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Excerpts will no longer be posted after Sunday. I hope you've enjoyed this extended sneak peek into the first of the Dark Empire series. In today's entry, Stacy's lieutenant governor has a few choice words about her spending time with Clan Rihep.
Earth II, spaceport
Kuran hadn’t fully quelled his anger by the time his clanmates showed up in Earth’s spaceport, so he didn’t bother to hide it. Etnil would have noted it in any case. For all his playful tendencies, his Imdiko was a talented psychologist, and he knew Kuran too damned well.
“Uh oh.” Etnil greeted him with a hug and a half-smile as soon as he stepped out of the hatch. “Did someone spit on one of your knives?”
Kuran attempted to joke. “Worse, if you can believe it.” He filled him and Rihep in on the news that Piras and Kila were to arrive in a couple of weeks.
All humor fled from Etnil’s expression. “That’s fucked up, my Nobek. You must be furious.”
“I’m sorry, Kuran.” Rihep squeezed his shoulder. “I wish I could say something to help you deal with this news.”
Their gentle support bolstered his strength. “Thanks. I can’t imagine how I’ll look Piras in the face and not shove my fist in it. Even though he was right to do it and he kept Kalquor from falling into the Basma’s hands—”
“Stop,” Etnil ordered. “You’re allowed to be angry. Stay honest where your emotions are concerned. I have faith you can cope, especially as little as you’ll be required to do so directly, but you don’t have to sugarcoat it.”
“Right.” Kuran drew a deep breath and found he felt better. Just seconds in the presence of his clanmates, his lifelong friends and companions, and everything fell into place. “Are you ready for me to introduce you to a big reason why I’m willing to try?”
“Well, yeah.” Etnil’s lips twisted in a mischievous grin. “You don’t think I left the tin can to merely breathe real air and walk in rolling meadows under the shining sun, do you? Gotta have a beautiful woman to do so with.”
“It’s nightfall.”
“Like I said, a walk in rolling meadows under the glowing
moon with a beautiful woman. Do you need your hearing checked?”
* * *
*
Earth II, governor’s office
“Dramok Rihep and Dr. Etnil. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you.” Stacy hurried around the desk to shake their hands. She probably looked too eager to do so, especially when Ken Bryant sat in the chair in front of her desk.
As if Kuran wasn’t a slab of beefy goodness on his own, he had the audacity to have equally gorgeous clanmates. Rihep was a dream, his features heart-stopping thanks to a square jaw and perfect smile. Etnil beamed, and she noted the gleam in his purple gaze. She’d laughed at plenty of Kuran’s stories about his jokester Imdiko.
“It’s a delight, Governor Nichols. We’ve looked forward to making your acquaintance.” Rihep bowed after he released her hand, but his gaze remained locked on hers. Stacy felt zapped by electricity.
Hello, instant lust.
“I’d given up on meeting you. Having Kuran as our representative, there seemed to be no hope to make friends. Thank you for giving us a chance to say hello despite his many faults. You’re a saint.” Etnil also bowed while affecting a worshipful expression.
Stacy laughed. “You’re exactly as he described.”
“Charming? Brilliant?”
“Excuse us a moment.” Kuran grabbed Etnil in a headlock and pulled him away yelping as Rihep turned to the lieutenant governor and offered his hand. “Mr. Bryant, I recognize you from the news feeds. Congratulations on your new planet. My sincerest wishes for every success.”
Bryant rose to his feet after an instant’s hesitation. He shook Rihep’s hand. “Thank you, Dramok Rihep. I offer much appreciation for your assistance in getting us up and running as head of supplying the planet.” He glanced at Kuran and Etnil, now standing quietly, to include them.
“All credit goes to the indomitable Earther spirit. I’m excited for this new start for your people.”
Bryant appeared flustered to Stacy. Most Kalquorians he’d met were aware of his stance concerning their further involvement in the planet’s affairs and had adopted attitudes of distance. Rihep’s kind sincerity and enthusiasm must have been a shock.
“We’re excited too. Thank you again.” He managed a tight smile for the group. “If you’ll excuse me? I hope you enjoy your visit, sirs.”
He flashed an intent glance at Stacy, and she suppressed a sigh. “Let me see you out, Ken.”
She followed him to the door, then just outside it when he failed to pause. He turned to her and whispered, “Is this seemly conduct for our governor? I can’t imagine an official reason for you to meet these men.”
