Cloud Riders (Lord of the Planets)

by Debbie Behan

  ‘It’s okay, you know, we are in the world of magic now. You won’t suddenly disrobe, sweetie.’ He sounded amused by her reaction.

  Relieved, Cassie giggled and let him take her off the horse. The guards still surrounded them but little critters broke past their barrier, pushing and shoving to come over and touch her. She felt as if she was royalty or something the way they gushed and bowed in front of her. They began to surround her so Woody pulled out his sword and scared them away from her.

  ‘They’ve never seen a woman with us before and you’re glowing like an angel. The powers you have are strong anyway, amplified up here and they can feel them humming as I do. Only royalty hold such powers. That is making them inquisitive to meet you.’ He was leaning back against his horse, watching her.

  Cassie looked down at her skin that was illuminated brightly, with concern.

  Woody grinned, showing her that he understood her thoughts. ‘It’s okay, it suits you and not everyone will feel the hum. It surprises me that the small dogitter creatures are picking it up. They are a lot more perceptive than I thought.’

  A funny-shaped hairless blue dog with six legs came up. He made a funny squeaky noise and seemed to drop his head and look shy. He made Cassie forget she was a little different. Against all these creatures she didn’t feel kooky at all. She bent down and patted it and the hexagon critter ran around in circles and came back, making her laugh. It acted excited and looked as if it were about to jump up on her when Woody grabbed Cassie from it, placing her down beside him and scared it away.

  ‘Sorry, Cass but you never know what powers they may have. They all look cute till they change.’ As he said it, the thing grew a big head out of its little one and snapped at him. It was clear to her it was annoyed that she was snatched away. Woody just laughed. ‘She’s mine, buzz off.’ He shooed him away.

  Cassie couldn’t stop laughing as Woody scooped her into his arms and held her up so the others were unable to reach her. He made a game out of it, making the critters jump around his legs, making squeak and hooting noises.

  Jason came over and scared them away. ‘Quit stirring up the dogitters, man. You know it pisses the boss off.’

  ‘Bloody pests wouldn’t leave her alone and anyway I like her laugh. Stuff him.’

  Jason grinned and rubbed his forehead. ‘Jeez, man, I hear you. She has us all by the balls looking like this but his mood’s high. Let the rest of us just enjoy it for five, will you?’

  Woody smirked mischievously as he put Cassie down. ‘Until later, giggles.’

  When Kayden came back to them his face was expressionless but his eyes held an ‘I told you so’ look in them. ‘The sisters have put measures in place and as I thought they are not hopeful but were pleased to see us arrive. Adora asked us to join her and her sisters for a celebration dinner if all goes well.’

  Woody rolled his eyes and pounded fists with Jason. ‘Remember last time, man? We drank so much the horses barely knew their way home from the intoxicating smell.’ He laughed. ‘I’m in.’

  ‘Me too,’ Jason agreed.

  ‘We’re in,’ Ethan and Conor spun around and joined in.

  ‘Me too. I reckon after all this weirdness I’ll need a drink or two. I’m there with you guys on this one.’ Cassie breathed out heavily.

  Kayden lifted Cassie up on Zoltan. ‘I’m only gone a minute and you’ve sided with my men already!’ He jumped up behind her. ‘Looks like majority rules but I have to warn you, princess, they have already heard about you from Zoren so be prepared for an initiation into their world. It should be some night.’ He grinned and wrapped an arm around her waist. He bent close to her ear. ‘I have a little initiating I want to do with you on our own so save a little of that fun for me, gorgeous.’

  Cassie wiggled up against him. His breath was hot against her as a pleasurable sound escaped his mouth. ‘You are so bad, girl!’

  She giggled. ‘That’s just me giving you a sample of what’s in store for you, my yummy toh revol.’

  He threw his head back and laughed and the enjoyable sound he made in this world of magic floated around them. The others stopped chatting and swung around.

  ‘Hey man, what’s the joke? It must be a doozy for you to laugh before a mission,’ Jason said as he mounted his ride with one easy motion.

  Kayden was still looking amused. ‘Private, boys. Ready?’

