Cloud Riders (Lord of the Planets) (15 page)

Cassie suddenly felt a bit overwhelmed that he had chosen to love her alone, out of so many who would certainly be proud to stand beside such an exceptional man.

As they moved closer, the glow around the stars faded. Cassie was now able to see everything on the star with clarity.

Kayden’s mind cut off her thoughts.

The horses’ magical powers allow your eyes to transform so you can be this close and not suffer any glare. This is the same magic that also helps us breathe and keeps our body temperature constant. Once you adjust, Cassie, your own powers will take over and you will be able to do it on your own without the horse’s help. I must stress though that even while you can live up here, once the horse is de-bridled, you will find your powers weakened.

Cassie watched as they neared the stars of the Three Sisters. She thought how easy it was to pick the constellation from up here. They flew around the three stars while Kayden checked something out. He was quiet, not telling them what he was looking at and she thought the no-talking rule really sucked, especially when she wanted to ask so many questions.

She watched quietly and saw a current that seemed to crackle and spark out blue lights between the three stars. Kayden, obviously satisfied, moved them towards the middle star. As they flew closer, Cassie’s eyes widened as she saw the size of the enormous castles below them. Around the grounds, funny-shaped critters ran about forming lines and they stood like soldiers waiting to receive them.

Kayden tightened his grip on her and seemed nervous for her.
When we pull up, stay with Woody and do as he tells you, okay sweetheart?

It seemed they were landing. She figured she could talk now and hoped it was alright. ‘What were the blue laser lights linking the three stars?’

The sisters rule a star each. This star we are landing on belongs to the eldest sister, Adora. She is running a current between her two other sisters trying to build up a golden cloud of protection. If she can formulate enough power it should deflect the Comets if we run into trouble.

‘Nevertheless, I can hear it in your voice. You sound sceptical.’

Unfortunately yes, this is their only form of defence and I’m pleased they’re at least trying. But no, it looks doubtful that the power will build up enough in time. The connection still looks weak to me although it may give them protection against hurtling debris.

The horses landed and Kayden jumped down, allowing the soldiers to escort him into the castle. The funny-looking soldiers had armour and helmets, yet looked like something out of a
Star Wars
movie. Cassie wondered if someone else on earth had tapped into this planet to get the idea. The more human-like ones were about her height or shorter, but stocky and their skin was a dark purple. They all wore breast plates and three-quarter length pants with a robe over the outfit. She also noticed their heads seemed far too big for their bodies. The weirdest part was that they only had one eye which blinked constantly when focussing on her, as if she was too bright to look at for too long.

The team jumped off the horses and stood around having a chat while Woody came over to lift her off Zoltan. Cassie put her hands out and shook them, a bit freaked out as to what would happen if she dismounted.

‘It’s okay, you know, we are in the world of magic now. You won’t suddenly disrobe, sweetie.’ He sounded amused by her reaction.

Relieved, Cassie giggled and let him take her off the horse. The guards still surrounded them but little critters broke past their barrier, pushing and shoving to come over and touch her. She felt as if she was royalty or something the way they gushed and bowed in front of her. They began to surround her so Woody pulled out his sword and scared them away from her.

‘They’ve never seen a woman with us before and you’re glowing like an angel. The powers you have are strong anyway, amplified up here and they can feel them humming as I do. Only royalty hold such powers. That is making them inquisitive to meet you.’ He was leaning back against his horse, watching her.

Cassie looked down at her skin that was illuminated brightly, with concern.

Woody grinned, showing her that he understood her thoughts. ‘It’s okay, it suits you and not everyone will feel the hum. It surprises me that the small dogitter creatures are picking it up. They are a lot more perceptive than I thought.’

A funny-shaped hairless blue dog with six legs came up. He made a funny squeaky noise and seemed to drop his head and look shy. He made Cassie forget she was a little different. Against all these creatures she didn’t feel kooky at all. She bent down and patted it and the hexagon critter ran around in circles and came back, making her laugh. It acted excited and looked as if it were about to jump up on her when Woody grabbed Cassie from it, placing her down beside him and scared it away.

