“Riley, it is good to meet you,” the old man, Rark, said with a bow.
“It’s nice to meet you both.”
“I understand the general rescued you,” Rark added. “That’s has to be the first thing he’s done right.”
“We’re not talking about him,” June quickly interjected.
“It’s okay.” Riley smiled pleasantly.
“What did that overeager young warrior do?” Rark asked gruffly. He was stern, but personable.
“Rark, June said we are not talking about the warrior,” Vivina jumped in.
“You want to adopt Riley too?” June asked the old couple. “If you’re her sire, you might get the chance to string Cyprian up by his tail. Cyprian was an ass when he first met Rark,” June explained.
“I like both ideas,” Rark chuckled.
Both ideas had merits. Riley never really had parents, and Cyprian could use a thrashing. Riley smiled at the couple.
“June, Rark, behave. Riley, I’d be honored if you wanted to join our family.”
“Thank you, I’ll think about it,” Riley replied.
“Seriously, Riley. With Rark and Vivina as your parents, you wouldn’t have to worry about men harassing you. Rark would send them packing.”
“Too late, you have admirers already,” Giselle commented.
Riley looked to see several Cadi men had gathered around.
“Great,” Riley smirked.
The handful of giant red men looked way too eager as they lingered nearby. Riley couldn’t understand Cadi fashion. Why the men wore jackets but no shirt, was an enigma. It was a little disconcerting seeing all the giant bare-chests attempting to crowd closer. The hopeful expressions on their faces were both amusing and overwhelming.
From the corner of her eye, Riley noticed Cyprian standing near the entrance of the courtyard, staring at her, with a sour expression on his face. It wasn’t the first time she’d felt his eyes on her. Riley didn’t know what the general’s deal was. She refused to be a burden because of some fluke hormonal thing. And Cyprian made it very clear how he truly felt with his comment to Kagan.
A rotten smile split Riley’s face as she looked at the men who’d wormed their way into the conversation. Maybe she could have a little fun this evening after all.
I should show the general what he’s missing. Call me just a job. I rocked your world.
Riley smiled sweetly as she talked with the men. When one of them touched her shoulder, Riley saw Cyprian move away from Kagan and the other men, then stop. He looked positively livid.
Good, cuz I’m pissed too.
Riley noticed Feroze at the drink table and she got an idea. Meeting Vivina, reminded her of the weird conversation she had with her Mémère in her dream. Things may have again taken a painful turn, but life went on. Her grandmother helped her to see that she was strong enough to weather any storm, because the rainbow that followed was worth it. So, it was time to turn lemons into lemonade.
“Excuse me gentlemen, Rark, Vivina,” Riley said as she gestured for the ladies to follow her.
“What’s up?” Giselle asked when they stepped a few feet away.
“Is Feroze single?”
“Yes,” Sundara replied.
“The guys need his communicator, right?”
“Yes. What are you thinking?” Providence asked.
“What if I go flirt with him, and pass it off to one of you?” Riley suggested.
If the other Cadi men were interested, why not Feroze?
“It could work,” June said.
“Sad to say, I’ve gotten pretty good at this game. If I can plant explosives, I can certainly do this.”
Giselle considered the suggestion.
“With all the guys here, I’m sure you’d be fine. Plus, you can undoubtedly get closer to Feroze than Tytus. I’ll introduce you.”
“Alright. Let’s do this.” Riley nodded with a smile.
Riley knew she could help bring this mission to a close. She liked her new friends. They put their asses on the line to rescue her, and they hadn’t even known her. Making Cadi safer for them was the least she could do. It would also keep her from stewing about Cyprian, and probably aggravate the shit out of the bossy man at the same time. The immature notion made a part of her feel better.
Giselle passed Graca to an eager Vivina, then they headed to the refreshment table.
“We’ll be keeping an eye on you, but I imagine the guys will be too. So, if you get a weird vibe, just make an excuse and get away from him,” Giselle encouraged, as they walked.
“Got it.”
Riley wasn’t worried. If anything, she was pissed at the regent.
Repress your true feelings at put on the charm, Riley.