Eryx is part of a team of scientists charged with monitoring and protecting relocated animals on a privately owned planet. When sensors indicate poachers, Eryx leaves base to confront them, only to lose his way in a sudden snow. After trudging to a nearby observation station for shelter, he comes across an unexpected intruder.<br><br>Smuggler Leander flies an old, sometimes unreliable ship. When the engine starts to fail, he attempts to set down on the nearest planet where he’s stashed supplies, but his descent turns into a crash, and he’s forced to take shelter wherever he can.<br><br>The two can’t possibly trust each other, but storm projections show they’ll be stuck together for days. Worse, the poachers aren’t letting a little inclement weather stop them, and they’re armed and ready to kill. Can Leander and Eryx put aside their differences and save the animals -- and themselves -- before something disastrous happens?

Under Snow and Stars

Leander was pressed up against his back. Eryx turned and shoved him.


“Sorry,” mumbled Leander, rolling away. “Didn’t mean to.”


Eryx heard his breathing slow almost immediately, and he put his back to Leander, trying to calm his heart, his breath, back to where they had been. He hadn’t been close to anyone in a long time, hadn’t been touched by anyone in what seemed like longer. He didn’t count the last time he’d visited family, not when the hugs, the palms on the shoulder, had been loaded with expectations.


Half asleep, he wondered how interested Leander really was, or whether his pressing now and again was part of the act to free himself. Eryx wasn’t sure how much the man cared.


He drifted off to sleep again, woke on his back, shoulder touching Leander’s, him also on his back. Eryx could see nothing in the dark, but he felt Leander roll away from him, up onto his side.


Chapter 17