Page 3 of I Married A Syllen

I nodded even as I searched my memories. “Yes. He visited the Mothers often. They love him. He can come.”

Instead of waving or shouting in the general direction where his friend was located, Mares used his index finger on the glass surface of the bracer adorning his left forearm. I understood that it wasn’t just decorative, but a technological tool. I clamped down on the instant sense of unease that his action triggered. Obviously, off-worlders possessed advanced technologies that allowed them to travel the stars. But our people were happy with our ‘primitive’ way of life. We didn’t want it spoiled by external pressure on that front.

All such thoughts vanished from my mind as I stared in awe at the Birdman approaching. His movements were graceful, powerful, and controlled as he began his descent. He was undoubtedly a person, and yet his bird-like features boggled my mind. Maroon down feathers covered his body, except for his chest and head that boasted an elegant golden yellow. His long white tail with a splash of yellow gave him an elegant appearance.

He landed near us and took a step towards me. We were at equal heights with each other. He peered at me with intelligent, silver eyes, and his beak seemed to stretch ever so slightly into what I believed to be a smile. The defined muscles of his chest and abs took me aback. The Mothers spoke of him as a wise older male. Had I not known that he had been visiting us for nearly four decades, I would have assumed him to be thirty-six years old like me.

To my shock, he appeared even more emotional than Mares as he stood before me on his bird legs.

“Kayog, meet Taelen, the Thesh of the Drossara tribe—which is the title of their lead warrior,” Mares said. “Taelen, meet my dear friend Kayog, the most powerful empath in the galaxy. And the best matchmaker.”

“Matchmaker?” I echoed, amused.

“Yes. I can hear the song of people’s souls, which allows me to know when two people are soulmates,” he replied, almost absentmindedly. “It is such an honor to meet you at long last.”

I cocked my head, still confused by both of their intense reactions.

“Why are you so emotional about it?” I asked, baffled.

“Because, by almost any standard in the galaxy, you are a miracle. I cannot think of any other species that can hibernate for four hundred and fifty years and rise unscathed. I waited nearly forty years to finally see you in all your glory.”

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I shifted on my feet. How was I supposed to react to this level of awe over the mere fact that I existed?

“Why do you care, though?” I insisted.

He gave me an indulgent smile. In that instant, despite his deceptively youthful appearance, I finally got a glimpse of the wise, older male.

“Because life, in all its forms, is beautiful. You’re unique in the galaxy. What the archeologists were able to gather about you fascinated me, and countless others,” he said calmly. “Multiple obstacles arose that threatened your welfare. Many times, I feared you wouldn’t be given the chance to rise again. So yes, this feels almost like a miracle to me.”

“Yes,” I replied, my tone hardening. “Off-worlders didn’t have very kind intentions towards my people.”

“The Settlers wronged you,” Kayog conceded. “We needed to make amends, and we strived to do just that by making sure we would keep your lands intact and your people undisturbed until you were ready to return. I’m indebted to the Syllens more than you will ever know. During some of the hardest times of my life, the Mothers gave me peace.”

I smiled. “The Mothers love you and speak very often about you. They regret that you do not possess veris to communicate with them. But how do you talk at all with a beak?”

Mares snorted while Kayog chuckled.

“We form sounds differently, not with our lips,” Kayog said, amused. “Once you’re all settled in, I will be happy to share more about Temern anatomy with you.”

“That would be wonderful,” I said before giving him an assessing look. “May I be bold and ask to touch you? Brother Mares says it is inappropriate to do so without asking first.”

Both males laughed again.

“By all means!” Kayog said, spreading his arms wide.

He didn’t have to say it twice. As my palm glided over the down feathers of his chest, and then the fluffier ones of his impressive wings, I marveled at their softness. He chuckled again when I couldn’t help but touch his beak.

“You’re just as fascinating to me as we are to you,” I said at last.

“Which is only fair,” Kayog replied.

I glanced around us, the sense of being observed intensifying further.

“Is there someone else here with you? There are eyes on us,” I said with a frown.

“Right,” Mares replied with a guilty expression. “We set a few security cameras around here. They’re devices that allow us to look at specific areas even if we’re a great distance away. We hid them so they would blend with the environment, which is why you cannot see them.”

My expression hardened. “You will remove them at once.”