by Linda Mooney
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Whiskey Creek Press
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
Copyright ©2008 by WHISKEY CREEK PRESS
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NOTICE: This work is copyrighted. It is licensed only for use by the original purchaser. Making copies of this work or distributing it to any unauthorized person by any means, including without limit email, floppy disk, file transfer, paper print out, or any other method constitutes a violation of International copyright law and subjects the violator to severe fines or imprisonment.
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CONTENTS
Published by
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Subterfuge 1
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Subterfuge 2
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Subterfuge 3
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Subterfuge 4
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Subterfuge 5
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Subterfuge 6
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Subterfuge 7
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
About the Author
For your reading pleasure, we invite you to visit our web bookstore
HEARTFAST
by
Linda Mooney
WHISKEY CREEK PRESS
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
Published by
WHISKEY CREEK PRESS
Whiskey Creek Press
PO Box 51052
Casper, WY 82605-1052
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
Copyright © 2008 by Linda Mooney
Warning: 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 (five) years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
ISBN 978-1-60313-293-0
Credits
Cover Artist: Nancy Donahue
Editor: Sydney Charles
Printed in the United States of America
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WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT
HEARTFAST
“OUTSTANDING READ!
“HeartFast was not just a satisfying romance, it was also a mind-teasing mystery and science fiction read as well. Visual imagery was well written, and the mystery surrounding the unsanctioned handfast skillfully told. While I can usually figure out what’s coming, this story kept me guessing to the end.
“Emotionally conveyed, StarLight and Master Hunter’s story was equally touching, painful and poignant to read. I look forward to further stories in this new series.”
Christine
Simply Romance Reviews
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Other Books by Author Available at Whiskey Creek Press:
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
Runner’s Moon: Jebaral
Runner’s Moon: Tiron
Runner’s Moon: Simolif
Sandeflay
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Dedication
With thanks to all my co-workers, friends, and fandom fellows.
Bless you all.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter 1
Announcement
Three seats were still empty.
Master Hunter watched in silent amusement as Deceiver glanced around the meeting room. It was obvious the Guardian leader was irritable, which he had every right to be.
One empty seat in particular drew his attention, and he forced himself to tear his eyes away from the gleaming padded chair to check the clock. Eighteen minutes. They were cutting it too damn close. No wonder Deceiver looked fit to be tied.
The man uttered an obscenity and slammed his fist on the communications toggle in the panel before him. The suddenness startled everyone already gathered in the room.
“Dammit, Disaster! Where are you?”
“Don’t get your tights all in a twist.” A sultry feminine voice laughed in response. “We’re less than seven minutes away.”
Hunter’s eyebrows went up in surprise, but he managed to keep his smile hidden behind one hand. This was Deceiver’s battle, not his.
“StarLight? What are you doing piloting? I didn’t assign you to pilot that mission! Will someone please tell me she’s not piloting?”
A second voice replied. Even through the slightly fuzzy transmission Hunter could hear the man was mortified. “Uhh, sorry, Deceiver. Star’s piloting.”
“Dammit!”
A soft, warm laugh reverberated over the speakers just as the Guardian leader closed the comm.
Deceiver’s rise in anger was too much. Hunter chuckled in spite of himself. The flushed face of his superior immediately turned to confront him. “I fail to see what’s so funny about the situation,” he almost barked. “If StarLight’s at the helm, you know as well as I do that she’s going to put some kind of damage on the ship. And that’s another headache we don’t need at this time.”
In a way, the man was probably right. StarLight’s piloting skills were not among the best, even if her reflexes were acute. And a damaged spacecraft was the last thing they needed at the moment.
Hunter let his eyes rove over to the vidscreen. He and Deceiver were good friends as well as fellow workers. Deceiver would sometimes open up to him, knowing Hunter would keep what he heard in confidence. The man had admitted to him not too long ago that their coffers were becoming dangerously low, and they would continue to be that way until the Hall of Magistrates met at the end of the year to renew their yearly allotment. In the meantime, they had to count every bean and stretch every credit as far as they could. Unless some grateful client or wealthy patron decided to bless them with a monetary thank you for a job well done before then.
Sighing, he stretched his legs underneath the big oval table. Star shouldn’t be piloting, plain and simple. Yes, Deceiver would forgive her for a few dents and dings, but not if she managed to put a sorely-needed transportation ship out of commission for any extended length of time. Worse still, StarLight was not known for her promptness. The woman couldn’t even make it to their morning meetings on time. Hell, Hunter grinned, she would probably be late for her own funeral.
