by Debbie Behan
‘You must be sick to death of us demanding menfolk.’ Her father smiled, but she could see the underlying meaning. He was worried for her to be around, not Calyx, but Zeus, her biggest threat. ‘I’ll call you,’ he whispered, winked and gave her a gentle squeeze.
Calyx sat watching her with intensity and stood with a strange look on his face as she approached him. He had moved away from the others. Coming closer to him she wondered if he’d picked up the connection between father and daughter. Even though only a short reunion between them, the family bond was strong.
Her hands shook so she hid them behind her back as she approached him. ‘Rory thinks it best that I go home and have some time with him and the team before the wedding.’
Calyx sucked in his breath when she put out her hand to him, shuddered and pulled her into an embrace. Her only thought was why had her perfume become so strong to affect him that way.
With a sigh he let her go but continued to hold her hand. It was a definite grip of authority, with no intentions of dismissing her yet. ‘You fascinate me Glow Girl. Why couldn’t you have been a bad girl and single? I would have followed you to the end of time to claim your heart.’
‘Yes, but at least knowing I’m not your kind of woman makes me more fun to be with.’ Her teasing words had his eyes gleam with golden lights, as powers ignited within in them that willed her to stay with him.
‘You still have two more days before you have to go home. Let’s blow this boring location off and go let our hair down. Live a little before your big day. You know you have always wanted to just go and do something outrageous and fun. All those years of nothing, and now stuck with a team that still wants to lock you away, and keep you safe. Come with me Caitlin and you will have the best two days of your life. You have the rest of your days to be boring and uninteresting.’
Jett yelled at him. ‘Stop it Calyx. Cait he’s using his power over you, fight it, tell him no.’
Caitlin looked at Jett with glazed eyes and back at Calyx. Rory tried to grab for her, but Calyx was quick and put up his free hand. The bolt of light he projected threw Rory backwards. The force had him hurtle towards Aurek and Lord Mensa and the three of them slammed into a huge statue that shattered on impact. Jett was immediately on the attack and his eyes glowed red, fire flamed towards Calyx but it stopped a NATmeter before it hit him. There was a shield around them and the flame just bounced off. Caitlin didn’t register the attack, instead her eyes swung back to Calyx, captivated by his adoring smile. ‘Come with me Cait, I won’t hurt you and promise to bring you back here in two days.’ His words sounded sincere.
Jett called to her and begged her to fight him, not to go, but her mind belonged to Calyx and accepted his offer. ‘You, my evil friend, are going to get me into so much trouble. My family will ground me for the rest of my life for doing this.’
‘Then I will make sure every day you are grounded, you will look back and say it was all worth it.’
In her mind, she knew this was reckless behaviour, but in her heart she so wanted to see the world through the eyes of the most powerful god in the universe. He was enchanting and empowered her with his charm, his charisma too hard to refuse.
He looked across at Jett irritably and using telepathy he spoke his intentions.
I will forgive you brother for hiding the one in the prophecy, for she has poisoned your mind with her magic. I am stronger than this female and will find a way to destroy this toxic ancient one that threatens us gods. If she survives it will be by the will of me, the true god of the heavens. I will not bow down to anyone, let alone a female. This is not a request, but a warning brother – do not speak of what I have told you nor search for us, or you know what I will do. I have waited a long time for this moment and you will not spoil it for me.’
And with that Zeus transported Caitlin away. Jett thought as Calyx, his brother Zeus had changed and that things would be different. The god’s arrogance lives on.
Up in Arms
Despite his feeling for this immortal female he held, Zeus intended to kill the Rider Caitlin, but every attempt failed, and not one mark did he leave on her. He pulled his hands from her throat. The will to live was strong in her.
Frustrated, Zeus threw up his arm at the heavens and cursed the day they had instigated this change that would destroy all he held sacred.
