Cloud Riders (Lord of the Planets)

by Debbie Behan

  The Big Dipper

  Dad woke them up the next morning. ‘Are you two sleepyheads ever going to get up?’ he asked, sitting on the bed and passing them a coffee. Cassie checked she was decent and remembered she had woken in the middle of the night and put a nightie on. She stretched and sat up, taking the coffee from her father.

  ‘If this is how you’re going to wake us up every morning, Pops, you’ll never get rid of me.’ She joked with him and made him smile.

  Kayden groaned and sat up, throwing pillows behind Cassie so she could lean back. He kissed her cheek. ‘Morning, beautiful,’ he said sweetly. Then glancing up at Aldebaran, he grinned. ‘What time is it, Poppa bear?’ Kayden joked.

  ‘Midmorning and your porridge is lumpy and cold, you bastard,’ he grumped back, making Cassie and Kayden crack up laughing. Aldebaran shook his head, amused. ‘Okay, you two stirrers. I wanted to take you somewhere fun for the day but now you can both stay here and Conom and I will go on our own.’ He laughed with them.

  Cassie stopped mucking around. ‘Really? Where’re we going?’

  ‘It’s a surprise. Now get up. Breakfast is ready.’

  After getting out of the shower, Cassie braided her hair back and her outfit changed to a pair of shorts and a girlie top that showed off her tattoo. While she slipped into the flats that her shoes had magically turned into, Kayden came out the shower, towel drying his hair and grinning at her.

  ‘That looks pretty hot, honey,’ he grinned.

  ‘Maybe it’s the way I did my hair. The magic just keeps mixing things up. Should I take it out?’ she looked in the mirror, unsure now.

  He grinned. ‘I thought as much. It is your magic that’s making all these changes. I think your subconscious actually knows what’s coming up next and dresses accordingly. Don’t stress, just go with the flow and don’t you dare spoil my enjoyment by changing a single thing, you little hottie. Get here now!’ He laughed as he chased her around the bed, joking and having fun with her.

  Finally ready, they took the elevator to the bottom floor where they found the others eating breakfast. Conom looked up and nodded, his face pale, his eyes dark and tired-looking.

  Aldebaran was reading as usual as he ate. Cassie put her arms around him and he smiled, looking up at her. ‘You’re looking a bit better now.’

  ‘Sorry about last night, Pops. We’ll try to behave a bit more today.’

  ‘Somehow I don’t think either of you will, but it is nice to hear you’ll try.’

  Cassie let him go. Grinning, she walked past Conom, ruffling his hair. ‘Thanks for last night, ace. Hope I wasn’t too much bother.’

  He had a tired expression. ‘You were no trouble, little one.’

  She grinned back at his sweetness. ‘Even so, thanks for being a good friend.’ Sitting down next to Kayden she picked at a bit of fruit and some juice and waited patiently for them to finish eating so they could go do something. ‘So Pops, give?’ she finally asked, unable to wait any longer.

  ‘How does a fun park sound?’

  Cassie jumped up and pulled at him. ‘Let’s go then, we’re wasting the day,’ she nagged, going over and pulling Kayden and then Conom up. ‘Come on, guys, get with the program. Pops is waiting.’

  ‘Who’s waiting?’ Conom asked, a little annoyed.

  ‘Did you have to tell her where we were taking her, Ald? I would have liked to at least finish my coffee first,’ he grouched.

  Cassie put her hands on her hips. ‘Come on, ace, stop acting like a princess and toughen up,’ she baited him.

  ‘Why you little …’ he grabbed her under one arm and in seconds had his other arm around Kayden’s shoulders and had transported them to the fun park. Aldebaran shimmered in straight after them, still laughing at how easily she could work up Conom.

  ‘I think you’ve met your match there, Conom.’

  ‘I’ll give her princess! After what she drank last night it’d be my pleasure to watch her go green,’ he said mischievously. ‘You’ll be begging us to go home after you’ve ridden the Big Dipper.’ His ruthless expression didn’t worry Cassie one little bit.

  She ran over to her father for protection, pretending Conom scared her and laughing at how quickly he reacted. His mood is going to make today so much more fun, she thought.

