Chapter 1

Veenalara Terkanlin Hestafala Thersin, priestess of the Dizyntk Nebula religious order, stirred in her lover’s arms. Physically, she was thirty-two human years old, approximately, but chronologically it was over two hundred Terran years since she was born. These figures must be approximate because of the difficulty of reconciling the Terran year with the Dizyntk cyanka. Veenalara, Alara to her friends, was petite, even by Dizyntk standards at four feet ten inches and resembled nothing so much as a bipedal cat with golden fur, but a mane of long, blonde hair. Her feline features included a long tail, pointed ears and large, sensitive eyes. Her lover, however, was human.

Humans had found the Dizyntk Imperium some eighty years previously. Since both races required similar environments, the initial contact had resulted in an inconclusive war. Since then, a significant minority of humans had become sufficiently disenchanted with the ruling ‘Protectorate’ and the restrictive State Religion, to try to separate from it. The Imperium had resisted the occasional incursion of their territory during the periodic clashes between their forces and the humans, during one of which a human pilot saved the life of a Dizyntk child who happened to be the granddaughter of Queen Kiasyphia, ruler of the Second Star Cluster. In due course, he was appointed Ambassador to human groups attempting to separate from the Protectorate. Having a human bonded – the Dizyntk equivalent of marriage – to the Crown Princess of the Second Star Cluster, the short version of a complex story, resulted eventually in a number of other human/Dizyntk relationships including Veenalara’s.

However, Veenalara is unusual even as a Dizyntk priestess. Perhaps one in a hundred priestesses have the potential to be trained to work mind to mind with another to adjudge truth and sometimes to influence them to speak of things they’d rather not. Such priestesses may have to work with courts to get to the bottom of a dispute or a crime. Even this, though, is not enough. A much smaller number of priestesses have the potential to be trained to fight with their minds. Such Dizyntk, when trained to control such mental powers are called ‘faylantkrana’ and are very dangerous indeed. Such training is now proscribed in the Imperium and priestesses are no longer permitted to train as warriors. The change occurred as a result of a civil war long before the Dizyntk encountered humans. The only mental training permitted nowadays is in the adjudging of truth. Which takes us back to the anomaly of Veenalara’s age. Before the civil war, serving as a faylantkrana, Veenalara was placed in suspended animation. Why cannot be known, but the result was that she was forgotten in her containment facility on an uninhabited, uncharted planet.

Forgotten until a human pilot with a faulty star-drive landed there to make repairs. The story of her rediscovery and, in fact, her salvation, as the power supply for her suspension facility was failing, is told in ‘Wolf and the Cat’.

An Imperial Edict, number 94, had her complete priestess training on the planet Lilac, then to serve a probationary period of at least two cyankas (roughly three years) on the planet Ishalitk (Sapphire in English) the capital of the Second Star Cluster, ruled by Queen Kiasyphia Zerleen. She was to be under the supervision of the commander of the Royal Guard, General Kristakala, her deputy, Colonel Virathea Tzilank, and the head priestess of the Royal Temple, Revered Sister Velakari Yiskun of the Jade Order, to serve as priestess in that temple, and as a member of the Royal Guard. However, the knowledge of her true powers was to be restricted to her supervisors. Those powers to be used only on the explicit orders of her supervisors.

Human pilots are restricted in where they could take their ships, unless at least half of the crew was Dizyntk. Alara’s lover, Eric Wolf, was granted an exemption to that order, as he usually piloted alone, so that he could reside on the planet Ishalitk, near Veenalara.

Two cyankas after her return to Sapphire, and her reunion with Eric, she was established in her role as priestess, and was working out regularly with members of the Royal Guard. Under the terms of Imperial Edict 94, she was due to be considered to be released from her restrictions...

“You asked to see me, Revered Sister?”

“I did, Sister. Please be seated.” Head Priestess Velakari Yiskun waved at a chair, and looked down at her desk. She picked up an official-looking document. “I have discussed your position, it seems, with everyone who knows your history. The Queen, General Kristakala and Colonel Virathea are all satisfied with your conduct. Indeed, I am more than satisfied with your conduct of your duties as priestess. You will understand, I hope, that there is still some concern about your powers?”

“Of course, Revered Sister. That is entirely understandable.”

“Having said that, we have no justification to extend the restriction on your movements. This document,” she tapped the parchment, “is your release under Imperial Edict 94. As the Edict itself is not generally known, you do not need to carry a copy. This one will be kept with other sensitive material here, and a copy in the Royal Archives.”

“Thank you, Revered Sister. I will continue to strive to be worthy of your trust.”

Velakari smiled. “Yes, I do believe you will. I have a suggestion, and an offer. The suggestion is that you pay a visit on the Head Priestess of your Order, Head Sister Tylavari Therazanik, on Kalantk. The offer is to permit you to reside away from the temple, if you wish. I am aware that you stay with your lover when he is on the planet, but perhaps you would like to make that permanent.”

