Cloud Riders (Lord of the Planets)

by Debbie Behan

  She felt his mood lift instantly. ‘Thanks, Cassandra, I appreciate you apologising. It’s one of your many traits I find adorable. To tell you the truth I never want politics to deter you from visiting me. I’m stubborn and change is not easy for me nowadays. At this time I can only see it causing us both heartache. Instead I would prefer you to visit because you just enjoy your old man’s company.’ He held out his hand for her to accept this or not.

  There was no way Cassie wanted to even think of him as anything more than her cool dad who had given her his time freely without an explanation as to why she had requested it. She ignored his hand, instead wrapping her arms around his neck and hugging him. This time he automatically hugged her back. ‘You would have made a pretty good dad. Thank you for showing me that,’ she said, meaning it.

  He growled in a playful way. ‘I could eat you up, you’re so sweet,’ he chuckled, making little chomping noises around her ear and making her laugh happily.

  Walking out to the horse, Cassie was sad to be leaving. She had enjoyed getting to know her real father and hoped one day, to visit again.

  He held her for a long time, silently searching her face like he was looking for something. When a tear ran down her face at the sadness she felt at having to leave him, he smiled with utter joy. ‘I knew you loved me too,’ he said, pleased. ‘Come and visit me again as soon as Kayden allows it. I’ll understand if it won’t be for a while. After all, we are enemies and you have been in the rival’s camp, which in war times is frowned upon. But I had the best time, Cassandra. Thanks for making an old man very happy,’ he said, helping her up on the horse.

  With tears in her eyes, she blew him a kiss as Starburst flew off and headed for home.

  Second Chance

  Starburst landed them in the paddock and trotted back to the horse stables. The slow trip back to Kayden’s farmhouse had given her time to try and calm down a little. Even the magical cloud with its colourful lighting did little to ease her mind. Since leaving the comfort of her father’s home the worries of what she was coming home to washed over her to a point were she was on the edge of bursting into tears.

  Was Conor better? Had Pop put a spell on her that would make Kayden distrust her again? What about Woody? Would he be there waiting or be replaced by a stranger?

  Starburst trotted the last few yards to the barn. Kayden heard them and was out of the door in a flash. He lifted her off and held her while their emotions stabilised. He had missed her terribly and she had not only missed him but now missed her dad.

  After Starburst had been tended to they went inside and had coffee and a chat. As Cassie sipped it, she told Kayden all that had happened since she’d last seen him, starting with the massive room where Aldebaran played his war games with his officers to the wonderful time she had with her father on Aquarius. She broke down and tears ran down her face. ‘You know, he really is my father and he loves me. Because of that I was unable to approach the subject of the war going on up there. It just didn’t seem appropriate to bring it up. I hope I haven’t let you down.’

  ‘You haven’t let anyone down. I wouldn’t have expected you to be negotiating at this early stage. It has taken the men years to learn the correct techniques. You could’ve really ticked him off and made it worse, so you’ve done well. And as for him keeping his side of the bargain, we’ve not been summoned by Zoren yet so your dad kept his promise. He didn’t attack while you were with him.’

  Pleased her father didn’t lie to her, she then focused on the other of her worries. ‘Is Woody back and how’s our Conor?’

  He shook his head and looked at her a bit forlornly. ‘I’ll be replacing Woody. He deserted us, Cassie! He forced me to keep a secret from Zoren—who is not going to be impressed when he finds out. He could have indirectly killed Conor with his thoughtlessness. Also to stop Aldebaran from attacking anyone while Conor was healing, it put you in a most compromising and dangerous position. Admittedly it turned out okay with your father—but it could have been disastrous. I was imagining all sorts of scenarios. Most of all I hoped you would get home safely or we would have had to find a way to go in there forcibly to extract you. Not counting the constant worry I’ve been under having to leave you up there. It was crazy of me to even consider that mission with only four of us. I’ve already stood Woody down and I’ll be telling him tonight that he’s no longer a part of the team.’

