Chapter 6
Although she was dressed casually in shorts and an orange tank top, Carleigh took time on her makeup and hair before leaving the house.
As she drove past the property next door, she smiled, knowing Bayu had bought it.
Although she was ecstatic that she’d found her mate, Carleigh was also nervous as hell.
He was special, but she didn’t know what that entailed.
Hell, Bayu didn’t either. What did it mean to be blessed by a divine god to keep the balance in the universe?
Did he ensure wars didn’t happen? She doubted it, since wars had waged since the beginning of time, and no one had interfered yet.
Or maybe they had. Or maybe the balance was weighed on a smaller scale.
Carleigh would find out alongside Bayu once they had the ancient scrolls.
He was the only one who could read them, but she had no doubt he would share that knowledge with her, if he was allowed.
Carleigh called her parents on her way home the night before to tell them the good news and to inform them she was headed out of the country for a few days.
They were thrilled and asked to meet Bayu soon.
Carleigh did not share that he was the Nuhuala or that his father had been killed.
She didn’t want them to worry or to insist on going with her.
Harlow was also thrilled and promised she, Nikita, and Mads could handle any work while Carleigh was gone.
Juniper demanded every detail, and Carleigh obliged but only after she got home and could speak to her sister through an encrypted video chat.
No way was she putting Bayu’s business out into the world without protecting him.
When she pulled into the drive of the private airfield where Connor’s jet was, Carleigh’s heart sped at seeing Bayu waiting for her.
He was dressed in khaki pants with a short-sleeved button-up, much how he’d been dressed the day before.
Did he not like jeans and tees? Or was he like Connor whose idea of casual was a polo?
At least Alyssa had gotten Connor to buy some shorts for warmer weather.
Bayu met Carleigh at her car when she parked, and Silas hovered close by, his eyes scanning their surroundings. She looped the strap of her purse over her chest. “Good morning, my tiger.”
Bayu held his hand out to her. “Good morning, my Sayang. I hope you slept well.” Bayu pulled Carleigh to her feet, then stepped back.
“I did, thank you. Would it be too forward of me to ask for a hug?” Carleigh and most of the other Goyles were tactile creatures, and she wanted to embrace her mate, dammit.
Bayu opened his arms, and Carleigh stepped into them, wrapping hers around his waist, while resting her cheek against his shoulder.
Bayu was a little stiff, not holding her too tightly, but hopefully with time, he’d loosen up.
Or tighten up, as it were. Carleigh reluctantly stepped back.
“Thank you. Is Cruz ready for us?” Carleigh popped the trunk, and Bayu followed her, getting her suitcase for her.
“He is.”
Carleigh closed the lid and clicked the locks with her fob.
Juniper had the spare in case of emergencies, but with the Clan owning the airport, she didn’t mind leaving her vehicle until they returned.
Bayu held out his free hand, and Carleigh threaded their fingers as they strolled toward the hangar.
Silas fell into step behind them, and a pretty woman waited at the bottom of the stairs.
“Good morning. I’m Celeste Lopez, Cruz’s mate.
We are ready if you are.” She gestured to the stairs, and Carleigh smiled, returning the greeting before heading up.
She removed her purse and sat on one of the leather sofas.
Bayu stowed Carleigh’s bag where Celeste indicated, then took the seat next to her.
Silas opted for one of the captain’s chairs toward the front, settling in with his e-reader.
Celeste raised the stairs and locked the door. “As soon as we’re in the air, I’ll come around to see if you need anything to eat or drink.” She entered the cockpit and took the co-pilot’s seat.
“Isn’t she supposed to give us some safety instructions?” Bayu asked cheekily.
“I think anyone who has ever flown can probably recite the brochure.” Carleigh pointed out where all the safety equipment was as though she were a gameshow hostess, causing Bayu to laugh. “Any questions?”
“I think I have it, thank you.” Bayu placed his hand on the seat between them.
Did he want to hold hands and was too shy to make the first move?
Carleigh wondered about his dating history.
He was twenty-nine, but that didn’t mean he had a string of lovers.
Carleigh certainly didn’t. She set her hand next to his, touching his pinky with hers.
Bayu wrapped his little finger around hers, and a low rumble came from his chest.
Tiger says Bayu is shy. He has not dated much.
