It had been a few days since there had been any fog in the paddocks so it was all back to normal. Cassie wanted to ask Kayden why the fog made her sleep so many hours and while she slept, why her dreams were so bizarre. Maybe it is just my head injury still healing. She shrugged inwardly, helpless in knowing the reason behind it as she helped Jason set the table for dinner. The three of them had been having a lot of fun and why that thought had just popped into her head surprised her. Although maybe it's just the stress of loving someone I can never have, she reasoned with herself, eyeing Jason as he joked with Kayden. Maybe I could try to love someone else to take my mind off him. Jason is a sweet and caring person. Maybe ...

'Hey, girl, where's your head? I just asked what you were doing on the weekend. I was thinking about having friends over for a BBQ. You interested?' Jason asked, putting his arm around her and grinning. 'Will you come?'

Yes, it's time I moved on . She felt that Kayden didn't need her hanging around like a lovesick puppy. She nodded. 'Sure, love to.'

Jason looked happy with himself as he helped Kayden finish dishing up. After his invitation, the air between Kayden and Cassie was thick. Maybe he guessed she was giving up. However, she thought, that should make him happy, not annoyed. As soon as Jason goes, I'm going to sort this out. If he doesn't want me here anymore, he only has to say.

Before Jason left, he placed Kayden and Cassie's hands together.

'What are you waiting for, K? Just let nature take its course. Even on my date she couldn't stop thinking about you, mate. If she knocks you over the other side of the room just suck it up and get back on the horse, so to speak.' He laughed and left.

Cassie stood and went to clean up the dishes from the table. 'Jason is no fool but he really had that all wrong. You should have told him you only see me as a friend, Kayden.'

'Is that what you think, Cassie?'

'Kayden, please. I slept in your bed for two weeks and you barely touched me after we kissed. I know you think I'm just a bit of fun to have around and that is fine. Honest. I would sooner keep you as my friend than not have you in my life at all. Forget about Jason's stupid comment but next time just tell him the truth so he drops it.' She tossed her exasperation at Kayden.

'Cassie, sit down and talk to me. I can see I've hurt you and we need to talk.'

He pulled out the chair next to him for her to sit.

Cassie stayed standing at the bench, unable to talk to him so close. 'Kayden, you have nothing to apologise for. It was my first kiss: always the most unforgettable, no doubt. I'm new at all this and impressionable.' She tried to smile, doing what she could to prevent him from seeing how truly wounded she was from his rejection. 'I'm young and sure I'll find another that will make me feel as you did. Only hopefully next time they will feel as I do too.' She wrung her hands in the tea towel, not wanting to sound ungrateful. Pulling it together, she gave him a nice polite smile. 'Although I have to admit you will be a hard act to follow.'

He glared at her, speechless. Under his gaze, she felt embarrassed for saying so much. She hurried outside to get some fresh air, cursing for being so open and still feeling his eyes that had burned into her as she spoke. What's wrong with me? I should have just let it go. Now he's probably packing my bags for me as we speak.

She heard his footsteps and the screen door open. Her cheeks burned with shame for speaking up and if she could have willed it she would have opened up the floor and let it suck her into it. She was so glad it was dark.

'Cassie, please let me explain,' he said, slipping his hand into hers.

She sighed, trying to find the words to stop him worrying. It was so humiliating. She glanced quickly at his kind, worried face and wished she could find something clever to say to put it behind them. 'It's life, Kayden, so don't feel bad. My whole life has been just like this. I love, I care, I get hurt but guess what, I survive. None of this is your fault. It was only a kiss.' Cassie felt drained, unable to take away his worried look.

He put his finger to her mouth. 'Hush, little one. Now it is your turn to listen to me. When you came to me, I hurt you terribly, both physically and mentally. Every day I suffered, watching you smile through bruises I helped cause and patiently waiting for me to believe in you. When we had proof that you were not a threat you forgave my arrogance and I swore to myself that if you stayed with me I would never hurt you again. Now, through my promise I have hurt you once more.' He held both her hands and faced her. 'You are the most desirable woman I have ever seen. I want you so badly that at nights I fear to touch you in case I can't stop. If I make love to you it might not be pleasant; you know how strong I am. I'm not normal, Cassie. The longing and hunger for you is primal. I've never felt like this before and it may make me lose control. I can't bear it if I scare or God forbid, hurt you. I really am sorry, princess. I should have told you how I felt. It has confused you, making you think I don't feel as you do.'

