Then the stories came out about what they had all said, making Cassie feel a lot better about the little bit of stirring she’d done.
Break Through
Cassie loved her mornings now. She felt contented with who she was and for the first time in her life she thanked the heavens every day for bringing her to the Cloud Riders and most of all to Kayden.
It was early dawn and the paddocks this morning were green and lush after the rain they had received over the past few days. Cassie had been playing with Starburst and commented to Kayden how, as if by magic, her horse had grown up overnight. ‘He looks nearly as big as Zoltan.’
‘Yes, he’s magical just like his dad.’
‘I never really thought about who fathered him. I thought horses just did it with whomever they pleased.’ She was intrigued that Zoltan was the father.
‘Zoltan will only breed with one mare here and no other horse dares encroach on his territory.’
‘Wow, he is like his owner then,’ Cassie kidded him playfully.
He grinned and took a long look at Starburst, running his hands over his back and down his legs. ‘Yes, I guess he is.’ He snatched her up in his arms. ‘He and I have found our soul mates and boy, let any other male try to move in on our females and look out,’ he chuckled, teasing her back. He brushed her lips with his. ‘And yes, he is grown up enough. So your little magic playmate is ready to be broken in for you. I’ve just summoned the team. They’ll meet us back at the house.’
‘What?’ She tried to keep her surprise in check. ‘Am I allowed to ride on my own?’
‘Truthfully, sweetheart, I’ve fought against it entirely for selfish reasons. Been outranked by Zoren though. He wants you on your own horse so I can get back to leading the team. He reckons we won’t see your full potential until I let you fly free, so to speak. As your leader, I agree but as your man, shit, I love the feeling of you against me and will so miss this sassy body stirring me up during the trip,’ he chuckled, slapping her backside playfully. ‘Now, go get your new ride so we can take him back with us.’
Cassie felt an excited rush. ‘I promise we won’t let you down,’ she said as she ran down to the water’s edge to grab him. Clutching his mane as they walked back up to Kayden she looked radiantly happy. ‘Starburst here is very smart and combined with my powers we’re going to make a good team.’
Kayden laughed. ‘Alright, you don’t have to convince me but you do have to convince Woody. He’s the one with the special gift that can help you develop powers so you can use them without anger. You’ll need to prove to him that you can summon up your powers without using anger to make them strong. Okay?’
The guys had already arrived by the time they returned. Cassie found them in the kitchen cooking breakfast and it smelt delicious. Cassie had a shower before joining them at the table. By then it was packed full of bacon, eggs, sausages, tomatoes, mushrooms, hash browns and the largest slabs of toast she had ever seen—catering slices, she was told. She had missed the gang and sat down, talking and digging in before Kayden finally joined them. He came out with his shirt off, looking all manly and yummy as he pulled out a chair next to her.
‘Eb llits ym traeh er’uoy a kunh,’ she said quietly and he laughed.
Ethan laughed as well and she looked at him suspiciously. ‘Can’t fool us anymore with that lingo, girl. I’ve been practicing.’
He looked at Jason and he nodded as if they were conferring. ‘Be still, my heart you’re a hunk.’ He leaned over the table. ‘That’s what she said, hey boss?’
Kayden punched his fist. ‘We can’t have any secrets with you lot of quick-arse whiz kids around.’
Cassie decided to outsmart whiz boy. ‘Tcelletni ruoy revo hpmuirt ot yaw a dnif lliw I.’
It took Ethan longer this time and then he chuckled. ‘Ah … a reverse flip. “I will find a way to triumph over your intellect.” Very clever, cloud girl but not clever enough.’
‘Okay, I give in. Beaten fair and square.’
He looked chuffed, the little shit, she thought as she piled more food on her plate. She decided she’d better up her game and find other ways to beat their clever minds. A challenge! The thrill egged her on. God, was she becoming them now she was linked to them?
‘Your games are fun, cloud girl but don’t make it so easy next time.’ Ethan sat down, grinning as a damn cat would just after eating a mouse and by the looks on the others’ faces she knew they had been helping him.
‘Ah, now I get it. This is my payback for calling him radar.’ She swept her eyes around at all of them. ‘Ganging up on the new girl, are we?’ she giggled. Catching her eye, Kayden gave her a big grin as well. ‘No … tell me they didn’t get you involved.’