by Debbie Behan
‘In your dreams, Glow Girl. No woman is getting a ring out of this man.’
‘You’re gay then. I’m crushed and hundreds of woman all over the galaxy are shattered.’
‘Give you gay. Spread that rumour and you’ll see Orion flex his fiendish ways again.’
‘Orion will get his just desserts if he ever crosses my path again.’
He eyed her and a grin etched his mouth. ‘You can put it aside can’t you?’
‘Look tosser, I’m not scared of your tough, bad-boy side, so don’t even go there.’ She straightened with dignity.
He thought her adorable. The copper hair toned by cool, bright-green eyes provoked him with gusto. ‘Call me a tosser!’ He snatched up the temptress and threw her over his shoulder.
Caitlin’s reactive squeal had Kayden and Axon at the ready.
‘It’s okay boys, don’t get your jocks in a twist, just taking cheeky here on a tour.’ He put her down and after she fixed her dress, slipped her arm around his and smiled. ‘Well, I’m waiting.’
His grin was the first since their arrival and to her that said it all; they were friends again. Axon and Kayden were speechless. His smile was a phenomenon neither had seen.
****
After the grand tour, Aurek moved his head to the side. ‘Please don’t let work spoil what we have. This here, with us two, it won’t change my mind. I’m still not prepared to give in.’
‘Aurek my dearest new friend. I have forgiven that side of you which is untamed, and that is as far as I go. You will face the music, but not by my hands.’
‘So whether or not I give in, it’s of no consequence to you; we remain as we are right now.’
‘You have my promise.’
****
Axon eyed the two as they walked in, Caitlin all smiles and full of life on the arm of Orion. The twitch of his face shifted when he looked from her. Back was the harshness of before, the arrogant expression that he had conned their Rider and they could do nothing about it.
‘Come.’ Caitlin dragged Orion over to them. Axon glanced at Kayden who wiggled a shoulder, a habit when he was over the antics and in two minds to settle this one way or another.
‘This is Aurek I told you both about.’ They both froze as Caitlin worked her magic, not allowing either of them to move until she was ready. Axon knew she could control the ones she worked on, but this was the first time she had used it on them. The release of pent up frustration dissipated as she continued to introduce Axon to him.
‘All your family know my fiancé as Wolf and if you don’t mind, I prefer this name to be used while off world and off duty.’
‘Off duty.’ Kayden shook out of her controlled force long enough to respond.
‘We are going to spend some time together, Kayden, and enjoy this sanctioned visit that Aurek has been kind enough to host.’
Aurek offered his hand, and both men took it easily now they had calmed down.
‘Wolf, so nice to meet you at last. Glow never shuts up about you. And Kayden, if we must stay pleasant to please Glow here, then so be it. I’m happy to call a truce while she is in my home. She has convinced me I can trust you and even though I have my doubts, I do trust her.’
‘And I am yet to trust you!’
‘Touché.’
‘Okay, that’s enough shop talk.’ Caitlin grabbed hold of Aurek’s arm again. His devotion to her was noticeable as he turned to show them into the games room. Here they played billiards, darts and before long the afternoon quickly turned into late evening. It was when Kayden got into the hang of their names that Aurek relaxed more as if believing himself to be the man Caitlin thought him to be. They ate dinner together and continued the competitive banter until the men slurred, making no sense. It was then that Caitlin struggled with them to the guest rooms where they crashed for the night, Kayden in no shape to sit on his horse, never mind control the trip home. Followed by the servant who unlocked the cabin, Caitlin laughed at Axon as he told his last joke and dropped heavily on one of the beds. Aurek was arm in arm with Kayden. She wasn’t sure which one carried whom, but they both fell together face down on the larger of the beds. Both chuckled like schoolboys as she tried to get pillows under them and keep them from rolling onto the floor. Finally, they were asleep and she curled up with Axon and dozed, her mind still trying to work out a plan to turn this war around.
Next morning none of them was alert. Aurek had breakfast brought out onto the patio and later, they sat around with coffee.
