Heart Journey Read online

  Table of Contents

  Epigraph

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-one

  Twenty-two

  Twenty-three

  Twenty-four

  Twenty-five

  Twenty-six

  Twenty-seven

  Twenty-eight

  Twenty-nine

  Thirty

  Thirty-one

  Thirty-two

  Thirty-three

  Thirty-four

  Thirty-five

  Thirty-six

  Thirty-seven

  “If you’ve been waiting for someone to do futuristic romance right, you’re in luck; Robin D. Owens is the author for you.”

  —Jayne Castle

  Praise for the futuristic fantasy of Robin D. Owens

  Heart Fate

  “A superb romantic fantasy filled with heart.”

  —Midwest Book Review

  “A touching tale of learning to trust again . . . Even for readers unfamiliar with the Heart world, Owens makes it easily accessible and full of delightful conceits.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “A true delight to read, and it should garner new fans for this unique and enjoyable series.”

  —Booklist

  “[This] emotionally rich tale blends paranormal abilities, family dynamics, and politics; adds a serious dash of violence; and dusts it all with humor and whimsy . . . Intriguing.”

  —Library Journal

  Heart Dance

  “The latest Heart fantasy is one of the best of this superior series . . . retaining the freshness of its heartfelt predecessors.”

  —The Best Reviews

  “I look forward to my yearly holiday in Celta, always a dangerous and fascinating trip.”

  —Fresh Fiction

  “The world of Celta is amazingly detailed, and readers will enjoy the bits of humor that the Fams provide. Sensual, riveting, and filled with the wonderful cast of characters from previous books, as well as some new ones, Heart Dance is exquisite in its presentation.”

  —Romance Reviews Today

  Heart Choice

  “The romance is passionate, the characters engaging, and the society and setting exquisitely crafted.”

  —Booklist

  “Character-driven story, brilliant dialogue . . . Terrific writing with a very realistic and sensual romance make Heart Choice a fantastic read.”

  —Romance Reviews Today

  “Maintaining the ‘world building’ for science fiction and character driven plot for romance is near impossible. Owens does it brilliantly.”

  —The Romance Reader

  “Well written, humor-laced, intellectually and emotionally involving story, which explores the true meaning of family and love.”

  —Library Journal

  “Heart Choice is a wonderful book to lose yourself in for a while! I’ll be anxiously awaiting the next book in this wonderfully imaginative series.”

  —Romance Junkies

  Heart Duel

  “[A] sexy story . . . Readers will enjoy revisiting this fantasy-like world filled with paranormal talents.”

  —Booklist

  “An exhilarating love story . . . The delightful story line is cleverly executed . . . Owens proves once again that she is among the top rung of fantasy romance authors with this fantastic tale.”

  —Midwest Book Review

  “With engaging characters, Robin D. Owens takes readers back to the magical world of Celta . . . The characters are engaging, drawing the reader into the story and into their lives. They are multilayered and complex and grow into exceptional people.”

  —Romance Reviews Today

  Heart Thief

  “I loved Heart Thief! This is what futuristic romance is all about. Robin D. Owens writes the kind of futuristic romance we’ve all been waiting to read; certainly the kind that I’ve been waiting for. She provides a wonderful, gripping mix of passion, exotic futuristic settings, and edgy suspense.”

  —Jayne Castle

  “The complex plot and rich characterizations, not to mention the sexy passion . . . make this a must-read . . . I just wish Robin D. Owens wrote faster. I hope she’s got a huge pile of ideas for future Celtan stories, and I for one can’t wait to go back.”

  —The Romance Reader

  “Owens spins an entrancing tale . . . A stunning futuristic tale that reads like fantasy and is sure to have crossover appeal to both SF and fantasy fans.”

  —Library Journal

  “Owens has crafted a fine romance that is also a successful science fantasy yarn with terrific world building.”—Booklist

  Praise for

  HeartMate

  Winner of the 2002 RITA Award

  for Best Paranormal Romance

  by the Romance Writers of America

  “Engaging characters, effortless world building, and a sizzling romance make this a novel that’s almost impossible to put down.”

  —The Romance Reader

  “Fantasy romance with a touch of mystery . . . Readers from the different genres will want Ms. Owens to return to Celta for more tales of HeartMates.”

  —Midwest Book Review

  “HeartMate is a dazzling debut novel. Robin D. Owens paints a world filled with characters who sweep readers into an unforgettable adventure with every delicious word, every breath, every beat of their hearts. Brava!”

  —Deb Stover, award-winning author of The Gift

  “A gem of a story . . . Sure to tickle your fancy.”

  —Anne Avery, author of A Distant Star

  “It shines, and fans will soon clamor for more . . . A definite keeper!”