‘Why!’ he called out, and his thunderous voice created a tremor on his home world that caused a landslide. The mountains and earth around them were chopped up and destroyed after hours of battle. Nearly losing his footing, he transported himself and Caitlin to safer ground. In his arms she looked childlike, no threat to anyone. He had fought with the goddess within her and won. She had been banished, yet the body that held the goddess still lived on. Her thick lashes fluttered, and eyes the colour of a perfect emerald stared up at him with adoration, her smile captivating and alluring. How is this possible?
He had got rid of the goddess and yet the control those eyes had over him was even stronger than before. He thought her to be the most beautiful woman he had ever met and yet knew she was the enemy. Or was she?
‘Calyx,’ she said, in the tone of an angel. “Where are we? Have we arrived on Earth yet? I must have fallen asleep.’
Amazed she had no recollection of the fire breathing combat they had been locked in, he smiled back, for some reason unable to hurt this side of her; Glow Girl, the special woman that he had laughed with, danced with. He had left after the holiday at Delphinus Island so happy he could have burst. That was before he knew who she really was, who she protected inside, the goddess of peace, rightfulness and mother of all created. She had come to destroy him, have him bow down before her. He hated this person that had brought love and happiness to his family and even though enchanted, this was a fight to the death. He knew already that if he was unable to kill her, he would turn her evil. But to do this he had to unlock her secret door, find her weakness. He would win! He’d win for him, Hades and the rest of his family that she had corrupted. War was inevitable and her death was too, one way or the other. When this was done, it would send out a message to the universe never to dare oppose him, the mighty god Zeus, again.
‘Are you okay Calyx?’ She leant on her elbows. ‘You look upset. Did I do something wrong?’
As she spoke a thought came to him. To find her weakness was to give her complete happiness and he had two days left to do it. ‘Sorry Glow, I was worried for you, that’s all. Had to make a stop on my home world, but good to go now.’
Her eyes lit up. ‘We’re on Jupiter. Can I see?’ She attempted to sit up.
Calyx laughed and swept her into his arms. ‘Another time beautiful. You asked to see some of the world and that is exactly what where we are going. We can visit here anytime.’ He transported her away, glad she had not woken to the mess of the landscape he and the goddess had made. He wore a smile. One down and one to go!
Friend or Foe
As they sat and gazed across at the Grand Canyon in the Arizona state, sipping coffee from a flask, Caitlin took in the breathtaking view and wondered where the last two days had gone.
Calyx dined her in Paris at the Eiffel Tower. They swam together in the warm waters of the Earth’s largest coral reef situated in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. They drank champagne while overlooking Angel Falls in Venezuela, the Earth’s largest waterfall that she now knew was nineteen times taller than North America’s Niagara Falls. He had transported her then to Africa where they went on a safari through the Lake Nakuru National Park. Here she saw real life lions, leopards and buffalo, with Calyx pulling her out the way of an enraged charging rhino. They enjoyed a picnic lunch up on the top of Mt Everest in Nepal. They even spent a night in Alaska at a ski resort. Calyx allowed them to take a cable car for once, a joy she stirred him over. ‘I can’t believe we are taking transport,’ she kidded him. At the top, they viewed the snow-capped mountains, hanging glaciers and the famous northern lights. Then with a lot of laughter, and errors o
n her part, he helped her ski back down the mountain where they huddled by the open fire.
Her thoughts drifted back to Calyx as he topped up her martini. She never refused one thing he offered. He was right; this was a whirlwind experience that was both exhilarating and romantic, a time she would never forget. He ticked all the boxes for a perfect travel companion and she leaned into him, attracted to all he offered. At the same time, the sun peeked over the landscape of rugged gullies, its brilliance reflecting in the sky above.
‘It’s breathtaking.’ Her body relaxed into him further, mesmerised by all she could see and feel.
Show over, Calyx picked her up, blanket and all, giving her a last look before they left. ‘It’s taken the last six million years for the Colorado River to carve out that massive gorge. It’s 446 km long, and at that point,’ he gestured a hand movement, ‘it’s 29km wide and 1.83km deep.’