‘Best we be heading back.’ Kayden put his cup down on the table and frowned as he checked his messages on the NAVpager.
‘What, you’re not coming hunting with me today?’ Aurek said.
Axon shrugged. Caitlin could see he wasn’t ready to leave. He hadn’t got what he came for but left it up to Kayden. They were in his zone and so waited for the commander to decide.
‘If you’re up to it that is. Big night for pussies,’ Aurek stirred.
‘Pussies!’ Kayden threw his head back and laughed with Axon, heartily.
‘Got the NAVwheeler’s out there if you don’t think you can keep up.’
‘Stirring bastard! We’ll see who can’t keep up and comes home empty handed.’ Kayden stuffed the Navpager in his pocket. ‘Up to it Axon?’
‘Don’t have to ask me twice. I’ve had no time off for many months. Rory can handle things while I’m gone.’
Caitlin had her hold on the men and they weren’t going anywhere until this mess was sorted. She put her hands up. ‘Never been hunting before, bring it on.’
‘Will she be okay?’ Aurek didn’t look confident taking her.
‘Don’t worry, she may be Glow to you and Red to us, but to a predator, she’s trouble,’ Kayden put in, unsure if Aurek was aware of her powers and in case he wasn’t, left it at that.
The dry, hot morning turned to a sizzler by afternoon and to alleviate the heat, the men guzzled down moonjuice. On their return, the loud, rowdy hunters dived into the swimming pool and there they stayed; only getting out to grab more moonjuice. Not having to use so much power to control them now, Caitlin sun-baked and enjoyed their banter, sometimes entering into it but mostly allowing them time to bond alone. She hadn’t realised how much alike Kayden and Axon were. They hit it off but when they clashed as both were so stubborn, Aurek or she had to mediate. Many times it was Aurek that stirred them up and it was his underhanded cunning that amused her. Finally, Kayden crashed on one of the pool lounges while Caitlin struggled and dumped Axon in bed. His weight clumsily thumped on the mattress and the crack of something left the bed on a funny angle. Out cold, she left him and went to find Aurek who had found relief on a tree and laughed at her poised shake of her head and hands on hips.
‘Bed now!’ Her disciplinary tone made him laugh but he put an arm around her and allowed Caitlin to struggle with his large uncoordinated body. Her deep sigh amused him again as he flopped on to the bed opposite Axon.
‘You’re a good mate, Glow Girl, and the prettiest mate I ever had.’ His inebriated smile made her grin. ‘Am I your best mate too?’ he asked.
‘You’re my newest best mate. I have Jett too, remember?’
‘Ah! That’s right, but only because that mongrel got to have you all to himself for days. Not fair Glow.’
Before Caitlin could think what she was saying or that he would take her seriously the kidding words that came out next were a surprise to both. ‘Well if you stop trying to blow up the Cloud Riders, Wolf might let me spend a few days with you as well.’
‘Really!’ He sat up straight and slurred, ‘You better ask him Glow Girl, I like that deal.’ And he fell down and went straight to sleep.
Axon woke and heard her words. ‘He’ll bloody well hold you to that,’ he growled as Caitlin slipped into his arms for a cuddle.
‘I was just messing about; he won’t remember a thing tomorrow.’ She pushed aside his concerns and fell to sleep.
Axon woke Caitlin with a kiss and when
she moved to get up he pulled her back to bed. Caitlin squirmed out of the romantic arms. He moaned, wanting a few more minutes.
‘We have company,’ she whispered.
He put his head up and looked around. ‘Ah, I remember now, we didn’t get home again last night did we?’
‘I’ll go rustle us up a coffee.’ She shifted from him and planted her feet on the ground before he could snatch her back to him again.
She glanced over towards Aurek’s bed. His eyes were wide as he watched her, and a slight smirk curled the corners of his mouth.
‘I suppose I’d better get up and help or we all know what sort of a crap coffee we will end up with.’ He shifted from the bed and stood lazily waiting for her to put on her shoes.
