Astral

Citation preview

Dina has been going from assignment to assignment, helping out with mediations in hostile environments. Since she leaves her body in safety, her mind walks worlds that would kill her physical form instantly. When an offer from a nearby star gets her attention, she has to choose between a life out of her body, or a passenger in her very soul. Arci, the living star has been searching for a match for his avatar since Zakkar’s species disappeared. When the Terran seems to meet all of his avatar’s needs, Arci senses that she can fulfill some of the things missing is his own existence as well. It will take both of them to convince her to join them, but their threesome will eventually come together, mind, body, souls, and star.

The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Astral Copyright © 2012 Viola Grace ISBN: 978-1-77111-108-9 Cover art by Martine Jardin All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. Published by eXtasy Books Look for us online at: www.extasybooks.com

Astral A Terran Times Tale By Viola Grace

Chapter One ina Markowitz sat at the com unit, her ears burning with her blush. “Please repeat that last request, sir.” The silver-skinned Ontex looked distinctly uncomfortable. “A star has requested you as a mate for its avatar.” “That is impossible. The radiation alone would kill me.” She tried to be practical while her blush still raged. “The star is offering you the opportunity to share its power.” He blinked his huge black eyes and smiled hopefully at her. “Why are you responsible for telling me, Refoal? This is usually something that is handled by folks who can actually say sex without flinching.” “I have been your assignment dispatcher for four years, Dina. It was my duty to inform you of the offer.” “So, the offer has not yet been accepted?” Dina really wanted to bite her nails, but it was impolite

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Viola Grace to do so in front of her dispatcher. “It has not. It is still pending and the decision is scheduled to be made later in this council session.” Dina paused for a moment. The council might not decide in the star’s favour. She may be able to live her life as a non-resident mediator quietly on her station with no one getting in the way. While the quiet life had been a little lonely at first, she had gotten used to keeping her body on her small unit on the adjunct of the unmanned station. Fish was a remarkable cure for loneliness. “Dina, Dina! I asked if you were all right with this arrangement.” Refoal frowned. “No, I am not all right with being handed off to a star, to be irradiated and hopeful I will survive the transformation process. I like my job here. I know what happens next.” She shrugged. She crossed her arms over her chest and scowled. “No celestial body is getting near this body in this life.” He nodded. “I accept that as a theory. In reality, it is a likelihood.” Dina sighed. “I know, but I can set out my wishes and dreams like everyone else in the universe.” “Fair enough. I will contact you again when I have more details. Do you have the records for your current assignment?” “I do. I am heading to the negotiations in a few 2

Astral minutes.” “Don’t forget to do a systems check.” She smiled. “Yes, Refoal. I will. Good evening to you.” She disconnected her com connection and stretched. She tried a few moves that she had learning in Citadel training and when her limbs were loose and relaxed, she wandered toward her dispatch centre. She locked the door behind herself and lit up the interior of the centre. As the lights cascaded over her support chair, she opened the vents in her suit to allow for the implants. Humming to herself, she hooked up her life support. Dina was preparing for her mission to the surface and she needed all the fluids she could get. Her holographic fish checked on her and flipped its fins. She smiled at him like she always did. “Hello, Fish. You seem especially red today.” The fish did fancy flips around her and she quickly plugged herself in. Fish was the interface for her ship’s systems and as long as he was swimming happily, she had nothing to worry about. Dina settled in her chair and breathed deeply. The chronometer over her head counted down to the moment of her appointment. “Dim the lights.” The lights faded to a subtle illumination and 3

Viola Grace Dina let her mind separate from her body. Dina floated down toward the spinning orb beneath the station. The Qua’ak were trying to make a truce with the Qua’ar, their neighbours to the north. Yeshkin was an Alliance world, but the gasses that covered the planet were too corrosive for a standard Negotiator, so they had to call in a specialist. With nineteen languages in her mind at any given time, Dina was the perfect choice for the assignment of hostile-planet mediator. Her ability to keep her mind in a cohesive column as well as the centre’s systems provided her with the ultimate in telepresence. She could be in two places at the same time and never suffer from the environment she was visiting. Keeping a holographic representation was where she needed the help of her specialized systems. Other than needing a technological boost, her astral projection was honed to a fine science. She bobbed in the thick, orangey gaseous layer next to the two representatives. The negotiations for a truce had taken hours longer than she had anticipated, but Shemmo and Lallar were finally in agreement as to the terms of the truce. “Please sign the documents in front of you.” She kept her gaze on the document as they pressed it 4

Astral flat to the stone and pressed their palms to it. She twirled her fingers and the attendant reversed the document for the secondary signatures. When they had seared their palms to the document, the attendant ripped it in two, in Yeshkin fashion. “With this document signed, you shall each take a half and return to your people. Only when the other half is surrendered gratefully, eagerly and without malice or danger can this agreement be undone. From now on, you will share the bounty of the gas fish as well as the oil of the crawling carp. A trade agreement has been reached and ratified here today. I have filed the recording with the Alliance, so it is locked in for no less than nine generations. After that, you may renegotiate the details.” “Thank you, Mediator. Your presence here has helped diffuse a tense situation.” Shemmo bowed. “Our thanks as well. Things were getting tense in both our countries.” Lallar bowed as well, his heavy gills working to breathe the caustic atmosphere. She bowed in return. “Contact me if you have any further need. I will be hooked to your station for the next five days.” Dina sat up, gasping with her limbs trembling. Her body did not take to extended absences, but 5

Viola Grace there was no way of telling time on Yeshkin. Days and nights were all blended together in that strange orange mist. She lay back and panted as her mind and body struggled to reconnect. Her fish flipped and twisted in the air above her head, his red colour turning a bright blue as she watched. “Lights up.” Her heart pounded and she slowly removed her supply lines. “Well, Fish. It seems we have a visitor. Let them into the station and keep the security on my pod tight.” Fish flipped and disappeared while Dina struggled to free herself from the muscle fatigue that weighed on her every time she left her body. She stumbled free of the chair and sealed the vents on her suit, including the one at her crotch that had housed the tubes for her other functions. Her bodily functions still continued while she was out and wandering around, but without conscious control, she had to make a few concessions for duty over dignity. The cup of water that was set to pour automatically was blessedly cool as it ran down her parched throat and splashed around her empty stomach. Dina grabbed a ration bar and munched while the dispenser poured another glass of water. After two bars and five glasses of water, she felt almost coherent again. She stopped in the lav and 6

Astral brushed her hair and teeth before splashing her face with water. If the visitor was hostile, Fish would have been green. Blue meant that the visitor was Alliance affiliated and it was time to find out who had come knocking on her door.

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Chapter Two nlock the seal.” She bit her lip and watched her reflection in the polished door panel. Dina knew that her white blonde hair was startling, as were her powder blue eyes, but her pigments had taken a hit when she got her first round of intravenous supplements. Fortunately, it had been the only signs of her body’s shock to the invasion, but it still made her uncomfortable when she met strangers. Since she was aware of her discolouration, she felt rather obviously freakish when she met new people. The door slid back soundlessly to allow her into the airlock and hallway to the main station. She ran her hands down her suit, smoothing phantom wrinkles on the body-tight uniform. Fish led her through the halls to the observation deck where a man was sitting and staring out at the stars. “Hello. Are you waiting for me?” She blinked in shock as he turned and she took in the dark blue skin with the sparkling of stars inside.

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Astral He was wearing a body suit similar to hers and it left nothing to the imagination. His eyes swirled with a slow pulse of liquid silver. “I believe that I am. You are Dina Markowitz of Terra, yes?” “I am. Who are you?” His smile was slow and caused her stomach to do a nervous flip that had nothing to do with the rations she had just packed in. “Zakkar Yelwing, Avatar of Arci. He is attempting to secure you as my bride, but I thought you might be more amenable in person. Most of the races on your world no longer engage in arranged matings.” She blinked and extended her hand in formal greeting out of reflex. She felt the jolt at the contact and while she was able to determine that he was a powerful psychic, there was something even stronger just under the surface. “What world are you from?” “Valoi, in the Arci cluster. My folk died out centuries ago and I am the last one left.” His smile was matched by the slow caress of his thumb on her hand. She swallowed and tried to keep her voice chipper. “Arci is staying quiet? From what I have heard, that is rare for a star or planet.” Zakkar’s smile stayed in place. “I was very firm with my star. He needs to stay aside so that your decision is made solely on your own. I have to sell 9

Viola Grace myself on my own merits.” She tried to take her hand back and he resisted for a moment before releasing her. “You are selling yourself?” “Courtship, if you would. My folk didn’t engage in it, but I have been studying your customs and I believe that I have created a suitable plan.” His amusement was still in evidence. Apparently, he knew something she didn’t. She clued into his comment. “How long have you been studying?” He paused, his smugness shaken with that one question. “Why do you ask?” “Because it seems a little creepy that you would be learning my customs without having confirmed that I was available for you.” He ran a hand through his midnight black hair. “I have been researching you and your people for two years. Arci has had a request in for a compatible female for me for over three hundred years. When you entered the Alliance, the file was flagged and as you progressed in your chosen field, it became more and more obvious that you were the only possibility.” She snorted. “How flattering.” He blinked, “You should be flattered. My species quickly died out when their pursuit of intellectual stimulation took over and their sex drives faded. That you are compatible with one of 10

