Turbulent Waves, page 1
Turbulent Waves
Synopsis
Kai Merlin is heir to her mother’s throne in Atlantis, and she takes her duties seriously, but lately her mind has been on her fiancée Vivien Palmer. After a chance encounter when they were children, meeting again and falling in love proved to be fate, but melding their worlds as they plan their wedding isn’t going to be easy.
Vivien has spent her life searching for the secrets she’d always known were hidden beneath the waves, but nothing prepared her for what Kai and her people had successfully kept hidden for eons. She finally has a sense of belonging, but unseen enemies will stop at nothing to conquer and destroy their world—including everything and everyone she holds dear.
Below turbulent waves, Kai and Vivien must fight for what is right as life and love hang in the balance.
Praise for Ali Vali
One More Chance
“This was an amazing book by Vali…complex and multi-layered (both characters and plot).”—Danielle Kimerer, Librarian (Nevins Memorial Library, Massachusetts)
Face the Music
“This is a typical Ali Vali romance with strong characters, a beautiful setting (Nashville, Tennessee), and an enemies-to-lovers style tale. The two main characters are beautiful, strong-willed, and easy to fall in love with. The romance between them is steamy, and so are the sex scenes.”—Rainbow Reflections
The Inheritance
“I love a good story that makes me laugh and cry, and this one did that a lot for me. I would step back into this world any time.”—Kat Adams, Bookseller (QBD Books, Australia)
Double-Crossed
“[T]here aren’t too many lesfic books like Double-Crossed and it is refreshing to see an author like Vali continue to churn out books like these. Excellent crime thriller.”—Colleen Corgel, Librarian, Queens Borough Public Library
“For all of us die-hard Ali Vali/Cain Casey fans, this is the beginning of a great new series…There is violence in this book, and lots of killing, but there is also romance, love, and the beginning of a great new reading adventure. I can’t wait to read more of this intriguing story.”—Rainbow Reflections
Stormy Seas
Stormy Seas “is one book that adventure lovers must read.”—Rainbow Reflections
Answering the Call
Answering the Call “is a brilliant cop-and-killer story…The crime story is tight and the love story is fantastic.”—Best Lesbian Erotica
Lammy Finalist Calling the Dead
“So many writers set stories in New Orleans, but Ali Vali’s mystery novels have the authenticity that only a real Big Easy resident could bring. Set six months after Hurricane Katrina has devastated the city, a lesbian detective is still battling demons when a body turns up behind one of the city’s famous eateries. What follows makes for a classic lesbian murder yarn.”—Curve Magazine
Beauty and the Boss
“The story gripped me from the first page…Vali’s writing style is lovely—it’s clean, sharp, no wasted words, and it flows beautifully as a result. Highly recommended!”—Rainbow Book Reviews
Balance of Forces: Toujours Ici
“A stunning addition to the vampire legend, Balance of Forces: Toujour Ici is one that stands apart from the rest.”—Bibliophilic Book Blog
Beneath the Waves
“The premise…was brilliantly constructed…skillfully written and the imagination that went into it was fantastic…A wonderful passionate love story with a great mystery.”—Inked Rainbow Reads
Second Season
“The issues are realistic and center around the universal factors of love, jealousy, betrayal, and doing the right thing and are constantly woven into the fabric of the story. We rated this well written social commentary through the use of fiction our max five hearts.”—Heartland Reviews
Carly’s Sound
“Carly’s Sound is a great romance, with some wonderfully hot sex, but it is more than that. It is also the tale of a woman rising from the ashes of grief and finding new love and a new life. Vali has surrounded Julia and Poppy with a cast of great supporting characters, making this an extremely satisfying read.”—Just About Write
Praise for the Cain Casey Saga
The Devil’s Due
“A Night Owl Reviews Top Pick: Cain Casey is the kind of person you aspire to be even though some consider her a criminal. She’s loyal, very protective of those she loves, honorable, big on preserving her family legacy and loves her family greatly. The Devil’s Due is a book I highly recommend and well worth the wait we all suffered through. I cannot wait for the next book in the series to come out.”—Night Owl Reviews
The Devil Be Damned
“Ali Vali excels at creating strong, romantic characters along with her fast-paced, sophisticated plots. Her setting, New Orleans, provides just the right blend of immigrants from Mexico, South America, and Cuba, along with a city steeped in traditions.”—Just About Write
Deal with the Devil
“Ali Vali has given her fans another thick, rich thriller…Deal With the Devil has wonderful love stories, great sex, and an ample supply of humor. It is an exciting, page-turning read that leaves her readers eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.”—Just About Write
The Devil Unleashed
“Fast-paced action scenes, intriguing character revelations, and a refreshing approach to the romance thriller genre all make for an enjoyable reading experience in the Big Easy…The Devil Unleashed is an engrossing reading experience.”—Midwest Book Review
The Devil Inside
“The Devil Inside is the first of what promises to be a very exciting series…While telling an exciting story that grips the reader, Vali has also fully fleshed out her heroes and villains. The Devil Inside is that rarity: a fascinating crime novel which includes a tender love story and leaves the reader with a cliffhanger ending.”—MegaScene
Turbulent Waves
Brought to you by
eBooks from Bold Strokes Books, Inc.
http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com
eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.
