by Debbie Behan
Caitlin’s mind went to the day in the snow, this spa and how happy she felt. Jett should be proud of what he has, yet his eyes cannot see it.
When he came back, she dressed in the tracksuit, slippers and toasty warm robe he gave her. Jett had started cooking so joined him in the kitchenette where they chatted while he made dinner. To her surprise, he had thought already about the dome to cover his kingdom, and the reason why he would go ahead with it sat uneasily with Caitlin. It was a devious diversion to give him time to work out how to tell his family about her. She chipped him on it, and he continued to try and explain.
‘I promised not to fight while you are here and this will give me a cover story as to why I have to put the war on hold; the excuse is that I have to be here to oversee it.’
‘You still intend to move from here, even after you do all that work.’
‘Don’t think this changes anything. I still intend to honour my family’s legacy and rule a planet again. The plan to take over Mercury is a done deal.’
Caitlin felt disappointed he hadn’t taken the project seriously. He was unable to see the modern construction would enhance his entire existence and bring great happiness. She rolled her eyes. ‘You have so much to learn, grasshopper.’ She shook her head and gave a look a mother would give a child that didn’t get it, but would.
‘Give me trouble Red, and you’ll find yourself in my Underworld with the pests of my past,’ he teased.
She laughed at his threat, her clean hair glossy as she tossed it back, her green eyes bright and mysterious and her face vibrant. At this very moment, Caitlin caught his breath with her beauty, and he knew it would not matter what he did to her or said; she was his always. And even though it scared him, he would never betray that trust he saw in her.
Caitlin was aware that to push it further at this stage would have been pointless. He had promised to stand down from the war for the interim. The project for him would be life changing and at least it was going ahead. It meant peace for a short time, and that was all she could ask of him for now. Since joining the Cosmic Riders, life had been gruelling, and lessons left no room for error or fun. She had learned much, but nothing had prepared her for this. She was running on instincts and knew if there was to be a peaceful outcome to this war, she was in the right hands, and it was going to take time. With a stretch, she felt better and was going to enjoy every minute with this man who had worked his way into her very soul. He kept her alive and safe from his family’s clutches and for this alone she was deeply in his debt. Time here with the god that passed judgement on the dead, did sound scary, but he called her friend, and for that, she wished him happiness and intended to direct him towards the happier future she saw for him.
When they moved to the table, still mulling over what they had been talking about had him hesitate. He picked up his knife and fork and then placed them back on the table. ‘Gees Glow, I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. If my family finds out I have lied and you’re here with me….’ His voice was soft, almost a whisper.
She felt his stress. ‘Yes, your family will be cross, but they will forgive you.’
‘What about your friends and Axon? Will they forgive you for staying?’ He raised a brow.
‘I’ll just have to leave that up to fate. I have no crystal ball to see into the future. If our families do forgive us, I’d say the worst case scenario is we’ll be kept from each other. It may be centuries before we can revisit this friendship again. So we might as well make this moment in time together, worth it.’
He held up his goblet of Ambrosia and touched it to her glass of chilled water. ‘Let’s not worry then and just deal with it when the time comes.’
She nodded. ‘Good plan.’
Jett talked about his wife and the love he had for her while he devoured his steak.
Caitlin listened to his dilemma and decided to change the topic to keep him in good spirits. ‘Now Jett, the way I see it is you’re with a gorgeous redhead who you recently spent time with, naked may I add, yet still, you miss and pine for your wife. Awe sweetie… does your family know what a big softy you are?’ She received a flick on the arm with his fingers for her cheekiness.
‘That will bruise.’
‘A good reminder of your evil dinner companion.’
‘Sod.’ She grinned, rubbing away the sting. ‘I will never wash this arm again. Ah, bliss! To eat with a god, I’m just all in awe!’ She fanned herself.
They both laughed, but it set the mood for the rest of the evening. Jett would growl, and it egged Caitlin on to stir him further. With his constant laughter, it was easy for her to see he enjoyed her company. She guessed his position as, deity and Ruler of the Underworld, would keep many from kidding with him. It dawned on her what had attracted Jett to her that very first night. Not her power? No! He liked the way she treated him like a normal person.
As they ate, they discussed many ideas about the dome project. Some were sensible, but a lot were crazy notions that broke them up into hysterics. Jett was light hearted and nothing like she imagined this so-called severe tyrant would be. He did have a few devilish ideas though and saw quite a lot of the real Hades came through as the Starstarter he gulped down took over. He didn’t frighten her, but she did take a little step back and calmed the situation. There were two sides to Jett, and she would keep it in mind not to stir him when he drank that divine elixir.
At her noticeable silence, his shoulders sank. ‘I’m sorry Glow,’ he apologised and held up his goblet. ‘I think I’ve had way too much of this tonight and maybe shouldn’t drink so much while around you.’
‘That can be easily fixed.’ She nudged him as they sat side by side on the couch. ‘Give me back my powers so I can dump you out in that snow and cool your wheels if you try anything on me, and you can have as many glasses of that star brew as you like.’ She grinned and stood up to fill her glass with infused tea from the jug.
