FRAN

Chloe’s not like how I pictured her. When Kivian told me that his brother had married a human and they were farmers on a distant agricultural planet, I pictured a tall, strapping blonde who could wrestle a goat and handle someone as big (and overbearing) as a mesakkah can be. The girl in front of me is dainty, dark-haired, and can’t be much older than I am.

She’s also incredibly excited to meet me. “Kivian didn’t tell us he’d gotten married!” She envelops me in an octopus-like hug, all arms and squeezing. “I’m so excited to see you! It’s been forever since I looked at another human face!”

“I’m excited to see you, too,” I tell her, and I mean it. Not because she’s human—we’ve been busy rescuing slaves between runs and I’ve actually seen several—but because she’s my sister-in-law and she’s pregnant with a half-mesakkah baby.

It’s something Kivian and I have talked about. We’re not ready to jump into a family just yet—mostly because there’s no room aboard the already overcrowded Fool as it is. But we’re thinking about it, and I want to pick Chloe’s brain. “I brought you a care package. I hope that’s all right.”

Her eyes widen and she takes a step back, a hand to her mouth. “Earth food?”

I grimace. “Not quite. But I taste-tested everything in here and tried to find things that hit the right notes of sweet and sour. You know if it was up to Kiv, he’d just throw a bunch of those breakfast noodles in here and call it a day.”

Chloe giggles and clasps her hands. “You’re so thoughtful. Thank you!”

“It’s on the ship. I’ll go get it for you.” I smile at her, trying not to stare at her tiny house. It looks a little like a human yurt, right down to the crude wall-hangings and almost-primitive kitchen. It’s clean and tidy, but it’s definitely a lot different from the ship.

“I’ll come with you,” Chloe says eagerly, and grabs my arm, linking hers through it.

I can’t help but laugh at her enthusiasm. “You know, Kivian described you as shy and quiet.”

She giggles again. “Did he? Maybe he needs to stay a bit longer and get to know me better. I don’t think Jutari would use the same descriptions.”

Which is funny, because as we head out of the house, we see the two brothers standing by one of the fields. Jutari gestures at the crops swaying in the light breeze on Risda III, while Kivian has his hands on his hips and stares outward. It’s easy to tell who’s who, in my eyes. They might have similar stances, but only one’s wearing the finest, most ornate sleeves this side of the galaxy. My Kivian has a weak spot for nice clothing, even though he pretends it’s all a show. I know him well enough to not give him too much shit for it, though.

I think it’s kind of cute.

It’s interesting to see the brothers standing side by side, though. They’re the same shade of blue, relatively similar builds, but Jutari’s heavier and more muscular, and his hair is longer. He’s got more tattoos than my Kivian and he looks far more brutal and savage. He’s actually a little frightening, whereas my Kivian gets by on his flirtiness and easygoing manner.

“Will you guys be staying long?” Chloe asks, interrupting my thoughts.

“A week at least, I think,” I tell her. “Kiv wanted to help Jutari out with some supplies, and the rest of the crew’s taking a break on the nearby station. It’s just us for a few days and then we round everyone up for another run.”

“A run?” she asks as we board the Fool’s dock.

“It’s better if you don’t ask,” I tell her lightly. “It can’t get you into trouble later on.”

Her eyes widen. “Piracy? Kivian hasn’t turned over a new leaf since getting married?”

“Nope. I didn’t ask him to. All I asked was for a gun so I could help out because I hate staying behind.”

Chloe looks shocked. “You help out?”

I nod and lead her toward the cargo bay, then type in the pass-code to unlock my personal stash, where I’ve kept her treats. I had to lock them up or Tarekh and his never-ending stomach would have demolished them before we ever made it here. “I enjoy it. Besides, it’s kind of cool to think that no one ever suspects a human woman to be armed and dangerous.”

It’s actually made several of our jobs easier. I dress up in my “pet” costume and pack a few weapons away. It’s helped out in many a pinch, and I have to admit I’m as addicted to the thrill of piracy as much as Kivian is. The post-robbery adrenaline-rush sex is amazing.

“Wow. I was…well, I was hoping you guys would stay a while. When I heard Kivian had a wife, I thought maybe you’d want to set up shop here on Risda. Buy a nearby farm.” She gives me a hopeful look.

I move forward and pluck a box of trentii cookies off of one of my shelves. I knew she’d ask. Kivian asked me the same thing before we arrived here. Did I want to give up our life for something safer? Settle down like his brother did? Have a calm, peaceful life of crops and whatever passes for cattle out here?

But I love my pirate. I love his silly, flirty grins. I love his easygoing personality. I love how he’d just as soon rob a person as shake their hand. He’s naughty and fun and has a secret side that loves rich fabric and ornate clothing and yet still manages to be utterly masculine and sexual. I love that he doesn’t give a damn about what anyone thinks…except me.

I wouldn’t change anything about him. “I married a pirate,” I tell her simply. “I don’t think this is the life for him.”

And it’s not the life for me, either. My life is with Kivian, at his side, being his partner in every way. We’ll stay with Jutari and Chloe for a while, and then head back out, breaking laws and taking risks. We’ll trick someone out of their money and steal a shipment to sell to someone else, and then we’ll return to our rooms, play sticks with no clothes on, and make love until the dawn.

I wouldn’t change a thing. Because now, I’m a pirate, too. I’m more than Kivian’s pet human. I’m his wife and lover. I’m his partner.

And I’m beyond happy.