  ‘Being Daddy’s little girl is not going to protect you today, young lady.’ Conom put his arm around Kayden and whispered something. They both came over and kidnapped her from her father’s arms.

  ‘My own husband!’ she laughed as they took an arm each. ‘Traitor!’ she added, stretching up and kissing his cheek, loving every minute of it.

  Kayden told her they had landed on the Big Dipper constellation which is part of the Ursa Major Great Bear constellation. He and Conom took her through to the main entrance. She could now see that the Big Dipper was just a big fun park with heaps of rides and games to play.

  To get to the rides, they had to pass by some of the Great Bear constellation and could see bears roaming in their natural habitat. She would have loved to have gone in for a closer look as they were quite magnificent to watch; however Conom was dragging her away.

  ‘Come, inquisitive one, I’ll bring you back another day.’

  They stopped in front of a set of carts. ‘Here we are,’ Conom said with a little snigger in his tone. ‘The longest ride in the universe: the Big Dipper. It starts here and curves around like a big snake, the speed whips you around and goes so fast it almost takes your breath away, it drops you so rapidly, so be ready,’ Conom explained, putting her between Kayden and himself. ‘Do you need a spew bag?’ he joked.

  ‘No, it’s okay. I’ll just use your lap.’ She stirred him up.

  ‘You dare!’ He looked at her, shocked, and Kayden cracked up laughing.

  ‘Don’t worry, Conom, she’s just having a lend of you. She’s tougher than that.’ He calmed him as they took off.

  The ride was nothing like those at the fun parks she knew: it was way cooler. They dropped so fast it felt like their stomachs were in their throats and it corkscrewed around until their heads spun. With all the stars, you couldn’t even focus on a horizon to steady yourself. They just looked out at the atmosphere. When they reached the whip-around they thought they were going to fly off the edge and each felt as though they would continue to travel out into space with no end. It was freaky and scary, exhilarating and fun.

  When they pulled up it was Conom and Kayden who looked a bit green. After Cassie laughed heaps, she got back in with her father and went around one more time. He held her all the way around and when they reached the whip, both put their arms up and screamed really loudly and then laughed all the way back. When they stopped, her father gave her a big hug for including him by going around again, just with him.

  Kayden raced over, grabbing her for the next ride. ‘Come and have a look at this one,’ he said, keyed up. ‘It’ll blow your mind, Cass.’ He explained it. ‘You have to sit on a rubber tube with handles. It shoots you through a tube and up high into space. You came down and land on a white puffy cloud that softens your fall. But it’s like a trampoline that bounces you up and onto another four clouds before you stop. The whole time you spin and have to hold on or you end up in space and they have to come get you.’

  ‘Cool, let’s go,’ she said as he took her hand and they ran over to it. Luckily they could fit four on the tube so this time they could all go on the ride together.

  The first time Cassie’s hand slipped off, her father grabbed her and held her until she steadied herself again. The second time, Kayden and Cassie were laughing so much they both let go, accidentally on purpose, so they had to be rescued. It was so much more fun floating, waiting for pick up. They copped a scolding from Aldebaran for deliberately doing it to see what would happen.

  He is so cute the way he worries .

  The park was closing so they only had time for one more ride. Kayden wanted to go on a star ride that spun you while dipping five ways before spinning
high into the atmosphere and down fast like a top.

  ‘You’re used to chasing stars and catching them. This is right up your alley but for me, not so much.’ She was unsure. ‘However, I might not get up here for a holiday again for a while so will give it a go.’

  Boy, was she sorry she’d agreed to go. By the time the ride finished she was dizzy and they had to hold her while she steadied herself. Conom transported her directly to the top deck, helping her onto the lounge by the pool.

  ‘She looks pale, Kayden. Is she going to be alright?’

  ‘I’ll live.’ She frowned at their fussing.

  ‘She just needs a rest. Don’t forget we had a late night as well. I’ll take her for a sleep. She’ll be fine.’

  Kayden walked her back to the room, lying with her on the bed. She felt better in a horizontal position and brightening up, they talked about how much fun it had been. Conom knocked and asked if they were decent and came in with water and a tablet. He saw Cassie was starting to look better from just lying down and suggested they have a quiet one, maybe have a cinema night so Cassie could continue lying down on a recliner.

