I’d like to introduce Kerry and Cat from Hywela Lyn’s BELOVED ENEMY, the third novel in her Destiny trilogy. Welcome!
Good evening Alisha, how kind of you to invite us here. Cat takes a seat across from Alisha and Lyn, and Kerry seats himself next to her. His stern expression changes as he fixes his gaze on Alisha and he smiles briefly, a smile that is as charismatic as it is fleeting.
Cat glances across at him then back to Alisha: I hope you don’t mind me bringing Shifter along, he frets if he’s away from me for long. She glances down at her feet and a shadow moves. Don’t let him scare you, he’s very friendly, but he can change his appearance to blend in with his surroundings, which can be a bit disconcerting if you don’t know he’s there.”
Oh-kaaay. Alisha watches the vague outline of the large animal as it moves closer to Cat. It is something like a wolf in appearace, and almost indistinguishable from the scarlet floor covering, although when it reaches Cat it changes colour to merge with the dark purple of her jumpsuit.
He really is a sweetie, Lyn says, bending over to stroke Shifter’s head. Let’s start this interview where the story opens, shall we. Cat—what motivated you to be in that sector of space?
Cat hesitates, avoiding looking at Kerry: I was trying to find out what happened to my sister. I’d heard rumours and pieced together bits of information. I was pretty sure she’d been killed but I wanted to know exactly what happened to her – and hunt down the person responsible.”
I’m sorry, Alisha says. If it’s not too painful, what is your fondest memory of your sister? What do you miss about her most?
Cat hesitates slightly before answering: I haven’t seen her for years, not since we were children, but I remember how we used to play together, and chase about beneath the domes on Earth. I always admired her and thought we were close, but she changed as we grew into young adults, and left shortly after my father deserted us.
Alisha gives her a curious look: Your father? He wasn’t your sister’s as well?
No. Our mother had remarried and I was born a couple of years later. We were only half-sisters but that never mattered to me.
I can’t resist it, Lyn says grinning. You too are going through so much together and on the surface seem to be just tolerating each other. What do you really think of each other?
There is a long silence before Cat answers quietly: You really expect me to tell you now – in front of him?
Kerry’s face is expressionless: Please, don’t spare my feelings. I believe I can take it!
It’s OK Cat – and Kerry, Lyn says reassuringly. You can write your thoughts down – in complete confidence.
After a short pause, Cat hands her a small screen. On it is written : He is the most infuriating man I’ve ever met. My intention was to kill him – I thought I had a good reason. Now I’m not so sure. We’re stuck here on this planet with no way off and we’ve faced some dangerous situations together and there have been moments—. Sure, he can be sarcastic and a bit patronizing – but I can give as good as I get and I suspect there is another side to him, and some tragedy in his past. Also – and I hate to admit it, but he is rather good looking—those blue eyes are amazing, and there is a certainly charisma about him!
Kerry glances at Cat curiously, then shrugs and hands his own screen to Lyn, who reads it then passes it to Alisha. Kerry has written: She is one of the most intriguing and at the same time annoyingly stubborn people I have ever come across. I am never sure whether I can trust her or not and I have the gnawing suspicion that she is hiding something. However, she did save my life, although I have the feeling she would just as soon shoot me. She seems to have several useful skills and since we are obliged to work together to escape from this damned planet, there is little I can do about it at the moment, other than to watch my back. Having said that, she does seem to have a softer side than the one she likes to portray. She is witty and clever, and she is certainly very attractive—especially when she lets her hair down, literally, that is.
Alisha nods slowly: A question for you both – what do you wish you’d learned about yourself long ago, or if you could send your younger self a message, but only had four words, what would that message be?
Cat considers for a moment: I wish I’d learned how naïve and trusting I was when I was young. I didn’t realise then how unreliable some people can be, and how devious. I would tell my younger self to ‘grow a thick skin’. After all, in this life one is bound to get hurt, and it’s best to be prepared.
Kerry flashes his rare smile: Strangely enough, my answer is very similar to Cat’s. I have trusted very few people in my life and rely on no-one but myself. I learned that the hard way, as a young boy, growing up with an Aunt and her partner, who were—shall I say—less than kind. I would tell my younger self to “choose friends with care,” but then as I said, that is something I have always done instinctively anyway.
Gosh you two have had some hard times I can see —
Kerry raises an eyebrow: Well, you should know — you are the author!
Lyn nods: I guess I had that coming. I don’t suppose either of you have a very good opinion of me then.
Cat purses her lips: Well, I suppose that all depends on whether you give us our happy ever after!
Kerry glances across at Cat and gives her another of his smiles:. Strangely enough, it would seem that once again we are in agreement. He looks back at Lyn: However, I thought we had an understanding. Since it has taken you long enough to continue my story, surely you have tortured me – and Cat for that matter – enough. I find it hard to believe you will not bring it all to a satisfactory conclusion, although at this moment I can’t quite see how.
Lyn grins: Sorry, you’ll both have to wait and see – and I know patience is not a strong point for either of you, but just bear in mind this is a romance.
Kerry and Cat exchange glances that could be interpreted as shock or disbelief.
Alisha: Well, I could go on chatting for much longer but sadly I have to bring this interview to a close. One final question for you both though—if you could have one thing on Robigo that would not aid in your survival, what would it be?
Cat answers immediately: “I already have him – Shifter. We’ve been together for quite a while and seen some dangerous times. He’s more than a pet, he’s my companion, and we look out for each other. She pauses for a moment. Of course what I want more than anything else, is to get off Robigo, but I wouldn’t go unless I could take Shifter as well.”
Alisha looks questioningly at Kerry.
A communicator that actually works! I need to get back in contact with my ship! There are things happening on Robigo that have no rational explanation. Even better than that, a transit ferry would be rather useful. He turns to glance again at Cat. And I somehow ended up promising Cat that I’d help her escape from this planet. He pauses for a moment. Oh, I’m sorry, you did say something that would not aid in our survival? I am not a great one for artifacts that have no particular use. I suppose a small android that could beat me at chess would be interesting. He consults his chronometer. This has been a fascinating interview and it was delightful to meet you both. However, we have a to figure a way off Robigo and work out what is preventing me from communicating with my ship – if we survive the numerous dangers our author seems to have set up for us, that is.
Well thank you both again. As Alisha speaks, Cat and Kerry, together with ‘Shifter’ slowly dematerialize.
Thank you so much for having us, Alisha. I’ve really enjoyed it, and I think Cat and Kerry did too. They may not realise it at the moment, but I feel they make a perfect couple don’t you think?
I agree!
And here’s a little bit more about the book:
The Blurb:
Cat Kincaid is obsessed with killing the man she believes is responsible for the torture and death of her sister, but when she eventually catches up with him, survival becomes a greater priority than revenge.
Kerry Marchant, haunted by memories, regret and self-blame, shields himself from the pain of the past by committing himself totally to the starship, Destiny, of which he is part owner. However, the beautiful, red haired woman who reminds him of his lost love, and who he suspects is working for a corrupt regime, represents a possible threat not only to the ship, but to his heart.
Marooned on an inhospitable planet, they need to work together to stay alive, fighting not only unknown assailants, but their growing attraction. But how can they learn to trust each other when he has vowed never to get close to a woman again, and she made a solemn pledge to destroy him?
Buy it here or here and come back tomorrow for an excerpt and some info about the author, Hywela Lyn!
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