  —The Bookdragon Review

  “This story is magical . . . Doubly delicious as it will appeal to both lovers of fantasy and futuristic romance. Much room has been left for sequels.”

  —ParaNormal Romance Reviews

  Titles by Robin D. Owens

  HEARTMATE

  HEART THIEF

  HEART DUEL

  HEART CHOICE

  HEART QUEST

  HEART DANCE

  HEART FATE

  HEART CHANGE

  HEART JOURNEY

  Anthologies

  WHAT DREAMS MAY COME

  (with Sherrilyn Kenyon and Rebecca York)

  THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP

  Published by the Penguin Group

  Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA

  Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.)

  Penguin Books Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

  Penguin Group Ireland, 25 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd.)

  Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria 3124, Australia (a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty. Ltd.)

  Penguin Books India Pvt. Ltd., 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi—110 017, India

  Penguin Group (NZ), 67 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, North Shore 0632, New Zealand (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.)

  Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue, Ros
ebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa

  Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

  This book is an original publication of The Berkley Publishing Group.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

  Copyright © 2010 by Robin D. Owens.

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions. BERKLEY® SENSATION and the “B” design are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  PRINTING HISTORY

  Berkley Sensation trade paperback edition / August 2010

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Owens, Robin D.

  Heart journey / Robin D. Owens.—Berkley Sensation trade paperback ed. p. cm.

  eISBN : 978-1-101-18891-0

  1. Life on other planets—Fiction. 2. Space and time—Fiction. I. Title.

  PS3615.W478H45 2010

  813’.6—dc22

  2010014279

  http://us.penguingroup.com

  To Morgan, forever

  Acknowledgments

  Thanks for the company and motivation go to: the Live Journal Toono/ Word Warriors community, the Fairplay Hand Hotel weekend retreat writers, and the Low Country Romance Writers November retreat writers. You are all very special.

  Characters

  The Cherrys:

  Cerasus Cherry (Raz): The son of GrandLord T’Cherry. Formerly the heir to Cherry Shipping and Transport, a rising actor. Secondary character in Heart Fate and Heart Change. He provided the voice for the Turquoise House.

  T’Cherry: Raz’s father and titular head of Cherry Shipping and Transport. He is a HeartMate.

  D’Cherry: Raz’s mother, formerly a scholar of ancient Earthan language and early colonist language. She is a HeartMate.

  Seratina Cherry: Raz’s younger sister, in charge of Cherry Shipping and Transport and heir to that business. She is a HeartMate and has a kitten Fam.

  The Elecampanes:

  Helena D’Elecampane (Del): She is a master cartographer and has charted the western part of the two continents. Del is often on the road and in the field.

  Shunuk: Del’s FoxFam. He met and became Del’s Fam on the trail.

  Helendula D’Elecampane (Doolee): Del’s young cousin. She is the daughter of Elfwort and the granddaughter of Inula.

  The Blackthorns:

  Straif T’Blackthorn: FirstFamily (highest noble title) GrandLord: Hero of Heart Choice, the best tracker of Celta. Ex-lover to Del. His Family has a fatal genetic trait that makes them very susceptible to disease. He is a HeartMate. His Fam is Drina (Queen of the Universe).

  Mitchella Clover D’Blackthorn: HeartMate and wife to Straif, heroine of Heart Choice. She is from a large commoner Family who is moving up in rank. She is an interior designer and is sterile.

  Antenn Moss Blackthorn: Their older adopted son, he is studying to become an architect. His natural brother was a notorious murderer.

  Cordif Blackthorn: Their younger adopted son.

  The Actors and Theater Folk:

  Trillia Juniper: An actress from an acting Family, she’s been in the business all of her life, another rising star. Ex-lover to Raz.

  Klay St. Johnswort: Friendly competitor to Raz.

  Lily Fescue: Leading lady in the mystery Raz is starring in.

  Reing Galangal: An actor somewhat older than Raz who plays the villain in the mystery Raz is starring in.

  T’Spindle: FirstFamily GrandLord who owns the theater the Evening Primrose.

  Other Characters:

  Great Lord Rand T’Ash: Jeweler/blacksmith, T’Ash sells his creations in T’Ash’s Phoenix. (HeartMate)

  Great Lady Danith Mallow D’Ash: HeartMate of T’Ash, Danith is an animal Healer and the person who usually matches intelligent animal companions (Fams) with people.

