by Debbie Behan
The bottom of the stairs seemed further than normal as her foot missed the first step and with her equilibrium way off, rolled her ankle and misjudged the next. She grabbed the rail but missed, toppled off balance and felt the sharp pain as her body hit step after step as she plummeted to the ground— then nothing.
Then came Rory’s voice. ‘Cait’s been like this for the past couple of weeks and doesn’t seem to be getting any better.’
Really! Her conscious-self returned as it had done many times. She recalled drips in her arm, faces, hands that held hers, needles and sponge baths. Yet her voice was stuck in her throat. She was sure she’d just spoken, answering Rory. Did he not hear her?
Confused and disorientated she heard Axon. There you are, she said to him, but again no answer came. Her eyes closed on Axon’s tortured features that looked on. He had been determined to rule her life, and distrusted her judgement. As a boss he had let her down, and didn’t believe in her. As a man, his devotion had to be stronger or their love would not survive.
They can’t hear me. She wanted to cry but no tears would come.
In and out of consciousness, Caitlin tried each time to lift her head from the pillow but finally gave up, her mind in tatters as she lay there looking up at the roof. Axon had just left. Zoren was with him. Her guess was the archangel was his last shot at getting her better. The stream of endless faces in white coats with concerned looks had lately made her feel like an animal in the zoo. Prodded and poked, bright lights in her eyes, a lot of talk, but not one word did she understand. Her eyes were all that moved. She had developed a defeatist attitude and felt she would get no better. Her time awake became less each day. It was during one of these conscious episodes that a hand slipped into hers. It jolted her with a magic that reminded her of an ice world, a happier time and she looked into Jett’s caring face. The room had emptied out and they were all alone.
‘Jett,’ was all but a whisper as tears ran down her face like a flood of emotion.
He pulled back the sheet, lifted Caitlin’s frail body in his arms and sat on a chair with a blanket that he laid gently over her. ‘What’ve you done to yourself Glow Girl? Have you fallen for my charms and can’t live without me?’ He smiled.
‘You wish,’ she whispered.
It was the first time in weeks that words had made sense to her.
‘They tell me you won’t eat or drink and I guess those are the first words you’ve spoken. I miss you too, but we have to move on with our lives. My wife has come home and you have your Axon and a family here.’
‘I don’t like them anymore. Axon never wants me to talk to you again.’
‘Axon asked me to come here, Glow. He is beside himself and doesn’t know how to reach you.’
Her eyed widened.
‘Yes we fought, both of us pissed off for different reasons. However, once I found out what had happened we talked. For you Glow, only for you we are on speaking terms until we sort this out.’
She frowned and he rubbed his thumb gently on her forehead.
‘Let me talk and stop worrying. We are grown men and will sort out our own issues. Glow, he told me what he said and did. You have to forgive him. I would have done the same; he was jealous, that’s all. You have to give him a break. He’s been without you for a couple of months and when you came back, you talked non-stop about me, then from what I’m told you stayed talking to the team so you didn’t have to be with him. You got angry, wouldn’t talk about it and cringed from him when he reached for you. What did you expect? He thinks you’re in love with me now and has offered to give you up rather than have you sick like this.’
She cried, Jett rocked and allowed her time to get it out of her system. ‘I just want to keep you as my friend. I’m not asking for the world am I?’ she sobbed through tears.
‘We are on different sides Glow, so can’t you see he’s right? It would never work.’
‘Then put me back the way you found me and leave. Why should it matter to you what happens to me?’
He stopped rocking her, taking his time to answer. ‘Because I care for you as you do me and need to know you are happy too. You’re breaking my heart to see you like this.’
‘Then make it work Jett. Find a way.’
‘I will, but you have to give me time. This is my entire fault. I kidnapped you and then just dumped you off when unable to deal with the consequences of what I was doing. My decision was so instantaneous it never gave you a chance to have a say in it or time to adjust without me. Me, well, the project consumed every hour and it took my mind off you. By the nightfall, exhaustion consumed me and left me too tired to think. You came back and felt alienated from not only me, but your friends. I’ve been terribly cruel to you Glow and even now you give me nothing but your friendship and love. I told you I was a monster.’