Astral the races who drew up the charters of the Alliance is a high compliment.” She blushed. “I apologize, but if your people died out because of lack of interest in the physical, why are you interested?” He gave her a look that caused her toes to curl in her boots. “I have been an avatar for a very long time, Dina. Arci chose me long before intellect was all that my people valued.” So, he wasn’t just a stalker, he was an ancient stalker. The tingle that was still rioting on her hand was slowly moving up her arm and she fought the urge to brush it away. Her stomach growled hungrily. It seemed that the ration bars had not been enough. Sighing, she looked to Zakkar. “Would you care to join me for my lunch? I think I missed a few meals on that assignment.” He seemed pleased. “I would. How was your time on Yeshkin?” She blinked but led the way to the galley. “It was fine. Very long, though. The Yeshkin do not seem to need to eat or sleep.” He chuckled. “It is the side effect of their atmosphere. They gain enough nutrients from the gasses to keep them alive for months if necessary. They like their meals but having to break for one is considered a sign of weakness.” She sighed. “It would have helped to have that 11

Viola Grace information two days ago. I need to eat several times in a normal day.” “It is one of the things that I miss as a stellar avatar. Food was important when I was growing up, but the star keeps me fed now.” In the galley, she dialled up food for two. “I think you can still eat, so would you care to try the rations I have? They are a very good approximation of food from my home world.” He looked at little nervous. “It has been a while, but please. Yes. I would love to try it.” She laughed. “It isn’t fancy. It is supposed to be meat in gravy with a tuber and vegetables. If you don’t like it, I am sure I can fit your serving in.” His smile was that of a curious boy and not a man made of starlight and muscle. Chuckling to herself, she retrieved the hot meals from the unit and carried them over to the table. She turned and retrieved two sets of utensils as well as two glasses of water. Smiling at the familiar-ish food, she prodded at the meat-like substance and bit into it. Despite it being an unappealing colour it tasted a lot like roast beef and potatoes. Zakkar watched her, his quicksilver eyes swirling. When he was assured that she was indeed swallowing, he prodded at a vegetable and nibbled daintily at it. She couldn’t help but keep her gaze fixed on his 12

Astral reactions. They were fascinating. He didn’t like the red vegetables, but he enjoyed the potato substitute as well as the meat and all the other veg. When he finished eating, there was a flash of light and he looked at the dispenser speculatively. “May I try something else?” She shrugged. “Sure. I have enough food here for three years. Go nuts.” He blinked at her phrasing. Some of the words in Alliance Common just didn’t translate well, so she simply smiled angelically while he attached whatever meaning to the word nuts. That he chose. When he came back from the dispenser, her eyes widened. He had found her dessert selections. His tray held a sundae, brownies and what looked like apple crumble. “Wow. Sweet tooth. I would never have guessed.” Dina continued eating, tiny bites that her body would be able to break down quickly. She watched him discover the Terran treats and had a hard time keeping the smile from her face. If they had been in a group of people, ignoring him would still have been difficult, but she would have managed it. Here, in a one-on-one situation, she couldn’t ignore the charm of his joy of discovery. He was working on the sundae when he asked her, “How did you get into distance mediation?” Dina cocked her head. “Leaving my body was something that I had always done. Every time I 13

Viola Grace closed my eyes, it seemed that I was in another country or another world. When the Alliance called for Volunteers, I was standing in line to apply with thousands of other Terrans. I wanted to know if my talent was real or I just had an active dream life.” Zakkar paused with a spoon full of ice cream. “And?” “They sedated me and quickly proved that I was not mad and not simply enamoured with my imagination. I woke out of my body in the facility and scared the bejeezus out of the applicants in the waiting room. I was offered one of the positions immediately and then I had to break the news to my family.” “They were not in favour of you leaving?” She laughed and almost choked on a mouthful of food. “My mother didn’t want me to even work more than fifty kilometres from her. Leaving the planet had her weeping for days.” “You don’t regret leaving them?” She sighed and propped her head on her hands. “Sometimes. I really do regret it sometimes, but mostly, I am enjoying be out here meeting new races and making myself useful.” “I understand. I missed my family when Arci tapped me, but they were proud and since they were happy, I could embrace my new life with more ease. Change is always difficult, but if we 14

Astral pay attention, we can find things in our life that we didn’t even know were missing.” She chuckled. “Big talk from a man wearing ice cream on his chin.” Out of a perverse reflex, she reached out and thumbed the white fluff off his chin before licking the thumb she had used. He was watching her in astonishment. Zakkar tilted his head. “You touched me casually, but we have only just met. That isn’t in keeping with your traditions.” Her lips twitched. “Then you didn’t read very carefully. Terran women get up to all kinds of shenanigans if there are no other witnesses beyond her and the male she is with.” Zakkar looked at her and Dina felt her cheeks warm with a blush. There was a wealth of speculation in that look and she wondered how far she would let him take it.

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Chapter Three

“W

ell, Zakkar. We have met and we are getting along just fine. What happens

next?” He blinked at her in surprise. “I have no idea. Would you like to take a tour of this star system?” She laughed. “I am still on duty for the next four days. I can’t leave the station.” “Then we will have to continue our courtship here. Do you need sleep?” Dina blinked at how thoughtful he was. “Yes, I believe I do. Do you want me to ask the station to find you a spare room?” Zakkar inclined his head gracefully. “That would be most welcome.” Fish appeared at her mental summons and she asked to find space for Zakkar. Fish agreed and swam in front of Zakkar’s eyes. “What is this, exactly?” Dina smiled. “He is an avatar between the ship and me. He keeps me company.” 16

Astral “What is he based on?” “Oh, a fish from my home world that I had as a beloved pet. He was with me then, so they built a way for him to be with me now. He monitors the station as well as my stats. He can bring me out of a coma if it is necessary.” She chucked as Fish did flips in the air in front of them. He loved being the topic of conversation. “Does he speak?” Zakkar was examining the hologram on all sides, not so easy when Fish was insisting on swimming around his head. Dina started walking to her quarters. “No. He is modeled after a pet I had on Terra. Fish was my companion for his whole lifespan and I missed him when he was gone, so when my dispatcher wanted me to select an interface, he was the obvious choice.” “How do you know what he wants to tell you?” “We have worked out a set of signals. Colour changes and such.” The doorway on her left lit brightly with a blue glow. Dina was slightly relieved. “The computer has assigned you to this room. The atmosphere is set to your species specifications, so have a good night’s sleep.” Zakkar took her hand and pressed a kiss to the inside of her wrist. Her heartbeat sped up dramatically, but she tried to keep a bland 17

Viola Grace expression on her face. His knowing gaze set the blush in her body to full bloom. “Thank you for your hospitality, Dina. I realize that you were not expecting company and you have been a gracious hostess.” He opened the door to his quarters and left her standing alone in the hallway. Her body tingled and she rubbed lightly at the spot where he had pressed his lips. Dazed and a little off balance, she headed down the hall toward her own quarters. Once inside her sleeping quarters, she quickly went to the com unit and brought up the Arci system. Zakkar had indeed been the avatar for Arci for several thousand years. His people were known for their analytical abilities, but with the tunnel vision of many races, they had not been able to interest any of their people in mating when they accepted the danger of their declining population. They had simply struck out to create as much intellectual property as they could before their civilization wound to a close. Arci had tried to intervene as Zakkar’s people had slowly disappeared, but they were determined to leave nothing but their wisdom behind. Arci’s avatar had mourned his people’s loss, but two hundred years later, he was seen again and active in communicating with the Alliance. 18

Astral Dina read about Zakkar’s involvement in intersystem negotiations as well as his participation on stellar councils around the system. He really was Arci’s avatar and he really was on the hunt. She groaned and leaned back in her chair. He was a nice-enough guy, but she wasn’t sure that she wanted him to pursue her. Dina looked to Fish and he flicked toward her to hover near her nose. “What should I do? He’s a nice guy and there is certainly an element of attraction on both our parts.” Fish flicked from side to side before doing quick loops and disappearing. Dina snorted. “Coward! I listen when you have issues, you little twit!” After it was obvious that Fish was not returning for the night, she took her suit off and slipped between her sheets to get some rest. Dina groaned as she realized her astral form was flying through space. She hated it when her dreams took her places she had no business going. A light started glowing off to her left and when she looked over, a figure was flying toward her. “Hello, Dina. Pardon my taking over your dreams, but I wanted to speak with you.” The form was Zakkar’s, but the voice was not. “Am I speaking to Arci?” 19

Viola Grace He stopped their flight as they were conversing face to face on the astral plane, but controlled by Arci, it was the blackness of space. Environments were selected by comfort levels and if she was truly talking to a star, then it was no wonder their location was highlighted by the darkness of the star’s home. “You are. I have been worried about my avatar.” He floated next to her and took her hand. The hot tingle that she had felt through Zakkar was a thousand times stronger with Arci’s contact. “That was you. You were planting the seeds for contact when Zakkar and I touched.” She wasn’t accusing, merely observing his behaviour. He inclined his head, the silvery white glow was interspersed with red threads of light and it covered him from head to toe. “If I had spoken to you through my avatar and you were not properly shielded, you would have suffered damage. That was not my intent. This seemed the safer option to have a word with you.” She smiled slightly. “I appreciate the effort.” Arci bowed. “Is Zakkar aware of our conversation?” Arci smiled. “No, I am allowing him a night of sleep. He does not need to rest when he is on duty for me.” “I see. What did you want to speak to me about? I can only imagine it is pretty serious given the 20

