Teaser for ‘Moro’s Shield’

After some Real Life derails, I’m hard at work at both Leopard and on Moro’s Shield. The latter begins only a few hours after the end of Moro’s Price.

Working blurb: On the run from two human empires, Moro seeks Sonta help for his damaged nervous system. Val must make amends for one of his teenage mistakes, or lose Moro to another lover.

I can’t actually post the first paragraph, not if I want to keep this blog somewhere just above PG13. But here’s a fun snippet that may or may not survive into the final version:

“Camalians keep many secrets from other humans,” Val began, trying to choose words from the mandatory classes he’d barely listened to as a bored teenager. “You’re one of us now –”

Moro surprised him all over again. That adorable forehead wrinkle deepened. Moro sat up suddenly, cross-legged amid the tangled sheets, and pointed accusingly at Val. “You can c-control how and when the shed symbionts return t-to Cama, c-can’t you? Otherwise, none of you c-could work around v-v-volatile gas–” 

“Damn,” said Val, fighting back a smile. Moro didn’t need to think he was being laughed at for the returning stammer. “Just how long have you been working that out?”

“Only the l-last hour or so. I-I think.”

“You were able to think? Cama save me, I’m a complete failure as a lover.”

Moro grinned at him. “I j-just have a lot more experience multitasking under d-duress.”