Page 33 of Starborn Husbands

“But let’s not make this harder for Zhang. The Orion compound is built near a node. We can use the stargate there after you talk to your uncle and return home as soon as possible.”

CHAPTERNINE

EARLIER THAT DAY

Treyu

One of my favorite moments since coming home, was when Father stood me in front of everyone and said, “Treyu is eldest. He’s the head commander in this house when there are no dads in the house. He’s more than earned it. Am I understood?”

There was a chorus of “yes, sirs” with one “yes, Daddy” from Trinket, who does have Father wrapped around his tiny finger.

Even if Atlanta were home, we more often work as a team than not. He only pulls rank on me when I’m being unbearable. It’s happened a time or two. I can be a surly bitch.

After only a day and a half home, Gemini arrives at our damn front door. Not a single guard even attempted to kick him out. When I get back on the field, I’m having a long discussion with them. Which sleepy cat has been in charge of training?

“A heads up would have been nice,” I had said.

“I didn’t get one either or my hair would not look like this.” Gem looked so awful even my dark heart felt sorry for him.

He brought a hoverbike this time—an adult-sized one—and that’s where I sit, on the back, as we journey to the Guild. The nerves build. I deserve this, and I’ll take it. Doesn’t mean I’m looking forward to it.

* * *

Gemini walks with me up the long path to the steps of the Guild. It’s carpeted even though it’s outside, which I’ve always found weird. Tall stone pillars and fat flower vases as tall as twenty feet. Tiny balls of light shine in star-like fashion around the whole place and even though I’m about to be severely punished, I can’t help getting lost in the magic of this place.

“Where is my darling husband-to-be?” I ask. Not that I need him, but if I’m going to be forced into marrying him, he should at least do his job as my head of house. One of the best things about Pleiadian marriages is how we split roles. A head of house is responsible for everyone in his or her brood. Zhang’s supposed to take care of me. I could have him reprimanded for this.

Even in a marriage of three or more, everyone has a role. You can add people to your household, but once they’re married in, you can’t divorce spouses as they do on Earth. You’re held accountable to your role.

“Zhang doesn’t know this is happening,” he says carefully.

“What? Why not?”

“It was pushed ahead, and Father allowed it because he felt that it was better to have it done and over with.”

Suddenly it hits like a tidal wave—an icy cold tidal wave. I depend on Zhang to show up for me, but he can’t fucking show up if he doesn’t know he needs to show.

Do I like or hate this fact? I’ll have to process that later. For now, I just want the righteous burly star to stride in here with his jacket flaring behind him and save me like a dame tied to the railroad tracks in those very old and strange human movies I watch sometimes.

Ugh. That’s not even me, so why am I so bereft?

“I’m entitled to have my husband here,” I say. The words surprise me. I didn’t know I would say them until they were said.

“You are, but he isn’t your husband yet.” The taste of a smile brightens his lips. “He will be here by tonight.”

That doesn’t help. Fuck. Gods. The nerves ratchet several notches. I need some serious grounding to stabilize me. I clutch Gem’s robes by the collar. “Gem I … I can’t. Please. Isn’t there anything you can do?”

He’s the crown prince. That’s got to be good for something.

Nodding, he gathers what I’m sure are the last vestiges of his strength. “I’ll try, okay? I’ll do whatever I can, now c’mon.”

It’ll have to do.

The entrance to the Guild reaches thousands of feet into the sky. It was built with the help of the Gods. Stars are similar to humans that way. We needed the Gods to guide us and provide technologies we would not have had otherwise. Humans don’t remember the help they received from the Gods, like for instance, building the pyramids. The Gods made humans from Pleiadian DNA, and they have stardust threaded through their biological makeup, but only some have figured it out, even fewer remember. They are a species with amnesia. Those who have flashes of memories they are brave enough to share are considered heretics.

Platinum-lined hieroglyphics are etched on the surface of the sandstone blocks surrounding the Guild, and tell the stories of our origins. The whole place smells like a blend of the flowers growing over the stone walls. They usually buoy me, today the scent stirs the pit in my stomach.

“Do you want to hold my hand?” Gem says.