She dried her eyes and smiled. ‘But you’re my most favourite monster in the whole world.’
He laughed and kissed her. ‘Yes, I guess I am.’
He ran his hand through her hair and down her cheek, feeling her skin that she knew he loved so much. ‘What about if you and Axon come and stay in the snow cabin? Have a holiday with me until you get well again. You loved it there and the privacy might give you both the time to rekindle what you had. Please Glow. I want to give you some of the same happiness you have given to me. Find love and enjoy your life with a partner that loves you in return. Give him a chance to make you feel happy again.’
‘And you and him. You are at war.’
‘So are we. Glow, I haven’t got all the answers but for you I am willing to try with Axon.’
She gave him a weak smile. ‘You will.’
He nodded and shook his head, his expression amused. ‘To have you smile again like that and to me – yes. I give you my word.’
‘You know I love your planet, but what about Melita? Won’t she mind us being there? She may side with the rest of your family.’
‘No, I told her everything. She knows who you are now and would never disclose your identity. She loves me too much to get me into trouble with my family.
‘I told her you helped me build a new world for her and she is chuffed you cared so much. You were right. She has come back to me with so much love it blows me away. I have a happy wife now and I have you to thank for it.’
He laid her back on the bed. ‘Stay here and rest. I’ll go and talk to Melita and Axon. I can’t promise anything, but I’ll see what I can do. It has to be up to our partners now. We both know this is out of our hands if they say no.’
She felt for his hand. It was big, warm and wrapped gently around hers. ‘You’re a good friend Jett.’ Her voice was tired as she closed her eyes.
She woke and felt herself lifted by Axon’s loving hands and turned her head to see Jett had his arm around her man, ready to transport them all. She smiled, closed her eyes again and knew she had won. The men had worked out an agreement and even though it was because of her, at least they were on talking terms and in time, who knew. She had done her best for Jett to be allowed in her life too. Her job now done as the mediator the universe had instructed her to be, it was time for her to live again. She could feel her body heat up, not with the Macro Riders magic this time, but sent from higher above. She shone brightly and when they got her to the cabin, Axon laid her down where they both watched her body as it glowed brightly.
At last Caitlin understood as the power from the heavens healed her broken body with a message attached. A job well done and your reward is time out with a man who with just one kiss, stole your heart.
The gift of time alone with the man she loved and being here on Pluto with the other man she wanted in her life now, lit her up more.
‘Are you sure she’s not an angel?’ Jett turned to Axon.
Axon, barely able to take his eyes from her, shrugged. ‘If she is, she’s our angel. She’s healing herself for both of us. I can feel her love.’
‘Me too! It’s such an unbelievable sensation.’ Jett t
ouched her face, and Axon could now see the love he had for her. He wasn’t a threat. His love was not passion; it was affectionate and much more, a soul connection, a friendship that was eternal.
Jett ran his hands over her forehead. ‘Rest, sweet angel, for now it’s time for the teacher to be taught.’
He turned to Axon. ‘When you’re ready, buzz the intercom and I’ll have a meal sent up. Maybe tomorrow if she feels up to it you can both join Melita and me for a look around, and enjoy what Caitlin helped create?’
‘Last visit neither of us even thought about what she achieved, only what it caused.’
‘Yes! Be thankful the underworld is full.’
‘And you – that I held back!’
‘For Glow – we shook on it!’ Hades rolled the words off like thunder.
‘For Cait.’ Axon cooled his temper as they both eyed her.
‘Love to join you both.’ Axon shook the calmer extended hand of Hades.
Caitlin slept a long time and when she woke it was to Axon and they were alone. He knelt beside her and kissed her. ‘Your lips are so soft and delicate, you taste divine.’
