by Debbie Behan
‘Feel up to a flutter with me?’
‘Poker, it’s one of my favourites. Do you play?’ she asked.
‘I can hold my own.’
It was late in the evening before they returned to their room for a bit of down time. Nervous about the money she carried, Caitlin handed it to Calyx to carry.
‘Well aren’t you the lucky one. What are you going to do with your winnings?’ Calyx asked her as they lay on the bed laughing as he held the hundred dollar bills up high and let them fall. The cash floated around her.
‘Give it to you of course, to pay you back for such a wonderful holiday.’ She turned to look at him as he rolled towards her. ‘That’s if it’s enough?’
‘You’ll do no such thing.’ He touched her nose and smiled. ‘I should pay you for being the perfect companion.’
‘Then I’ll ask them to give it to their favourite charity. I have no use for money.’
‘Isn’t there anything you think you would like? Car, jewellery, clothes, shoes?’
She shook her head. ‘Axon gets designers in to dress me, and I have no use for jewellery up here as the magic of my ride removes it.’ She put her hand up and admired her ring. ‘This is my only piece of jewellery that seems to stay on me and even with this, I panic that I might lose it on the job. Her smile was packed with caring. ‘My friends and family are my precious treasures now.’
He moved some hair from her face, his eyes a little glazed. ‘How can I corrupt you if you won’t even take money you have won fairly?’ He touched his hand on her eyes and put her to sleep. This was his time and he needed to think. She clouded his mind and he had no intentions of stopping out of polite courtesy this time. Once asleep, he pulled her in close to him and not realising how tired he was, he dozed too.
When Caitlin woke, she heard the water running into the bath. ‘Come on little lady.’ He helped her into the bathroom, her sleepy body leaning up against him, her legs barely moving in time with his long strides.
‘I’m so tired.’ Her hand covered the yawn.
‘If you prefer you can shower with me. I’ll hold you up.’ He grinned roguishly at her.
‘I’m fine.’ Her hands fluttered and shooed him out to give her privacy while getting into the bath.
Not giving up on his campaign to seduce her, he handed her a goblet of bubbly before he took a shower. The sound of her giggles when the bubbles tickled her nose stopped him and he turned back around and sat on the side of the tub. ‘Well if I can’t enjoy your love, at least let me enjoy your body. Let me wash your back.’ He moved her forward, and ran the soapy sponge across her shoulders. Not one protest did he hear from her lips as he worked the motion gently down her back.
It felt nice. Her skin so sensitive to anything at the moment and enjoying it so much she sighed and relaxed as he moved the sponge down each arm and down her back again.
‘You are starting to weaken to my charms.’ He realised at that moment that the more tired she became, the weaker her powers. ‘I’m breaking through aren’t I?’ he was saying quietly and she listened and could hear him, but his voice was sending her into another world and as he said, she was weakening against his charms. Her mind had no other thought but his now, and even as he slipped into the bath behind her she had no other fears or thoughts but of him and melted back into him. He wrapped his arms around her as his seductive voice overtook her body and soul.
He continued to run the sponge over her and whisper sweetly in her ear. This powerful woman was his and he could barely breathe for fear of her snapping out of it and using her gift to pull from him.
Caitlin could feel his naked body press against hers and it felt so strong and inviting she had nothing left to resist the raw lust that built between them.
He turned her and laying her on top of him, in his arms, he finally did what he’d longed to do since he met her; kiss those lips he hungered for. The delicate and sweet response made his head spin, and his world turn upside down. Tears ran down his cheeks for the love he felt at that moment. What was he doing? He pulled back from her and picking her delicate frame up in his arms, he laid her on the bed, patting her dry with the towel. He had her on fire and could see her needs were now just as strong as his were.
‘You’re an angel, and I fear if I take you now, I’ll never be able to let you go,’ he whispered hoarsely, as the need for her almost overpowered his strength to put a stop to it. The predicament he had them in used all his will to control.