Veenalara was stunned for a moment. “Revered Sister, I had not thought beyond completing the probationary period. It has been a joy to serve in the temple. I ... I love Eric Wolf, but I need to discuss our relationship with him, of course. He is due back from his run tomorrow.”

“Then you are released from temple duties after lunch tomorrow for two nights, and I will expect you back in my office the following day, before lunch.”

“Thank you, Revered Sister.”

“Do you have plans for now?”

“Yes, Revered Sister. I’m going to meditate and give thanks to the Goddess.”

Velakari smiled. “Excellent plan. Off you go, then.”

Eric Wolf sighed as he completed his landing at Ishalitk spaceport. He’d see to the disposition of his cargo, then he was looking forward to returning to his apartment. It was likely that Alara would be there, or at least would turn up shortly after. Surely it was two cyankas from the beginning of her probation?

She wasn’t there, but that meant he had time to shower. He shook his head at the thought of the recycling shower that Alara had forced into place in his ship, Lupus Rising. It was much better than the chemical shower which was standard for small vessels, but even so it was difficult to escape a degree of grime on a two week passage. He could at least ventilate the ship with clean, planetary atmosphere while it was grounded.

He’d barely got into the shower, though, when his lover arrived, stripped, and joined him. That, of course, meant a shower that took longer than otherwise. He wasn’t complaining. No sir!

They went straight to bed from the shower, once dry, and coupled enthusiastically. Afterwards, though, Alara was pensive, and seemed nervous.

“I was called to see Revered Sister Velakari yesterday,” she said, as they lay, post-orgasmic together.

‘Oh?” Eric waited for her to continue.

She was shivering, and took a deep breath. “I have successfully completed the probationary period, so I am free to reside outside the temple, and to travel if necessary.” She stopped, and buried her face against his neck, breathing deeply of his scent.

When she didn’t say any more, he asked, “Does that mean you can live here officially? Would you like to?”

“Eric, I ... I love you.” Pause, deep breath. Twitch.

Eric guessed at her nervousness. It was decision time: could he consider life without her? On the other hand, was he prepared for a life-time commitment? Literally, of course, there being no divorce in Dizyntk society. He, too, took a deep breath before speaking.

“Veenalara Terkanlin Hestafala Thersin, I love you. My life is incomplete without you. Will you bond with me?”

Alara gasped. Suddenly, she was holding him tightly, sprawled on top of him, peppering his face with kisses. Writhing, parts came together as they are intended to do, and they were one as never before. Alara’s mental powers meant that making love with Eric was a much deeper, in fact overpowering, matter than was usual. On this occasion, both experienced whole-body orgasms of such intensity that they were overcome, lapsed into unconsciousness, and thence into sleep. Over an hour later, Alara surfaced again, and looked at her sleeping lover. Had he asked her to bond with him? Really?

As she watched, his eyes opened and met hers. He smiled. “Are you going to answer me?”

“Did you ask me to bond with you? Really?”

“That I did, Alara. You are a very special person, and I cannot imagine living without you.”

“Eric, I never thought ... I mean...” she broke off and panted. Took a deep breath. “I would love to be bonded with you. If you are quite, quite sure?”

“I am quite sure. However, I am hungry, and I think a celebration is in order, don’t you?”

She giggled. Not a frequent occurrence, but a very pleasant one. “We could do that here.”

“We could, but I want to show off my beautiful little Dizyntk. And continue when we get back here.”

She snuggled against him. “I suppose I am quite hungry, too.”

Eric suggested an upscale restaurant not far from the Palace, and Alara’s eyes widened.

“I will need to dress up. So will you.”

He nodded. “My best suit, and your best robes.”

She smiled a calculating smile. “We had better shower first. Together?”

“Separately, so we actually get out of the door, my little Dizyntk.”

Not too much later, Eric ushered the petite Dizyntk through the door of the restaurant, and was intercepted by the greeter. However, she didn’t speak to Eric, but to Alara.

“Welcome to the House, Sister. How may we serve you?”

“My lover and I are to be bonded, and wish to celebrate.”

“Indeed? Then we are privileged to share in your joy, Sister. If you will come with me?” She smiled at Eric also, and led the way to a discreet booth, overlooking a small pool with a waterfall and brightly coloured fish swirling in it.

“Will you have Trilnst while you wait? Or we have some human wine?”

Alara glanced at Eric, her eyes dancing with amusement. She was well aware that few, if any, humans enjoyed Trilnst. “Well, my Love?” Addressing him publicly so actually for the first time. “Will you enjoy some Trilnst, or shall we see what the House has in the way of human wine?”

Eric coughed. “I think I’d prefer to decline the Trilnst, My Love. But if they have something celebratory in the way of wine, that might be good.”