She was amazed how his always invited her to stay. She had missed him terribly and shuddered with joy as he gathered her tenderly in his arms. His mouth claimed hers again and in her vulnerable state she knew if she didn’t stop him, he would take her as his own. His hand moved unthinkingly down her neck and over the hardened nipples, and he moaned. With the same slow gentleness, he let it slide further to a place she had dreamed him to be. Even so his impatience to have her froze Caitlin and her eyes snapped open. ‘We can’t.’
‘We can’t,’ he mimicked her and smiled and suckled on her neck and earlobe, ‘Are you sure?’ His voice was dreamily seductive as his hand moved again to where it wanted to be.
She pushed at his chest. ‘Axon, we have spoken about this.’
‘I know, I know.’ His voice was still relaxed, soft. ‘You save yourself, but that was then, you’ve had experience now. Let me show you who the greater lover is.’
Her hand moved fast, and swiped the side of his face. ‘Take a shower Mr.’ she rolled from him and sat with her arms wrapped around her legs.
He rubbed his stinging cheek. ‘Caitlin, are you for real? Stop your nonsense. Nobody sleeps within the realms of a god’s lair and walks away with a friendship as you two have without being intimate.’ He sounded his normal bullying self. His arms went out to her, pleading. ‘Come back here gorgeous, I promise I will respect you in the morning.’
She threw a pillow at him. ‘Is that what you say to your lovers? Hell, Axon, no wonder you’re still a bachelor. Now it’s my turn, are you for real?’
His glare was sulky, unsure what else he needed to do to have this woman in his bed.
‘I love you, isn’t that enough?’
She chuckled and stood up. ‘You have so much to learn before we consummate our love.’ She started to shed her clothes as she walked into the spa room, and Axon followed, unable to be further than a metre from her. Naked, she stepped into the hot spa that bubbled up when the sensors felt a presence. Axon quickly removed his clothes and climbed in beside her. His bare nearness excited her, but if he really wanted her as much as she did him, she wanted commitment, loyalty and long lasting love. To let him have his own way so easily meant he might discard her as he had many others over his time. No, she would keep him on edge, wanting yet just out of reach until the day he said, I do.
He moved up beside her. She was a tease, but she was his tease and even though it drove him insane, he would wait for her and never give up.
‘So you want the whole deal, the ring, the works.’ His tone was sexy and alluring.
She took in a deep breath and smiled. ‘Even they won’t seal the deal if you keep accusing me of being promiscuous.’
‘So those mixed up good values you believed in, you still hold.’
She splashed him. ‘You should know me well enough not to even have to ask that.’
‘Then marry me and allow me to protect your ethics eternally.’ He lowered his mouth to hers, taking her in, her sweetness and the gift of her confirmed innocence made her taste all the more delicious. The kiss paused as he heard her reply.
‘Say again?’ He grinned from ear to ear.
‘Yes! Yes, I so want just you.’ She wrapped her arms around him. ‘I chose you, Axon Stanton. It is you I dream of and it is you I want to spend my forever with.’
‘You will, I am!’ He punched the air with excitement and snatched her back in his arms. ‘Then let’s get dry, baby; I’m going to show you just how loving your life will be from now on!’ His hands moved to her butt and she gently pulled them back in a more respectable position.
‘Not so fast, stud. You can show me that on our wedding night.’
He stopped and faced her. ‘What, you’re really going to make me wait?’
‘You bet I am. You have Buckley’s and none of trying to squeeze out a quickie without completing the transaction. I want to have the engagement ring, a traditional wedding, the whole package, sugar. Not just a wham, bam, thank you ma’am.’ She grinned.
He had laughter in his voice. ‘You little tease of a fiancée. I will organise the ring and by then I want a date for the big day confirmed from those beautiful lips.’ He kissed her. ‘Waiting is not one of my strongest points.’
‘Oh my poor hard done by intended.’
Axon felt as if he drifted on a cloud. It was much later after they emerged from the spa, waterlogged, frustrated, but so very happy now his future was sorted.
‘I guess if I’m not getting any – food will have to do,’ he teased her and wrapped a towel around him and rang for dinner.
