River's Run(69)

“He and Jazin will join us shortly.” Torak said looking warily at the three women.



He had never seen all three of them mad at the same time. He had been on the receiving end of one angry female, if the destruction they did to the Tearnat’s warship was any indication of what they were like when they weren’t mad, he couldn’t imagine what they would do when they were.



“Madas seems to think they will not harm you or your sisters. Be careful, I do not like the way things are progressing.” Torak said softly bringing River’s clinched fist to his mouth.



River shivered at the feel of Torak’s firm lips against her hand. “Perhaps we should circulate separately. They may feel more confident to try something.”



Torak’s eyes flashed with fire. “You will not put yourself in danger.”



River smiled and rested her palm on Torak’s cheek. “Of course not, I’m simply going to make small talk and listen. I’ll be in the same room as you.”



Torak’s eyes darkened with frustration and anger. It took everything in him not to call Tai Tek out. He watched as River moved to join a small group of women standing not far from him.





Javonna watched through narrowed eyes as River moved around the room. She was furious at the little warrior’s threat to her. She couldn’t wait until the little warrior was spread beneath Tai Tek’s men. She would ask to watch as they took her. It would be just reward to watch her suffer. She had to think of a way to get the warrior bitch, River, alone. It seemed as if she was always with the other two warrior women, Torak, or one of his guards. She looked speculatively at Kev Mul Kar. She knew he had never liked or trusted her. She had tried on several occasions to get rid of him but he had always slipped through the traps she had set. Now, she watched as his eyes never left River. A small, satisfied smile curved her lips. Perhaps, she had finally found a way to get rid of him.



Dinner passed without further interruptions. This made River very wary as she new calm often came before the storm. River developed an instant rapport with Madas. She listened to Madas tell tales of Gril’s misadventures when he was courting her. It seemed they had more in common than River would have ever guessed. Gril looked on with affection as his mate told the tales at times refuting some of her claims to have driven him to distraction with some of her outlandish behaviors. Throughout the dinner, Torak would reach out to touch River sometimes discretely other times very blatantly. River never complained. She found it reassuring. After dinner, the men would retire to one room and the women to another. River, Jo, and Star had stared at Torak, Manota, and Jazin like they were out of their mind. It had to be the most antiquated practice they had ever heard of during their lifetime.





The men soon departed for their assigned entertainment while the women were escorted to theirs. River’s face reflected her dour mood as she moved into the room clustered with the other women. Jo and Star obviously felt the same way from the look they gave her.



“I guess it is time to be the perfect little woman.” Jo muttered under her breath looking around at all the ladies. Except for Madas they hadn’t found any they could really relate too.



River let out a deep sigh as music began playing. It was some weird number they had never heard of with unusual instruments playing. Star made a face before she put her finger in her mouth mimicking being gagged.



River couldn’t contain her soft laugh, “You girls go circulate. Keep your eyes and ears open for anything that might be useful.”



Javonna gave a sigh of relief when she saw the three warriors break up to move around the room to talk to other women in attendance. Grabbing a drink from a servant she slid a vial out of her sleeve and emptied it into the drink. Walking towards River, she put on her sweetest smile.



“Lady River.” Javonna said quietly. “A moment of your time, please.”



River turned to look at Javonna. So, it was show time, after all. River nodded her head slightly and followed Javonna over to a corner near the huge doors leading out into the gardens.



Javonna smiled and picked up another drink as a servant walked by. Holding out one to River, Javonna took a sip from the new glass. River took the glass from Javonna with a quiet ‘thank you.’



“I believe I owe you an apology for my behavior. I have behaved in a most disgraceful manner. I do hope you will accept my sincere apology. It is hard when one is forced to leave the House they had sought for so long.” Javonna said sipping her drink again.



River let a small smile curve her lips. Raising the drink to her own lips she acted like she was taking a sip from it. She had watched enough movies to know better than to ever take a drink from someone who wanted you dead; especially, if that someone started apologizing to you.