Cloud Riders (Lord of the Planets) (43 page)

The tour finished way too quickly. Or did the day magically shorten? Cassie was sad when it was over as this was now when they all had to part ways.

Packed and ready to leave, they all stood around saying their goodbyes as they parted ways. Woody held her for a very long time before she left. They had an attachment none of the others would ever understand. ‘See you in a couple of days, Cass,’ he smiled. ‘I miss you already,’ he whispered before he let her go.

‘Ditto,’ she said, wiping the tears from her eyes.

Ella just hugged Cassie and chuckled. ‘Honestly, you two! You would think you’re not going to see each other for months!’

Woody wrapped his arms around both of them. ‘My girls.’ He kissed them both, chuckling.

Ella slapped him. ‘You’ll get “my girls” when I’m finished with you! Get out of here, she’s our girl,’ she joked with him, giving Cassie one last hug. ‘Come back safe,’ she said. ‘He’ll be impossible to live with if you don’t.’

That, on its own finished off the day perfectly.
Ella and I have become friends
. Cassie was now looking forward to seeing her when she finished her holiday and felt a happy glow as they drove way.

It was late when they arrived home and exhausted from the trip, went straight to bed. Next morning Tremaine knocked on the door as they were having breakfast to let Kayden know he had just checked the horses and as requested, Zoltan and Starburst were in the barn. He was in a hurry to go milk the cows but told Kayden he would keep an eye on the horses until the boys came back from Perth.

Kayden gave him a thick envelope full of cash. He paid him very well to care for their prize horses and Cassie wondered if Tremaine ever questioned why. Even though he was Conor’s brother, Tremaine would have no idea just how vitally important they really were.

The constellation
Aquarius with a Twist

Putting Cassie on the horse for the first time in months, Kayden’s heart pounded. For such a long time it had been Woody helping her and at first he’d told himself he didn’t give a damn and would trot off without waiting for them. Nevertheless, his heart ached. She was letting another do something that always gave him such pleasure.

To watch her transform was indescribable. If he said it nearly made him weep to see such beauty would be closer to the feeling. Not to do it was ten times worse and the pit of his stomach would twist with hatred for Woody.
Yet, how can I blame him when it is my fool fault for letting her go? My job! Mine at last and mine forever
. He picked up her hand and kissing it, put the reins into them like old times and smiled happily. Kayden felt a burst of power surge from his excitement at being with Cass again and doing a somersault, he flew through the air on a high and landed on Zoltan. He always disciplined the boys when they did that.
But hell, they’re not here to see.

They arrived on Aquarius at mid-morning. Kayden hadn’t expected such a huge water park. It was many times bigger than any he had ever seen.

Aquarius had never had the need for the Cloud Riders; therefore this was Kayden’s first visit. He grinned, realising now why she had never needed them. With Aqua being Aldebaran’s girlfriend he’d never allow anything to happen to one of his friends, never mind his girlfriend. Aqua was very lucky that she had such power overseeing her world. Many others were not so lucky, especially the ones Aldebaran called his enemy.

Kayden took a deep breath and cleared out his thoughts, putting work aside. This was a honeymoon for Cassie and he wanted her to enjoy it. He had to see Aldebaran as her father and not his enemy for the time being. He had grown to trust Cassie’s instincts and something told him she would work this out with him later when she was ready.

The servants took the horses and Kayden noticed that her father was now outside Aqua’s castle waiting for them.

‘Here goes then, good and evil under one roof. I must be in love,’ he joked as he took her hand and they walked over to him.

Aqua was also standing with him and waved to Cass, looking excited. They were keeping good their promise to spend time with them there. As they neared, Cassie couldn’t wait a second longer and let go of his hand to run to Aldebaran’s arms like a child. With his arms outstretched, he snatched her up, swinging her around and laughing.

Kayden had to bite his lip with the reflected emotion she surged through to him. It is one of the many pleasures of being linked to her, Kayden thought as he watched their joy in seeing each other and wondered what her life would have been like if her father had been allowed access to her. It was endearing. And in that moment he wished to the heavens above that Aldebaran’s eyes would be opened; that he would never destroy the love she offered so freely.

