Nothing has ever excited Tylen Merodine more than being invited by the Regent himself to celebrate the first solar eclipse in his planet’s recorded history. It’s the party of the millennium, and if he has to restrain his normal exuberant instincts to fit in, that’s what he’ll do to be a part of it. His good intentions vanish, however, the moment he’s presented to the Regent. Because there, in a gilded cage, playing music unlike anything Tylen’s ever heard, is the most beautiful alien he could imagine. For more than twenty years, Dek has lived in captivity, performing at the whim of those who see him as an animal. The Regent is just the latest in a long line of owners, and while he’s kind, he’s still blind to Dek’s sentient nature. Only music gives Dek a voice, until Tylen breaks the rules and sneaks in to see and speak to him alone. The time they have together is stolen and precious, the minutes ticking away until the eclipse is past and they have to go back to the way their lives were before. But when the Regent shows an unexpected interest in Tylen’s future, they begin to wonder if their worlds need to remain so separate ...

Aria of the Eclipse

My anger rose.How dare they disparage me and Vescha like that?I happened to think we’d have great kids,if I’d given it any thought at all.I gritted my teeth.Come on,Dourack.Defend me.


“The Regent favors him,”Dourack said.“Are you questioning his judgment?”


“And yet,you’d rather Tylen not accompany Vescha any longer.”


“Tylen’s young,not stupid.”Dourack’s voice was unyielding.I’d always hated it when he took that tone with me,that know-it-all attitude that drove me crazy,but damn if I didn’t like it when he directed it at someone else,especially in my defense.“This was his first trip to Risaeng,so I’m sure if he was a little too enthusiastic for your tastes,that’s why.”


“You’re welcome to make any choice you wish,of course.But know that I don’t agree with your reasons,and I will ensure the Regent is informed ofthat.”


Chapter 17