Cassie gave me a kiss and popped to her seat. I won my first four fights easier than I expected. Cassie’s belief was humming in my veins. My dad’s third highest squadron leader was the longest fight, but I beat her. She inclined her head to me and I nodded back. The crowd roared with cheers.
Now, came the ‘commanding a team’ aspect. A group was chosen at random for me to command. My dad was on the other side with hand selected members. I had to think on my feet and command those given to me. It was basically our version of physical chess.
As the Commander, I had to protect that players that were selected as our King and Queen from the other side. There was no board or time to move pieces, but this was my goal. To protect the King and Queen.
My team was a range of ages. Cora’s brother, Jed, was down here with me. I was surprised that Cole Conners was down here too. He linked, “I’m pretty sure I’m supposed to serve as a distraction for you.” I replied, “Well, that’s a miscalculation because I know you can stand on your own.” He winked back at me.
The King player for my team was Grimes Turks and because we’d have an angry mate down here if his mate wasn’t the Queen, Cindy Turks was my Queen. She looked worried. I told her, “Nothing will happen to you.” She winced, “I just feel bad. I’m not a Hackura, I’m a liability to you.” She was Alyssa Blanch’s cousin who’d come here to be our cook.
I looked her dead in the eye, “You are no liability to me. You are the Queen on this field and mine to protect as your Commander. Just as Grimes is King. You probably have new ideas as you’ve never seen this game before. What are your thoughts?” Grimes smiled looking at the ground, but I could feel my team’s pride.
Cindy whispered, “Well, there’s a partial Fairy on our team. The guidelines I read said to use anything you could. I’d have Cole guarding me since I’ll be the first target. He can do some Fairy things to make sure I’m ok.”I wouldn’t have thought to use Fairy powers here. I hadn’t even planned to have a partial on my team. I wondered if my dad had one.
I turned to Cole ordering, “You guard her and use your main power to make people unable to see you.” Cole could create an illusion in someone’s mind to hide himself and project other items that would replace him in the picture he created.
I looked around, “Create more things here with your earth powers. I want trees, rocks, flowers, and more terrain.” The smile that overtook Cole’s face was something I would never forget. He knelt down and Haley’s scream of excitement was deafening. I didn’t hear Cassie’s though. I knew she was here, and that was enough.
Cole was in charge of protecting Cindy. I told Cole, “Create a treehouse for Grimes. He can come out if we need him to.” Cole clapped excitedly. I asked him, “Is there a Fairy on my dad’s side?” He nodded, “Yes, William is down here.” Two Conners who leaned more to their Hackura side. Interesting play.
William could walk through any type of matter and become part of it if he wanted. So, he’d be using the terrain. I warned, “William might be anything out there so be on alert.”
Cole said, “I doubt it, or he’d be happier. I imagine your dad will stick to the games as they have been. They don’t have someone like Cindy on their team.” Grimes beamed with pride while Cindy blushed. It was a good point, but we needed to be prepared.
I left men to guard the King and Queen. My goal was to find the other side’s as well and get them to back down. I lead my men through the arena. We were attacked from behind but defeated those that had popped up from the ground. We went to the other side and found their King and Queen. I frowned knowing it was far too easy. They were practically gift wrapped for me. I led them back to our group with no resistance.
My dad called, “Give them back, Cayden.” I snorted, “You were so kind as to leave them out in the open for me.” He replied, “Because I have something else. Something no Future Commander knows is part of the games.” What? I knew everything about the Commander games.
He came into view and his second had knife to Cassie’s throat. My hand gripped my weapon tighter. He said, “Hand over your King and Queen in exchange for Cassie.” I knew my eyes were blazing as I glared at the man holding my mate. She wasn’t actually in danger, and I knew that. I wanted to rage and rip his second to pieces for touching a blade, fake or not, to her neck.
I linked Cole, “Project an image of me frozen into their mind.” He said, “I don’t know if I can do that. It usually only works if it’s me.” I confidently told him, “I know you can because they have Cass.” Hegrowled back. He grunted out, “Go fast.” I ran at them. I knew the illusion was working because they didn’t move. My dad’s bond was confused. I ripped his second’s hand away and tore Cassie away from him. I broke his hand and whispered as he screamed, “Never touch my mate again.”