  First Level Healer Lark Holly: One of the three FirstLevel Healers of Celta. She is a HeartMate. (Heart Duel)

  Captain Ruis Elder and Nuada’s Sword: Ruis is Captain of Nuada’s Sword, the last starship. (Heart Thief)

  Guardsman Ilex Winterberry: Druidan Guardsman who is assigned to the FirstFamilies. (Heart Quest)

  Great Lord Muin (Vinni) T’Vine: The young prophet of Celta.

  One

  DRUIDA CITY, CELTA

  407 Years After Colonization Late Summer

  Raz, Cerasus Cherry, shuffled the oracle cards for his breakfast table mates, a half smile on his face. Of them all, the cards looked best in his long-fingered hands—good tools for an actor, as was his face and his smile.

  He had breakfast at the Thespian Club every morning—late mornings for those who were working, earlier for those who were between jobs. The full complement of the group was six, three men and three women, none of them couples. Three of their group had eaten earlier and were gone by the time the rest of them had arrived at their reserved table.

  A daily reserved table at the Thespian Club! His smile bloomed. They were all in their late twenties, rising fast in their careers, all talented, all ready to leap into stardom and excellent gilt. Not to mention the fame. Fame brought better, more challenging parts.

  “You gonna shuffle all day to look at your pretty hands?” asked Klay St. Johnswort, Johns, with his patented sneer. If you wanted a rough-hewn pure alpha male hero type, Johns was your man.

  Raz considered himself elegant . . . and with an edge. More versatile.

  “Lay out the cards, me first!” Trillia wiggled in her seat, her voice higher than usual, anxious. She’d gotten bored with the secondary lead in her play and had resigned the night before and was worried that she’d jumped when she should have stuck.

  Raz handed her the cards—they belonged to the club—so they’d absorb her energy. Praying under her breath, she shuffled, cut the deck thrice, and laid out a six-card pattern. Her breath whooshed out, then her praying went to muttering as she studied her divination. “Crimson Nuts of Knowledge . . . the six of blazers, Goddess of the Rising Star, the six of wands.”

  “Looks good,” Raz said. “New opportunities, gilt, success. But you might have to travel.”

  Johns said, “Could go to Gael City.”

  Trillia made a moue at the mention of the smaller town. “Gael City.”

  Raz tapped the six of wands. “Success.”

  “Oh, very well. I’ll go straight to the guild from here.”

  “Might want to wipe the egg off your chin first,” Raz said.

  She rubbed at her face with her softleaf then flung it at him. “Oh, you.”

  “I heard The Rep in Gael City was reviving Heart and Sword in an updated production,” Raz said.

  Trillia sat up straight. “Fern Bountry, the Nuada’s Sword’s Captain’s wife! I could play Fern, kidnapped from the cryonic tube by evil mutineers . . . Wait, wait, she was dark.” Trillia grabbed a handful of her hair and brought it in front of her face. It was fading from a blond rinse back to brown; she grinned in relief. “I can do this.”

  “Of course you can.” Raz collected the cards.

  Johns grunted. “Gonna show us all your fine fortune cards again, Raz?”

  Raz quirked a corner of his mouth. The cards had foretold an excellent future for him lately. “What, past, present, and future? I was just going to draw an ‘energy of the day’ card.”

  “And he hasn’t had all good luck,” Trillia said. “There was that break-in at his apartment. Have the guardsmen found the thieves?”

  “No. I didn’t lose much.” Ra
z frowned. Putting his space back in order had taken time, and he’d arranged for a decorator. He blew on his hands and the cards to dispel the negativity of the mention of the theft and the images that had trailed through his mind.

  Drawing in a breath to center and bring in more positive energy, he shuffled on the exhale, inhaled, and pulled three cards from the deck and laid them out.

  “Past.” He flicked it over, the same Goddess of the Rising Star that Trillia had pulled. Trillia sighed. Raz liked it when women sighed, especially if they were in the audience.

  Grunting again, Johns said sourly, “Prob’ly gonna be all major named cards, from the GreatSuite, all from the Ogham.” Since their culture was based on the ancient Ogham alphabet, it wasn’t surprising the major suite of divination cards were, too.

  “One hopes.” Raz grinned. Fully expecting to flip over The Oak King, solid success for years, as he had every time in the last few weeks, he turned it over.

  The Summer Queen. The HeartMate card if drawn by a man.

  Surprise flooded him. He’d always focused on his career, no time or inclination for a serious, permanent woman in his life.

  Trillia whooped.

  “Personal success and the fullness of creative expression.” Johns snorted a chuckle. “Changes are coming for you, man. A HeartMate. A love life distracts from a single-minded career climb.”

  Raz couldn’t tell if he was envious or not. Johns was taking some delight in the upset of plans a HeartMate could cause. Raz wasn’t pleased. He liked his love life just as it was, full of casual sex and no expectations.