Page 2 of I Married Amreth

I glanced at the elevators located about fifty meters away even as I spoke those words. “I will fly up. It will be much faster than waiting for the lift,” Kayog said.

“Good idea. I’ll meet you up there,” I replied with a nod.

With one powerful flap, the Temern soared and quickly flew up to the top balcony, four floors higher. As I raced to the elevators, I couldn’t help but admire his strength and the grace of his movements. From my understanding, Kayog was inhis early sixties. And yet he looked no older than someone in his early to mid-forties. This was in no small part due to his incredible fitness level.

That male was buff, although with the slender body of a swimmer rather than the bulky one of a bodybuilder. It shouldn’t surprise me as he had been a jock in his teens.

As expected, the lift took far too long to arrive and get me to my destination. You would think such a luxury cruise ship would have much faster elevators. However, it had been a deliberate design to make them slower so that people could enjoy the view of the promenade and the relaxing orchestral music within. Patrons on these vessels were expected to be laid back, not rushing like one would in a shopping mall. But this also made for a frustrating experience when in a rush.

Thankfully, the staff elevators had no such speed restrictions.

Although it had only been a couple of minutes, I finally reached the top floor after what felt like an eternity. I ran to the Infirmary to find Kayog standing alone in the waiting area by the reception.

“She’s inside with Dr. Alicent,” Kayog replied to my unspoken question.

“Oh, excellent!” I said with relief. “Alicent is an excellent doctor. That poor woman is in good hands. Thank you for being so swift. It must be amazing to be able to sense things the way you do. As a doctor, it would be the greatest gift.”

He chuckled and gave me an indulgent smile. “It is indeed quite practical. People so often convince themselves that they’re fine when they in fact are not. But while I have that gift, you’re not lacking either. You were quite sensitive to the situation as well.”

I waved a dismissive hand. “I’m merely observant. And even then, without you drawing my attention to her, I probably wouldn’t have noticed.”

“Fair enough,” he conceded. “However, many others noticed my reaction, but only you and my mate wanted to help. It says a lot about your character. You’re caring, which is a wonderful trait to have in your profession. But it doesn’t surprise me. Your soul is quite beautiful.”

My cheeks heated as his words deeply moved me. Although masters in the art of diplomacy, Temerns weren’t known to be flatterers. He wouldn’t say something so kind unless he truly meant it, which made it even more special.

I was struggling to find an appropriate response without making a fool out of myself when the door to the examination rooms opened.

“Ciara! What a pleasant surprise!” Alicent said, her blue eyes sparkling as smile lines wrinkled their corners. “Am I to understand you are the doctor who swiftly assessed a potential allergic reaction?”

I nodded.

“Well, you were right on the money. The alien seafood in the hors-d’oeuvre did not agree with her,” the older lady said with an overly exaggerated air of discouragement.

I snorted. “A classic. Do you need any help?”

Alicent shook her head, her curly black locks streaked with gray bouncing around her wizened face.

“I’m good. You go have fun. And thanks for bringing her so swiftly. She would have had a very unpleasant time getting here on her own,” Alicent said, smiling in turn at the Temern and me.

“Our pleasure,” Kayog replied.

We waved goodbye and headed out of the infirmary with a nod to the nurse who also acted as the receptionist.

“The Intergalactic Medicine Symposium seems like quite the change of scenery for you,” I said teasingly as we walked towards the elevators.

He raised a feathery eyebrow as he gave me a sideways glance with a hint of amusement. “What would make you say that?”

“Aren’t you the famous Kayog Voln, the Matchmaking God of the galaxy?”

He threw his head back and burst out laughing. It was full, throaty, and powerful in a way that was incredibly contagious. I found myself chuckling as well.

“Matchmaking God… That has a very nice ring to it. My beloved Linsea will not approve of you stroking my considerable ego on that matter,” he said teasingly. “But you have an unfair advantage over me.”

“Oh? And what is that?” I asked as he pressed the button for the elevator to bring us back down to the main floor where the symposium was taking place.

“You know who I am, but I only overheard your name when the doctor greeted you,” he said with a dramatic air of being wounded.

I couldn’t help but chuckle again while shaking my head at him. I had heard of his playful and mischievous personality, but I never expected he would be this delightful in person.

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