He led her into a massive commercial style kitchen. ‘See this button here?’ He pointed to a blue covered switch. ‘When you’re finished cooking and loading the dishwasher, you flick this blue baby and the whole room vacuum seals and is a huge big washing machine that cleans the walls, floors and benches.’ One of my inventions to keep the help at a minimum. Over the years trust has diminished with the continued war between Aldebaran and my home world.’
‘What about protection? You must worry if you’re on your own. You aren’t one of the most favoured owners and take so many risks.’
‘Don’t you worry your pretty little head about my security my sweet.’ He almost gritted his teeth. With little confidence in the newfound relationship, he felt she pried into his affairs a little too much at times, torn between their two worlds that were miles apart.
‘Sorry, didn’t mean to poke my nose into your business. Really, it doesn’t interest me about how you protect yourself, just wanted to know that my bestest new buddy has smarts enough to keep from harm. It would break my heart if anything were to happen to you.’ She looked up affectionately and he cursed himself under his breath for the arrogant snipe.
‘I have more than enough security and my army is strong and close. You just can’t see them, but believe it when I say that even now, they are all around us.’
She touched his face affectionately. ‘I need you to stay safe. You are important to me. Thank you for making me feel better.’
He looked down at the adorable woman that with just a touch shook his very core and knew exactly what she meant, for he too would do anything to keep her safe. It was then his heart clenched. She will go today. He needed more time, but why? He wasn’t in love with her and yet there was something that encased him as he stared into her eyes, so enchanting, so divine.
The low vibration of need in his voice made her shudder. ‘I remember what you said last night. This is where we draw a line in the sand, where I find out if what you say I will always trust. I want you to stay a while longer – without them. Do you trust me or only while you are guarded? I want more from you, Glow, and need it if we are to go any further into this friendship.’
‘Aurek, pl–ease.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘I’ve only just come home. Axon will have a fit if I do this to him right now. You know in your heart you can trust me.’
‘Glow, it has to be now! You know I will honour your engagement plans to Axon. If you leave me like this, now, it will devastate me. He will have you for the rest of his time. I ask for only three days of it.’
She breathed in deeply and calmly exhaled. ‘How much moonjuice do you have here?’
‘Plenty – why?’
‘You better bring it out cause we’re going to need more than Axon drank last night for him to agree to this demand. You know he will want something in return.’
Aurek knew that but could promise her nothing; her words left him speechless.
Caitlin shrugged at the helpless silence. ‘Don’t worry. I’ll see what I can do anyway.’
Aurek turned with a heavy heart. Worried he’d pushed something so new, so fragile. Still, he had to have her and if it came down to it, Aurek would fight for her.
Axon and Kayden sat on the lounges around the pool while they waited for them to return. Aurek noted the fun was over as he handed Axon his coffee. They had showered, and appearance was all business. It sent a clear message; this was the end of the visit and definitely, their last day.
Caitlin lowered herself quietly into one of the chairs and sipped her coffee while she eyed the three of them. Aurek had thrown her with his request and she’d lost focus. Gone was the hold she had on the other two and she sat powerless as Aurek’s appearance altered also. His face was a mask of non-expression as it had been on their arrival. Ready for it or not, it looked as if it was time to stop the games and do what they came here to do.
Kayden leant forward, full of no nonsense intent. ‘What do we have to do to wrap up this meeting that will satisfy you enough to end the bitterness towards Taurus?’
Orion spoke with determination, and Caitlin observed the strong ruler. His face was impassive; his strong chin poised while sticking to his stubborn point of view. With no intentions of backing down, his terms were simple. ‘I want a permit to hunt on Taurus. They have more than enough bulls and you all agree it’s one fine tasting beast, like no other.’
Both men agreed and yet knew this could never be. Orion had to see sense and the debate went on for a couple of hours until Caitlin thought her head would explode. The talks were going nowhere. Orion’s frustration was evident and she needed to come up with something, and fast.
She stood up and poured two shots of starstarters. She handed one to Orion and kept the other for herself.
‘Cheers!’ She lifted hers and swallowed the immortal elixir that was well known for its calming effects. However, to drink it straight an immortal became light headed, even moody. She wished for the light headiness that would have him more agreeable.