Good to know.
That was one good thing about being shifters; Carleigh could get the inside scoop from her Goyle.
The airplane taxied down the runway, and Bayu scooped up Carleigh’s hand, placing it on his thigh, and rubbing the back of it with his thumb.
“I know your family is quite large. Please tell me about them.”
“Where to begin?” Carleigh started with her immediate family.
“I learned about computers from my dad, Julian. He’s a genius who kept our Clan safe for centuries.
He has over a dozen patents on items he created.
Mom was a news reporter when they met.” Carleigh explained how Kat was framed for treason, taken to a Super Max facility, and the subsequent rescue.
“Juniper got her love of photography from our mom, and she’s out of the country more than she’s home.
I have so many cousins and Clanmates. Oh, I wanted to show you something.
” Carleigh retrieved her phone from her purse and opened the photos.
“My cousin, Connor, who owns this jet, he has visions and has ever since he was very young.” Carleigh handed over her phone so Bayu could see the constellation drawing.
“I had no idea what it meant, and I spent so many hours poring over constellations and tigers. He knew you and I would find each other.”
“But why a constellation?” Bayu handed the phone back.
“I think it refers to the fact that you are Nuhuala and your job is to balance the universe.”
Celeste exited the cockpit. “Anyone hungry or thirsty?”
“I’d love some coffee.” Carleigh nudged Bayu when he didn’t respond, seeming lost in thought.
“Do you have hot tea?”
“I have several selections.” Celeste named them, and Bayu chose an herbal blend.
Silas put his e-reader down. “I’ve never in all my years tried hot tea. Please make me the same thing.”
After they had their drinks, Celeste returned to sit with her mate.
Carleigh continued telling Bayu about her family and Clan until Celeste rejoined them to fix lunch.
Carleigh stood to stretch her legs and asked if she could help.
She might not cook often, but she made an awesome sous chef.
Truth was, she needed a moment to gather her thoughts.
Bayu had listened intently, asking questions here and there, but his mood was somber.
Here she was, talking about how awesome her family and Clan were when he hadn’t seen his small family in eleven years. On top of that, his father was dead.
Carleigh carried their drinks out of the galley, and Celeste followed with the delicious meal.
Where most airlines catered in their food, Celeste kept items prepared in case anyone needed to fly out at a moment’s notice.
“What do you do with the meals that aren’t used?
” Carleigh asked as she retook her seat.
“Cruz and I take them to some of the shelters and youth homes. We volunteer most days while waiting until someone is ready to use the jet.”
“I think that’s awesome. Several of our parents are doing something similar now that the younger generation has taken over.”
“When does Cruz eat?” Bayu asked. “This is such a long flight.”
“Whenever I take him a plate. He can put the plane on autopilot, or I can sit at the controls if needed. Carleigh, are you one of the offspring Frey taught to fly?” Celeste asked.
“No. I was always at the lab with my dad learning everything computer related or at the gym training.”
Bayu took a sip of water before asking, “Which of your cousins learned to fly?”
“Who didn’t? Pretty much everyone except for Juniper and me. Harlow started lessons, but she found she didn’t care for it. The younger ones, I’m not sure about. I do know that Frey offered Lydia’s mate, Beck, a job taking over the flight instruction, but they have their own quest at the moment.”
“A quest?” Bayu placed his fork on the empty plate in front of him.
Carleigh told him Connor and Alyssa’s story from meeting as small children to the GIA agent harassing Ally, thus leading Sebastian to forming a council.
The flight continued with many more stories, food, and drink. During a lull in conversation, Carleigh whispered, “Do you want to go cuddle?” Her Goyle had been trying to get Carleigh to take Bayu to the private bedroom in the back of the jet for hours.
Bayu looked around. “Back there?”
“Yes. I promise no hanky panky, just relaxing together.”
Bayu frowned. “Hanky panky?”
Carleigh nodded seriously. “You know, funny business. Messing around. Sex.” She whispered the last word.
“Oh. Is that appropriate?”
“Cuddling? It is. It’s also necessary before my Goyle loses her mind.”
“Then by all means, let us cuddle.” Bayu stood and offered Carleigh his hand. When they reached the bedroom, Carleigh kicked off her sneakers and flopped down on top of the covers. “Should I shut the door?” he asked.