Reluctance
“You did what?”
At Govi’s near-shout, Dramok Gerhu’s brows drew together. Only slightly. Govi’s parents, including his Nobek father Twes, didn’t believe in losing their tempers.
His mother, who sat next to him on the lounger, answered. “We arranged an extremely advantageous clanship for you. You knew it would happen sooner or later. Why are you so upset?”
Why was he upset? After all the discussions they’d had about how he wanted to concentrate on his nascent career? Govi, usually as self-possessed as his parents, glared at the blank entertainment console that took up an entire wall of his parents’ common room.
“You said it could wait.” They’d promised. They knew how important his work was to him.
“So it shall.” His Imdiko father was perched cross-legged on a billowy seating mat on the other side of the unlit fire pit centered in the middle of the room. Dobnac’s reasonable tone did little to calm Govi. In fact, it riled the young man more, though he kept a firm grip on himself.
“Three years. The Dramok is only twenty-two, so you have ample time to finish your residency at the hospital, find the best opportunity to begin your career, and earn a promotion or two.” Matara Holrid rubbed his back. His mother’s smile was consoling, but Govi didn’t miss the firm resolve behind her expression.
“Along with a sufficient period to get to know your future clanmates beforehand,” Gerhu added. He rested on a seating cushion too, near Dobnac, where he could easily look Govi in the face.
They’d decided. Govi’s protestations had delayed the inevitable a few years, but in the end, his tactics had no effect on the decision.
An arranged clanship. A threat to their lives. Does love have a chance?
Initially
unsure about their impending arranged union, Dramok Korkla and Nobek Raxstad
have grown to care for each other. They’re impatient to begin their life
together when their parents spring a surprise on them: a third clanmate,
someone they’ve never met, has been chosen to join them.
Imdiko
Govi has delayed being promised to a clan for several reasons: his burgeoning
psychology career and a past arranged clanship that went horribly wrong.
However, his parents are certain they’ve found the perfect Dramok and Nobek for
him and won’t take no for an answer.
The trio
is reluctant to give the arranged relationship a chance, but sparks soon fly.
Love seems assured, but trouble is waiting in the wings. Govi is crushed when
he fails a patient, sending him into a tailspin that threatens his newfound
relationship. Worse, as a member of the Royal House staff, Korkla soon finds
himself in the path of a murderous foe. An attack on Raxstad threatens to
destroy the clan before it begins.
Love on Kalquor is wonderful, if the trio survives to enjoy it.
Releasing mid-January.
