Page 26 of Interstellar Love Song (Villains in Space #3)

ZIGGY

Something felt off as soon as I was back in my Earthling body.

I chalked it up to exhaustion at first, since Micah and I had spent hours fucking before finally collapsing into bed.

This required me to quickly trade out my Rildrean skinsuit so we could both fit on the ridiculous clamshell, and while I had noticed the hint of discomfort once I did, I chose to ignore it in favor of cuddling with my husband.

Bad bitch mercenary indeed.

The thing was, I no longer tried to hide how in love with my mate I was—from him or anyone. For so long, I’d mistakenly believed any show of emotion was weakness. Thanks to Micah, I now knew that was simply a manifestation of toxic masculinity conditioned by a patriarchal society.

Thanks to Dr. Micah, I should say.

The trick would be teaching my fellow Stellarians to abandon the old ways as well.

Whether or not I liked—or agreed with—being seen as a “hero,” I was a symbol of hope to my people.

And even though we still couldn’t safely tell my fellow Stellarians about stellar collisions, publicizing my loving relationship with Micah helped demonstrate something more than mindless conquest and destruction.

Imagine how they’ll react to a child, Ziggy.

Assuming we can figure this out…

My plan had been to become pregnant as a Rildrean, transfer the womb-like egg to my Earthling form for incubation, and then back to the Rildrean for birth. Unfortunately, despite my research and our best efforts, we were not successful last night.

What am I doing wrong?

There was zero possibility Micah was to blame. I knew this because I’d conducted extensive testing on a borrowed sperm sample months ago and confirmed he was a perfect specimen of peak Earthling virility.

So the problem is obviously me.

Micah snuggled closer and slung an arm over my chest. “Stop thinking it’s your fault, Space Daddy,” he mumbled sleepily, forever in tune with my deepest concerns. “I already told you I am more than happy to try breeding you over and over again.”

I sighed, even as his words made my resonance hum. “What if it never works?”

He lifted his head to deposit a kiss on my lips before flopping back down to the mattress. “Well, then we’ll just adopt more orphaned alien babies and start a mini mercenary army—like Bruce Wayne. ”

What?!

“I don’t know who Bruce Wayne is, but raising innocent children to fight sounds exactly like the old Astrum Force’s M.O.,” I scoffed. “And I refuse to continue that toxic cycle of generational trauma.”

“This is why I love you,” Micah mumbled into his seashell pillow, emanating equal parts amusement and pride. “Gold stars, baby.”

Success!

Yes, I was partly seeking those coveted gold stars from Dr. Micah, but I still meant every word. The last thing I would ever want was for my children to experience the same upbringing as me.

Which means…

“I suppose I should adjust my mercenary lifestyle once a child arrives,” I grumbled, despite not being as mad at the idea as I thought I would be. “Perhaps it will be time to fully embrace the Intergalactic Ambassador title Honnor gave me.”

Micah laughed so hard he started coughing, and then had to sit up so I could slap him on the back.

It’s not funny!

“Are you kidding, Zig?” he snickered, wiping tears from his eyes. “What exactly do you plan to change? You showed up to rescue me from an entire village of Lacertus with baby Pedro perched on your shoulder, claws out! Some might call that child endangerment…”

I knew he was teasing me, but his point landed. “Yes, I suppose my idea of enrichment may differ from an Earthling’s perspective.”

“Exactly.” Micah’s smile softened. “Even on Earth, family values vary wildly between countries and cultures. What matters is that it works for your family, and we both know I would never try to change you…” he trailed off before grimacing. “But we will need a permanent nursery on the Lodger.”

A small price to pay.

“I would be willing to relocate my weapons for our future children—” I began before a wave of dizzying nausea swept over me.

What in Stellaria’s name?

I sat up and swung my legs over the side of the bed before dropping my head between my knees, like I’d seen Earthlings do when overcome with frail afflictions.

Stellarians don’t get afflicted!

“Jesus, Zig! Are you okay?” Micah scrambled to sit beside me. “What do you need? Water?”

“I… don’t know…” I muttered, gingerly lifting my head to see if the unnatural sensation had passed. “Maybe being in the water for so long didn’t agree with me.”

It certainly wasn’t all the sex.

That’s nothing new.

My mate looked dubious. “I think Theo spends hours in his creepy hot tub every day—probably naked, knowing him.”

Now I’m definitely going to be sick.

I was saved from replying to that horrible mental image by my Celestial Cube flashing on the coral-shaped bedside table—projecting a message for Star Unit squadron leaders only.

Squadron leaders and us, thanks to Micah hacking into the system.

:Attack on Tarkare interrupted:

:Assailant’s whereabouts unknown:

:172 soldiers from Star Unit 8675-G lost:

:All units in vicinity of K-59 Salus-Fides should immediately report for backup:

I was off the bed and gathering our belongings before the final message had completed its transmission. The Salus-Fides galaxy was close enough that a single burst of hyperspeed would get us there in under ten minutes, and I refused to let our opponent slip through our grasp.

They can’t have gotten far.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Micah waved his hands from the bed. “Excuse me, sir, but weren’t you just feeling ill?”

“Stellarians don’t get ill,” I snapped, tossing him his change of clothes so we could get out of here.

“Yeah, neither do supes. Not unless…” he trailed off and when I glanced at him again he was gnawing on his bottom lip while staring at my midsection.

I threw my hands up, realizing we were at a standstill until my scientist’s curiosity was sated. “Just ask, Micah.”