Astral lengths to which you are going.” He turned and looked out over the expanse of planets and stars before them. “When Zakkar came to me, his people were flourishing. They were only too happy to have him take the position of stellar avatar and when his immediate family passed, he mourned but accepted it.” “It sounds like he is a well-balanced individual.” “He was, until his people died, leaving an empty world behind. He was lost. The last of his kind. It is a fate that a few avatars have faced, but Zakkar is mine and I want him happy again.” Dina flinched. “What do I have to do with that?” Arci gave her a look that made her feel like a petulant toddler, which she supposed she was in comparison to him. “Zakkar is lonely. He needs a physical companion, so together, he and I began searching for one.” Dina swallowed. She knew what was coming next. “We found you. After three centuries of looking through every available operative that the Alliance had on its roster, we found you.” “I don’t understand. There are a couple thousand Terrans out and about around the Alliance. Why me?” Arci reached out and caressed her face, touched 21

Viola Grace her neck and withdrew his hand. “You are unique. A perfect genetic jewel in the tangle of strands from your world. Your mind is ideally suited to accepting a portion of a star within you and your body will adapt well to the changes that I will need to enact.” She sighed. “So, I am very utilitarian.” She had to admit that she was disappointed that it was her adaptive ability that had caught their attention. He waved his hand in denial. “No, you are purpose built. Since the moment Zakkar saw you on the roster, he didn’t consider anyone else. He has read everything he could about your race, your family, your friends in an effort to make his conversation more acceptable to you.” Even on the psychic plane, her face blushed pink. “Well, what can you tell me about him?” Arci stared into her eyes. “Everyone he has ever loved is dead. He lives his life full of the energy of a star and if he is not careful, his touch can sear you to ash in a second and he wants you and no other. What more do you need to know?” She flinched. “Uh, nothing. That’s fine.” Arci noticed her expression. “I said something wrong.” Dina debated lying to the star and then shrugged. “Death, loss and an offer of companionship as well as a threat of imminent 22

Astral demise are usually not combined in a single sentence.” “Ah, my apologies. It has been a while since I have dealt with any living creatures directly. Zakkar usually does my talking for me.” The star’s features twisted until Dina recognized the embarrassment. “I am still not sure about this. I am just enjoying my job and my assignment right now. Not to mention, I don’t want to leave Fish.” Arci blinked. “Fish?” “My pet hologram. I am rather fond of it.” “You would reject a mate for a pet hologram?” His astonishment was evident in the flare of light around him. “Well, no. But if I can keep Fish, it would make my decision easier.” She crossed her arms and scowled at the physical embodiment of the star. He seemed to catch on to what she was doing and he crossed his arms to mirror her. “What else?” “A home on an inhabitable world. A wardrobe that is suitable to my new station and a com unit so that I can continue to communicate with my pen pals around the sectors.” She extended one arm and examined her fingernails. “And a pony. I definitely want a pony.” “I have a world that Zakkar uses as a base. The wardrobe is easy as is the com unit. I will look into 23

Viola Grace what a pony is and let you know.” He extended one hand. “So, you will consider it?” She grinned and gripped his hand. “I will keep an open mind.” Dina sat upright, her hand tingling, nipples tight and an uncomfortable dampness between her thighs. If the touch of Arci in her dreams could spin her into arousal, actually trying to have sex with Zakkar might blow the top of her head off. What a way to go.

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Chapter Four ina put on her standard uniform and peeked into the hall before sneaking to the dining room. It was no use, Zakkar was awake and Fish was walking him through breakfast selections. “Good morning, Dina. How are you today?” He was smiling as he turned around and the smile faded rapidly as he got a good look at her. He put his tray down and walked up to her, examining her with a glow in his eyes. “Arci spoke to you, didn’t he?” She blinked. “How can you tell?” He frowned. “I know his energy when I see it and it is all over you.” Dina looked at her hands and tried to see whatever it was that he saw. “I don’t see anything.” Zakkar touched her face. “It is everywhere on you, shining in your eyes.” “We may have had a conversation last night, but I don’t think it had any effect on my

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Viola Grace physiology.” She frowned and turned on her heel. With deliberate strides, she entered her medical facility. Putting herself into the scanning bed, she asked for a complete cellular scan as well as a detailed neurological workup. It was a fairly standard scan for her. In her line of work, it was common to court aneurysms. Zakkar and Fish followed her and waited with her while she lay still under the beams. When the computer began to digest the information, she sat up and rubbed her head. “Are you all right?” She chuckled at the worry in his face. “I have no idea. I feel fine, but if you see stellar energy in me, I need to know for certain what it is doing.” Zakkar sighed. “I apologize. Arci is simply making sure that I get what I need.” She blinked. “Wait. No one has ever said that you needed a mate.” He scrubbed a hand through his hair. “With Arci inside me, I have aged very slowly. Extremely slowly, but even stars have to give way to time and I am entering my mating time with no female of my own kind. That meant we had to begin a search before it became a desperate matter, but time is rapidly running out. In another ten years, without bonding to a female, my body would degrade and Arci would have to seek out another avatar. He 26

Astral doesn’t want that and so I believe that he is working to adapt you even before official authorization has been granted.” “You seem pretty sure that it will be granted.” “I am the last of my kind and a stellar avatar to boot. There is no doubt in my mind that they will authorize your match to me.” She twisted her lips and nodded. “It is likely and it was part of my original contract with the Alliance when I volunteered.” “Tell me about that, over breakfast.” Zakkar smiled and offered her his arm. “I would like to wait for my results.” “They will still be there when you have eaten.” “Good point.” She took his arm and together with Fish, they walked back to the dining room. She was smiling and having a surprisingly good time. “So, what did you do next?” Zakkar was leaning back and having a cup of tea. “Well, I nodded to the bartender, sent out a flash of light and flew the hell out of there.” She cackled with laughter. His tales of the first few years as avatar were hilarious. His people had been wild and the Valoi were considered untrustworthy across the sector, so when he came to worlds where his folk were known, it had often caused a problem. The Valoi had made a conscious decision to turn 27

Viola Grace their pursuit of pleasure and knowledge into a simple focus on knowledge. To do that, many of their oldest and wisest had forgone their reproductive lives and when they discovered that they could accomplish much without the distraction of the opposite sex, they split their population in two and communicated via teleconferencing. The population had dwindled rapidly and in the course of a few centuries, a once-great civilization collapsed and died out. Dina had heard of similar events as well as whole planets being destroyed by disease. It seemed that the only way to ensure that your species didn’t get wiped out was to get citizens to colonize other worlds. Scientists back home had a similar postulation. If humans could get one toehold out in space, there would never be a chance for them to all be destroyed by any natural or stellar disaster. She blinked and grinned. “I wish I had amusing tales to tell about my first time on assignment, but I don’t.” He chuckled. “Not to be nosey, but I read your file. There were several training incidents that you were involved in.” She blushed and laughed at the same time. “True. Okay, once upon a time, there was an astral projector who was working on pushing herself out 28

Astral of her body at will.” “You.” “Exactly. Now, I was working on engaging in projection when an idle thought flitted through my head. The next thing I knew, I was in the men’s quarters at the Citadel, in the locker room of the gym to be precise. “The men who were showering were a little surprised, but I wasn’t the only one who got an eyeful. I had been meditating naked and so when I snapped back into my body, I was still only half dressed when the instructor knocked on my door.” He snorted. “What happened then?” “I was written up for failure to comply with the Citadel uniform codes. It was the least harmful statement that they could put in my file, but due to the complaints or compliments depending on your point of view, they had to report something.” He chuckled. “I can only imagine your surprise and their surprise.” “Some of them reacted rather quickly to my presence and I don’t mean that they grabbed for a towel.” Zakkar let out a low growl of displeasure and she blinked in surprise. Without thinking, she reached out and took his hand in hers, the spark of energy along her skin growing more violent as she maintained the contact. She shivered intensely as the waves moved up 29

Viola Grace and down her skin, waking nerves and pulsing randomly in the most pleasurable of ways. He noticed her reaction, but instead of withdrawing his hand from hers, he turned his palm and gripped her forearm. She started shuddering. The electronic pulse was more intense than anything she had ever gotten from her vibrator and the energy pulses grew in strength the longer that she kept contact. Her clit throbbed, her thighs flexed and her breath came in pants. With a low moan, she shuddered as the sensations overloaded her system and pleasure broke over her in heavy, violent waves. With a light caress on her skin, Zakkar let her go, but he leaned forward to press a kiss on her lips. The light slide of his lips against hers sent sparks through her that caused an aftershock to go through her that had nothing to do with stellar energy and everything to do with Zakkar. As he backed away from her, she opened her eyes to watch the silver gaze look at her with a quiet and very masculine satisfaction. “I think your reports will be ready by now. Do you want to see what they say?” She blinked and gave him a slow smile. “I know very well what they say. Arci has already begun the transformation and there is nothing that I can 30

Astral do about it.” His shock was evident. “You don’t seem upset.” She laughed. “I am far too pragmatic to be upset. Since I came to the Alliance and got my training in the Citadel, my life has not been my own. I agreed to it openly and freely. I am required to submit to their choice of mate when they found one for me. I never suspected that one of them would come looking for me.” He stood and pulled her to her feet. He stared down at her for a full minute before he spoke. “Once I knew you existed, how could I not?”

