In the background, she could hear people stirring around The Palace. Employees were starting to arrive for work. It would only be a matter of time before she would hear Flora’s footsteps coming down the hall.

  Somewhere along the way, Cassie had fallen back to sleep. She was shaken awake by Flora’s gentle nudges. In the time she slept, Cassie had not dreamt. It was odd not having Darden being her first thought upon waking.

  There was a cup of tea now on her nightstand. Flora must have brought it with her. The beverage had cooled enough to allow her to immediately start sipping the tea.

  Flora headed for the closet and pulled out one of the outfits. “This will be more than appropriate for breakfast with your grandfather and attending the Prime Council’s celebration this morning. Dress and I will be back shortly to help with your hair.”

  The last time she went out, Shirl and JoAnna took care of her hair and makeup. Although Flora was sweet, Cassie missed her friends dreadfully. Moving into The Palace cost her immediate access to Darden and her friends.

  Cassie slipped on the gold tunic and the earth toned leggings. The material caressed her body. For this morning’s celebration, she added a rust colored jacket to her ensemble. Cassie looked at her reflection in the mirror and was relieved her breasts were properly covered. The outfit was flattering, making her appear leaner than she was.

  Flora returned as promised and made quick work styling her hair. She created a French braid. It was a hairstyle she always envied, but never could figure out how to master the look.

  “You will find your grandfather in his greeting room,” Flora informed her. “He is waiting for you. Jeryl Jarlyn is a great man, just not a patient one. I would run off if I were you.”

  It was a poor choice of words, but Cassie got the gist of what Flora meant. Her grandfather’s greeting room was an odd place to have breakfast. Perhaps, he was just meeting her there and then they would head to wherever the dining room was.

  When she entered the greeting room, Cassie noticed plates piled high with food. It was obvious they were to eat here. Based on the volume of food, her grandfather must be expecting an army.

  “Good morning, Grandfather,” Cassie said. She leaned over and gently kissed his cheek. “Do you always have breakfast here?”

  “Morning, dear,” her grandfather replied. “I usually have my meals at province functions or in my study. With you living here, I will have to come up with another solution so we may dine together.”

  Cassie grabbed a plate and pulled items she recognized. For other dishes, she let her nose guide whether she would try the new food. Generally, if she liked how something smelled, she also enjoyed its taste.

  “Who else will be joining us?” Cassie asked. The amount of food she took barely made a dent in what was available.

  Her grandfather took a sip of his coffee and savored the flavor of his beverage. Cassie preferred tea or soda in the morning. If only coffee was available, she would have it with lots of milk and tons of sugar in it. Coffee was too bitter to drink black.

  “There are only the two of us, Cassandra,” her grandfather replied. “I did not know what you liked, so I ordered everything Benko enjoyed when he was your age. That boy sure did love to eat. He never gained an ounce. Is he still slim?”

  Cassie considered her answer, as she always did when her father was the topic of the discussion. “He still enjoys eating and works out at the gym to burn off excess calories. I wish I had inherited his metabolism.”

  She watched her grandfather’s face as she answered his question. There was such love reflected there. Regardless of everything Benko had done, his father still loved him. She wished her telepathic gift worked across dimensions. Cassie would have wanted to share this with her father.

  Their special moment was interrupted by a boisterous group forcefully entering the room. When Cassie looked in the direction of the new arrivals, she was surprised to see Candy, JoAnna, and Darden. Shirl and Starc were the last to enter.

  “What is the meaning of this?” her grandfather bellowed. “You were not invited.”

  “We are family,” Candy said lightly before she bit into a crispy piece of bacon. “Wow, you have quite a spread here.”

  Although Cassie imagined Tolfer had cooked a spectacular breakfast for Candy, her friend piled her plate high with food. Shirl and JoAnna merely picked at various goodies. Darden and Starc stood at attention, less at ease in the Prime Ruler’s presence. It was rare she got to see the twins side by side like this. Cassie imagined Koel was nearby surveying his surroundings.

  “There is plenty of food, Grandfather,” Cassie added. “Besides, Candy is right. They are an extension of my Gingko Terra family.” It was strange calling Earth by its Troyk name.

  Her grandfather got back to his breakfast realizing he had lost this battle. Jeryl knew her friends were mated couples and would be unable to use his telepathic powers to make them leave. Cassie attacked the mound of food before her.

  After she miraculously cleared her plate, Cassie began to wonder why the presence of her friends had surprised her. She had closed the communal pathways, but not the other links. Why hadn’t she received any communication from anyone in the room this morning? Cassie used her telepathic abilities so infrequently, she had not considered anything was wrong when she did not hear any chatter in any of their channels.

  “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” Cassie asked Darden through their pathway.

  There was no reply. When she looked at Darden, he appeared not to have received her communication. Cassie reached into the pathway she shared with her friends and received the same result. Nothing. Finally, Cassie tried to communicate with her grandfather through their familial link. Something was dreadfully wrong.

  “Why can’t I communicate through any of the telepathic channels, Grandfather?” Cassie immediately laid blame where she believed it belonged.

  “I wanted you to concentrate on what was going to occur today and not be distracted by the communal pathways starting to bombard your mind,” her grandfather replied.

