by Debbie Behan
Lord Mensa cupped his other hand over his friend’s. ‘I was foolish, insane; thank goodness she’s smarter than both of us. I hate to think now how that could have turned out. Sorry, old friend.’ The remorse in his voice supported the depth of his apology.
Caitlin moved towards them. ‘Now that’s over, can we please go hunting? I was promised angaroos for dinner if I remember correctly.’ She pulled at them both with eagerness to continue the day with less stress. Now that they had at least shaken hands, she skipped ahead of them, entertaining her still moody, but happier, companions. The memory of the hunt the previous day came to mind, and it was a perfect topic to engage them both.
‘Did you see the look on the begrizzo when he went down and knew he was done for?’ She turned to them, walking backwards. ‘Now that was a look.’ She giggled and turned back around, and a smile spread across her face when she heard them reminisce.
By the time they reached the angaroos, the tension was out of their voices completely, the casual banter of two blokes back on a hunting trip overpowered what had just gone down, with just a little help from my magic. Caitlin walked with a swagger of the knowledge that she had learned more than hunting on this trip… could you imagine the look when the guns went off? She couldn’t wait to tell her Rider friends…now that was the look!
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Secret Uncovered
Late that afternoon they came across a swimming hole. Caitlin moved away from the two hunters who had reddened the water around them while washing the blood from their bodies and clothing. ‘Yuk, you guys. That’s disgusting.’ She swam over by the waterfall.
When they were finally clean, Caitlin joined them and stirred them up, until Aurek pushed her under the water playfully. When surfacing, she saw him grimace at the idea he might have hurt her. Aurek wasn’t used to games with girls, which made her want to be more annoying than usual. ‘You’re so cute when you do that.’ She liked that look of uncertainty, grinned and dived away from him.
He chased her, his big hands finding her within seconds. ‘When I do what?’
‘When you put that look on your face; like how come she likes me?’
‘Well, how come?’ he wanted to know.
‘Because you accepted my friendship before you knew who I was. You liked me for me, and I for you. It’s that simple.’
He grinned. ‘Yes, I guess it is.’
She splashed water at him and looked around for Lord Mensa.
‘Look at Mr High and Mighty over there not wanting to have any fun. Is he always this boring? Let’s go stir up the old dude. Can he swim?’ she whispered, and Aurek nodded. ‘Let’s drag him in the water, being a Lord has turned him into a snob. We need to fix that!’ She giggled, and getting a wink from Aurek, raced him back. Aurek was just as keen to have some fun and this time had an ally to help stir the pot. He was surprised when Caitlin pulled at his leg when he got in front of her. It gave him such a shock he stopped, and she sped past him. Little wretch! He bit his tongue until reaching her.
She jumped up on the bank. ‘I won, I won!’
‘You cheated; it doesn’t count when you don’t play fair.’ He restrained himself from picking her up and dumping her back in the water.
She winked and pointed, his attention now back to why they were there. They grabbed a hand each and dragged Lord Mensa in the water. He struggled, but finally gave in and pulled them in with him. They mucked about, stirring him up until he finally caught hold of Caitlin.
‘Your skin; you feel like a child.’ His voice softened. ‘I’m terribly sorry I nearly hurt you.’
She smiled and ran her hand over his wrinkled frown. ‘I know. I forgive you.’ Her tone too was caring. ‘You would have made a good father. I’m glad we ended up friends.’
He coughed. ‘If you would let an old fool into your life, I would love to get to know you better.’
‘I already have. But no more games. My friendship at this point with you is fragile, so tread carefully.’
His voice shook. ‘I’m so sorry and promise from now on to never hurt you again.’
Aurek got out. The abruptness of his departure surprised Caitlin. Had she upset him by giving in so quickly to a man that almost kidnapped her?
‘Give us a minute.’ She turned back to Lord Mensa, who nodded. Out of the water, she eased herself quietly next to Aurek. He seemed almost spaced out.
