Page 146 of Starborn Husbands

She winks. “That’s right. You’d be doing what you love anyway. Think of it as switching employers. I think that’s how humans say it.”

“Yeah, I get you.”

“You’d all receive an Ankh rune, so that you’d remain under our protection when you’re away from Alcyone. You’d report to us for missions, but otherwise would be free. You’d all be welcome to make a home here.”

But all four of us? I can’t ask the people I love most to give away fifty years of their lives for me.

Zhang yanks me to him, pressing my back against his front. “You’ve given us a lot to talk about,” he says to the hawthors, closing the conversation. Right. Head of house. He makes the decisions and all that. Still getting used to having a husband.

“Of course. Take your leave now. Come back in the morning. If you’re ready then, Treyu, we’ll tell you what you are.”

* * *

We trek our way through the glowing forest. It’s dark, but also dancing with iridescent creatures, and flora that glow for us as we approach. We’re close to our craft. It’s been a silent journey with Gemini in the lead. I haven’t been able to look at Zhang. He’s probably hurt again, and I can’t bear it. But what did he expect?

We have to consider their offer. Being forced into a marriage isn’t anyone’s idea of romance. It would allow us to decide.

“What will they call us? Space pirates?” I ask sheathing my stolen sword as we come through the trees and set eyes on our craft. I’m only dreaming. I don’t expect everyone to commit to fifty years of servitude for me. Lanta and Gem were already on that road anyway, but Zhang … I can’t ask for something like that from him.

Zhang grabs my forearm, freezing us in place as the forest glows around us. I think he’s going to ruin my fun, but he’s smiling. “I’d become a pirate for you, Centaurus,” he says.

My heart beats in my stomach, sending warm tingles over every inch of my skin.

“I don’t want to end the marriage,” he says, surprising the hell out of me. I thought he’d be all Mister Nice Guy and offer to let me out of it like he did before.

The orange rims of Zhang’s irises blaze, and he holds his lips in a firm line. His expression says everything. I can barely breathe.

“I don’t wanna end it either,” I whisper. “You really wanna be stuck to me for?—”

“Yes.” His lips crush to mine and his ruffian hand cradles the back of my neck. His fingers rub in a specific spot at the nape.

Midnight skies. Moonshine cherries. Starry, starry nights.

Something tugs in my chest. The strange light trips and trills under my skin.

Our saliva’s so thick it strings as we pull away, and I can’t hide the sense of bewilderment that I know is playing on my face.

“We were so drunk on moonshine cherries, I twisted my ankle,” I say.

“You remembered.”

“I think so. You had to carry me … you … I was so small, and you didn’t have red hair.” My fingers comb through his red locks. I can’t imagine it being anything other than red, but now I can see it—him. There was still something very Zhang about him even while he occupied his human vessel.

“You were a feisty thing. You didn’t need a whole lot of height to make a point.” He rubs at his chest as if a knot has released itself.

“Can you two stop eye-fucking?” Atlanta says, marching out of the ship, opening his arms for Gem with his rifle strapped to one arm.

“We’ve just decided we’re staying married, asshole. Be happy for us.” Does this mean I love Zhang? I don’t fucking know. I’ve been cut off from connecting with that place inside me and I can’t tell.

Thankfully, Gem distracts him. “Baby, everything’s solved. We just have to agree to become hunters with them for fifty years, and we’re free.”

Gem slams into him, Atlanta’s suspicion-filled gaze lands on me. I know what he’s gonna ask and I’m going to avoid that question for as long as I can.

“I prefer the term space pirates, but we’ll work on the name later.”

“They know about me?” Atlanta asks.

Ugh. That’s the question. I shrug. “I guess? But look, everything’s good! They’re working with us. Things are moving in a positive direction. You’ll love being a pirate under my command.”