by Debbie Behan
‘Give it a rest, Jase. Yes, yes and yes to it all. My problem is whether she’ll handle taking orders from me. You know how I get when the mission takes me over.’
‘Yeah, we know. You can become a real prick if we stuff up but we get it and understand. You have a big responsibility up there and it drains you guiding us through it. But if she’s meant to be one of us, she’ll get it as we do.’
Kayden laughed. ‘You don’t have to be quite so Goddamned honest.’
‘Just keeping it real, dude. Hey! The guys are pulling up,’ Jason said, watching out the window. ‘We better get out of here unless you want them finding out about your sleeping beauty before you’re ready to bring her out of the closet. I can’t imagine with a mission in progress that you feel like explaining your new secret weapon.’
‘Good point. Not in the mood to clash with the boys tonight,’ Kayden said, getting up, kissing Cassie on the cheek and smoothing her hair back. ‘Sleep tight, little one.’
Jason chuckled. ‘Crikey, you have it bad, man. Have you slept with her yet?’
‘Jase, I’m not going there with you.’
‘So, I take that as a big fat no. You’re losing your touch and your balls, man.’
Kayden pushed the stirring lug out the room. Jason laughed so hard Kayden had to cover his goddamned mouth. ‘You could wake her. Quit your crap, Jase! I mean it.’
Jason put his hands up. ‘I give, okay? Cool it, dude.’
Woody, Conor and Ethan had already started getting the horses ready when Kayden and Jason reached the barn.
‘What’s on, boss?’ Conor asked Kayden.
Kayden looked around at his men. Woody, Jason, Conor and Jason’s brother, Ethan had been riding with him for as long as he could remember. They were a good, steady bunch who knew him like the backs of their hands. He roughly scraped his fingers through his hair, wondering if he could really join up a female. How would she add to the mix when none of them including himself could stand a female being around for longer than a few months? Yet here he was, considering the crazy notion. Cassie was different though and he wanted them to get to know her first. Yet every minute he had with her was precious and to share her was not easy for him to cope with. Even the night she spent in town with Jason nearly did him in.
He had been a hair’s breadth away from marching into town, throwing her over his shoulder and bringing her home when he’d heard Jason’s car in the distance. He grinned at how jealous he’d became, yelling at her like it was her fault any guy would want to be around her. Due to having such little self-esteem she had no idea how truly adorable she was. He’d felt like a real heel when she came to him and apologised. Apologise for what? Being the most beautiful woman on the frigging planet? Yeah right! Wait until this lot see her. He sighed deeply and felt sure he would lose her if he didn’t make her his by then. He groaned deeply, knowing just how badly he wanted to.
He eyed Jason as they hounded him as to why the boss never partied with the stars or stayed out late after a mission anymore. How long Jase could keep his mouth shut was also an issue. Kayden had to admit though he was impressed with his loyalty.
‘Boss, you in there?’ Conor asked, waving a hand in front of Kayden’s eyes. The action and look of concern snapped Kayden out of his thoughts and back into reality.
‘Sorry, man, mind’s elsewhere tonight, unlike you, hey?’ he said, slapping Conor on the shoulder. ‘Just a rescue mission, guys, in and out. I’ve already plotted the course so we’re good to go.’
‘What princess has Aurus kidnapped this time?’ Woody had guessed it already.
Woody was more astute than the others and his powers went well beyond those of the rest of the team. Truth be known, Kayden knew he could send Woody on his own and just his presence alone would frighten the crap out of Aurus although he knew Zoren would freak out if he split up the team. They had their allies but they also had their enemies. Getting a chance to pick one of them off would be their adversary’s greatest joy and sending a team member alone was a sure way of getting him killed.
Putting the bridle on his horse, Kayden turned to face Woody. ‘Princess Eda was visiting friends and on her way home, ended up a little lost and went through Taurus’s constellation without permission. We all know how much Aurus loves a princess and her being on his land without authorisation is a good excuse for him to abduct her.’