  They nodded as they too mounted their horses, still surveying their unusually happy leader.

  Kayden bent down and whispered, ‘Yummy hot lover, hey? With you, my love, to keep that title will be an honour.’

  Introduction into the Stars

  Commanding the horses and team was not easy this trip. Cassie’s nerves had accelerated her powers and she was giving off an exquisite current. Woody and Jason were way too close, chatting to Cassie. Woody said something funny to her and she giggled at him, causing Kayden’s hackles to come up. Shit! One girl and four damned competing males to fight off every time a man wants attention, he thought moodily. Stuff them. They can go get their own bloody woman. This one’s mine. Mine! He grumbled within and almost sent them the message through telepathy. He was feeling so protective of his woman and wrapped his arm around her possessively.

  Enough chatter, guys. Settle down. We’re nearly there.

  At the mention that they were nearly there, Cassie stiffened and her heart pumped far too quickly. She was scared and the men could feel it and were obviously keeping her mind off it. He kicked himself for getting all bull-headed and jealous.

  You okay, sweetheart? He relayed just to her.

  She nodded.

  Just remember, my men and I are used to handling these situations on our own. Therefore if you find a glitch with your powers, don’t sweat it. It’s not as if we’re up against a Supernova. We have you covered, okay, honey?

  ‘What’s a Supernova?’

  Novas form from the death of an extremely massive star generally many times heavier than our sun. The star core reaches a certain mass or density limit and then explodes and the outer crust breaks away and travelling thousands of kilometres a second, destroying anything in its path.

  Her silence told him that she got it and it was just one more bit of information he knew she would store away in that astute mind of hers. He found her so very intriguing the way she processed data, never needing further discussions. It was as if the lessons learned unlocked another part of the universal knowledge already deep inside her. She did it often and it fascinated him.

  You knew that all ready though, hey, princess?

  She leaned back into him. ‘Yes and much more. Yet I’m not sure how.’

  Kayden squeezed his goddess, certain now that this was what she was. However, using his gift of selected telepathy that controlled who he could send his thoughts to and what he kept personal, he decided not to reveal this thought to the team or her for fear he might frighten her further. Her little heart was pumping louder and faster by the minute. ‘You belong here, princess. It’s the magic inside you,’ he whispered in her ear.

  She turned her head slightly and he saw that her eyes reflected deep into her soul, ancient knowledge flickering within them.

  Kayden had no idea why she had been sent to him yet he knew instantly that he would have to show great patience for what lay ahead in their future. Yes, he thought, settling her back in front of him as they arrived at the coordinates. He would go to the ends of the universe to keep her safe and protected.

  As soon as they stopped, Kayden could feel that something was wrong. Moving his men and their horses into combat positions, he viewed the intruding Comets. He was picking up a different sound behind them. Ethan had extra-sensitive hearing up here and seeing his back go rigid confirmed that there was a disturbance behind the Comets.

  Ethan, what you hearing, man?

  He signalled three, plus something scattered behind it. Kayden waited for him to pick up what it was before he reacted. The rumbling and the speed of the Comets were disgu
ising a threat they both knew was coming but until it came closer they were both clueless.

  Zoltan, get your stallions ready for anything. If this goes down the way I’m feeling it will the Comets are not our only threat.

  Ethan picked it up first and signalled Kayden.

  Okay, men, we have a problem. Ethan’s just picked up that the Comets are magnetising and dragging meteors—some the size of a cricket field—with them. It looks like Aldebaran and Conom have broken the treaty with Zoren. This is not only a deliberate attack on the Three Sisters but us as well.

  The team all looked surprised but not one of them showed fear, just pure and workable anger toppling into rage. Rage was not good.

  Okay, I’m feeling you men, just settle. Anger is good—use it but don’t lose it and rage out on me. Last time you took some good with you so chill, okay? With all the missiles he’s sending our way it’ll be tough but we also have an advantage. In the wizard’s vision of this attack he mustn’t have foreseen our secret weapon. None of us knew Cassie would be on this trip. Let’s just say that tonight is as good a time as any to introduce evil himself to our demolition specialist.