‘I can’t do it to you Cait, it would destroy us both. I know once you get out of the trance that I have you in, you’ll be devastated at what you’ve done, because it’s not me you’re in love with, or thinking you are giving yourself to.’
Yes, he had tricked her, wanted to win, but it was she who in the end had won. Surprised by so much passion, it melted his very core, had every molecule alive and dreamily wishing he had won this kiss fair and square. But he hadn’t, knowing it was a stolen moment not of her true giving. He slumped in desperation of a love he knew would never be his as it belonged to another. He threw a rug around her. ‘Sleep Cait, and when you wake you will think it was all just a dream, a vision of you with your handsome fiancé.’
Still heavily under his command, she closed her eyes.
Merciful Me
Calyx held Caitlin in his arms, wishing desperately it was him she’d chosen. He was aware he didn’t deserve even her friendship for his treacherous attempt on her life just days before. He drove off the ancient goddess. Believed it was her that was the temptress he had to destroy or be destroyed. Instead it was Caitlin herself that was the one to bring him to his knees. The prophecy had forgotten to mention that to steal even one kiss would be his downfall. It threw his emotions into a state of despair, a deep lustrous magical moment they would never share again. If only he hadn’t caught that look; the one a father gives a daughter as he said goodbye. He’d reacted spitefully. He knew exactly who she was and he set in motion a plan to destroy the woman and the myth that surrounded her.
Over the past two days, he’d used trickery against her protective magic in an effort to unlock her forbidden secret. For he had learned over their time together that to destroy her innocence would dampen her powers and help him destroy the strong deity she had become. That, or be the one in command and have her devotion to him always. He had almost given up when he found the key, the weakness that he believed to be lack of sleep, or possibly love. Only a fool would believe she loves me. He was sure the first reason to be more believable as he’d filled her so full of adventure and fun and had exhausted her. That had to be it! Yet the knowledge of how to beat the most powerful woman in the world came too late, for he was now so madly and deeply in love with her, his heart sang just to be near her. In the end, she defeated him. The battle was over. And I’m giving up.
He quivered as he remembered holding her naked in his arms and kissing her. With no idea he was being devious, she surrendered completely to him. Her kiss was so powerful it sent shockwaves right through his body. If he hadn’t had her under his spell, he would never have known the full extent of how much love she really carried. It gave him insight as to why Axon was so smitten and could see no other.
If fate had only let me find her first, it might have been me she’d give her sweet self to. This was his punishment for putting the fear of god into her father, forcing him to lock her away for so many years. The tale continued of her as a little girl locked underground until Rory found her in her late teens. He knew now this was true. His eyes had filled as the story revealed her being an uneducated, frightened teenager. He found it hard to believe as it unfolded she’d had no schooling, no family, no life until Rory. Over the last couple of days he had joked with her, laughed at her memory as if she had made up a tale for his enjoyment alone. Sadly, it was no tale. Fed scraps, left to fend alone, she only had enough light to see during the day. How cruel had he been, had they all been, his entire family who feared her. They made her existence hell while they s
earched to destroy her.
A tear ran down his cheek. He knew she would come when they could not find her, and did everything to prevent this one woman entering the universe. Now as he contemplated it all, an entire lifetime of magic didn’t stop what had been written and he thanked the universe that was so. He thought of how he trembled carrying her to bed. He wanted her so badly he could barely breathe, but it was all wrong, he was wrong. He was petrified that even the little he had done so far may have spoilt this beautiful flower he nearly de-bloomed, and now he wrapped her up. Unable to feel her softness would help him keep her innocence in intact.
He shook off his fear of what may have happened, thankful she was still Glow Girl, a princess amongst gods, and rolled away from her and reluctantly left her to sleep.
In the chair, he viewed her behind the book he struggled to focus on, reading the first paragraph repeatedly without making sense of it. His heart was still over on that bed, his concentration on what his next move would be. If he couldn’t have her for his own, he would now stand beside her and make sure only one man ever touched her. He would protect her until the end of time and she never need know what a monster he almost was.