“They’re part of what made this world possible.” She gave him as bland an expression as she could muster. “Perhaps not Kuran’s Imdiko; he’s on the space station purely as mental health support for the Kalquorians stationed there. But Rihep has coordinated supplying our infrastructure needs and will continue to do so in the near future. The biggest reason they’re here is because I have to work closely with Kuran. He’s done a great deal to put into place the planet’s security needs against the extreme factions that continue to exist.” She wondered if she were speaking to a member of such a faction.
“I’m aware of these matters. Dramok Rihep and Nobek Kuran have done an exemplary job carrying out their duties, for which they’re well compensated. A simple thank-you isn’t sufficient?”
“Earth wouldn’t have happened without Kalquor’s assistance, as little as a vocal few would care to admit it. I feel an extra effort to extend our people’s appreciation is fitting.”
“The vocal few, as you call them, will make their opinions known if they feel you’re falling under alien influence. Particularly aliens we fought a war against a decade ago.” He spoke through gritted teeth.
“Then it’s a good thing Kuran is around to keep an eye on them.” Stacy was determined Bryant wouldn’t be the only one issuing veiled threats.
“For now. Even those who aren’t traditionalists are determined this world is Earther only, so they’ll be demanding the few Kalquorians present move on as soon as possible. They won’t accept a governor who joins a Kalquorian clan or house.”
Stacy stared at him levelly. “I’ve done neither, nor do I intend to in the foreseeable future. Earth is my primary focus.”
“What’s your personal focus?”
“That’s my business.”
“The people will make it their business.” What she’d taken as hostility abruptly lessened, but Bryant was still intent. “I’m looking out for your best interests, Stacy. You’ll gain a lot more acceptance as a leader, and a chance to be elected to remain so, if you remember this planet is Earth’s rebirth and not Kalquor the Second. You might want to remind your friends in there of it as well.”
Seething, she replied, “I will, while we have dinner at my residence tonight.” She turned on her heel and re-entered the office. “Door, close.”
She hoped it did so in his condescending face.
Kuran’s eyes narrowed as he looked at her. Rihep’s expression remained pleasant, but his gaze was intent.
Etnil cocked his head in boyish inquisitiveness. “Is everything all right? Does anyone require electro-shock therapy?”
Kuran glanced at him, his brows lowering. “Electro-what therapy?”
“An ancient Earth technique designed to calm frantic minds. Would you like to try it? I’ll be glad to set up a demonstration for you.”
Stacy’s irritation drained away in the face of his humor. Though she hadn’t intended to ask the clan over, wasn’t even sure if what was available to serve them would be to their liking, she was determined to make a point. “Hey, what do you say to coming to my place for a spaghetti dinner? I’ve had marinara simmering all day. I won’t vouch for cooking to Kalquorian tastes, but I’m no slouch when it comes to wielding a spatula.”
Rihep brightened, and he glanced at his clanmates, who appeared as delighted. “Thank you, Governor. We’d be happy to join you.”
“Only if you call me Stacy. I don’t stand on ceremony at my table.”
“Then yes, Stacy.”
Could they be any more handsome when they smiled? The night was looking up.
* * * *
A new planet. A new enemy. Is the end coming for the Kalquorian Empire?
In the aftermath of the Kalquorian civil war and the defeat of the Bi’is invasion fleet, the empire has enjoyed peace. A new Earth has been born. A Kalquorian leads the Galactic Council of Planets. An era of harmony seems assured.
However, new dangers arrive on the horizon. Governor Stacy Nichols finds herself at odds with powerful opponents who want Earth II to return to the old ways that led to the demise of their original planet. They’ll do anything to stop her, especially when they discover her newfound romance with Clan Rihep of Kalquor.
After five years and a terrifying encounter with an unknown entity, Clan Piras is finally leaving their spy duties in Bi’is space. Now they must face enemies closer to home: the families of those they sacrificed while on a secret mission during the Kalquorian civil war.
A new threat to the
existence of Kalquor and the entire Galactic Council of Planets arrives in the
midst of these challenges, a dark menace unlike anything faced before. One
young, inexperienced spyship ensign is all that stands between the galaxy and
utter destruction. Can he warn the empire in time…or is it already too late?
Dark Empire 1: Shadows Approach is now on sale at Amazon, Amazon UK, Nook, Smashwords, Kobo, Apple, and print.
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