  Her grandfather would not have a clue how many channels she had access to, many of which he could not enter. Regardless of what she was capable of doing, Jeryl Jarlyn had no right to try and manipulate her powers.

  “What have you done?” Cassie cried.

  Her eyes scanned the room looking for the rose-colored crystal Barash had given her that interfered with her telepathic powers. There were a multitude of different crystals surrounding her, but she did not see the one she sought.

  “I had flentium ground up and put in the hot chocolate you drank last night and the tea this morning,” her grandfather admitted.

  She had never heard of flentium, but that was irrelevant. Her father had never mentioned the crystal, so Cassie figured it did not exist on Earth. Nor did she have any idea of the long-lasting effects she would suffer consuming the mineral.

  Cassie was speechless. However, her soul mate was not. “You had no right drugging Cassie,” Darden growled. The telepathic connection between them was null and void for the time being. She could not feel Darden’s anger, but it was obvious when she looked at his face. It was bright red with rage.

  “She is my granddaughter,” Jeryl Jarlyn screamed at Darden. “I have every right to see to her health and happiness.”

  “And I am her soul mate,” Darden countered. “The Supreme Being has joined us, body and soul. I am taking her out of here right now.”

  Cassie was afraid her grandfather was going to have Darden arrested. She did not want to do anything to further antagonize Jeryl Jarlyn. In desperation, Cassie looked at JoAnna for assistance.

  “Let’s all calm down,” JoAnna said. “How long will Cassie be affected by the crystals? Jeryl, Cassie is an adult. You should have asked if she needed something to help her manage the communal channels. When we work together, you always gave me options about how far I would go with the crystals you showed me. Cassie should be given the same consideration.”

  “Everything I do is for the health of my granddaughter and the good of the Troyk people,” her grandfather answered defensively. “The ground crystals will exit her body within four to eight hours. That is why I had her given more this morning. This afternoon she will have all her abilities back with no adverse side effects.”

  Her grandfather abused crystals. His opinion of what was harmless and what was dangerous was worthless. Fortunately, she did not currently feel any different, other than not being able to access the pathways.

  “Grandfather,” Cassie said sadly, “how can I trust anything I eat or drink in The Palace again? I need to learn to use and control my powers, not eliminate them for short periods of time. I think it best I return to the Childers’s home. After the ceremony I will move back in with them. We will explain my presence here last night was to prepare for today’s celebration.”

  She had been looking for an opportunity to return to the Childers’s household and was happy to take advantage of the unexpected out. Jeryl Jarlyn was guilty of a major lapse in judgment. For her own safety, regardless of her prior motives, she needed to get away from him.

  Her grandfather rose and exited the room. He mumbled various statements on his way out, but Cassie did not understand a single word he said. She would find a way to mend their relationship without placing herself at his mercy.

  “Try as many channels as you can,” JoAnna said. “Based on past experience, the soul mate channel will mend itself first.”

  Cassie pushed a thought to Darden through their link. His color had returned to normal, but she could not feel him. Based on his non-reaction, her communication was still blocked.

  Candy handed her the glass of water she had been drinking. “I can still pick up all the telepathic channels. Finish drinking this and try to wash out the remainder of the pulverized crystals. I can’t believe he did that to you.”

  “As far as I am concerned,” Darden said, “everything has changed.”

  Although he did not elaborate, Cassie knew he was referring to her father’s return to the Troyk universe. She could not trust her grandfather to not try to impede her talents again, possibly more dramatically the next time. Perhaps it was time she returned to the Troyk penal colony. She missed her father, Beatrice, and even Chartail.

  A Palace Guard entered the room and stood before Cassie. “The ceremony has been pushed back until noon. You are all to wait here until you are sent for. Guards will be situated outside to assure you comply with the Prime Ruler’s orders.”

  Cassie looked at her friends wondering what her grandfather had up his sleeve?

  Chapter 13

  The Prime Council chamber was teeming with people. Every square foot of available space was filled with Troyk citizens who came to see Cassie named Jeryl Jarlyn’s official heir. Was there a term beyond “standing room only” she wondered? She continued to drink tested water, hoping to flush the crystals from her body.

  Her friends had accompanied her downstairs and were seated behind all the Prime members and their families. Cassie’s telepathic abilities had not returned, so she had no means to communicate with Darden or the others. Once again, she was on her own.

  After her friends were shown to their seats, Cassie was instructed to go into a room near the front of the chamber and change clothing. A beautiful white and cream lace dress awaited her. If she did not know any better, she would have sworn she was putting on a wedding gown. Fortunately, there was no veil that would have caused her to panic.

  The dress was tight and fit her like a second skin. Although it hugged her figure, the gown was flattering. She unbraided her hair and it now flowed loosely over her shoulders and down her back.

  Cassie re-entered the hall and the whole chamber rose to their feet. A sea of people was before her, but Cassie could not make out a single face. She was led to a small dais where Jeryl Jarlyn stood. There was a small platform in front with a large pillow on top. She was instructed to kneel in front of her grandfather. Was Jeryl Jarlyn going to produce a sword and dub her his heir like in a scene out of Camelot? It felt like she was in another place and time.

