Page 84 of I Married Kayog
My parents, Tala, Mares, and Nana Arika were standing in a circle around us. A wider space between Dad and Mom was left for Isobel to join them. Once the first part of the ceremony was completed, she would close the circle as they would all hold hands, my friends inserted in between a member of my family.
“We are gathered here to bear witness to the union of two souls, of two wonderful people who have overcome incredible challenges, and emerged from them stronger and more unified than ever. It is my tremendous honor to preside over the joining of my dearest brother and beloved sister.”
We both glanced at Isobel, the same love I felt for the human priestess emanating from my mate. Contrary to many human religions, Temern couples didn’t exchange vows or follow any complex rituals. Anything that needed to be said was communicated through our empathic abilities. That connection would be made even stronger—and in fact unbreakable—once we completed the bond.
Still, Kayog and I both chose to exchange a few words. She nodded at us to tell us to proceed.
“Kayog, you entered my life like a whirlwind. I wasn’t looking for love or a partner. But the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew. I foolishly tried to resist, but some things cannot be denied. Fate brought us together. I chose you then, now, and always. For you, I will fight the gods themselves, if I must. No one has ever brought me greater happiness or made me so complete as you have. You make me laugh and rediscover the wondersof our worlds with fresh eyes. With you, I feel safe, respected, worshipped even. Every moment by your side is a blessing. I vow to love you until my last breath. Whatever the future holds for us, whether the storm or a clear blue sky, nothing can ever tear us apart. You are my heart and soul. And I am yours forever,” I said, my voice constricted with emotion.
The adoration in his eyes and radiating from him wrecked me. His hand around mine tightened.
“In my darkest hour, you shed a divine light that guided me to the type of peace, joy, and happiness I never even imagined possible. You fought for me, protected me, and loved me when I was beyond broken. You gave me a new lease on life, a wonderful family to belong to, and a future that I cannot wait to explore with you, regardless of its highs and lows. I vow to be your partner, your best friend, and most loyal supporter. I promise to cherish and honor you, to love you unconditionally whatever challenges arise, and to be your safe haven, just as you are mine. My heart, my body, my soul, everything that I am is and will always be yours. I love you, Linsea.”
Tears pricked my eyes. My eyelids fluttered in an attempt to stem them back. Our gazes locked, I let him draw me against his firm body. We released each other’s hands so that he could hold my waist. Just as I was placing my palms on his muscular chest, a mischievous glimmer sparked in his beautiful silver eyes.
“And I promise to always let you have the last grain cracker, even if I badly want it,” Kayog deadpanned.
I gasped, stunned before bursting out laughing with the rest of my family. Isobel snorted, then chuckled while shaking her head at my mate. I should have wanted to kick his behind, but I just wanted to hug and kiss him. Maker, he was so perfect.
And now, I wanted a grain cracker…
I gave his chest a playful tap, and he tightened his hold around me, his face radiating love and amusement. He rubbedhis cheek against mine, and I felt myself melt from the inside out. Kayog loosened his hold and faced me, his beak aligned with mine.
My stomach fluttered with excitement and anticipation at what would follow. Isobel held a horac between our beaks. It was a special fruit, with the same size and bumpy exterior as a lychee, but with the soft skin of a peach. Its interior resembled a white star apple, aside from the creamy white nectar in the center that glowed. The horac possessed psychotropic properties. In our case, it further opened our third eye, allowing a couple to form a permanent psychic bond. With it, Kayog and I would be able to perceive each other’s emotions at an even deeper level, sometimes anticipating the other’s needs as they arose.
We held the horac between our beaks and waited for Isobel to step back and complete the circle. Only then did Kayog and I bite into the fruit, both swallowing one half of it. A tingling sensation quickly overshadowed the delicious sweetness of the fruit. It began on my tongue, sliding to my throat, and then spreading throughout my body. Kayog and I pressed our foreheads against each other’s and closed our eyes as the horac filled us.
The melodious voices of my family rose around us. A violent shiver coursed through me in response to the specific frequency and tones aimed at stimulating our third eye. Seconds later, my family clapped their wings to emit a soft rattling sound—not quite a drumming. The rapid movement of their wings and of their specialized primary feathers further enhanced the effect of the horac.
Kayog and I opened our psychic selves wide as we focused on each other. Moments later, a bright light exploded before my mind’s eye. The world vanished around us. Nothing existed but my mate, in and around me. I felt infused with his presence, his love for me, and all that he was as if we had become a singlebeing. We literally entered a trance, no beginning, no end, just one soul reunited at last.
And then I heard it.
It was a haunting melody. Faint at first, it resonated inside me, swelling into a mesmerizing crescendo. I wanted to wrap myself in it, drown in it, and forever bask in the enthralling song. I had never experienced such a thing before—or heard of this happening to any other Temern couple. I realized then that it was the song of our souls playing in perfect harmony.
Now I understood why he loved it so much.
Something settled inside me as our bond locked into place. The tingling gradually faded along with our dazed trance as reality crept back in. But the languid sense of well-being lingered as I slowly opened my eyes. I locked gazes with my soulmate, and tears once more threatened to surge forward. No one should be able to love the way he did. And he lovedme… Linsea.
His wings wrapped around me, sheltering us from prying eyes as he deepened the kiss. The singing and wing clapping stopped, followed by the cheers from our friends and family.
We broke the kiss with much reluctance and enjoyed each other’s embrace one final time before turning to our guests. I was giggling like a silly teenager as everyone hugged and congratulated us one after the other. We then enjoyed the snacks and drinks laid out on a table left of the fountain, with a stunning statue of the Syllen Goddess Etraya looking down on us with a benevolent expression.
“Mares and I will be bonding as well in two weeks, after I complete my current mission,” Tala said in a conspiratorial tone before taking another sip of wine. “And then we will marry one month later once I’ve had myveristo do the whole vine intertwining thing.”
Although she said it as if to imply it was weird, her excitement and anticipation shone bright. She was as madly in love with her mate as I was with mine.
“Congratulations!” I exclaimed. “It was time for him to make an honest woman out of you.”
As expected, she huffed at that human saying. “It will take far more than that to make me an honest anything. Mischief and troublemaking are my middle names. And also part of my irresistible charm.”
“No lies detected,” I said with a chuckle.
“I will have to find a way to one up you, though. This setting is stunning, and the ceremony was lovely,” Tala said pensively.
I snorted. “You will have no issue achieving that. Edocit marriages are beautiful with all the intertwined vines and circle of life. It must be wonderful to not only marry the love of your life but also the very land that welcomes you,” I said wistfully.
Her face softened, and she took on an air of wonder and vulnerability that she rarely displayed.
