River's Run(26)

“Be very careful who you insult, Tai Tek.” The female said in a soft lilting voice that held a thread of steel in it as she swung her sword stopping a hairs-breath from Tai Tek’s neck. “My sisters and I stand behind the House of Kassis. To insult them is to insult us.”



River stared at Tai Tek watching as he took a nervous swallow. She didn’t remove her sword from his neck until he lowered his eyes. She had made her point. She would not tolerate him or anyone else insulting Torak or his brothers.



Taking a step back, River turned toward Torak and bowed her head. “My Lord.” She said softly glancing up at him with a mischievous curve to her lips and a twinkle in her overly dramatic made-up eyes.



Only after acknowledging Torak and his brothers did River turn to bow to the council men. By doing so, she was showing her allegiance to him and his brothers first. Standing straight she moved so she stood slightly behind him and to the left. She wanted to give herself enough room should she need to prove her ability to defend herself or protect those she cared about.



Torak looked into River’s eyes as she glanced up at him. She had much to answer for when they were alone. He could think of a dozen different punishments he would like to give her but all of them disappeared when she had looked at him now.



Looking at the council members Torak said in a firm voice, “Council members, I present my mate, Lady River, and her warrior sisters, Lady Jo and Lady Star.”



River let out a soft ‘humph’ at his claiming her so publicly. Torak smiled. The fact that she stood behind him now spoke volumes. She was his whether she was ready to admit it or not. Torak watched as Tai Tek’s face grew red with anger at his claim but he wisely held his tongue. Torak knew he would have to watch Tai Tek closely in the future. Never before had he publicly challenged him but he was getting careless. His insult would not be forgotten just as his embarrassment at the hands of a female warrior would not be forgiven.





River waited until all the council members had boarded the shuttle before looking around the shuttle bay. She had one crew member she needed to find and thank personally. She took advantage of Torak being distracted by a council member reluctant to leave to glance around. Her eyes narrowed on the crew man who had been aboard the Tearnat’s warship and who had been talking to Torak before she had killed Trolis and fainted from exhaustion. She knew his name was Kev Mul Kar and he was Torak’s Captain of the Guard. Seeing him standing to one side surveying the room she knew almost immediately when he felt her staring at him. Moving towards him, River let a small smile curve her lips.



“Captain Kar.” River called out softly. “A moment of your time, please.”



Kev Mul Kar watched as Torak’s mate approached him. He knew what she wanted and flushed as she came closer. It was hard for him to ignore how beautiful she was. He had been fascinated with her when she had appeared on the Tearnat’s ship, killing Progit and rescuing him and the others but to see her dressed in the outfit she wore now, with her long hair braided down her back, and her unusual eyes highlighted even more by the dark coloring around them was almost more than his self control could handle. He was doing everything in his power not to make a fool of himself. Lady River had to be the most exotic, sensual creature he had ever seen and her prowlness as a warrior only added to her mystic.



Bowing his head slightly to acknowledge her position and his respect, Kev Mul Kar replied, “How may I serve you, My Lady?”



River laughed. “By calling me River first.”



Kev Mul Kar smiled back, “How may I serve you, Lady River?” He asked in a slightly husky voice.



“I wanted to thank you for retrieving my swords.” River blushed a little before also apologizing. “I know I had no right to go into your room but when I saw them I couldn’t resist taking them. They mean a great deal to me.” She added softly.



Kev Mul Kar looked into River’s eyes, returning her smile, “They belong to you, Lady River. You have no need to apologize for taking what was rightfully yours.”



“Never the less, thank you.” River said reaching up and giving Kev Mul Kar a hug.



Kev Mul Kar stood stiffly for a moment before he wrapped his arms around River’s waist and returned her hug. He closed his eyes briefly as he felt her soft form press against his harder one. Sensing sudden danger, he tensed. Opening his eyes, his gaze met the deadly stare of Torak who stood frozen not twenty feet away. The intense cold gaze spoke of death if he did not release Torak’s mate immediately. Reluctantly, Kev Mul Kar released his hold on River and stepped away bowing briefly before turning and walking away. It was one of the hardest things he had ever done.