Chapter 9 #2
“While everything you said about Edocits and Temerns is technically true, humans still do not suck,” I said in an indulgent tone.
“Humans are without a doubt the most adaptable species in the entire galaxy. What you lack in powers and abilities, you compensate with ingenuity. The human race has developed incredible tools and technologies that allow you to rival—and in some cases even surpass—some of the most powerful races out there. There’s a reason that you are the only species to be part of both galactic alliances of the known universe. Everyone wants you.”
She pursed her lips in the most adorable pout, even though my words had touched her.
“Fine, but we’re still weak.”
Mares laughing in an affectionate fashion drew our attention. The sneaky male had returned to his body while we were talking.
“You’re not weak, my love. What you are is fabulous, and you make me happy,” he said, pulling her back into his embrace before kissing her forehead.
She snuggled against him, their love shining with the strength of a thousand suns. To my surprise, Mares turned to me with a taunting glimmer in his eyes.
“And your sexy birdman is also on his way.”
My heart skipped a beat. “Really?!”
He nodded. “I saw him flying over the river on his way towards the campus. I guess he couldn’t wait any longer to see you,” he said with a wink.
“Ooh goodie! Then I get to ask him directly since you won’t give me any details,” Tala said with a shameless grin.
I shook my head at her in a way that clearly indicated I believed she was hopeless.
“As for the Canyon, it’s a go!” Mares said. “It’s a clear blue sky ahead and the perfect weather. We just need to convince your boyfriend to tag along.”
I almost instinctively said that he was not my boyfriend—more out of principle than out of actual conviction—but decided to keep my peace instead.
Truth be told, I didn’t really know where we stood.
In my heart, we were officially an item.
But as we had not explicitly discussed the matter, I didn’t want to be too presumptuous.
How embarrassing if I were to act possessively with him only to have him put me back in my place publicly.
Moments later, I saw him flying in the distance.
My pulse picked up when he headed straight for us, not with that hesitant way people often behaved when they were uncertain as to where to go.
Kayog flew with a purpose, his extremely acute powers allowing him to pinpoint my exact position effortlessly.
I hated my inability to block my emotions from him as he began his descent.
He was magnificent, the rays of the sun hitting every defined muscle of his body at just the right angle as he glided into a graceful landing a few meters in front of me.
All worries about him being amused by how infatuated I was with him faded the moment our gazes met.
The tender and possessive glimmer in his silver eyes had my stomach fluttering and my knees wobbling.
Despite that, I didn’t know how to greet him.
Every cell of my body screamed for me to throw myself into his embrace.
But there were dozens—maybe even a couple hundred—other students surrounding us in clusters of varying sizes scattered around the lawn and the large path leading to the main entrance.
As he closed the distance between us, Kayog extended a hand towards me.
My stomach did a somersault as I immediately placed mine in his.
He drew me to him, and I went willingly, melting against his chest. He held me with a possessiveness that had me tingling all over.
I slipped my arms around his waist and gently scraped the down feathers at the base of his wings.
He shivered against me, and I barely repressed the urge to coo in victory.
It was a sensitive spot, but also one that you only touched on someone you claimed as yours.
He did say he was mine yesterday.
And this public display from him made it official.
He leaned down and rubbed his beak against mine.
To my surprise, instead of pulling away, he brushed the side of his beak alongside my cheek, then down my neck, then nipped at the crook.
It felt as if lightning had struck the base of my spine, and my knees nearly buckled.
I gasped, and my fingers dug slightly into his back.
His smug chuckle should have pissed me off, but it just got me throbbing something fierce.
He rubbed his face in my neck, inhaled my scent, and only then did he release me.
Although he kept his eyes locked with mine as he caressed my cheek, he suddenly addressed my friend.
“Stop gaping, Tala. Or you just might swallow a bug.”
I barked a laugh, immediately repressed.
“Kayog!” I exclaimed with a disapproving look.
“What?” he asked with the least sincere air of innocence. “I’m merely trying to be helpful.”
“Oh, my God, Lin! Leave him be! He actually knows my name!” Tala exclaimed, clinging to Mares as if her legs could barely hold her while she fanned herself in a dramatic fashion with her hand.
I facepalmed while Kayog burst out laughing.
“Of course I do. I know the people my dove loves,” he said in an amused tone before turning his attention to her mate. “Hello, Mares.”
