Heart Quest Read online

  “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 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

  “[A] 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.”

  —Harriet Klausner

  “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. 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

  “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…Although the setting is fresh and totally captivating, it is the well-developed characters, both human and animal, that make this story memorable. Crafty villains, honorable, resourceful protagonists, and sentient pets drive the plot of this fast-paced, often suspenseful romantic adventure. As have others before her(e.g., Anne McCaffrey, Marion Zimmer Bradley), Owens has penned 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

  “A tremendous science fiction romance that affirms what many fans thought after reading the prequel (HeartMate): that Robin D. Owens is one of the sub-genre’s giant stars. The story line is faster than the speed of light, but more important is this world’s society seems so real that psychic powers feel genuine…[a] richly textured other-planetary romance.”

  —BookBrowser

  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 A Moment in Time

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

  —Anne Avery, author of All’s Fair

  “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 Quest

  Robin D. Owens

  BERKLEY SENSATION, NEW 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), Cnr. Airborne and Rosedale Roads, Albany, Auckland 1310, New Zealand

  (a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.)

  Pengin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196,

  South Africa

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

  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.

  HEART QUEST

  A Berkley Sensation Book / published by arrangement with the author

  Copyright © 2006 by Robin D. Owens.

  Excerpt from Heart Match by Robin D. Owens copyright © 2006 by Robin D. Owens.

  Cover art by Voth / Barrall.

  Cover design by George Long.

  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.

  For information, address: The Berkley Publishing Group,

  a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,

  375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

  ISBN: 978-1-1012-0550-1

  BERKLEY SENSATION®

  Berkley Sensation Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group,

  a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,

  375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

  BERKLEY SENSATION is a registered trademark of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  The “B” design is a trademark
belonging to Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

  To my editor, Cindy Hwang.

  There are not enough words to express my thanks.

  Contents

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgments

  My Critique Buddy, Anne Tupler, whose idea it was, lo those many years ago…

  My first-draft readers, critique buddies, and proofreaders: Kay Bergstrom (Cassie Miles), Maureen Kiely, Peggy Waide, Janet Lane, Steven Moores, Denee Cody, Sue Hornick, Alice Kober, Diana Rowe, and Rose Beetem.

  My agent, Deidre Knight.

  Burton Silver and Heather Busch, authors of the book Why Paint Cats: www.whypaintcats.com.

  Those who made the labyrinth in the carousel house of the old Elitch Gardens.

  Excerpts and other fun information about Celta and Heart Quest at: www.robindowens.com or www.robinowens.com.

  One

  DRUIDA CITY, CELTA,

  405 years after Colonization, late autumn

  Black Ilex Winterberry watched his HeartMate from the shadows. He shouldn’t approach her, but knew that he would.

  Trif Clover was irresistible to him. Even from here he could see her deep green eyes fixed in concentration. She yanked a strand of dark brown hair behind her ear and drew in an audible breath. He would have treated her hair with respect, smoothed it between his fingers….

  She wore a tunic trous suit of deep green that matched her eyes. Since the tunic was just above her knees and the trous legs weren’t outrageously bloused, the clothing marked her as a middle-class woman who worked for her living.

  His mouth tightened when Trif performed her little ritual as she hunted for her mate. She held the charmkey she’d fashioned against the door of GrandLord Ginger’s mansion and intoned, “HeartMate.” It was common knowledge that a Heart-Mate could fashion a key and open his or her love’s door, and Trif was obviously on a quest to find him.

  He wished he could end her search.

  They’d connected emotionally three years before, during her last Passage—the fever fugues that freed her Flair psi power. Her Flair was unstable, and they’d linked a few times since in dreams. Each instance left Ilex aroused and wanting, and yearning for more than her body. But he hadn’t known whether she’d believed the connection was anything other than an erotic dream with an unknown lover.

  He had made it a point to find her—and now she was trying to do the same. But he was an experienced hunter.

  He’d kept his distance from her. He was far too old, more than double her age. Worse, he had a touch of prophetic talent and had experienced a brief vision a long time ago that his life would be relatively short, nothing near the two centuries of the most aged Celtans.

  Furthermore, he sensed he had only a couple more years left, and he refused to have this lovely, vibrant young woman die within a year of his own death, as always occurred with HeartMates who’d wed. He couldn’t bear to cut her life short.

  Her face fell when the door refused to open; then she sighed, looked at the key in her hand, shrugged, and straightened her shoulders. “No HeartMate here. Too bad. Perhaps the next house. Stay optimistic,” she murmured.

  “What are you doing, Trif Clover?” he asked.

