Cloud Riders(126)
Kayden was still laughing when he hit the water. He couldn’t believe she would call the most powerful man in the universe an old man. Her dad was on her heels and she was laughing as he came up holding her. Aldebaran winked at Kayden before throwing her high in the air towards him. She squealed with delight and hugged Kayden tightly as he caught her.
For the next few hours Kayden and Aldebaran were dragged around the circuit by Kayden’s playful little kitten as she jumped from him to her father, keeping them both on their toes as they never quite knew which one she would throw herself at next. She trusted them both completely and Kayden began to trust her father with her as well. Who would believe a cranky and bad-tempered wizard unable to even converse with them on any level because he was generally so moody could be such a gentle soul? His love for her was so raw it was visible in every look, every movement. When he held her it was as if he held a delicate artefact, one that might break if held too tight. Yet he held her with a passion that no man would ever be able to pry her from his hands unless he let her go. She was right. He would have been a good father with every ounce of his being. That was what he was right now.
When they got out, Kayden held a towel for her and she came over for a cuddle, sitting on his lap while they talked to Aldebaran and Aqua. Kayden watched Aldebaran with Cassie chatting and laughing together. It was easy to see that he meant more to her than Kayden had originally thought, and her, him. This was no game to him at all. Kayden would have picked that up in a minute. No—her dad was genuine, yet it was beyond him how in a couple of days he would put aside what was now so obvious—all this love—and take up arms against her, putting her in such danger.
Kayden figured all he could do was sit back and let it all unfold. He knew this girl-woman would never join her father and walk on the side of evil. He knew her too well. Therefore, in the end, this would be about what he would be prepared to lose his daughter or Orion’s Belt, the section of the universe he and Conom fought to take over.
Aqua put on a lovely spread of delicious treats that Kayden knew were all Cassie’s favourite foods and after they sat and enjoyed the afternoon, chatting and getting to know one another. It was Cassie who made the first move, getting up and stretching. Aldebaran suggested that Kayden take her for a rest before dinner. Aqua took them inside to show them where the guest room was.
The main room to her palace was dazzling to say the least. It was light and airy and glistened the same as the water outside. The walls were a pale blue and the floor was a highly polished white tile. On the tiles were large, sky-blue plush carpet squares where elegant white leather lounges and recliners had been placed, maybe to prevent scratching the high-gloss tiles.
The guest room was unique. The walls were the same blue as the rest of the rooms, only the roof was dark blue. Hundreds of tiny down lights lit up the ceiling depicting the many constellations in the sky. The luxuriously oversized bed had a star-shaped bed head and the veiling that surrounded it had little golden stars embroidered into the netting. Positioned under the bed was a massive star-shaped rug that you sank into so deep that it gave you the impression you were walking on a cloud. The furniture was pure white, including the leather two-seater that sat against royal blue drapes, drawn so you could see the water park from the private balcony.
They went to clean up in a light, marble-textured en suite that had silver and blue star taps and mirrors.
They cuddled on the bed. Cassie was totally in love with the room, saying what a nice person Aqua was and how comfortable she was making her feel. He ran his hand down her back until she dozed off. He wondered if his home was really enough for her but not once had she ever said she missed all the finery she grew up with. He was never one for material possessions and never had been but if she wanted more, he hoped that she knew he would give it to her. Shit, I would give her the Goddamned universe if it was mine to give. He finally drifted off, letting the worries of what he had compared to her new friends in the sky drift away. He held all he needed in his arms. The rest, they could work out together after their honeymoon was over.
One of the maidens knocked, came in and woke them for dinner. They showered and made their way down. They both laughed as their clothes changed with the influence of the room. Cassie now wore a light-blue evening gown with silver stars embossed into the material. Even her silver heels had stars on them. Kayden’s shirt was white with buttons the shape of stars. His dinner jacket had a hanky in the pocket that matched Cassie’s dress. He was so glad the magic didn’t give him bloody stars on his shoes! He doubted he would live that down if the guys ever heard about it.