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

“It’ll be buried by morning,” said Eryx.


“Good. Then it’ll feel like we are.”


Leander looked at him with a fondness Eryx had not expected to see. Only a few people had ever looked at him like that, and it made him feel safe, at home. He wanted to get closer to Leander, and now especially, they had uninterrupted time, time where they weren’t rushed. Eryx kissed him.


Leander kissed back, unhurriedly, and drew Eryx’s face toward him. The rush had left their systems, but that only made the experience better, unhindered by distraction. Eryx put a hand on Leander’s waist. Unlike this morning, he had no intention of stopping unless Leander asked him to. Unlike this morning, Leander didn’t ask.


Eryx had just slid both hands under Leander’s oversized sweater when the beep of a transmission came through. He broke away, swearing, and crossed to the nearest wall panel.


“You don’t sound happy,” came the reply.


Chapter 30