Page 69 of I Married Kayog
Although she spoke those words in a friendly and casual manner, the underlying meaning was clear. Cooperate or lose your privileges.
Her words didn’t fall on deaf ears.
Chapter 15
Kayog
My eyes flicked this way and that as my mate escorted me through the long hallway connecting the research center to the residential building reserved for the staff and families that worked there. The main hall offered a grocery store, a bar, a restaurant, and a high-tech gym. At least thirty people were moving about, minding their own business. But my mind remained stuck on the fact that their presence didn’t threaten or destabilize me.
Since my awakening yesterday, I’d never been in the presence of more than three or four people at any given time. That the circlet continued to fully shield me from the assault of so many random minds in my vicinity was nothing short of a miracle. For the first time ever, I could actually take the time to analyze people’s demeanor and actions when out in the real world. Before, I would devote most of my time just looking for the safest place to hang out as well as pinpointing the fastest escape routes.
A whole new reality was now within reach. As much as I decried the circlet cheating me out of reading their emotions, it gave me a fresh challenge that I gladly tackled, which was to learn to interpret people’s emotions based on their body language.
Too soon, we reached the elevators. By the tender—although slightly amused smile Linsea cast my way as we walked—she had guessed the reason I’d been strolling so slowly was to make it last, and she kindly adjusted her steps to mine.
We hopped into the lift, which took us to the fifth floor, the first five of them being reserved for temporary guests. We walked past multiple large doors to various dwellings as we headed to the very last one at the end of the corridor to the right of the elevators. My eyes widened as we stepped into a stunning apartment with a breathtaking view of the natural landscape of the planet. A crystalline river ran horizontally to the living area. Beyond its shores, a lush forest sprawled as far as the eye could see, framed by the majestic outline of the mountains far on the horizon.
I couldn’t tell if the comfortable light-gray furniture had been handpicked by my mate or if it was already included in the temporary accommodations. Considering she had been here for months, she might have adapted the place more to her liking. Undeniable personal touches could be seen in the form of paintings by famous Temern artists as well as sculptures from species she had visited as part of her negotiation training internship.
The off-white walls, dark wood floors, and massive windows made the place feel luminous and spacious. Like in my own house, Linsea kept the decor to just the right level of sparseness to accommodate all your needs and comfort without becoming encumbered or noisy. Everything boasted shades of white,cream, and pale grey. But colorful accents with throw pillows, paintings, and other decorative items gave it the right balance.
She gave me a quick tour of the place. It only had one bedroom, the second closed room being used as an office. The open-floor concept of the combined kitchen and dining area clearly indicated that this was not meant as housing for a family, but more for a couple or a traveling single individual.
“Are you thirsty or hungry?” Linsea asked when we returned to the living area.
I shook my head. “They’ve been feeding me as if they feared I would die of starvation.”
She snorted and placed her hands on my sides. I drew her closer into my embrace.
“I can see that,” Linsea said, leaning against me. “You need to rebuild some muscle mass from being in stasis for so long. Considering how intensely they want you to train over the next few days—if not weeks—you will need to fuel that scrumptious body of yours. Speaking of which, how are you feeling?”
“I’m fine. Training with Yinric was both great and aggravating,” I said with a long-suffering sigh before giving her a quick rundown of my day.
“Maker! Did you really match Ellen and Yinric?!” she exclaimed, when I revealed that last conversation to her.
I puffed out my chest smugly. “Yep, I most certainly did!”
“Wow! Now I can’t wait to see how that relationship evolves,” Linsea said wistfully.
“It will evolve to its natural conclusion, which is them falling madly in love with each other,” I said with a confidence bordering on arrogance. “But speaking of that just further twists the knife in me being denied what I crave the most.”
She raised an inquisitive eyebrow. “And what is that?”
“Hearing the song of your soul. Feeling you,” I said with a dejected expression. “I’m forbidden from using any ofmy psychic or kinetic powers under any circumstances until tomorrow.”
“Good!” Linsea exclaimed with an almost evil glimmer in her blue eyes.
I recoiled. “Good?! How is that good?”
“Because it means I finally get to give you a taste of your own medicine.”
I blinked, utterly baffled. “What do you mean?”
“Ever since we’ve met, you’ve had unfettered access to my emotions while yours were hermetically sealed behind an impenetrable wall.”
“It was to protect you!” I exclaimed, outraged.
“True though that may be, you still denied me what is rightfully mine. Now, I intend to indulge!” she said in a voice full of promises.
