River's Run(76)
The Tearnat reared back with a roar of pain turning towards River. River threw her two crystal hair pins just as Torak plunged his laser sword into the creature’s belly. The Tearnat let out a strangled cry as it collapse in a heap the sword going straight through it and River’s two hair pins protruding from its throat.
“Oh Torak.” River cried out rushing towards him. She frantically pulled at his shirt trying to see how bad the wound was.
Torak gripped River’s hands tightly in his own not wanting her to get his blood all over her. “Where is Tai Tek?”
“I saw him at the mouth of the cave.” River replied looking up into Torak’s face trying to determine if he was alright. “Your chest…”
“It is just a flesh wound nothing to worry about. Go back to our living quarters and lock yourself in.” Torak said harshly. “I have to go after Tai Tek.”
“No, you’re hurt. If you go so do I.” River started to argue.
Torak reached down and kissed River hard on the mouth before glaring down at her. “You promised to stay safe. You promised to protect yourself and our son.”
River looked up at Torak, tears filling her eyes. “Star was hit. I don’t know if she is alive. I promised to kill him.”
Torak’s look softened at the pain in River’s eyes. Brushing her hair away from her face, he kissed her gently. He wanted to pull her into his arms but he did not want his blood on her. It would be too much as if it were hers.
“Come but you must listen to me.” Torak said. “Do you have any knives left?”
“Two.” River replied softly.
Torak nodded. “Do not you endanger yourself or our son, do you understand? If I tell you to leave, you must.”
River nodded silently. Torak looked down at River for a moment more before moving down the cave towards the rock ledge. Reaching the entrance they gazed down watching as Tai Tek looked back briefly before climbing aboard a Tearnat shuttle. Torak let out a curse. He spoke quickly into a com-link requesting the shuttle be intercepted and warning of a Tearnat star ship in orbit. River watched as the shuttle turned skimming the tall trees before disappearing over the mountains.
“Where do you think he is going?” River asked never taking her eyes off the retreating shuttle.
“They probably have a base camp hidden in the Forbidden Region. It will be difficult to follow as the area is heavily covered in a mist that never dissipates.” Torak said quietly pulling River closer to his side. “Let us return to the others.”
River looked up helplessly at Torak. “Torak, if Star…”
Torak shook his head, his fingers lying gently on River’s lips, “She has been taken to medical. Jazin is with her.”
River’s lips trembled as the stress of what had happened that evening caught up with her. She buried her face in Torak’s shoulder as a small sob escaped. She had never thought her life would turn out to be this way. She was fighting beside a man she loved on an alien planet. As River turned to look out over the river below, the twin moons casting diamonds on the water, she couldn’t help the protective hand that covered her stomach.
She looked up startled when Torak covered her hand with his, “I love you, River. I do not think my heart can handle any more threats to you.”
River gave Torak a watery smile, “Me either. Come, let’s get you to medical. I want you healed so you can love me.”
Chapter 23
River laid back on the bed watching as Torak dried his hair with a towel. The room was dark even though the sun had risen hours ago thanks to a simple command. They had returned to the South House to seek medical attention for Torak and to find out how Star was doing. Ajaska and Gril Tal Mod had finished off Tai Tek’s men who had not surrendered. Many of the men who had surrendered had sworn allegiance to the House of Kassis stating they had only done what they had because Tai Tek held members of their families, many who were women and children, in a prison under his House threatening to kill them if they did not fight for him. Kev Mul Kar and his brother, Adron, Tai Tek’s Captain of the Guard who had been working undercover for the Allegiance, had left to search and release the prisoners.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Jazin so out of control.” River said as she traced her finger over the thin sheet covering her.
“If Gril Tal Mod’s mate had not gotten to Star when she did and taken her to medical it would have been much worse.” Torak said quietly throwing the towel down on the end of the bed.
River let out a deep sigh as she stared at Torak’s hard body. His chest was healed and he did not even bothered to wrap a towel around his waist when he came in from his shower. River had taken one an hour earlier while she waited for Torak to finish up with his father and brothers. Tai Tek had escaped for now. Gril Tal Mod was furious to know that some of his people planned to kill not only him, but his mate. They were now working together to find the rebels who supported his late son’s desire to continue the war. This confrontation created a stronger bond between the House of Kassis and the Clan of Tal Mol. Star would remain in medical for a few more days as she had lost a lot of blood and the healer thought it better to give Jazin more time to calm down. The last River heard from Jazin was ‘he was going to chain Star to his bed and never let her up again’. She had chuckled as Star rolled her eyes weakly before falling asleep on him.