She smiled and brushed the hair that he couldn’t flick away with his movement away from his eyes. Her touch sent a shiver down his spine. He didn’t want to feel this way about her and put her down on her feet.
‘Ready to go?’ he asked more harshly than he meant it to sound.
‘Sure, I’ve worn you out.’ She suddenly became alarmed.
‘Sorry, that came out wrong. Even with my transporting abilities saving us hours of travel, time has still gone too quickly. There is so much more I would like you to see, that’s all.’
‘So where now?’ Her eyes lit up and the frown was replaced with a quirky grin.
‘Las Vegas.’ He eyed her. ‘I booked us into the casino.’
‘Wahoo! ‘ She jumped about; the blanket fell to the ground. ‘Rory wouldn’t let us go there. He is going to be so ticked off, and jealous.’ She continued to jig around while an amused Calyx picked up their gear and transported them to the lobby where they were quickly hustled up to the penthouse on the top floor.
In the room, they showered and, still a little grumpy, he ordered her to get some sleep. When she argued, he put his hand up. ‘No more woman, I have barely slept and neither have you. If I don’t get a couple of hours, I’m going to be like this for the rest of the night. We’ve pulled another all-nighter and I’m bushed.’
‘And cranky!’ she mumbled as she scrambled onto the big king-sized bed beside him, sulking.
‘Our clothes I’ve ordered will be here in a few hours.’ He sighed and rolled towards her. He wanted her last day to be all glitz and glamour but if they didn’t rest neither of them would give a damn by early evening.
She fought to keep her eyes open. ‘I don’t want to go to sleep,’ she whinged, ‘I don’t want to miss anything.’
‘Shush, close your eyes.’ He traced his fingers gently across her forehead and around her eyes until they dropped shut.
When she woke, they lay together, his arms wrapped loosely around her. He felt her watch him and opened his eyes. ‘Sorry about that.’ He pulled from her and standing up, stretched.
Caitlin slid off the bed and into the bathroom and turned on the taps. The water took no time at all to fill the oversized tub. ‘Mmm, what to choose?’ Her hand ran over the many perfumed bath salts before picking one. Finally enjoying some private time she undressed without worry and slipped into the warm aromatic suds, every muscle seeming to scream out its thanks.
A tap at the door woke her from the daze that had her almost drift off again. What’s wrong with me? She didn’t normally need so much sleep.
Calyx walked in. ‘Hope you’re decent, but I waited long enough.’ He still sounded a little surly yet it didn’t bother her this time. She was just as tired. They had been overdoing it but hell, this was once in a lifetime. Like her he was most likely hungry after the nap.
Tossing aside his clothes with no shame that she was there, Calyx clunked the shower door shut. Water splashed on the floor when he stepped out quickly to retrieve his razor. Caitlin did her best to avert her eyes, but he was one good-looking man and she had to duck under the water to muffle embarrassing giggles.
When he emerged this time, he threw a towel around his hips, his old self back, his mood much better. Apparently feeling playful, he turned his head seductively towards her. ‘If you would like a sample of a real man just to let me know. I’m happy to oblige.’
‘Stop it.’ The sponge in her hand was hurled at him. ‘I have a hot man already.’
‘There are hot men baby, and then there is a man that knows how to satisfy his woman.’ He dropped his towel, giving her a full frontal.
Caitlin’s face flushed crimson as she ducked back under the water. Coming up for air she heard him still laughing at her naivety as he moved into the other room.
‘Glad I amuse you so much.’
He heard her sullen tone and ducked his head back around the corner. ‘Don’t stay in there all day. I have a limo arriving soon. I want to show you the sights before we eat.’ He left her in peace to get out.
Once wrapped in a towel she checked where he was and found him unzipping the dress and suit bags, choosing appropriate clothes for them to wear.
‘The liquid variety or are we actually eating this time?’ She interrupted his thoughts as the happy glow back on his face made her smile back.
‘Both.’
‘Sounds good.’ She turned back to the mirror, plugged in the hair dryer, and dried her hair.
