Page 124 of The Strongest in the Galaxy (Allegedly)

“I could not explain it to you,” Khar said calmly. “I am not fully aware of the exact mechanism myself. We adapted the concept from the whale-continents of Thessra. Before that… we relied on a slower method.”

“And you are sure this is safe?”

“If I were not, I would not offer it to you, my queen.”

Lily hesitated, then slowly relented. She leaned forward and inhaled the faint, glittering powder resting in Khar’s palm. It lifted in a delicate golden mist, catching the light against his obsidian skin, almost hypnotic.

A few heartbeats passed.

When she opened her eyes again, gold shimmered faintly in her irises.

“Well…” she breathed. “This is… otherworldly.”

Khar chuckled softly, watching her with quiet intensity.

“Starsailors experience a high when exposed to even a trace of deep-space jump residue,” he explained. “The effects vary across species. I hope yours will be… compatible with mine.”

He leaned in and kissed her, slow and certain.

Lily did not quite respond. She remained suspended in the sensation, somewhere far away.

“Khar…” she murmured. “I just had the most wonderful feeling. Like I met my sister again.”

Khar drew back slightly, amused.

“It seems your experience differs from mine. Though your joy is always… pleasing.”

Lily blinked, still dazed.

“What does yours feel like?”

He considered for a moment.

“I feel as though I stand above the universe itself. As though I could conquer it. Fight it.” His gaze darkened slightly. “Or mate.”

Lily huffed a soft laugh.

“So… the same as always.”

“Always,” he said quietly, eyes locked on hers, “when I am with you.”

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