Orion copied with an eyebrow cocked, unsure what she was doing. The creak of the arm of the chair made him look at her as she sat beside him. Her back was to Axon and Kayden and deliberately cut them off. This was between her and him now. She had regained her composure and given them enough time.
‘Aurek, tell me something. How long do the steaks last in your freezer? I’m referring to expiry of the taste.’
‘Six months give or take.’ Aurek had let go of the argumentative tone he held. Not knowing where she was going with it, he smiled. He knew now he could trust her; she had come through for him, taken over and come up with a plan.
‘And to fill this freezer of yours, how many days hunting would it take?’
‘At least a couple of days.’ An excited buzz stirred within him. Where was she going with this? He didn’t care, he wanted it all, including her, and couldn’t breathe for fear he might not end up with it.
‘So it seems simple to me and maybe Aldebaran will trade. You love to hunt, and Cassie tells me her father loves to fish. Maybe once every six months, you could spend one weekend on Taurus killing only what will fill your freezers. In the meantime, Aldebaran and his friend Conom can come here on that weekend, have a holiday on Orion’s Belt and fish until they too, fill their freezers.’
There was silence for a minute before Kayden rubbed his chin thoughtfully. ‘You know Aldebaran may just go for it. You’re right. He and Conom enjoy fishing when they come and stay with us.’
She waited for Aurek to answer. Would he go for it?
‘Glow!’ said an irritable Orion.
Caitlin knew what he wanted, and demanded. He was no frills, do as I say. He needed time with her, had said so and the commitment to stay would change his mood and have him consider the deal. He stared at her with eyes that burned into Caitlin with a need to have his last request met.
Axon, aware of Caitlin’s outburst the night before, knew the cunning sod would have spoken to her about it and paused, daring his woman to consider it. His reply was going to be a definite, No!
Caitlin glanced at Axon, his thoughts prodding at her silently. She was aware what his answer would be, a definite, No! Yet her need to end this peacefully overpowered the dedication to her fiancé.
She sent an apology to Kayden telepathically to pass on to Axon later. Tell Axon I had no choice, he would not have given in without me. I have had to control him with too much power and with you leaving so soon, it has not yet settled. A couple of days and he’ll be fine. I trust him and so should you.
Don’t be a fool. I will find another way, Kayden communicated back.
This is it and you know it. You have tried everything and asked me to help. This is me helping. Not your way but the way the universe is asking me to handle it.
Closed to Kayden’s further silent communication, she turned back to Aurek. His eyes fixed on her as he waited, and hoped she had his best interest at heart. His chin jutted out with obstinacy, his brows pressed together firmly. He wanted her too and wasn’t going to let it go. She touched his cheek as she stood and waved a hand in the air. ‘Before Aurek agrees, I have a request of him.’ She smiled at him as she tapped her chin in thought. ‘He has requested time with me or there will be no deal.‘
Orion nodded and eyed Kayden and Axon, daring them to interfere. Axon was about to open his mouth and clamped it shut. Caitlin knew Kayden had just spoken to him telepathically and their silence gave her the go ahead to continue. The entire time she knew that if Axon disagreed he’d snatch her up and transport her out within seconds. She had to appeal to his honour.
‘As a child I had dreams. Books gave me hope there was more to life than the dungeon I called home. One of those dreams was to go hunting and experience the thrill of the chase and I believe that dream almost ended when you, Orion (she could never lay the blame on Aurek), planted that bomb. I demand retribution, that the punishment fits the crime. You caused me much pain and now I will become a pain in your side while you fulfil my wish.’
Aurek sat up straight. He didn’t know what she meant about her childhood, but the others did and it was working. Axon’s eyes filled as her words stung. He had promised to take her and never got around to it. Aurek could see the guilt of a promise forgotten by a man very much in love. He felt for the guy but his own needs overpowered his sentiment for Axon. His eyes rested back on the woman that was taking away the anger built up over time, melting it away with her cunning, but compassionate nature.