Page 164 of Starborn Husbands

“I can want all I like, but you’ve got to say yes.”

“And I’m not going to if you don’t take this seriously.”

“He’s not going to because he didn’t ask his husband if he could mate with you,” Zhang corrects me.

I point to Zhang. “Yeah, that.”

“Fine, but if I have to involve myself in family matters, I want a piece of you too,” he demands, but it’s all words. It hasn’t escaped my notice that other than the sex last night, and the touching we’ve done so he can heal, he’s kept his distance. It’s as if he’s trying to play guard dog from afar.

“You have a piece of me, dumbass,” I say, sliding into the shirt Zhang threw at me. Shit, this is Merrick’s shirt. I remove it and shove it at him.

“Prove it, mate with me.”

“No can do. He said no.” Now I’m just fucking with him because I can.

Merrick growls, yanking the shirt over his head, and rolling off the bed. I find my shirt while he’s hopping into pants, and then he focuses on his boots instead of me.

“We don’t have time for this,” Zhang says. He’s right, but people might have to get used to us being late to everything. I’m calling it right now, we’re not going to be known as the “on-time family”.

Not bothering with his jacket, Merrick leans against the wall by the door, looking all suave with his arms crossed and his long black hair still full of sex. “I’m ready. Just waiting on you two.”

“It should be a crime to do anything without coffee in my system, and that includes dealing with your ass, Merrick.”

I do bother with my jacket because the look on Zhang’s face says I should put it on, and he’s running out of patience.

* * *

We have trouble alright. Two of the seven sisters, also known as the hawthors, are in the room with the king when we arrive.

“You’re late,” the king says.

The three of us bow our heads, as chagrined as naughty boys. Yeah, Merrick too because he’s all talk when it comes to shirking daddly authority. That man has a stack of daddy issues miles high.

“My apologies, Your Majesty,” Zhang says, like he’s supposed to.

He scans between the three of us. “Do you have plans to become a three-man home?” he asks. He’s so damn nosy.

Zhang doesn’t need the king’s permission for that now that he’s begun building a home. However, if the king opposes the idea, he can stir up a fuss about it. He wouldn’t decline an angel, would he?

“It’s complicated and undecided, but it’s a definite possibility.”

An unexpected zing of excitement lights my insides, the same light that likes to trip and trill about my insides like an eager puppy. That would be a nice happily ever after for me. Would be even better with a sunstar, just sayin’.

Zhang might be respectful toward his father, but there’s no question, he’s here for me. He stands tall despite his disheveled hair and his jacket slightly askew from being put on too hastily. What have I done to this man? There’s also something new in the creases around his eyes. Something harder. This whole ordeal has affected him. He’s done with bullshit. I could eat “So Done with the Bullshit” Zhang with a spoon.

He turns to the hawthors, addressing them. “Sister Nulaxy, Sister Asterope, if you’ve come to take my husband, I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. You’ll have to take him from my lifeless hands.”

Yeah, babe! God that makes my dick hard, and I glow. On the inside, sure, but I’m glowing. I don’t try to stop it this time, letting my glow roam free within me.

Nulaxy smiles. “And that’s how it should be. We’re not here to take him, not by force anyway. We’re here to restate our offer of asylum.”

“After you attempted to keep us as prisoners?” he says.

“We’re here to clear that up, too. Those warriors acted on orders that weren’t ours, and have been dealt with.”

Zhang remains firm. “Forgive me if I’m hesitant to believe that.”

“Zhang,” the king scolds.