Cassie stood back next to Kayden, pointing out the slides in the park she most enjoyed. ‘I’m sure Aqua has added some new ones,’ she looked about. ‘Watch this!’ She slipped off her clothes, revealing a pair of blue bathers the same bright colour as her eyes. ‘Pretty cool, hey? You try it.’ She came over, helping him take off his top, she was so eager to get going.

Kayden grinned at her impatience. She already had his fly undone and as he slipped them down, she was right: black board shorts magically appeared.

‘Whatever you’re around, your clothes just seem to know. I’ve even noticed they change colour under certain conditions. Last time I was here the magic dressed me in a golden one piece,’ she responded to his amazed look, pulling him by the hand to join her. The boys and he had removed their clothes before but only for a roll in the hay with a lassie. He guessed the magic must just know when they wanted them off completely or when they needed them replaced. Or was this another of Cassie’s powers that she was passing on to them?
No doubt it is.

‘Come on, old man,’ she called out to Aldebaran just before she dove in.

Kayden was still laughing when he hit the water. He couldn’t believe she would call the most powerful man in the universe an old man
.
Her dad was on her heels and she was laughing as he came up holding her. Aldebaran winked at Kayden before throwing her high in the air towards him. She squealed with delight and hugged Kayden tightly as he caught her.

For the next few hours Kayden and Aldebaran were dragged around the circuit by Kayden’s playful little kitten as she jumped from him to her father, keeping them both on their toes as they never quite knew which one she would throw herself at next. She trusted them both completely and Kayden began to trust her father with her as well. Who would believe a cranky and bad-tempered wizard unable to even converse with them on any level because he was generally so moody could be such a gentle soul? His love for her was so raw it was visible in every look, every movement. When he held her it was as if he held a delicate artefact, one that might break if held too tight. Yet he held her with a passion that no man would ever be able to pry her from his hands unless he let her go. She was right. He would have been a good father with every ounce of his being. That was what he was right now.

When they got out, Kayden held a towel for her and she came over for a cuddle, sitting on his lap while they talked to Aldebaran and Aqua. Kayden watched Aldebaran with Cassie chatting and laughing together. It was easy to see that he meant more to her than Kayden had originally thought, and her, him. This was no game to him at all. Kayden would have picked that up in a minute. No—her dad was genuine, yet it was beyond him how in a couple of days he would put aside what was now so obvious—all this love—and take up arms against her, putting her in such danger.

Kayden figured all he could do was sit back and let it all unfold. He knew this girl-woman would never join her father and walk on the side of evil. He knew her too well. Therefore, in the end, this would be about what he would be prepared to lose his daughter or Orion’s Belt, the section of the universe he and Conom fought to take over.

Aqua put on a lovely spread of delicious treats that Kayden knew were all Cassie’s favourite foods and after they sat and enjoyed the afternoon, chatting and getting to know one another. It was Cassie who made the first move, getting up and stretching. Aldebaran suggested that Kayden take her for a rest before dinner. Aqua took them inside to show them where the guest room was.

The main room to her palace was dazzling to say the least. It was light and airy and glistened the same as the water outside. The walls were a pale blue and the floor was a highly polished white tile. On the tiles were large, sky-blue plush carpet squares where elegant white leather lounges and recliners had been placed, maybe to prevent scratching the high-gloss tiles.

The guest room was unique. The walls were the same blue as the rest of the rooms, only the roof was dark blue. Hundreds of tiny down lights lit up the ceiling depicting the many constellations in the sky. The luxuriously oversized bed had a star-shaped bed head and the veiling that surrounded it had little golden stars embroidered into the netting. Positioned under the bed was a massive star-shaped rug that you sank into so deep that it gave you the impression you were walking on a cloud. The furniture was pure white, including the leather two-seater that sat against royal blue drapes, drawn so you could see the water park from the private balcony.