Dried and dressed they cuddled up in front of the fire waiting for Jett to arrive. He shimmered into view with waiters that fussed over them with wine and hors d’oeuvres while others set the table.
Axon made a toast, ‘To my fiancée.’
‘What! That was unexpected. You two worked out your issues then.’
‘Sure did.’ Axon beamed. ‘She’s going to make an honest man out of me. If I could organise a traditional wedding in a day, I’d marry her tomorrow.’
‘Glow, I didn’t know you were looking at settling down. What about the Riders?’ He sounded confused.
‘I’m not sure, we haven’t discussed that yet. I do know one thing though. I want kids, lots of them.’ She smiled at them.
‘You what!’ Axon’s eyes widened. ‘Honey! That can surely wait a few years though.’
She shrugged. ‘Maybe – It’s that or stay a Rider.’
‘He pulled her into his arms. ‘If I have to have a tribe running around to keep you off that horse and by my side, it’s a done deal. Kids it is.’
Hades replaced Jett. ‘You can’t be serious. Kids. Zoren will not go for this at all and neither will I. If Glow isn’t in the team don’t expect me to work with any of the other nose wipes. You’d better re-think this and now!’
Caitlin pulled from Axon and stood directly in front of Hades with her hands on her hips. Her eyes were glowing and the lush hair shone a brilliant red with gold highlights. It was a sight he was used to when she got cross but Axon had not and his stunned look showed it. ‘Don’t start with me. I’m having kids and you are going to be the first one’s godparent and better be a damned good uncle or else.’
He melted. ‘Godfather.’ It was Jett that smiled and held her hands. ‘Me?’
‘I have no other real family, only you and Melita.’
‘Then if it is the wish of the gods and a child is born to immortal parents, I would be honoured.’
‘Jett.’
‘Yes.’
‘I will always be your Glow Girl.’
‘Then I welcome the news of your engagement.’ He kissed her forehead. ‘Congratulations to you both.’ He shook Axon’s hand.
‘Sorry to be a buzz kill. But I need her too.’
‘I know, Hades – I don’t like it, but for
her I will honour these wishes to have you in her life. I hope we can put aside our differences out there long enough to both keep that promise.’
Jett stared down at Caitlin. ‘You have me wrapped around your finger. Let’s hope my family are just as understanding as your man.’
She stretched up and kissed his cheek. ‘The two men in my life are trying. I couldn’t ask for more. Thank you.’
‘A toast!’ Jett opened the champagne and they drank with him. The meal was put off as they sat around the fire and chatted. Axon filled Jett in on their first meeting and how Caitlin had given him a hard time and had done since they met. Jett could see how happy Axon was and left them to have alone time and enjoy the meals his chef had prepared. ‘Sure you don’t want to come and spend the night in the castle?’ he asked again, before leaving.
Caitlin shook her head. ‘Here is perfect,’ she said, and leaned against Axon. Her moment was just that, perfect.
With an arm around her, Axon moved them over to the table before his curiosity got the better of him. ‘You now know Hades well, yet I am at a loss as to why you both continue to call each other by your pet names from the island.’
‘It’s how I got through to him and he is Jett when he is with me. He’s Hades when he is not. He has happy memories of Glow Girl and he has shown no interest in calling me Caitlin. Even Zeus brightened up when I called him Calyx. The change was quite noticeable.’
‘That may be so, but you are a Macro Rider, Cait, and all the names in the universe will not change that fact. Be careful of the fantasy you create because when his family finds out who you are, the dream of friendship will crash down around you both. That is unless he’s got a plan, but still, it is an awful risk he takes to bring us back here to Pluto.’ Axon played devil’s advocate. ‘I’m sorry Caitlin but you seem unable to see the problems attached to this arrangement.
‘Maybe!’ she admitted. ‘But today I asked him to find a way so we can stay friends, or leave me and walk away. He couldn’t and knows if he wants me in his life, it is up to him to find it.’