  ‘It’ll make your father think we’re being responsible,’ Kayden kidded.

  Aldebaran stood at the doorway. ‘I heard that, son. And it wouldn’t hurt either of you to behave for one night.’

  Conom and Aldebaran left to organise cinema food, arguing about just what Cassie would prefer and both acting like doting parents.

  ‘They’ve taken a real shine to you, honey,’ Kayden noted. ‘I’m pretty sure neither of them has ever cared about anyone this much, ever. Maybe you’re just what they needed to stop them worrying about what they want for a change, forcing them to think about someone else. Anything else.’

  Conom knocked on the door and came in. ‘You guys right to move yet?’ he asked.

  Kayden helped her to stand up. She wobbled a little as if she’d been drinking and giggled. ‘Come here, my delicate little flower,’ he said, lifting her into his arms.

  ‘I can walk,’ she tried to protest.

  ‘You’re as light as a feather, honey. You’re no bother, really.’

  ‘The joys of being married to a superhero,’ Cassie shrugged, glancing at Conom. ‘These powerful muscular brutes ended up with all the strength. It’s not fair. The only gift I got is to knock things out the way and blow things up.’ She poked fun at herself.

  Conom looked fascinated. ‘Powers?’ he inquired.

  Kayden reminded him of the first time they had met and of her threat if he was to hurt her friend.

  He seemed surprised. ‘I thought she was joking, you know. Acting the tough little minx.’

  ‘No, that was definitely not a bluff. She could have put you through the wall,’ Kayden chuckled. ‘There might not be much of her but she sure packs a punch.’

  ‘The only time I’ve seen her is when she’s on the horse watching you guys. Ald told me she was gifted but never elaborated on what. He handles most of the battle plans. I just sign off on it. I’m on earth most days and miss a lot of the action up here. You see, once it gets out about her capabilities, it is her that will become the target. Really, K, it’s not safe for her out there at all.’

  Kayden stopped at the doors to the cinema. ‘I try to keep her away from the danger as best I can but don’t worry so much, Conom. She can take care of herself. Trust me.’ He grinned and kissed her on the forehead. ‘Hey, cloud girl.’ He turned back to Conom. ‘And not only that, she is surrounded by my men and they would never let any harm come to her either. Between the five of us we guard her with our lives. My men have a real bond with her. Not sure how it happened but I think it’s her powers mixed with mine when I connected her to us as a group.’

  ‘What do you mean, connected her? How?’

  Kayden smiled. ‘Top secret. But let’s just say we all feel her even if she’s not with us. We can tell she’s happy and okay wherever she is.’

  In the cinema Kayden sat her on the twin recliner and she watched as Conom and her father seemed to be having a heated argument. They both had strong personalities and Cassie shrugged, turning back to Kayden. ‘Wonder what that’s all about.’

  Kayden had an idea but just smiled. ‘I guess you’re shaking them up. Let’s not worry about them for now. You just worry about me and me and me.’ He grinned.

  She laughed at him and he was right. He was so much more fun to worry about as he whispered what he would prefer to be doing with her rather than sitting watching a damned flick with these shits. He just never stopped with the humour and she loved it.

  The food started to come out and it shut Kayden up while he pigged out on mini hotdogs, hamburgers, popcorn, ice-cream and lollies.

  After the movie finished, Cassie stood up, feeling a bit better. She stretched. ‘Anyone feel like a spa before we hit the sack?’

  Aldebaran frowned.

  ‘Okay, Pops, alcohol-free I promise. Just a nice relaxing spa and hot chocolate after.’

  Kayden stretched. ‘Sounds good to me. Conom, you in?’

  He stood up. ‘I’m in. You don’t have to ask me twice to find a way to relax before bed.’

  ‘I might call it a night, kids. I didn’t sleep well last night,’ Aldebaran said.

  ‘Just us then,’ Conom said, making a move.

  Melter of Hearts

  After the spa, they sat sipping hot chocolate and Conom asked when Kayden and Cassie would be leaving.

  Kayden looked down at her. ‘We really need to get back, probably tomorrow some time. I have many unique horses and they are in constant need of attention. And even though you and Ald have not been causing us grief, the rest of the constellations still need protecting and I’ve had a feeling all day that something is not right in the universe. I’m afraid it’ll never end for us.’ Kayden threw an arm over Cassie’s shoulders. ‘Sorry, honey. Are you okay if we leave tomorrow?’