‘Sorry, Cass but you never know what powers they may have. They all look cute till they change.’ As he said it, the thing grew a big head out of its little one and snapped at him. It was clear to her it was annoyed that she was snatched away. Woody just laughed. ‘She’s mine, buzz off.’ He shooed him away.

Cassie couldn’t stop laughing as Woody scooped her into his arms and held her up so the others were unable to reach her. He made a game out of it, making the critters jump around his legs, making squeak and hooting noises.

Jason came over and scared them away. ‘Quit stirring up the dogitters, man. You know it pisses the boss off.’

‘Bloody pests wouldn’t leave her alone and anyway I like her laugh. Stuff him.’

Jason grinned and rubbed his forehead. ‘Jeez, man, I hear you. She has us all by the balls looking like this but his mood’s high. Let the rest of us just enjoy it for five, will you?’

Woody smirked mischievously as he put Cassie down. ‘Until later, giggles.’

When Kayden came back to them his face was expressionless but his eyes held an ‘I told you so’ look in them. ‘The sisters have put measures in place and as I thought they are not hopeful but were pleased to see us arrive. Adora asked us to join her and her sisters for a celebration dinner if all goes well.’

Woody rolled his eyes and pounded fists with Jason. ‘Remember last time, man? We drank so much the horses barely knew their way home from the intoxicating smell.’ He laughed. ‘I’m in.’

‘Me too,’ Jason agreed.

‘We’re in,’ Ethan and Conor spun around and joined in.

‘Me too. I reckon after all this weirdness I’ll need a drink or two. I’m there with you guys on this one.’ Cassie breathed out heavily.

Kayden lifted Cassie up on Zoltan. ‘I’m only gone a minute and you’ve sided with my men already!’ He jumped up behind her. ‘Looks like majority rules but I have to warn you, princess, they have already heard about you from Zoren so be prepared for an initiation into their world. It should be some night.’ He grinned and wrapped an arm around her waist. He bent close to her ear. ‘I have a little initiating I want to do with you on our own so save a little of that fun for me, gorgeous.’

Cassie wiggled up against him. His breath was hot against her as a pleasurable sound escaped his mouth. ‘You are so bad, girl!’

She giggled. ‘That’s just me giving you a sample of what’s in store for you, my yummy toh revol.’

He threw his head back and laughed and the enjoyable sound he made in this world of magic floated around them. The others stopped chatting and swung around.

‘Hey man, what’s the joke? It must be a doozy for you to laugh before a mission,’ Jason said as he mounted his ride with one easy motion.

Kayden was still looking amused. ‘Private, boys. Ready?’

They nodded as they too mounted their horses, still surveying their unusually happy leader.

Kayden bent down and whispered, ‘Yummy hot lover, hey? With you, my love, to keep that title will be an honour.’

Introduction into the Stars

Commanding the horses and team was not easy this trip. Cassie’s nerves had accelerated her powers and she was giving off an exquisite current. Woody and Jason were way too close, chatting to Cassie. Woody said something funny to her and she giggled at him, causing Kayden’s hackles to come up. Shit! One girl and four damned competing males to fight off every time a man wants attention, he thought moodily. Stuff them. They can go get their own bloody woman. This one’s mine. Mine! He grumbled within and almost sent them the message through telepathy. He was feeling so protective of his woman and wrapped his arm around her possessively.

Enough chatter, guys. Settle down. We’re nearly there.

At the mention that they were nearly there, Cassie stiffened and her heart pumped far too quickly. She was scared and the men could feel it and were obviously keeping her mind off it. He kicked himself for getting all bull-headed and jealous.

You okay, sweetheart?
He relayed just to her.

She nodded.

Just remember, my men and I are used to handling these situations on our own. Therefore if you find a glitch with your powers, don’t sweat it. It’s not as if we’re up against a Supernova. We have you covered, okay, honey?

‘What’s a Supernova?’

Novas form from the death of an extremely massive star generally many times heavier than our sun. The star core reaches a certain mass or density limit and then explodes and the outer crust breaks away and travelling thousands of kilometres a second, destroying anything in its path.

