Star's Storm(17)
He and Dakar, along with a small army of North and West House guards, had scoured the city looking for the two women. Their unusual coloring and the fact that they were moderately famous helped in the search. After following their trail of visits to local merchants who had not only been fascinated with the two females but utterly entranced by their friendliness and unusual beauty, they had finally located them. Armet ground his teeth when he saw them relaxing back, totally oblivious to the fact that a small crowd of onlookers had gathered to see the unusual species that had captured not only the hearts of the royal family but the imagination of the Kassisan people.
“Would you like a drink?” Star asked with a grin. “They make the most incredible fruity drink here. I bet they could even put some liquor in it to help you loosen up a little. You know being all doom and gloom all the time can't be good for your blood pressure,” she teased.
“Make that two,” River said, tilting her head back and looking at Dakar's tightly controlled face. “Hi Dakar.”
“Lady River,” Dakar acknowledged stiffly.
River rolled her eyes and looked at Star. “I think we need to request a bottle of the good stuff. Do you think Torak would be upset when that shows up on his credit?” She asked mischievously.
Star's light, husky laughter drew the attention of all the males in the establishment and a frustrated groan out of Armet. He knew the tiny female had no clue as to the effect she had on the Kassisan males. Even he wasn't immune to her delicate looks and husky voice. She was like the small, fragile imaginary creatures told to all Kassisan children when they were little. Her long, sun kissed hair sparkled when the sun touched it, her rosy cheeks, dancing eyes, and tiny, perfectly proportioned figure pulled at a warrior's need to protect. Her husky voice pulled at the male's need to possess and claim. Armet ground his teeth together as he felt both responses to her.
“My ladies, I think it would be best if we returned to the royal Houses,” Dakar said in a cool voice. “Lord Torak will not be happy that you left without protection.”
River's eyebrow rose at Dakar's tone. “No offense, Dakar, but I happened to be over the age of having to ask permission if I want to go out for a while.”
Dakar flushed as River's unusual, dark blue eyes stared at him steadily in challenge. A muscle ticked in his jaw before he bowed his head in respect. River refused to back down. Dakar needed to learn that she wasn't going to be intimidated by him or anyone else. Besides, she wasn’t stupid. She had enough blades on her to handle just about anything.
“My lady, I promised Lord Jazin that I would protect you with my life,” Armet said quietly, stepping closer to Star. “For now on if you wish to visit the markets or shops in the city, I will make arrangements for it. I just ask that you not leave the West House without proper protection,” he added reluctantly.
Star's mouth twisted in remorse when she noticed the strained look on Armet's face. “I’m not used to asking for permission to do things,” she responded with a rueful grin. “I can’t promise, but I’ll try. I will tell you, and I’ll tell Jazin when I see him again, that I will not be kept in a gilded cage.”
Armet bowed his head briefly to show he heard the steel behind her words. A reluctant smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. He had heard the rumors that the three females were the prophesied warriors spoken of in a recently discovered temple in the ruins of Karazdin, the ancient city of knowledge. If he had not fought during the battle several weeks ago and saw the dead warriors in the garden for himself, he would never have believed it possible for females to be warriors. The fact that the two females could also escape the Royal Houses without being seen proved their skills at moving unseen through a highly secured area. A feat an experienced warrior would have difficulty doing.
“I do not believe there is a cage in all the known galaxies that could hold you for long, my lady,” Armet admitted reluctantly.
“Armet,” Dakar’s voice called out. “We need to return immediately.”
Star looked at Dakar’s face. He had been listening into the com attached to his ear intently for the past several minutes. His eyes had grown colder the longer he listened and his eyes had focused on her face. A feeling of unease rolled through her stomach. Something was wrong. She could feel it as a shiver coursed through her body. Something had happened to….
“Jazin,” Star breathed out looking at Dakar’s face intently as she said the name of the man who meant everything to her.
The flicker in his eyes told her the feeling of unease had been correct. Star reached down and grabbed the bags at her feet. River rose immediately, a look of concern on her face as she stared at Star. No words were necessary. River had sensed the same thing she had. Something bad had happened to the man she loved.