Page 1 of I Married Kayog
Chapter 1
Linsea
The gleaming domes of Acadia Galactic University beckoned me as I sauntered down the path to the main entrance. My eyes flicked this way and that as I took in the diverse crowd of off-worlders milling about, engaged in animated conversations, or trying to locate a friend or acquaintance. I recognized many faces, some of them merely for being part of a famous family, others for having interacted with them in the upper circles of galactic politics or peacekeeping.
It had been a long time coming for me to finally attend this prestigious establishment. And knowing my dearest friend would also be in attendance made it all the more exciting.
Long before I reached the first steps at the bottom of the ten-meter-wide staircase leading up to the large terrace in front of the entrance, I spotted my beloved Tala. Her bright-colored outfits always made her easy to find among large crowds. Her long, flowy, bright-orange skirt gave a teasing glimpse of her endless legs through a slit that stopped just above her right knee. A light-yellow, sleeveless, fitted top hugged the gentle curves ofher narrow waist. A beaded tribal necklace hung around her long and slender neck down to her navel with matching earrings. The same colorful beads adorned the tight curls of her black hair. The ensemble made her dark skin glow and screamed of her joyful personality and pride in her heritage.
She beamed, her obsidian eyes lighting up as she waved at me. I waved back, a smile settling on my face as my heart warmed with the pleasure of reuniting with Tala after eight months that felt like eight years.
As I hastened up the stairs, she met me halfway, drawing me into a surprisingly strong hug, belying how deceptively fragile her slender frame appeared. I closed my arms around her, reciprocating her embrace before closing my wings behind her. She purred and rubbed her face in the crook of my neck where my down feathers were the fluffiest, and in a way she knew tickled me.
I chuckled and released her.
“Damn, I didn’t realize how much I had missed those winged hugs!” Tala exclaimed in an overly dramatic fashion that had me laughing.
“I guess I’ll have to make up for it over the next few days,” I said teasingly.
“You better,” Tala replied with false outrage. “It was about time you got your fluffy tail here. How dare you abandon me in this frightening place for so long all by myself?”
I rolled my eyes as she hooked her arm under mine and dragged me up the stairs.
“First off, you’re not alone,” I countered in a less-than-impressed tone. “Second, I was off on the mother of all internships. You would have plucked my feathers had I not taken it.”
“Yeah, yeah, Miss I’m-so-well-connected. Always the same folks getting all the advantages,” she replied with a theatrical pout.
I snorted and playfully elbowed her. “Don’t hate, you diva. Keep hanging out with me, and you just might get connected, too!”
“Why do you think I’m friends with you?” Tala asked as if the answer should be obvious.
I pressed a palm to my chest, pretending to be deeply wounded. “What?! I thought it was for my winged hugs?”
“Well, that too,” she added, waving a dismissive hand.
“I’m glad to hear it,” I replied, making a face at her.
“Are you all settled?” she asked as we wove our way through the throngs to enter the main hall of the massive building.
“I still have some unpacking to do. I’ll finish it tonight once I get back to my room.”
“Nuh uh! Absolutely not tonight. You can take care of that shit tomorrow,” Tala replied in a tone that brooked no argument.
“Why? What’s going on?” I asked, intrigued.
“Echoes of Madness is playing,” she said as she began giving me the tour of the campus.
I scrunched my face. “That sounds like a human hard rock band. I’m not really into that.”
“It’s not hard rock!” she swiftly countered. “Their style is more like grunge, alternative metal, and soft rock. And girl, let me tell you, when Kai starts singing a ballad, your toes are going to curl something fierce… Well, talons in your case.”
I snorted again and opened my mouth to reply, but she continued singing the praises of the band—or rather of its lead singer.
“When he starts belting out a rock section, your ovaries will flat out explode. And that body…! The way he moves should be absolutely illegal. That hip thrust—”
“Tala, this iswaytoo much information!” I interrupted, more amused than scandalized. “Honestly, it sounds to me like you want a one-on-one date with him, not a third wheel to rain on your parade.”
“Not a chance,” she said with a falsely dejected expression. “He doesn’t like women.”
