Blurb:
Their secrets threatened their survival
The Human Plant Collective sent young Ambassador Kaj Deder to the former colony planet Ostakis to establish relations. Without trade with the HPC, the dwindling resources of Ostakis will ultimately end human life on the planet. But his mission faces a huge obstacle in the form of Most Reverend Thyenn Sharr, the head of the Faith Progressive Church, who sees Kaj's arrival as the beginning of the end of the Church. Kaj's powerful attraction to Trademaster Klath's son, Arlan does not smooth relations.
Arlan Klath, the son of the Trademaster of Ostakis, bears in his body the secret that the pious people of his planet want to hide. Born Cursed and inherently sinful, Arlan lives without legal rights or property. It enrages Thyenn Sharr that Arlan's father defiantly refuses to submit his son to a cruel act to "redeem" Arlan's soul. The stakes ratchet when Arlan and Kaj form a relationship Thyenn Sharr considers ample justification to usurp the Trademaster position through the legal power of his Church.
Can Kaj navigate the treacherous currents of Ostakian politics and religion to save these human descendants of Earth? And must he chose between Arlan or his mission to do so?
Excerpt:
House Klath was a large dwelling
filled with winding wood-paneled hallways and many rooms. In a way, it was
distinctly not human. Humans loved order, straight lines, and large, empty
spaces so we could see our enemies coming. This was not a place of enemies, but
family, tumbling upon each other in familial closeness. If left to my own
devices, I would lose my way.
We arrived in a section of the house
where the lines straightened.
“These are the main offices of my
business,” said Klath. “Of course, I do have offices in each of the major
cities of Ostakis. But this is the heart of my business. Arlan,” he boomed,
loud enough to rattle pictures on the wall nearest us.
“My son,” he continued with evident
pride, “is my head accountant. I could not keep my business in order without
his assistance. Last year, he found a huge discrepancy in the sums transferred
in a business deal with a trader from Kiji Amst. Very disagreeable people. The
trader claimed we misunderstood the currency exchange rate, but Arlan proved
him wrong. And in court too.” He spoke the last words with immeasurable pride.
“Arlan,” he called again, and this
time a young man stumbled from a doorway and pitched forward into his father’s
arms, murmuring apologies. Despite his nut-brown skin, a blush spread across
his cheeks and throat, causing my breath to hitch. Even for an Ostakian, he was
small and slim, though not skinny. The muscles of his arms bunched under his
tight tunic. His fey Ostakian eyes caught the faint light in the hallway,
reflecting shards of glittering gold as his face turned up to meet my gaze.
Aulkus righted the young man easily.
Arlan’s gleaming dark hair was twisted into a tight bun. My mind strayed most
inappropriately to pulling it apart and watching his hair tumble to his
shoulders.
I have a weakness for men with long
hair. Women too. But on men, it is so much more unexpected.
Buy links
NineStar Press: https://ninestarpress.com/product/ostakis/
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/view/922201
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