by S. E. Smith
Startled, Torak swung around and looked up toward the beams above the shuttle bay. His breath caught in his throat as he saw River standing there looking down at him. She looked into Tai Tek’s eyes before diving head first off the beam. Torak let out a strangled cry as he saw her dive off the beam. Within seconds, Jazin and Manota both called out as they watched Jo and Star do the same thing. With utter grace and ease River seemed to fly through the air before releasing the rope she had been holding to do a flip in the air and land on the floor of the shuttle bay. Crouched down with one knee and one hand down on the floor and her head bent she didn’t lift it until the other to females had landed right behind her. Only then did she slowly stand, drawing out her two short battle swords in slow motion from the sheath on her back. Looking up with her vivid blue eyes outlined in black she stared with deadly intent into Tai Tek’s eyes. Taking a step forward, the other two females stood up behind River. Star held a small crossbow in her hands while Jo held a double-bladed staff.
Tai Tek stood stunned. He thought he finally had Torak where he wanted him. None of the council men had believed the reports coming back from the Galaxy Quest about warrior females who had not only killed some of the fiercest Tearnats in the known galaxy but also single-handedly cripple one of their huge warships! Tai Tek had been instrumental in getting the council members to come aboard. He did not want to give Torak a chance to find some females he could dress up and pass off as warriors or give some stupid excuse as to why he could not produce them. He wanted the council to see what a mockery Torak and the House of Kassis really were. When he had seen Torak and his brothers standing alone except for his men he had felt a wave of bitter triumph flash through him. Finally, he would humiliate Torak and his brothers.
He had been waiting for Torak to admit he had made up the females when the war cry had sounded echoing through the shuttle bay with a resounding cry. Never in his life had he expected to see what he did when he had looked up. Almost fifty feet above the floor of the shuttle bay a small female stood upon a narrow beam glaring down at him. Her willowy body clad in a form-fitting black sheath. He watched in disbelief as she plunged head-first off the beam seeming to fly through the air before swinging up into a graceful arch and completing a flip to land facing the council. Just as quickly two other females had appeared as if by magic landing behind her. A shiver went down his spine as she slowly stood to face the council pulling two short swords from behind her back. She moved with a grace that captured his attention. When he stared into her dark blue eyes he felt like he could drown in their liquid depths. She was the most mesmerizing creature he had ever seen moving with confidence as she swung her swords in front of her challenging anyone willing to stand before her. Tai Tek took a step back as she strode toward him with a deadly gleam in her eyes.
“Be very careful who you insult, Tai Tek.” The female said in a soft lilting voice that held a thread of steel in it as she swung her sword stopping a hairs-breath from Tai Tek’s neck. “My sisters and I stand behind the House of Kassis. To insult them is to insult us.”
River stared at Tai Tek watching as he took a nervous swallow. She didn’t remove her sword from his neck until he lowered his eyes. She had made her point. She would not tolerate him or anyone else insulting Torak or his brothers.
Taking a step back, River turned toward Torak and bowed her head. “My Lord.” She said softly glancing up at him with a mischievous curve to her lips and a twinkle in her overly dramatic made-up eyes.
Only after acknowledging Torak and his brothers did River turn to bow to the council men. By doing so, she was showing her allegiance to him and his brothers first. Standing straight she moved so she stood slightly behind him and to the left. She wanted to give herself enough room should she need to prove her ability to defend herself or protect those she cared about.
Torak looked into River’s eyes as she glanced up at him. She had much to answer for when they were alone. He could think of a dozen different punishments he would like to give her but all of them disappeared when she had looked at him now.
Looking at the council members Torak said in a firm voice, “Council members, I present my mate, Lady River, and her warrior sisters, Lady Jo and Lady Star.”
River let out a soft ‘humph’ at his claiming her so publicly. Torak smiled. The fact that she stood behind him now spoke volumes. She was his whether she was ready to admit it or not. Torak watched as Tai Tek’s face grew red with anger at his claim but he wisely held his tongue. Torak knew he would have to watch Tai Tek closely in the future. Never before had he publicly challenged him but he was getting careless. His insult would not be forgotten just as his embarrassment at the hands of a female warrior would not be forgiven.
River waited until all the council members had boarded the shuttle before looking around the shuttle bay. She had one crew member she needed to find and thank personally. She took advantage of Torak being distracted by a council member reluctant to leave to glance around. Her eyes narrowed on the crew man who had been aboard the Tearnat’s warship and who had been talking to Torak before she had killed Trolis and fainted from exhaustion. She knew his name was Kev Mul Kar and he was Torak’s Captain of the Guard. Seeing him standing to one side surveying the room she knew almost immediately when he felt her staring at him. Moving towards him, River let a small smile curve her lips.
“Captain Kar.” River called out softly. “A moment of your time, please.”