This time, though, she had to get the rest of the crew here before the announcements were aired. Missing the broadcast, which was mandated by law, was unforgivable, even for a Guardian.
“Who did you order at the helm?” he asked Deceiver.
“Bruis
er.”
“Well, that explains everything.” Hunter spoke for them all. If there was a fan club for StarLight, Bruiser would be its president. The big man worshiped her.
“Just you wait, Hunter. One of these days you’ll be facing the burden of leadership, and you won’t be smiling during that interim, I guarantee.”
“I just find it hard to believe you never thought she’d try to put herself in the pilot’s chair and take Transport Two for a spin.” Hunter chuckled. “Besides, she said she’d be here in less than seven. The announcements won’t be for another…” he glanced at the chronometer above the huge screen on the opposite wall, “eighteen minutes. They’ll be back in plenty of time.”
“Speaking of having plenty of time, care to join the pot?” Time Merchant called from across the room. “Odds are good we might recognize someone on the roster.”
Hunter waved off the man’s offer. Deceiver shook his head. “As long as it’s not me,” the leader muttered.
Hunter agreed. “I second that. It’s rather a blessing that Guardians are exempt from the lottery.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” a voice piped up from down the table. Hunter had to sit up to spot Morning Fire. The petite woman was normally subdued and often quiet, rarely volunteering any information. But when she did speak out, her observations were almost always correct. To Hunter, as well as to the rest of the group, Fire was like a younger sibling, teased and often taken for granted. Until something occurred that reminded them how potent her laser-bright powers could be.
Corona swiveled around in her chair to stare at the redhead. “Why would you say that? Do you know something?”
Hunter saw the tiny woman press her lips together. So did everyone else.
“Oh, Fire, you know something!” Animator leaned across the table. “What? What have you heard?”
“Fire, are you keeping secrets?” Sender joined in. Hunter watched Sender throw a glance at her sister as the twins exchanged unspoken communication. Seeker could delve into another person’s thoughts, but wouldn’t without that person’s consent. However, Fire must have been giving off pronounced brainwaves because Seeker grinned and nodded her head. “Fire’s keeping secrets!” Sender announced jovially.
Morning Fire shrugged while a smile tickled her lips. Immediately the other Guardians gave her their undivided attention. Hunter found himself leaning over the table and straining to hear what she would say next. Fire couldn’t stay mum for long. Having a propensity for shyness, she didn’t like being in the spotlight.
“It’s nothing definite,” she murmured as her face turned as red as her flaming hair. “It’s just the word I’ve heard out on the street.”
“You’re stalling, Fire,” Corona crowed. “Give! What’s the word on the street?”
“That there might be a Guardian drawn in the HandFast lottery this month.”
Hunter was unaware of falling back into his seat as stunned silence blanketed the group gathered around the onyx table. Several pairs of eyes flickered from one of their number to the other. Hunter locked gazes with Deceiver. A Guardian HandFasted? Not only was it preposterous, it was impossible. Maybe Morning Fire had heard wrong.
No. Fire never said anything unless she was one hundred percent certain. The woman’s intuition was almost psychic.
It was Seeker who tried to put things into perspective. “Why is everyone acting so surprised? Aren’t all of us graded as Supreme?”
“Yeah, but considering the type of work we’re involved in…” Provoker fingered his small goatee, a habit he had whenever he was thinking. Turning to face their leader, he wondered aloud, “Think it’s possible, Deceiver? I mean, even though we deal with life and death circumstances on practically a daily basis, would the Committee allow our names to be placed in the lottery?”
Corona gave a snort of derision and leaned back in her seat. “Unless they placed that Guardian on inactive status, there wouldn’t be any sense in it. Besides, do you honestly believe the Committee would be so stupid as to lock one of us into a HandFast? I mean, think about it! The first two weeks alone you have to mate with your partner at least once a day. And then a minimum of three days per week for the remainder of the year until the woman conceives. Heavens, we’ve been on missions that would throw that little requirement law right out the porthole the first week alone!”
“Not to mention the danger factor,” Hunter commented. Already his mind was racing, wondering if the Guardian chosen would be a man or a woman. There was no doubt in his mind Fire’s prediction would come true. It was just a matter of trying to outguess the Committee’s decision. “We all know the lifespan of a Guardian isn’t exactly conducive to parenthood.”
