‘Are you awake, princess?’ he heard Conom ask.
Cassie opened her eyes, groaned, and seeing who had her, happily wiggled back into Conom like a helpless little kitten and went back to sleep. Conom grinned so elatedly when she cuddled back into him. He could not help but feel for the guy: in love with another man’s wife and a damned Cloud Rider for God’s sake. Man, this isn’t something I wanted tossed in my lap. But here he was and so was she.
‘She will most likely sleep now for the rest of the night. Why not go and lay her on the bed upstairs so she can stretch out and be more comfortable? That way you can come and join us for supper. You look beat,’ Lepius suggested.
Conom sat looking at her for a long time as if he didn’t want to put her down. Then with a sigh, knowing Lepius was right, he stood up. ‘You’re the doc and I guess you know better than me. I just don’t want her scared when she wakes up.’
‘If it makes you feel better I’ll have a maid sit in her room. She can come and get you the minute she stirs and wakes.’
He nodded and followed Lepius up to the suite that had been made up for her. The chambermaid was still fussing when they arrived in the room so Lepius told her to stay. She pulled the covers back while Conom laid her on the bed and Lepius smiled as her outfit changed to silk pyjamas. Conom hardly even seem to notice he fussed so much making sure she didn’t hurt herself if she moved around in her sleep. He lay her on her good side and put pillows along her back to prevent her rolling over. Then when he was happy, he pulled the covers over her and kissed her gently on the cheek. ‘Sleep safe, sweetie,’ he whispered and turned to face the maid. ‘Even if she groans you must tell me so I can come up and get her comfortable again. Do not disobey me or I’ll make the rest of your life miserable,’ he warned in a low and dangerous voice.
All Lepius’s staff were used to being threatened and yelled at so Conom didn’t frighten her at all. The maid just curtseyed and promised to do as he asked before sitting in the chair next to the bed as instructed.
The Princess Kidnapped
Kayden was frantic. Cassie was in so much trouble and death was imminent if they did not get to her on time. He was freaking out as Cassie screamed and then ducked. He ordered his men to forget every other order and just grab Cassie. He could see that she had another slice across her shoulder as well and his guts twisted that she had been put in so much danger.
He’d had no idea that this nova was this far gone. Zoren’s people were getting sloppy with their reporting and heads were going to roll this time. Where Cassie was concerned there could be no margin for error like this.
No more Mr Nice Guy, no bloody way.
He grimaced as he heard the men suck in their breaths, realising that a portion of it was going to slam directly into Cassie and her horse. Waiting for the impact seemed to take forever as their adrenalin kicked in and everything around them seemed to go into slow motion. Kayden used every ounce of power to speed up the horses to reach her and as his hands went to grab her a shadow fell over her and she and Starburst disappeared.
Unable to think past cleaning up the rest of the mess, they formed a star shape around the rest of the Supernova crust disintegrating what was left. They all sat, shocked at what had happened, glad she was safe but wondering if she was alright and mystified about where she had been taken. Kayden was sure Covin was responsible but it had happened so quickly that he couldn’t be sure.
He instructed the horses to head for Aldebaran. As they landed the butler raced out. ‘Quick! The Lord!’ was all he said and scurried back inside, forcing them to dismount quickly and follow him. Inside they found the butler who was leaning over someone. ‘Lord Aldebaran!’ he was calling, trying to get a response.
The wall had been smashed so Kayden realised that Aldebaran had been slammed into it and was still unconscious on the floor. A nurse was now at his side, checking his vitals and waking him up. Kayden bent down beside him to listen to what he was trying to say.
‘Conom, he sounded more angry than hurt! She was injured. I tried to stop him but he was too angry with you for letting her get harmed. I don’t know where he’s taken her.’
Kayden felt sick to the stomach already and it wasn’t helping. ‘Please calm yourself, Ald. Let the nurse check you out. Conom won’t hurt her, she’ll calm him.’
He looked pained. ‘But he’s in love with her.’
Kayden nodded. ‘I know.’
‘But I don’t know what he’ll do! He’s so powerful, Kayden.’
‘He won’t hurt her. I’ve been watching. Give her time to sort it out.’