A genius immortal with an eidetic memory tries to be perfect, but for Pietas, things don’t go as planned. Especially since his best friend is a human who doesn’t take anything seriously.
Mix in a telepathic lover from whom he can hide no secrets, a ginormous sentient panther who wants to be his “kitty” and you have the makings of a lot of humor. If only life were that simple.
Half a million of his people are in cryosleep, awaiting release, and Pietas must find a way to save them. In a play for power, his brutal and merciless father tries to destroy everything.
Immortals may heal, but a wound of the heart lasts forever…
In this scene, Pietas has been playing with the panther, a huge animal he calls Tiklaus. The name means “Loyal Warrior.”
The panther batted at him, knocked Pietas onto his back and then flipped itself down beside him. Tiklaus wrapped its front legs around his arm and gnawed at it in gentle play while the hind feet kicked him without injury. Claws flashed, but did no harm.
Pietas blew out a breath. Now I know how a chew toy feels.
When the panther draped itself over his chest, Pietas struggled to slide out from under but could not get up. The animal weighed less than he did, but with no visible effort, it kept Pietas from rising.
“I concede, my friend. You win.”
The panther ignored him.
“Tiklaus, off.”
Nothing.
“Off, please.”
The panther yawned, opening a huge maw. Fangs flashed.
Pietas tried a signal that worked with sparring partners and asked for release by double-tapping the panther’s side.
The cat stood at once and stepped over him. It shook from nose to tail, then sat and groomed itself.
Pietas stood and brushed himself off. Standing beside Tiklaus, who reached him mid-thigh, he took pride in knowing this sweet, playful cat was also the snarling ball of animal rage that had nailed his father to the ground.
Pietas ensured no one was on the path in either direction before he knelt and scratched the cat’s ears. “Who’s a good kitty?”
The animal sneaked in a lick of his hand and face and flopped down on its back.
“My Tiklaus, that’s who. Tiklaus is a good kitty.” He rubbed the smooth belly. “Yes, you are! Such a good, big kitty. You’re my kitty, aren’t you? Good, good kitty.”
The panther accepted the attention, one paw twitching. After a moment, it stood and shook itself. A purring sound rumbled from its chest. It sat, licked one paw and added a lick of Pietas’s face as well.
He chuckled. “Thank you for the bath.” He hugged the panther’s neck. “You have as soft a heart as I do but you don’t show it either. Pact, my friend. I won’t tell if you won’t.” He kissed Tiklaus on the nose.
The panther bumped its head against Pietas, then bounded to a tree and up it.
Out Dec 29th, exclusively on Amazon. Bringer of Chaos: Forged in Fire is also available in print. Free on Kindle Unlimited
http://amzn.to/2ABIcCI
Genre: science fiction, space opera, military science fiction
Heat level: PG13
Review this book on NetGalley https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/127569
Bringer of Chaos: Forged in Fire
Marooned on a barren world with no food and few survival tools, Pietas knows it could be worse. He could be alone. But that’s the problem. He’s not.
Half a million of his people sleep in cryostasis, trapped in their pods and it’s up to Pietas to save them. But before he can, he must take back command from a ruthless enemy he’s fought for centuries. His brutal, merciless father.
Immortals may heal, but a wound of the heart lasts forever…
Giveaway
Here is a free adult coloring book to download and print, based on Pietas. Like dragons? You’ll enjoy this! http://bit.ly/color-pietas
Kayelle Allen writes Sci Fi with misbehaving robots, mythic heroes, role playing immortal gamers, and warriors who purr. She’s a US Navy veteran who’s been married so long she’s tenured.
https://kayelleallen.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/kayelleallen
Facebook https://facebook.com/kayelleallen.author
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