Chapter 19
The night of the dinner was finally upon them. All the plans were in place including a few modifications to River’s. Torak was beside himself with the idea of her being in danger. After she had fainted yesterday he had insisted she stay in bed all day. He had spent a good portion of the day in it with her but refused to make love to her again until the healer said it would be alright. River had been so beside herself by late afternoon she had made Torak contact the healer who had assured him making love would not endanger River or the baby and would, by all accounts, be a positive way to keep River relaxed and less stressed. Torak had barely acknowledged the healer’s finally comment before he hung up the com and had River pinned to the bed under him. He had fed her every couple of hours until she laughingly told him she couldn’t eat another bite. That was before he had offered himself for dessert. She decided she always had room for him and had taken him to new heights with his cries resounding off the walls of their bedroom.
This morning he had carried her to the bathroom and bathed her. They had ended up making love again in the shower. River couldn’t help but laugh at Torak’s insistence to baby her. She let him. She figured in a few days she was going to have to enlist the help of his brothers and father to rescue her before he drove her insane; but, until then, she just wanted to enjoy all the attention he was lavishing on her. She had never felt so loved, so needed, so beautiful in all her life.
Now as she prepared for the dinner her hand moved to lie over her stomach protectively as she adjusted the knife she had strapped to the inside of her arm. She would have to be extra careful for now on as there was more than just her to consider. She was wearing the special gown Star had designed for her. The top was low cut and showed a significant amount of cleavage. Star had explained it would help with the distraction and give the impression of being more feminine camouflaging her warrior image as the men had difficult thinking warriors could have boobs. River had just laughed but she had to agree her breasts were fuller than they had been before so she was definitely showing her feminine side. The skirt part of it was really a pair of pants with the outer layer giving the appearance of a long full skirt. It could be detached in less than a second to give freedom of movement. There were several hidden slits that were open on both the inside of her sleeves and the pants. Each one had a sheath that matched the color of the outfit making it more difficult to see. Inside were a collection of knives. Her belt was a beautiful collection of glowing, jeweled stars which were actually made of crystal. Each one could be detached and used as a throwing star, the hard crystal making it a perfect weapon. The last weapon was discretely hidden in River’s hair piece. Twin hair pins were really throwing knives. They were sheathed in beautifully carved crystal to match her belt. River felt like Star had missed her calling. She should have been working for the government designing outfits for their spies. James Bond was never as well prepared as River was tonight.
River turned as Torak came into the room. She gazed at him, her love for him shining like twin beacons of light from her dark blue eyes. He was breathtakingly handsome in his uniform. It was solid black with gold braids embroidered on each shoulder. He wore a white shirt under his snug fitting jacket which tapered at the waist. His pants looked like they could have be painted on him they fit his form so well and were tucked into a pair of shiny, knee high black boots. He wore a decorative battle sword on one hip and a small laser pistol on his other. His thick long hair was pulled back and tied.
“You are so handsome.” River breathed as she glided across the room to him.
“And you are the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes upon.” Torak replied bringing River’s hands up to his mouth and kissing the backs of them gently.
“You remember what you are supposed to do?” Torak asked gently as he drew River into his arms.
“Yes.” River said with a small laugh. “Keep my eyes open and stay out of trouble.”
“And stay safe. For me, little one, and for our son you must not do anything that will endanger either one of you.” Torak murmured into her hair his grip tightening around her.
“I promise.” River said softly pulling back and looking up into Torak’s eyes. She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a light kiss on the lips just as a knock sounded at their living quarter door.
River walked safely surrounded by Torak on one side and his father on the other. They met up with Jazin and Star and Manota and Jo in the center of the garden. It was a beautiful night and the stars were beginning to come out. All three girls gasped as they saw the twin moons.