“I know you’re not ready to hear that, Kricket.” I feel a sharp pain in my neck. Kyon pulls a tranquilizer gun away from my throat.
My eyes half shutter while my hand goes to the injection site. “I will have to teach you what is expected of you. We’ll start anew from this moment on. I’ll be your master and you will be my priestess.” Losing focus, I sag against the seat back. The smooth glass stemware slips through my fingertips, spilling golden liquid onto the immaculate floor. “You belong to me now,” I hear him say, as I slip away into darkness.
I should be used to waking in strange places by now, but this one has me on edge immediately. I feel different, but I don’t know why. Lying in the dim light of a cavernous bedroom, I know something’s wrong. It takes me a few moments to remember what happened. The last thing I knew, I was on a trift with Kyon. I move my arms; they no longer ache. In fact, they feel lighter and softer as they travel over the silk sheet of the enormous bed I now occupy. The blankets are light and airy too. They’re just the right density to keep me warm from the cool, salty breeze that’s wafting in between the white, billowing curtains framing a patio outside.
Beyond the stone terrace, waves crash upon a beach in hypnotic ebbs and flows. I sit up in bed, and the blanket slips down to show a soft, white nightgown. I touch the material; it’s so fine as to be just a hair short of transparent. Making my way to the side of the bed, I rise, cross the hardwood floors and the soft area rugs, and pause at the threshold of the patio. The sight that greets me is breathtaking. The blue sea beyond the stone balustrade glows with the fire of stars. It’s as if the sky fell into the sea. As I walk forward, my hair is lifted away from my face by the sea breeze. I rest my elbow on the stone railing, marveling at the beauty before me.
“It’s the Loch of Cerulean, but everyone refers to it as the Sea of Stars,” Kyon says from behind me. I straighten my spine when I feel his hand on my hip. He draws me back against him. He’s bare-chested and wearing just some loose-fitting linen slacks. A blush stains my cheeks. “I’ve dreamt of this moment for so long now. I’ve wondered what it would be like to hold you like this. Now I know. It’s bliss. You are the brightest star among the Sea of Stars, Kricket.”
Kyon leans down, kissing my throat. His light touch causes my stone heart to lie heavy in my chest. The deadening beat of it promises me that I will never love again. And with Kyon’s lips on mine to seal the vow, I swear that I will darken the stars forever.
Acknowledgments
God, all things are possible through You. Thank you for Your infinite blessings and for allowing me to do what I love: write.
To my readers and bloggers: Thank you! The outpouring of love that I receive from all of you is mind-blowing. Your generosity toward me is humbling. You make me want to write a thousand books.
Tom Bartol, you’re my best friend. I cannot imagine my world without you in it. I love you.
Max and Jack Bartol, I count myself as the most fortunate person in the world to have you both in my life. Thank you for knowing when to let me write and when to rescue me from my computer.
Jason Kirk, your thoughtful and intuitive questions and suggestions have made Sea of Stars a better story. Thank you for challenging me and inspiring me to grow as a writer. I’m grateful. I can’t wait to dive into the next project with you!
To the team of experts at 47North, you guys are superstars! Thank you for your time and for your hard work on this project. It means the world to me.
Shelly Crane, thank you for beta reading Sea of Stars and for your insights on writing and on life. You are precious to me. I’m so fortunate to have you as my friend.
Gloria Lutz, your unwavering support and unconditional love are a guiding light in my life. Thank you for using your wicked editing skills to help me through the initial draft of Sea of Stars.
Tamar Rydzinski, one of the best days of my life was when you agreed to be my agent. Thank you for always having my back.
Regina Wamba, you’re an artist. Thank you for sharing your marketing genius with me.
Trish Brinkley, I love The Occasionalist! Thank you for always including me in your circle!
Amber McLelland, you’re insane and that’s why we get along so well. Thank you for your friendship.
Janet Wallace, you’re inspirational. I love seeing what you create. It’s magical.
To my lovely Hellcats: Georgia Cates, Shelly Crane, Samantha Young, Rachel Higginson, Angeline Kace, Lila Felix, and Quinn Loftis. What can I say? You complete me. Thank you all for your unwavering support.
Michelle Leighton. I love you, man. I will cherish my pocket Jamie forever.
Glossary
Abersuctonal: an antidote for znou axicote poisoning.
AFA: Armored Fugitive Apprehender—a robot programmed to apprehend fugitives.
Alameeda: one of the five clan-houses of Ethar. An ally of Wurthem. Ruling body is the Alameeda Brotherhood. A member of the Alameeda House.
Alameeda Striker: a member of an elite body of troops trained to serve the Alameeda Brotherhood.
ALV: Air Lift Vehicle—troop transport.
Amster Rushes: an ancient city where skeletal remains of skyscrapers are located near the border of Comantre in the no-man’s-land restricted/protected area of Ethar.
arrowing: a part on a troupedo hovercar that resembles a gill of a fish. Used to hold the snuffout. Located where an auxiliary mirror would be on a human car.
Ateur: a Rafian senator in the House of Lords.
basiness: an automated hand washer that uses steam to kill germs.
baw-da-baw: a war cry used by Cavars in the Rafian military—means “hoorah.”
beam spotters: laser-beam security alarm lights.
Beezway: a hovercar track like an expressway for the bullet-shaped hover vehicles called skiffs on the Ship of Skye.
bender: a part on a troupedo hovercar that resembles the gill of a fish. Used to hold the snuffout. Located where an auxiliary mirror would be on an Earth car.
Biequine: a competition wherein a rider takes a spix through a course of obstacles and shoots targets for both points and the best time.
Black Math: a virus that decimated the population of Ethar approximately a thousand years ago.
blipisode: an episode of precognition that lasts only a few seconds and happens without the clairvoyant losing total consciousness. A glimpse of a future event.
blushers: young Etharian women.
Boosha: Etharian slang for slut.
Brigadet: a member of the Rafian military police on the Ship of Skye.
bubble-shields: round, bubblelike barriers that act as protection from weapons fire; force fields. Blue in color.