He winced apologetically. “Are you sure you’re not pregnant, Zig?”

My borrowed heart ached, but I knew he wasn’t asking to be hurtful. My mate simply liked having all the facts. “I’m sure, babygirl. There was nothing… viable in the Rildrean’s womb before I exited the vessel.”

Mission failed.

Micah didn’t look convinced, but he dutifully followed my lead and got dressed before we star hopped to the Lodger for departure.

We had only just emerged from the winding underwater tunnels of Rildrea when he spoke again. “So… Stellarians don’t experience any adverse effects during… reproduction?”

I sighed and reached across to his captain’s chair to squeeze his hand, knowing how badly he wanted this.

Because I want it too.

“Stellarian reproduction is entirely external, sunshine,” I gently reminded him. “We don’t carry our offspring the way other species do. Novas are almost completely independent after being created.”

It makes us easier to abandon.

When I released him to take the throttle, he placed his hand over mine. “We’re in the Mirari-Mirus galaxy, right? Could we make a quick stop on Ekistron to?—”

“We cannot,” I bluntly interrupted before softening my tone. “You know I respect you as my equal, but we are needed at Tarkare. Star Unit soldiers have been lost and the Planet Eater could still be nearby…”

My mate opened his mouth, as if to reply, before snapping it closed. Then he dropped his gaze to my abdomen before lifting it to meet mine again.

“Aye-aye, Captain,” he replied in a clipped tone before settling back in his chair, fully facing the Intergalactic Highway ahead. “Mission first.”

I immediately knew I’d fucked up somehow, but the clock was ticking. After quickly entering the coordinates for Tarkare— or what remained of it —I put the Lodger into hyperspeed and turned to face my stellar collision.

“Micah…” I began, having learned that making amends right away was the best course of action in our relationship. “I simply want to get to the crime scene before?—”

“Do you really think hyperspeed is a good idea right now?” he hissed, his wild-eyed gaze flickering between me and the distorted stars outside the viewport.

What?

Now I was beyond confused. Micah took every opportunity to suggest we fly at what he called “ludicrous speed,” no matter the distance to our destination. Why he was suddenly opposed to this standard, yet oddly thrilling feature made no sense.

Perhaps there was something in the water on Rildrea…

“Considering it will get us there before most Star Unit backup arrives, yes, I feel it’s necessary.” I slyly grinned. “After all, we want to be the first to look at the evidence, right?”

Micah dropped his head back with a groan. “You don’t play fair, Space Daddy.”

I still had no idea what he’d been concerned about a moment ago, but we seemed to be in agreement now. “If you want, we can stop at Ekistron after?—”

“No need.” He held out his hand, palm up. “Let me see your cube. I’ll just message Leeloo the question I had.”

WHAT?!

“I wasn’t aware Leeloo could receive messages from my cube,” I huffed, willingly handing it over even as I wondered why I hadn’t been given this important intel.

Micah gave me an odd look. “Well, yeah… Don’t you remember when Leeloo told us the Eki invented Celestial Cubes for Stellarians, but then created a less deadly version for themselves? They call them Photon Hexes, though.”

“Hexes?” I sputtered. “Like, a curse?”

My stellar collision’s attention was on my cube as he tapped out his message. “Short for hexahedron, I assume. A solid figure with six planes.”

His intelligence is so incredibly sexy.

“Hey!” His head snapped up. “Do you think the Eki created Photon Lances too?”

My gaze drifted to where Micah had mounted his precious lightsaber on the cockpit wall—near his original certificate—complete with a plaque that read “Best Engagement Present Ever from the Best Space Fiancé.”

Better change that to space husband now.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if they did.” I attempted to subtly spy on what he was asking Leeloo. “The Eki are known throughout the galaxies for being creative geniuses. ”

Micah’s cheeks darkened, correctly assuming I was also referring to him. “I wouldn’t call myself creative—more of a fixer. I see a problem and I figure out a solution. That’s all.”

I scoffed. “Problem-solving requires creativity. Isn’t that why Gabriel and Andre studied industrial design at their normie art school—to emulate your problem-solving powers?”

An incredulous smile spread across his face. “That is wild to think about. The twins are two of the most powerful supes on Earth and they think my powers are cool. No one else has telepathy like them?—”

“Except those of us tapped into the collective well,” I smoothly interjected.

He rolled his eyes. “Okay but, mind control? They are currently blocking an entire planet of Hydrassians from accessing their psychic powers from millions of light years away, while going about their lives like it’s nothing!”

Even I had to admit that was impressive, but his comment gave me an idea.

“I wonder if the Hydrassians might be looking to redeem themselves…” When Micah glanced at me, I elaborated, “I’m assuming they have access to some version of the collective well to receive their so-called prophecies.

If not, they could hack into ours and that sort of skill could come in handy for us. ”

My stellar collision’s brown eyes lit up with the thrill of the hunt, and I knew I’d been forgiven for not humoring his detour.

“Look at you, Space Daddy,” he praised. “Problem solving with that creative thinking of yours. ”

A reply was on the tip of my tongue when the Lodger abruptly disengaged from hyperspeed, revealing the scene at our destination.

“Oh, fuck,” Micah said, and I had to agree.

Not only had we reached what remained of Tarkare—mostly spinning chunks of battered space rock—so had hundreds of Star Unit soldiers, including an extremely recognizable commander.

Our Head Commander.

Oh, fuck indeed.