by Debbie Behan
He pulled Kayden aside. ‘I have my doubts about a couple of the team and would prefer to handle Klim and Mrs Lekett myself.’
‘It’s Caitlin isn’t it? You know what I think so just keep it in mind.’
‘I know your theory, but innocent my arse. She’s out of control and you’re not helping by encouraging it.’
Kayden put up his hands, whispering through gritted teeth. ‘Whoa, just a bit of humour mate! It’s rough out there and some of them would have lost it if I hadn’t lightened it.’
Axon breathed out heavily. ‘I know K. Look, you know how I feel about these women and yes, I might have overstepped the mark. Just nick off and give me time with this bunch alone.’
Kayden knew his friend well and gave him a hard slap on the back. ‘You’ll be fine. They’re a great bunch and if you just give them and yourself time, you’ll do all right.’
‘Sorry K. I trust your judgement. No hard feelings?’
‘I’m okay. Just wanted to let you know we have a job to do, but don’t have to be pricks while we do it. Don’t want Rory to turn out like me. Cait would go off like a cracker at him.’ Both men laughed as they went their separate ways, leaving the remaining members to follow Axon inside. Surprising Caitlin, Axon was beside her in seconds, taking her arm firmly and marching her ahead of the group and out of earshot.
‘You were very impressive out there Cait, but quit the antics and keep that smart mouth in check.’
‘It’s all right Axon, don’t give up on me. I’ve had a lot to deal with. This extra power of Cassie’s and the new job blew my mind. But I think I have it under control now. Being vocal is my cover when I’m terrified.’
She stopped and looked up at him. ‘I’ll try harder.’ She saw his eyes softened and smiled. ‘Promise!’
‘Cait—’ he didn’t finish the angry spit he wished he could drown her in; instead he let his arm drop by his side. She could be so frustrating, but so annoyingly sweet. ‘Just go join the others. I doubt you even know how to behave, but give it a go.’ He turned and walked away.
Left standing alone, Catlin strode to catch up with Conor and Ethan, deciding they might keep her out of trouble for a while.
‘My boss just blew me off for the old woman in the kettle! Can I hang with you guys?’
‘Sure if you shut your trap. We’re sick of laughing at you,’ Conor said, cracking up, and Ethan threw his arm around her.
‘You can hang with me funny girl. Stuff him. Come, I’ll show you where you can take a shower. Would you like me to wash you?’
He left her in the bathroom. She could still hear him laughing as he went down the hallway at her indignant look. He seemed happy he had finally said something that stumped her. He left her to ponder that these super beings not only had a sense of humour but were such stirrers, even more so than she was. She couldn’t wait to clean off the dust from the Nova and go hang with them both again. ‘Keep me out of trouble,’ she muttered. I am so going to get another tongue lashing by the end of this night. She closed her eyes and ducked her head under the water. Oh well, so be it.
After the shower, she dried herself and reached for her dress that had mysteriously disappeared. Ohmygod! I’m with Rory on this one. That golden bridle is staying on my horse forever. She eyed herself in the mirror. The magic faded her image into a bright glow for an instant, leaving her dressed in a silver cocktail dress, styed hair and makeup, perfect. Hell yes! What a time saver but Geez horsy out there, wake up to yourself or I’ll come out there and slap you, really! A dress! she mused, fitting right into this bizarre new life, taking pleasure in every second she spent in it.
****
In the dining hall, Bree clung to her arm as soon as she walked in, possibly a sign that the youngest of their group had freaked out. A scan of the room found Lisha in her element, Caitlin noting the experience had put the other female member of their team on a high. The eldest of the three of them was laughing hysterically with Conor who seemed infatuated with her. Ethan was busy as well. On guard duty to keep Cassie safe, he hadn’t taken his arm from around her. Caitlin moved towards him, figuring he would just have to play guard while talking. Bree needed help and he was the only one that could sort out the cling-on-girlfriend that held her way too tightly. Ethan was Bree’s paired-off guru and Caitlin needed him to do his job and counsel her friend.