  The men all signalled with thumbs up that they agreed that Cassie was going to be some force to be reckoned with. Cassie didn’t move a muscle but her hackles were up, prickling the hair on Kayden’s arm where he held her. She had sat up straight from the minute they arrived, statue-perfect, alert as an alley cat ready to pounce. Her power was taking over her fear and replacing it with readiness for what lay ahead and he could feel her heart pacing comfortably now, her energy spiking and humming through him. Kayden analysed it and for what was coming he knew he needed much more from her.

  Zoltan, reposition the squad. Give me double the parsec between the two teams. Jason and Conor, your target is the Comet on the left. Woody, you and Ethan handle the one on the right. Cassie will pick up anything floating in between. Well, we love a challenge, men and this is a doozy. Keep your wits about you; watch each others’ backs. I’ll be monitoring the debris. Keep yourselves tight with your ride in case I have to pull you out of the way of some rubble.

  They nodded and signalled when they were ready. Kayden could feel them all link and start building their magic.

  Woody, I need you to control the team’s power tonight. I have to concentrate on getting Cassie ready. You’ve got the control.

  Woody gave him the thumbs up as Zoltan moved the horses as instructed. Knowing that the men knew what to do, Kayden placed his hands on Cassie’s shoulders. He hated the thought of even doing this. He knew he needed to give her a couple of sessions with Woody to teach her how to use her gift without anger but for now he had to work with what he had. He firmed his grip on Cassie’s shoulders, not enough to bruise but enough to cause her an uncomfortable throbbing. Sorry, but I need more than I’m feeling from you, princess—time to get you angry, he thought, hating this part. You still dream about Alex’s kisses, don’t you? He must have been good to keep you away from me so long.

  Cassie swung around and glared at Kayden, her blue eyes burning through him like lasers. Man, even angry she was as sexy as hell! It took everything he had to not pull her into his arms and kiss that look off her face. He had to cut her to the core or they were all going to lose their lives here tonight. He had no choice: it was either this or give a very dangerous command. Admittedly, it would save their lives but he couldn’t guarantee the lives of the other good souls who might get in the way. Right now Kayden had no intention of even considering that. Yes, the situation was critical and his men knew it but if he gave the order for the guys to cut loose and kick it into overdrive, they would have to draw the power they needed from evil instead of good. He cringed at the thought, as he’d have no control on what they ended up destroying. There would be no stopping them until their power source dried up. Man, what a mess!

  Kayden looked around, annoyed, wondering if Zoren was watching the balls-up this mission had become. He hoped he was giving his people a good serving for their incompetent reporting. Now good and cranky, he focused back on Cassie, his eyes glowing, face taut and temper flaring.

  Don’t look so damned innocent, Cassie. You called out to Alex in your sleep last night. Jeez, I could have slapped you. He was hardly the only one either. I saw you with Woody before, giggling in his arms. You were flirting and wanted him too, didn’t you? Please don’t give me that look of purity. It won’t work on me this time, bitch! You think I’m bloody stupid enough to think you kept that hot body just for me for all those months? Please! He rolled his eyes, growling out the final words through gritted teeth.

  Cassie was crimson with rage. It was a cheap shot but Goddamn it, not a total lie. He was so jealous when he thought of her with another that it did his head in. She screamed out and her hand came up to swipe his face. Kayden grabbed her wrist, going nowhere near that hand and pointed it to the Comet.

  A thunderous bark roared out of him. ‘Use it … now!’

  Kayden could feel Cassie’s anger as she threw her hands at the fireball hurtling towards them. The bolt of light that shot out of her hands hit the invader and blew it to dust.

  Goddamn it, she was everything he thought she could be and more. Kayden loved her so much right then that he could hardly breathe. He could feel her excitement buzzing through him for what she had just done but it was too soon to celebrate as it was far from over: that had been only a small part of what was coming.