Without warning, he came up behind her and whipped her towel from around her. Caitlin turned to him, surprised. ‘Don’t know why on earth you would ever want to cover up such perfection. You know you’re very beautiful Cait. My offer still stands if you want to have a real man make love to you. If you don’t experiment, how do you know you have picked the right one?’ He stood so close to her with his nakedness that she started to shake. He reached out and held her against him. When her eyes closed he knew she was close to giving in. ‘You feel adorable.’ Then he sighed. ‘But I would never force you Caitlin. If I was ever to win a woman like you I would want to do it fair and square.’ He let her go. ‘If you want me, I must let you come to me.’ He tied the towel back around her paralysed body. ‘I didn’t mean it if I scared you, but you can’t blame a guy for trying.’ His voice was seductive, alluring. Not having her respond, he strode out of the room, leaving her shaken and unsure of what just happened. Had she wanted him too? Unsure about anything at the minute Caitlin sucked back the desire to crouch down and cry. With strength that came from within, she calmly finished drying her hair and shook the incident off. He walked on the side of evil at times and she had to have known he would fight a little dirty to get her to make love to him. Even though she felt no influence of the inner voice that spoke to her often, she had learned much from her; all but how to control the fragrance that wafted from her when around evil. Caitlin figured that this out of control power must be projecting a very sweet odour and it would be driving a person like him insane with the need for sex. Woody had warned her it could happen, so it was partly her fault.
In a better mood and now dressed in the undergarments and evening dress he’d handed her, she came out, her courage returned. The tilt of his head, not looking directly at her, and the flatness in his eyes told her she had battered his ego and she felt bad.
‘I’m sorry. I don’t fully understand the male drive, and the fragrance I project wouldn’t make it easy for you to be around me this much without needing a release.’
He eyed her now with amusement.
‘What about if I go and entertain myself downstairs on the tables while you organise a woman to come up here and visit you for a while?’ Her offer was sincere and her tone painfully kind. Did she not have a breaking point?
‘Even after I try to force myself on you and scare the life out of you, and really, you should be slapping my face about now, you apologise as if it’s your fault and try to give me a solution to my selfish behaviour. Are you sure you’re not a saint Caitlin Warner?’
She frowned. ‘You have been so perfectly wonderful. This is my doing and you know it.
My stupid power could end up spoiling everything.’
He breathed out a sigh and slumped on the bed. ‘You’re not spoiling anything – come here.’ He patted the bed beside him. His tone was calm as he wiped the small tear shed for not being able to make him as happy as he made her. ‘Thank you for the offer to relieve my anguish, but no other woman is of any interest to me while I have you. To be perfectly honest you’re right, you are driving me insane with your love potion, but I can control myself and promise to leave you alone if you also promise not to want to go off on your own. It would be more of an insult if you preferred to be somewhere else other than with me.’
Her hand slipped shyly into his. ‘There’s nowhere, or no person, I would sooner be with right now than with you either. I was just trying to give you an out for a while if you needed a break.’
Her words were sincere and just what he needed to hear. ‘You’re not like anyone I have ever met Cait. Come on, let’s get the hell out of here and have some fun.’ He stood and they both smiled as he put out his hand to her. Slipping hers in his again, she left the room in high spirits, the next adventure just waiting for them to discover it.
****
In the limo, Calyx pointed out the different landmarks of interest as they drove toward a grand hotel that resembled a castle. The modern day kingdom transported her into a forgotten land; it was very charming, as was the man on her arm. He showered her with lovely compliments about the way she looked, held her hand through most of the meal and laughed with her during the live show. Late that afternoon, they stepped onto the Desert Princess paddle steamer and took a tour of the picturesque Lake Mead. It was here, in the fresh air with her cheeks flushed that he held her and had to use all his might not to kiss those incredibly pink lips.
Back at the casino, he could tell she was tired but could only see disaster if he took her to the room at the moment. His plan was for her to be so tired that she would give herself freely. He wanted this woman badly and by night’s end, he would have his way.