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Chapter Five he medical bay had her reports ready and it proved what she had concluded. Her body had been infected by Arci’s energy and it was rewriting her DNA. Estimated time to visible signs was two days. “Well, at least he is being gentle.” She pursed her lips and jerked her head back. Fish swam in front of her eyes. “What is it doing?” “I have an incoming request from the surface. I did promise them to assist with any matters requiring my attention. Duty calls.” He blinked. “May I come with you?” She chuckled. “I am not going physically, but if you want to meet me down there, you are welcome to do so.” He smiled. “Then, I will see you there.” He caught her around the waist and pressed his lips to hers. The smooth, silky stroke of his mouth against hers had her stifling a sigh in seconds.

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Astral Just as quickly, he was gone. Fish blinked urgently and she headed off to her pod. She loosened the seals of her suit as she walked and prepared to drop herself to the planet below. With Fish watching her every move, she plugged in all-important hoses and descended into the gas clouds of Yeshkin. With eight hours of negotiations for fertilizer rights under her belt, Dina was exhausted, but Zakkar had kept her spirits up. The petty squabbles had been quickly squelched with the presence of a stellar avatar. The negotiating parties had been so star struck that they had spent two hours offering Zakkar food and beverages as well as flattering every move he made. It was amusing for Dina to watch her clients as they tried to get Zakkar’s attention. The down side was that she was waiting for them to let her get on with her work. When Zakkar finally got the negotiators under control, Dina took over and six hours of gruelling negotiations later, they had a ratified treatise. “Thank you for helping them keep their minds on their work, Zakkar.” “Go back to your body, Dina. You are exhausted.” He ran his knuckles down the side of her astral projection. 33

Viola Grace To Dina’s shock, she felt his touch, even without her body. The same tingle that ran over her when they physically contacted was running through her now. With a gasp, she pulled away from Yeshkin and back into her body. Fish was swimming urgently in front of her as she used her unusually weak limbs to remove the plugs and tubes. As she lay still, staring up at the chronometer, she noted that while she had spent eight hours on Yeshkin, twelve hours had passed on the ship. She must have been unable to wake and Fish had used the protocols to jolt her up. A steady thump at the door got her attention and her skin blazed with energy that lit up the dim room. “Whoa. That’s new.” Illuminating the room, she walked to the door and acknowledged Zakkar’s worried expression. “Unlock.” The door clicked and rolled back. Zakkar caught her in his arms and quickly carried her to the medical bay. “I am sure that I am fine. I have come out of a projection feeble before, this is just a little worse than normal.” If her voice had been stronger, it would have been more convincing. He set the scanners and stood at her side while Fish hovered next to him. She heard a few alarms beeping and wondered what the problem could be. When she tried to sit 34

Astral up, Zakkar put his hand on her chest to hold her in place. “Stay still. You are changing far more rapidly than Arci anticipated. Your body has begun to put out a lot of radiation, but since you are not completely through your transmutation, there is no way to contain it.” She grunted. “Yes there is, sort of. I can stay in the pod.” “Do you have supplies there?” “I can use the intravenous feeds. I will be fine.” She tried to smile brightly, but her head spun and she wasn’t even moving. “We will get you through this. I promise.” The worried tone in his voice did not inspire much confidence. She chuckled. “You can try and I will follow along as best I can.” Light was still pouring out of her and she couldn’t stop it. Her body was limp, her joints weak and she was completely helpless. He lifted her from the scanning bed and carried her back to her pod, settling her carefully on her chair. She relaxed and felt his hands slide over her in both comfort and containment. “Just rest, Dina. I will take care of everything. Just rest.” Sighing, she slipped into a deep sleep, taking the image of Zakkar leaning over her with Fish 35

Viola Grace flitting urgently above his head. Dina felt hot, cold and then a persistent tugging that brought her out of her endless night. “Wha?” “Your containment suit arrived from Morganti. I am putting it on you and then you are sitting up so we can get some soup into you.” Zakkar’s voice was calm and amused as he worked the tight suit up her thighs and over her hips. She let him tuck her into the bodysuit and smiled at the gentle compression that she felt as the suit moulded to her body. Her throat was dry, but the loose feeling was gone from her joints, leaving a slight ache and a peculiar energy. As soon as he had the suit sealed, he tilted her upright and then he rotated the chair he was sitting on to take a bowl of soup into his hands. “Fish has been very cooperative and the Alliance has given me full access to the systems.” She frowned, but she opened her mouth when he held the spoon to it. The soup was chicken noodle and it was hot enough to drink but not hot enough to scald. Like an infant, she waited for the next spoonful with her lips parted. He was incredibly patient as he fed her and by the time she was finished, her energy level was through the roof. “What was in that soup?” She could feel power flowing through her. 36

Astral “A little of Arci’s power in a chicken-flavoured base.” He laughed at her expression. She looked down at her suit, expecting to see her standard uniform colour and laughed out loud at the nude colouration. “Arci had it designed so that you could wear clothing appropriate to your station, whatever that means.” A bright giggle started in her belly and spilled out of her throat. He had a quizzical smile on his face, but the pleasure in his eyes was genuine. “So, where can I get these clothes?” “Some were delivered with the suit. All are designed to withstand radiation and a variety of hostile environments.” She tilted her chair to ease her rise to her feet. As she thought about rising, she floated up out of her chair. “Holy crap!” She dropped with a thud back onto her chair. Looking at Zakkar in shock, she had to ask, “What the hell was that?” His lips twitched in amusement. “You were flying or hovering. Gravity will have little pull on you if you don’t wish it to.” “Why don’t I feel Arci in my head?” She checked her mind over and over. “He thought it would skeeve you out. He got that word from your mind.” 37

Viola Grace She tried to get out of the chair again and managed to stand on her own two feet. Fish was happily frolicking around her head, his colours brilliant and his attitude perky. He seemed quite chipper and that gave her a bit of relaxation that she had desperately craved. Arci had been rummaging around in her thoughts. It was less upsetting than it should have been. “Where are the clothes?” He smiled. “Right here.” The box was sitting on one of her prep tables. She took the few steps and opened the box, gasping at the contents. “Wow. These are…wow.” She slipped the gown on over the skin-matching bodysuit and smiled as the red fabric flattered her body and flowed to the floor. A cloak went over one arm and buckled over the opposite shoulder, the bare arm had a gold and red band while a thick, matching ribbon for her neck completed the ensemble. She twirled happily, noting the slit on her skirt that exposed her left thigh became invisible when she was holding still. “What do you think?” “It is lovely. Now, you have nine messages waiting for you at your com unit.” Zakkar wrapped an arm around her waist and with gentle force, he steered her out of the pod and into the station. 38

Astral Fish kept her company, frolicking in front of them and leading them to her quarters where the com light was indeed blinking incessantly. She sat in front of the com and authorized the messages to play. The first was from Refaol. “Dina, the council is meeting on the request for your person. I just wanted you to know that it will be decided today.” The second was the follow-up. “Dina, they decided against your petition for freedom. I am sorry, but you are being given to the avatar of Arci.” The third through sixth messages were from the Alliance Council letting her know that the petition filed by Arci for a mate for his avatar had been accepted and she was to surrender herself to Zakkar’s custody when he appeared at the station. At that point, she would no longer be in the employ of the Alliance but under Arci’s purview. Messages seven through nine were frantic calls from Refoal. “I think I should call him back.” Zakkar chuckled. “That seems like a good idea. I didn’t want to upset him by letting him know I was already here.” She laughed and dialled Refoal’s location. It took five minutes, but it was picked up by a very stressed-out Ontex. “Dina, thank the stars! Where have you been 39

Viola Grace and why are you glowing?” She looked at her hands and noted the muted glow. “Transformation into an avatar, Refoal. I know about the declaration and am at peace with it. I also met with the star and negotiated a few demands of my own.” “You did? How?” Refoal looked deflated. “And why didn’t you tell me?” She chuckled. “Well, Arci kind of snuck up on me, but he was very determined and quite convincing. I agreed to give Zakkar a chance and he has been nothing but pleasant and a good companion. Also, an excellent caretaker.” “Caretaker?” “I needed some time to adjust to the changes Arci was making in my system. Zakkar kept an eye on me.” She caught a glance at herself in the reflection of the screen. “And apparently braided my hair into a coronet.” “You are fine with all of this?” “I am. I am sorry to have made a fuss, but this isn’t the kind of thing I could have guessed at.” She smiled at her oldest friend in the Alliance. “Be happy for me, Refoal. At least I will be doing something new and different.” “You will have a star lodged in your mind.” “And I have met him and he is charming and polite.” She was getting a little irritated. “I will pack up my things and leave this station.” 40

Astral “Accepted. Keep in touch, if he will let you.” Refoal disconnected with a sharp jab to the console and Dina was left blinking in surprise at the space where her friend and dispatcher used to be. She turned to Zakkar, “Do you have a shuttle?” He grinned. “Not exactly. This will be fun.”