  She jumped and flushed. Her gaze went first to his guardsman’s insignia instead of his face, causing him a twinge of emotional pain that she didn’t think of him as a man first.

  “Oh, I, uh…” She whipped her hand holding the key behind her back and increased the charm of her smile.

  Ilex shook his head.

  Her shoulders slumped a little. “You know.”

  “Is it worth your and my time for me to tell you it can be dangerous wandering the streets of Druida alone?”

  She looked startled. “Druida’s safe, especially Noble Country.”

  Noble Country was the portion of Druida where the highest nobles, including the FirstFamilies—the descendants of the colonists who’d funded the trip from Earth to a new home—lived. Here the estates were huge, hidden behind greeniron gates. The streets were wide and tree-lined.

  It didn’t help his ego that she hoped her HeartMate was noble. But that wasn’t the real problem. The true difficulty was that there had been two murders—of young, extremely Flaired people whose psi powers were unstable. Murders that Ilex’s superiors wanted kept quiet for the moment.

  “No one’s safe all the time. Come with me, Trif.” He took her arm and let the touch of her shoot through him, heat his blood. The scent of her came too, the light fragrance of spring flowers.

  When she smiled up at him and followed willingly, he suppressed the urge to kiss her.

  “Please don’t continue testing your charmkey,” he said neutrally, leading her down the drive to the walled entrance into the mansion grounds and the wide-open gates.

  Ilex frowned. Most of the Nobles he knew were paranoid about security and their gates would be locked and spellshielded. His recent “cases” had included the crème de la crème of Celtan society, the FirstFamilies. Those people were obsessive about most things.

  Trif stopped and looked over her shoulder wistfully. “GrandLord Ginger is a widower and he has three sons, not to mention all the other unattached male Gingers working in the household.”

  “Ah. A good source of men.”

  She shrugged. “I suppose you think my quest is stupid, like everyone else. But it’s my business.”

  “Not when you trespass on Noble land.”

  “Has anyone reported me?”

  “Well, the Gingers and their neighbors won’t this afternoon,” he said dryly. “Most nobles are attending a ritual at GreatCircle Temple.”

  “Will you report me?”

  “No. Not yet.” He glanced at his wrist timer. “I’m off duty now. Let me take you home.”

  “Must you?”

  “I think so. It’s a neighborly thing to do.”

  He’d moved into her apartment building, MidClass Lodge, a couple of months ago, after he’d heard she’d gone door to door there, beginning her search for her HeartMate. And after the first murder.

  They had reached the entrance pillars when the windchanged—and brought the smell of death. His Flair surged. He sensed wrongness indicating a crime. His psi sharpened all his other senses until he knew the death was human, and murdered, and the body lay a few meters away.

  Ilex tightened his grip on Trif and urged her out of the estate and onto the sidewalk. He shot a glance up and down the street. Nothing.

  T’Blackthorn, Ilex shouted mentally to the tracker. They were distant relatives. Ilex had hoped there wouldn’t be another death, but had decided to contact Blackthorn if the unspeakable occurred. The guards would need powerfully Flaired people to help.

  Trif looked up at Ilex, frowning. “You shouted to T’Blackthorn?”

  He dropped her arm. They were connected and he didn’t want her to sense all that was happening.

  Guardsman Winterberry? a strained whisper said into Ilex’s mind.

  Who speaks?
r />   The T’Blackthorn Residence. T’Blackthorn is out of Druida on a rescue mission.

  Ilex was surprised that he’d been able to mentally reach Blackthorn’s sentient home. Something to think on later. Thank you.

  Should I inform Lady D’Blackthorn of your call?

  No. This is guard business. He hesitated. Could you send a glider to pick up Lady Blackthorn’s cuz at GrandLord Ginger’s?

  If this is urgent, Lady D’Ash visits. She can teleport there.

  Fine. Actually, it was a barely acceptable solution, since three women’s curiosity would be stirred, but Ilex wanted Trif out of here now so he could investigate.

  Lady Danith D’Ash has been informed of your request. Blessings, Guardsman.

  And to you, he replied.

  Trif studied him narrowly, arms crossed over her breasts. “What’s going on?”

  “Danith D’Ash is coming to teleport you to another location.”

  Incredulity flashed in Trif ’s eyes. “Why?”

  “It’s best you leave immediately.”

  “Something is going on—isn’t it?” She tipped her head. “There’s been a—a peculiar atmosphere in the city.” Her brow furrowed as she considered. Then she shook her head. “I don’t have such Flair that I can determine the cause. But you do, don’t you.” She reached out and touched his arm. “You’re a hunter.”

  “And I must hunt. Now.” He had to get her away from the scene. She had nothing to do with the death, and he had to start procedure on another murder.