When Caitlin woke, a blanket bound her arms and wiggling freed them. She felt energised, refreshed, although maybe a little fuzzy on how she got naked. She still trusted Calyx implicitly. He had proved to her over the past few days to be maybe a little flirty and overzealous at times, but a good man and she had grown to love him as she did Jett. They were of the same father, so it was natural for her to care deeply for them both.
‘Hi sleepyhead.’ Calyx looked comfortable in the armchair, a book in his hand. His amusement showed as he watched her twist and squirm to get free of the blanket he’d secured her in. ‘I got you up for a bath and you fell asleep in it so I brought you back to bed.’
Caitlin shook her head. ‘Really, I can’t remember having a bath. My memory is a little fuzzy although I can recall thinking Axon was here. I must have been dreaming.’ She gulped. ‘Um, the rest is private.’
It pleased him her memory was vague. ‘Well I guess if you’re missing him that much and he is that real in your mind, I’d better take you back. I’ve kept you from him for far too long and it’s definitely time we both went home.’
Caitlin sat up, eyes wide, her alertness back now the magic he had used to keep her by his side had been removed. The last thing he really wanted to do was give her up, but the longer he drew it out the harder it would be. It’s time I let her go.
Caitlin reached for the t-shirt he’s left on the bed and, pulling it over her head, gasped, ‘I’m getting married in two days. Hells bells, I’ve not even tried on my wedding dress.’ Her hand slapped against her forehead, all the thoughts of pre wedding jitters hitting at once. ‘Ohmygod, I’m getting married.’ She scrambled to her feet and started jumping up and down on the bed with joy, fear, elation. Her little squeals of delight had Calyx on his feet feeling ever-emotional and wanting, now, only the best for her. The t-shirt was so big on her she tripped over the bottom of it and ended up in his arms. ‘And you have given me the best time ever. I so love you for that.’ Caitlin hugged him.
He wasn’t expecting that reaction and put her on her feet. ‘Get in the shower and let’s get you home then before you fall for the both of us.’
‘Silly.’ Caitlin looked back with a grin. ‘You can love more than one person, but you can only be in-love with one.’ She put her hands in the air and spun around before skipping off happily.
****
While he waited for her to ready herself for the trip home he pondered what lay ahead, where to go from here. Neither Jett nor he could ever hurt her now. He was also helplessly committed to her. The war between their planets to bring Pluto back in line was still such a big need for his family. To have his brother back with them had been their only waking thought for such a long time.
He heard the shower turn off and Caitlin squeal. It was a joyous sound, not at all threatening, so he waited for her to come out, towel wrapped around her head, faced flushed and her eyes dancing with a thought she had.
‘I’ve got it!’ she exclaimed but he had no idea what the excitement was about. His issues were huge so it couldn’t be anything that would cheer him up; still, with patience, he pulled himself out of his doom and gloom to listen.
‘You are the King of all the Gods, right.’
Where was this going, ‘Well yeah?’ That was stating the obvious.
‘Therefore you can change the law and make anything happen, is this correct?’
‘The congress of the heavens makes the final decision, but yes, that is basically correct,’ he answered and watched as her delightful green eyes took on an emerald glow. It then dawned on him that with her pure angelic way of looking at life maybe had something worth listening to, although he doubted it. If he, the King of all Gods, could not see clear any way out of this but to fight, then he couldn’t expect her to either. However, at this point, he would give any crazy idea consideration.
She flopped on the end of the bed, brushing out her vibrant red curls. ‘When I was at Jett’s, in the cabin, I studied the planets on the wall. You know, the mural painted on the tiles in his hot tub room?’ When he nodded she knew he was listening.
‘You have my attention Cait. Continue.’
‘Well!’ The brush stuck on a knot that had her pull furiously on and smile when it released. ‘I know Jett’s happy now but there is something missing.’
‘And what would that be, please pray tell?’ He was amused by the way she dragged it out. Almost as a child would to get your full attention.
‘Promote him. Make him the King of the Dwarf Planets.’