  Cassie became alarmed when Barash came to kneel beside her. This felt like a wedding, not a symbolic transfer of power to a younger generation. She was about to stand when Barash grasped her hand and held her down.

  “Relax,” Barash whispered. “I represent the acceptance of another powerful Troyk family accepting the future Prime Ruler.”

  Cassie did not believe a single word. He had proved untrustworthy from the very beginning. Two people kneeling before an official implied a totally different ceremony, one she certainly had not agreed to. It would be very different if Darden knelt next to her. Jeryl Jarlyn knew she had a soul mate.

  There was a commotion in the back of the hall. It was easy to believe Darden was involved, but Cassie could not see what was happening. She could not communicate with anyone and Barash did not seem inclined to release her.

  “My friends and subjects,” her grandfather shouted. “Thank you for joining me on this important day. As many of you know, Benko’s daughter has graced my life with her presence. It is my intention to train Cassandra to be my successor. The peace and harmony we enjoy will be secured in my granddaughter’s capable hands for generations to come.”

  The chamber erupted in applause. “Jarlyn, Jarlyn,” echoed throughout the room. Cassie was not altogether sure who they were chanting for, her grandfather or his legacy.

  “Cassandra Jarlyn and Barash Kleyman represent the future of our fine universe,” her grandfather continued. “Together they are going to bring the Troyk dimension to new heights.”

  Applause once again broke out at her grandfather’s announcement. Cassie had no idea what her grandfather meant when he referred to her and Barash being together. She had not spoken any vows, nor had Barash. The two of them could have been a symbolic couple, as Barash had indicated earlier. Being ignorant of Troyk traditions, Cassie did not know what to believe.

  Barash stood, pulling her up in the process. He raised the hand that held hers and the crowd started chanting, “Jarlyn, Jarlyn,” again. Cassie was helpless to do anything other than raise her other hand and wave.

  Fortunately, no rings were exchanged or other symbolic items that would designate a joining had occurred. It was frustrating she still could not communicate with Darden. Anger built within her that felt more like her soul mate’s, than her own. That made her believe the crystal particles were losing their effectiveness.

  “I, Jeryl Jarlyn, pronounce my granddaughter, Cassandra Jarlyn, the next Prime Ruler of the Troyk universe.”

  Her grandfather came up beside her and put an amethyst ring on her right hand’s middle finger. Cassie’s first thought upon seeing the ring was Shirl could use it to evacuate her and Darden from this dimension. It was only then that she realized how she emphatically wanted to leave her grandfather’s universe.

  Before Cassie could shift gears and pay attention to Barash again, she found herself in his arms with his lips plastered to hers. Her initial response was surprise, followed by revulsion. Even if she did not have a soul mate, she had not given Barash permission to kiss her.

  The more Cassie fought his embrace, the more Barash tightened his hold on her. Anger the likes she never felt before continued to build within her. She knew it was not her anger, but Darden’s. Their soul mate channel was mending and Darden was mad enough to kill.

  She hoped the bastard would stick his tongue in her mouth so she could bite it off. Although she continued to struggle, no one around her seemed to notice or care that Cassie did not welcome Barash’s attention or touch. The crowd had been worked up into a frenzy and Barash was feeding off the power the group generated. There was no question that her grandfather was not the only man in this universe to fear.

  It was unlikely Darden and her friends were going to be able to work their way through the crowd and liberate her from Barash. Cassie took her fingernails and started to claw at Barash’s face. She felt herself lifted off the floor and Barash started to carry her out of the chamber. He carried her as if she weighed no more than a feather. The crowd started chanting something she did not understand. Where was he taking her and what was his purpose? She doubted he was taking her to her grandmother’s house.

  Darden and his friends fought the crowd. They struggled to reach Cassie, but people were trying to exit through the doors behind them. His single focus was to rescue Cassie from her grandfather and Barash Kleyman. Neither of the men had Cassie’s interests as their number one priority.

  He felt the soul mate channel grow in strength, but it did not have the capacity to carry conversations. At this point, only feelings were transmittable. From Cassie he felt anger, frustration, and fear. As the volume in the chamber increased, so did Cassie’s anxiety level. Darden needed to reach his soul mate before either Jeryl Jarlyn or Barash Kleyman rushed her out of the Prime Council’s chamber.

  The communal pathways were filled with nothing but adoration for the young woman who would replace her grandfather one day. Most of Darden’s focus was on the communication coming through the warrior channel. Koel was able to situate himself closer to Cassie during the ceremony. He had not been caught with the rest of them in Jeryl Jarlyn’s greeting room. His cousin’s tactical thinking helped him stay one step ahead of their group.

  “Barash Kleyman is attempting to carry Cassie out of the hall,” Koel communicated through the warrior link. “She is putting up a hell of a fight. That girl is as slippery as a bar of soap in the shower. The Palace Guard are surrounding both the couple and Jeryl Jarlyn. Their first priority will be to see to the safety of the Prime Ruler and then Cassie. I will try to get to her before they are able to evacuate Jeryl Jarlyn.”

 

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