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muscles straining to pull the doors open.
Riste
ard escorted them into a lavishly decorated room. Huge tapestries depicting different events
covered the mirrored black walls. Along one wall, a huge fireplace stood empty. Over the mantle of
it was another tapestry. The figure of two men stood side by side. One slightly older than the other. In
the picture, they each held a bloody sword and the area around them was littered with the remains of
dead warriors. It wasn t something Star would want hanging in her living room but since this wasn t
her house she wouldn t say anything. Instead, she continued her observation of the room. Windows
from floor to ceiling graced the west wall. Heavy curtains were pulled back with thick ropes of silver
and gold. A large round table that could sit at least a dozen men sat near the center of the room. Two
large, silver couches with twin matching chairs were arranged in front of the vacant fireplace. Six
matching end tables made of the black stone sat on each end of the furniture.
Riste
ard stood to one side as they entered. The moment Star walked by him, he reached out to
touch her hair. She turned when she felt the slight tug on her hair but relaxed when she saw he was
looking at the strands he had gathered with a fascinated expression. She was used to people doing the
same thing when the circus used to tour Asia and parts of the Middle East. Jazin carefully pulled Star
away but the Grand Ruler wasn t finished with his analysis of her hair. He followed them into the
room touching the silky wave repeatedly until Jazin reached out and gripped his wrist. A member of
Riste
ard s elite guard stepped forward at the violation to his ruler. Riste
ard studied Jazin s taunt face
for a moment before he flicked his hand, dismissing his guards. Riste
ard tilted his head ever so
slightly to let Jazin know he understood silent warning before he walked over to where Ajaska,
Torak, and River sat at the end of the table. Jazin placed his hand protectively on Star s lower back
and guided her away from the huge blue leader toward the two couches where Gril and Madas sat.
 What did you think of Riste
ard? She asked quietly as she sat down on the plush couch.
A low rumble escaped Jazin before he could stop it as his gaze flickered to the Elpidios ruler who
was speaking intensely with his father. What did he think of the Grand Ruler? He was seriously
thinking of killing the bastard! That was what he was thinking. Riste
ard had taken every opportunity
he could to touch Star s soft hair as they came in.
The bastard didn t even tried to make it appear as if it was an accident. After the fifth time his
hand reached out to touch a strand, Jazin had enough and gripped his wrist in warning. He had finally
moved to sit next to Ajaska but his eyes kept returning to Star s hair.
 She is a very unique female, is she not? Ajaska asked Riste
ard when he saw the male s eyes
drift back to where his little daughter sat on the couch with her mate.
 My apologies, Riste
ard murmured with a slight twist to his lips at the understatement.  I have
never seen this color before and find it fascinating. Is it common among their species?
River giggled as she heard the quietly spoken words and responded for Ajaska who looked to her
for guidance.  It is fairly common. We have all different color hair. While mine is a dark brown, Star
and Jo have an almost white-blond. Our friend Ricki has blond hair too but it is more of a honey
blond. Others have black or red hair. Even those can vary greatly. The way you were reacting
reminded me of the time we were in Turkey. Star, Jo, and Ricki almost didn t make it out of Istanbul.
Do you remember that, Star?
Star laughed as she nodded her head.  Ricki ended up buying head scarves for all of us so we
could get out of the market without being mugged or kidnapped. The people that live in that area have
dark hair like you so when they saw us it was like sending up a flashing light saying  foreigners! .
 There is a third female? She is the a warrior like yourself? Riste
ard asked with an intense look
of interest in his eyes.
 Lady Jo is my son Manota s mate, Ajaska said in quiet warning at the interest that flashed
through Riste
ard s eyes.
 Who is this Ricki? Riste
ard asked cautiously as a feeling of unease began to grow deep inside
him.
 Ricki is the Empress of Organization! River laughed.  If you need something done, have a
challenge that seems impossible to conquer or need to find something she is the one who can do it.
 That is an understatement! Star said with a shake of her head.  If you need a miracle she is the
one to pull it off for you. I ve never seen anyone accomplish some of the things she has with just a
few taps of her fingers. She is pure magic.
 I hope we get to spend some time with her once she gets here, River said.  But, knowing Ricki, [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]