Cloud Riders (Lord of the Planets) (46 page)

He grinned back, knowing what she meant to him and willing to give anything a go just so long as he had her in his life. Aldebaran’s eyes were misty with unshed happiness that Cassie was going to give him a second chance. He hugged her before moving over to Kayden and offering his hand apologetically. He had barely finished saying sorry when he pulled Kayden in for a group hug with them both.

It was much later that Aldebaran worked up the courage to ask if they would stay a couple more days. The more he drank the cockier he got and his nagging at Kayden finally worked. Kayden grinned, giving in and Pops was delighted. He squeezed them both and even called Kayden ‘son’.

Kayden and Cassie excused themselves to give Kayden time to contact his team and let them know the change of plans and what he wanted them to do in the meantime. Kayden used Zoltan and his own power combined to sent them a message telepathically, letting Woody know he was to continue in charge until he returned and to let him know the minute there was a problem. He asked Woody to get Tremaine to check Mother as she was nearly due to have another of Zoltan’s foals. Kayden said the boys were just as good with the horses as Tremaine but Tremaine had delivered many calves and foals on his ranch and was better to have around Mother in her condition. Cassie always smiled when he call Zoltan’s playmate ‘Mother’. Kayden had explained that Zoltan would not service any other mare.

‘Even Zoren has no answer for Zoltan’s strange behaviour,’ Kayden added.

‘He’s just in love with Mother then? That is so cute,’ Cassie smiled.

Kayden confided that Zoltan only bred when there was a need for more horses. ‘I have a feeling Zoren may have a need for another team in the future as we have plenty to replace ours if anything happens.’

‘Are there more immortals living on earth?’

‘To protect the earth you need to have an earth-bound connection—you know, be born here. I doubt we are the only ones here but if there are more they will be born in secret as our horses are and like us, something will happen to draw them to each other and eventually to us, just the way it has always been. Zoren has many teams looking after the universe and beyond.’

It was some hours later that Kayden finally found time to spend with his new wife. Aldebaran had got plastered and was sleeping it off downstairs. Kayden had outdone himself pleasing Cassie and she had enjoyed a hot shower before he even stirred. She grinned at the satisfied expression on his face as he groaned and rolled over, reaching out for her again.

‘Hey, clean girl, come and let me get you dirty again.’

‘You’re pushing it, stud. Hit the shower and make it a cold one. Don’t forget we promised to dine with Pops tonight. It’s getting late so we better get a move on.’

‘You’re so not fun when you’re at your father’s house. I’m so going to make you pay for making me share you on our honeymoon. At least I can tell the boys to nick off and they do. I say that to your father and he’ll probably turn me into a rodent or a toad, the old wizard,’ he grumped as he turned on the hot water in the shower.

Standing under warm water, he was still grumbling when Cassie threw her towel aside and jumped in the shower with him.

‘Spoilt little shit. You’re bloody ruined,’ she giggled.

‘Oh gorgeous honey pie, I’m so loving you again now,’ he chuckled, snuggling into her.

When they finally made it downstairs, they found Aldebaran sitting in an armchair, reading and relaxing.

Cassie pulled the book from her father’s hands. ‘Hi Pops, miss me?’ she smiled.

‘Every second you’re not with me,’ he growled like a big bear and tickled her until she gave him the book back.

Kayden plonked himself into the chair near him and hearing him growling, grinned. ‘So what’s for dinner, Poppa bear, porridge?’ he joked.

Aldebaran grabbed him. ‘Call me Poppa bear?’ he growled, ruffling Kayden’s hair. ‘And as for dinner, you have two choices. Conom invited us to have dinner with him tonight or if you prefer we can stay home and I can cook some porridge for you!’ He grinned and shook his head.

Kayden was amused at his humour, giving it straight back at him. He wasn’t a bad old dude after all and he was actually beginning to like the guy. ‘Conom’s invite sounds better than the gluggy crap you’d serve us up. Shit yeah, I’m in!’

Aldebaran smiled and directed attention to Cassie.

‘Let’s go then.’ Cassie was excited. ‘Come on, Pops, get up and do the transporting thingy you do. I’m starving,’ she joked with him.

