Cloud Riders(13)

She heard a noise and spun around. Kayden was standing behind her, looking annoyed but also with a grin in his eyes. ‘I told you to stay! What part of that did you not understand?’

‘I put on boots so my foot didn’t get dirty.’ She stuck her foot up in the air.

‘I can see that. I’m not sure if they go with my T-shirt that you’re wearing as a dress. Couldn’t you find anything in the box Jason brought over?’

Cassie cocked her head to the side. Does that mean he cares what I look like? She thought eyeing him curiously, feeling strange warmth radiating from him. She grinned. ‘I’ve never had to dress myself before. My minders always did that. Maybe you could show me how you prefer me to look. I would be most happy to please you.’ She smiled and curtsied teasingly.

He shook his head. ‘That last sentence is definably something a princess would say, only I’m not someone you have to impress. Now, tell me why you were out here. What was your plan? To steal one of my horses and run?’

Cassie was surprised he would think she had come to take one of his horses and put her hands on her hips, indignant at his accusation. ‘I don’t know how to ride a horse, silly! The baby one made me disobey you. He beckoned me with his cuteness. I just wanted to touch his hair and smell his newness. I wasn’t running, you big bully,’ she answered with attitude and a sense of humour to lighten the fact that she had been thoughtless in her actions and was trying to cover it with a bit of wit. She dropped her arms and grinned.

‘Don’t get cheeky with me, young lady!’ Kayden stomped over to her, picked her up as if she were a lightweight and put her up on his big horse before jumping up behind her. His movement was so quick she barely had time to take a breath. He held on to her and her hands tightened around his arms as the horse moved forward and trotted towards the house. It was a weird feeling. However, the more she relaxed back into Kayden’s frame, the more the horse’s rhythm became bearable and she began to feel comfortable.

He felt her ease and loosened his grip around her waist. Closer to the house he asked if she wanted to go a bit faster and she sat up, shaking her head. He laughed cunningly. ‘I have you.’ He pushed the horse into a gallop.

She felt so fragile, sitting on the horse as if she was going to go flying off. After a little while that also became easier. She enjoyed the wind on her face and the freedom of going somewhere quickly without the restraints of a shell around her, as there was when travelling in a car. He pulled the horse up, held her around the waist and slid them both off before sending the horse back to the paddock. Cassie was still laughing when they went inside to where Jason sat with a laptop, staring at her.

‘Yep, it’s her alright.’ He swung it around for Kayden to see her picture. ‘To save face, her parents have posted the picture for anyone knowing her whereabouts but it can only be viewed from their country. They haven’t gone worldwide with it so Australian authorities would never know who she is or even that she’s disappeared.’

Jason looked at the picture of her parents and the castle from which she had disappeared. Cassie felt the room spin and Kayden’s arms go around her. He sat in the recliner with her, stroking her head whilst talking quietly to Jason. Cassie felt warm and comfortable and Kayden’s attentiveness made her feel better. She finally sighed heavily, releasing the thoughts of home and smiling at the gentle soul holding her.

‘That’s the way, princess. The past is behind you now. Let it go.’

Cassie nodded. He stood up, placing her gently back in the chair. ‘You need to eat. It’s getting late. Come on, Jason. You can give me a hand while our princess rests up a bit more.’

‘Oh alright,’ Jason griped. Glancing at Cassie, he winked. ‘If I have to!’ he continued his playful objection.

Cassie quietly contemplated her future with Kayden. They knew she was a princess and it looked as if they were going to let her stay. She decided she could to learn to cook and take care of them; earn her keep that way. Unable to see past today and pleased that she still had a roof over her head she figured she could relax here for a while until she decided what to do next. No good over-thinking your situation, girl, she told herself as she glanced towards the men.

‘Is there time for a shower?’ she asked, a little embarrassed that she was too useless to help with something as simple as getting a meal ready. How long will they put up with me if I’m unable to do even the basics? She felt annoyed for being so useless. It had never occurred to her that one day she would need domestic skills. A princess in her land never needed such capabilities. When they were on their own she would ask if Kayden would teach her. Kayden’s voice interrupted her thoughts.