Listening to him, Cassie understood how easy it was to get your wires crossed. She had never thought that one of her minor fears had been one of his major ones. She couldn't blame him for not talking to her about it. After all it was she who had pulled away and refused to discuss it, instead preferring to believe she was unworthy of anyone's love and that that was the end of it. Cassie wiped away the dejected tears that had run quietly down her face. 'There is a first time for every woman in the world, Kayden and they all survive. I'm not normal either if you hadn't noticed. Maybe we will be perfect, maybe not. If we don't try then how will we ever know? If you hurt me, I have the power to protect myself.' She cocked an eyebrow at him and amused at the thought, said, 'Would you really prefer my first to be with someone else ... maybe Jason?'

He growled loudly and pulled away from her, stomping across the veranda. 'Like hell! Don't even kid about him, Cassie!'

She enjoyed his jealousy. It was what she needed to hear at that minute to prove just how much he wanted her too. 'What are we going to do, Kayden? If you can't bring yourself to be with me ...'

Before she could say one more word he had her in his arms, kissing her, letting go of his jealous passion finally. He pulled his lips from hers. Breathing heavily and on the way to losing control, Kayden lifted her chin and looked into her face, seeing her raw and innocent love for him. 'Not like this, Cassie. Will you come to me tonight?' His voice was deep and honey-smooth.

She nodded and left him on the porch, both of them wanting it to be special.

As Cassie stepped out of the shower that night, she heard Kayden cleaning up the rest of the dinner dishes so she knew she had time to dry her hair. She took her time while Kayden showered and brushed it until it felt soft and silky. Finally happy with the look, she giggled nervously. 'He won't see me in the dark anyway,' she whispered into the brush before putting it down.

Cassie stood in her bedroom with a towel wrapped around her and all she wanted was his skin against hers. The moonlight lit up the room and now she stood before him, her eyes flowing over his nakedness as he laid waiting for her. He stood and she caught her breath, seeing how faultless he was. He lifted her into his arms and lay with her on the bed, his lips burning with passion. That's when she knew it was the second kiss she'd never forget.

Her body surrendered to his loving attention until she could take no more and begged him to give her his all. He groaned so deeply and the sound shuddered through her like shock waves as his urgency finally gave way. She could feel his loveliness pushing and teasing, moving slowly and gently until lust overcame the strangeness and they were finally one. They both smiled and then the wild abandonment of all their fears opened up the heavens and deep in her soul Cassie knew there would never be another for her.

Kayden Confides in his Princess.

When she woke to the alarm, Cassie hit the snooze button and stretched, feeling the aches from her very first night of passion. Kayden still had her wrapped in his arms. He shifted and moaned in his drowsy daze, looking for her lips. Melting under his passion, she couldn't believe the feeling he was stirring in her again: deep within her a lustful feeling made her forget the tenderness she had felt when she first woke. She shuddered as he deepened the kiss, letting her know he wanted her again. God, how can anything feel so good? She had never thought desire could make her slip into an out-of-body experience where tenderness vanished, replaced by a state of dizzy pleasure.

Disturbed by the alarm, Kayden grinned mischievously and reset it. He went and ran them a bath. When he came back he picked up his lover as if she was a fragile flower and slipped them together into the warm suds where he sponged Cassie from top to toe. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined that bathing with her man could be so enjoyable.

When they finally arrived at the paddock to check the horses there was a strange mist in the air. Cassie, although still a little shaky and in a dream-like state knew from countless other times what came next and sighed as she knew the rest of the day would be stolen from her. The day she had only just begun was now a vision put on hold. As she watched her man she knew he would be bringing back horses with them. They would then go back home and he would find her something to do while he stole away alone into the barn for a while, doing whatever. He would be jumpy all day. Next would come the strange ritual of having a late-afternoon sleep, only she knew she would not wake until the following morning. Kayden would wake her and following a rather large meal he would sleep on and off all day as if he had been out all night.

Cassie frowned, imagining as she always did that he had been sneaking out to get laid elsewhere. It was the only explanation. In the misty sleep she would sometimes hear car doors and an engine starting just before Kayden would come in and wake her. After last night though he had no need to go there. Or at least he better damned not, she thought as she stomped after him, waiting for the ritual to begin.

Arriving back at the stables Kayden's mood was sombre yet edgy.

Here it comes, she thought.

'We have a problem,' he said as they put the horses into the barn. 'Can you start breakfast, princess? I'll join you in a minute. I just have to check on something.'

He saw the look of fright and betrayal flash across her face. Cassie quickly looked away, knowing it was going to happen again today. He's going to spoil everything we've just found and for what? Fog? Another woman? What did that shit do to him? How can I fight mist? She felt helpless to respond.

'I know you don't understand, princess but I promise to explain everything after breakfast. I just have to make a call, alright?' He looked at her, pleading.

