Cloud Riders(158)

It was a quite some time later before the others settled and joined them in the spa. Conom mentioned he was hungry and that set Cassie off again and it was kitchen detail for them all. She kicked the servants out and had them all mixing, baking and making coffee.

They laughed and fooled around so much that Lepius was astounded food even ended up on the table. Although there they sat, consuming homemade cheese scones with butter, apple and cinnamon muffins, and pancakes with butter, lemon and icing sugar.

‘Yum, these are really great, Cass. You’re going to have to give the recipe to my staff,’ he said, enjoying every mouthful.

Kayden laughed. ‘Don’t bother. Unless you make them with her they never taste the same. We’ve all tried.’

Cassie looked so caringly at Kayden. ‘The recipe includes me to complete the mix,’ she smiled at him.

There was barely a crumb left by the time they finished and settled back with fresh cups of coffee. Kayden said he needed to make a move; that Conom and Ald had him working today. Cassie went quiet for the first time all day. Every one noticed and watched her. How does she do that? Every mood was reflected in each of them.

‘Okay, Pops, ‘fess up,’ she said quietly after a deathly couple of minute’s silence.

Ald put his head down and Lepius could tell it was not easy for him.

‘You’ve made a truce, haven’t you?’ she said, a bit unsure.

He nodded, looking up at her with those fatherly eyes that took away the dark pits of anger they were so used to seeing. ‘I want you in my life and I can’t have that while I continue to fight against you. Conom and I worked out a deal and your husband’s going to take our proposition to Orion. If he accepts, it is over as far as we’re concerned.’

She looked over at Conom and back at her father. ‘So, you won’t be our enemies anymore? We can hang out whenever we want to?’ she asked them with tears running down her face. ‘I love you both so much. Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou.’ She gave Ald little kisses all over his face, making him laugh. She hugged him and sobbed into his shoulder. ‘You really love me, don’t you?’ she sniffled. ‘Even though I’m a big sooky babe.’ She continued laughing now and wiping her tears.

‘Yes honey, with all my heart.’ He held her with the tenderness of a true father. ‘Even the sooky bits.’ He grinned at her.

‘We have to have a drink to celebrate, then. What are we still doing here?’ she asked, getting up.

Picking up the plates from the table, she had them mesmerised as she almost danced around, cleaning up and talking. ‘We have to go back to your house, Pops. What say we go play loud music, drink and celebrate until we drop? We can invite some friends and put that new magical ballroom to good use. What do you think?’ She excitedly wrapped her arms around his neck. ‘Well, say something!’ she giggled.

Ald shook his head and looked over at Conom.

Conom grinned from ear to ear. ‘She had me at drink and celebrations.’

Ald and Conom transported them all over to his place and the servants were summoned to get the ballroom ready to receive guests. The Cloud Riders were there waiting for Kayden’s return and were beside themselves to have Cassie back with them. Woody, Kayden and Ald all went off to visit Orion while Covin and Lepius helped Conom with the invites, calling the list Ald gave them. There was no way Cassie was letting go of them just yet, so they rode the waves and enjoyed the energy from her as did all of those who surrounded her.

The guys arrived back with the truce and the drinks started flowing. Before they knew it, guests started to arrive and once the news of the truce spread, there were guests turning up from all over the galaxy. Even Zoren, Kayden’s boss stopped in to have a drink with Kayden and Cassie, congratulating them on another successful outcome. Covin and Lepius watched at one stage as Cassie walked around socialising, still having them by the balls, so to speak.

A very slender, stylish lady arrived, escorted by a strange winged man she called Garuda. He had a really strong, male, golden body, a white face, red wings, an eagle’s head and beak and to top it off, a crown on his head. She made him wait outside while she entered to enjoy the night.

Cassie went up and introduced herself and they heard the lady say her name was Aquil from the home world of Aquila. Lepius knew that the Aquila constellation is the sign of half-man, half-bird, now understanding the appearance of her bodyguard.

She spoke very seductively. Her style was similar to the type of woman he would go for in a minute. Lepius wondered what Cassie was up to as his tongue hung out in lust for Aquil while Cassie was engaging her in conversation.