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Chapter Six n space, no one can hear you scream, which Dina personally thought was a good thing, because she was cursing a blue streak as Zakkar flew them through the star system to the jump ship. She had never been in the blackness of space without a ship before and while her body registered the cold, it didn’t touch her flesh, merely her senses. They passed asteroids, planets and she waved at a shuttlecraft as they approached the jump ship. The ship opened a door for them and they flew into one of the shuttle bays. Within, there was no atmosphere, so they simply hung onto the edge of the ship while it started to move. The thrum of the ship’s engines ran through her feet and rattled Dina’s teeth. Mentally communicating with Zakkar was an option, but she wanted to experience everything that the changes in her body could offer. Silence seemed the best way to do it.

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Astral He had propelled them through space, tiny objects in the vastness, at a speed that rivalled most commercial shuttles. A star’s power was gravity and radiation based, so, as long as there were objects nearby to push away from, speed could be increased almost indefinitely. Dina could hardly believe it. In a week, she had gone from a minor specialized mediator to bride of an avatar. It was peculiar, but her life had suddenly gone out of control and she was actually getting used to it. If she really thought about it, she was kind of liking it. The bizarre feeling of jumping without a ship made her clutch at Zakkar for support. The moment that they came out of the jump, a door opened and he flew them out, using his legs to gain momentum. Arci was suddenly a warm presence in her mind and Dina knew that they were in his system. Zakkar flew them to one of the planets nearest the sun, carefully switching his grip on her so that he was cradling her as he landed them on the surface. “Welcome to Dakri, your new home.” Arci blazed in the sky and the surface was completely barren. The only relief to the flat surface was the house that was conspicuously placed on the flat plane they stood on. “Wow. It is really…flat.” 43

Viola Grace He laughed. “There are plenty of worlds in this system where you can have a second home built, but this one is the closest to Arci and inhospitable to other races, so there is no demand for it.” Dina looked around her. “Can I try flying here?” Zakkar threw her up into the air for an answer. Dina kicked her legs and squealed but thought about floating and her descent halted. “This is so cool.” She tried to move forward and ended up hanging with her head down, but a little flailing and she was upright again and moving toward the house. Zakkar followed her at a distance, ready to help her if she needed it, but allowed her to wobble along under her own steam. She had a fairly good grasp of keeping herself moving in the right direction, but every now and again, she listed to one side. By the time she wobbled to the ground in front of the only building on the planet, she felt pretty proud of herself. “I did it!” He laughed and gave her a hug. “You did.” She returned the hug and closed her eyes as she enjoyed the hard physique under her cheek. He seemed made of stars, rocks and heat. When he ceased the hug and wrapped his arm around her waist, part of her howled in complaint. He had made her cum once with just the touch of his hand on her arm and she was desperate to see if 44

Astral he could do it again. As the door to her new home opened under his touch, she braced herself for whatever overtly masculine decorating he had engaged in.

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Chapter Seven s they stepped into the dim interior, Dina gasped in pleased surprise. Cool colours made up for the hot exterior. A humidity that belied the environment outside filled the air and plants lined the walls. Dina stared at the bot that cruised past doing maintenance on the vegetation. “This is amazing. It is so welcoming and comfortable.” She walked out of the circle of Zakkar’s arm and toured the entry area before she wandered into the living space. Blue-grey stone lined the floor and the walls and more plants provided oxygen to the interior. “I am glad that you like it. Arci had to employ nine different designers to complete this last year. Drilling the well was important and something that the star had not considered.” She listened and clued in to what he had said. “This was renovated just for me?” “Of course. Arci would stop at nothing to make

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Astral you comfortable. Having his avatars happy is a major concern for him.” “When did he tap his first avatar?” “Ten thousand years ago. Merwil was a good man, but he wanted a life of his own. He asked Arci to free him and lived a short and happy life on Valoi.” She sat experimentally on a couch. “So, all of his avatars have been from Valoi?” “He prefers Valoi, but he has used several other races for short-term vessels.” Zakkar chuckled. “The Valoi just lasted longer and were easier to adapt to his purposes.” He sat next to her on the couch. She reached out and took his hand. “I am sorry that your race faded and left the universe, Zakkar.” He quirked a smile. “I have come to terms with it and I find myself dwelling more on the future than the past at this precise moment.” He leaned forward to kiss her and she responded with heat and enthusiasm. Her skin felt as if sparks were shooting out of every nerve ending and instead of pain, a warm pleasure was blooming across her flesh. He backed away so that there was an inch between their lips. “I think you need to finish your tour.” She blinked rapidly, the glow of her skin 47

Viola Grace reflected in the darkness of his. “Where should I start?” The husky tone of her voice made him swallow heavily, but when he opened his silvery eyes, threads of red trailed through them in lazy vortexes. “I think you should check out the bedroom, yes, I am certain that that is the place to start.” She fought her smile. “It sounds like a good idea. Which way?” He stood and took her hand in his, drawing her gently from the couch, down a hall and up some stairs. She gasped again as the entire upper floor was exposed to her. It was a wide-open space that ran the entire width of the house and skylights let the daylight stream into the space. In the centre of the space was a bed and on either side were two wardrobes. Curious, she went to one of the wardrobes and saw a selection of clothes for Zakkar made of the same material as her bodysuit. Tucking her lip between her teeth, she walked around Zakkar and around the bed to the other side to open the second wardrobe. Three more nude bodysuits were hanging in place as well as four gowns similar to the one she was wearing. “What is the style of gown I am wearing?” She could hear him moving behind her and was unsurprised when his words were whispered near 48

Astral her shoulder. “It is a Valoi formal gown.” “Hmm. I like it, but I don’t know if it suits me.” She turned to face him and ran her fingers along her neckline and smiled at him. The glow in his eyes intensified and he followed her fingers to the buckle of her cloak. With a light flick of his fingers, the buckle that fastened her half cloak opened and a gentle caress of his fingertips slid the fabric off her shoulder. “I think it suits you very well.” She kept her gaze locked with his as his fingers found the clasps that she had struggled with and soon, she was standing in a bodysuit and a puddle of red, glossy fabric. “It suits the floor, too.” Zakkar’s tone was earnest and amused at the same time. She held her breath when he parted her suit and opened the seal in the centre. The nude fabric skimmed down her shoulders and when he knelt in front of her to peel the suit over her hips, she swayed as his hands touched her skin. Whatever Arci had done to her system had made her very sensitive to Zakkar’s touch. Sparks were spontaneously arcing across her skin and a bone-deep shimmy was starting in her belly. “Step out, Dina.” Swallowing to clear her suddenly dry mouth, she took a step toward him and ended up with his 49

Viola Grace face pressed between her breasts. The kiss that he laid onto her skin was a butterfly touch, but it sent energy sizzling along her limbs. Dina looped her arms around his head and threaded her fingers through the midnight blue of his hair. She tugged his head back and pressed her lips to his forehead. The same energy that flowed into her when he touched her crept across his skin when she touched him. She blinked as she started to realize the new facet to her power. She couldn’t just fly and didn’t need to breathe in space, she could give Zakkar the same pleasure that he gave to her. This was going to be far more fun than she thought. Smiling with her newfound power, she feathered kisses over his brows and down his nose. She rubbed her lips lightly against his, not a kiss, but simple contact. When he angled his jaw upward to firm the kiss and his tongue came out to play, her knees buckled and it was his arms around her thighs that kept her upright. She felt Arci with them as they explored and caressed each other. The sun streaming in through the windows was wrapping around them and as Zakkar rose to his feet to strip off the bodysuit that he was wearing, Dina felt her arousal ratcheted upward by several degrees. Zakkar’s muscles were not Terran standard, but 50

Astral Dina wouldn’t have them any other way. His cock was a hard rod of flesh that had a peculiar wave to it. As she reached out to grip him, the flesh moved in her hand without Zakkar moving a muscle. With her hand on his cock, she backed toward the bed until her legs were pressed against it. His eyes were heavy lidded. His lips full and the stars under his skin were moving in a hypnotic pattern. When she leaned forward to press kisses across his chest, she heard him growl and smiled against his stellar skin. He lifted her and placed her on her back on the bed. With a groan, he rubbed his body against hers from jaw to ankle, the sensations that Arci had intensified bringing them both to the edge in moments. Zakkar rose up on his elbows, used his thighs to part hers and lodged his cock against her slick opening. It moved, shifted and slid into her while he remained perfectly still over her, a look of concentration in his eyes. The slow thrusts of his twisting shaft into her had her holding her breath with every slide and shimmy. When he was fully seated, he leaned down to kiss her while his cock undulated within in a heady rhythm. She tried to lift her hips to his, but his position firmly pinned her to the sheets. Zakkar glowed, black energy coming off his 51

Viola Grace skin in long tendrils, while Dina felt the same outward surge from her own form. When the power bound together, she gasped and came. His internal thrusts mixed with her sensitivity and Arci’s power to create a maelstrom of sensation that spun her into a writhing release that blasted energy throughout the room. Zakkar shouted and she felt the rapid churn within her as her channel milked him in short, sharp spasms. He groaned and slumped boneless on her body. His energy was still tangled with hers and her skin had paled several shades in Arci’s light. He sighed and rolled to one side, bringing her with him and stroking his hand down her spine. She watched the dark stars that had begun moving under her skin with fascination. “Did you know that this would happen?” He chuckled and ran his fingers along the silky skin of her back. “I have not known what would happen next since the moment I first saw your file. I am learning as I go.” She sighed and watched the stars shooting under his skin. “Do you think that Arci knew?” I did not know. I suspected. You were born to be a stellar avatar, Dina. We are lucky to have you. They both blinked and Dina knew that Zakkar had heard the voice as clearly as she had. In that moment, it became clear that Zakkar had not been 52

Astral the only one in search of a companion. Arci was only too happy to see her and his energy flared around them as they lay in his warming beams. “I have never considered being part of a threesome before, but I suppose that there is a first time for everything.” Dina cuddled against Zakkar, her leg over his hip and their bodies still joined. He smiled and she felt the movement begin inside her again. “There does indeed have to be a first time, now…how do you feel about the second?” She laughed and rolled him to his back, circling her hips against him as he stroked her belly and breasts. She rode him until they both arched in release, his release triggering hers this time. With a sigh, she leaned down and draped herself over his chest, the dark stars on her body taking on the feel of constellations and star systems. She could feel the localized points of power on her skin and smiled. If her mother could only see her now.