  ‘Cassie Wyatt! Pull it together and help the boys or they are going to die! Clear those damned meteors now!’ Kayden barked the new order at her, pointing to what he needed cleared out the way. While she cleared a path he watched Woody and Conor who were already on the other Comet. A large piece of meteor was heading straight for them from an angle they’d missed. Shit, too late for me to pull them out. He straightened his posture with threatening intent, keeping up his grumpy facade. ‘Cassie, help Woody!’ he commanded in a tone that pulled her out of her rage to listen to him.

  Her head swung around, she glanced in the direction he pointed and with lightening speed thrust both hands at the huge ball of dense and impenetrable rock, lifting it away from them before she blew it up far from where it could do them any harm. Kayden looked up and saw nothing left but soft flakes of blackened soot that blew over Woody and Conor in a dirty cloud, her delivery and execution faultless.

  As she cleaned up other smaller meteors around them Kayden left her line of sight to check on Ethan and Jason. They were really struggling to get a grip on the Comet as they fought the meteors hurtling at them with velocity. The unstable axis had them spinning and changing direction every millisecond. Kayden knew his men were running out of time. He had to see if Cassie could stop it, except he could feel her powers draining as she began to enjoy herself. She was so immersed in what she was doing, thoughts of the nonsense he fed her were not fuelling her anger any longer.

  He stretched his neck, cracking it each way and psyching himself up, seeing that he needed her one last time. Zoltan, pull Jason and Ethan out and have the horses stand by for clean up. Kayden pointed the location. Zoltan let out a sound that was almost human and thrashed his head: he was also feeling Cassie’s power and it was spiking his adrenalin too. Kayden snatched Cassie’s arm as it went up for another strike, careful not to go anywhere near those hands.

  ‘You ever two-time me again, Cassie and I swear I will make you pay so badly those bruises you had when I first met you will look like bloody fingerprints. Do you understand?’ he snarled and she nearly pulled out of his hands she was so livid. ‘Cassie.’ He controlled his voice but kept it firm and commanding. ‘You can give it to me when it is over but Jason needs you so do what you came here to do and blow shit up. We need you to take out the other Comet as there is too much debris surrounding that one. It’s totally out of control and getting far too close.’ Kayden let her hands go, praying she threw her anger toward the whirling invaders and not him. Shit, he really felt he went too far that time. Her eyes were pi
ts as she glared at him.

  The danger was closing in. Woody and Conor just about had their Comet out and were readying their horses for clean up. Even if Kayden called them to come and help this side, they would never get here in time. He watched with bated breath as Cassie flung him one more glare that would kill. All of a sudden he felt her draw from him.

  How the hell was she doing that? She had somehow linked back to Zoltan and him, snatching power from them both. Kayden slumped as he was temporarily drained and he knew it was going to be a huge hit this time. As that thought left his mind he could only watch and wait as Cassie pulled what she needed and threw both her hands up together with massive force. Silver streams of lightening shot out from her in every direction.

  ‘Jesus Christ!’ Kayden hollered in his mind to his men. ‘Did you see that shit?’

  The men all nodded, punching the atmosphere with their fists. The explosion was so fierce Kayden had to hold himself and Cassie with everything he had left or they would have blown off Zoltan. Even after the strike, the noise still thundered around them. The impact was so intense she not only blew the Comet out of the sky but also cleared a path of meteors with it. In one blast, she had just about cleaned the entire field.

  ‘Superlative,’ was all Kayden could think to whisper out. In all my life, I have never seen anything like it, he relayed to the others, amazed. After the intensity of the power surge, Cassie went limp in Kayden’s arms. Her mind was still alert but she was drained and exhausted, needing time to recharge. Way to go, sweetheart, you did really well. Just relax now. The boys can take it from here.

  Holding the biggest treasure the world would ever see, Kayden sat contentedly, knowing his team had kicked butt. It took everything he had left not to shout, punch the air, cry, laugh and take the beauty in his arms, making her feel the joy she had just given to him. There was not going to be one part of her luscious body that he would not kiss and thank as soon as he had her alone. But for now she needed some calm time to recharge. When the men were done, Kayden knew he could draw on the power of their adrenalin rush to make Cassie feel better.