Please respect the rights of the author and do not file share.
By the Author
Carly’s Sound
Second Season
Love Match
The Dragon Tree Legacy
The Romance Vote
Hell Fire Club in Girls with Guns
Beneath the Waves
Beauty and the Boss
Blue Skies
Stormy Seas
The Inheritance
Face the Music
On the Rocks in Still Not Over You
One More Chance
A Woman to Treasure
Calumet
Turbulent Waves
Call Series
Calling the Dead
Answering the Call
Forces Series
Balance of Forces: Toujours Ici
Battle of Forces: Sera Toujours
Force of Fire: Toujours a Vous
Vegas Nights
Double-Crossed
The Cain Casey Saga
The Devil Inside
The Devil Unleashed
Deal with the Devil
The Devil Be Damned
The Devil’s Orchard
The Devil’s Due
Heart of the Devil
The Devil Incarnate
Turbulent Waves
© 2021 By Ali Vali. All Rights Reserved.
ISBN 13: 978-1-63679-012-1
This Electronic Original Is Published By
Bold Strokes Books, Inc.
P.O. Box 249
Valley Falls, NY 12185
First Edition: October 2021
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.
Credits
Editors: Victoria Villaseñor and Ruth Sternglantz
Production Design: Stacia Seaman
Cover Design by Sheri (hindsightgraphics@gmail.com)
eBook Design by Toni Whitaker
Acknowledgments
There are certain characters that stay with me. They rattle around in my head, letting me know they have more to say, and Kai and Vivien had more to say. Thank you, Radclyffe, for the opportunity to keep telling my stories—your friendship means the world. Thank you, Sandy Lowe, for keeping me on track and for another excellent title suggestion. Thanks too to my BSB family. I appreciate every one of you.
Thank you to my awesome editors, Victoria Villaseñor and Ruth Sternglantz. Vic, thank you for all your lessons, and for making me laugh as you bend me to your will. You and Ruth have taught me so much and I appreciate both of you. I’d like to thank Sheri Halal for the awesome cover.
Thank you to my first readers Lenore Beniot, Cris Perez-Soria, and Kim Rieff. You guys are the best and I appreciate all the help.
A huge thank you to every reader who writes always wanting more. You guys send the best emails, so every word is written with you i
Hopefully, we’re one step closer to finally seeing each other at different events and catching up. There’s plenty to do on my bucket list, and I’m ready for some new adventures with C. There’s a whole world out there yet to be explored, and I can’t wait to get to it. Verdad!
For C
and
To the adventurer in us all
Chapter One
Vivien Palmer woke in her childhood bedroom in her family’s beach house in Key Largo, Florida. Growing up, she’d shared the space all summer with her younger brother, Franklin. As adults they made it a point to visit at least once a year to spend time together.
The last month had been like a waking dream that she had to convince herself was real. She’d gone from realizing she’d spend the rest of her life in misery, to staring at the woman who’d come back for her.
Kai Merlin first came into Vivien’s life on the beach outside when they were children. She’d been playing with Frankie, and the tall girl with the blue wet suit had surfaced from the water and talked to them before diving under again and swimming toward two large sharks, disappearing from sight. Vivien and Frankie hadn’t been believed, and it’d created friction between them and their parents that had carried on until recently.
Kai had reappeared years later as an employee of her family’s business—Palmer Oil, based in New Orleans. Vivien had been instantly drawn to Kai because she’d understood her passion for exploring what was hidden beneath the waves. It was something Vivien had pursued all her life, and Kai knew it was more important than her duties with the company. They’d had a bumpy beginning the second time around, but it’d turned into a love that would bridge two worlds.
She’d spent the last weeks listening to Kai’s explanation of exactly who she was and where she came from. It was still hard to believe. That Atlantis existed was difficult enough to wrap her head around, but that she’d fallen in love with the heir to its throne blew her mind. Kai was here, though, proving Vivien wasn’t crazy.
She heard noise coming from downstairs, and she glanced behind her at the clock. It was a bit after six, and although Kai was usually up by now, she remained curled up beside her. They’d had a late night after Frankie returned from wherever Kai’s people had taken him. The stories her brother had told her made her jealous that he’d seen some of the things she’d searched for under the water all her adult life, but Kai had preached patience. Her turn would come.
