Bati (Lyqa Planet Lovers Book 2)

by Nikki Clarke

  “Thank you, friend, for helping me save my lehti. I am forever in your debt.”

  We have left the west seas of Qiton and now travel back to the transport center so that Bati, his partner, and child can return home.

  “I am glad I was there to help.” The look of terror on the face of the boy, KJ, when he ran up to the campsite flashes through my mind. “If I may ask for a favor in return, I would consider my actions repaid.”

  Bati peers closely at me, as if noticing the difference I have been feeling since seeing that dimpled, laughing face.

  “Your scent is different. It is more…complex.”

  I show him the woman. I project that laughing image between our minds, and his eyes expand with surprise.

  “You wish to know LaShay?”

  “I wish for permission to accompany you to your home. I do not understand how this woman has affected me, but when I see her face—”

  I stop because I do not have the adequate words to describe these new sensations.

  Bati gives me kind clap on the back. “I will take you to my home, if only to know how this will turn out. I was led to believe Somii were not one’s for affection, but you have surprised me, friend.”

  I nod in gratitude as we approach the transport center. My Lyqa friend is not the only one who is surprised. I could never have expected these new sensations, but I like them, and I aim to find out what they mean.

  THE END

  A Message from the Author

  Dear Reader,

  You’ve made it to the end of Bati and Tiani’s story, and I hope you loved reading it as much as I loved writing it. I must confess, I have a bit of a thing for Bati (not to be confused with my thing for Kwarq).

  I have so many ambitions for the Lyqa series. I really want to create speculative/sci-fi stories that feature Black heroines and explore the situations that are real and even culturally unique for us, and which every woman should be able to empathize. I’m all about #blackgirlmagic, and I want my stories to reflect that. At the same time, I want to allow my characters to be vulnerable, unsure, mad extra and even a little messy if they please.

  If you read Kwarq, the first book in the Lyqa Planet Lover series, you may have noticed that Kwarq and Amina’s story was full of feels. It was designed to be very emotion-based (vs action-based). I really wanted to explore the emotional vulnerability of Amina. I think learning to allow ourselves to be loved is an adventure in itself sometimes! Some of you really dug it, and others wanted a little more action, which I totally get.

  Well, hopefully Bati delivers. I always planned this story to have a lot more movement, and I can say I’m pleased with the results. I hope you are, too!

  If so, it would be great if you can take a moment to leave a review and recommend the series to your friends. You may have noticed the lead into the next story with our new friend Sol (So many of you thought Ah’dan and LaShay. I’m not that obvious!*wink*). If I get a good enough response to Bati, I’m super ready to get the next in the series out by March.

  I have so many great ideas for new (and less humanoid) alien lovers. I can really see this world expanding for the right audience.

  I also have a great new series lined up to be released concurrently with Lyqa (Bronzeville love is on hold. I’m digging other worldly, right now). And let’s just say it features a lot of magic and plenty of heat, so stay tuned and don’t forget to review! I absolutely love knowing what you think (the good and the not so good). To get updates on upcoming Lyqa titles, follow my Amazon author page and visit www.nikkiclarkeromance.com.

  Lovely reading,

  Nikki

  Say It Like A Lyqa

  Kwarq : KwahR-q (Hard R, Q is a click in the throat)

  Bati : Pah-tee

  Ah’dan : Ah-Dahn (breathy H both times with a noticeable pause between syllables)

  Quth : Kooth (K is a soft click in the throat)

  Mahdi : Makh-Di (H is a little harsh)

  Li'aht : Lee-aut

  T’nai : Teh-Nye

  Maq’ti : Mock-Tee (CK is soft click in the throat)

  Qim : Keem (K is a soft click in the throat)

  Qiton : Kee-tahn

  S’wad : Soo-Wad

  Qitoni : Kee-tah-ni

  Soluanitiat’ti Somiiti’un : So-lu-ah-ni-ti-ah-ti Soh-my-ti-oon

  Somii - Soh-my