Page 99 of Starborn Husbands

Zhang looks to the sky for mercy. “I can petition for access as his husband. We have a contract with the Gods. Like it or not, the angels will have to let me in via Atlantis.”

“Let you in, sure, but let you take him? No. We might have to bust in and steal him back,” I point out.

Zhang sighs. There’s no arguing with me. “But then your father will know you’re here.”

“It was a matter of time. Wouldn’t be surprised if he already suspects it.” I didn’t want to involve my family in my romantic mess, but that was when it was just me. “Any chance your father would help?”

“No.” Zhang winces. “He doesn’t exactly like Treyu. He’ll view it as the Gods blessing us with a new opportunity.”

The king doesn’t like Orions, period.

“Shit, look,” Gem says, pointing behind me.

What now?

A large aircraft hits our atmosphere. It’s an aircraft no one wants to visit their planet, especially in the middle of the night.

“Mother of fuck,” Zhang shouts at the thing, throwing his sword at it. The moonlight glints and splashes off it as it sails through the air, heading for the palace’s landing strip. “Why? Why now?”

Yeah, I guess he’ll have to deal with that. “I’ll speak to my father,” I tell Zhang. “Meet me at Orion base camp when you can get away.”

Orion base camp, also known as our family home.

Zhang bends to pick up his sword and his jacket flares like wings as he thunders away.

“I should go with him, Lanta.”

But he doesn’t want to. Guess he’ll be expected. I can’t wait till we’re off in the galaxy somewhere, fighting scum together. At least we’ll never have to part, I’ll never let him leave my side. Fucking Treyu. Bet he’s the reasonthatship is here, however unlikely.

I slide a hand to either side of Gem’s delicate face. I want words, good ones. I want to say something that will soothe him and let him know how much parting with him kills me.

“Gemini.” Just his name rattles from my throat. Did that sound as painful as it felt? He’s my vulnerability. I’m ripped open and raw. Looking at him for too long hurts and has my heart damn near beating out of my chest.

He forces a smile. “I’ll always return to you.”

“Let’s get married.”

“Wasn’t that the plan, caveman?”

Gem knows how hard it is for me to find the words when I want to express emotion. “Before we leave, so we’ll be in the book.”

“How, baby?”

“Father can do the runes for us. He can call upon the Gods.”

He raises an auburn brow. “Your dad is going to let you marry me?”

“I’m an adult. A real one. He won’t like it, but he’ll respect my decision. Failing that, Treyu did it.”

He whacks my bald head. “Treyu had no other choice.”

I shrug. “Neither do I, Gem.” It’s life or death for me. Death is what a life without Gemini is. Shit. I should say that to him. I want to. The words sit there, polished and beautiful on the shelf in my mind where they’ll collect dust.

Gem gets me, though. “One day, I’ll unlock all your thoughts, Lanta. I … I know what they feel like, but I’d love to hear them.”

“I love the fuck out of you.” My breath hitches on the word love, emphasizing how sacred a vow that is.

Gemini glows. “Show me with your dick later?”