QSFer C.J. Dragon has a new MM sci-fi romance out: Raphael’s Rescue.
In an infinity of starlight, through anguish and betrayal, can love still shine?
Raphael Lewis of the Mars Colony wanted nothing more than to fly his ship, Agatha, and to remain with his family.
Lord Teo of the Chi’NoSa had other ideas.
On a routine trip to the asteroid belt, Raphael and Agatha are injured by a Chi’NoSa ship. After healing, he is held prisoner by the Chi’NoSa Lord Teo. Unsure what is wanted from him, and unfamiliar with Chi’NoSa protocol, Raphael only wishes to return home.
Lord Teo’s curiosity about the Mars colonist he inadvertently injured is a new emotion for him. So are the inappropriate lust and confusion. When his temper gets the best of him, he finds he needs Raphael’s forgiveness so he may learn why this man evokes such feelings in him.
Through misunderstanding and politics, Raphael and Teo must learn how to bring together two such disparate species, all while navigating their own love story. Will the Chi’NoSa ever accept Raphael as Teo’s? Or will their love be destroyed in a supernova?
PLEASE NOTE: On page whipping, noncon/dubcon, aliens with questionable ethics, and man-on-alien love. If these are triggers for you, please choose another wonderful book!
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Excerpt
He arrived at the bay, and began touching her silver hull gently, Agatha recognized him and lowered the ramp for him to board.
“Mo chroi,” Raphael said warmly. “How does this day find you?”
A warm female voice answered from all around him.
“My Archangel, I am very well and glad you have come – I am ready to shake the dirt off and fly today.”
Raphael smiled warmly.
“And so, you will. It’s prospecting again for us. I will program the minerals we are looking for today, while you run the safety checks for me.”
Raphael started towards the flight deck of this small, well-loved flyer. Agatha had been gifted to him by his family upon his sixteenth birthday. He had learned to fly in her and the AI in the ship had bonded strongly with him, accepting no other pilot in anything other than an emergency. Agatha had grown with him and was now more than she had been, just as Raphael was, and their relationship was close and loving despite the divide between man and machine.
“Safety checks complete, Archangel, and all’s well,” Agatha reported. “We have food, water, and surplus air aboard, and my fuel cells are fully charged. We also have plenty of taggers with us. Ready to lift when you are.”
“Thank you, Agatha,” Raphael replied. “We have clearance to leave in ten minutes. Please take us out to the Belt and start looking for those minerals. Then we can have good talk about the family.”
Agatha lifted effortlessly and left Mars orbit with her usual grace. She flew steadily, conserving power, knowing that her Archangel relied on her to keep him safe, and knowing that he trusted her to do so. Two hours later, they had reached the Belt and Agatha began scanning for the minerals needed.
“Archangel, I have found a selection of asteroids that have the minerals you want, but they are in an area of much debris. Are you ready for some tricky flying or would you prefer I take control?” Agatha said with a hint of dare in her voice.
Raphael chuckled.
“You are always trying to bogart my flying time, my girl. Well, not today. Please pass control to me, Agatha, and I will show you – again – how it’s done.”
Agatha said nothing, but there was a definite sound of a sigh coming from the ship.
Raphael deftly flew in and around multiple asteroids, tagging those Agatha had found for pick up. They were making more than their quota for this trip, when Agatha called out.
“Archangel, there is a large ship on approach. I don’t think they have seen us, but I am afraid…. Oh, devil take them, they have disrupted the field. We need to move out of here quickly before we are hit by one of those rocks,” Agatha said urgently.
Raphael checked his screens.
“Chart me a course out of here, Agatha, best possible speed, and let’s try to stay invisible.”
Agatha sent the information to Raphael. He began to maneuver out of the asteroid field just as the large ship once again disrupted the area. A medium sized rock spun around quickly and hit Agatha on the engine side, shutting down one and causing them to spin on the other. Raphael reacted quickly, calling Agatha in to help, but another rock hit them in the power conduit area of the ship, causing Agatha to go to emergency power only.
“Agatha,” Raphael said, tension evident in his voice. “What is happening? What can I do?”
Agatha answered “Archangel, we are losing air slowly due to a micro hole in the hull. Heat is falling to minimal levels. To save power, I will shut down my higher functions. I have sent a mayday to the colony, but it will take some time to reach them. Please put on a breather, Archangel, and suit up. I will stabilize the ship while you focus on staying alive.”
Raphael stood quickly, his hand slapping Agatha’s bulkhead in his haste to strengthen his connection with her. The lights dimmed and the alarms clamored loudly, making him wince, and raise his voice.
“Agatha don’t shut yourself down – there’s no need. I can use the breather and put on a suit to keep me from the cold.”
“Archangel, you will need the power. You are far more fragile than I. I will come back when we have more power, but now I must shut down all but basic services to save you. And that I will do, your order or no. I will speak with you again soon.”
Agatha shut down without further fanfare or comment. Raphael fell into his pilot’s chair, and sat still for several minutes, reaching out for her without success. The alarms fell silent, the lights dimmed, going to emergency lighting only. He got up with a sigh, put on a suit and breather, now starting to feel the cold of space leaking in, and knew that he would not survive more than an hour before hypothermia set in. His suit was rated to last perhaps a little longer in the cold of space. It was said to be an easy death, just falling asleep, and Raphael set himself to stay awake as long as he could, touching Agatha’s hull gently to let her know that he was there, knowing she would remember. The cold hand and dark eyes of space began to close inexorably on Raphael, slowing his thoughts, leaving him trying to Sense others without success.
Raphael lasted a little more than an hour before he finally felt himself slipping away, giving way to a false warmth and sadness combined, before closing his eyes for the last time.
Raphael did not feel Agatha being raised via lifter beam into the ship that was the author of his current problems, and likewise did not know when he was taken from his ship.
Author Bio
CJ has always been an avid reader of everything, having started her reading career on cereal boxes at a tender age. Deciding to finally share some of the stories in her head, CJ took the plunge into publishing in 2022.
She lives in North Carolina, is happily married to her wife and soulmate who is also a writer and is the Bringer of Food for two cats; Frankie, who is a delight; and Angel, who has earned her new name, Lucifer’s Handmaiden.
| Author Website | https://www.cjdragon.com |
| Author Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCJDragon |