Part 1 (1/2)
Parallel Attraction.
By Deidre Martin.
This book is dedicated to my family:.
To my husband, Judson Knight, and my daughters, Tyler and Riley Knight, for their willingness to share me with my writing dream.
To my sister, Pamela Harty, an amazing agent who helped make that dream come true.
To my mother, Eleanor Knight, the first person to breathe life to the dream so many years ago by calling me a writer.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.
There are many people I would like to thank for their generous support in the writing and publis.h.i.+ng of this book-first and foremost my husband, Judson Knight. Without him, there would be no book. He's my best friend, confidant, and all-around hero, and his support made it possible for me to write in addition to being a literary agent.
My fabulous editor Louisa Edwards deserves major thanks and kudos, not only for really ”getting” this series, but also for her great editorial suggestions, which helped make this book stronger. From the first moment she read the material, I've felt that I had a very special champion on my side. My editor Rose Hilliard is equally terrific, and I've been blessed to have not one but two editors at NAL, both of whom have taken expert care of me.
My agent and sister, Pamela Harty, is a tireless advocate for me, and has spent many years listening to me discuss one writing project or another. Thank goodness all that talk finally led somewhere! I'm tremendously blessed to have such a great agent on my side, both personally and as a member of the Knight Agency team.
Nancy Berland is a fabulous publicist, and her belief in this series has meant the world to me. Not only is she brilliant, but she also happens to be a lot of fun to dance with. Nancy, thank you from the bottom of my heart for being behind me all the way.
My wonder girl in the Knight Agency office, Samantha Jenkins, has been a gift from G.o.d, right when this stressed-out agent/author/mother/wife needed someone to sail in and make things easier. Thank you for all you do, Samantha.
Kathy Baker's support for both this book and for me as an author has been invaluable. Thanks, girl!
I'd like to thank my e-group writer gal pals, many of whom read versions of this material and offered critique: Kath, Tas, Mel, Nephele, Micha, Blanca, Anne, Tara, Bennie, Crystal, Stacey, and Angela. Our early days together shaped me as a writer, and I am forever grateful for that time.
Mega thanks to Angela Zoltners, an amazing friend and reader, who proved invaluable in the writing of this book.
Finally, sincere thanks to the people in Wyoming who answered endless questions and have been a great resource in the writing of this series: Jeff Cunnington, and Meagan and Aron at the Snake River Lodge.
We must not allow the clock and the calendar to blind us to the fact that each moment of life is a miracle and mystery.
-H. G. Wells.
Bl'alastraka.
A Refarian Book of Intimate Love.
Author Unknown; English Translator Unknown.
Verse one, superior text: The seeking of a mate shall be undertaken with all due preparation and care. A life-bond should never be contemplated as a light thing- unlike a legal union or sanctified joining, the sealing of souls cannot be severed. When a mate is soulbound to another- lifemated, as some have come to regard it-a mystery is engaged. In one aspect mystical, in another corporeal, and yet another spiritual, the lifemating process is the most sublime endeavor that a Refarian may a.s.sume. Once formed, the bond must be ever cherished and nurtured by a process of lifelong rigor.
There have been reports of other species seeking to mimic our mating rituals and bonds; the Antousians, when first upon our soil, were both mystified and impressed to see the esteem with which our kind regarded the love bond. To this day, rumors abound that Antousians sought-indeed, continue to seek- the inducement of mating bonds uncommon to their kind by genetic heritage.
A bond-even a two-way bond-may exist for a temporary purpose. This situation is not advisable, however, as such intimacy may not easily be remedied once embarked upon. One soul, bound solidly to another, has proven over time a means of inducing deep, lasting pa.s.sion. The author notes that such may prove true only in instances of destined lifemates. There are extant tales of bonds unrelated to that of lifemating-wartime communication, procurement of goods, amelioration of loneliness. Such temporary joinings should always be initiated with utmost caution.
Let the bonding ritual be regarded with seriousness of esteem and all intended respect, and if such be the case, one shall never err.
Prologue.
It wasn't every day you managed to lose your king while on a security mission to an alien planet. In fact, it took a spectacularly large amount of bad luck, but Councilor Aldorsk couldn't say he was surprised. Not after the recent series of impetuous royal decisions, all of which had indirectly led to this moment. Every Refarian gathered on the s.h.i.+p's deck was concerned for the king's welfare, voicing fears they all harbored -but rarely vocalized. What if he dies? What if he's captured? What if he never makes it back? These were the same fears that plagued the king's leaders.h.i.+p back home on a daily basis, only now those concerns were magnified a hundredfold because he'd taken off without so much as a security escort. Yes, Aldorsk was anxious, but, being the eldest adviser on the royal council, he simply worked to stay calmer than the others.
Before them all-and in the midst of an argument of colossal proportions-the king had shape-s.h.i.+fted into a ball of glowing energy in order to slip through the floor and to the exterior of the s.h.i.+p without being apprehended. By now the young leader had certainly arrived on Earth, and had returned to his physical form. He might even be hiking into the nearby mountains, never to return. It required an extraordinary amount of calm not to worry for the young man's welfare, but Councilor Aldorsk determined to put forth a brave, composed face for the Refarians knotted around the glowing center of the transport.
The young monarch's energy had left a vibrant trailing pattern on the grooved floor, finally vanis.h.i.+ng in the exact spot where the king had last stood. The transport's captain stared at the floor along with him. ”I don't think there's any structural damage,” the man a.s.sessed, but from his expression he looked dubious about the situation in general.
Standing beside Aldorsk was his fellow councilor, Elder Graeon. ”I don't think this is”-Graeon hesitated, squatting down to inspect potential damage to the craft-”such a very good idea, allowing him to venture to the planet's surface alone.”
”He will be fine,” Aldorsk insisted.
It was the s.h.i.+p's captain who spoke next. ”If you don't mind my saying so, the king seems quite agitated lately. His frequent outbursts, the shape-s.h.i.+fting without restraint, and now this.” He pointed down at the floor, which was still glowing with their monarch's energy shadow. ”Are you certain he's ready for this mission? He does not seem at all himself.”
”He's on Earth now, Captain,” Aldorsk reminded them with a burst of impatience. ”Therefore the mission is already engaged.”
”He's unsteady,” Graeon answered in a quiet voice, rising to his feet again. ”I am concerned.” His long black hair was tied neatly at his back, but several light strands of silver betrayed his impending maturity.
All Refarian males turned silver-headed once their fertile years had ended. ”He seems to grow more impulsive with every pa.s.sing day.”
”You know the reason for that,” Aldorsk reminded him seriously. ”You can hardly fault him for that which he does not understand in himself.”
”We must be very protective at this time of his awakening.”
Aldorsk grew thoughtful. ”True, the changes in his young body are very complex, all the more because of his dual nature. Of course he's agitated. He hardly understands his transformation-much less that it's natural for his kind.”
Graeon worked an eyebrow. ”Perhaps he should consult you, Councilor. You guided his father through his own first season.”
Aldorsk smiled. ”I think you know our king well enough to realize that no questions will be forthcoming on this matter.”
The other elder persisted: ”His first mating cycle is imminent, surely-”Aldorsk lifted a hand. ”He must find the way on his own.””At fifteen, he's already fertile.””Almost sixteen,” Aldorsk corrected. ”What do you propose? That I urge him to take a mate so soon?
He must be given time, even in the midst of war.”
”It is a danger to wait,” Graeon argued. ”Without any clear successor, the line remains in jeopardy.”
Aldorsk sighed. ”It was dangerous to make this journey at all. At what point must we advise the king to