Page 39 of I Married Kayog
“Man, you aliens have all those freaking cool powers and insane strength while us humans just suck,” Tala mumbled.
Although she was saying it in a playful manner, there was in fact a hint of envy lingering within.
“Humans don’t suck, least of all you,” I said before gently squeezing her shoulder.
“Pfft, don’t try to mollify me. You’re too cool to need a flying mount because you have those amazing, badass wings. You can read people’s emotions and are probably inwardly rolling your eyes at all the petty jealousy I’m broadcasting. And you could fling my whiny butt halfway across the yard with a flick of your wrist.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at the overly dramatic way in which she spilled all of that. She then playfully glared at her mate, who was still oblivious to what was happening here as his consciousness traveled the world.
“And he could survive for months simply feeding by photosynthesis. He can use his vines andveristentacles to project his mind throughout this whole freaking planet. Mares can communicate with both the flora and fauna in his world. AND to add insult to injury, my plant man can grow some awesome, safe, and totally non-addictive recreational drugs in his hair. But humans, we just get bitchslapped by everything and everyone.”
A wave of guilt surged through me for laughing. But Tala had a way of making anything sound absolutely hilarious. I hoped that wherever our careers led us, we would be able to remain in close contact, or to at least make sure that distance didn’t kill our friendship. She was a breath of fresh air and a ray of light I wanted to keep forever in my life.
“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 developedincredible 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 toopresumptuous. 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 mycheek, 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.