Cassie gaped at me. I told her, “Pop us back.” She did and I linked Cole, “Release them from the illusion.” He did and my dad stared from me, to his second, to Cassie. I declared, “Game over. I win.” Haley popped down and healed my dad’s second. He was practically family to me, but right now I never wanted to look at him again.
Cassie touched my back. My dad announced, “The changing of the Commander will be in ten minutes.” I grabbed Cassie and led my team to the locker rooms. I found Cole and gave him a hug. I said, “You did good.” Cassie squealed, “I didn’t know you could do that, Cole! It was amazing!” He beamed under her praise.
My dad called, “Cayden.” I stiffened but refused to turn around. Cassie linked, “Cayden.” I had nothing to say to him. My dad said, “I’m still your Commander and I’m your dad.” I stomped over to him and walked outside.
I shoved him, “You let someone put her in danger!” He reasoned, “No, I didn’t. The blade was fake. She was safe and deep down you know that.” I glared at him. He admitted, “I felt the same way you did when I was the one on the other side. Lithan wants to talk to you.”
I snorted, “I’ll kill him if I see him. He’s lucky all I did was break his wrist.” My dad sighed, “He’s family to us, Cayden.” I replied, “Today he’s an asshole who had a blade to my mate’s throat. She is my EVERYTHING!” He nodded, “I know that, but it wasn’t real. You know I’d never let Cassie get hurt.” I yelled, “I know that, but it’s not what I saw.”
He put a hand on me, “You were very good on your feet, son. Having Cole use that power was great. You’re ready for this and I’m proud of you.” I hugged him because even though I was pissed off, we’d been training for this moment my whole life. He helped me get here and be ready.
When we pulled apart, he clapped my shoulder. He said, “Let’s get back out there, son.” Cassie cleared her throat and handed me my cape. My mom appeared and put my dad’s on. Cassie said, “One second.” She popped us out.
I ground out, “You didn’t tell me.” She admitted, “I didn’t know. I thought I was going to be on your team so they could target me to distract you.” I yanked her against me. I said, “I think the last time I was this mad you were hurt. It was real then though.” She whispered, “It wasn’t real this time.”
She pulled the axe she had off her back. She handed it to me saying, “I had this made in Faerie for you.” Inscribed around the handle and blade were the wordsAd imperatorem meum. Fortiter ac sine timore. Ad me semper veni, ducissa tua(To My Commander. Lead bravely and fearlessly. Come home to me always, your Duchess).”
I yanked her against me and kissed her hard, undid the button on my pants, and slid inside her. She moaned, “We don’t…” I cut her off, “We do have time, and someone didn’t wear underwear.” I rarely did, but she usually did. She grinned, “Well, I like to be prepared.”
I used my thumb to play with her clit until she screamed, “CAYDEN!” I smacked the wall behind us and filled her with my own orgasm. We were both breathing hard when I pulled out. She popped us back to my parents and we followed them out without a word. My dad was trying not to laugh though. I registered the drums were starting up again. I didn’t spot Lithan and that was good for his life expectancy.
My Uncle Bjourn and Aunt Astrid nodded to me. Uncle Bjourn said, “Today Cayden proved he is a smart and capable leader. Even in the face of everything he loves being in jeopardy he found a way to do his job as a Commander. I give you Cayden Aaron Crawford, your new Commander!”
Cassie re-did my war paint that had gotten messed up. My dad took off his cape when she finished. Cassie unclipped mine and folded it ceremonially. It would go to our oldest child one day. My dad put the cape on me and went to a knee. He said, “The army is yours to command now, son.” I held out my hand to him and helped him off the ground.
I yelled, “HEY TAH!” The crowd yelled, “TAH!” I shouted, “TAH, TAH!” They cheered, “TAH!” We repeated that several times until my lips were on Cassie’s again. We were going to start one hell of an orgy today and no part of me was sad about that. I’d bet we’d even release some magic around the realm.
