Page 26 of I Married A Syllen

“Although Taelen is your soulmate, I’m not here as the Prime Mating Agency matchmaker. I’m here as one of the key managers of the Syllen files. We must secure a good relationship with them. Your presence here is an unexpected blessing. It is essential that we help them find the missing queens and the source of whatever is draining their soil. Anything you need to make it happen, just ask and it will be yours.”

“I understand,” I said both thrilled and terrified at the enormity of the task ahead but also at this insanely, wondrous news.

Taelen was mine…

I’d felt a powerful emotion the moment I laid eyes on him. My initial thought was that my near obsession with this species had prompted that response. But now, I realized it had been triggered by an even deeper connection that I never would have dared hope for.

“But remember that their people suffered tremendously at the hands of off-worlders. While this happened over four centuries ago for us, for them, it happened last week,” Kayog cautioned. “Be mentally prepared for some potential hostility, although Taelen will keep you safe. And try to be empathetic in your communications with them.”

Kayog removing a small attachment from his bracer put an end to my wandering thoughts.

“Please attach this to your bracer,” he said as I took it from him. “Although your bracer model has advanced scanning capabilities, this will further boost it and provide even more detailed information. As it contains a database of the planet’s soil and plants, it should really help identify the possible source of the problem.”

“Perfect! Thank you,” I said with sincere gratitude.

“Best of luck, my dear, even though you won’t need it,” he said with a wink.

Chapter 6

Taelen

As we shook the buckets to properly mix the fertilizer before pouring it around the roots of the second tree, Drannor kept stealing glances at me. Considering how our people naturally tended to be blunt, I could guess at the more personal nature of the question burning his tongue. It irritated me solely because I already knew the source of his curiosity, and I still struggled to make peace with the answer.

“Speak your mind,” I growled at last with aggravation.

He gave me an almost apologetic look laced with relief that I granted him permission to proceed.

“You claimed the human. Is she your mate?” he asked carefully.

I scrunched my face before giving him a stiff nod.

“Etreya’s mercy! What a discovery to awaken to!” Drannor said with a mix of shock and sympathy. “Are you going to bond with her?”

“Do I have a choice?” I challenged, resentment seeping into my voice.

“Finding one’s mate is a blessing,” Drannor said in a reasonable tone. “Rejecting your soulmate would be an insult to the Goddess.”

“I’m well aware of it,” I grumbled while pouring the water. “But she is human. Our people will hate her and likely shun her. What kind of future can she hope for in our midst?”

“I don’t hate her,” Drannor countered. “The land accepted her. The Kalrin protected her and those in her care. In the end, she is your soulmate. Take heart, brother. Our people will accept her, too.”

It troubled me to realize how much I had needed to hear those specific words. Whatever my feelings about humans, Mirella stirred my protective instincts. As the lead warrior of our tribe, I would quickly find myself in an untenable position should the people I swore to look after became enemies because of their treatment of my soulmate.

“From your lips to the Goddess’ ears,” I mumbled.

“Plus she captures the sun with her strands. That must be a sign that she will bring light in the darkness,” Drannor added teasingly.

“Torokso also mated a human,” I said pensively. “She was brown skinned with curly black hair that reminded me of clouds.”

“That’s true!” Drannor exclaimed with sudden recollection. “I remember her from the Long Sleep. She actually connected with us later on with her own veris!”

“Yes. Humans who mate with Edocits acquire some of their traits which allow them to also bond with the land,” I mused aloud.

“Do you think your human will partially shift into a Syllen?” Drannor asked.

“That’s an excellent question. I pray it’s the case. Without veris or gills, she will struggle fully adapting to our world.”

“The Goddess chose her for you. She wouldn’t have done so if things weren’t meant to work out. All will be well, my brother,” Drannor said with a soothing confidence.