He glanced up at Deceiver who had gotten back on his feet. The leader threw up a hand and attempted to quell their growing worry. “Well, whether or not there’s a grain of truth in the rumor, I say let’s not even consider such a possibility. I’ve been a Guardian for almost eighteen years, and there has never been one of us included in the HandFast lottery.”
A warning bell went off, signaling the return of the transport ship. Hunter glanced at the doors leading to the bay as they waited for some sound or notice that the woman piloting Transport Two had touched down with more enthusiasm and less finesse than was needed. He was as surprised as everyone when the last three members of their group came striding in a couple of minutes later, wearing big smiles and no contusions.
“Well, will wonders never cease,” Deceiver grumbled. “You’re late. You said seven minutes. You took nine.”
StarLight gave a flippant shrug of her shoulders. The movement made her long black hair gleam under the recessed lights. “Hey, I knew you’d be worried if I came in too fast. You’d also worry if I took too long. So I split the difference and pulled her back. Put your precious transport number two back into her chute with more care than you take when you bathe your tush, Deceiver.”
The remark made Hunter grin in amusement, which he was careful to keep concealed. StarLight really did care about Deceiver’s opinion of her. But why the young woman continued to parade such a devil-may-care attitude puzzled him.
Beside him the Guardian leader chose to ignore her last remark and turned on the vidscreen as he asked, “Any further problems with the Bedorsians?”
“They’re doing well,” Bruiser offered. “They saw our … reasoning.”
Hunter immediately narrowed his eyes at the giant taking his seat. Deceiver chose to make no comment. The lottery results would be announced soon, and the entire planet’s populace was required by law to listen to the names of the twenty couples being HandFasted that month. As soon as the announcements were over Deceiver would get a full report on their mission. It was standard procedure.
So why did StarLight give him a mock salute in reply?
Hunter chewed absentmindedly on the knuckles of one hand as he kept track of the lithe figure dressed in midnight black. StarLight was the only female member of the Guardians who chose to wear a full-length body suit as her uniform. And she filled it out to a perfection that was almost too painful to observe. But the ebony costume, with its ever-changing pattern of stars running over its surface, did its job well in camouflaging the woman against the darkness of space. As well as the thick flow of raven hair she wore loose down her back. He’d seen her just once in regular clothes, with her hair pulled back into a long tail thicker than his wrist. The woman was intimidating no matter what she wore.
What if she was the Guardian to be named in the lottery? Instantly his mind and his body rebelled. No. It wasn’t possible. Not StarLight.
With a cold, grim purse of his lips, Hunter beat down that thought with mental fists. Star was untouchable, despite her reputation. The men in her past he could overlook. They were before he met her, before he got to know her. Before he got to feel her shivering and cringing in his arms, against his chest, as she cried for the children they’d left to die on Follusia.
Those other men he could overlook.
He could even forgive her dalliance with Provoker. But the idea of knowing another man would have permission to touch her, even if she didn’t want him to…
Touch her. Caress her. Make love to her. Create a baby inside her.
He shook his head to clear it and concentrated on the screen overhead. When he had entered into Guardian training a little more than two years ago, along with Time Merchant, Star had joined a day earlier. The three of them had finished their training and first mission together. Since then, Hunter had lost count of how many times she had saved his butt in the heat of battle, and he hers. But that’s what Guardians did. They watched out for each other with even greater care than they did for the worlds they were sworn to protect.
Sixteen Guardians. Ten men and six women with extraordinary powers and abilities who were honor bound to give their lives to defend their little corner of the universe from whatever and whoever chose to threaten it.
Snorting softly, Hunter tried to ignore the woman sitting a few seats away as the screen flickered to life. Fortunately the announcements were always short and to the point. Afterwards Deceiver would call their meeting to order.
This is the Committee’s list of Handfasting participants for the month of Ordoris, in the year eighty-four sixteen. Announcing pair number one … Julath Cavadar and Piel Forsham. Pair number two…
On the other side of the table he could see Corona making a bet with Time Merchant and Bruiser as to whether any of the names called out today would include someone they knew or associated with outside of the Guardianship. In the past there had been one or two surprises, but so far no one Hunter could claim to know personally. In fact, there was a very little chance he would since he wasn’t originally from this world.