‘You mean give him time to seduce her?’ Jason commented, only saying what the rest of the team was thinking.
Kayden winced knowingly and agreed. ‘What he is doing is within their laws and yes, he knows it. After all, he caught her on his land. When we get her out I hope she’s learnt this time.’
Jason jumped up on his horse. ‘Poor Perseus must be beside himself. How many times has he rescued the chained princess? Normally when she wanders off he finds her just chained to a rock and he easily saves her. However, this time there is no rock. It’s Aurus from Taurus. As we know, Perseus recently made a pact with Aurus. It must be frustrating for him not to be able to charge in there and grab the princess he has sworn to save, no matter who has her.’
Kayden mounted his horse. ‘Agreed. He sounded disheartened when I spoke to him but cheered up when I told him the parents had come up with a plan. King Cepheus and Queen Cassiopeia have cut a deal with their neighbour, Cetus. They will let him court their daughter if he helps them get her back. Aurus loves to go whale hunting with Cetus, so Cetus is giving us permission to barter for him. He will refuse Aurus access to his whales unless the princess is returned.’
Woody mounted his horse in one slick movement. ‘I didn’t know Cetus has a thing for the Princess Eda. He has always hated her.’ He sounded surprised.
‘Love and hate walk a fine line. Cetus is apparently beside himself with jealousy that she might be canoodling up to Aurus and falling for his charms. The king tells me he is almost feral—wants to blow Aurus and his constellation out of existence.’
Conor and Ethan punched knuckles and back-flipped onto their horses. Woody, Jason and Kayden cracked up laughing.
‘They must have spent hours behind our backs practicing that one,’ Woody commented, still looking amused.
‘Show-offs pulled it off too,’ Jason added.
‘Come on, guys. I know you want to impress the ladies up there but you’ll turn us into a frigging circus act.’ Kayden choked away the laughter behind his discipline. Still amused and enjoying the time with his team, Kayden instructed Zoltan to take the lead. Zoltan felt Kayden’s every thought and needed no prompting as he trotted off in front.
Kayden’s mind wondered back to Cassie again. She was never far from his thoughts because just as Zoltan had picked him all those years ago, so had the new foal picked Cassie. Kayden could see this resemblance in the way the Zoltan’s offspring could understand Cassie, even as young as he was. The talent she held within her even now, without training and before she’d gone through the transition into immortality, he found remarkable and in fact a miracle in itself.
Kayden wondered if she even understood she would become immortal. It angered him that her parents had done her such an injustice. The kid’s going to feel messed up for a few weeks, never mind the change she’ll undergo physically. He fretted silently for her situation. Kayden and Jason had discussed at length when they would break it to her. She wouldn’t be aware of anything magical thanks to her ignorant and cruel parents. For a woman it was hard as it was rare afterwards for them to carry children. They both knew Cassie was only just starting to feel confident and happy again and the last thing she needed was for another blow to hit her just yet. His poor, innocent sweetheart had her work cut out for her once she came into her own but come hell, rain or shine, he intended to see her through it.
Zoltan trotted out to the paddock towards the portal where the clouds would take Kayden and his team up into the sky and to the stars above. Tonight Kayden was in a
good mood and had allowed talking until they reached the paddocks, unlike other nights when he would cut the chatter as soon as they mounted their horses.
‘So, our mission, guys, is to make the deal, deliver the Princess Eda back to her home world, the constellation Andromeda, and get back here before dawn,’ Kayden reiterated.
‘What, no drinks with Cetus?’ Woody glanced at him and frowned. ‘What’s the rush, boss?’
Jesus, this secret is really doing my head in. How do I tell them it’s because I have a beautiful woman in my bed? Even the thought of her being in his bed—her smell, her hair falling across the pillow—made him hard. Jeez! Get a grip, man, he thought, moving in the saddle, trying to get himself comfortable. He had to get back to his woman and no way did he want booze on his breath. He already felt guilty enough linking her to him and keeping her in a comatose state while they were gone. ‘Sorry, mate, have a horse in foal.’ A little white lie won’t hurt. Kayden sucked in his breathe as he heard Jason stifle a laugh that the others didn’t notice.
