Kumasagi, Part 1 by Leslee Sheu

Author:Leslee Sheu
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: epic fantasy, fantasy series, mysticism, romantic fantasy, fantasy world, fantasy saga, scifi fantasy, low magic, aquatic race, fade to black romance
Publisher: Leslee Sheu

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Shakti Lake was truly a last resort for Jayan. Six times in the past year he had met with the Amalas of the three destin lakes in Patal Valley—dubbed the “lower lakes” by those who lived on the plateau above. The valley Amalas treated him graciously, and their nurseries overflowed with new destins to choose from. But none of the women carried the spark that Jayan had always imagined would connect him with his destined mate.

In his youth, Jayan had often listened to the story of his own parents—from various adults of the time, or sometimes even his father. Delan Gampoban had achieved senior status as a Shakti Lake diver before he turned twenty. But then he came down with some kind of affliction, best described as a terrible pain in his chest—or the more sentimental adults would say, “his heart”—which nearly drove him mad. No doctor could help him. He abandoned his position at Shakti Lake and left the plateau altogether in search of someone who would offer him relief. His journey—often embellished in the telling by the more garrulous adults—brought him to Sindhupat Island in the Southern Sea. The people there welcomed him and led him to a cave, where a lone destin had just been born. Delan’s heart almost burst at the sight of her, but it was from joy and recognition, instead of pain.

The adults explained to Jayan that a man could sometimes sense a connection to his destined mate, even before she was born. Jayan never forgot the story. Unfortunately, he could not have the same experience with an island-born destin himself. Delan’s mate Jeniya, who amazingly bore two sons—Jayan and Najat—before she died, had been born from a destin pool that now lay dormant. Not a single pod had grown in that seaside cove, or anywhere else on Sindhupat Island, for more than fifteen years.

The Great Lake of Ayunath also lay dormant. Gahvari and Kandargiri were both productive, but too far away. That left the lower lakes of Patal Valley and Shakti Lake itself as Jayan’s only immediate options.

He had hoped to avoid Shakti Lake Nursery. But Jayan finally gave in to the well-meaning pressure of his colleagues at Patal University. They suggested a harmless meeting with representatives from the temple.

Cayman Natarajan himself arrived at Jayan’s apartment doorstep on the appointed date, alone, carrying a most gracious smile on his face and a large, flat folder under one arm.

Jayan led the bursar to his sunroom, where wide glass windows offered a lovely view of the eastern valley below the university. The bursar folded his legs onto a cushion across the table from Jayan and set the folder aside. Jayan handed him a cup of strong tea.

“Our extensive catalogue of ready-to-wed destins will surely contain something to your taste,” Cayman began.

Jayan wondered if the bursar colored the truth at bit here. Jayan knew that most of Shakti Lake Temple’s fresh destins had been sold off several tendays before.

“However,” Cayman continued, “I would like to tell you about one destin in particular.

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