‘You okay? I’m sorry if that upset you. I don’t understand what my attachment to Lord Mensa is either. It’s like I’ve known him all my life. Don’t be mad.’
‘Forgive me if I’m wrong, but the way you both were with each other just then, it has brought me back to reality.’ He took hold of her hands and held her attention. ‘Call it an epiphany or madness, but I think he is your father,’ Aurek said and shook with the disclosure.
Lord Mensa overheard and planted to the spot, rendered speechless.
‘What! That’s insane! What makes you think that?’ She sat up, aghast.
He let her hands go and decided to disclose a secret he had long kept. ‘I’ve had many talks with Lord Mensa about his earlier years before I met him. I know he wasn’t lying because after telling me his deep dark secret some years back, he was terribly shaken. In an emotional turmoil, he talked of a daughter that he had to hide from certain gods who were hellbent on killing her. It was pre-destined that his daughter would only need to look evil in the face to turn them from their wicked ways. Her presence would save many from being killed, and prevent others from following this destructive behaviour.
Knowing his daughter was to be this prodigy child, he tried to keep his little girl, safe, but in the end, it was he who endangered her. Mensa had no choice but to give her up to save her. Devastated it had come to this, he paid a good sum of money weekly to a couple of trusted allies. They promised to keep her hidden, healthy and alive, somewhere safe so that the gods she was to change wouldn’t find her and kill her before she blossomed.’
She pulled a towel around her, shivering from the story, or is it? ‘It is hard for me to believe one person alone could be feared by those as mighty as a god.’
’Some may say they are mighty because they create fear in those around them that dare to oppose them. Over time, some of the gods have become an unstoppable force, terrorising those that dare stand against them. The courageous immortals that have been game enough to take them on in the past have failed miserably. They paid with not only their kingdoms but their lives. Mensa told me that once his daughter came of age and went through immortality, her powers would be beyond imagining and the prophecy was that a new style of ruling would evolve and their godly tyrant ways would never to be tolerated again.’
Lord Mensa found his voice and sat beside them. ‘Aurek, this was a secret shared only with you. What if she…’
Aurek put up his hand. ‘Let me finish… the other night, Glow, you also confided you had spent many years, until your late teens, locked underground, that you never saw the light of day. After you had told me your innermost secret, I was so shocked and emotional that you two might be father and daughter that I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t tell you then; you would have called me a liar and been angry, and maybe even demanded to go home. I needed you too, and so, kept quiet.’
‘What made you tell me now?’ Caitlin’s cheeks were wet with tears, and Lord Mensa was no different. Aurek was sure now.
‘I still wasn’t sure, I mean with all that has happened, I started to wonder if Lord Mensa could be your father from the way he acted. He was nothing like you at all and to tell you the truth I didn’t want him to be anywhere near you, certainly not as a parent. But that little scene in the water was such a father and daughter thing. It made me see you both clearly, and I can’t do this to you Glow, I dare not take away the chance to have a parent even if it is only to yell at him for your devastating childhood.’ He turned to face Caitlin again. ‘Eve
n those green eyes in that mural, they look like yours. It all fits.’
She stared at Lord Mensa. ‘You’re my father?’ she said with a shocked expression. ‘You lied; you told me your daughter died, she didn’t… did she?’
He coughed to regain some composure. This confession from Aurek had left him with mixed emotions, he felt awkward, embarrassed and yet full of hope for a future he had wished to come true. All he could do was tell Caitlin the truth, the rest was up to her, as he knew he certainly didn’t deserve her love. ‘You’re right, Caitlin. It was easier to say you were no longer alive than to admit what I had done. Your name was Shardarna Louise Mensa, and although I never knew where to find you, I hoped with all my heart that you were alive and happy.’
‘Why didn’t you come for me once I became immortal?’
