Heartmate

Table of Contents

 

 

PRAISE FOR

HeartMate,
winner of the 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

 
“A gem of a story . . . sure to tickle your fancy.”—Anne Avery

 
“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.”
—PNR Reviews

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.”

 
“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 subgenre'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 otherplanetary romance.”
—BookBrowser

 
 
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.”

 
“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.”

 
 
Heart Choice

“The dialogue is brilliant . . . Terrific writing with incredibly detailed visions of this mystical world, coupled with a very realistic and sensual romance, make
Heart Choice
a fantastic read . . . intense, exciting, and magical. Don't miss it.”

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

 
“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

 
“[A] well-written, humor-laced, intellectually and emotionally involving story, which explores the true meaning of family and love in a nontraditional setting.”
—Library Journal

 
“Robin D. Owens's world of Celta fascinates and intrigues me . . . I thoroughly enjoyed the entire book from beginning to end. Robin D. Owens can lure me into her Celta stories any time she sees fit.”
—ParaNormal Romance Reviews

 
“All the passionate, magical, and powerful characters you have come to expect from an Owens novel are on full display in this electric tale.”
—Romantic Times

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.)
Penguin 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.

 
HEARTMATE

 
A Berkley Sensation Book / published by arrangement with the author.

 
PRINTING HISTORY
Jove mass-market edition / December 2001
Berkley Sensation edition / August 2006

 
Copyright © 2001 by Robin 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.
For information address: The Berkley Publishing Group,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

eISBN : 978-0-425-21240-0

 
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.

 

 

Acknowledgments

This book would not have been realized except for:

 
Those who first believed in my talent, Victoria Dann (Glenn), Morgan de Thouars, and Kay Bergstrom.

My long-time critique buddies who stuck through three books before Celta: Sharon, Steven, Judy, Anne.

 
My other critiquers: Liz R., Sue, Pam, Leslee, Teresa, Janet, Peggy Sue, Alice, Debbie, Anita, Michelle, Kathee.

Everyone else in Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, Novel Critiques, and Romance Writers Unlimited who gave me their support.

 
With thanks to Cindy Hwang for her belief in me, and to Lisa Craig who developed my website:
www.robindowens.com
.

 
And to the cats: Diva, Mistral, Muse, Maddox, and Black Pierre.

 
Mistral and Diva, your stories are coming, stop whining!

One

Today you will meet your HeartMate. Rand T'Ash's
blood thrummed in his temples as he stared at the divination dice that he'd just rolled.

The polished blue-green stones gleamed in the light, the symbols incised on them showing off deep red veins, looking like blood. He didn't quite believe the glyphs carved in the twelve-sided pieces of bloodstone, and the prophecy they foretold. He'd throw again, to be sure.

The deep emanation of his Flair—his psi power—pulsed through his blood. A few years back he'd created the dice, first choosing the bloodstones, then chiseling and shaping them.

He let the swell of his emotions flow through and from him. A tingle of premonition shivered up his spine. He focused his will and mage power. With a flick of his wrist, he threw the dice again. They rolled, spun, stopped.

Excitement surged, and an overwhelming tide of triumph. His heart picked up beat. Shimmering tension embedded in his nerves.

T'Ash sat and gripped his half-empty caff mug between his palms. It was oversized, made by a mage-potter to fit his hands.

The ebb and flow of his preternatural Flair had changed over the last few days, he now realized. The daily divinations had foretold something unusual, signs that he'd overlooked. TwinMoonsday—
Enjoy the moment, for it will pass;
Midweek—
Prepare yourself;
Quert, yesterday,
Restructuring is necessary.

He stared at the dice once more.
Today you will meet your HeartMate.

How long he had waited! He was thirty-seven. The sole member of a GreatHouse, the highest rank of Celta. There were only thirteen GreatHouses. His was a colony FirstFamily, the House of the Ash. By the grace of the Lord and Lady, he'd escaped the destruction of his Family by a rival House when he was six years old. By sheer will and determination he hid and lived as a boy in the slums of the worst part of the city—Downwind. He grew strong first to survive, then for vengeance.