Cheverly lived on one of the largest cattle ranches in Cheyenne. That’s what Dervinias had told them on the ride over. Suitably named after their family, it was called The Hartford Ranch. It’d taken almost an hour to get out there, but once they arrived, Venus saw it’d been worth the wait. Vast was the one word that described the ranch.
It spread out over hundreds of acres. Two training corrals were out in front, each enclosed by a wooden three-rail fence. Behind those sat a gigantic south-looking mansion. Made of wood, it’d been painted yellow. White columns stood grandly on either side of the front steps.
The door looked unyielding as a thousand-year-old Wekking tree from home. It’d been stained a beautiful dark color. The porch stretched the length of the house on both levels. Dark green shutters framed the windows. There were eight on top and six on the bottom.
Pine trees adorned the landscape throughout the ranch. The top layers of the branches were covered in snow. It looked like a picture she’d seen in her Earth Studies book on different holidays celebrated by diverse religious sects. The only thing missing: a horse-drawn sleigh decorated in red bows.
There hadn’t been any snow within the city of Cheyenne. Up here, drifted snow rested against fence posts and trees. A crisp layer crunched underfoot as they made their way to the house. Cheverly didn’t give them a chance to go inside. Instead she met them on the porch.
“Hi guys. You ready to ride.” Chev beamed excitement, though Venus sensed an underlying nervousness.
“Absolutely,” Venus said. Zaren and Dervinias agreed, too. Venus had noticed right away that Michael’s car wasn’t there. She wondered if Cheverly told him she’d be coming and he’d declined. Nausea hit her stomach. The eggs and toast she ate for breakfast rolled around.
After what Zaren had shown her, by entering her mind, and the plan they’d discussed on the drive over to help Chev and Michael get together, Venus had a lot to think about. She’d seen so much and realized how little time she had. The Gods . . .
Dervinias turned to face her. She closed off her thoughts the best she could, reflecting instead of pancakes, pretty clothes, and the radiant sun overhead.
He smirked.
Exactly. She glared.
“If looks could kill. Cheese, Vinny. What’d you do?” Cheverly asked.
Dervinias scratched his nose with a gloved hand, faking innocence. “No idea. V is in a mood.”
“Oh.” Cheverly had on a red puffer jacket and a red and black scarf wrapped around her neck. A black cowgirl hat adorned her head, making it difficult to see her face, but her long black hair curled down the back of her red coat. She had on black jeans that said Wrangler with a black leather belt. It’d been braided and held together by a huge silver and gold belt buckle. A rider held tightly to a bucking bull with one hand while the other was raised in the air. On her feet were red cowboy boots. She looked completely at home here on her ranch.
Venus, on the other hand, wasn’t nearly as prepared. Zaren had tried to warn her that it’d be cold, but at the time she figured she’d be fine. Such a doof!
Her boots were great for horse-back riding, and she had on a pair of jeans, but she didn’t have a coat warm enough. Nor did she have a hat, scarf or gloves. By the time they reached the barn, Venus couldn’t stop shivering.
Zaren, on the other hand, looked cozy in his black parka. Gloves had appeared from somewhere and were now on his hands.
Where’d he get those?
Venus wasn’t sure she’d make it until the end of the day, especially if they had to saddle their own animals. She’d no idea how to do it. Dervinias had given them a quick run through, but she still worried.
When they reached the barn there were two stable workers who’d readied the horses.
Zaren went to Cheverly and whispered in her ear. She giggled. “Sure.”
“Hey, guys. Zaren and I are going to run up to the house for a quick second. We’ll be right back. K?”
Venus gave him a questioning look. He took Chev by the arm. “Give us a few minutes.” The two of them left the barn and headed toward Cheverly’s house.
Dervinias groaned, turned to Venus and winked. “It’ll probably be more than five . . .” He paused and glanced over at Zaren and Cheverly. Shrugged. “Maybe not.” He let out a rough laugh. “I’m going to get started. Wanna come?”
Venus was pretty sure the frown she shot him said, “No way.” Just in case, though, she spoke aloud, “Yeah, thanks for the offer, but I’d rather check out the barn.”
He shrugged again. “I’ll meet you at the halfway point.” He took one of the horses, un-tethered it and walked out.
“Are you sure, Vinny? We’ll be right back.” Cheverly spoke with nonchalance, like she didn’t care either way. Dervinias told Zaren and Venus on the drive over that he’d been riding out here before.
“Yeah, laters.” He jumped on his horse and took off at a trot.
That left Venus to admire the horses, her first time seeing the creatures up close. Anticipation surfaced. Except for the cold, she felt at home. The barn loomed large, well lit and clean. She loved the sweet stench of the hay, nutty oats and the dirt. A horse whinnied and Venus walked to the stall. Peering over the gate, she determined the animal as female.
“Hey, girl.” Venus let the horse smell her hand, which had turned a bright red. The horse’s nose was soft, excluding the whiskers. They tickled.
The horse blew out, hot. Nickered. Stomped her hoof and shook her head. “What’s the matter?” Venus touched the supple white triangle of fur between her brown eyes. So deep, they appeared to be filled with untapped wisdom. The horse pressed her head into Venus’s hand.
“Hey,” one of the stable hands yelled.
Venus turned. “Yes?”
“That one doesn’t usually like to be touched. Be careful.”
She peered back at the seemingly calm horse. “I like you more already.” Venus slowly slid her hand up the soft fur to the tuft of sable brown hair, watching the horse’s eyes. “So, tell me, what’s your story?” The horse leaned her head down, pushing her nose into Venus’s chest. She scratched between the furry ears, pressed her cheek against the horse’s head. Tears pooled in her eyes. “I had a best friend, her name was Sadraden. She died.”
The horse stomped a hoof and tried to move closer to Venus. She let out a grunt and blew into Venus’s hair. “In a way you remind me of her. My irrihunter was strong, like you. Didn’t like many to touch her either.” Tears spilled down her cheeks. She contemplated how Sadraden died, who’d done it and why. The horse snorted again, shook her head. Venus lifted her face, wiped her eyes.
“Irrihunters are different. They’re black, with violet eyes.” She scratched the horse’s head. The horse blinked. “Sadraden stood taller than you are, but don’t let that bother you. She was huge. Scared most everyone.” Venus stroked the horses’ neck with both hands. “They can fly; look a lot like the black panthers on this planet, but with gigantic wings, like a bat. One thing that’s the same, they have a mane, like you, but shiny black.
Want to know what’s totally different about irrihunters? When a male irrihunter wants to mate, his black coat changes into what looks like a million little rainbows. He’s glorious. Struts around. Reminds me of male peacocks. Sadraden found a gorgeous male. She was pregnant when she died.” Venus sniffed. The horse rubbed her nose against her cheek. “Thank you. You’ve helped a lot. I wish I could return the favor.” Venus patted her neck.
“V, what’re you doing? That horse is dangerous. You shouldn’t go near her.” Cheverly had her hands full, but came forward. The horse moved away, neighing in anger and rearing up on her hind legs.
“Cheverly, would you mind?” Venus pushed her back. Zaren helped. “What’s her name?”
The word tumbled out. “Ishtar.”
“Ah.” Venus moved back over to the horse. “Ishtar. Named after a Goddess of Love as well.” Ishtar stamped and shook her head up and down, but came ba
ck over to Venus. “It’ll be all right.” She stuck her hand out for Ishtar to come. The horse placed her forehead into Venus’s palm. “If I had more time . . .”
“Shall we, Venus?” Zaren asked.
“I guess. See you around, girl.”
“Zaren was right; you do have a way with animals.” Chev gave her a look. “Here, I brought you one of my coats, some gloves and a hat.”
“Thanks.” Venus switched into a brown puffer jacket, a purple scarf with purple gloves and a tan cowgirl hat. “This is much better. Sorry I wasn’t more prepared.”
“No problem. I know you’re not from around here. Oh, and Michael called, said he’d be late and to go on without him. Let’s go.” Cheverly had already picked out horses for them. A smaller cream-colored female had been saddled for Venus. “Betsy’s glossy coat matches your hair.” That’s what Chev used as the reason for giving her the horse. Betsy had a sweet demeanor, but was a little too docile for Venus’s tastes.
Zaren rode a tall dark chocolate male named Thor. The horse matched his name—strong, dominant. Cheverly had an obedient male chestnut, a couple of hands taller than Venus’s.
Zaren gave her arm a squeeze. His way of apologizing for the mount Cheverly had chosen. She shrugged. Cheverly hardly knew her. If Chev had known Venus, she would’ve realized Ishtar was the perfect mount. Animals with a lot of spirit—they were what she liked. Since she’d come to this polluted planet, she’d been weak though, and that’s what Chev saw.
