Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
Starblade didn’t resist when Vardox took him in his arms, but he gasped in surprise when Vardox dipped him backward like a dance partner.
“You have surprised me in several ways this evening. I’ve enjoyed it immensely.”
Narrowing his eyes, Starblade asked, “Are you making fun of me?”
Vardox lifted him and then yanked Starblade tight against his chest. “Do I look like I’m joking?”
The intense glint in his eyes made Starblade hesitate.
Before he could say anything, Vardox swooped in and claimed his mouth like a conquering warrior. His forked tongue savored every inch of Starblade’s mouth, licking and tasting as if he couldn’t get enough.
Much to his consternation, Starblade found himself moaning into Vardox’s mouth and hungrily kissing him with equal passion in return.
Before now, he’d always held himself back.
It was a way to convince himself he wasn’t fully giving himself to Vardox, that part of him was maintaining its resistance.
But there seemed no point anymore. Damn and blast, but Starblade loved this man and he could deny it no longer.
Vardox’s villainous reputation was, as Starblade had learned, rather exaggerated. Nevertheless, now that Starblade knew Vardox’s true feelings and had admitted his own, he was going all in.
From this moment forward, he had a new mission. If he was going to fully embrace his love for Vardox, then Starblade was going to find a way to lead him toward the path of good no matter what.
—The Tentacular Tales of Captain Starblade, Ch. 171
River
“This is so fucking cool,” I tell Kai.
I know I’ve said that about a million times during this epic intergalactic honeymoon adventure, but it’s true every single time—like right now.
This morning, Kai and I are exploring a local market that has set up shop in the plaza square at the center of the resort.
Vendor booths are tightly packed in the quad, and vendors are selling a dazzling array of goods, from clothing to jewelry to technical gadgets, food, and unique arts and crafts.
Kai leans down and kisses me on the cheek. “I had an inkling you’d enjoy this.”
“That’s because you know me so well, life partner o’ mine. We’re in sync and a totally unstoppable duo.”
“We will live long and prosper—together,” Kai says with a little smirk.
I gasp and clutch my heart. “Now you’re channeling your Mr. Spock hotness? Swoon! There’s only so much sexiness I can handle from you in the morning.”
Kai looks quite pleased with himself.
And now I want to get him a Spock costume so we can role-play Kirk and Spock—in bed.
“Ground control to River?” Kai waves his hand in front of my face.
I startle out of my geeky porn fantasies and flush. “My bad. I got a wee bit… distracted.” I take hold of his hand and pull him along with me. “We have to get something to take home with us to commemorate our time here, but I think the hard part’s going to be deciding what. There’s so much here!”
Kai chuckles. “I’m sure we can figure it out together.”
That’s when something occurs to me that really should have much sooner.
I slowly turn my head to stare at Kai in dawning horror.
“Oh my freaking god. How are we going to pay for something here? Does Earth currency have any value?” I pale.
“I didn’t even bring any cash. I hardly ever carry it since I pay for everything with my phone or credit card. ”
“I’ve got it covered. Don’t worry.”
I blink several times because I’m a fucking idiot. “Kai, I never even asked how you paid for this resort.” I stare at him in shame-filled embarrassment. “I’m a terrible husband, aren’t I?”
Kai ruffles my curls affectionately. “Easy there. Take a deep breath. Everything’s okay.
Intergalactic Standard Currency is the most common form of payment across the universe.
Much like on Earth, the universe has largely done away with physical forms of payment and relies on digital exchanges.
Working for the Alliance, a portion of my pay is always in Intergalactic Standard Currency that is added to my Iyaran account every month so that I can have appropriate funds for when I travel off-planet.
Now that you and I are married and things have settled down, we can do the same thing for you to use for our future space travels together. ”
I bite my bottom lip. “Truthfully, I don’t love the fact that you’re paying for all of this. Is there a way I can pay you back for half once we get home?”
“There’s no need for that. What’s mine is yours.”
Kai is far too generous and selfless when it comes to me sometimes. Sure, it’s romantic and swoon-worthy knowing he’d give me anything I asked for within his power. Someone else might use and abuse his giving nature to those he loves, but not me.
I level him with my most intimidating stare, which is probably undercut by the love shooting out of me like fucking laser beams. “Kai Genaro, I love you more than anyone else. But I’m not a douche who mooches off others, and certainly not off my husband.
