Page 100 of Starborn Husbands

He knows I can show him like that. “And a ring. I mean it, Gemini. You become mine as soon as possible.”

“Already yours. Already been yours for a long time.” His wispy red hair lifts and travels with the breeze.

He was mine all that time, and I didn’t know it. Angling his face, I capture his plump lips in a kiss that says everything I want to say. I steal his breath and leave him panting for me.

“Don’t be long.” I know he can’t always control that, especially in this situation, but I’m telling him anyway. There’s only one place Gem should be, and that’s attached to my fucking hip.

“Promise. You’ll barely have time to miss me.”

* * *

Getting in the door is too easy and makes me wish I was staying so I could whip home security into shape. It begs the question: What’s got Father busy enough to let home security slack?

Did Treyu notice? If he didn’t, I’m kicking his ass into the ground.

But it works for me today. Anyone on Orion grounds is likely trustworthy, loyal to their very cores, but the less people who know about me the better.

Setting my rifle on the entryway mantle, I inhale home. Still smells like sweat and war in here. Little footsteps pound their way to me and then freeze. He’s the tiniest Orion I’ve ever seen, which is saying something. Treyu was small. He’s wearing a shirt, but no pants, and brandishes a starblade.

“Who gave the baby a starblade?” I roar. I am gonna pound some heads. No one answers. Removing my hood, I crouch so we’re eye level. “Gimme.”

He hands it over, his big eyes still trying to figure me out. “Did you eat Treyu?”

“No, but the day is still young. Atlanta,” I say. “You must be the new guy.”

“I’mnotthe new guy. I’m Trinket.” He scowls. Gods he’s fucking cute. He’s my new favorite, Treyu’s out. I can see why Trey wanted to nab him.

“Got it. Wanna watch me stab your other brothers with this?”

“Yeah!”

See? I’m great with kids. Orion kids anyway. I’ve raised a few of them.

Lifting the little guy into my arms is easy, and I stomp through the house with my boots on until I find someone. Antares is in the kitchen. He’s shaved his head and has a new rune embossed on the left side of his skull. I’m a lot older than everyone. I taught him how to point his dick when he takes a piss so that he doesn’t soak his fucking pants.

I hope someone’s taught this one. First, he needs pants.

Antares snaps his head up like he’s just realized a prairie bear snuck up on him. I can taste the fear shooting through him. “At-Atlanta. Shit.”

I stab the star blade into his thigh—don’t worry, he’ll be fine—and get real close to his face while he screams. It could have easily been Trinket with a star blade in his thigh, or worse. That’s not happening.

“Do not let baby starlet have weapons.”

“Ye-Yes, sir. Fuck.”

“Now remove the blade and give it back.”

“O-Okay, but dammit, Lanta. Don’t stab me again.”

“I don’t know which one of you idiots is to blame, and I don’t care. I’m giving you all a reminder.”

There’s a squelch as he pulls the knife out. Blood drips onto the floor. He hands the knife back. “Did Dad go with Father to the palace?” I ask.

“You saw it too, then. Yeah. Don’t know when they’ll be back.”

“Mhm,” I grunt, sitting in a chair with the baby starlet in my lap. He’s staring at Antares’s open wound, unfazed by it. This kid is definitely an Orion.

“When did Father say you could start training for your sunstar rune, kid?” I ask, twirling the small star blade in my fingers.