Aftershock

In theory, life shouldn't get much harder than fighting for survival on galactic broadcast. Unfortunately for Sashen Solar, his difficulties have only just begun.

The aftermath of the Galactic Tournament has left Sashen with a lot to untangle, including his fraught relationship with the alien prince Araxis of Creche Thiel, who courted Sashen and let him in on his secret plans - just not the ones involving Sashen. Now Sashen is determined to live by one rule he can't allow himself to forget: he needs to take care of himself first, because he can't rely on anyone else to have his back.

Sashen has agreed to continue playing the part of Araxis's devoted consort - for now, at least. But there's more to being a declared virra than taking language lessons: murky political factions, secret agreements, and inter-creche conflict make Sashen's role all the more difficult, and each time Sashen tries to forge his own path, he discovers that everything he does reflects on Araxis and Creche Thiel, for good or for ill. The Concord moves against Araxis, and the stakes for Creche Thiel, and for Sashen, couldn't be higher.

When Sashen's tenuous position in abayan society becomes even more evident under the threat of violence, he'll have to determine which path to take: to reach for Araxis once again, knowing he's been betrayed before, or to pull away and guard his heart, this time for good.

Aftershock is a slow burn second chance mm human x alien romance that picks up directly after Afterlight.