‘Jeez, boss, we could have organised Conor’s brother to horse-sit. Damn, it has been ages since we caught up with the duke. We men were hoping to get in a bit of whale watching and maybe have a mermaid or two for a bit of variety. Sex in the water, K, you can’t beat it.’ Woody and Conor pounded fists.
‘Guys shush, another time. Enough please. Tonight, we save the princess and drop her off. End of story. Now the lot of you quiet down and quit bitching or you know what happens on the way up if you don’t.’
There was not another peep out of them. Kayden could make their trip damned uncomfortable and they knew it. He felt bad he was spoiling their fun. Hell, a couple of months ago he would have been the one insisting on a visit to Cetus’s constellation but Kayden had no choice. He had to come clean about Cassie with them, but not now. He wanted to talk to Zoren first. I’ll ring him tomorrow. He’ll understand that it is important for Cassie to feel completely happy before I put all this on her. The last few days she had been quiet, somewhere else. He hoped she was not thinking about leaving him. He cursed himself for kissing her and ruining the trust she had in him.
The trip was long, giving him too much time to think about her face, her lips and God, that incredible body. I am in love, a goner, from that very first day. She’d been naked and bruised but still the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen. He knew it embarrassed her as he watched her change. But God, I couldn’t believe how perfect she was. Her silhouette was divine, her movements angelic. She captivated me right there. Jesus, why am I unable to commit to her? Just come right out and say it: Cassandra Wyatt, I love you. So simple. Jase is right, I have to grow some balls and tell her how I feel. Tell her what my team and I do. Kayden closed his eyes, remembering the feel of her as she rode with him and shivering, thinking how electrifying it would be to have her there right now.
Woody’s whistle ripped through his thoughts. ‘Hey, boss, who was that you imagined with you? Have you a hottie you’re not telling us about?’
Conor coughed, nearly choking himself. ‘Christ, if she’s real you better stop hiding her, man.’
Oh shytzer, Kayden thought. The magic must be so strong up here that my guarded thoughts have seeped through to them. Damn it. I’d better get the princess out of my head while we’re up here. Being so close to the team with all this magic is amplifying my feelings. Shit, shit, shit! If they think I have someone they’ll want to hang out with me when we get back. They’ll use any excuse not to go home until I give.
Jason turned to them. ‘He ain’t got anyone. Just one of Mar Bakers girl’s. She’s new. You can all visit anytime you want. They’re open twenty-four seven. Get your heads back in the game and stop pissing him off.’
Good save, Jase. Man, I owe you one.
It had been a few days since there had been any fog in the paddocks so it was all back to normal. Cassie wanted to ask Kayden why the fog made her sleep so many hours and while she slept, why her dreams were so bizarre. Maybe it is just my head injury still healing. She shrugged inwardly, helpless in knowing the reason behind it as she helped Jason set the table for dinner. The three of them had been having a lot of fun and why that thought had just popped into her head surprised her. Although maybe it’s just the stress of loving someone I can never have, she reasoned with herself, eyeing Jason as he joked with Kayden. Maybe I could try to love someone else to take my mind off him. Jason is a sweet and caring person. Maybe …
‘Hey, girl, where’s your head? I just asked what you were doing on the weekend. I was thinking about having friends over for a BBQ. You interested?’ Jason asked, putting his arm around her and grinning. ‘Will you come?’
Yes, it’s time I moved on. She felt that Kayden didn’t need her hanging around like a lovesick puppy. She nodded. ‘Sure, love to.’
Jason looked happy with himself as he helped Kayden finish dishing up. After his invitation, the air between Kayden and Cassie was thick. Maybe he guessed she was giving up. However, she thought, that should make him happy, not annoyed. As soon as Jason goes, I’m going to sort this out. If he doesn’t want me here anymore, he only has to say.