Kev Mul Kar watched as Torak’s mate approached him. He knew what she wanted and flushed as she came closer. It was hard for him to ignore how beautiful she was. He had been fascinated with her when she had appeared on the Tearnat’s ship, killing Progit and rescuing him and the others but to see her dressed in the outfit she wore now, with her long hair braided down her back, and her unusual eyes highlighted even more by the dark coloring around them was almost more than his self control could handle. He was doing everything in his power not to make a fool of himself. Lady River had to be the most exotic, sensual creature he had ever seen and her prowlness as a warrior only added to her mystic.
Bowing his head slightly to acknowledge her position and his respect, Kev Mul Kar replied, “How may I serve you, My Lady?”
River laughed. “By calling me River first.”
Kev Mul Kar smiled back, “How may I serve you, Lady River?” He asked in a slightly husky voice.
“I wanted to thank you for retrieving my swords.” River blushed a little before also apologizing. “I know I had no right to go into your room but when I saw them I couldn’t resist taking them. They mean a great deal to me.” She added softly.
Kev Mul Kar looked into River’s eyes, returning her smile, “They belong to you, Lady River. You have no need to apologize for taking what was rightfully yours.”
“Never the less, thank you.” River said reaching up and giving Kev Mul Kar a hug.
Kev Mul Kar stood stiffly for a moment before he wrapped his arms around River’s waist and returned her hug. He closed his eyes briefly as he felt her soft form press against his harder one. Sensing sudden danger, he tensed. Opening his eyes, his gaze met the deadly stare of Torak who stood frozen not twenty feet away. The intense cold gaze spoke of death if he did not release Torak’s mate immediately. Reluctantly, Kev Mul Kar released his hold on River and stepped away bowing briefly before turning and walking away. It was one of the hardest things he had ever done.
Chapter 8
Torak was silent on the shuttle ride down to the planet. River glanced at him from time to time but mostly listened to the excited talk around her. The men were excited to finally be back home. Many of them had been away in space for almost a year and were anxious to return to their Houses. Others talked about what had happened in the shuttle bay and how they had all held their breaths when River had issued her battle cry.
Jo and Star sat next to each other and between Manota and Jazin. Neither brother had let the sisters out of their sight since they had appeared in the shuttle bay.
Jo looked at River and rolled her eyes then crossed them and stuck her tongue out. River bit back a laugh. She giggled when Torak looked at her before glancing up at Jo. His eyes narrowed as he watched the interaction between them. He said something to Jazin and Manota in a language that didn’t translate in their translators. A moment later all three men had a firm grip on each of the girls’ wrists.
River raised an eyebrow at Torak when he looked down at her with a triumphant smirk. So, he thought speaking another language that wasn’t in the translator was fair? Well, turn about was fair play.
Speaking in Cantonese, River explained her theory to Jo and Star watching the brothers’ faces as she spoke. “I think they are trying something and don’t want us to know about it.”
All three brothers’ heads swiveled around to look at River with a frown. Jo grinned and spoke in Italian, “I believe you are right. I don’t think their translators work on a language other than English since it was the only one we spoke before.”
Star watched as Jazin’s face darkened, speaking in French she added, “Well, if we mix up the languages they are never going to figure out what we are saying. Let’s see if they like to eat crow as much as they like to dish it out.”
River, Jo, and Star all laughed as the men scowled at them. Jazin muttered under his breath, “What did we do to deserve such females?” Causing the girls to laugh even harder.
River was excited and scared at the same time as the shuttle landed. She loved to travel but even this was a little far out for her! She had not really had much time to absorb the fact she was on a spaceship traveling through space before since she was more concerned with just trying to stay alive. Now, she was going to take her first step out onto an alien planet. Glancing at Jo and Star, River could tell they were just as nervous too.
Torak glanced down as River nervously twisted a small knife between her fingers moving it in and out without even looking at it. He had a feeling she wasn’t even aware she was doing it since she kept looking around at everyone and everything. Torak was very proud of his House as it was one of the largest and strongest on Kassis. He had made arrangements for a transport to take them to their House. The House of Kassis consisted of four main buildings. The South building was made up of conference rooms, dining rooms, a medical wing, additional guest rooms for visiting dignitaries, and rooms for entertaining guests. The North wing was the Lead House and it belonged to Torak. The Lead House housed the next leader of the House of Kassis and was Torak’s primary resident now even though his father was still alive and the leader of Kassis. His house consisted of his private armed security force and their families, his private quarters, the quarters for all those who were under his protection, additional guests’ rooms for his private visitors, and numerous common living areas. The East House belonged to Manota and was known as the Second House of Kassis. It was built almost identical to the North house with only the few modifications Manota had done. It contained his personal security force, quarters for all those who were under his protection, and private and common living areas. The last house was the West House which belonged to Jazin and was known as the Third House of Kassis. It was identical to the other two houses. In the center between the houses was a large garden area with fountains and paths leading to each of the three private Houses and the common House. If necessary the entire complex could be sealed off to become a giant fortress.