  Cassie put her cup on the table. ‘So you haven’t told Zoren yet?’

  He shook his head. She felt relief flood through her, knowing that there was still hope for Woody if she could get Kayden to discuss it further.

  ‘But it turned out alright, didn’t it?’

  Drinking the rest of his coffee, he picked up both their cups and put them in the sink. He wished they didn’t have to have this conversation. She obviously didn’t understand how Woody’s actions could have compromised the whole mission. He knew she wouldn’t let the topic drop and he’d missed her so much he really would sooner be holding her and loving her than getting into something he had already made a decision on. ‘Yes, it turned out alright. Aldebaran actually acted as a father should. He kept his word and you are back. But Cassie, you know it could have ended badly, very badly. I have a big responsibility up there and if things go wrong I’m the one held responsible. Earth is in danger every time they go to war. The human race is too important to have a member of my team putting themselves first.’

  Cassie wasn’t going to give up. His argument was solid but his team was also important. Replacing a member at this stage, with her only a learner, scared her more than even the thought of what her father could do. He’d left a door open and she took advantage of it. ‘Kayden, what would have happened if, when you had fallen in love with me, I was the one with no powers? How would you have concealed your secret from me? You knew I was starting to work it out for myself and I knew there was something very weird going on. Would you have been able to walk away from me?’

  He put his head down and clamped his hands together. ‘I’ve given that a lot of thought and I don’t know the answer.’

  She touched his face and he looked up. ‘Would you have trusted me enough to tell me?’ she asked. ‘Because I know that I would’ve taken this secret to the grave. I loved you that much. I was away from you for three months and never thought I would ever see you again and yet I didn’t tell a soul—even after I knew.’

  Kayden stared into her eyes. She knew he was working through what she’d just said so she continued. ‘Maybe in certain cases, like Woody’s, the partners could be taken into their confidence. That is, if it is serious and he loves her like you love me. What is the worst that could happen? She blabs! Yet who would believe her? Such a wild story! In Ella’s case we could justify it by saying it is the ranting of a spoilt little rich girl who is trying to seek revenge. The tale is so wild no normal person would ever believe it.’

  ‘It’s a big call, Cassie. The other guys don’t like her and neither do you so how can she fit in with us?’

  ‘I thought about that. I know Woody wouldn’t want her around all the time because he does like his freedom and she’s a jetsetter. If she understands what his big connection is with us, she may settle and not be so jealous and bitchy back at us, maybe preferring instead to just pop in when she’s in town. She’ll understand his commitment to the bigger picture and knowing her kind, I can guarantee she will actually feel quite proud of him.’

  ‘If you’re wrong we could end up with a situation,’ he said, concerned.

  ‘So, we all disappear for a while, live somewhere else. It doesn’t have to be here. Rent these two farms out for a while as you do when your neighbours start to notice you not getting old. When it dies down or she dies, we move back.’ She grinned a little deviously. ‘When Ella gets old, Woody will want her less and less. We’re a family forever! She’ll only be a thorn in our side for maybe ten or thirty years, tops. But I can guarantee she’ll do one of two things. She’ll stick around, as I said, u
ntil she gets old and he dumps her nasty self. Or she will be married in the next twelve months to someone she can own. She will always keep Woody as her lover which is all he really is asking for anyway.’

  ‘You make a lot of sense. Being so angry with him has stopped me looking at it with any sort of perspective.’ He smiled, kissed her cheek and stood up. ‘Woody and the boys are waiting for me to discuss the issue but until you returned, I wasn’t able to face it. Feel up to a little visit with them tonight? It’s time we all discussed it like grownups. It would be better as a group decision; changing the rules on partners will affect all their relationships from now on.’

  Cassie ducked in and had a quick shower to freshen up before going out into the barn to get Kayden. He wanted to check on Starburst. As she entered the barn she could tell by Kayden’s grin as he talked to Starburst telepathically that he was pleased they had kept him in good condition.