Aldebaran looked amused. ‘Come here then,’ he said, standing up. ‘And there will be no stirring Conom up tonight playing cards and beating him again. He’s happy he won. Let’s just leave it at that so I don’t have to put up with him bitching after you go home.’

With that they magically appeared on the Monoceros star. Kayden told Cassie it was the home of the mystical one-horned unicorn.

Conom was overjoyed to see them and showed them around his mansion. The entrance was like walking into an atrium. It had many floors. To get to each level there was a glass elevator or if you felt up to walking, a staircase of marble trimmed with gold which twisted charmingly between each floor. On the lower level he had a gym, sauna and spa rooms for treatments and massages. On the same level was a huge cinema room for movies, complete with popcorn machine and snack bar. The next three floors were like luxury apartments complete with en suites. Viewing the one he showed them, they noticed how the light-coloured walls and floors were a contrast to the red, green and gold furnishings. The elegant curtains opened up to ceiling-to-floor balconies that allowed one to sit out under the stars at night.

The ballroom and entertaining rooms were on the top floor and the roof was their last stop. It had a lap pool that seemed to just run off the roof. The illusion was amazing. The area was fitted out with a bar and sitting at it, miles up from the ground and under the stars like that, made Cassie feel as if she were having drinks in the clouds. It was so enchanting she just sat in awe for a while, sipping her cocktail.

Kayden and Conom were talking and Conom must have seen her far-away look and asked if everything was okay. Cassie shook her head. ‘You star owners have far too much time on your hands. Your homes are so exquisite and over-the-top magical. I’m just a bit speechless.’

Conom laughed. ‘You’re thinking that what we have should be enough, right?’

She raised her eyebrow in a teasing manner. ‘Well yes, I think you and my dad need to go find a good woman each, settle down, and start making little stars to share your fortunate life.’

‘And forget about taking over more universe real-estate,’ Conom added, still grinning at Cassie as he tactfully changed the subject, taking them down to dinner. The dining table was set with a lazy Susan in the middle that turned so they could share the different dishes that came out. Conom had organised Indian cuisine and they all over ate with the delicious dishes of curries and naan breads that came out. He was a good host and went to a lot of trouble making the night for them just perfect.

After dinner, no matter how much Aldebaran protested, the cards were brought out and a game had begun.

‘So what stakes are we playing for tonight?’ Cassie asked as she shuffled.

Conom grinned. ‘You both still owe me a day out as it is. What say tonight we play for two days but somewhere on earth? Ald and I will come to you, though. We could possibly take off somewhere for a whole weekend: shooting, fishing, the works. What do you think?’

Kayden thought about it. ‘Whoever wins gets to choose the destination.’

They agreed and the hands were played.

After an hour or so of playing and when he had only won a couple of games, Conom looked at Cassie with his dark eyes squinted and a look of being sucked in. ‘You were holding back on me, girl. We need to make the stakes a little more even.’ He nudged Kayden. ‘What do you reckon, mate? Every time she wins she has to drink a shot. If the only way a man is going to beat her is when she’s flat out drunk, then so be it.’ He gestured to a servant to bring a bottle and shot glasses.

They both laughed and poured the drinks, Kayden enjoying it as much as Conom now.

‘Gang up on the princess, is it? Okay I’m up for it. The guys do this to me all the time. But don’t go all sooky la la on me if I still beat you sneaky shits.’

They both knuckle-crunched and passed Cassie her drink.

Time ticked away and so did her sense of judgement. She started to muck up the counts and giggle too much and she lost quite a bit. Everyone was happier now. They ended up kidding around and boisterous, the game became unpredictable. In the end, no one cared if they won or lost and Kayden decided to end the game when Cassie collapsed into his arms. He wasn’t much better as he held her, slurring that they had better go to bed. Cassie felt herself being lifted and realised her father had picked her up. He carried her to one of the rooms and she could see Conom arm-in-arm with Kayden, staggering behind them. Cassie was giggling at them holding each other up.

Aldebaran put her on the bed. Cassie felt the room spin. ‘Pops, I’m going to be sick,’ she whined.

‘Well, that’ll teach you for always taking up a dare. I want you to stop being so easily influenced. You will end up a drunk, Cassandra,’ he scolded.

Kayden chuckled at him scolding her. ‘Yes, Cassie, stop being a naughty girl.’