“Good morning, love,” Kai said softly.
The length of Kai’s body pressed against her made her sigh. “Good morning.” She hummed when Kai kissed her and moved so Vivien was lying almost on top of her.
“Want to go down and help him out? Frankie’s going to have an adjustment period, so he’s going to need some pointers.” She traced Kai’s dark eyebrows with her fingertips and smiled. “I’ll teach him to make coffee, and you can teach him how to talk to girls.”
A birth defect had kept her brother in a wheelchair all his life, and the chair was simply a part of who Frankie was. She’d told him from the time they were children it wouldn’t keep him from having a full life and family. Frankie understood that in his head, but in his heart the disability had stolen his confidence when it came to his personal life.
Professionally, Frankie was an accomplished attorney, helped run the family business, and was talented in procuring leases to expand their holdings. Dating, though, was something he’d shied away from. His explanation was he didn’t want to be a burden to anyone.
Of course he was the only one who believed that, but convincing him otherwise was like emptying the Gulf with a spoon. That wouldn’t be a problem any longer, thanks to Kai’s return and the medical team she brought with her. They’d given him his biggest wish. Working legs and a healthy spinal cord had been pie in the sky fantasies, until they weren’t.
“I’m sure he’ll be fine. Once the shock wears off, it’ll be like we never intervened.”
“You’re right, and I’m shocked he didn’t spend the night running up and down the beach.” She smiled when Kai rolled over and kissed her.
“He’s got a lot to catch up on, and hopefully he’ll figure out he was a wonderful man with the chair. The part that makes him the brother you love hasn’t changed. The essence of any man isn’t tied up in his legs, but in his heart.”
“You say the nicest things, but you have to move before I throw up on you.” Hopefully this would be over soon. Nausea and throwing up were a definite mood killer. “I’m sorry, honey.”
Kai followed her into the bathroom like she always did. “Don’t apologize.” Kai held her head and placed a cool towel on the back of her neck.
“Man, I hate doing this.” She rinsed her mouth out and rested her head on Kai’s chest. “I appreciate that this isn’t completely grossing you out.”
“I’ve been reading, and this isn’t great for you, but it’s completely normal. Once we get to twelve weeks, it should disappear, unless you’re an overachiever.” Kai kissed her forehead and rubbed her back. “If there was a way for me to go through this for you, I would.”
“You’re sweet, and it’s time to tell Frankie. I was getting ready to when you popped out of the water.”
Once they were in the kitchen, Vivien had to stop when she saw Frankie standing and looking out the window. The picture was so strange, it made her cry, making her brother turn and smile. Frankie had never been an unhappy person, but now he seemed perpetually surprised at his newfound blessing. He walked over and kissed her forehead as he put his arms around her.
“Those better be happy tears,” Frankie said, placing his hand on Kai’s shoulder. “I can chase you down now if you make my sister cry.”
“Believe me”—Kai put her hands on Vivien’s middle and made a good backrest when Frankie let her go—“she’s going to be my world for as long as she can stand me.”
“Good.” Frankie poured them all some coffee, and they took it outside to the deck. “I think you two have a story to tell me.”
“Actually, I think Kai has a story to tell us both.”
Kai looked between them. “You really want to start with that?”
“Yes,” the siblings said together.
“It’ll make our news seem normal in comparison,” Vivien said.
* * *
Queen Galen Merlin and Hadley, her consort, watched from the capital as Laud Mandina took a deep breath before she entered the cell where they’d imprisoned Tanice Themis. Galen was glad her old friend and chief protector had accepted the assignment of breaking this fool. Laud’s family had been in service for generations, but she was only the second in her family to be elevated to head of the royal guard, and Galen knew she’d get the job done.
Tanice was a smallish woman with brilliant red hair and green eyes. It was interesting to see someone who’d come from their ancestorial home. Her ancestors had left it thousands of years before. Galen knew their long-ago home planet still existed because of communications from the ruling Oberon family, but they were in the last stages of annihilation caused by their own foolishness. Queen Nessa, their first queen, had the forethought to save the best of her people and had settled a new kingdom named after their home planet Atlantis, before the cavemen learned to walk upright on planet Earth.
That first settlement had been built on land, and they’d expanded there for generations, until their original city had been destroyed and they’d headed for the depths instead. Now the capital was deep in the Atlantic, and they had settlements all over the world, deep enough that man would never stumble upon them.
Nessa had led thousands of her people from their home planet, and after twenty generations or so they’d evolved to a completely female population sustained by the scientific breakthroughs they’d accomplished. Galen was the current queen and, along with her wife Hadley, worked tirelessly to expand the empire while keeping their people happy and away from human eyes. That someone had attacked and almost killed Kai, their only child, would not go unpunished.