Torak looked forward to presenting River to his House. He had listened to his men talking about her entrance this morning and the challenge she had presented to Tai Tek. Each tale of her acts from rescuing them from a hideous death at the hands of Progit, to her knife throwing in the training room, to this morning’s challenge to Tai Tek became even larger and grander than the one before.
If he were truthful to himself, he had to admit it was what happened after the council men had left that still bothered him and made him so possessive of keeping River close to him. When he had finally been able to get Councilman Rai Marcs to board his shuttle he had been stunned to find River in the arms of his Captain of the Guard. Fierce jealousy had swept through him at the sight of her wrapped in another warrior’s arms. He had seen the tears glittering in her eyes as she stared up at Mul Kar, her arms wrapped around his neck; but, even worse was the look on his Captain of the Guard’s face. He had never seen emotion on the face of his most trusted guard before like he had at that moment. He knew it had taken everything in Mul Kar’s power to pull and walk away from River.
River glanced up startled when she felt Torak’s hand tighten around her wrist suddenly. He was looking at her with a fierce glitter in his eyes, a look of pure determination and possession stamped on his face.
“Hey, you okay?” River asked softly pulling gently on her wrist to let him know he was holding her a little tighter than she was expecting.
Torak’s mouth drew into a firm line, “You are mine. You need to remember that.”
River raised her eyebrow at him. What brought that on? “I thought we had cleared that up. I don’t belong to anyone. I’m not something you can buy. I’m a human being who makes up her own mind.” River whispered back fiercely.
“Well, make up your mind you belong to me.” Torak replied before turning in his seat to show the discussion was over.
Of all the bull-headed, stubborn, arrogant, male-chauvinist…Ugh! River thought leaning back against the seat. She glanced at Jo and Star who were staring at Torak and her. River crossed her eyes and signed to them he was driving her crazy. The sisters bit back a laugh nodding their heads in agreement.
River, Jo, and Star sat between the men exclaiming over all the different things they saw as the transport glided through the city. They had never seen a vehicle that traveled without the use of wheels except in the movies. After the shuttle had landed, they had been led to a huge vehicle about the size of a stretch limo but without a roof. It had been sitting about two feet off the ground with nothing holding it up. Jo and Star had walked around and around the vehicle trying to see what was holding it up while River had actually gotten down on her hands and knees to look under it. The men had watched with humor as the girls had all kinds of excited exclamations about it. Torak had finally had to lift River bodily off the ground to sit her inside the transport so they could leave.
The rest of the ride had drawn some of the same types of reactions as the girls leaned over the men or stood up while the transport was moving to look at something they had just passed. If it hadn’t been for the men’s firm grips on the women they would have probably fallen out of the transport on more than one occasion as they swiveled to look at a building or any number of Kassians walking along the roads.
The women drew almost as much attention as they sped through the city. Dressed as they were in the form-fitting black sheaths, with their eyes highlighted, and their small statue they caused more than one backup along the way as his people tried to catch a glimpse of the strange alien females who had been brought to their planet. It appeared news had traveled fast about what had transpired on the Galaxy Quest this morning. Lines of people bordered the roadway trying to catch a glimpse of the three fierce female warrior women.
Torak shook his head as he had to grab for River yet again as she stood up and pointed at statue of his father they had just passed.
“Little one, you must sit down before you fall out.” Torak said as he pulled River into his lap where he could wrap both of his arms around her.
“But, did you see that? It was like made of some type of crystal or something and it glowed!” River said excitedly. Man, she wished her cell phone hadn’t gone dead. She would be taking all kinds of pictures right now.
Torak laughed while his brothers chuckled at the sound of awe in River’s voice, “Yes, it is made of a crystal we mine here on Kassis. You will see much of the crystal while you are here.”
“Jo, you or Star don’t have your cell phone or a camera, do you?” River asked as she twisted back and forth on Torak’s lap.
Tora
k bit back a groan as he felt her sweet ass rubbing back and forth against his crotch. He could feel his cock swelling as she moved. It swelled in response to the innocent invitation she was unwittingly giving him. He looked at his brothers who were biting back a laugh at his expense. They knew exactly what was happening to him and showed no sympathy at all for his discomfort. What amused them even more was the fact River was totally oblivious to her affect on Torak. The women of their Houses took great pleasure in trying to gain the attention of the men. It was refreshing and extremely provocative to have three females who seemed unaware of their impact on the men; not only were they unaware, they seemed to go out of their way to do just the opposite; they tried to drive the men away.
“Like, no.” Star said sarcastically. “I seemed to have forgotten to pack it before I left for this little trip.”
River just laughed. “Oops, sorry!”
Jo burst out laughing. All three girls leaned back as the entrance to the Houses of Kassis came into view. The Houses stood upon one of the higher levels of the city giving each house a view of the city below.
“Wow! Talk about overkill.” River breathed. Her head fell back against Torak as they passed under the elaborate gates leading to the front entrance.