Bree, being the newest and youngest of Rory’s group, spooked easily. Caitlin understood her concern. Spinning at a high speed would shatter even her nerves. To chase after shooting stars was crazy enough without the atmospheric conditions that left them feeling energised, and it being their first time, overwhelmed. However, this was her part to play in the deadly game they had all agreed to, and unable to relate to how she was feeling, she left her in Ethan’s capable hands, to explain what it was like for him on his first mission.
Free to look around and with mischief in those emerald gems, she sought out the food table and browsed the buffet. That was hard work out there today! She straightened her shoulders with pride, a little guilty that her part in all this was a breeze. She just had to sit on a horse and look pretty and when asked, blow stuff up. Poor Breezy, she thought as she filled a plate with a selection a sweet pastries. A lick of her finger let her know this was actual Earth food. Happy with her choice she devoured a custard and cream pastry as she watched a couple of men that had only just arrived. Beauty! she thought. Newbies! Newer than me.
They entered with a dark aura that calmed as they spotted Caitlin. She shot them a grin as she cleaned up a blob of cream that ran down her chin and onto her top. The two men, attracted to her wit and good humour, accompanied Caitlin to the unusually high table where they sat on stools and chatted. Caitlin learned that they were from the Milky Way, the constellation they had come to protect. ‘Good! You owe me. You’re buying.’ She received a couple of deep gruff laughs that cracked her up. It was only then she learned that tea was the only beverage on the menu, the flavours too many to count. Caught up in a debate about whether women should work in a position such as a warrior Cloud Rider, she and her new friends burst out into constant fits of laughter. The more tea she sipped the funnier the two men became. Her head spun before she clicked that the tea produced was not from normal Earth-grown leaves.
Axon finally joined them. The party now kicked into overdrive, the tea a hit with the newcomers. Klim took Caitlin’s hand and spun her under his arm and out onto the dance floor. Axon, holding back a glare, grunted and nodded towards her before he strutted off to join Ethan, Cassie and Bree. He stood with his back to the dance floor, chatting.
Caitlin enjoyed Klim’s company and giggled with pleasure as he spun her around the floor, ignoring Axon’s obvious effort to make her uncomfortable. This she knew was because he didn’t trust her with him. After the music finished she thanked Klim and excused herself, wobbling slightly from the tea they drank together, and found her way out onto a balcony to cool off. The darkness was broken by two moons and many bright stars. The feeling of freshness against her skin came from air so crisp and clean. She felt at peace somehow, as if this is where she was to be. Out here in the universe and even though only just introduced to it, she was overjoyed in this new life. It was a feeling that even Axon’s distrustful glare could not spoil for her.
As she turned to go back inside, she noticed he had been standing in the doorway watching her.
‘What are you doing out here alone? There are dangers here that you are not aware of, Caitlin. Please let me know next time you want to head outside so I can have you guarded. Have you not seen how Cassie is watched like a hawk? This is careless; another reason you give me not to trust you.’
Anger welled up inside her and she moved inches from him, hands on hips. ‘I belong here, Axon, and you know it. Okay I don’t know the rules yet and feel way out of my depth, but don’t for one minute think I need protection as Cassie does. Rory has spent years training me and I reckon I could take you on if you want me to prove it.’
‘Yes,’ she said, her voice soft and inviting. ‘You, Axon Stanton, I feel I have known you forever, yet we’ve only just started to get to know each other. That’s crazy, isn’t it?’
Caitlin smiled, stood up on tippy toes and kissed his lips, laughing, and went to run inside. She got only a few steps before he lifted her into his arms and kissed her passionately back. Caitlin felt the depth of desire this man had inside him and wondered if she had tapped into that. Was he falling for her, as she was for him? Gently he placed her back on her feet. Goosebumps and a tingle that ran throughout her body kept her glaring at him, unable to move just yet.