Cassie smiled weakly and left him to break it off with his lover or whatever. He told me he loved me. She had to believe that she was worthy of love and trusting him was part of it. Jeez, I am so insecure, she thought, feeling silly. Give the guy the benefit of the doubt!

Kayden could feel the tension in Cassie. Throwing his arm around her shoulders he led her over to the seat on the porch. 'We need to talk, sweetie.'

She almost preferred not to know his secret in case it spoilt the night they had just had together. She didn't want to know about his mysterious behaviour in case it was another woman. There was no other explanation for what he'd been doing all this time while she was conveniently made to sleep.

'Cassie, this has been a very confusing time for me. I've wanted to tell you so many things and to ask you something so important but I had terrible trust issues. I thank my lucky stars you have stood by me through it all. When you find out what we do you will understand why.' He sighed heavily. 'I'm not making much sense, am I?'

Cassie kicked at the stone near her foot. 'I know you're gifted because when we kiss your power tingles,' she smiled. 'In a good way though. And I've seen and felt the power within you. I also know when the fog comes you use your powers to make me sleep while you go to your lover or whoever. I often hear horses or a car leave when I'm in the sleepy haze. I figure they drop you off or your friend is leaving. When I saw the fog this morning it crossed my mind you would be leaving me again tonight and maybe last night was-' Tears of torment ran from her eyes and she wasn't able to finish.

Kayden smiled and kissed her tears. 'There is definitely no other woman so get that out of that beautiful mind of yours now. I love you, Cassandra Wyatt.'

He hugged her and after a while she pulled away. 'Then if it is not another woman, what have you been doing?'

Kayden sat back in the seat and had a faraway look in his eyes. 'There is so much more, Cass. Please don't freak out.' He went quiet and reached for her hand. She could feel how nervous he was by his hot and sweaty palms.

'What about if I ask the questions and then I will only take in what I need,' she said, feeling that might break the ice.

He nodded.

'Okay, so you have this big farm but you don't seem to be growing any produce on it. You have friends living nearby that Jason refers to as a group and sometimes team. So my first question is, what do you all do and why do others want to infiltrate your group when you never seem to get together and do anything?'

Kayden listened. 'We-me and the guys-don't need to work as we are more than provided for and want for nothing. We have two farms side by side. Cassie, like you we all have powers and have been chosen for our abilities to do very special work. You could say we are an elite band of soldiers, a select group. I am their leader-the commander-and the horses we watch over are precious to us. They are our magical rides that take us to our missions.'

'That's why I hear horses? Is that what speaks to you, the fog, like in the scary movies?'

He shook his head, amused. 'The fog lets me know that Zoren, my boss needs us. The fog is actually a low-lying cloud called an Altostratus Praecipitatio storm cloud. It gives us access to a portal.'

'A portal? Like a gateway to other planets like in Stargate?'

'Well, sort of. Only we go by horse and use the clouds. But we only travel as far as the stars.'

'Wow! This is much cooler than any movie! Even Zoltan your horse is special. Like the tattoo of Pegasus on your arm?'

He smiled and showed her the tat. It was a horse with wings and under it in very small print was the word 'Zoltan'.

Cassie giggled. 'Boy, and you thought my story was out there! This I will have to see to believe. Yet I know you and know you would not bullshit about this sort of thing. Still, I have the right to think it's fantasy until I see it with my own eyes. Okay?'

He nodded and agreed.

'So, you're a group of trained soldiers with extraordinary gifts. I get that but what do you do? It must be pretty top secret,' she asked inquisitively.

'Yes it is, sweetheart. What we do can never be spoken of in front of any other person ever. You see, here on earth in astronomy, celestial spheres defined by exact boundaries are classed as star groupings or constellations and have been studied by humans for centuries. As children you're taught to look up into the sky and find shapes such as the Milky Way, the Three Sisters, the Teapot and the most popular, the Southern Cross, better known as the Crux.'

'Yes.'

'Well, powerful leaders have ruled the star constellations for many lifetimes. The rulers fight and bicker over many of the same things we do here on earth. You know politics, power, sex and greed. If we left them to destroy each other, the loss of the celestial spheres would create a universal change to the solar system. Planets and our own earth's gravitational force would change and we could collide with other planets, their moons or even the sun, any of which would be fatal to all life on earth.'

He stood up and stretched. Cassie took the hand he offered her and they walked towards the car park where she could hear the sound of a car coming in the distance. 'We are called the Cloud Riders, Cassie. We are the peacekeepers of the constellations, sent to ensure that law and order's restored at all costs. If a star is unable to be controlled we have the ability to extinguish the problem. You've probably seen shooting stars. That is them trying to run. They never succeed but they do try.'