I’m all about equality and believe in a fifty-fifty partnership—and that includes our expenses. ”
“Here I was hoping you might become somewhat more flexible about that now that we’re married.”
I lift my chin proudly. “Not on your life, babycakes. So here’s what I propose.”
His mouth quirks as he fights a smile. “I’m all ears, my love.”
“Why don’t I pay for our first anniversary extravaganza!”
“Hmm. Extravaganza, huh?”
“Your honeymoon planning has ignited my competitive spirit, boo. Just wait and see.”
“You drive a hard bargain, but I accept,” Kai says, shaking my hand firmly.
My mouth curves up in a slow, satisfied grin. “Now we’re talking. It’s a deal. I’ll be covering our anniversary bash and pulling out all the stops, but the next time we have an intergalactic journey together, we’ll pay for it together, capiche?”
“You sounded like Chewy just now.”
“I’ve learned a thing or two from the furball over the years.
He’s still enjoying his own extended vacation among the stars, by the way.
Last time he messaged me, he was staying at a space station not too far from Quintharia so his family could meet him there.
” I sigh. “For all kinds of sucky reasons, he didn’t want to step foot on his home planet, far too risky. ”
Kai pulls me into his warm, comforting embrace. “We can’t take any chances that your evil grandparents could learn that you and your mother are still alive.”
I shudder. “For reals. I can’t deal with any more assassins or assassination attempts.”
“Me neither.” His arms tighten around me. “I came far too close to losing you. I can’t bear to go through that again.”
I bounce up on my toes and kiss him on the lips and try to lighten the mood. “Okay, enough gloomy talk. We survived all that bullshit and lived to tell the tale. Right now, we need to live in the moment and do what makes us happy.”
Kai flashes me a look so full of devotion and adoration it makes me breathless.
“We will make it so, my love.”
Like a smooth-ass motherfucker, he casually whips out that Captain Picard-inspired line and lassos my geeky heart.
Fuck, I love him.
With renewed determination, I link arms with him. “Come on, let’s explore the market and see if we can find something fabulous to bring home with us.”
He lets me pull him along with me and under the warm sunshine, we stroll through the crowded market square at our leisure.
It’s a total stimuli overload for me. I get so hyperfocused on examining the items for sale at every stall we visit that I soon lose track of time.
There are so many wondrous and unusual things for sale.
Some are not all that dissimilar to jewelry or ceramics sold on Earth, but the raw materials used for them are clearly not from my home planet.
After some time browsing, I find myself drawn to a beautiful woman vendor selling stunning handmade jewelry.
She’s got a total artist vibe going on—and trust me, I know the vibe.
I’ve met a few over the years while living with Benji.
Her body is long and willowy and entirely pink in color.
Much like our Vroknu pal Osajar back on Earth.
Her long, silvery white hair falls all the way down to her waist, and her electric blue eyes glow with an inner light that immediately makes me think of the Eyes of Ibad in Dune.
I have to fight back the urge to say, “He who controls the spice, controls the universe!”
But I rein in my sci-fi-loving supernerd self. Just barely.
“Good morning, gentlemen,” she says in a light, musical voice.
“I am Ula. Welcome to my little store.” She studies us closely and then nods as if in understanding.
“Now I see. You are destined souls sharing a special bond. Your auras resonate with one another in a loving harmony, the likes of which I have only seen a few times in my life.”
I gasp with delight. “Are you psychic?”
“My people sometimes do receive visions, but it is common for us to see the auras of others, which remain invisible to most.”
“Wow,” I breathe. “That must be supercool but also kind of trippy. My uncle Benji claims he can see auras when he’s high.”
She tilts her head and considers me, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Perhaps he can. My people do not require any mind-enhancing substances to enable our abilities.”
Kai’s eyes widen. “Are you one of the Laidhu people?”
“I am indeed.”
Kai gives a little respectful bow. “It is an honor to meet you. I know it is rare for your kind to travel so far from your home world.”
She nods. “You’re right. We prefer to stay close to the energy source of our planet, which enhances our abilities. But sometimes we are called to venture farther afield, as I was before coming here.”
She turns to her table and gracefully plucks up two metal cuff bracelets with matching large purple stones in their center.
“I have just the thing for you two. This is my very best pair of devotional love amulets.”