by S. E. Smith
Wiping a tear from her cheek, she decided she would play out her part tomorrow night at the dinner then present Torak with an ultimatum: talk to her or let her go. She was slowly shattering into little pieces not knowing what to do. River swayed taking deep breaths as another wave of nausea washed over her. Placing a hand to her stomach, she turned heading for the bathroom. Maybe a shower would help her feel better. She had only made it halfway through the bedroom when she was struck with a wave of dizziness that clouded her vision. She tried to make it to the bed but another wave struck her and darkness descended like a blanket, closing in around her falling form.
Torak sighed throwing the data screen he was holding across the desk. He had been holding the damn thing for the past hour and couldn’t have told a single person what was on it. He hated the silence between him and River. At first he had just been too angry to talk. He had made love to her in the bathing pool, his body desperate to know she was okay. He had to leave right after that because he would have taken her again and again. He could feel himself losing control as the fear he felt at almost losing her again washed through him with such a violence, it had almost felt physical. He didn’t want to hurt her. Afterwards, he had wanted to punish her. It broke his heart when he came to bed and saw the evidence of her tears on her face or heard her plead with him to stay and hold her after they had made love. He couldn’t stay with her but he couldn’t stay away from her.
Groaning, he felt his body stir again as he remembered the feel of her sweet body wrapped around his this morning. She was so responsive to his touch. Getting up he gave a disgusted groan. He wanted, no needed, her again. He had taken her over and over the past few days thinking he could work her out of his system. He had even thought for a brief moment to go to another female for relief, to see if that would help but he couldn’t imagine touching another.
Moving with purpose, he opened the door to the planning room and headed toward his living quarters. He would take her again. She was his mate. He had claimed her and he wanted her. Why shouldn’t he take what was his? He thought with a growl. Besides, it wasn’t like she didn’t enjoy it. Every time they came together she was wild and willing in his arms.
Nodding at the two guards who moved aside quietly he opened and closed the door softly. Glancing around the room, he frowned when he saw the uneaten food on the table. The past couple of mornings he had made sure River had been sent food. The past two days it had been returned uneaten. Surely, she was up by now, Torak thought with a frown. Perhaps, she was in the shower or the bathing pool. She seemed to like both of those lately. They had made love in both of them many times since he had claimed her.
Moving towards the bedroom, he frowned when he saw the windows were still shaded. Giving the command to lighten them so natural light could pour into the room, Torak gave a cry of alarm when he saw River lying in a crumpled heap next to the bed. Rushing to her, he gently rolled her over brushing her hair away from her face with a trembling hand. She was deathly pale, her dark lashes lying so still on her pale cheeks.
“River, little one, talk to me.” Torak begged. He picked her up and laid her on the bed. Pulling a com from his waist he spoke quickly requesting the healer to his living quarters immediately. River didn’t move as Torak laid her down or when he covered her gently. Feeling her forehead and cheeks he noted they seemed cool and clammy to his touch. He almost growled when one of his guards knocked on the bedroom door.
“The healer, My Lord.” The guard said looking with concern at River.
The elderly healer who had attended River when she had been shot walked into the room just as River let out a small moan. Torak spun around and clutched River’s small hand in his larger one.
“Little one, look at me.” Torak murmured running a shaking hand over her pale face.
“What is wrong with her?” Torak demanded hoarsely as he glared at the healer.
“I am not sure. Can you tell me what happened?” The healer moved over to the bed placing his hand on River’s head. River opened her eyes. She stared up at Torak with cloudy, confused eyes.
“Torak?” River said weakly.
“I came in and found her unconscious on the floor. She is just now waking up. I do not know how long she was unconscious.” Torak said tensely.
The healer looked at Torak for a moment before turning to look down at River. “If you wouldn’t mind stepping into the other room, I’ll examine her. I will be out shortly.”
Torak looked like he was about to protest but the healer smiled gently. “Go have a drink, My Lord. I believe it will help.”
Torak looked undecided for a moment before nodding and slowly standing up. He started to turn but stopped at the last moment to bend and brush a light kiss over River’s lips before he left.
“I’ll give you ten minutes. Then I am coming back.” Torak said as he pulled the door closed.
River looked up at the healer in confusion. She didn’t remember anything but feeling a little nauseated and dizzy. She watched as the healer pulled a scanner out of his bag and pulled the covers back. He ran the scan over her several times before he gently touched her stomach, pressing on it gently. After a couple of minutes, he pulled the covers back over her and put his scanner away.
“Well?” River asked scared. “Do you know what’s wrong with me?”
The healer smiled gently. He loved it when he was right. “Yes, my dear. You are expecting your first child. Would you like to know if it is going to be a boy or a girl?”
River stared at the healer in disbelief her hands moving protectively over her stomach. Her mind was in a whirlpool, spinning as she absorbed what the healer was saying.
“You can tell so soon?” She whispered.
