A secret crush, a strictly forbidden protocol, and a pinch of alien powder that changes everything. Second Lieutenant Rosemarie Mortlock has one mission: to help find humanity’s home world. But her personal focus has always been closer to home—specifically, her lifelong, silent crush on her commanding officer, the reserved and formidable Brigadier General Marcus Aurelius. On the starship Zoastra , professional lines are non-negotiable, and Rosemarie is certain her feelings will remain a light-year out of reach. When a visit to Planet Persia leads to the purchase of "Dilorithum Dust"—a sparkling alien cosmetic rumored to reveal a man’s true desires—Rosemarie thinks she’s just bought a harmless souvenir. But the powder hides a potent secret: an airborne chemical that strips away inhibitions. When Marcus’s legendary defenses crumble, the professional distance between them vanishes in a single, world-shifting kiss. Now, the Zoastra is on the brink of mutiny. As Marcus grapples with a drug-induced confession and Rosemarie faces the fallout of an accidental manipulation, they are forced to confront the truth. In the cold depths of space, they must discover if their connection was just a chemical reaction or the fated love they’ve both been hiding for a decade.