He thought about that for a moment before taking her glass and tossing it in the fire. Laughing, he playfully lifted her and sat back down keeping his arm around her so they could talk about it. ‘There will be no arse kicking given around here, young lady,’ he joked and made her feel comfortable with him again.
Still in his gaze, she felt his torment of whether to give her powers back, but she knew he wasn’t ready. He needed her to stay until he worked out how to handle his family. For them to find her alive would cause issues for him, and she wished, as he did, to prevent discord where possible. His family had made peace where other kin would feel there was no hope. Her entire being yearned for this to be preserved for others to follow. The other reason, the one she now saw in his eyes, was a need to have her friendship. This, she didn’t get. He could have any friend in the world. Many would bow down and give him their total alliance. She could never do this but she wished they could always stay friends. As for her powers, it was a cheap shot and she didn’t even need them. In time he will see and trust I wouldn’t run from him, not ever.
He pulled a pillow up from the floor and placed it under her head. ‘I won’t hurt you Glow Girl, but I can’t give you what you want because it might take away what I need at this moment.’
‘It’s okay, but if we sleep up here, I am at your mercy. Without my horse’s magic to keep me warm I am like a weak mortal.’
He kissed her forehead. ‘Sleep, funny one. I will care for you always, awake or asleep.’ He used his powers to make her sleep. He was unaccustomed to such challenges and, worn out, reclined the chair beside her to rest.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Pluto
(A month later)
It had been a month since Caitlin agreed to stay. The days were getting colder in the castle, and Caitlin gave thanks to the small generator that ran the electric blanket Jett had purchased for her. Jett was building a power plant to operate the electrical side of the showy outdoor dome but hadn�
�t been keen on running the electricity to the castle to heat it. During breakfast that morning she had stirred him about being an old fart, telling him it was time he came into the twenty-first century. Yet it was after dinner before he answered her.
He had come in to say goodnight, and even in the candle light, Jett could see her lips were blue. ‘I guess if I want you to ever visit again I’d better look at installing ducted heating.’ He tucked the covers around her neck, seeing her shaking under the bed covers.
‘Not for just me, what about Melita?’ Her voice shook.
‘I keep her warm enough.’ He smirked.
‘Then come and keep me warm.’ She got a smile from him as usual but tonight was colder than any other night and she was pleased when he at least sat beside her and rubbed her back gently to try and warm her.
‘It’s the dead of winter,’ he said as he heard her teeth chatter so loudly it made him laugh.
‘Seriously, I know I can trust you. Stay for a while, keep me warm.’ She patted the bed beside her.
His laughter was light-hearted as he lay beside her and lifted an arm so she could hug him. Before long she was hot and able to toss off the bed cover and lie comfortably with only the blankets. That night they talked for hours.
Jett knew all he had to do was give her powers back, and she could use her own magic to keep her warm, but it was complicated. Her boss saw him as the enemy, and Axon wasn’t wrong, to them Hades was. Every time this came to mind, he would sigh and struggle to cope with not ever seeing her again, so he would push the notion aside.
Instead, Jett had a fire installed in her room and made sure it kept burning day and night. During the day if he wanted her to come and look at where they were up to he walked with her arm in arm to keep her warm. He enjoyed these strolls as she had a way of taking his mind off problems and giving him the pride needed to carry on.
Lately, there had been a blizzard and he had been reluctant to take her outside. He was pleased when he woke to a break in the bitterly cold winds. He picked up Caitlin from her room and headed outside.
‘Wait until you see it today!’ Jett walked beside her, liking how she was already noticing every single detail. He looked forward to her thoughts in case he had missed something they had discussed.
‘Oh, my goodness, Jett!’ She put her hand to her mouth when she saw the massive half-ball dome that had taken shape above them. ‘I had no idea this would be so far ahead.’
‘That blizzard was a doozy, but surely now the dome is up you must feel much warmer.’ He grinned.
She moved closer to him, her coat pulled up tight around her neck. ‘It’s so warm, Jett, I could pop on a bikini and sunbake.’ She chuckled and shuddered with the cold.
‘You’re such a bad liar.’ He transported her back to her warm room where a fire burned brightly. ‘I have a business meeting but I promise to be back in time to have dinner with you. Keep warm. I’ll see you tonight.’ He kissed her forehead.
‘I’ve got plenty here to keep me amused.’ Caitlin picked up a novel she had started reading. ‘This one from your library, it’s a sizzler, so don’t rush.’
She saw him shake his head and smile.
‘Don’t get any ideas. I’m a married man.’
‘You’re not my type. I like my men grumpy.’ She chuckled and threw herself on the couch and wiggled into the pillows to get comfortable.
His laugh was cut off as he transported out of the castle.
A thought niggled after he left. Was it a family meeting? She shook that off. He had promised no more wars while she was there and she believed him. Caitlin also admired his loyalty to Melita. Last night he had explained his idea to heat the vast space within the roofed area. She liked the plan that in years to come when she was off probation and allowed to visit him, she could do so without freezing to death. It was a bittersweet offer. Both knew that at the end of this time together, the war would begin again and they would be back on opposite sides. But would they? She had won him over and not often of late had Hades overshadowed his image. She hoped the two of them had something more than just friendship, that together they would find a peaceful solution. These were high expectations on her part, but she would not give up on him or what she believed would bring him happiness.