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Chapter Eight lying lessons were much more pleasurable when Dina wasn’t wearing anything but her hair. The white-blonde strands were now completely white and her eyes were metallic blue with red streaks. The red grew more prevalent the closer that Arci was to her. She was enjoying some high-speed flight when a shadow crossed her path and she screamed in reflex. The Valoi had enjoyed a more hunt-and-seek method of winning their mates and every time Zakkar saw her ahead of him, it tripped his switches. She paused with her hair floating around her, her body in a zero-gravitational posture, moving slightly with the rotation of the planet but otherwise completely still. It was a little petty of her, but if she stopped running, he stopped chasing. He swooped in close, naked and aroused which was his normal condition around her now. “We

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Astral need to make an appearance on one of the planets in this system. They are having a festival and Arci’s avatars need to be there.” She exhaled. “I knew this was coming, but I am a little nervous about it, oh, and none of my bodysuits match anymore.” Her skin had gone from pale pink to ivory with dark stars, the opposite of Zakkar’s midnight skin. “Then wear the gowns over your skin. It is tough enough now to provide you with the protection and containment you needed.” He wrapped an arm around her waist and tried to tug her along. They stayed still and she gave him a cheeky grin. “I have been experimenting with holding my place in the universe. It seems I have been successful.” He seemed shocked. “What are you doing, precisely?” “I am gravitationally linked to the world beneath me at five hundred metres from the surface. I will continue to remain here until I release myself. It is a neat trick.” “How did you get the idea for this?” He flew around her on all sides as if he could see the strings holding her. She blushed, instead of pigment, her stars moved faster. “I was lying with you inside me and wished that I could stay in that place forever and it 55

Viola Grace got me thinking.” He came up behind her and pressed kisses to her neck. It was his favourite place to lick and nibble as it was accessible if they were standing, flying or lying together. “It sounds like a wonderful idea.” She laughed and arched her head to one side. “I thought so at the time. Now, where do we have to be?” He stopped his sweet caresses and sighed. “We have to head to the third planet in the system. Caros. It has an intelligent population and is fairly civilized.” She released her grip on the planet and started to drift back toward the house. He laughed and gripped her around the waist, flying her home and rubbing against her at the same time. They dropped to the ground at the front door and entered their home. Despite their ability to enter and leave from any room or balcony in the house, for the sake of energy and atmospheric conservation, they used the front door at all times. “You will want to wear the black gown. The red is a Caros declaration of war and the blue is the colour of mourning.” She laughed. “What about the white?” “It makes you look too pale.” He gave her his opinion as he stepped into a bodysuit and then 56

Astral fastened a one-armed cloak over his right shoulder. She laughed and picked out the black outfit, sliding it on over her newly improved skin. Dina had to admit that it was striking. The neck ribbon made her hair glow and caused her neck to look slender. She closed the gown and then put on the half cloak, buckling it into place without looking. It was second nature at this point. She didn’t have anything else to wear when she wanted to run around the house and sitting naked on all her furniture just skeeved her out. Home was where Zakkar was now. She had her com unit and had been in contact with an astonished Refoal. Her change in physical appearance had been surprisingly easy for her to adapt to. Her features were the same. She could just see an entire universe on her body at any given time. When Zakkar was feeling exploratory, he followed the shooting stars under her skin to all number of locations. Arci didn’t explain why they were marked in this way, but it had some significance to the star. All that Dina knew was that the star was enjoying having a matched set of avatars to play with. Once the armband was in place and her hair had been straightened with the wave of her hand, she 57

Viola Grace was ready to travel. Arci gave them their flight trajectory and standing on the front porch, they both bent their legs before pushing upward. They could not gain proper speed until they managed to exit the atmosphere, but once they were out in space, Zakkar propelled them to the planet Caros. Light surrounded them in a bright, glowing shield. Arci’s energy turned them into a shooting star that burned through the darkness of space with Caros as their destination. When Dina first saw the planet that they were heading for, purple was the thought that sprang to mind. The planet was a cacophony of black and purple, but the people were a pale gold with green highlights. As Zakkar and Dina dropped into the capitol city in a shower of light, the crowds cheered and Dina had to admit that the folk were much larger than they had appeared from space. An easy seven feet tall, the folk of Caros were friendly and welcoming to the new avatar. “Welcome to Caros, bride of Arci.” The prefect of the capitol bowed low. She was going to correct the prefect, but then she realized that it was true. “Bride of Arci and Zakkar. Courting me was a group effort.” Zakkar grinned as the prefect blinked in shock. The man smiled cautiously. “May we know 58

Astral your name, Avatar?” “Dina. Dina Markowitz of Terra. Second avatar of Arci.” She inclined her head. Etiquette forbade her from bowing to anyone in Arci’s system. “May I ask your name?” “Dorf, Prefect of Shakin, planet of Caros.” “I am pleased to meet you, Dorf.” He coloured and she winced as the gold tone of his skin turned a peculiar green. “Come, we have places of honour for you to watch the parade.” Dina raised her eyebrows at the word parade, but she took the hand that Zakkar held out to her and followed where he led her. The festival celebrates planting season. They have a parade and a festival to prepare themselves for the arduous work ahead and they invite my avatars in an effort to keep me interested in their world and sponsoring a good harvest. Dina could see how folk would be interested in staying on the good side of the local star. She took her place next to Zakkar and sat leaning forward somewhat to get a good view of the parade. Back on earth, she had loved parades, the fun, the street food and the excitement. This event was no different. If the parade was about to kick off the festivities, the folk around here were just as eager to see it as she was. The temptation to explore was incredible. She held Zakkar’s hand and leaned on his shoulder, 59

Viola Grace separating her astral form from her body and taking it behind the scenes. Dina, where are you going? I am just taking a little walk to see the people of this world. I will tell Zakkar. She laughed and watched the floats being assembled and hauled through the streets. A few people turned to look in her direction, but since she wasn’t set to be visible, they must have been reading her energy signature. Dina walked through the displays and built her anticipation before she returned to her body. “So, Dina, does it look entertaining?” She looked up at Zakkar’s amused features. “It does. It reminds me of home, sort of. More amphibians are represented though.” He laughed. “I am sure you will get used to it.” She smiled. “I hope so, or I will be spending long nights alone at home while you go out as the dignitary for Arci.” “I have faith in your ability to adapt.” She was going to give him a sharp retort, but the blast of a horn and the ringing of bells got their attention. The crowd in front of them parted as the parade began and the first of the schoolchildren came by 60

Astral playing instruments and marching proudly past the box where Dina and Zakkar sat with the prefect and his wife. As they sat, hand in hand, she smiled at the children and waved to them as they waved to her. She did the same for anyone on the floats that were being driven or pulled past them. Grains and fruit were heavily represented, as were schools and dance studios. Dina laughed, clapped and cheered right along with the crowd. The moment that the last float was past, the prefect got to his feet and smiled. “Now we celebrate, for tomorrow, we plough.”

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Chapter Nine atching the people of Caros engage in drinking contests was fun, but judging the trivia contests afterward was hilarious. Zakkar had too much dignity, but Dina had no such restrictions. She flew to the podium in the town square and read the questions for the drunken trivia contest. By the time she was finished, she was laughing so hard that Zakkar had to retrieve her to save her from joining the slap fight that had started when she had asked a mixed group of men and women who the best-looking avatar was. “That was a sneaky question.” He caught her in his arms and flew her away from the mixed-gender melee. “It was on the card, I swear. Besides, we both know that you are much prettier than I am.” He snorted and they returned to the prefect’s table. There were a lot less shenanigans here and it made for easier conversation.

