The Interplanetary Guild of Human Affairs sends out dozens of delegations to planets all around the galaxy. Four of the Guild’s employees -- Star, Nate, Fara, and Josh -- grew close on one such delegation, and over the course of five years on assignment, developed a comfortable, happy relationship.<br><br>Then the assignment ends, the group returns to the new human homeworld, Reyhan, where they receive new orders. For the first time in years, they are going to be separated. Between the far-flung locations and length of assignments, there is no way to know when they’ll be together again.<br><br>But Star is not one to simply take what the world throws at them. As a respected bodyguard and security officer, Star’s existence revolves around protecting precious things. Nothing in the galaxy is more precious than their partners’ happiness. With countless variables to consider and dozens of ways it could all fall apart, will it be possible for the group to stay together?

Home

“What am I supposed to talk like?” he asked. “We have orders splitting us up across the galaxy. Josh and Fara are going on another extended mission. They’ll be gone for three years, Star. Then maybethey’ll get to come back here for a month or so, then off they go to another planet. Or planets. That’s the nature of the job.”


“I know the nature of the job,” I said. I reached out and cupped the back of his head in one hand, leaning in to press our lips together. When I pulled away again, I slid my hand along his braided hair to bring it over his shoulder to the front. He didn’t protest as I unwrapped the ribbon from the end and combed his silky black locks out into a smooth mane. Playing with Nate’s hair was as good as giving him a dose of tranquilizers. If he were a cat, he would have purred. With gentle hands on his shoulders, I returned him to his relaxed position against my chest and began massaging his scalp.


“Not fair,” he protested weakly. I laughed.


Chapter 4