‘Useless piece of metal.’
‘So true.’
‘It seems the Shades will take a more active stance in helping humanity, but Nenetl will eventually be back. After all, you can’t really kill a god— what?’
Jill chuckled. ‘Am I the only one who thought that capturing gods inside gemstones on one’s rings was like a fairy tale?’
‘No, no!’ Belinda became animated. ‘I thought the same. Nobody said it aloud though.’
They tittered for a moment, after which Jill said, ‘Although even fairy tales have some truth to them—’
‘No, the fairy tales are the truth.’
‘Think so?’
‘The longer I live, the more convinced I become. The Shades have been around for aeons, and there have been worlds, universes before them. It’s infinite.’
Jill took a deep breath and leaned back, running her eyes over the intricate pattern on the ceiling as the warm water caressed her body. ‘In some absurd way I feel thankful for Nenetl.’
Belinda raised an eyebrow.
‘You know, without her, we wouldn’t ever have found each other.’
Belinda smiled in an unusual way, her lips pushed together.
‘What?’
‘I have to confess,’ Belinda said, biting her lower lip, ‘you had me under your spell ever since we met for the first time aboard the Virilis, somewhere in the Eximia system.’
‘I remember it too,’ Jill said, feeling flushed. ‘I was probably cold as ice.’
‘You were on the outside—but I knew there was more to you,’ Belinda said, and opened her arms. ‘Come here.’
Jill winced, edged over to Belinda’s side of the bathtub, and leaned against her. ‘I’m sorry I didn’t see you then.’
‘I’m just glad you’re here with me now. That’s all that matters.’
Resting against Belinda in the Perpetuity was her happy place. She had never belonged before, but now she did. She belonged with her. Belinda was her home. She raised her chin towards her. Belinda touched her cheek and joined her in a perfect kiss.
Thanks for reading
Hi, it’s Rock here. I’m glad you’ve come this far, and hope you enjoyed Starbearer and the Shades Space Opera Series.
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Acknowledgments
I would like to thank the people who have helped make this book possible. First, Minna and Kuura for their patience, love and understanding through every day. My parents, Ritva and Kille, for no less than everything, in this world and the next. You, my dear reader, for your time and support. I write to be read, and I’m thankful you’ve come this far (this series has over 360,000 words!) I hope to continue the journey with you on my upcoming books. Amanda Rutter for developmental editing and copy editing. CM Franklyn for sharp proofreading. Carl Graves at Extended Imagery for the awesome cover design. Beta readers, Riku Talvitie, Minna Mustakallio, Dario Mavec, and Maggi Lunde for their useful feedback. Advance copy readers for spotting last minute typos and getting the first reviews up. Everyone who has reviewed my books on Amazon or Goodreads, even the bad reviews. My friends and colleagues for support and encouragement. You’ve all made me better writer, but also a better human being, for which I am eternally grateful.
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About the Author
Rock Forsberg is an emerging author of space adventures. He loves a good story, especially fantasy and adventure, and started writing so that he could create epic worlds and stories of his own. He has also written songs, poems, and short stories, both in English and in Finnish. He considers writing to be a long game, with a lifetime of learning, and dozens of novels to write.
A dual citizen of Finland and Australia, he splits his time between Helsinki, Finland and Sydney, Australia. If he not writing, he’s either reading, tending to a business, keeping fit (he’s a health geek), or enjoying time with his family and friends.
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Starbearer Page 40