Before Jason left, he placed Kayden and Cassie’s hands together.
‘What are you waiting for, K? Just let nature take its course. Even on my date she couldn’t stop thinking about you, mate. If she knocks you over the other side of the room just suck it up and get back on the horse, so to speak.’ He laughed and left.
Cassie stood and went to clean up the dishes from the table. ‘Jason is no fool but he really had that all wrong. You should have told him you only see me as a friend, Kayden.’
‘Is that what you think, Cassie?’
‘Kayden, please. I slept in your bed for two weeks and you barely touched me after we kissed. I know you think I’m just a bit of fun to have around and that is fine. Honest. I would sooner keep you as my friend than not have you in my life at all. Forget about Jason’s stupid comment but next time just tell him the truth so he drops it.’ She tossed her exasperation at Kayden.
‘Cassie, sit down and talk to me. I can see I’ve hurt you and we need to talk.’
He pulled out the chair next to him for her to sit.
Cassie stayed standing at the bench, unable to talk to him so close. ‘Kayden, you have nothing to apologise for. It was my first kiss: always the most unforgettable, no doubt. I’m new at all this and impressionable.’ She tried to smile, doing what she could to prevent him from seeing how truly wounded she was from his rejection. ‘I’m young and sure I’ll find another that will make me feel as you did. Only hopefully next time they will feel as I do too.’ She wrung her hands in the tea towel, not wanting to sound ungrateful. Pulling it together, she gave him a nice polite smile. ‘Although I have to admit you will be a hard act to follow.’
He glared at her, speechless. Under his gaze, she felt embarrassed for saying so much. She hurried outside to get some fresh air, cursing for being so open and still feeling his eyes that had burned into her as she spoke. What’s wrong with me? I should have just let it go. Now he’s probably packing my bags for me as we speak.
She heard his footsteps and the screen door open. Her cheeks burned with shame for speaking up and if she could have willed it she would have opened up the floor and let it suck her into it. She was so glad it was dark.
‘Cassie, please let me explain,’ he said, slipping his hand into hers.
She sighed, trying to find the words to stop him worrying. It was so humiliating. She glanced quickly at his kind, worried face and wished she could find something clever to say to put it behind them. ‘It’s life, Kayden, so don’t feel bad. My whole life has been just like this. I love, I care, I get hurt but guess what, I survive. None of this is your fault. It was only a kiss.’ Cassie felt drained, unable to take away his worried look.
He put his finger to her mouth. ‘Hush, little one. Now it is your tur
n to listen to me. When you came to me, I hurt you terribly, both physically and mentally. Every day I suffered, watching you smile through bruises I helped cause and patiently waiting for me to believe in you. When we had proof that you were not a threat you forgave my arrogance and I swore to myself that if you stayed with me I would never hurt you again. Now, through my promise I have hurt you once more.’ He held both her hands and faced her. ‘You are the most desirable woman I have ever seen. I want you so badly that at nights I fear to touch you in case I can’t stop. If I make love to you it might not be pleasant; you know how strong I am. I’m not normal, Cassie. The longing and hunger for you is primal. I’ve never felt like this before and it may make me lose control. I can’t bear it if I scare or God forbid, hurt you. I really am sorry, princess. I should have told you how I felt. It has confused you, making you think I don’t feel as you do.’
Listening to him, Cassie understood how easy it was to get your wires crossed. She had never thought that one of her minor fears had been one of his major ones. She couldn’t blame him for not talking to her about it. After all it was she who had pulled away and refused to discuss it, instead preferring to believe she was unworthy of anyone’s love and that that was the end of it. Cassie wiped away the dejected tears that had run quietly down her face. ‘There is a first time for every woman in the world, Kayden and they all survive. I’m not normal either if you hadn’t noticed. Maybe we will be perfect, maybe not. If we don’t try then how will we ever know? If you hurt me, I have the power to protect myself.’ She cocked an eyebrow at him and amused at the thought, said, ‘Would you really prefer my first to be with someone else ... maybe Jason?’
