Amid the Stars by Tricia McGill

Author:Tricia McGill
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: futuristic romance, fantasy novel set on a far planet, passion and intrigue on a far planet, sensuous romance set on another world
Publisher: Books We Love Ltd.

Chapter Ten

Melanie gasped as she looked about his parents’ home. “This is splendid.” She bent close to whisper near his ear. “Outside, your buildings might be plain and stark, but inside you certainly go in for extravagant landscaping and decorating.”

Instead of the tiered flower boxes in Reve’s place, this great hall had an aviary going from the floor to the ceiling. Exotic and unusual birds of many shapes and sizes flew about or rested on brightly colored plants. Some were dainty and more like large butterflies. Some reminded her of peacocks, with iridescent plumes. The whole scene was a treat for the eyes.

“You are pleased with the bird house.”

“Oh yes, it’s wonderful.” She moved nearer to inspect the creatures. Up close their feathers were more like soft pelts—colors changing as they moved, deepening or lightening as they caught the shafts of light coming in from the roof. “We call this an aviary.”

“We have no land animals on Qindaga, Mel-aanie, except the birds, as you have probably realized. The capir are ugly and are bred for food only, but my parents have a pair of all the breeds of flying creatures here.” His waved hand encompassed the aviary. “My father likes to experiment with breeding new strains. I will take you beneath the water soon and then you will get to see our many types of magnificent sea creatures too.”

“They’re beautiful,” she agreed. “Even our most exotic birds on Earth don’t match up to these for color.”

Melanie went to press her hand on the mesh, and he ordered, “Do not put your finger near the cage. They could carry a virus that might prove fatal to you. It is best not to take chances. Most are harmless, but we have one or two in there not fully studied yet.” He turned away, but enfolded her hand in his, warm and strong around hers, which felt small cradled there.

A silver-haired woman emerged from beneath an archway at the rear of the hall. “Ah, here you are, mother,” he said, as he let go of Melanie’s hand and went to touch palms with her. “Mel-aanie, this is Althea. We will speak in Mel-aanie’s tongue.” He nodded at his mother. “Althea, Mel-aanie, as you know, came back from Earth in Irena’s intergalactic craft.”

Melanie had begun to smile at the woman, but her smile faltered and her breath stuck somewhere half way up her throat. With her hand over her mouth, she gasped, staring in disbelief.

“What is it, Mel-aanie? Ah, perhaps I should have explained earlier.” Reve curved his fingers around her arm and led her to a couch. Just in time, for she had been ready to collapse. “Althea, fetch Gawayn.” He gently pushed Melanie onto it. “We will get this over and done with.”

Melanie knew her face had paled. She could almost feel the color draining from her cheeks to her throat. Goosebumps rose on suddenly chill skin. “Sh…she’s.” She cleared her throat and tried again. “I don’t believe this. My God! What’s going on here?”

She was spluttering like a fool.

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