To my dismay, the Edocit pressed his palm to his chest as if he feared getting a heart attack, while an excessively shocked expression descended over his features in a performance that would put even Tala to shame.
“By the Gods! He knows my name, too! I’m so going to strut all over campus, flicking my vines like no one’s business.”
“You guys are hopeless,” I said in a discouraged tone between two chuckles.
Still, I truly loved that he knew their names. I hadn’t spoken to him about them. With his celebrity status on campus, he had to know this acknowledgment would touch them. I loved that he would show this consideration to the people dear to me.
“Well now that we’re done fawning all over you, can we lure you into joining us on a trip to the Xilqen Canyon? We’ve been dying to take the tour and ride the flying mounts,” Mares said.
Kayog scrunched his face.
“Flying mounts? No offense, but I much rather use my own wings.”
I snorted and made a mocking face at Mares. “Told you!”
“But I would be happy to fly alongside their mounts if you want to go,” Kayog said to me.
“Really?” I asked, taken aback. “You would be comfortable going?”
The gratitude with which he smiled did funny things to me.
“Yes, my dove,” he replied in a reassuring fashion. “The Xilqen Canyon is actually very quiet and isolated. Plus it’s incredibly beautiful. In fact, I can show you a secret lair that will blow your minds as to the wonders of this world and of its original inhabitants.”
“Oh, you’ve got yourself a deal!” I said, my voice bubbling with excitement.
“Can you show us as well?” Mares asked in a hopeful voice.
Kayog gave him a haughty look that had me snorting again. “I don’t know. Your wingless butts should probably stick to the trail.”
“Hey! That’s not nice, you party pooper!” Tala said. “You know you want to take us. Otherwise, we’re going to beat your girl’s ears down about how unloved and discarded we felt.”
Kayog laughed. “Wow, your shamelessness commands respect. Fine, you win. I cannot have my mate’s best friends bullying her because of me.”
“Good boy!” Tala said smugly.
“I aim to please,” Kayog replied with a flourishing bow.
Maker, how I loved seeing this relaxed and lighthearted side of him. Considering how many people were nearby—and failing miserably at not spying on us—I feared he would be quite uncomfortable.
“You know, you’re way cooler than I thought you would be,” Mares said pensively.
Kayog’s brow shot up, his curiosity echoing mine.
“Is that so?” he asked.
Mares nodded and gave him a sheepish smile. “I expected you to be a little stuck up and slightly cold, not to say borderline haughty.”
Kayog snorted. “Appearances are often deceiving, my friend.”
“I know,” the Edocit conceded. “It’s just that you’re just so… aloof and distant that I didn’t expect this type of laidback humor from you. But it pleases me a great deal. As you can see, Tala and I are two goofs. And I need to stop letting her ruin me with her weird human expressions.”
We laughed as Tala playfully elbowed him.
“Most people have a very inaccurate perception of who I truly am,” Kayog said in a more serious fashion. “It is hard for me to be playful around people with unpleasant auras or who love to wallow in negative emotions. But both of yours are awesome.”
Both Tala and Mares stiffened in surprise, although they also felt deeply touched by the compliment.
“Really?” Tala asked.
“Mmhmm. The most beautiful emotion in the world is true love. The song of two soulmates reunited is enthralling. It’s like a flood of divine light shining down on you. You want to wrap yourself in it,” Kayog said.
Mares frowned, his confusion reflecting the one Tala felt.
“A song?” Mares repeated.
Kayog nodded. “Every soul has a song, a unique melody. The songs of two soulmates vibrate in perfect harmony, like yours. It’s absolutely beautiful and makes it extremely pleasant for me to bask in your aura.”
“Are you saying they are soulmates?” I asked, happiness filling my heart.
“Yes, they are,” Kayog replied with conviction.
“Really?” Tala asked in a hesitant voice.
“Yes, undoubtedly. Congratulations to both of you for finding each other,” my mate said with a smile.
Mares and Tala exchange an uncertain look before looking at Kayog and me in turn, their emotions loudly broadcasting their confusion.
“Is that a joke, or…?” Mares asked.
“I never joke about that,” Kayog replied in a tone that made it clear he wasn’t playing. “You two absolutely are soulmates. But you’ve been aware of it for a while.”
My friends exchanged another look, but this time, love laced with a hint of shyness dominated. They exchanged a kiss before glancing back at Kayog.