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Astral After an hour of discussing the details of tilling the soil on a semi-annual basis, Dina got up and wandered off. The people of Caros were friendly and most of the adults out for the evening were completely plastered. Dina walked through the people who were under the care of her star and enjoyed the smiles and gentle comments she was getting. Her first appearance as an avatar seemed to be a complete success. She was confident of her triumph right until she rounded a corner and the gas bomb exploded at her feet. **** Zakkar sat up straight as something went wrong. Arci’s voice in his head was clear. Dina has been taken from my sight. She is alive but not awake. Zakkar turned to Dorf. “Was there anyone who objected to the avatars’ presence here?” Dorf paled. “A few folk considered it superstitious to invite you.” “Who are they?” “A small group. I am sure they won’t do anything.” He closed his eyes and searched for his mate. “They already have.” With his senses extended, he swept for Dina, but with so many people in so small an area, it was 63

Viola Grace going to take him a while to pinpoint her. He hoped that she had that much time. **** Dina had a hangover and she was imbedded in some sort of gel. There were men looking in on her and she had one thought, they were wrecking her gown. She struggled in the gel, but it held her fast and all attempts to use Arci’s energy caused a nasty fizzle in her system. Since breathing was not necessary, she simply sent herself out of her body and went looking for Zakkar. He would be able to get her out of this mess. He was worried and his energy was wreathing around him in a hostile halo. Dorf was barking commands to someone nearby while Zakkar concentrated. She stood in front of him. “Arci, I am here. I am just a little powerless at the moment.” Red poured into Zakkar’s eyes and she was staring at the gaze of her star in no time. “Where are you, Dina?” “Underground and in a thick gel.” “Can you lead me there?” “Come on.” She tried to take his hand out of 64

Astral reflex, but she passed through him, only a hint of the tingle she normally felt ran into her. She followed her connection to her body, chatting and whistling on the psychic plane so that she could keep Arci following her. It was a strange thing and a few people walked right through her in their rush to get out of Arci’s way. Apparently, glowing red eyes were not considered a good thing on this world. She glanced back at him a few times and the blank determination on his features was enough to keep leading him to the place where she was being held. When the door was locked to their entry, he blasted it into cinders before passing through. Four young men sat around a table and one became physically sick when he saw Arci. “Avatar, it was not my idea. I only mixed the knockout gas. That is all.” The man grovelled and one of his companions struck him with a fist. “You can play with these boys, or you can come and get me. It is your choice.” Dina tried to get Arci to focus on the task at hand. He asked the young men, “Why did you take her?” The leader stood up and jerked his chin in the air. “You tax us to death and you want to know why we took her?” Arci tilted his head. “I do not tax those in my star system. I never have. I am a star, I need 65

Viola Grace nothing.” The boys looked confused. “The prefect says that you are demanding tithes that cripple the population. We have starvation and you merely give us the weather to provide you with more.” “Bring my bride to me, or I will incinerate you where you stand and we will never get to the bottom of this.” The reverberation of his voice was intense. Two of the lads scrambled into a hatch in the floor and Dina rejoined her body, because she really wanted to know what was going to happen next. The moment that hands lifted her out of the goo, she breathed in and said, “Put me down and get above. I am not going to be seen like this.” The young men stared at her as she began to glow and then scrambled up the ladder that led out of the hatch. She flashed her power over and over until the goo was gone from her body and her clothing. Dry and relatively happy with her appearance, she smiled at the touch of Arci’s mind. Are you going to join us? “On my way.” She levitated up and out of the cellar, moving directly to Zakkar and enjoying his embrace. Dina breathed deeply before she remembered 66

Astral that she didn’t need to breathe. The feel of Zakkar was enough. “I am sorry that I breathed in that gas. I forgot I don’t need to breathe anymore.” He ran his hands through her hair and kissed her deeply, unconcerned with the would-be terrorists in the room with them. “I was worried. You are not quite complete yet and they were able to play on your vulnerability.” The men blinked at them and she leaned against her mate. “So, your prefect is bleeding the people dry and blaming Arci? That is not very nice.” The leader paled. “How do you know that?” “I was here. Don’t think that because you have my body, you also have my mind.” She released Zakkar and scowled at her kidnappers. “That was really low by the way. Why didn’t you just talk to me?” The leader looked harassed. “We were assured that you would not be cooperative.” Laughter was not polite, but she couldn’t resist. “Who told you that? I have been talking to everyone and I have to say that your people can really hold their liquor.” The leader looked horribly embarrassed. “The prefect warned everyone that you were delighted with your elevated status and would have no interest in our plight, that you were in search of the profit to be made from our people.” She laughed. “I have a very nice nest egg from 67

Viola Grace my service to the Alliance. I have enough money to live on for the rest of a normal Terran lifespan. As an avatar, I don’t need money, I don’t even need atmosphere and if I had remembered that your gas wouldn’t have worked…” Zakkar was behind her, Arci at the forefront and both were unhappy with what had happened to her. “I am a mediator by trade, so tell me what your grievances are and what the prefect has said about the avatar and we will get this sorted. Do you have any access to election laws of your people? I need some light reading.” She could feel amusement coming from her mate and her star. To the astonishment of the young men, they took seats at the table and as the tale unfolded, they came up with a plan to find the accounts that the prefect was withholding. The golden-green goof was not going to know what mediated him.

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Chapter Ten he people of the city were gathered in the square. Many were the worse for wear, but they all appeared when the prefect called an emergency meeting. “People of Shakin, the avatar of Arci has left us after his bride was kidnapped last night. As a penalty, he is claiming ninety-five percent of all harvests this season. We will engage in this penance, because it is the right thing to do for the star who gave us a home.” Dorf made his announcement to the hung-over population. From above, Dina and Zakkar descended, landing in front of the prefect, much to his shock. Dina said sweetly. “It is so thoughtful of you to try and give me recompense for the assault and confinement.” Her voice echoed through the square, no audio system was required, Arci was at work. Dorf was sweating. “Avatars, I thought you had left.” Zakkar grinned. “We know. We also know that

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Viola Grace you have been collecting taxes on our behalf, but funnily enough, we have never demanded taxes or tithes.” A wave of shock went through the crowd. Dina asked the terrified man, “So, how long has this been going on?” “Centuries, Arci. Over four hundred years.” Dorf looked like he would faint, so Dina grabbed him by his shirt and hung on so that he didn’t topple over. Zakkar’s eyes closed and Arci showed Dina his thoughts. Five hundred years ago, the final generation of Valoi were born. Zakkar had spent every moment he could with his people, but it was no use. They simply lived for thought and died at the age of one hundred fifty. Zakkar had been home for the death of every one of the last generation, an obligation that he had taken on with Arci’s cooperation. Zakkar had been grieving and the leaders of Caros had taken advantage of the absent avatar. “It seems to me that as compensation, the accumulated accounts should be distributed evenly across the entire population, all of the participating prefects will have all assets seized and they will be banished from all civilized societies.” Dorf spluttered. “You can’t do that. I have a wife and family.” 70

Astral Dina lifted him easily, holding him high and levitating so that the gathered folk could see him. She turned him so that he faced those staring at them. “They have families, Dorf. They needed every bit of earnings that they could manage and you and your ilk took it from them, promising them Arci’s retribution if they did not hand over everything. That is obscene, Dorf. Rest assured that there will be a full audit and from this moment on, no transfer of funds or data will leave Caros.” With him dangling twenty feet above the podium, he was choking and babbling. “I could kill you right now, you know. It wouldn’t even take a second. One moment you would be here and the next you would be nothing but ash. Do you like that thought?” He shook his head violently. “Then why did you think it would be a motivator for your people to work? Fear leads to resentment and now that they know who is behind this mess, I think you will have quite a hard time in convincing them to do anything. “Now, as my gift to you, I am offering you the chance to do good in this life. Leave the city, take your family, or leave them to live without you. It is up to them to choose their path.” Dorf passed out. Apparently, a fear of heights trumped a fear of being immolated. Sighing, Dina landed next to the podium and 71

Viola Grace she dropped Dorf to the stage. Zakkar held out his arm and she went to him. “Did you manage to contact the Sector Guard?” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I did. They are dispatching Frost and Finder to do the audit as well as a few others to round up all the prefects. It seems that we will have to hold an election.” She laughed. “We will give them whatever they need. They have been abused in Arci’s name for too long.” He agreed and together, they fielded questions from the rapidly sobering Carosians. It took hours to answer everything and there were three attempts to drag Dorf off and beat him to death, but in the end, everyone looked forward to earning off the fruits of their labours and a new planting season began. Finder was a charming woman and a Terran to boot. Dina had a lovely time just listening to the peculiar turn of phrase that was native to her people before she stepped forward for introductions. “Hello, Finder. I am Dina, second avatar of Arci.” Finder smiled and extended her hand. “Pleased to meet you.” Zakkar and Frost were deep in conversation, so Dina steered Finder toward the workstation that they had organized for her at city hall. 72

Astral Finder asked the question before Dina had the urge to explain. “How long have you been an avatar?” “About a month and a half, but it beats waiting for the Alliance to choose a man for me.” Finder stared at her, shock in her features. “You’re from Earth!” “I am. Or was. I am not sure what the term is.” She looked down at her white skin with onyx sparkles and shrugged. Finder touched her arm. “It’s hard but really warm. Did it hurt?” Dina chuckled. “Not really. I went for a nap and when I woke up, the power was firmly seated. The rest happened within a week or so.” Finder sighed. “Things have a tendency to do that kind of thing out here. They either go full speed or they crawl along. There never seems to be anything in between.” Dina looked across the room to their men. “So, you got one of the dragons?” Finder grinned. “I did.” “How is he?” “He’s great. Charming, protective, but he lets me do my own thing and waits for me to ask for backup. How is the star?” “It is a peculiar situation. We have two bodies in our relationship but three minds. It gets a little weird sometimes.” Dina ran a hand through her 73

