Chapter 18
Kayog
Presenting my plan to Colin went shockingly smoothly.
We were sitting in the training room, at the same worktable by the giant vidscreen as our first meeting following my awakening.
He didn’t give me any of the pushback I expected, although he thoroughly questioned certain parts of it, namely the dowries.
However, he didn’t question it in a challenging fashion but merely to get a proper understanding of my goals and motivations.
To my surprise, he wholeheartedly approved my wish to exclude advanced species from enjoying the same types of benefits I would grant pairings involving at least one primitive alien.
“This is excellent,” Colin said approvingly.
“Your record and psychological profile stated you were a perfectionist. It pleases me to see how much you stepped up and took this seriously. Although the higher ups will balk at some of your requests, they are reasonable. You’ve also provided me with sufficient arguments to shut them up. ”
“Thank you,” I said, unable to hide my growing excitement about this project.
“While we get everything rolling, I strongly encourage you to socialize as much as possible. You need to cultivate an erudite rockstar persona but focused on matchmaking. People need to see you as the god of matchmaking. The same way the crowds fanned themselves when you used to perform with Echoes of Madness, and how they quietly fangirled whenever they saw you walking past, we need the general population to react in a similar fashion when it comes to finding love.”
“How exactly am I supposed to do that?” I asked hesitantly.
“Be cocky,” Colin deadpanned. “Be arrogant and assertive about your certainty that your talent is never wrong, but not in an obnoxious fashion. You have a pleasant sense of humor, let it shine through. Our marketing team will take care of the rest. We just need you out and about, being your charming self. Those who get to benefit from your services should feel like they were blessed with entry to an exclusive club.”
“I don’t want to be exclusive,” I argued with a frown.
“You won’t be,” Colin replied with an indulgent smile. “People simply must feel like it’s the case. But realize that you will be swamped with far more requests than you could possibly imagine. I know you don’t believe it. And I like that humble side of you. Never lose it but still be cocky.”
I chuckled. “That’s not contradictory at all.”
“Not in the least,” he said teasingly before taking on a serious expression again.
“Your mate has a series of important events she will participate in over the upcoming weeks. We want you to accompany her and to establish as many contacts and rapport as you possibly can. Many of these people will be elitists. Do not let their holier-than-thou ways destabilize you. In comparison, half of them couldn’t even claim a third of your pedigree.
Show them why you can be a force to be reckoned with and a great ally to have on their side. ”
“And how exactly am I supposed to do that?” I asked, baffled.
“Although that’s for you to figure out, I will say that you have extensive knowledge about many of the species you will encounter. Leverage it, especially in ways that could benefit them.”
I shifted uneasily in my seat, beginning to feel a bit out of my depth. Despite not possessing any empathic abilities, Colin appeared to immediately guess what thoughts were coursing through my mind.
“Relax, Kayog. No one expects you to perform a miracle during your first outings. This truly is simply about forging relationships and getting your name out there. Do not fret. We will be here to support you every step of the way. If you have questions, ask. If you need more resources, ask. If you are uncertain what you may or may not do…”
“Let me guess… Ask,” I said teasingly.
His gray eyes sparked with mischief. “Actually, I was going to say follow your gut and good judgment. And if you’re still confused about it, then ask.”
I burst out laughing. That human was seriously growing on me.
We continued going over more practical details, including my wages, expense account, schedule, and other annoying formalities. I then headed back to our apartment, my stomach fluttering with nerves.
Linsea’s parents and grandmother arrived an hour ago—three hours earlier than expected. I intended on being there to greet them at the ship hangar but ended up stuck in the midst of a training session. As Colin was leaving on a mission in the morning, we couldn’t postpone.
Saying I was a nervous wreck would be the understatement of the millennium.
I felt them long before I reached the door.
As I drew closer, I battled with the urge to shut down my emotions.
I had no difficulty completely blocking them out.
As much as that would make me feel a lot more comfortable, it would come across as me being deceitful, distrustful, and fairly rude.
Obviously, no one would expect one of us to leave ourselves wide open for others to plunder our feelings.
However, it was common courtesy—and a sign of both goodwill and the absence of ill intentions—to allow others access to our surface emotions.
Considering they were well-aware that I could fully read them regardless of whatever psychic wall they might erect, closing myself off to them would be even more disrespectful.
I reminded myself that, although they didn’t know me, Linsea’s parents and grandmother leveraged all their influence and called in as many favors as possible to help protect me.
Even though it hadn’t been for me personally, their desire to make their daughter happy played a huge part in my standing here today.
They wanted me to be the right male for her.
My hand shook slightly as I opened the front door.
They hadn’t been aware of my approach until that moment.
A mix of relief and heightened nervousness washed over me when their relaxed emotions suddenly shifted to excitement, eager anticipation, and a surprising level of nervousness as well.
It blew my mind to realize in that instant that they, too, were hoping to make a good first impression.
