Cloud Riders(153)

That night after dinner he again pulled her over to him and smiled. ‘The story—you didn’t finish it.’

Cassie began the story exactly where she’d left off. Lepius also listened with interest as she sat happily and relaxed with him and he lay back, listening to her words as if they were all he could muster himself to hear for now. The story continued, telling how the princess ran away to the city and found a job at the casino. She was a very resourceful princess, she told him. Cassie kept telling the tale with so much emotion that Lepius was also wrapped up in her yarn until she yawned and cuddled into him and fell asleep. After taking her up to bed, it was only then that Conom came out and finally had a drink and a cigar with him.

The next morning Cassie seemed so much brighter at breakfast and as they sat chatting to her she glowed and a white light surrounded her. Lepius must have looked stunned because Cassie grinned and touched his hand. ‘Don’t worry, I’m not an angel, far from it. That’s just the Cloud Riders sending me some healing. The magic gets stronger as I get better. You’ll see today, when you check my wounds. They should be nearly healed,’ she said, getting up, and playfully nudging Conom. ‘Tonight, boy, game on. No excuses now I’m better.’ Cassie chuckled and he went off after her.

Lepius followed them out to the pool area where they sat around on the outdoor lounges. ‘What did that mean, game on?’ Lepius asked and sat down with interest.

‘Cassie is a little gambler, a professional card player and we have an ongoing feud. I hate to lose so she keeps winning. Today though is different. Today I’m feeling lucky and my opponent has no chance,’ he said good-humouredly. He told him of the first time they’d met. ‘Her antics just about had me twisted in knots trying to keep my hands off the little minx.’ He laughed again with her as they reminisced, telling Lepius the whole story.

Now, I get it . He’s fallen in love with a side of Cassie that was just an act and that’s why she’s telling him her story. It is herself she’s talking about. The terrible childhood was not fictitious at all but is why Cassie is as she is.

As Lepius thought it, he could tell that Conom too, finally understood the gist of her story. It was as if they had just both been woken.

‘Tell me some more story. What did the princess do when the prince forced a kiss on her in the spa?’ Conom asked.

‘I didn’t think you were even listening. Okay then!’ she smiled and continued with the tale. .

When Cassie finished he asked. ‘And now the princess has found her real father and a new best friend, how does she feel?’

Lepius could see that if Cassie didn’t say what Conom needed to hear, hell’s doors were about to open. Cassie bent over, kissed Conom’s cheek and smiled beautifully. ‘Complete,’ she finally said.

Conom closed his eyes. Lepius heard him breathe out heavily and knew Conom was finally happy where he was in Cassie’s thoughts, knowing he’d made her life complete would be more than he had hoped for at this stage. ‘You are that princess, aren’t you?’ he asked, opening his eyes.

Cassie nodded. ‘That princess would be heartbroken if her friend from the stars did anything that would harm his relationship with her.’

He sat for a few minutes and nodded. ‘I understand now why Kayden gives in to you so easily. He’s lost you twice and it must have been hell for him. With your drinking and dangerous line of work, I thought he was reckless with you and put you in harm’s way. I was angry and yes, bitter that you did not want to stay with your dad and me. I understand now though. You have to experience life to grow and as much as I would like to wrap you up in a cloud so you never get hurt, he understands your need and loves you enough to let you experience it. I’ve been so blind!’

She touched his cheek and ran her fingers gently through his hair, playing with the curls, looking sad. ‘I’ve been blind too,’ she admitted. ‘I know I’m just learning and am making huge mistakes like now, nearly getting myself killed. I feel so bad that I never learned to be careful. But I have now. I can’t just think I will be fine and not worry. That’s not good enough anymore, now that I have so many around me who love me. Someone can get very hurt with that attitude and if that someone is me, I end up hurting everyone.’ She breathed out heavily. ‘You see, I know I’m not strong like the guys I work with, or you. Nevertheless, I’m smart, I learn every day and I love what I do. I’ve had all these powers all my life, not understanding why and now I’m able to use them for good and not bad. That makes me feel like I’m someone and not just a nuisance. Conom, I can’t have all this energy inside me and not use it. I felt like I was dying inside until Woody showed me how to channel it properly. Don’t hate me for what I am. I couldn’t stand disappointing any more people in my life,’ she said and quiet tears rolled from her eyes and splashed down her cheeks.