  It was getting late when they arrived at the boys’ home. They were all out the back, lazing around on the outdoor lounges, not even slightly looking like they were ready to retire for the night. Cassie knew how they felt as she herself wouldn’t be able to sleep until the Woody problem was sorted.

  Woody was sitting on one of the deckchairs with his elbows on his knees and his head and shoulders bent. He looked miserable, waiting to hear his fate and who his replacement was going to be. Cassie could tell they had all been discussing it and Kayden’s visit would be just a formality.

  Cassie went around and gave them all a kiss and a warm greeting. Her bright chatter cheered them up—except for Woody—he just sat quietly looking like he didn’t belong with them anymore. Jason asked Kayden and Cassie if they wanted a tea or coffee. Cassie really needed more than just a hot beverage, asking for a nip of spirits to be added. All the men went inside to give Cassie some time alone with Woody. She knew secretly they would be hoping she’d be able to fix the mess that Woody left in his wake. It was obvious how upset he was as his body trembled when she went over to him and put her hand on his shoulder.

  ‘I’ve really stuffed up this time, Cass. Sorry kiddo—maybe you better go and not stand with the enemy,’ he choked emotionally.

  ‘I missed you, Woodsta. And you’re not my enemy—never will be.’

  ‘Don’t be nice to me, Cassie. I don’t deserve it.’

  ‘Woody, stop it. Just because you made an error in judgement doesn’t mean your friends will desert you. We all muck up and unless you’re a robot and programmed to be perfect, this will not be the last for any of us.’ She patted his shoulder friendly-like as the others came out and she moved back to where she had been sitting.

  Kayden looked serious as he walked out to the others. Woody sat nervously, waiting for the final blow to his shattered life.

  ‘I wanted us all together to discuss the issue regarding Woody and the whole girlfriend situation that I thought I had put to rest. It’s been brought to my attention tonight that I may have been a little hasty with my decision.’ He gave a slight nod towards Cassie and they exchanged a knowing glance. ‘Cassie feels that if any of you do fall in love and want to reveal our secret world then you should be able to do just that. She herself is living proof that she knew all about us yet lived in Perth for months and never breathed a word, even after we had broken up. Why? Because she could be trusted! Her love for me, for us, even though squashed, stopped her from giving any of us away. She would never have done that. With that in mind, the ruling on secrecy that we put in place when we all formed as a group needs to be revised. Maybe other women can be trusted too. You see, guys, this isn’t all just about Woody.’ He paused. ‘It affects you all. If any one of you falls in love from now on, you should be allowed to use your own discretion as to how much is revealed. As Cassie said, if the love turns bitter and they mouth-off about what we do, it’s their word against ours and we can always just pick up and leave for a few decades until those people are no longer around and come back as we always do.’

  They all nodded in agreement.

  ‘Woody, I want you to feel free to tell Ella whatever you need to. If Ella knows, Cassie feels she will stop being a spiteful to the rest of the group and will never again selfishly prevent you from preforming your duties. I hope she’s right, Woody. I was ready to replace you mate, I was so angry at you. Piss me off like that again and even Cassie won’t save you next time, I don’t care how attached she feels to you. Is that understood?’

  Woody straightened and nodded in agreement, unable to believe what he was hearing—that he had been given a second chance. He still looked gutted but at least he was sitting upright now and not stooping anymore.

  ‘Okay, enough said. You’re back in and so is your woman. Woody, hear me and hear me good! There are no more chances. What I just put Conor and Cassie through was bullshit. They both paid a high price for your desertion and I won’t let it happen again.’

