Page 101 of I Married Kayog
Chapter 24
Kayog
Standing on the landing pad next to Kronos and Isobel as the shuttle carrying Malaya approached, I summoned every ounce of my willpower not to beat the wretched male into a pulp. Not for the first time since meeting the pompous ass, I wished I had been wrong about him being my daughter’s soulmate.
Even now as the shuttle completed its approach, contempt and disgust radiated loudly from him. As breaking one’s word was an incredible source of dishonor, that Hell Lord felt compelled to go through with this while resenting every minute of it. However, it was clear that he expected her to fail as he scrutinized her aura.
Obosians had the power to read auras and see them even through the most powerful cloaking shield. This made them the best wardens as no inmate—or any other living being for that matter—could use any power or technology to escape.
Well, no living being but me…
The final power that had first manifested itself during my early training in the research center fully developed over the following couple of years. At low intensity, it behaved as a psychic disruptor that prevented the targets I aimed at from using their psionic abilities. At medium intensity, I could disrupt someone’s mind enough that their brain would be stuck in a loop, not seeing or hearing what was happening around them. It was like time temporarily stood still for them. At high intensity, I could knock them unconscious. And at maximum power, I could fry their brains.
Thankfully, I’d never needed to use the latter, other than in simulations. But I had used all the other levels on covert missions for the Enforcers, especially during the dark times that followed Thea’s passing.
And right now, I wished I could use the full spectrum of my powers on that fool. Instead, I focused on blocking him from sensing my true emotions. Obosians could perceive aggression. The last thing I needed was to make matters worse by making him feel threatened or believe I might attack him.
A flurry of emotions crashed over me when my angel disembarked the shuttle. Despite my anger at seeing her shackled and in a convict suit, I basked in the perfection of her soul’s song. Since leaving her in the solitary cell, I kept wondering if maybe I had indeed imagined that she was my baby. Maybe I was having a psychotic episode and hearing things because I’d never gotten over her loss. But as the guard removed her shackles, something settled in my heart. This truly was my daughter.
And then my dumbass future son-in-law had to ruin the moment with his foul emotions.
“My dear Malaya, here you are at last!” I exclaimed in a warm and enthusiastic tone, as soon as the guard was done and gestured for her to approach. “I hope you had a safe trip.”
“The trip to Molvi was uneventful. But the one from the spaceport to here was extremely comfortable, and the view was breathtaking,” Malaya said before casting a grateful smile at Kronos, no doubt as a thank you for the fancy shuttle he’d sent to fetch her.
That asswipe didn’t respond or otherwise react, content to stare at her with a frosty demeanor. Maker, how I wanted to blast his ass with the most vicious kinetic pulse I could muster.
“I’m glad to hear it,” I said, still ignoring Kronos’s rather rude behavior. “Malaya, please meet Priestess Isobel Biondi, who will officiate your union today.”
I always tried to get my best friend to tag along and officiate my arranged marriages whenever her schedule permitted it. This time, however, Linsea had insisted Isobel be there to keep me from losing my temper and doing irreparable damage to Kronos and Malaya’s chances of surviving this entire ordeal.
The two women exchanged a polite smile. Then I turned to the dumbass.
“And this is Kronos Aramon, your betrothed. Kronos, meet Malaya Velasco, your bride.”
“Hello, Kronos,” Malaya said in a friendly fashion, although her nervousness seeped through. “It is an honor to meet you.”
When Kronos didn’t reciprocate, content to examine her from head to toe with a haughty expression, I nearly lost my shit. The same anger shone brightly within Malaya. But the stoicism she outwardly displayed put me to shame. If she could show such self-control while in a dire situation, I should be able to do better.
Not wanting to allow things to further go downhill, I shifted the topic by turning to pick up the large, ornate box, which had been sitting on a small hovercart behind me. My wings had hidden it from Malaya.
“My beloved Linsea sends you her regards, as well as this little wedding present,” I said, showing her the fancy box. “Under the circumstances, she figured you would like something a bit more fitting to wear for the ceremony.”
The joy and gratitude that blasted out of her turned me upside down. What I wouldn’t have given for Linsea to bask in it as well.
And then fuck-face ruined the moment again.
“Whatever for?” Kronos grumbled, his voice laced with outrage.
I gave him a stern look. “Surely, you cannot want your bride dressed in a convict’s uniform for your wedding?”
Kronos shrugged, an air of pure annoyance settling on his features. “What does it matter? This is merely a five-minute formality to make the agreement binding. There is no need for dresses or any other such nonsense.”
The sharp tongue-lashing I was about to serve him died on my tongue when Malaya interjected.
“It’s okay,” Malaya said with a stiff smile. “He’s right. While I’m deeply touched by the gesture, a dress isn’t important under the circumstances. I don’t mind getting married like this.”
To our collective shock, Kronos took a menacing step towards Malaya, fangs bared, and his icy-blue eyes glowing. Startled, Malaya took a step back and pressed a palm to her chest. If not for his emotions loudly broadcasting that he had no intention of harming her, I would have stepped in.