‘When it was time, I came to collect you and not only found you missing but discovered how those lying crooks had mistreated you. I went into a fit of rage and killed them on the spot. I went crazy trying to find you and searched everywhere. It wasn’t until much later that I realised they must have changed your name. Unfortunately, there was nothing legally filed, so I had to come home emptyhanded. What you don’t know is I still pay a detective who continues to search for you, and we follow up every lead. But lo and behold, fate has stepped in, and in only hours of meeting you I have destroyed any real relationship we might have had, haven’t I?’ His voice cracked, and his lips quivered.
‘You have made both our lives hell, and I should hate you. Surely there was another way?’ She moaned, feeling the hurt of him leaving her, something that still stung when she remembered.
He shook his head. ‘After your mother passed away, you were my light. I couldn’t bear to give you up so for the first few years, I travelled the world with you. You were a human child, so I couldn’t hide you up on the Home Worlds here; the atmosphere is all wrong for Earth dwellers. But on Earth, we were only in one place for a few weeks, and one of the gods would find us. I knew they were tracking me and my powers which continued to exposing our whereabouts. Never thought those filthy dogs would hide you underground. With no magic yet, you would have been safe being brought up as a normal child. You could have attended school without me around, and they knew this. I gave you up to keep you safe, and it gave me comfort to know that without me you would make it through to immortality. I could never have come to you, I’ve never been left alone and been hounded with raids and continually infiltrated with spies. I’m sorry, love, I tried to keep you with me, but there was no other way. I wasn’t able to protect you.’
He reached over, patted her hand and pulled away knowing she wasn’t ready for a father’s affection. Instead, he sat calmly and answered question after question and then Caitlin finally shared with a father she thought she had hated all her life, how frightening her childhood was without him. They sat on the bank for a long time and talked freely. Both were miserable about the past and yet sharing it somehow began the healed process that they knew would take time. Some of the wounds Caitlin felt, had already been kissed away as he hugged her while she cried much of it out. ‘You actually killed them?’ She looked up at one stage.
He nodded. ‘Made them live the fate they dealt you, beaten and locked underground, but for them, there were no visits to feed them. Sorry if that upsets you, Caitlin, but you have seen my temper.’
Caitlin wiped her tear-stained face and stiffened. ‘You know I’m a Rider and cannot condone what you have done or are about to do with the Taurus takeover. Know this… father or not, if you continue on your current path, I will fight you on it.’
‘If you choose to accept me now as your real father, I would never need more. I have fretted for you, my beautiful daughter, for all your life, and if you would let me stay in yours now, my promise will never be broken.’
The sun had gone down, and Caitlin shivered. ‘I need…’
‘You need to warm up, Glow.’ Aurek stood and pulled her up. ‘Give her time to process what has just happened here, Lord Mensa. Don’t force an answer right now or you’ll not hear what you have been waited for. You’ve been honest and done all you can, so now let her come to you.’ He smiled at Caitlin who looked grateful. He could see she looked washed out and needed a minute. ‘How about we move this conversation to a warmer place? Would you like your father to come or do you need a break? He will understand either way. I’m happy if you wish to finish this back at the cabin.’ Aurek put an arm around her. ‘But you’re frozen, and a fire and some food are what is sure to make you feel better.’
She looked at him, and back at Lord Mensa. ‘Can we invite him for dinner?’ She eyed Aurek.
He nodded. ‘I’m sure he would like that very much.’
* * * *
Dressed, warm and sitting in front of the fire, Caitlin took the seat on the sofa next to Lord Mensa. Aurek passed them each a goblet of Moonjuice and sat the other side of Caitlin. The three stared into the fire and drank in silence.
In turmoil, knowing they had to leave tomorrow, Caitlin took a big swig. Much played on her mind as the fire crackled and spat out embers. There was an overwhelming need to be with this man, her father and get to know him better. As a daughter, she wanted to hug him and give in, allow him time to fill in the gaps of her lost life. Yet she hesitated, taking the time to weigh up her options. Could she walk away… her heart said No!