Her silence told him that she got it and it was just one more bit of information he knew she would store away in that astute mind of hers. He found her so very intriguing the way she processed data, never needing further discussions. It was as if the lessons learned unlocked another part of the universal knowledge already deep inside her. She did it often and it fascinated him.

You knew that all ready though, hey, princess?

She leaned back into him. ‘Yes and much more. Yet I’m not sure how.’

Kayden squeezed his goddess, certain now that this was what she was. However, using his gift of selected telepathy that controlled who he could send his thoughts to and what he kept personal, he decided not to reveal this thought to the team or her for fear he might frighten her further. Her little heart was pumping louder and faster by the minute. ‘You belong here, princess. It’s the magic inside you,’ he whispered in her ear.

She turned her head slightly and he saw that her eyes reflected deep into her soul, ancient knowledge flickering within them.

Kayden had no idea why she had been sent to him yet he knew instantly that he would have to show great patience for what lay ahead in their future. Yes, he thought, settling her back in front of him as they arrived at the coordinates. He would go to the ends of the universe to keep her safe and protected.

As soon as they stopped, Kayden could feel that something was wrong. Moving his men and their horses into combat positions, he viewed the intruding Comets. He was picking up a different sound behind them. Ethan had extra-sensitive hearing up here and seeing his back go rigid confirmed that there was a disturbance behind the Comets.

Ethan, what you hearing, man?

He signalled three, plus something scattered behind it. Kayden waited for him to pick up what it was before he reacted. The rumbling and the speed of the Comets were disguising a threat they both knew was coming but until it came closer they were both clueless.

Zoltan, get your stallions ready for anything. If this goes down the way I’m feeling it will the Comets are not our only threat.

Ethan picked it up first and signalled Kayden.

Okay, men, we have a problem. Ethan’s just picked up that the Comets are magnetising and dragging meteors—some the size of a cricket field—with them. It looks like Aldebaran and Conom have broken the treaty with Zoren. This is not only a deliberate attack on the Three Sisters but us as well.

The team all looked surprised but not one of them showed fear, just pure and workable anger toppling into rage. Rage was not good.

Okay, I’m feeling you men, just settle. Anger is good—use it but don’t lose it and rage out on me. Last time you took some good with you so chill, okay? With all the missiles he’s sending our way it’ll be tough but we also have an advantage. In the wizard’s vision of this attack he mustn’t have foreseen our secret weapon. None of us knew Cassie would be on this trip. Let’s just say that tonight is as good a time as any to introduce evil himself to our demolition specialist.

The men all signalled with thumbs up that they agreed that Cassie was going to be some force to be reckoned with. Cassie didn’t move a muscle but her hackles were up, prickling the hair on Kayden’s arm where he held her. She had sat up straight from the minute they arrived, statue-perfect, alert as an alley cat ready to pounce. Her power was taking over her fear and replacing it with readiness for what lay ahead and he could feel her heart pacing comfortably now, her energy spiking and humming through him. Kayden analysed it and for what was coming he knew he needed much more from her.

Zoltan, reposition the squad. Give me double the parsec between the two teams. Jason and Conor, your target is the Comet on the left. Woody, you and Ethan handle the one on the right. Cassie will pick up anything floating in between. Well, we love a challenge, men and this is a doozy. Keep your wits about you; watch each others’ backs. I’ll be monitoring the debris. Keep yourselves tight with your ride in case I have to pull you out of the way of some rubble.

They nodded and signalled when they were ready. Kayden could feel them all link and start building their magic.

Woody, I need you to control the team’s power tonight. I have to concentrate on getting Cassie ready. You’ve got the control.

Woody gave him the thumbs up as Zoltan moved the horses as instructed. Knowing that the men knew what to do, Kayden placed his hands on Cassie’s shoulders. He hated the thought of even doing this. He knew he needed to give her a couple of sessions with Woody to teach her how to use her gift without anger but for now he had to work with what he had. He firmed his grip on Cassie’s shoulders, not enough to bruise but enough to cause her an uncomfortable throbbing. Sorry, but I need more than I’m feeling from you, princess—time to get you angry, he thought, hating this part.
You still dream about Alex’s kisses, don’t you? He must have been good to keep you away from me so long.