“Of course. I would say you are almost two months along. You must have bred not long after you were shot.” The healer said with an amused smile.
“What…” River started trying to talk over the lump in her throat. She didn’t care if she was having a girl or a boy but to know so she could get ready would be nice. “What is it?”
“You are going to have a very healthy boy from the looks on the scan. I took the liberty of completing some additional tests while you were in the medical wing and made sure there would be no compatibility issues between our species and yours. There are few differences but our bloods are tolerant of each other. You should not have any difficulty as far as that is concerned. Our gestation period is eight and a half months. Can you tell me what the normal time period is for your species?”
“Nine months.” River whispered. She was going to have a baby boy. Torak’s son.
“That is good. I would like to see you in a few days to do a complete work up and prescribe you some vitamins to take. Your blood pressure is up a little and I would like to make sure you eat properly and avoid stressful situations. You may exercise but I caution using common sense and to keep it less strenuous than what you are normally accustom too.” The healer was just finishing his instructions when the door slammed back. Torak came in followed by his brothers, Jo, Star, Ajaska, and the two guards.
The healer turned as everyone crowded into the room. Giving Torak a stern look, the healer addressed Torak, “She must not be upset in any way. I want to see her again in a few days to run a complete series of tests. I want her to rest today. Make sure she eats, small meals but frequently. She needs to build her strength. I will prescribe her additional supplements after I have run all the tests. She may exercise but she must keep it light. Congratulations, My Lord. Your Grace, congratulations.” The healer said as he picked up his bag and walked past everyone who stood looking at him confused.
“Congratulations?” Torak said confused. Jo and Star looked at each other for a minute before they let out a squeal of delight and flew to the bed.
“Oh, we’re going to be aunts!” They pulled River into their arms hugging her. “Oh River, we are so happy for you. When Jazin and Manota heard the frantic call for the healer we made them bring us to make sure you we
re okay. Oh honey, you are going to be a beautiful mother.”
“Mother?” Torak said standing there stupidly looking at River, Jo, and Star.
Jazin came up and patted Torak on the back. “Congratulations, brother.” Jazin walked over and pulled a reluctant Star off the bed murmuring softly in her ear before leaving the room.
“Congratulations, Torak.” Manota grinned. “Perhaps now she will calm down.” He gave Jo a speculative look before he grinned. “Perhaps you have the right idea.”
Jo shot Manota a dirty look climbing off the bed. “Don’t get any ideas.” She muttered as she walked toward the door.
“Yes, I believe you may have the right idea.” Manota murmured softly before patting his brother on the back and following his reluctant mate out the door.
Ajaska walked over to where River was leaning against the pillows. He leaned down and gently kissed her on her forehead. “I am proud to call you daughter. I look forward to seeing my son’s child grow within you. It will be as beautiful as its mother.”
“He.” River smiled up with tears glittering in her eyes. “It is a boy.”
“I look forward to seeing my son’s son grow within his beautiful mother.” Ajaska said bowing to River before looking sternly at his son. “I expect you to care for her right. I will be most displeased if she is upset at all!”
“A boy?” Torak said blankly staring at his father with unfocused eyes.
Ajaska just laughed as he took in his son’s stunned face. Nodding to the two guards who waited patiently at the door he looked one last time at River winking before he left. The room seemed strangely quiet with just her and Torak there. River ran one hand protectively over her stomach while the other played nervously with the covers.
“Are you disappointed?” River asked in a barely audible voice, unable to look at Torak. She was afraid. She wasn’t sure what she would do if he was. She would figure something out. After the last few days, she just wasn’t sure of anything anymore.
A tear slipped out and slid slowly down her cheek when Torak didn’t answer. River felt the bed dip as Torak sat down next to her. “Hush, little one. How can I be disappointed when it is something I have dreamed about since the first time I saw you on the Tearnat’s warship? I dreamed of how beautiful you would be rounded with my child. I crave the sight of my son or daughter suckling at your breasts. I love you, River. I have from the first time I saw you.” Torak said softly, sincerely.
River looked up, her deep dark blue eyes glittering with unshed tears. “I love you, too. I’ve been so scared you didn’t love me anymore. I didn’t know what to do.” River buried her face in his neck holding him close. “Oh Torak, I love you so much.”
Torak gently wiped the tears from her cheeks brushing his lips across hers. “You are mine, River, forever. I, Torak Ja Kel Coradon of the Lead House of Kassis, claim you, River, for my house and as my mate. I claim you as my woman. No other may claim you. I will kill any other who try. I give you my protection as is my right as leader of my house. I claim you as is my right by the House of Kassis. I am proud to call you mother of my children and will love you forever.”
