Page 74 of Starborn Husbands

Good Gods. I am not prepared to be his husband. “Please tell me there’s champagne at this wedding?”

“There is not.”

“Tequila?”

“Not a chance.”

“Boxed wine?”

He laughs. “No, but I requested they make that cherry soda you like. It’s not quite the same as what they have on Earth, but I think you’ll like it.”

Zhang knows what I like to drink? Maybe being Mr. Zhang Centaurus won’t be so bad after all.

* * *

I have always hated weddings. Maybe it was the wedding part that made me not want to have a wedding—though the ceremony was a bit epic. Guess love isn’t a requirement for bonding, or maybe what Zhang has for me was enough.

Huh, someone actually made an honest man out of me. The whole thing is weird. And I’ve already lost my new husband to what’s his nut over there. This is stupid. How much longer do we have to people for? I signed on for a huge dick. It’s all mine now, and I want it.

Father and Dad make their way over to where I’m visibly pouting. I know they have mixed feelings, but they also want to support me. They’re happy for a solution that keeps me from becoming stardust. They hate Centauruses and now I am one.

I sip my special cherry drink under Father’s wrinkled nose. “I would say congratulations, but I think you might have to settle for a ‘thanks for doing what keeps you alive’.”

“I appreciate that, sir. I suppose I should wait before I bring him for any more breakfasts?”

“No. We’ll entertain the prince—your husband—any time. That’s the proper thing to do,” Father says.

But he won’t like it. I’ll keep it to a minimum. Trinket dives for me from Dad’s arms. Jamie and Antares stumble over each other running and then skidding to a halt before me. “Where’s Jericho?” I ask.

“Saw something he likes.”

“It had better not be a Centaurus. One Centaurus-Orion wedding is bad enough,” Father grunts.

I won’t tell him there’s another on the horizon. Dad kisses my cheek. “Find us before you leave, sweetheart.”

“I will.”

“Want me to take him?” Dad offers.

“No. I could use the company,” I say. Leave it to me to find a way to feel alone in this sea of people.

And I’m visited by endless people, but none of them are Zhang. Apparently, as his new husband, I’m only entitled to apologetic glances from across the room where he’s speaking to a long line of wedding guests. I don’t know most of these people. He’s lucky I have Trinket and he’d better get back over here soon.

A familiar presence sits beside me. “Please don’t disembowel Zhang on your wedding night.”

Now there’s a fun activity. No. That’s over for good. I can’t think about Zhang and disemboweling in the same sentence anymore without flinching. What’s the world come to? I rub my hand over the new rune on instinct just to feel the power of his star. Fucking hell.

“He should be over here with me,” I complain.

“I’ll nudge him this way for you.”

“Appreciate it. How much longer is Zhang’s associate here for?” In other words, when are they leaving?

“He’s not convinced things are over. He won’t go until they are.”

Goddess, Atlanta. “Tell him we’ll handle whatever comes up if anything comes up. Now is the time to go.”

“I’ll try, Treyu. You know what he’s like.”