Strange Love (Galactic Love, #1)

by Ann Aguirre

Frankly, this creature was hideous,

expedition suit,

adaptive respiratory serum

“You took me to the wrong planet?”

“Yes, princess. You kidnapped a couple of lower primates.”

The alien—oh God, an alien—stood over two meters, mottled green and brown, with

light striping along the sides. Two arms, two legs, but that was where the similarity to humans stopped. It had arched and scaly feet like a bird, and three fingers tipped with ferocious claws. Spines grew out of the creature’s skull and ran down the back, while side-set eyes looked faintly insectoid. No ears or nose, just slits in the face plate, and what looked like a maw or a beak.

The alien had what she’d call a thorax more than a chest, and prickly things ...

“Is this working? Can you understand me yet?” That was what the alien seemed to be saying, over and over.

“Yep,” said Snaps. Beryl nearly dropped the dog. “Wait, what? You can talk?!” “You can talk?” Snaps repeated, like he was asking her the question.

“Yes, Terrible One. You are the most hideous mate anyone ever brought back to Barath, and so you will drive all predators away from our nest with ease.”

She had fur, just like the smaller primate. A lot on her head, a little on her face and body. How completely unusual.

Maybe her heart fluttered a little. For damn sure, her alien hadn’t meant to steal her, but he was dead set on keeping her.

the small fur-person who was currently frolicking in the fountain, much to the dismay of the assembled kith. Zylar tried to ignore that small misstep, as Beryl was doing. Possibly, on her world, Snaps was of such important personage that correcting his behavior might result in severe consequences.

“Do you understand who I am?”

She let out a raucous sound that startled everyone present. “If

you have to ask, you’re embarrassing yourself. I know you’re his relative, that’s about it. Don’t feel bad. There’s probably a lesson ...

“You choose to accompany this one rather than claim your space in the housing reserved for off-world participants?”

“Uh, yeah. I’m guessing you mean an alien dormitory…and no thanks. This one”—Beryl did a fair job of mimicking Deisera’s supercilious tone—“has

“has been candid and courteous from t...

“Er, since we first met. So yes, I’m positive I’d rather stay with him. Unless that breaks one of your many rules?”

Lights ran beneath

the surface of Zylar’s skin, delicately illuminating the patterns on his arms and legs. It responded to his breathing, little zips and flutters akin to luminescence

first stage, you will prove your worth as a nest-guardian

“Yes. It focuses on

establishing desirability of the prospective Barathi matches.” “So that would be your part?”

“You are well named, my unexpected treasure.”

The only damn thing she had in her head was the dance she’d done for the junior high talent show, a complete rip-off from Napoleon Dynamite. She took two steps forward, turned on Jamiroquai in her head, and proceeded to get down.

it seemed highly unlikely he had compatible junk.

“No ground that you stand upon could ever be common, Beryl Bowman.”

With a human partner, she totally would’ve kissed him, but Zylar didn’t have lips. How am I supposed to show affection?

Though he didn’t enjoy looking at her yet,

Both his hearts were warming to her, this strange and lovely being he’d stolen like a war prize.

She still didn’t know how an alien hookup might go, but at least she’d learned one of his hot buttons,

She’s mine. I stole her. I’m keeping her.

“I am humbled, Beryl Bowman. This is a beautiful invention, and I am deeply unworthy of a Terrible One who already puts so much thought into ways in which we can nest in utmost safety and comfort.”

“You do not understand,” he said quietly. “But this is further proof that you intend to Choose me. That you prefer me over all others, against all colors and qualifications. You would not offer me such a lovely gift, only to proffer it to someone else later?” “I definitely would

not,”

“Enough of that. I get that I’m the first, but you’re not unworthy. You’ve so kind and considerate, and I’d really like it if you could see how awesome you are.” “I’m…awesome?” “You are.”

As the combatant fell, she shouted, “This is Sparta!” Because obviously. The audience couldn’t have any idea what that meant,

his

abdominal plates shifted, revealing four slits, quivering and vulnerable.

“You will speak to Ryzven and beg him for mercy. Get close to him if you can. Pretend that you are forsaking Zylar and imply that I would like to do the same, that I regret Choosing Catyr. His ego will do the rest.”

I have also

culled his house from the face of Barath.

I came...

agreement with Miralai. Her offspring will come to Catyr and be added to the r...

“I took away your homeworld,” he said softly.

“But you gave me the universe.”

“Kindness is its own reward. Cruelty exacts its own price. Peace and prosperity, my beloved friends.”