‘Hold on there.’ His hand went up to stop her.
Caitlin knew he wouldn’t listen but was prepared; ignoring him, she carried on with conviction and faith in her words. ‘Hades is an excellent ruler and Ceres, Haumea, Makemake and Eris will benefit from the strong leadership only he can offer. They too will want to advance their worlds once they find out what he has accomplished. To have such comfort and technology, those and many dwarf planets to come, would look to him for help to create the same warmth and inviting environment on their worlds as he has.’
A pause gave him a moment to think. This time he didn’t interrupt, getting his head around such a thought was overwhelming. Could it work?
She twirled strands of hair around her finger, creating ringlets that bounced, making him smile. ‘Your brother is so very clever, but you know that don’t you?’
Calyx nodded, but needed more from her.
‘Then you also know he will work relentlessly in the developing of his group of Dwarf Planets to come into line with the rest of your more advanced Planets. Maybe in time they might regard them as planets once more. However, by then I have a feeling the empire he has built will stand alone. He will be so proud of his accomplishments that he won’t want to be an ordinary planet any longer.’
He had never heard her refer to Jett as Hades before, nor with such passion. It showed how much faith she carried for his brother.
‘You may just have something.’
‘I will even go so far as to say that if he takes such a path, he will hailed by many, and maybe become one of the greatest rulers in history.’
‘I need to give this proposal some thought, Caitlin. Please don’t discuss this with anyone until I run it past my family, but who knows.’ He shrugged. ‘Could it really be this simple to solve?’ he muttered as he tossed his clothes aside while walking to the shower.
‘Men, they are so messy.’ She bent and scooped up his things while listening to him hum for the first time while taking his shower.
When he came out in a towel, Caitlin smiled at his near nakedness that didn’t daunt her any more. Today, she was viewing him so differently after their time together, enabling her to see past the tyrant, the god and the man he was when they first arrived here on Earth. She was not sure how, but felt he had become
a loyal friend and that there was no need ever to fear any part of him again.
He chatted as he dressed and smiled at her listening with her back politely turned. He was pleased she was still the girl he brought here and glad he hadn’t changed her, not one bit.
‘I can’t say it’ll work, but it has got merit and I’m definitely happy to put it forward to the heavenly council for a vote if my family agrees.’
‘It warms me so, to think you are prepared to make an attempt to put an end to this war.’
The kindness of her words and the sweet melodious tone to her voice set off a quiver in his body. He figured from his reaction it was going to take some time to dampen his deep feelings for her.
‘If I can do anything for you my sweet, it would be to end the feud and keep you far from the dangers it represents.’ He kissed her forehead as he passed her to sit down and put on his shoes.
He felt so happy now for doing the right thing. He couldn’t wait to get her back to Jett so he could see he had kept his promise. Jett need never know how close he came to not keeping it. He knows me better than anyone in the universe and wouldn’t have trusted me one little bit. Maybe now though, Jett would regain the trust he once held for him and together they might find a way to end this war. He’d arrived on Earth two days ago with an evil plan to destroy the woman at his side and today he would leave a changed man, and the woman who now stood by his side he knew would always be there for him, and I for her.
Orion’s Belt
(Clandestine)
Jett had felt nothing from Cait since his brother took her. He had paced and worried, driven Axon mad with communiqués and then this morning he felt her. His brother released her, she was alive and he was joy bound waiting for them to come home. He could hear her now; as they got closer, her thoughts ran through him like liquid honey. She’s still her and okay, he relayed to Aurek, so relieved Calyx had not killed her. He had seen the look too, that Caitlin and her father had exchanged. Calyx knew when he took her who she really was and Jett felt for sure it was the last time he would ever see her in that way again. How wrong he had been about his brother and even though mad and insanely jealous Zeus spent all that time with her, he was overwhelmed with brotherly goodwill for how, in the end, he dealt with it. He let her be, let her live. The reason why, he had no idea, but it was going to make an interesting story once they were alone.