A calming of her hormones came. Caitlin straightened up and with her two fingers flicked against the skin on his arm, letting out enough power to make him jump with the slight electric charge she gave him. The leap of his body gave them distance enough for her to straighten more, and lift her chin with a playful indignant look before walking off on him. She looked back and he was shaking his head. Was that a slight grin she spotted for the first time today?
The kiss was unexpected; Caitlin coming to the realisation that what he said, and what he was thinking towards her was so very opposite. She now looked forward to getting to know her boss on a more personal basis and sniggered to herself. She would have to keep this quiet for his sake. But now she had leverage and this pleased her. Rory had changed and she was unsure where she stood with him at times during this mission so having the boss in her back pocket secured her position in the team regardless of how he felt. In a daze and dreams of the beginning of love, she joined the others who had gathered at Kayden’s return.
Rory took Bree in the circle of his arms, lifting her off the floor in a hug when she ran over to him.
‘I missed you big fellow!’ She smiled up at him. ‘Have you finished yet or do you still have to do stuff?’
‘Just a few more minutes, Bree, honey.’ He grinned back at her.
Caitlin watched on. She and Rory used to be like that together. She missed him but was happy he had found someone sweet and loving to spend his life with. Bree was honest and a good woman. If it had to be anyone she was glad it was her.
Bree almost skipped away from him. She seemed so happy now he was back and poured herself and Caitlin another tea. ‘Have a beverage with me Caitie girl.’
Axon slipped it out of her hand. ‘Don’t, Cait, you’ve had enough of this tea for one night,’ he said, and held it up. Caitlin jumped to grab it but his height played to his advantage, the black tea ending up on a shelf. He swung her on to the dance floor with him. ‘You’re such a little live wire; do you ever stop and take a breath?’ He waltzed her around the floor.
‘Yes, when you kiss me.’
He bent down and whispered, ‘Not a good idea to remember that, whatever it was. And, that being said, quit sleazing up to the rulers, it doesn’t become you.’ He sounded exasperated.
Her eyes glazed over. He lied! ‘Well, whatever that was has happened twice now. As for Klim, give me some credit, I was nothing but a friendly companion to amuse him until you and Kayden were ready to speak to him.’ She shook from his arms and strode off the floor. He didn’t leave her side until she was back with her friends. Then he hurried off and joined Kayden, his movement rushed and annoyed.
Cassie offered Caitlin a cup of Mrs Lekett’s addictive brew.
‘The bully boss giving you a hard time?’ Bree slipped an arm through hers. ‘Give her a mug of it, Cassie.’ She continued to console Caitlin.
Before long the girls were joking, noisy and were having such a good time together that even Lisha joined them. The four girls together was probably not a good idea. They became louder and ended up on the dance floor, the antics having those who watched in stitches of laughter. The only time they stopped was to sip more tea. By the time the men did join them, they didn’t get a look in as the four girls stood arm in arm and swayed as they sang at the top of their lungs. Eventually they sat in a circle and had a girl power chat until they fell asleep together.
****
In the morning, they found they had a headache for the first time ever. Caitlin put a hand to her forehead as she nursed her throbbing head, while looking for Axon. He was asleep in a chair when she found him and she squealed with surprise when he made a grab for her and pulled her onto his lap.
‘Sorry, I kind-of ignored your advice and feel sore and sorry for myself for doing so,’ she said, her tone apologetic.
He shuddered as she wiggled closer into him. His reaction confirmed to Caitlin that he had feelings for her.
‘Your head’s aching, isn’t it?’
She nodded, as the throbbing pain and his sympathy made her frown.
A light sparked in his eye. ‘You wouldn’t listen?’
‘It was a girl thing. They encouraged me.’
‘I’m sure they did! Hold still while I take away that ache. Although I should let you suffer a little for disobeying me.’ He gave her a touch of his magic to rid her of it, ignoring her protest that she wasn’t that bad.
He held each side of her head, his touch soft and delightfully cool, making her eyes close. Sudden warmth radiated from his fingers and took away all traces of the pain she had felt. Warm lips touched her and left her weak and breathless as she melted into his arms. He pulled away, apologising. ‘Sorry, that wasn’t part of it, but your lips are just so kissable.’ He stood them both up.