  Woody put his head down and collected himself. When his gaze came up to meet Kayden’s it was full of remorse. ‘I never thought this would happen to me: that I would fall for someone so hard that it would make me end up betraying you all. It’s something I’ll have to live with now. A hard lesson learned and I thank you all for giving me the opportunity to continue with my relationship with her, but I have already broken it off with Ella. Regardless of how this would have ended here tonight, I can’t see it working. Changing the ruling on this makes no difference to my decision that this should be over.’ Woody sat back in the chair, looking a bit more comfortable about talking to them about her. ‘When I went away with her I realised that for me it was more than likely only about the sex. Her world was so different to mine and didn’t interest me. Her friends were stuck-up and they all bitched about each other so much that I went on a bender. When I received your message that we had a mission on, I had no way of getting back. You see, I couldn’t drive as I had written myself off to put up with them. Ella couldn’t drive me because she had gone out with her girlfriends. She wasn’t answering her phone, not even the texts I sent her. Neither could any of the guys I was with as they were all as drunk as I was. I went to sleep it off, only by the time I finally made it back here it was too late. I knew you guys would be possibly on your way home and that I was in deep shit. I am committed, Kayden, more than ever. I can’t believe I stuffed up so badly and nearly lost everything that I’ve ever truly loved. I apologise, not just to you, but to all of the team for being an idiot and I hope you can all forgive me.’

  Conor patted him on the back. ‘It’s okay, mate, I forgive you. But if you ever do it again I’m going to put my size twelve right were the sun don’t shine and my frigging broken arm will feel like a mosquito bite compared to how you’re going to feel,’ he teased. ‘Mongrel!’

  Woody gave him a man hug. ‘Thanks, man! Glad you’re okay.’ He then knelt in front of Cassie. ‘I’m so sorry, Cass. We’ve all been worried sick about you. Did your father give you a hard time?’

  ‘I’m far too tired to tell you about it tonight but just like you I had to say goodbye to someone who would prevent me doing my job if I became too involved.’ She touched his cheek caringly before rolling her shoulders and breathing in deeply. She really felt bombed. ‘And most likely the same as you, there is only so much stress a person can take in one day,’ she said, exhausted.

  ‘Yes, you look tuckered out. We’ll talk tomorrow.’ Woody watched her, worrying that she’d really overdone it and took on board that it was all his doing.

  Kayden moved over and put a protective arm around his woman. ‘Well, that’s it for me too, boys. It’s been a long day for all of us. We’ll sleep here so we can get an early start in the morning. We need some bonding time so discuss it between yourselves and let me know in the morning where you want to go. Goodnight all!’ He waved over his shoulder, leaving them flabbergasted as to how Cassie could have worked that miracle on their boss. Cassie smiled as the sound of whooping and hollering sounded out behind them. Woody was back, her dad hadn’t put a spell on her
, and she was in her man’s arms.

  Surrounded by Beauty

  The sun shone brightly through the window as Jason pulled the curtains back. ‘Come on, you two, you’re sleeping the day away!’

  Kayden was all wrapped around Cassie. Loosening his grip and stretching, he asked if the horses had been checked.

  ‘They’re fine. Woody went down to the paddock before he went to bed early this morning.’

  Cassie groaned and cuddled back into her man. ‘Then why do I have to get up?’

  ‘We all want to take you somewhere special today,’ he grinned. ‘It’s a bit of a drive so we need to leave shortly.’

  Cassie smiled. ‘Sounds like a reason to get up then.’ She sat up, stretching.

  Kayden threw a shirt at Jason. ‘Nick off and let the two of us get ready then,’ he joked with him.

  Jason gestured to the coffees beside the bed. ‘Drink up and get a wiggle on then,’ he said, throwing the shirt back at Kayden. In high spirits, he left them to it.

  An hour later, they piled into Conor’s black Hummer that seated all six comfortably. Together they travelled along the

  Great Northern Highway

  and turned into KarijiniNational Park. Woody drove while Jason and Ethan acted as the tour guides. The brothers’ double act was quite entertaining. ‘It is the second largest national park in Western Australia and one of the most spectacular sights in the Pilbara. It has gorges, crystal-clear rock pools, waterfalls and the best scenery you will see anywhere.’

  They gave a vivid description, stopping suddenly as they reached the Oxley Lookout. The view making them all catch their breath, Cassie seeing firsthand the most stunning view ever. Below was the junction of four gorges: the Red, Aeano, Joffre and Hancock. She greatly admired the tremendous forces of nature that must have torn the earth apart, leaving such beauty in its wake.