  Before she could answer, Conom sat up in his chair, looking anxious. ‘Does Cass have to go? I don’t like this at all, Kayden. I know you like her with you but I wish you’d reconsider and realise how much danger she’s in out there.’

  Kayden grinned. ‘You guys are the ones causing the most danger for her at the minute, Conom. Call off the war and it will be easier for her.’

  Conom leaned into the headrest, defeated. ‘Ald is cross and that’s why he retired early. He’s angry I’m calling it off. Well, my part in it anyway. I’m afraid things have changed for me now that I know you both so well. It just feels all wrong.’

  Kayden leaned back in his chair as if the wind had just been knocked from his sails. There were a couple of minutes of uncomfortable silence before anyone spoke. Kayden inhaled and breathed out with a whistling sound. ‘Well, you certainly threw me. I never expected you to be able to give up so much. Aldebaran must have been quite shocked when you told him.’

  ‘I think he was expecting it. After I took care of Cass last night we had words. We argued until it was nearly dawn this morning before we both stomped off to get some sleep.’

  Kayden grinned. ‘It looks like she’s melted all our hearts in many different ways.’

  Conom reached over and tickled her. ‘Are you using powers on us, you little melter of hearts?’ He laughed and released her.

  ‘Yes, I have a machine and it sucks out all the mean stuff and I jump in there and take its place.’ She joked with him.

  Kayden stood up smiling, pulling her into his arms. ‘Then for goodness sake give me that damned machine so you’ll stop jumping in men’s hearts or I’ll end up with an army instead of a select group of loyal supporters.’

  Conom laughed at Kayden’s kidding. ‘Well, it will be a long day with Ald if you are both leaving tomorrow so I’d better get some shuteye.’

  He ruffled Cassie’s hair with his hand as he walked past. ‘Goodnight, stealer of hearts,’ he grinned as he left them.

  Morning came too soon and Zoltan sent Kayden a telepathic message from Zoren as he expected. After a
quick breakfast they went back to the star Aldebaran to collect Starburst and Zoltan. Cassie noticed her father was overly quiet and not once during the morning could she even get a smile out of him, no matter how much she tried. His face was expressionless and when he thought she wasn’t looking he had a constant frown.

  This was the Aldebaran that she’d first met, having quiet, moody moments. She wondered if her father would come back to her to say goodbye. Had she already lost him to the battle of the stars? Was his mind on a strategy again, just waiting for her to leave? She just wished for one last time that she could have his big bear arms around her.

  ‘I love you,’ she said as they were about to mount the horses and leave. He never answered, just stood staring into space. She shook him. ‘I know you love me, Pops, so you can act as tough as you want.’

  He looked down, giving her a weak smile and lifted her up onto Starburst. ‘Have a good trip home, Cassandra,’ he said and stepped back.

  Kayden said goodbye, and getting the horses into space, they left. Cassie was sad her father had ended their stay in one of his moods. He was angry Cassie had made such an impact on Conom. That he had gone cold on the war if it meant fighting her and not only that, they were leaving early after promising to spend the last day with him.

  Kayden also commented that it could just be a parent thing. He said that some parents were like that when they had to say goodbye to their kids the first time. They had to act all tough and uncaring or else they might fall apart if they succumbed to their feelings.

  Whatever the reason, they had to leave things the way they were until they had time to come back and work it out with him. He was part of her now and she wanted him in her life. She would definitely be sorting it out. She knew he loved her because she could feel it when he hugged her. He just needed time to catch up and realise what she already knew.

  Hydra

  As soon as they appeared in the paddock, Kayden summoned his team. The men received the message and were waiting at the house for their return. As soon as they trotted into the barn, Kayden knew there’d been a shift in their dynamics. Only Ethan and Conor came out to meet them. Jason and Woody were inside waiting, which was highly unusual. Once the horses were taken care of, Kayden followed them into the house. Jason and Woody both had their girls. Jason, the little surprise package, had proposed to Sonia and she was now part of their secret too. But they had kept the girls inside until Kayden had given permission for them to view the team in their magical form.