They went to clean up in a light, marble-textured en suite that had silver and blue star taps and mirrors.

They cuddled on the bed. Cassie was totally in love with the room, saying what a nice person Aqua was and how comfortable she was making her feel. He ran his hand down her back until she dozed off. He wondered if his home was really enough for her but not once had she ever said she missed all the finery she grew up with. He was never one for material possessions and never had been but if she wanted more, he hoped that she knew he would give it to her.
Shit, I would give her the Goddamned universe if it was mine to give.
He finally drifted off, letting the worries of what he had compared to her new friends in the sky drift away. He held all he needed in his arms. The rest, they could work out together after their honeymoon was over.

One of the maidens knocked, came in and woke them for dinner. They showered and made their way down. They both laughed as their clothes changed with the influence of the room. Cassie now wore a light-blue evening gown with silver stars embossed into the material. Even her silver heels had stars on them. Kayden’s shirt was white with buttons the shape of stars. His dinner jacket had a hanky in the pocket that matched Cassie’s dress. He was so glad the magic didn’t give him bloody stars on his shoes! He doubted he would live that down if the guys ever heard about it.

They were ushered into the dining room where Kayden danced his delightful wife around as they waited for her father.

‘Hi Pops.’ Cassie made Kayden aware they weren’t alone.

Aldebaran also looked refreshed so they assumed he and Aqua must have rested as well. He was so different in looks to Cassie and yet Kayden knew by just talking to him how alike they were. She was a blond-haired, blue-eyed beauty, delightfully petite with a scrumptious figure and yet still so fragile. He was a thickset bloke with a build more like a rugby player, as strong as an ox. His hair was dark and his eyes were so black they looked evil unless he looked at Cassie. It was then that they changed to an indigo blue with traces of the same sapphire shade she had in her eyes. Then and only then could he see any similarities. The love he carried for her was strong and any dumb fool could see that he absolutely adored her. The more Kayden saw them together, the harder he knew it was going to be for both of them on the battlefield.
Will I lose my only love, or will he?

As they dined, Kayden and Cassie told stories of their holiday so far, enjoying the mood that the day had put them in, although unsure as they staggered up to bed how they could have ended up so inebriated, when they barely had anything to drink.

Aldebaran practically carried Cassie to the bedroom. She staggered and sang songs, telling her father he was good fun for an old boy. He laughed at her all the way up the stairs, not once taking offence to any of her kidding. In fact, he loved it. Aldebaran whispered goodnight to her as she closed her eyes and dropped off to sleep.

Aldebaran Takes Control

Before Aldebaran left the room, he looked back at them. Kayden was hugging his daughter so gently and she, with such love in her body language, cuddled into him. They were perfect for each other and he couldn’t take one without the other, so both it would have to be. He needed to have more time with his daughter and he was determined he was going to have it.

Taking them up to bed, he had thought Kayden was going to pass out even before he made it to the bed. With all the booze mixed with the magic potion he had drunk, Aldebaran was surprised he’d even made it. He should’ve known Kayden wouldn’t give in unless Cassie was in his arms. His love and protectiveness of her was admirable and because of that he had earned a father’s respect and his daughter’s hand. He had given it freely to him but to none of those other creeps he worked for.
Them, I still want out of the way! Permanently!

Aqua had argued with him for days but he wouldn’t give in. Tonight was the night.

‘They’ll wake up tomorrow in a trance and won’t be leaving until I’m ready to let them go.’

He thought back to the night when Cassandra had first told him of her terrible childhood. He hadn’t believed her at first. He was devastated that she would disrespect her mother, the woman he had loved like no other. Then he had looked into Cassie’s eyes and deep down into her soul. He could see the tortured scars she carried, open wounds that still needed healing, scars only a father’s love could really help heal. He hated his ex for the first time ever for what she’d allowed her husband to do to Cassandra—to him! He knew in that instant he would take revenge on the people who did this to her.
And my God, she will pay for lying to me and hurting my sweet, adorable daughter.