Page 30 of I Married A Syllen

“Your people are truly amazing!” Mirella exclaimed. “I can’t think of many species who would be willing to pause their lives and entire society to let animals thrive. Do you have a lot of predators?”

“Some, but we mostly live in harmony with other creatures,” I said, matter-of-factly.

Her brow shot up. “You don’t eat them?”

I laughed. “We eat some animals, but our diet is heavily plant-based with quite a bit of seafood. Most of the meat we eat stems from animals who come to us to ease their passing.”

“You eat sick animals?!” my mate exclaimed, horrified.

I laughed again. “No. They’re just old or ephemeral. Sickness isn’t really a thing on Mazeria. Off-worlders brought sickness. It did a lot of damage to my people, the flora, and fauna. It took a while, but the land learned how to fight and resist the sickness.”

“And what about your healers?”

“They also learned how to mend us, but it was challenging to find the right frequencies,” I replied.

“Frequencies?” Mirella asked, baffled.

I nodded. “We take the injured and the sick to the Healing Temple. It is a resonance chamber with healing waters. You can heal almost anything with the right frequencies.”

“Man… Your world is truly fascinating. I envy you,” she said wistfully.

“Fascinating enough that you would want to live here permanently,” I asked, my tone more serious.

She immediately sensed the shift in my demeanor.

“Yes. If I could, I would love to move here permanently,” she said cautiously.

“You might tire of this world, especially with little to no access to your technology,” I challenged.

“I doubt it,” she countered. “Technology isn’t an addiction for me. It has its use and convenience, but it isn’t a necessity. The real question is more the fact that your people probably wouldn’t allow it, right?”

“No off-worlders are allowed to live on our lands,” I said firmly. “However, you’re an exception.”

“Why?” she asked.

I gave her an unimpressed look that had her cheeks heating in that way I found so adorable.

“You know why, Mirella,” I said in a slightly chastising tone. “As a human, you cannot sense the bond. But didn’t the Birdman talk to you?”

She licked her lips nervously while eyeing me warily.

“He mentioned something about you and me,” she conceded.

“You and I are soulmates,” I said in a factual manner.

“You believe it?” she asked, her back tense as she studied my features.

“Of course,” I replied as if it was self-evident. “I felt it. Syllens experience an automatic physiological reaction the moment they meet their soulmate for the first time. It happened to me as soon as you joined us in the garden. Kayog merely confirmed it. Does it upset you to be paired with me?”

“Good God, no!” she blurted as if I had asked a ridiculous question.

Seconds later, my mate’s face turned crimson once she realized what she’d said. No words could express how much it flattered me that she would respond in such a way.

“I mean, you’re gorgeous, and I love this world,” she added sheepishly. “Seeing how you reacted with Professor Ludwig, you strike me as a very good judge of character, but also as a great protector. The way you jumped in to shield me from his attack seriously touched me. And Kayog is never wrong when he says two people are soulmates.”

“Beyond the fact that I am the Thesh of my tribe, which makes it my duty to protect its members, you are my mate. Of course, I will always protect you. I did say that no harm would ever come to you so long as I was by your side,” I said in a self-evident manner.

“You did say that,” she replied shyly before giving me an uncertain look. “But what about you? Does it displease you to be paired with me?”