Page 80 of I Married Kayog
“Obviously, you won’t,” she repeated mockingly, while shaking her head at me as if I was a hopeless case.
“That’s right,” I replied smugly. “That said, the trial period will also grant me additional time to see if that dowry needs to be increased or modified to address the specific needs of that couple or species.”
“Wow, you really are thinking of this almost more in terms of assisting the primitive species,” Linsea said, surprised.
“This project is giving me the power to do everything I thought I never could. I won’t be able to rewrite history or prevent wars. But I will be able to mitigate the damage, prevent some of it from ever occurring, or mend what has been done,” I said in a serious tone.
“I cannot wait to see what you will do with this agency. I knew you would be amazing, but I’m starting to think you will blow everyone away with what you will actually accomplish,” Linsea said with awe.
“Hopefully, your prediction will prove accurate. The one thing I fear the UPO will push back against is the fact that I want to keep these benefits exclusively to pairings involving a primitive species. If I match a couple where they both belong to an advanced species, relocation and everything else should be at their own expense.”
“Hmm, why is that? If the UPO is funding this, why deprive some couples from those benefits?”
“Because I want to save as many resources as possible for the PMA to provide incentives and benefits to people willing to mate with primitive aliens. Members of advanced species will have the means to get together or have access to programs for low-income people to help them achieve their goals. I also do not want the PMA to turn into a matchmaking agency for the elite. People coming to me will know from the start that they will be paired with someone from a developing planet.”
“I agree. But you said PMA twice. Is that the name of your agency?”
My face heated, and I nodded with a sheepish expression. “Yes. After much reflection, I decided to call it the Prime Mating Agency. It’s a bit on the nose, but I will be pairing people with mates under the Prime Directive.”
“I think it sounds great,” Linsea said with genuine enthusiasm. “You’re going to have a crazy number of people knocking down your door.”
“I both hope and dread it,” I said with a nervous laugh. “At first, I will have people apply online, but with the understanding that a meeting in person is required so that I can hear the song of their souls.”
“Hmmm, I agree with the online application for people to reserve their spot. But I think it should be done with more of a fair approach. You announce that you will be at a specific place, on a set date, between a defined time range. People can reserve a slot to meet you.”
“That would work eventually. But I don’t expect to have enough people at the beginning to support that,” I said in an indulgent tone.
Linsea laughed and shook her head at me as if I was clueless. “Sweetie, you have no idea what kind of marketing machine theUPO and the Enforcers are going to unleash on your behalf. You cannot begin to imagine how invested they are in your success. The most efficient way that I can think of for you will be to go by region. Just like with a music tour, you announce which region you’ll be touring and the dates, and people will reserve their seats to see you.”
“But then what will that mean for you and me?” I asked, my chest constricting at the thought of extended periods of time apart from her.
“We’ll just have to coordinate our missions so they can take place in the same general area. I will have less flexibility on that front as whatever conflict occurs will dictate where I have to go. But you will mostly be your own boss.”
“Then I’ll make sure I’ll betouringthe area you’re in,” I said, relieved. “That said, I need to make sure that the UPO and the Enforcers are not going to try to dictate the pairings I come up with. I will only match true soulmates.”
My heart sank when Linsea slapped a neutral expression on her face. That she also tried to block part of her emotions cut me deep. Now that I no longer wore the circlet, the full extent of my empathic powers had returned, minus the chaos that used to drive me insane. No one could prevent me from reading their emotions if I so chose.
“Do not shut yourself down from me,” I said, the hurt I felt audible in my voice.
The wave of guilt that surged within her slammed into me.
“I’m sorry,” Linsea said with sincerity. “It wasn’t intentional, just a professional reflex when dealing with delicate matters.”
“Why is the fact that I don’t want to make fake pairings a delicate matter?” I asked, my back stiff with tension.
“For political reasons, they could ask you to help facilitate—”
“I don’t want to match people that are not meant for each other,” I said forcefully, interrupting her. “Why would Icondemn them to a potential life of misery? It would be a gross misuse of my gift.”
She caressed my cheek in an appeasing fashion while giving me a sympathetic smile.
“I understand very well how you feel. However, your assistance in this matter could actually prevent the couple from that very life of misery. Arranged marriages between wealthy families, nobility, and political leaders have always existed and will continue to do so. You could help pinpoint the most compatible pair or nearest match from a very strict pool of candidates. They wouldn’t be soulmates, but they would be the better option.”
I frowned and studied her features as suspicion blossomed within me.
“That sounds rather specific,” I challenged.
“Because it is,” Linsea replied in an unrepentant fashion. “I have to leave again on a mission in three weeks. A very influential executive is looking to make an alliance with a rival firm by marrying off his daughter. We have strong reservations about that pairing. If you tagged along, you might be able to assess the threat.”