Yet her focus was also on Aurek. Her time with him was part of a deal to end the war with Taurus, and so far, she had miserably failed in her side of the agreement. They had barely had a moment alone since meeting Lord Mensa, and now with all this going on, Caitlin was unsure how she could honour her side of the treaty before leaving the next day. How could she make this right for all parties? She sighed. A real friend would help her through this, and Aurek is doing me proud. As for Lord Mensa, maybe she should allow him to be the parent and quit worrying. That’s his job! She consoled herself, feeling better.
She leant in and nudged Aurek, who looked rattled. ‘You did the right thing. I am glad you helped me find my father.’
‘You’re okay then?’ He searched her face.
‘More than okay. I’m right where I want to be at this moment.’ She felt proud of the level of friendship that had developed. What the situation between her and him alone had put him through was enough, never mind dealing with all the father-daughter stuff. She held up her goblet first to him. ‘To my new best friend Aurek.’ She tapped cups with him, and they took a sip. After that, she turned to Lord Mensa. ‘And here’s a cheer for discovering that you are my father.’ She smiled when she raised her goblet to him. ‘Never did I think I would be catching a parent on this hunting trip, but here we are. So future friends or foe, this has been one hell of a ride.’
Lord Mensa touched cups with her and took a sip before he raised his goblet back to her. ‘To my long-lost and much-loved daughter. May she forgive a cantankerous old chump who promises from now to always be dependable and… truthful.’ Lord Mensa toasted his daughter. Leaning forward, he raised his goblet to Aurek. ‘And to my oldest friend who brought us back together, I am eternally grateful and forever in your debt… and I deeply apologise for my melodramatic behaviour.’
Aurek twisted his lips in an effort to grin. ‘Guess if Glow can forgive you, I can. After all, I’ve always known you were a belligerent pain in the arse and an egotistical prick, though not to me directly. So make this your first and last time. All that said, I am no angel either, so what happens on a hunting trip stays on a hunting trip!’ He held up his own goblet. ‘To a healthier blood sport next trip; let’s try to make it animals only.’
Caitlin noticed he eyed Lord Mensa with Orion-like eyes, but it was over, and everyone’s moods improved. With the new-found peace, Caitlin was able to ease up on the magic, enabling her to listen to the men tell of spectacular events of old, giving them all a good laugh. Caitlin was even able to tease them again as she had when
they went hunting for the begrizzo. She relished calling them out when the stories were almost impossible to believe. ‘Bull twang!’ she chuckled at one stage. ‘I intend to frequent these hunting trips to lay to rest some of these imaginary yarns.’
‘Really! That ain’t going to happen again. You’re trouble, girl.’ Aurek tickled her playfully and made her giggle.
Lord Mensa shook his head. ‘All joking aside, as far as I’m concerned, guns, blood and guts is not a place for my only daughter. When you visit here Caitlin, it is within the castle walls so I can satisfy my urge to spoil you and thus make up for the lost years.’
‘What! You think you can refine me… Ha!’ She laughed at his serious expression. ‘Wait until I tell Axon how you wish me to act in your presence… fine dining and dressing up like a rich, posh lady.’ She shook her head.
As far as Lord Mensa was concerned just as long as it was an adventure they could experience together he knew it would be amazing. But he could not predict how her current family would handle all this once they found out what he had done. If she did visit, he was almost sure Axon would insist on being with her, and they would stay in the castle protected. For this reason, he thought it best to steer her from the whole idea of hunting. ‘Ah, the fiancé, I hadn’t thought that far ahead. But while we’re on that subject of Axon, I doubt he will even let you come back here after he hears what happened. Never mind me worrying about how to say, No!… you are not coming hunting.’
‘Don’t concern yourself with what Axon will or won’t do. He knows me and still wants to marry me. I’d say that speaks for itself.’ She shared.
‘He also knows, as you have found out, I can look after myself and, between you and me, he and the boys were probably hoping Aurek was the one to muck up. That’s something they would get great pleasure in hearing about.’ She turned to speak to Lord Mensa. ‘As for you, well this story is going to blow their minds. That’s if Jett hasn’t already eavesdropped and dobbed.’