With a sigh, she rode in silence behind the two of them. It gave her a chance to think.
She’d allowed Zaren into her mind and he’d shown her the love story of their Gods. It’d been as though real time had stopped and she and Zaren had become Ith and Aetha. As though they’d gone back in time and lived the Gods lives. It’d been an amazing experience. One she’d never forget. The Gods love was true and everlasting. Their story full of adventure, intrigue and deceit. Parts of their memories shocked Venus. It surprised her how strong their love for each other was. That Ith and Aetha’s love had endured. She’d never realized before that moment, with Zaren, that anything so intimate existed. Experiencing love through their Gods had allowed Venus to better understand the difference between undying love and physical attraction.
Zaren.
He turned and beamed, his smile dazzling.
Venus and Zaren had been through a lot today, including the creation of a plan to help Michael realize his true love—Cheverly. Before they left Dervinias’s house, Zaren showed her how to enter Cheverly and Michael’s mind at will. It was different than what Vinny and Zaren did so effortlessly. They “heard” everything a person thought, if they wanted to. With her she could see images and memories, dreams and desires.
That was the first and most important part of their plan, getting into their daydreams as well as their dreams. Then, once within, she’d plant specific reminders and notions there, as often as possible. Cheverly daydreamed a lot. Michael not so much, but some.
Step two. Locate the fantasies inside their minds and then create romantic situations for the two of them.
Step three. Make sure they spent as much time together as possible.
The plan seemed paltry, but those were the options she had to work with. Venus hoped the three steps would work and fast. Time was running out.
She’d entered Michael’s mind on the drive over and placed affectionate ideas inside. Things like: he had to come out to the ranch. Cheverly needed him. Cheverly loved him. She was the most important person in the world. He had to see her today.
Then Venus entered Cheverly’s daydreams. From her fantasies, Venus gathered that Chev’s strongest feelings were toward Michael. She also sensed a block, purposefully in place. It hid more . . . someone else. Venus wasn’t sure what that meant or how Chev did it. Venus also saw a daydream involving Zaren. As she witnessed Cheverly and Zaren kissing, their bodies intertwined, she fought back a building rage.
Zaren had touched Venus softly, stroking her arm, telling her it was okay. The visions she saw were only Chev’s desires and nothing to do with him. Venus had tried to calm down, but it was clear Chev had a thing for Zaren.
Secretly, that worried Venus. If Chev thought about herself with Zaren, what did that say about her feelings for Michael? Shaking it off, Venus stoked Chev’s other daydreams, the ones she had of Michael, filling them out and making them more real.
A crackling fire. Smoke rising into the dark night. The smell of burning wood, roasting marshmallows, laughing, flirting . . . And, Chev and Michael kissing under a blanket of stars.
Those were the desires Venus wanted Chev to focus on. Those were the daydreams Venus injected with passion. She’d make sure the events in Chev’s mind came to fruition. Regardless of any leftover, weird feelings she had for Michael. Venus figured it had to do with the bond, which had been placed between them. She told herself the feelings weren’t real.
Loud laughter shook her out of her reverie. Venus decided she’d had enough of turtle-crawling Betsy. Leaning down, she patted the side of Betsy’s neck. “Hey girl. Are you ready for a run?” She clicked her tongue and pressed her knees into Betsy’s sides, pushing her body forward at the same time. Betsy responded by increasing her speed to a trot. When Venus reached Zaren and Chev, she said, “I’m going to see how fast this sweet creature can move.”
They were travelling on a well-worn, dirt trail. Snow lined most of the path. It contained muddied tracks and the occasional patch of grass. She knew it’d be easy to follow and she needed to run. “I’ll meet you at the halfway point? It’ll have picnic tables, right?”
Cheverly nodded. “Good luck, though. No one can get Betsy to go very fast. She’s kind of—”
Venus clicked her tongue again, pressed her knees harder and leaned further forward into the saddle. “Run girl.” Betsy took off like she’d been anxiously awaiting some action for a decade. After a few more clicks of the tongue, Venus didn’t need any more encouragement and ran faster. Venus put her head down next to Betsy’s; hoping the hat Chev lent her wouldn’t blow off.
Thankfully, it didn’t.
One thing she hadn’t considered was how out of breath she’d be by the time she reached the halfway point. Breathing heavily, she climbed off Betsy, patted her neck, loosened the horse’s saddle, tethered her to a rail, and headed toward a table. The ground was slick, though, and she fell onto her hands and knees.