* * * *
Some days later Caitlin woke to a voice, a familiar tone that put a shiver through her. Jett’s brother Calyx had visited to see how the works were going. Her first instinct was to look around for a place to hide. A few deep breaths helped calm her, and, comforted by the locked door and Jett’s determination to keep her secret, she stretched and threw the covers back. Jett would never let it slip I’m here, her inner voice told her as she dressed in warm clothes. For the first time since being there she understood why Jett continued to lock her door at night. It wasn’t to keep her in; it was to keep those inquisitive visitors out. From the bookcase, Caitlin selected a book that took her fancy. Covered in a blanket, she sat by the window on the sofa and read. The sound of a key turning in the lock and the door opening had Caitlin rattled but she breathed out in relief when she saw the butler.
‘The master ordered breakfast for you this morning, ma’am and apologises that he won’t be joining you.’ A gruff, harsh voice broke the silence.
‘Just here on the coffee table will be perfect thanks, Marco.’ She shifted a couple of magazines. ‘Yes, I did hear him speaking to his brother. You must hurry back, so you’re not missed. We can’t have him curious as to where you went, can we?’ She smiled.
‘I was very careful ma’am, although it may be a while before I can come up and collect the dishes. Possibly I will wait for them to go outside if that is okay?’
‘It’s more than okay; it’s been cold out lately so on the quiet, could you let Jett know I’m perfectly happy to stay here rugged up all day if need be.’
‘Yes ma’am.’ His big hands fumbled as he positioned the tray, noticeable worry lines creasing his forehead.
‘This looks yummy.’ The wink she gave softened his expression. They too had become friends although it took a while. He had been colder than the snow and only thawed when he noticed how happy Jett had become.
She ate slowly. Knowing the activity in the dome was almost at the end, worried her. Men and machinery worked feverishly to complete a project far too quickly. There is so much more I wished to achieve. Her heart sank. It was almost done. The roof reached all the way to the outer wall.
She glanced at the Galactic newspaper on the tray, and got up to pace when the date jumped out at her. It was only another couple of weeks before Melita would return from her mother’s home. Jett would have his wife back, and she would go home to Rory and the gang, back to Axon. Caitlin walked over to the couch and cuddled up with the throw rug and a book. Her concentration wavered as she wondered if Axon still waited for her.
The thud of heavy strides and a loud outburst outside froze any further thoughts. Scuffled footsteps sounded before the key turned and the door swung open. Jett’s brother moved towards her, his body rigid and forehead creased. Faced with his fury, she responded with a gracious calm and smiled. Her mind was in turmoil; how did he know she was there? Had Hades’ vindictive self re-emerged while with his brother, and given her away? How was she to convince Zeus, the King of Gods, she was not an enemy? Her first reaction was to show no fear.
‘Calyx! My goodness. It’s so lovely to see you again!’ Using his alias to throw him off, her tone was unhurried and welcoming as she faced one of the most feared gods. Today he looked livid.
He sucked in his breath, suddenly taken aback, and looked confused. ‘Glow Girl! What are you doing here? I thought you were…’
‘Were who… Jett’s lover?’ She giggled and tried to remember what they had discussed doing if his family found her. ‘Sorry. Weak attempt at humour, but I can’t think in this weather.’ She gripped the novel hard to prevent him
seeing how uncontrollably her hands shook. She fiddled for a second with the book as she laid it on the bedside table and searched her memory for Axon’s code name, a word that signified the sacred animal of his Home World. She looked up with confidence again when she remembered. ‘Actually, my boyfriend, Wolf, is on a trip off world with work and dropped me off for a visit. If I had known you were here, I would have come down.’ She shivered more from his slightly icy look. ‘I’m afraid I feel the cold so have spent most of my time here, reading in the warmth of this room.’
Jett was now at his brother’s side, his eyes wide and alarm written in his features. Caitlin saw the relief in his face when Calyx went from antagonist to socially approachable in a millisecond and put out his arms for a hug. Caitlin tossed the blanket aside and responded quickly to his change of mood. ‘Sorry if I worried you about who was here but I’ve always wanted to learn to ski and Jett was kind enough to offer to teach me last time we met,’ she prattled on.
A sudden push on her shoulders had her at arm’s length to him as doubt and suspicion bothered him. ‘How did you know where to find my brother? On the island, we used only aliases and didn’t speak of our Home Worlds.’
Jett butted in. ‘I ran into them back on Dolphin Island. They were at a beach party, and me, well I was just there to you know, dolphin watch.’ He winked at him, and Calyx smirked. Caitlin figured it was a private code between them. ‘Anyway, I got chatting to them and asked Glow Girl to come for a visit while Wolf was away, so I could teach her how to ski. The delicate little one feels the cold terribly though so I have given her a rest today.’
