I yank back on it like it’s a wiggly puppy on a leash, stopping it from crossing the threshold. Once I’m sure it’s not going to run to Zhang, I meet his calm expression, and glow. He smiles, his body brightening with equal glow.
“I’ll start,” he says. He repeats the words about love and loyalty to all the Nebuli that all youngling starlets are taught to know by heart.
I recite the same. It’s a promise and a vow to the Nebuli first. Now for our promises to each other.
“I, Zhang Centaurus, will keep this vow I make to you today, until my last breath, and may all our witnesses help me uphold my husbandly duties as your head of house.”
“I, Treyu nèe Orion, will keep this vow I make to you today, until my last breath, and may all our witnesses help me uphold my husbandly duties as your taken in hand.”
“Ready, Starfleet?” he whispers in my ear.
“Ready, Sir.” My star reaches for him again, I wrestle it back.
“I call upon the Gods to help us secure this union,” Zhang says.
Calling my star forth, I let it burn through me so that my glow can be seen from the Pleiades star cluster. Zhang does the same and together we blind the whole guest list. Wisps of sparkling pink and yellow light twist and turn, weaving around us. Brokering our star exchange is the energy of the Gods, called forth from this spot with his words. My star finally gets what it’s been seeking, tangling and melding with Zhang’s, creating a swirl of massive star energy that enters both of us, binding us forever.
When stars entangle, it’s for good.
Then it’s time for rings, platinum bands with the royal runes, and the marriage runes.
“Have you decided where your runes will go?” his father asks.
Zhang makes that decision as head of our household, and I am good with that. Having someone to make life decisions for me is the best thing about having to get married. Will I like all the decisions he makes? Not a chance, but it’s better than having to agonize over something only to put it off until the eleventh hour and then stress about whether I’ve made the right decision.
I like making decisions when I’m in the field, but for life’s foibles, I want someone more qualified.
“Treyu’s will go on his left forearm, mine on my right. Both on the inside.”
What is he up to?
“Alright. Arm, Treyu.”
Receiving a rune is a lot nicer than having them ripped away. Most of the time they’re drawn on by scribes, but the king has the ability. He uses a thin piece of quartz and his star to etch the marriage rune into my forearm and then does the same for Zhang.
With our stars combined, we can activate the rune together by syncing their vibration and they’ll speak to one another. Not with words, but with energy. In fact, it’s less like them talking so much as having the same thoughts at the same time.
He looks down at our clasped hands, our matching runes touch.
That’s why he picked there. Fucking sap.
He’s first to feed his star into me, and my star—which continues to act like an eager puppy—yanks itself toward Zhang’s rune. I won’t be able to do that once the bracelet’s back on. My chest hollows, just a bit. At least they’ll still be connected.
The Book of the Gods appears, and I sign my new name.
Treyu Centaurus.
Zhang addsand Zhang Centaurus.
The book snaps closed, and it’s done. The crowd cheers. Zhang’s father is there with my bracelet so fast after it’s done, I almost say what I really shouldn’t. There is no “you may kiss the bride” moment like at a human wedding, but Zhang takes it anyway, sealing my lips with his.
“I’m going to fuck you so hard, Treyu Centaurus.” Hot breath fans across my ear, sending tingles all over my skin.
Did he—Mr. Purity—really just say that? My gaze locks on him, amplified by the bit of him that’s in me now, swirling just below the skin. I understand why star marriages are forever now. There’s no way to untangle this kind of connection, it would feel like ripping a piece of yourself away.
“Take me to bed, Mr. Centaurus.”
“Soon. Do you think I’m going to miss out on having you serve me our wedding feast?”
