Blurb
Love triangles get bent out of shape when restless gods come out to play.
Relationships are complicated enough when only humans are involved — something the crew of the starship Athenia know plenty about. These children of a changing climate are no strangers to conflicts of the heart. And it seems there’s a lot of conflict going on, even out in space.
When an alien dust finds its way on board, the veil between realms begins to fray. Old gods of a long dead planet resume their own romantic bickering while ancient magic wreaks havoc across the ship. Grudges resurface, friends turn to enemies, unrequited love turns to passion — or does it? It’s kinda hard to tell with everyone at each other’s throats.
Gentles, perchance you wonder at this show; but wonder on, till truth make all things plain. Yet We Sleep, We Dream is a romantic space-fantasy inspired by Shakespeare’s endearing hot mess, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
“I have had a most rare vision. I have had a dream, past the wit of man to say what dream it was.” — Bottom, A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Yet We Sleep, We Dream by JL Peridot releases digitally on 23 September 2023.
Excerpt
This pre-edit teaser was originally published in the author’s newsletter in 2022. The final version in the book may differ from this excerpt.
“Engineering’s more of a concern. You know, in case the sensors and monitoring are wrong and it’s not just the lights that are out. But that’s why we need to make sure gravity’s all good around the ship, in case someone needs to go down there and check things out. I, uh…” Is it really necessary to explain this in such basic terms to a figment of his imagination?
And did he really have to explain it out loud?
Am I even speaking out loud?
He huffs a smile to himself and eyes the half-smoked joint again. Funny business, all of this.
But the redhead walks over. Nick is mesmerised by her bare feet across the cold floor. Her footfall somehow seems too thick and loud and physical. Especially physical. He never knew his imagination could be so vivid.
“No, you don’t need to explain it. Although I adore the sound of your voice, young one.” She runs a cool hand across the back on his neck. “I knew someone like you. He saw me bathing in a river beneath a twin moonrise and fell in love, the poor soul. He visited the river every moonrise for seven years, hoping to win me over. And then he gave up. And now that he’s gone, I find myself thinking of him, of what-ifs we never gave a voice. Now that I’m near you, I wonder all the more. I lament that even gods can be naïve.”
“Is that what you are? A god?”
She stands so close he can feel the heat radiating from her body. Her long hair smells like honey and wine. She touches him on the face, thumb brushing the ghost of a kiss across his cheek. Vibrations gather on the tip of his tongue.
Titania.
He knows her name like he knows his own heartbeat. She is here. She is real. Of course she’s real.
“Come.” She holds out a hand.
“Where?”
“Over by the window.”
Nick drops the tablet and obeys.
About JL Peridot
JL Peridot writes love letters to the future on devices from the past. She’s a qualified computer scientist, former website maker, amateur horticulturist, and sometimes illustrator. But most of the time, she an author of romantic science fiction. She lives with her partner and fur-family in Boorloo/Perth, Australia, on Whadjuk Noongar country. Visit her website at jlperidot.com for the full catalogue of her work.