‘What! Is that it?’ She raised her hand to her head. ‘Hang on, I think it hurts again.’
‘Caitlin, behave! That was nothing. I’m a man that’s all. Don’t make anything out of it. I’m going for coffee unless you can take away my headache as well.’
‘Well let’s find a room. I’ll give it a fair shot.’ She chuckled uncontrollably.
He ignored her and left her to follow him, or not. Well that went well. Caitlin collected her dignity. He so likes me. She trailed behind him knowing he was heading for a coffee machine and that sounded too good to pass up.
Like an annoying child he could not get rid of, she was at his side and chatted nonstop until they found Mrs Lekett in the kitchen cooking bacon and eggs. Axon politely refused the tea offered, instead filling the coffee maker with fresh beans, opting to make a strong antidote.
Rory and Bree joined them, and Caitlin handed them a cup. ‘Hi guys, want a coffee? The boss just brewed some.’
Rory ruffled her hair. ‘Just so long as you didn’t make it,’ he said, grabbing a couple of cups and pouring Bree one too.
‘Not so good in the kitchen?’ Axon raised his eyebrow, glad to find a fault in her.
Rory collapsed in the chair beside her. ‘Axon, never, and I mean never, let that woman loose in the kitchen. Even on your best day you’ll want to kill her.’
Caitlin and Bree just laughed. ‘I’m allergic to kitchens. They bite and burn and cut,’ said Caitlin. ‘I hate them.’
Axon seemed happy for a change; it was as if he deliberately looked for flaws in her. Caitlin glared at him before deciding to ignore him. He just doesn’t want to admit he is hot for me! The thought made her smile and feel happy again. She had him pegged.
‘So, what went on with the warring stars? Did it get sorted?’ She changed the subject to show she wasn’t just a funny girl that couldn’t cook. There was more to her than that. She turned to Axon. ‘What was the verdict? Does the prince get the girl?’
Axon put down his cup and sat back. ‘Well, it’s not completely sorted yet! We are to call in on the prince on the run home. Kayden worked out a deal with Klim last night and just has to run it past the two lovebirds. He’s pretty sure after that it will be done and dusted.’
‘Man, Kayden’s a smooth talker. I learnt so much yesterday,’ Rory confided.
Axon had on his bu
siness look, and Caitlin tried not to smile. She loved the different personalities he allowed her to see. A hard-arsed businessperson and yet protective and someone she was beginning to feel very safe around. Even if he wouldn’t admit he liked her too, she hoped one day he would.
‘So tell me,’ Axon said calmly to Rory, ‘do you feel more confident? And before you answer, I understand you are a new team. There are bound to be mistakes and hurdles to cross while getting your own group the way you want them. That said, I have to warn you that you will be dealing with planets, not stars, so most of the fun they have here may not be what you find where we are going. Where I take you there will be gods, goddesses, and hard-core rulers that have done things their way for many centuries. I’m not trying to frighten you off, but I expect my team to be ten times better than Kayden’s due to the situations we’ll be faced with.’
He picked up his cup and drank the last of his coffee. The clunk of it on the saucer was loud as the noise around them had silenced. ‘You’ve all had a good laugh together and I allowed it because I had to know if you had a sense of humour. You will need it to get you through some nasty situations up here.’ He turned to Rory. ‘I really think you and your team have what it takes to be Riders and Kayden agrees, but do you think so too?’
Rory glanced at his friends. ‘Of course we can handle it. My team work as hard as they play. I’ve been with them for a long time and have every confidence in them. I’m just glad you guys can see it in them too.’
Rory held up his cup to Caitlin in a toast, and both clinked the china before the rest of them joined in. ‘To the planets!’
‘And I pity the poor gods when they meet our Caitlin.’ Rory grinned. ‘They are so not going to know what’s hit them.’
‘Horrible man!’ Caitlin leant over, slapping Rory on the shoulder. ‘You’ll keep, buddy.’