Page 13 of I Married Kayog
I nearly lost my focus and rhythm from shock. The intoxicating melody intensified as she drew nearer. The urge to scan the shore in search of her burned deep in my gut, but once more, I forced myself to stay the course. However, any thought of properly pacing myself flew right out of my mind. Eventhough I couldn’t see her, my dove had stopped by the bleachers on the east shore and was observing me.
Her emotions screamed just how impressed she was with my performance. They also hinted at arousal and above all at her excitement and nervousness at finding me here. The irresistible need to impress her took over any rational thought. I pushed myself hard, showing off my strength, technique, and stamina. My muscles and lungs started to burn, but I ignored them, too busy basking in her awe. It wrapped around me like the silkiest fabric, taking away the pain and infusing me with a jolt of energy that spurred me on well-beyond my normal limits.
I reached the edge of the river, panting heavily. Stepping out of my canoe on slightly wobbly legs, I puffed my feathers and fluttered my wings to create more airflow around my body and dissipate the excess heat generated by my exertion. Sometimes, I envied other species their ability to sweat to regulate their body temperature.
For a split second, I feared she would walk away. Her emotions loudly broadcast her hesitation as to whether she should go about her business or acknowledge me. My heart soared when she suddenly started clapping. Trying to act nonchalant, I calmly turned towards my dove. As I watched her casually approach, my pulse picked up in a way unrelated to the effort I just did. I bowed my head and did a little curtsy in thank you as she closed the distance between us. She chuckled, the sound delicate and musical like windchimes swaying in a soft breeze.
“Impressive,” she said, stopping a short distance from me.
“Thank you,” I replied, feeling incredibly self-conscious.
As a singer and athlete, I regularly received my fair share of compliments. But coming from her was something else altogether. The sincere admiration emanating from her seriously messed me up.
“This is my first time ever seeing a Temern paddler,” she said pensively, her beautiful blue eyes going slightly out of focus as if she was searching her memory to confirm that statement.
I smiled.
“Our wings can be a serious impediment with the wind, not to mention the extra weight,” I said in a gentle tone. “It just means we must hold a perfect form and use more strength than our rivals.”
She gave me a slow once over that had my stomach quivering. It wasn’t lurid or suggestive, merely assessing and admirative. Still, it messed with my head.
“Well, you certainly do not lack in the strength department. A talented singer and a highly skilled athlete… You put the rest of us, mere mortals, to shame,” she added teasingly.
I burst out laughing, and lowered my gaze, feeling both delighted by her compliments and stupidly embarrassed. It took every ounce of my willpower not to squirm.
“Ahah, hardly. I’m sure you have your own amazing talents that have others drooling with envy,” I replied. “By the way, my name is Kayog. Kayog Voln.”
“I know,” she replied with a mischievous smile. “Everyoneknows. And you also said it at the concert the other night.”
“Right, I did,” I mumbled, feeling stupid.
“I’m Linsea Kenna.”
Linsea… Beautiful name for a beautiful dove.
I wanted to sing her name at the top of my lungs, let it roll on my tongue, and savor every syllable. But I reined myself in.
“That’s a lovely name. It’s a pleasure to formally meet you,” I said.
“The pleasure is all mine,” she replied timidly.
Fuck me! Everything about that female truly did a number on me. The emotions swirling around her were quickly becoming an addiction. And that song…! The melody of her soul harmonizedwith mine in a way that transcended the divine. It almost felt like a physical caress to the very core of my being.
Linsea still didn’t know how much she wanted to allow herself to explore the feelings I stirred within her. And that ambivalence only poked the hunter lurking inside me that wanted to capture her.
I shouldn’t pursue her.
What future could someone as broken as I was offer her? And yet, we were soulmates. Some way, somehow, Fate intended for us to work out. Furthermore, turning my back on the greatest gift the universe could bestow upon anyone would be a crime. Anyway, I was already much too hooked—not to say obsessed—to let her get away.
I turned the canoe sideways away from me, slightly bent my knees, and pulled it onto the shelf thus created by my lap. Reaching with my left hand for the portage yolk, I rolled it towards me.
“Do you need help?” Linsea exclaimed, taking a step forward, but unsure what to do.
“No, I’ve got this. But thank you,” I said gently.
I tilted the canoe and then lifted it above me before resting it on top of my head. My palms splayed against each of the inner sides kept it steady. Although this was the standard way I always portaged my canoe back and forth, seeing my female this impressed by the ease with which I lifted it had me preening a little.
“Wow, you really are strong!” Linsea whispered with awe, as if more to herself.
