knocks, Leander opens the door almost immediately.
    “Cassandra, she’s in here.”
    Stepping back he lets her in. “Admiral” William
nods, as he watches Cassandra rush over to the softly sobbing child
lying on the couch, Javiera moves to the side.
    Sitting down, Cassandra puts a gentle hand on
her back as she softly whispers, “Tori, it’s alright, I’m here.”
Tori opens red rimmed eyes and is instantly in her arms, her
sobbing increasing.
    “Shhh, it’s