Wings of Desire

This story originally appeared in the (now out of print/unavailable) Monsters in Love: Volume 1 Lost in the Labyrinth monster romance anthology. I have updated it and added an epilogue!
Welcome to Azgul, where everything is out to eat you.

Echo is a lab assistant part of the USS Peony, tasked with the mission of terraforming Azgul, a planet without suns. A mysterious mothman named Xakiras becomes Echo’s greatest salvation when the crew’s camp is attacked during their one night of revelry. She never expected that touching his delicate wings would communicate so much more than she bargained for.
Xakiras is a fierce protector, but he never expected to rescue this tasty little bug. She’s loud, head strong and everything he’s ever wanted. When she touches his wings, signaling that she wants more than just protection, he realizes he will do anything to keep her safe from the dangers of his world.
Their worlds become entangled in a dance between duty and desire. Xakiras’ gentle touch and protective nature ignite passion in Echo she’s never felt before, but she knows the military won’t stand for the violence against her people.

Will the shadows that linger ruin their chance at a happily ever after?