“There he is!” Linsea exclaimed as soon as I entered the apartment.
The pride and joy in her eyes wrecked me.
I didn’t understand how such a perfect female could care so deeply about me.
She came to me and wrapped her arms around my waist before lifting her face towards mine to receive my kiss.
A silly voice at the back of my head wanted to be self-conscious and pull away so that her parents wouldn’t be offended by this display of affection. But I squashed it.
I loved my mate. Allowing my natural feelings towards her to shine through would be the best testament for her parents of my devotion to my little dove.
As was our wont, we embraced each other, Linsea flattening her wings against her back so that I could close mine around both of us.
I loved how she responded to that gesture.
Every time I did that, she would broadcast loudly a sense of safety, well-being, and belonging.
It made me feel like the greatest protector in the universe.
She cooed as she rubbed her face in the crook of my neck before giving it a little nip just the way I loved.
Then, with much reluctance, she pulled away from me.
I caressed her cheek with infinite tenderness before glancing at the three people standing at the end of the short corridor from the entrance to the living area.
My eyes were immediately drawn to her Nana Arika.
She was magnificent and majestic. An aura of authority, confidence, and strength radiated from the older female.
At a glance, she appeared to be in her late eighties.
As our people had an average lifespan of one hundred and fifty years, she would still be deemed in her prime by most other species.
She was the mirror opposite of my soulmate, with completely black feathers and white specs on her chest, but with the same striking blue eyes.
She observed us with an approval that did funny things to me.
Her parents were looking at us with similar warmth.
Her mother, Karis, had silver-gray feathers with black accents, and the prettiest green eyes.
She was surprisingly petite compared to her daughter.
For his part, my mate’s father had greatly taken after his mother Arika, with all black feathers and matching blue eyes.
However, he didn’t have the white specks on his chest or wings.
“Kayog, please meet my parents. My mom Karis, and dad Randel. You have already met my Nana Arika during vidcalls,” Linsea said in a voice filled with emotion as she gestured at each of them in turn. “Mom, Dad, Nana, please meet my Kayog.”
The possessiveness and pride with which she introduced me seriously turned me upside down. By the way their approval cranked up another notch, they clearly perceived how her words were affecting me.
“Hello, Son,” Karis said in a sweet voice, while approaching me. “My Linny has had nothing but utmost praise for you. Welcome to the family.”
My throat constricted as she drew me into her arms to give me the sweetest maternal hug.
Considering her petite stature, it felt odd taking the submissive role in that embrace, with me flattening my wings so that she could fold hers around me.
It was brief but unforgettable. She stepped aside so that her husband could greet me.
To my shock, he also drew me into a tight, winged hug.
We were of comparable height, but he had the lither, more slender build of our people, whereas my obsession with sports and training had given me a more muscular frame.
He released me only to hold my shoulders with both hands, his blue eyes boring into mine. “Until you, I thought no one would ever find grace in her eyes. But for you, my baby was willing to take on the UPO itself and go to war with the Enforcers. You must truly be an amazing male.”
“It is Linsea who is amazing,” I said, relieved that my voice didn’t shake. “She saved my life when I had given up and blessed me with a life I never thought possible. Linsea is my angel,” I added, glancing at my mate who was standing next to me.
She melted against my side. Her father released my shoulders, and I placed a possessive arm around my female.
“Do not let that pretty face and sweet demeanor fool you, Son,” Arika interjected in a teasing fashion as she approached me. “She’s a dragon with the most lethal talons when she’s crossed.”
Karis snorted. “You would know a thing or two about that as she’s inherited those traits from you.”
“Fact!” Randel said with a chuckle, eyeing his mother with a mischievous expression while Linsea giggled.
Arika waved a dismissive hand. “I’ve passed on the best this family has to offer to my granddaughter. You can all thank me later.”
Arika unceremoniously pushed Linsea away from me so that she could also give me a maternal hug.
“Welcome to the family, Kayog,” she said, echoing her daughter’s words. “And thank you for being so incredibly badass, as the humans like to say. The UPO is abuzz with talks about the kinetic demigod in my family.”
“So are the Enforcers,” Randel snickered. “People are staring at me in awe as if I had any merit in this thing.”
“You did,” I said, amused. “You helped keep me alive.”
“Why, you are correct! Am I ever going to brag now!” Randel exclaimed with playful excitement.
We all laughed, then went into the living area to share drinks and conversation.
Naturally, Linsea’s family took great pleasure embarrassing her with funny anecdotes about her youth.
But they also shared plenty of fascinating tales about their work within the UPO and the Enforcers, as well as giving me a treasure trove of advice for my future within the organization.
Although they never pried, I reciprocated their candor with stories about my own youth, both pleasant and challenging.
By the time the evening drew to a close, I had now experienced what it felt like to truly belong to a family. Another incommensurable gift from my beloved…