Chapter 19
The night of the dinner was finally upon them. All the plans were in place including a few modifications to River’s. Torak was beside himself with the idea of her being in danger. After she had fainted yesterday he had insisted she stay in bed all day. He had spent a good portion of the day in it with her but refused to make love to her again until the healer said it would be alright. River had been so beside herself by late afternoon she had made Torak contact the healer who had assured him making love would not endanger River or the baby and would, by all accounts, be a positive way to keep River relaxed and less stressed. Torak had barely acknowledged the healer’s finally comment before he hung up the com and had River pinned to the bed under him. He had fed her every couple of hours until she laughingly told him she couldn’t eat another bite. That was before he had offered himself for dessert. She decided she always had room for him and had taken him to new heights with his cries resounding off the walls of their bedroom.
This morning he had carried her to the bathroom and bathed her. They had ended up making love again in the shower. River couldn’t help but laugh at Torak’s insistence to baby her. She let him. She figured in a few days she was going to have to enlist the help of his brothers and father to rescue her before he drove her insane; but, until then, she just wanted to enjoy all the attention he was lavishing on her. She had never felt so loved, so needed, so beautiful in all her life.
Now as she prepared for the dinner her hand moved to lie over her stomach protectively as she adjusted the knife she had strapped to the inside of her arm. She would have to be extra careful for now on as there was more than just her to consider. She was wearing the special gown Star had designed for her. The top was low cut and showed a significant amount of cleavage. Star had explained it would help with the distraction and give the impression of being more feminine camouflaging her warrior image as the men had difficult thinking warriors could have boobs. River had just laughed but she had to agree her breasts were fuller than they had been before so she was definitely showing her feminine side. The skirt part of it was really a pair of pants with the outer layer giving the appearance of a long full skirt. It could be detached in less than a second to give freedom of movement. There were several hidden slits that were open on both the inside of her sleeves and the pants. Each one had a sheath that matched the color of the outfit making it more difficult to see. Inside were a collection of knives. Her belt was a beautiful collection of glowing, jeweled stars which were actually made of crystal. Each one could be detached and used as a throwing star, the hard crystal making it a perfect weapon. The last weapon was discretely hidden in River’s hair piece. Twin hair pins were really throwing knives. They were sheathed in beautifully carved crystal to match her belt. River felt like Star had missed her calling. She should have been working for the government designing outfits for their spies. James Bond was never as well prepared as River was tonight.
River turned as Torak came into the room. She gazed at him, her love for him shining like twin beacons of light from her dark blue eyes. He was breathtakingly handsome in his uniform. It was solid black with gold braids embroidered on each shoulder. He wore a white shirt under his snug fitting jacket which tapered at the waist. His pants looked like they could have be painted on him they fit his form so well and were tucked into a pair of shiny, knee high black boots. He wore a decorative battle sword on one hip and a small laser pistol on his other. His thick long hair was pulled back and tied.
“You are so handsome.” River breathed as she glided across the room to him.
“And you are the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes upon.” Torak replied bringing River’s hands up to his mouth and kissing the backs of them gently.
“You remember what you are supposed to do?” Torak asked gently as he drew River into his arms.
“Yes.” River said with a small laugh. “Keep my eyes open and stay out of trouble.”
“And stay safe. For me, little one, and for our son you must not do anything that will endanger either one of you.” Torak murmured into her hair his grip tightening around her.
“I promise.” River said softly pulling back and looking up into Torak’s eyes. She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a light kiss on the lips just as a knock sounded at their living quarter door.
River walked safely surrounded by Torak on one side and his father on the other. They met up with Jazin and Star and Manota and Jo in the center of the garden. It was a beautiful night and the stars were beginning to come out. All three girls gasped as they saw the twin moons.
“It’s so beautiful.” River said in a hushed voice looking up.
The moons came into obit together approximately every ninety days. This was the first they had aligned since River, Jo, and Star had been on Kassis. They looked so huge in the early evening sky.
Torak and Ajaska just grinned down at River enjoying her awed expression at something they took for granted. Torak felt like everything else paled into comparison to River’s beauty. Since she found out she was with child she seemed to glow as brightly as the moons she looked upon. Letting his hand slide around to the small of her back, he couldn’t help the wicked smile that curved his lips at her response to his touch. He would be glad when the evening was concluded so he could return her to the safety of their House and his bed.
The three couples and Ajaska climbed the stairs to the rear entrance of the South House and moved into position. Jo and Star winked at River as they walked by with a softly muttered ‘showtime’ under their breath. River barely bit back the laugh that threatened to escape. Even so, Torak sent her a dark look that spoke of his suspicion the girls were up to something.
Ajaska and Torak moved to greet people at the front entrance as they began arriving. River, Jo, and Star were to meet in the large ballroom where people would be mingling, enjoying light refreshments before the dinner and additional entertainment afterwards. Jo would go with Manota first to meet with the elite team covering the kitchens, while Star went with Jazin to meet with the team covering the upstairs. River highly suspected it was the men’s way of trying to keep the three of them from getting together any sooner than necessary.
