Melter of Hearts
After the spa, they sat sipping hot chocolate and Conom asked when Kayden and Cassie would be leaving.
Kayden looked down at her. ‘We really need to get back, probably tomorrow some time. I have many unique horses and they are in constant need of attention. And even though you and Ald have not been causing us grief, the rest of the constellations still need protecting and I’ve had a feeling all day that something is not right in the universe. I’m afraid it’ll never end for us.’ Kayden threw an arm over Cassie’s shoulders. ‘Sorry, honey. Are you okay if we leave tomorrow?’
Before she could answer, Conom sat up in his chair, looking anxious. ‘Does Cass have to go? I don’t like this at all, Kayden. I know you like her with you but I wish you’d reconsider and realise how much danger she’s in out there.’
Kayden grinned. ‘You guys are the ones causing the most danger for her at the minute, Conom. Call off the war and it will be easier for her.’
Conom leaned into the headrest, defeated. ‘Ald is cross and that’s why he retired early. He’s angry I’m calling it off. Well, my part in it anyway. I’m afraid things have changed for me now that I know you both so well. It just feels all wrong.’
Kayden leaned back in his chair as if the wind had just been knocked from his sails. There were a couple of minutes of uncomfortable silence before anyone spoke. Kayden inhaled and breathed out with a whistling sound. ‘Well, you certainly threw me. I never expected you to be able to give up so much. Aldebaran must have been quite shocked when you told him.’
‘I think he was expecting it. After I took care of Cass last night we had words. We argued until it was nearly dawn this morning before we both stomped off to get some sleep.’
Kayden grinned. ‘It looks like she’s melted all our hearts in many different ways.’
Conom reached over and tickled her. ‘Are you using powers on us, you little melter of hearts?’ He laughed and released her.
‘Yes, I have a machine and it sucks out all the mean stuff and I jump in there and take its place.’ She joked with him.
Kayden stood up smiling, pulling her into his arms. ‘Then for goodness sake give me that damned machine so you’ll stop jumping in men’s hearts or I’ll end up with an army instead of a select group of loyal supporters.’
Conom laughed at Kayden’s kidding. ‘Well, it will be a long day with Ald if you are both leaving tomorrow so I’d better get some shuteye.’
He ruffled Cassie’s hair with his hand as he walked past. ‘Goodnight, stealer of hearts,’ he grinned as he left them.
Morning came too soon and Zoltan sent Kayden a telepathic message from Zoren as he expected. After a quick breakfast they went back to the star Aldebaran to collect Starburst and Zoltan. Cassie noticed her father was overly quiet and not once during the morning could she even get a smile out of him, no matter how much she tried. His face was expressionless and when he thought she wasn’t looking he had a constant frown.
This was the Aldebaran that she’d first met, having quiet, moody moments. She wondered if her father would come back to her to say goodbye. Had she already lost him to the battle of the stars? Was his mind on a strategy again, just waiting for her to leave? She just wished for one last time that she could have his big bear arms around her.
‘I love you,’ she said as they were about to mount the horses and leave. He never answered, just stood staring into space. She shook him. ‘I know you love me, Pops, so you can act as tough as you want.’
He looked down, giving her a weak smile and lifted her up onto Starburst. ‘Have a good trip home, Cassandra,’ he said and stepped back.
Kayden said goodbye, and getting the horses into space, they left. Cassie was sad her father had ended their stay in one of his moods. He was angry Cassie had made such an impact on Conom. That he had gone cold on the war if it meant fighting her and not only that, they were leaving early after promising to spend the last day with him.
Kayden also commented that it could just be a parent thing. He said that some parents were like that when they had to say goodbye to their kids the first time. They had to act all tough and uncaring or else they might fall apart if they succumbed to their feelings.
Whatever the reason, they had to leave things the way they were until they had time to come back and work it out with him. He was part of her now and she wanted him in her life. She would definitely be sorting it out. She knew he loved her because she could feel it when he hugged her. He just needed time to catch up and realise what she already knew.