'So, if Zoren is your boss and lives up there how does he contact you?'

'Zoren communicates with Zoltan my horse and after that Zoltan communicates telepathically to me. Remember that night you ran from me and went and lay with my horse? He told me you were there and I knew you were safe. I needed to sort out Jason before I came to get you so he laid and waited with you and kept you warm. Then when you went to play with the foal he let me know you were there playing but not unhappy. He was keeping an eye on you for me.'

'I remember he came straight up to me,' she said, thinking about that day. Two cars were turning into the driveway. 'How many are in your group?'

'There are five of us because there are five corners to a star. To destroy a star all we have to do is position ourselves at each point and the energy between us puts its light out. Then we either vaporise it or leave it in the outer hemisphere where it will do no harm.'

'So, you will go tonight to protect a constellation of stars.'

'Yes. Zoren has given me the mission and we ride tonight. That is why I wanted to get you used to riding with me. I want you to join us if it doesn't sound too frightening.' He stopped and faced her, holding both of her hands. 'Cassie, I know your head is spinning as I haven't had near enough time to settle you into any of this but I would be honoured if you came for a run with us. Just come with me on Zoltan. We will take extremely good care of you. I'm hoping you love it as we do and want to join us, but no pressure. This is an easy mission so it will be just a leisurely trip first.'

Cassie shook away the feeling she may have been dreaming again and felt way out of her comfort zone. 'Kayden, I think you have it wrong. All I can do is blow things up. What you do is far beyond my powers. Please don't take me because you feel concerned about leaving me alone. You can always trust me with your secrets as I know I can trust you with mine. Just know I will be fine and am happy enough to wait here for you until you get home.'

He ran his hand through his dark locks. 'Cassie, I'd have kept this a secret and never asked you to be a part of it if I didn't believe you'd be of great value to us. Look, the boys will be pulling up any minute and I've run out of time to discuss it much further. I need to speak to the team and fill them in on the mission. Just trust me for now and come with me, Cass. Throw caution to the wind and let me show you a whole new world that I know you will more than fit into.'

She nodded. 'My life is in your hands, Kayden and has been since you found me. Before then there was nothing. I guess I'd be crazy not to come and see if there's a place for a freak like me in your world.'

He came close and she could almost feel the power running through him. 'You're my little freak now and your place is by my side, Cassie, for as long as you want to be there.'

Joining the Team.

Cassie watched as the rest of his team pulled up in two black, four-wheel drives. Cassie had seen pictures in some of Kayden's motor magazines and the vehicles looked the same: overhead spotlights, crash-proof steel surrounds and bodies raised high with huge chunky tires.

Jason jumped out first and put his arm around Cassie while moving her closer to the men as they got out of their vehicles. 'Cassie, this is Woody.'

Woody was so tall Cassie had to shade her eyes with her left hand to see him while she shook his hand. His vibrant red hair outlined his head and his stunning green eyes seemed to burn into her very soul. He was astonishingly handsome.

'Hi Cassie, nice to finally meet you.' His grin lit up his eyes even more.

'Thank you, Woody. Glad to finally meet you too.'

'Cassie, this is Conor. And last but not least, my brother, Ethan.'

She smiled, shaking his hand as if she already knew him. Ethan resembled and sounded so very much like Jason, only he was a little shorter. Conor-well he was so different from the others she couldn't help but stare at him. She was fascinated by his head that was shaven and smooth as a button. Cassie wondered if he would be offended if she rubbed her hand over the glossy patch. It was the first time in her life she had ever seen anyone up close with absolutely no hair. He also had many tattoos and she found him so interesting she wanted to just stand and soak him in as he politely made conversation.

While Cassie chatted to Conor, Jason dropped his arm from around her and punching his brother, said, 'Let's see what the big guy's gawking at.'

Kayden was showing Woody a diagram of some sort. They moved over to get a better look. He eventually called Conor and Cassie over. Cassie felt awkward. She knew nothing of what they talked about. She decided to give them space and sticking her hands in her pockets, she leant up against one of the cars, watching in silence. It was confusing to her that Kayden had not once glanced in her direction or made any effort to include her in the conversation.

Cassie was so used to him holding her or being wrapped up in his arms that she felt a little lost. She eyed the five men: just the size of them overpowered her. She began to think Kayden was embarrassed to show that they were together or maybe a little ashamed of her. She looked down at her simple jeans and T-shirt. Her hair was tied back and she was wearing no makeup. She guessed she did look a little like a frump. What has happened to me?

