by: Elexis Bell
Series: The Regonia Chronicles
Genre: Fantasy Romance/Sci-Fi
Release Date: February 20, 2024
Publisher: Elexis Bell
Tortured by memories implanted by his captors, Krona knows only one thing. He must find Tenna, his partner, his Queen. She can’t be dead. But when Ricardo, one of his human guards, tells him she’s alive on another space station, the truth might be just as painful as their lies.
With her memories missing and her planet supposedly destroyed, Tenna struggles to acclimate to life among humans. Olivia, a spaceship pilot and hacker, does her best to help. When a guard shows up with an alien Tenna knows she’s seen before, it’s obvious things aren’t what they seem.
When they learn that family ties bind enemy and ally, Krona and Tenna can only hope the honor they see in their human friends is strong enough to overcome blood. Can they work together to save themselves, their minds, and their tribe? Or will they lose everything?
Tenna
At the door to my room, Olivia says, “I’m going to the bar soon since we don’t work tomorrow. Just need to freshen up a bit. Want to come with?”
“No, thank you.” I let out a deep breath. “I just… want to be by myself.” My brows scrunch together. “Besides, I have to go to the hospital for more tests in the morning,” I add, already dreading the prospect.
“Okay,” Olivia says, unperturbed. “Well, I’ll see you in the cafeteria for lunch tomorrow?”
I nod, slipping quietly into my room as Olivia turns for her own. Immediately, I start some music. I don’t know any songs yet, so I give the Link my swirling thoughts.
It takes them literally and plays, “Green Eyes by Dark Moor. 2005.”
Those beautiful eyes fill my mind, tug at my heart. Undressing quickly, I fold myself into the tiny shower. Hot water falls over me but does little to ease the chill inside.
The Humans have hope. They were prepared for the end of their planet.
But I have nothing.
Something inside me cracks, and bitter tears cascade over my cheeks, lost in the water that pours over me.
He can’t be dead. He can’t just be floating around space somewhere.
The thought sends a shiver through me, and sobs wrack my body.
He can’t be dead.
My thoughts whirl, and the world falls out from under me. With my heart in my throat, I choke on the life I don’t have anymore.
The other five of my kind, still slumbering in the hospital wing, spring to mind, and I wonder if they’re partnered.
Could they rebuild our species? Or are they too few?
I count myself out, knowing that I couldn’t find another, even without my memories of him. He was my one. And though I know nothing else, I know he was my partner, my only partner.
Tears fall faster, and my breath hitches. Hope deserts me.
What do I even do now?
If I can’t remember them… How do I mourn them?
But the thought of mourning them, all of them, the thought of mourning him, claws at my heart. A hole opens within me, all-consuming.
I force myself to wash, to finish my shower, but the tears never stop flowing. I dress in things the Humans call pajamas, specially printed for me while I slept in the hospital.
Resentment builds within me, and I wonder why I can’t have my old clothes. Maybe they’d help me remember, but all I have are my boots.
Standing in the middle of my room, I stop the music, head full of a tune from my life. I hum it quietly, and it eases the tension within.
My feet move, leading me through the dance from last night, the dance I know from my past. I drift one direction, then the other. I spin briefly, arms rising, reaching.
And this time, I know what I’m reaching for.
I’m reaching for him.
At the door to my room, Olivia says, “I’m going to the bar soon since we don’t work tomorrow. Just need to freshen up a bit. Want to come with?”
“No, thank you.” I let out a deep breath. “I just… want to be by myself.” My brows scrunch together. “Besides, I have to go to the hospital for more tests in the morning,” I add, already dreading the prospect.
“Okay,” Olivia says, unperturbed. “Well, I’ll see you in the cafeteria for lunch tomorrow?”
I nod, slipping quietly into my room as Olivia turns for her own. Immediately, I start some music. I don’t know any songs yet, so I give the Link my swirling thoughts.
It takes them literally and plays, “Green Eyes by Dark Moor. 2005.”
Those beautiful eyes fill my mind, tug at my heart. Undressing quickly, I fold myself into the tiny shower. Hot water falls over me but does little to ease the chill inside.
The Humans have hope. They were prepared for the end of their planet.
But I have nothing.
Something inside me cracks, and bitter tears cascade over my cheeks, lost in the water that pours over me.
He can’t be dead. He can’t just be floating around space somewhere.
The thought sends a shiver through me, and sobs wrack my body.
He can’t be dead.
My thoughts whirl, and the world falls out from under me. With my heart in my throat, I choke on the life I don’t have anymore.
The other five of my kind, still slumbering in the hospital wing, spring to mind, and I wonder if they’re partnered.
Could they rebuild our species? Or are they too few?
I count myself out, knowing that I couldn’t find another, even without my memories of him. He was my one. And though I know nothing else, I know he was my partner, my only partner.
Tears fall faster, and my breath hitches. Hope deserts me.
What do I even do now?
If I can’t remember them… How do I mourn them?
But the thought of mourning them, all of them, the thought of mourning him, claws at my heart. A hole opens within me, all-consuming.
I force myself to wash, to finish my shower, but the tears never stop flowing. I dress in things the Humans call pajamas, specially printed for me while I slept in the hospital.
Resentment builds within me, and I wonder why I can’t have my old clothes. Maybe they’d help me remember, but all I have are my boots.
Standing in the middle of my room, I stop the music, head full of a tune from my life. I hum it quietly, and it eases the tension within.
My feet move, leading me through the dance from last night, the dance I know from my past. I drift one direction, then the other. I spin briefly, arms rising, reaching.
And this time, I know what I’m reaching for.
I’m reaching for him.
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At the end of the day, I just want to write stories that make people feel something.
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looks like a fun one
ReplyDeleteI would love to read your book.
ReplyDelete