Viola Grace hair. Finder snickered. “Well, enough of the pleasantries. What do you need me to do?” Dina sat down and outlined the situation—the prefects, the tithes and the impoverished populace. “We need to find as much of that money as we can to get it back here and to the people it was taken from.” Finder began to work at the terminal. “City-wide or global?” “Global. I am thinking that they transferred some of it off world to keep it hidden.” “Good thought. Okay, let me do my thing. I will have Frost find you when I have something.” Dina let the pro do her job and paused next to Zakkar. “I am going out to help the farmers in the fields. Finder has the audit in hand.” He nodded and she levitated to leave the hall via the window. The farmers were a little appalled at her presence until she started hauling some of the old manual ploughs through the dirt. Her changed body didn’t sweat, her food was burned rather than digested and she never really got hungry anyway. Hauling the ploughs merely took time and she was able to reach areas that the wide blades of the machines could not. When a break for lunch was called, she sat with 74

Astral the ladies and a child crawled up to sit on her lap. The mother rushed forward to pull the child away, but Dina sat and crooned a lullaby to the child until she passed out in her arms. “I came from a fairly large family. No baby can resist my voice.” She smiled and forked up some of the salad that the ladies had served to her. “Will you and the avatar have children?” The questioner was a teen, but it was still a good question. “I have no idea. The star has changed the way my body works, so I am not sure that I can have children. From stories I have heard, an ex-stellar avatar has had a child, but she didn’t have the radiation of the star running through her constantly anymore.” She chuckled. “We have a lot of time to work it out no matter what happens.” The women sighed at the romantic notion and some sent angry glances toward the men’s table. Dina had to ask. “Why do you sit separately from the men? I thought this was an equal society.” Lorrar, the headwoman at this farm, smiled. “In case you hadn’t noticed, my dear avatar, they smell.” She giggled quietly so as not to wake the toddler in her lap, but it was incredibly funny. “I hadn’t noticed. I only breathe to speak now and my nasal cavity isn’t rigged for detailed discrimination.” 75

Viola Grace Lorrar seemed appalled. “How do you taste anything?” Dina bit her lip and confessed. “I don’t. I just eat because people keep shoving food at me. I don’t need it. It is a conditioned behaviour.” Questions started flying at her, some about her skin, some about her eyes and far too many about her sex life. She propped her chin on her hand while keeping the little one safe and secure. “We don’t have one away from home.” Lorrar was shocked. “What?” The baby fussed and Dina handed it back to her mother. “We don’t have sex on inhabited worlds. There is a lot of radiation generated and we don’t want to hurt anyone.” Before she could expound on it, a dragon flew overhead. “Please excuse me, ladies. I have to go hunting for a few missing items.” “Come back whenever you like, Avatar Dina. You will always have a place at my table whether you eat or not.” Lorrar lunged forward and hugged her before backing up. “We appreciate what you are trying to do.” Dina felt like crying happy tears as she flew away from the settlement, but all she got was a lump in her throat. A flash of internal energy and her salad was gone. Despite losing her lunch, she felt better than she had in a very long time. 76

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Chapter Eleven have it. I have retrieved the last five years’ worth of taxed profits that were not needed to run the cities or towns. Everyone is going to get quite the refund this year.” Finder sat back with her hands behind her head and her feet up on the desk. Dina laughed. “Excellent. Now, we just have to figure out how to disburse it.” “Everyone here from children to seniors is registered and has a credit account. Even the babies will get their share.” There was a look in Finder’s eyes that told Dina the final issue was ready to go, if not in process already. “When did you send it?” “It should hit their accounts by dawn.” Finder was unapologetic. “Good. Zakkar has been working with the election organization, so we should be able to go home soon.” Dina realized at that moment that she really enjoyed the quiet and private time she had

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Viola Grace shared with Zakkar and Arci. She wanted it back again. “Frost said that you live on the first world next to the sun?” “We do. Dakri. Arci likes to have us as close as possible. One big family, of sorts.” She shrugged. “Isn’t it kind of barren?” “Plenty of space to fly and learn how to use everything that has been installed.” She sighed and they waited for Frost and Zakkar to rejoin them, talking about the places that they had been on earth and the Terrans that they had met in the Alliance. She felt Zakkar before she saw him and when both men flew into the window, she rose up to hug her mate. “When can we go home?” “Soon. The election will start in three days. The population has been given a series of relay boxes that will allow them to send messages to our com unit at home. I have promised that we will come as quickly as we can.” He slowly lowered them to the floor. “The financials are taken care of?” “Everything that was still liquidated was retrieved, transferred and distributed throughout the population an hour ago.” He nodded. “Good. That is one thing off our list. Once we get new prefects in place, we can go home.” 78

Astral She leaned against his chest. “I look forward to it.” The flight home five days later was a relief. Dina zigzagged, flew loops and propelled herself in a straight line, the moment they left the jump ship. By the time they reached their world, she was giddy with relief. Zakkar kept hold of her hand while they dropped into their front yard. They entered their home and the moment that the door closed, he pressed her up against the wall, pressing frantic kisses down her neck and across her chin. She unbuckled her cloak and reached behind her to unfasten her gown. Dina wrapped her arms around Zakkar’s neck and as she unbuckled his own cloak, her dress slithered off her body to pool on the floor. He groaned and rubbed against her, easing his hands between them to open his suit and he jerked it to his hips with hurried movements. As his cock sprang free, she wrapped her legs around his waist, letting the undulating head of his shaft work its way into her with short, deliberate movements. Zakkar gripped her hips and heat blazed from his palms. He moved one hand between them and pressed the crackling energy to her clit, sending spears of sensation through her and bringing her panting to high-pitched whining. 79

Viola Grace His harsh groans mingled with her desperate pleas and finally they were together, their bodies crackling with power as they surged and he stroked her channel from every angle. While they started up against the wall, they ended up hovering several feet away from any structure. Dina was happy to use her personal trick and there was no more laudable goal than using it to bring her and her mate to pleasure without risk of banging into the furniture. Each thrust rocked inside her, sent zings of pleasure to her limbs and she came with his finger still pulsing energy through her clit. He followed her with a harsh cry and she knew that he had been holding back for her sake. Her body shook with each latent tremor and she was completely absorbed with the signals her body was sending out. Sated yet energised, she waited for Zakkar to raise his head from her shoulder. The moment he looked into her eyes, she lowered them to the floor, but she still had her legs around his waist, so he took her weight. “I really missed that.” She nuzzled at the column of his neck. “Next time we leave Dakri, we will take a night and create a shooting star just for us.” He walked with her to the bedroom and he dropped back onto the bedding, still inside her. She draped herself over him and stroked every 80

Astral inch of the skin that she had missed. Sparks flared between them again and he stopped her as she started to rock on him. “Let me get my suit off this time.” She smiled and dismounted, wearing nothing but her neck ribbon and the band on her arm. Idly, as he tried to untangle the fabric around his thighs, she asked, “What are these bands for?” “The neck band is decoration, the arm band means you are mated.” “Did your people take it off often?” She smiled as he returned to her, reciprocating the caresses she had given him earlier. “On a Valoi couple, they would be tattooed in mineral inks. That isn’t possible with us, but Arci is working on the possibility of marking us beyond what he has already done.” As he rocked into her, she contemplated the markings she had already received. She had status as an avatar, a body that didn’t hunger or thirst and enough power to light up the sky of any world nearby. Add the skin that was a negative of Zakkar’s and she had more changes to her form than she could shake a stick at. When they started to burn together, two halves of the same star, she knew that no matter what happened in the future, this was her one true home and being with Zakkar and Arci made all the lights in the distance far more friendly. 81

Viola Grace Millions of stars and thousands of them sentient meant that no matter what happened, their odd little trio would never be alone.

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Author’s Note Welcome to the avatar set. Each book in this set of Terran Times Tales begins with an A and contains a living planet or star. Every mythology in the world has either a goddess or god to represent the planet or one to represent the sky. I think this is the neatest idea in existence. Wouldn’t life be easier if Mother Earth could really tell us what she thought about us? Or perhaps, she would not be pleased at all. Either way, I am bringing you fluffy little tales that explore a what-if scenario on worlds that exist only in my imagination. Oh, and for those who are interested, Fish will appear whenever Zakkar and Dina do in the future. Viola Grace [email protected] http://www.violagrace.com http://www.extasybooks.com http://www.devinedestinies.com

About the Author Viola Grace was born in Manitoba, Canada where she still resides today. She really likes it there. She has no pets and can barely keep sea monkeys alive for a reasonable amount of time. Her line of day job tends to be analytical which leaves her mind hopping to weave stories. No co-worker is safe from her character analysis. In keeping with busy hands are happy hands, her hobbies have included cross-stitch, needlepoint, quilting, costuming, cake decorating, baking, cooking, metal work, beading, sculpting, painting, doll making, henna tattoos, chain mail, and a few others that have been forgotten. It is quite often that these hobbies make their way into her tales. Viola’s fetishes include boots and corsetry, and her greatest weakness is her uncontrollable blush. Her writing actively pursues the Happily Ever After that so rarely occurs in nature. It is an admirable thing and something that we should all strive for. To find one that we truly like, as well as love.