Cloud Riders(134)

Kayden confided that Zoltan only bred when there was a need for more horses. ‘I have a feeling Zoren may have a need for another team in the future as we have plenty to replace ours if anything happens.’

‘Are there more immortals living on earth?’

‘To protect the earth you need to have an earth-bound connection—you know, be born here. I doubt we are the only ones here but if there are more they will be born in secret as our horses are and like us, something will happen to draw them to each other and eventually to us, just the way it has always been. Zoren has many teams looking after the universe and beyond.’

It was some hours later that Kayden finally found time to spend with his new wife. Aldebaran had got plastered and was sleeping it off downstairs. Kayden had outdone himself pleasing Cassie and she had enjoyed a hot shower before he even stirred. She grinned at the satisfied expression on his face as he groaned and rolled over, reaching out for her again.

‘Hey, clean girl, come and let me get you dirty again.’

‘You’re pushing it, stud. Hit the shower and make it a cold one. Don’t forget we promised to dine with Pops tonight. It’s getting late so we better get a move on.’

‘You’re so not fun when you’re at your father’s house. I’m so going to make you pay for making me share you on our honeymoon. At least I can tell the boys to nick off and they do. I say that to your father and he’ll probably turn me into a rodent or a toad, the old wizard,’ he grumped as he turned on the hot water in the shower.

Standing under warm water, he was still grumbling when Cassie threw her towel aside and jumped in the shower with him.

‘Spoilt little shit. You’re bloody ruined,’ she giggled.

‘Oh gorgeous honey pie, I’m so loving you again now,’ he chuckled, snuggling into her.

When they finally made it downstairs, they found Aldebaran sitting in an armchair, reading and relaxing.

Cassie pulled the book from her father’s hands. ‘Hi Pops, miss me?’ she smiled.

‘Every second you’re not with me,’ he growled like a big bear and tickled her until she gave him the book back.

Kayden plonked himself into the chair near him and hearing him growling, grinned. ‘So what’s for dinner, Poppa bear, porridge?’ he joked.

Aldebaran grabbed him. ‘Call me Poppa bear?’ he growled, ruffling Kayden’s hair. ‘And as for dinner, you have two choices. Conom invited us to have dinner with him tonight or if you prefer we can stay home and I can cook some porridge for you!’ He grinned and shook his head.

Kayden was amused at his humour, giving it straight back at him. He wasn’t a bad old dude after all and he was actually beginning to like the guy. ‘Conom’s invite sounds better than the gluggy crap you’d serve us up. Shit yeah, I’m in!’

Aldebaran smiled and directed attention to Cassie.

‘Let’s go then.’ Cassie was excited. ‘Come on, Pops, get up and do the transporting thingy you do. I’m starving,’ she joked with him.

Aldebaran looked amused. ‘Come here then,’ he said, standing up. ‘And there will be no stirring Conom up tonight playing cards and beating him again. He’s happy he won. Let’s just leave it at that so I don’t have to put up with him bitching after you go home.’

With that they magically appeared on the Monoceros star. Kayden told Cassie it was the home of the mystical one-horned unicorn.

Conom was overjoyed to see them and showed them around his mansion. The entrance was like walking into an atrium. It had many floors. To get to each level there was a glass elevator or if you felt up to walking, a staircase of marble trimmed with gold which twisted charmingly between each floor. On the lower level he had a gym, sauna and spa rooms for treatments and massages. On the same level was a huge cinema room for movies, complete with popcorn machine and snack bar. The next three floors were like luxury apartments complete with en suites. Viewing the one he showed them, they noticed how the light-coloured walls and floors were a contrast to the red, green and gold furnishings. The elegant curtains opened up to ceiling-to-floor balconies that allowed one to sit out under the stars at night.

The ballroom and entertaining rooms were on the top floor and the roof was their last stop. It had a lap pool that seemed to just run off the roof. The illusion was amazing. The area was fitted out with a bar and sitting at it, miles up from the ground and under the stars like that, made Cassie feel as if she were having drinks in the clouds. It was so enchanting she just sat in awe for a while, sipping her cocktail.

Kayden and Conom were talking and Conom must have seen her far-away look and asked if everything was okay. Cassie shook her head. ‘You star owners have far too much time on your hands. Your homes are so exquisite and over-the-top magical. I’m just a bit speechless.’