“Cret!”
Like a fish out of water, she gasped, struggling to get enough air in her lungs. The quick breaths helped, until a tickle in her chest forced her to cough. And cough. Her body shook, whether from weakness or adrenaline, she didn’t know.
Blood misted the snow like spray paint, a reminder of her mortality. A reminder of how far from home she’d been taken. And, a reminder that she didn’t have much time. She closed her eyes against the truth. Didn’t want to face it. In fact, she wanted to lie down and curl into a ball. Pretend none of this was happening. She’d about decided too when the crunch crunch of footsteps interrupted. Probably Dervinias. Come to help, or, more likely, gloat.
“For someone who has people bow before her or die, you seem to spend a lot of time on the ground.”
How’d Michael get here?
Venus tried to stand. Of course, if she looked at the situation from his point of view, she understood his sarcasm. The last time he’d seen her, she’d been on the floor. “I—you’re right.” She tried to laugh it off, but coughed again. “It must be like opposite week or something.”
Embarrassed and frustrated, she scooped a handful of snow over the blood. On shaking limbs, she went to stand, but fell back onto all fours.
“Wretched! Infuriating! Cold, stuff,” she said through chattering teeth.
“What’s wrong with you?” Michael moved so that his booted feet were inches from her nose. Placing his hands under her arms, he helped her up.
“Now there’s a loaded question.”
She laughed as she pushed him away.
He didn’t join in with her fake merriment, but grabbed a portion of his t-shirt, exposing leather-belted jeans, and a part of his hip bone and chiseled stomach.
She couldn’t help but notice a small line of dark hair that began under his belly button and disappeared into his pants. Flushing, she looked away. He hesitated a moment before he turned her face back to him. Using the t-shirt like a cloth, he gently dabbed her lips.
The sun etched his outline, making his eye lashes glow gold. His eyes were so intent on her lips, they quivered. Venus fought against the ache in her belly at his nearness. The Gods obviously picked the wrong kelarian for this job. “I just ran the horse too hard. All of the exercise—”
“And your excuse for yesterday?”
“Crazy red-head. She kicked me. Ringing any bells?” She pursed her lips.
He dropped his shirt and ran a hand through his hair. “I meant . . . forget it.”
“Fine.”
“Fine.”
Wobbly, like a colt on new legs, she started over to a table. “Chev should be here in a few—” She slipped, sailing backward into his outstretched arms.
“You’re a mess.” He wrapped his arms around her. Held her tight. For a second, she sank into him. Allowed herself to give in. Glazed pears. He smelled good enough to eat. To kiss . . . Her heart started beating faster.
What’s wrong with me? Why does his nearness affect me so much?
“Let me go,” Venus said, hoarsely. The words had come out with less harshness than she’d planned. To make up for the lack of severity, she turned and pushed his chest with her hands. She wanted him to fall back, show some weakness.
He remained upright and Venus fell against a table. He moved toward her, as though to help, but must’ve changed his mind.
“So tell me, your highness, how did you know my mother’s name?” The egotistical anger was back. That was better than concern, or worry, or . . . any of his other stunning looks.
“I think Cheverly or Dervinias told me.” Holding onto the table, she moved around and sat on the cold, snow-covered bench.
“Michael,” Cheverly called, cheerfully as she and Zaren rode up. “You made it.”
Zaren and Chev slid off their horses, tethered them and walked over to Venus and Michael.
“Hey Chev.” Michael waved slightly and then stuck his un-gloved hands in his pockets.
Venus scanned the area, unsure what she was searching for, but something felt off. The halfway point consisted of a hefty concrete slab surrounded on all sides by a two-railed wooden fence. Five picnic-styled tables were interspersed around a firepit. A fine layer of snow glazed the landscape like sparkling diamonds.
Venus peered up at the sky. It went on and on—a clear blue—without a cloud in sight. The smell of pine swirled on the wind. A horse whinnied. She looked in its direction and it wasn’t something but someone she searched for. There were five horses and only four of them.
“Michael. Is that horse yours?” She pointed at a tall, gray with dark freckles and knew it had to be his. Which meant Dervinias was missing. “Anyone see Der-Vinny?”
They turned in different directions to look for him. He wasn’t anywhere to be found.
“Cheese, the guy’s a nut. He probably rode further on. Or went back on a different trail. It wouldn’t be the first time.” She gave an indifferent shrug. “Who wants hot chocolate?”
Chapter 31
Cult of Personality