River looked at Tai Tek with a slightly weary look. “Lord Tai Tek, it is good to know you do not hold grudges. I hope you enjoy the dinner. It is my understanding it is a celebration of a new trade agreement.”
Tai Tek looked into River’s eyes before smiling slightly. “How could I hold bad feelings against someone as lovely as you? If I had not seen, and felt, with my own eyes your skills, My Lady, I would find it hard to believe you are the same woman who held a sword to my throat.”
Oops, thought River, he still holds a grudge. River smiled, slightly amused at the veiled reminder, “You have to admit it was a grand entrance. If you will excuse me, Lord Tai Tek, I believe my husband, ah mate, has finished with his duties.” River nodded her head in a regal bow of dismissal and moved with shaking knees toward Torak who had just entered the room.
Tai Tek watched as River, followed by Jo and Star, moved away from him. He let a small cruel smile curve his lips for a moment before his face returned to the bland mask he kept for functions such as this. Soon, Torak, his father, and two brothers would be dead. He had planned well. The Tearnat would be suspected of their murders, done in revenge for killing his second son. He would get rid of the oversized reptile at the same time as he eliminated the leading members of Kassis and the House of Kassis. Then, he would claim the female warriors as his. He would keep the blue-eyed warrior for his own until he tired of her. He would give the other two to his loyal guards who would share them among themselves before killing them. He suspected the little warrior wouldn’t last long.
Turning when he felt nails digging into his arm, Tai Tek looked down at Javonna with a dark smile, “You are ready, my dear. I know how hurt you were by the blue-eyed warrior’s replacement of you. Bring her to me and Torak will be all yours.”
Javonna watched as Torak put his arm around River pulling her close. A savage smile curled her lips before she softly replied, “I’ll bring her to you, My Lord. I promise before the night is over, I will bring her to you and you can do whatever you want with her.”
Torak’s eyes narrowed as he noticed Tai Tek talking to River. It took all of his willpower to force himself to remain calm. He would have cut the man in half right where he stood if River hadn’t turned and looked at him with an amused gleam in her eye. She took his breath away. When Tai Tek had walked through the doors with Javonna on his arm, Torak had barely contained his fury. He did not want River upset and knew she would be when she saw Javonna there. He had wanted to go seek her out immediately but couldn’t leave his duties. Gritting his teeth, he thought of nothing else while he had stood helplessly greeting guest how hurt and upset River must be.
“I thought you would be in a much different mood.” Torak said softly as he pulled River into his arms. “I had no idea he would bring her tonight. If I had, I would have prevented it somehow.”
River laughed softly as she stood on her tiptoes to brush a kiss across Torak’s mouth. “Relax, Star has it covered. I’m going to be spending the rest of the evening imagining how many ways she is going to kill her. It will actually give us something to do and be fun.”
“I love you, River. Remember that. I have claimed you as mine.” Torak murmured kissing River more deeply.
“Humph.” Ajaska said clearing his throat loudly. “How can you keep your mind focused and your eyes clear if you have them glued to my new daughter?”
River laughed. “Go on. You two go socialize. I need to visit the little girl’s room.”
Torak and Ajaska looked puzzled, both repeated with a frown, “Little girl’s room?”
“I have to go to the bathroom to powder my nose. I’ll take Jo and Star with me to cover my back.” River laughed.
Torak watched as River spoke softly to Jo, then to Star. Both nodded following her out of the room. Torak knew there were guards everywhere so he felt a little better about letting River go. None of them expected Tai Tek to do anything until after the dinner. Torak felt a wave of unease flow through him suddenly and he looked around until he met his Captain of the Guard’s dark eyes. With a slight nod, Kev Mul Kar followed the women.
Picking up a drink from one of the passing servants he started to take a sip when a scaly hand gently stopped him.
Startled, Torak looked up into the eyes of Madas Tal Mod who was hissing softly, “I don’t believe the beverage would be suitable for your tastes, My Lord. May I recommend a beverage from a different servant’s tray?”
Torak looked at the drink, his lips thinning into a straight line. “How did you know?”