Aldebaran growled. ‘Kayden it’s not funny! You both drink far too much and you have to start controlling it.’

‘Okay, Poppa bear, point taken,’ Kayden slurred.

Aldebaran went crook at Conom next. ‘Conom help me with Cassandra. She’s going to be ill. You helped get her in this state so you can sort it out while I get Kayden into bed.’

Not my Finest Hour

Conom could tell that Ald was angry that he’d encouraged his kids to drink again. He had no idea how hooked on his damned daughter Conom was and if he did, Conom would be getting more than a cranky sneer right then.

Kayden had called out to Cassie as Ald had stomped off, carrying Cassie to bed.
Who would have guessed that a week after I nearly wiped out his team over a card game we’d become best bloody buddies?
He was a riot and too easy to like.
How we’re going to be on opposing sides in a few days’ time is beyond me.
He wanted to go home with these guys and party until they dropped. He wanted to hang with his girl and hear her laugh, watching her every expression and soaking her in until finally his eyes gave him some peace.

‘Dad’s pissed, hey?’ Kayden slurred and then chuckled as they crashed into the wall.

‘Yeah he’s pissed, buddy but not as much as I’ll be if we go through a wall. Concentrate on your walking. Your girl’s in good hands,’ Conom grumbled and then couldn’t help but grin as Kayden gave him the thumbs up and a wink. Conom put Kayden’s arm back around him. ‘Let’s give this another go. Ald will give me shit if I leave you to sleep here,’ he said as Kayden started to slide down the wall.

‘Okey-dokey, C-man,’ Kayden said, making him grin more. How could he not like this dude? There was not a damned mean bone in his body. Even growling at him didn’t ruffle him one iota.

In the bedroom, Cassie wasn’t looking too hot. She’d just said she was going to be sick and Ald was growling at her, saying she was going to end up a drunk. She looked like she was going to cry but Kayden was quick, noticing her mood immediately and making a joke of it, telling her she was naughty. She looked over and grinned at him. Ald glanced around at Kayden and went off at him for not taking better care of her.

Jeez, he is in such a bloody bad mood. He’s acting like a … father. Wow, so that is what all this is about. My mate’s gone all daddyfied on me.
Shit, he’s normally worse than I am.
Now, look at him. Bloody hell, he’s going for ‘father of the year’ for sure.
Conom wanted to laugh and hang it on him but the mood in the room was far from amusing.
Cassie is sick, my man here is hardly standing and Ald looks ready to explode.
Then the words he was dreading, that she was going to be throw up.

What am I, frigging nurse Conom?
He knew Ald wouldn’t do the sick thing, even with his own kid. Vomit made him heave.
I wish she would just let go right here to piss him off. I would never let him live that down. All the crap he puts up with and does to others and yet the smell of puke brings the big man to his knees.

Ald took Kayden while Conom whipped Cassie up in his arms and headed for the bathroom as her eyes began to roll back in her head. He left her on the floor with her head in the toilet bowl.
Thank goodness her hair has been braided and is all tied up. Washing sick out of hair is something even I refuse to do.

He went over and splashed water over his own face to sober up a bit. How was he to look after her when he felt not much better?
Is it punishment?
His face looked back at him in the mirror.
Yes, I’ve brought all this on myself and need to suck it up.

Cassie had flushed the loo for the third time and was curling up on the floor. Picking her up, he put her on the bed. She groaned again so it was back to the bathroom. This time he wasn’t mucking around, she had nothing left to throw up so it was time for something more drastic. He turned on the shower and put her under. He could hear Kayden call out for his princess but he would have to wait or come and help. Ald, the mongrel had long gone, probably at the first sounds of her heaving.
The bloody weak mongrel. I’ll get him good for this later.

Cassie started to get some colour back in her face but her lips were turning blue and she was shaking. ‘Time to come out, sweetie,’ he said, wrapping a towel around her. The clothes she had on now were drenched. ‘I’ll hold the towel up but you have to take your wet gear off, sweetie or you’ll catch a cold.’ He leant her up against the shower wall and she grinned and started to slip down the wall. ‘Whoa, steady there, little one.’ He grabbed her just in time. ‘It looks like we’re going to have to become very familiar with each other or you will catch your death.’