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

“That’s not what you wanted to hear,” said Leander.


Eryx leaned into him more. “No. But I understand.”


“Eryx, I—what do you want from me? I’m a smuggler. You’re a law-abiding citizen. You’re about to turn in a bunch of poachers, for fuck’s sake. You know they’ll get life.”


“Are you saying you don’t trust me?”


“I’m saying I don’t think we’re compatible.”


“Even though we make an amazing team?”


Leander didn’t want to answer that. Instead he kissed Eryx, hoping that would relieve the tension, wanting desperately not to think about any of this, just enjoy the time together.


But they did make an amazing team. And it hurt to consider. So he kissed Eryx again.


Chapter 33