Alara looked up at the greeter, who smiled. “We have ‘Champagne’ which seems to be popular with humans. We have to import it from Eckleston, as we do not grow the... grapes... in the Imperium. Yet. A few Dizyntk have taken to it as well.”

“Let us try some, then,” Alara declared.

A bottle was brought to the table in a bowl of ice. Two cups of a delicate, translucent, porcelain were placed for them. The waiter carefully released the cork without wasting a lot of the bubbly, and poured a little into Eric’s cup. He sipped. More of a beer person than a wine enthusiast, nonetheless he found the tipple acceptable. “Would you pour a little for my companion to try?” he asked.

“Certainly, sir.” The Dizyntk poured perhaps a tablespoonful into Alara’s cup.

“Taste it, My Love. If you don’t like it, I’m sure you could have some Trilnst.”

“I think I would prefer tea, but let me try this...” She sipped, wrinkled her nose thoughtfully, and sipped again. “It is acceptable, but I really would prefer tea.”

The waiter nodded. “It shall be done. A few minutes, Sister.”

The ‘tea’ arrived, when poured, a deep red in colour, its taste not unlike Terran tea, and Alara enjoyed it as Eric supped his champagne.

They were served a selection of Dizyntk delicacies over several hours, though in deference to their Terran guest, he was given somewhat more vegetable than would be customary. It was in all, if expensive, a most enjoyable and satisfactory evening. However, Alara did, as time wore on, begin to fidget.

Eric wondered, not why – he was fairly certain of the why – but whether to tease her further, or give in. He decided. Partly, it has to be said, on the side of safety.

“My love...” pause, “have we celebrated sufficiently in food?”

She took a breath and held it for a moment. “I think we have. Perhaps we might continue in private?”

“My thinking, my little Dizyntk.” A barely perceptible gesture produced a bill which Eric signed, and they left, hand in hand. Alara, though, was almost skipping in anticipation.

In Eric’s apartment, the door shut and locked behind them without visible cause. Alara released her hold on Eric only long enough to unfasten her robes, while Eric, only too aware of Dizyntk behaviour when roused, was half undressed before Alara used her claws to remove what was left.

Their joining, from the very first, had been spectacular, and familiarity had not reduced the impact. However, that night eclipsed all the others. They woke more than an hour later, and Eric’s back and shoulders were bleeding. Alara tenderly licked the wounds she’d caused in her ecstasy until the bleeding stopped.

“I love you, Alara,” Eric murmured.

She paused for a moment from her licking, “I love you, too.” Lick. “I love the taste of your blood, but I really shouldn’t cut you like this...”

“Yes, you should. I trust you, my Love. I don’t believe you could really hurt me, but it is good you can safely lose control with me.”

Alara just hummed contentedly and snuggled closer.

The Lupus Rising lifted from the Ishalitk spaceport bearing her captain, Eric Wolf, and his fiancée, priestess of the Nebula Order, Veenalara Thersin, and carrying a small but urgent cargo for their destination, Kalantk. She had last ridden in the ship when they travelled to Trellken from Elishen. That had been a little more than three cyankas – about four and a half Terran years – previously but she settled into the second pilot’s position happily.

Meanwhile, another small ship lifted from the Ishalitk spaceport. It bore Head Priestess Velakari Yiskun of the Ishalitk Royal Temple. The Jade Sprinter, so called because of its speed and the identity of its most frequent passenger, was also headed to Kalantk, and it was somewhat faster than the Lupus.

So it was that the Jade Sprinter landed on Kalantk more than twelve hours ahead of the Lupus, and Revered Sister Velakari Yiskun made her way to the temple of the Goddess. She was greeted, appropriately, by Head Sister Tylavari Therazanik.

“Welcome, Revered Sister. It is so good to see you again.”

“It is my pleasure, indeed. I trust I might prevail upon you for accommodation during my stay here?”

“But of course! May I ask how long you are intending to be with us?”

“Not long. A few days at most. I came partly to let you know that the restrictions placed on your Sister Veenalara have been lifted, and she is on her way here with her lover. That was my suggestion to her; it is only right that she should pay her respects to the head of her order. However, she is intending to bond with the human, Eric Wolf. I will leave that matter for her to discuss with you. Should the Bonding take place here, I should like to be present. Was there any particular reason for your question?”

“Yes, there is, Revered Sister. You are trained to adjudge Truth, I believe. As is Sister Veenalara.”

“That is so.”

“There is a ... problem, involving two Humans, who are accused of assaulting a female Dizyntk. They have witnesses, members of their crew, Dizyntk witnesses, but there are others, of this planet, who are accusing them. It is ... a very sensitive issue. There are, at present, no priestesses trained in the Temples of Truth on planet, and we were waiting for two to come from elsewhere, or for ours to return.”

“It is not something I enjoy, but I am certainly willing to help. I have no doubt that Sister Veenalara will be similarly willing.”