Cassie felt annoyed with herself as she always took such pride in her appearance, even though she usually did just hang out on her own all day. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. She was totally letting her insecurities creep back in again so she glanced out over the property, trying to pull it together. She was definitely freaking out. Maybe she should just tell him no, that she wasn't ready for any of this, he and his arrogance included. After all they had only slept together last night. Maybe he did it so she wouldn't go to Jason.

Her heart jolted, thinking suddenly that he might not feel as she did. Had he said what he did to get her to work with them? Her mind was swimming with every conceivable negative thought. She shook her head, trying to settle her nerves.

A load cheer brought her attention back to the new members of the team as she attempted to shake off how neglected she felt. First she studied Ethan as he stood with his arm around Jason, chatting. He had similar features to Jason. Both were blond-haired, blue-eyed, model-type men. Ethan had more tattoos and he was not clean-shaven. He had a five o'clock shadow going on that was quite trendy yet his expression was a lot more serious.

Conor, although bald and clean-shaven, had a cheeky grin. He had tattoos down both arms like sleeves as well as one that curled a little up his neck that looked very sexy. His eyes were hazel and almost as bright and happy-looking as Kayden's but his build was short and stocky. Yet in saying that, he would still have been around six foot; he just looked shorter because the others were all closer to Kayden's height which had to be around six foot five or maybe a bit more. All she knew was that they all towered over her and made her feel pint-sized. Jeez, what am I doing here with these people? She was nowhere near their league.

Woody laughed and attracted her attention. He leaned on Kayden and had to be at least a couple inches taller than he was. Christ, the guy is a giant, she thought. And yet there was a delicate sweetness about him. Maybe it was the red curly hair and bright green eyes. His creamy-smooth skin was sprinkled with cute freckles; across his nose they made him look distinguished. Whatever she saw in him it drew her like a moth to a flame and in that instant he made her feel like she could trust him with her life.

Yes, they were all smoking-hot men, she concluded as she looked down and drew circles in the dirt with her foot. They must have girls swarming around them. She would pale to the likes of the women these men normally hung with or dated. No wonder she was getting the cold shoulder suddenly. If the ground could have swallowed her daggy self up she would have been happy. She glanced back at Kayden who was joking and enjoying his mates. A flittered glance in his direction had her compelled to compare him to the others. He was drop-dead gorgeous. Out of all of them, he was definitely the pretty boy. Christ, no wonder he is ignoring frump-girl.

They all started to walk over to the stable and she was asked to follow. Inside the horse stable the bales of hay that she normally sat on were pushed out of the way. They all stood on a platform that was lowered into an underground room. Cassie's nerves were rattled and she wished Kayden would hold her as he normally did when she was doing something new. She decided to be brave and just suck it up.

The room was full of wall-to-wall computerised screens that showed every angle of the sky. By the looks of it there were eighty-eight modern constellations showing at any one time and the computers and satellites tracked all activities. However, tonight the focus was apparently on the Milky Way.

One of the satellites had picked it up in the southern hemisphere. Cassie recalled looking at the night sky and seeing dark patches or cloud-like shapes within the Milky Way. These were referred to by astrologists as the Emu in the sky yet here, with the equipment used, this Emu in the sky was real and was in charge of the stars that made up the Milky Way.

Cassie eventually stopped being gob-smacked and concentrated on the topic of conversation. At the sound of Kayden's voice, she drifted back to the conversation and focused. She was glad Kayden had said this was to be just a trial run for her. When this mission was over there would not be another for her. Kayden, as their commander, was acting as he did when they first met: superior and bossy. If this was the way he was going to act during working hours she wanted no part of him or the job.

Kayden, for Cassie's sake, explained the controversy a little more thoroughly as he knew she'd be unaware of the rulers or of the long-running dispute. He had already told his men to prepare for a longer meet. However, he would try to hurry it along so they could eat before heading out.

With a pause, he eyed Cassie, 'Aldebaran and Conom have sent a loyalist called Teyar to a Wolf-Rayet star. This is a massive, hot star omitting huge amounts of helium, nitrogen, carbon and oxygen and will easily overpower the Emu in the sky. Consequently they would be able to take charge of the huge group of stars within. This would give Aldebaran and Conom a big advantage in their war against Orion if the loyalist Teyar succeeds. They would surely overpower Orion's Belt with that many stars in their army. This would give the sky's most evil wizard far too much control in the galaxy so the mission is to intercept and talk down or destroy the Wolf-Rayet star advancing on the Milky Way.'

'Why does this Aldebaran and his friend Conom want to take over Orion's Belt from Orion?' Cassie asked.