Cloud Riders(109)

With the vows taken and snapshots for the family album out of the way, the DJ started playing songs, marking the beginning of the reception. After the wedding waltz, Cassie had a dance with Woody so they could catch up.

‘So you married the girlfriend-stealing mongrel,’ he smiled.

She nodded. ‘So you’re back with the bitch from hell. Is she drinking wine or a saucer of milk?’ she chuckled.

‘Touché! We hate each other’s partners. Let’s just admit it and call a truce.’

‘Anyway, have you told I’m-so-gorgeous-my-love-puffs-don’t-smell about us yet?’

‘Ella knows everything,’ he said, trying to be serious. ‘The anger she once had is gone and yes I finally have her respect. Unlike you, she treats her man with a delicate tongue.’

‘Get lost, Woody.’ She pushed him playfully. ‘I’ll give you a delicate tongue. Go find your licker then and leave me the hell alone so I can go seduce my damned husband.’ She chuckled and he walked off laughing so loud he attracted everyone’s attention.

Cassie was glad she and Woody were back to normal and nothing had changed between them. Later that day she eventually spoke to Ella and even though they would never be great friends they were putting the past behind them for Woody’s sake. Ella even told Cassie how stunning she looked and Cassie knew that that was a big compliment, coming from her.

Aldebaran and Aqua had to leave early, but not before they enjoyed some of the reception. Cassie hung off him as they laughed and joked together about the fun they had during their visit to Aquarius. Aqua seemed to enjoy the reception as well, even getting Kayden up to dance while Aldebaran held his daughter lovingly and danced her gracefully around the floor. Before leaving, Aldebaran asked Kayden where he was taking his daughter for their honeymoon but Kayden said they were unable to go anywhere in case they where summoned to stop an attack.

Then you could have knocked her over with a feather: Aldebaran gave them a wedding gift far beyond anything money could buy. He not only promised to cease all attacks but said he would also peacefully handle anything else that came up for one whole week. This was so that Kayden could take Daddy’s little girl anywhere in the universe that she wanted to go. Kayden was blown away as they shook hands on it.

Aqua suggested they spend a couple of days at the end of the week on Aquarium, neutral ground. She thought the four of them could kick back, have some fun and it would give Cassie and her father a chance to have a bit of time together again. Kayden didn’t seem to think that would be interfering with the order of things if they were on a neutral star. Aldebaran was ecstatic at Aqua’s suggestion; wrapt when Kayden accepted.

As Cassie and Kayden waved them goodbye, Kayden surprised Cassie further by telling her how much her dad’s personality was similar to hers in so many ways and that it was hard not to like the guy, making her happy he felt that way.

‘So, my Mrs Hunter,’ he turned to her. ‘We have five days to go wherever your heart desires. Tell me, my gorgeous wife, where you would like to go on your honeymoon?’

‘You’ll probably think I’m crazy for even thinking this but it’s probably been centuries since you or any of the guys have had a full week away anywhere. Let’s use this opportunity for us all to take a break.’

‘Whatever you think, gorgeous. Just so long as we’re together, I don’t care who’s around me. I’ll just see what the men want to do.’ Kayden telepathically spoke to his team. His ability to leave one or more of his team or the horses from his telepathic thoughts allowed him to speak to his men and leave Cassie from the conversation.

Cassie’s gone off the rails and wants you shit heads to come on our honeymoon. You can come if you nick off whenever I want to ravish her and I don’t want you to touch her, kiss her or even look at her or you’ll be put on the next plane home. She’s mine now and I’m not bloody sharing anymore. Tell her what I just said and you’re dead! Just get yourselves packed and get your selves on to the plane in an hour or you’re not coming.

Cassie heard cheers and yahoos coming from around the backyard. She had no idea what Kayden had just said but it obviously sounded like they had agreed. They took only seconds to gather around them.

Kayden slung his arm around Cassie protectively as they both moved in to hear where they were going. ‘It will have to be somewhere here in Australia just in case something goes wrong and Aldebaran reneges on his deal he made with me. Seeing there will be none of us here to answer Zoren’s call we’d better make sure we’re no more than a six-hour plane ride away.’ He smiled down at Cassie. ‘The where is up to my new wife. Just name it, gorgeous and we’re there.’