Chapter 2

Iwandered around the faire hub, intense stress stiffening my back as I drowned in a sea of indecision. Calling this a faire struck me as incredibly callous and insensitive. Khendis—a major galactic shelter in the Chabor region—organized one every three months. This was my fourth time participating. The shelter took in a wide variety of people. It included victims of domestic abuse, people battling most forms of addictions, the homeless, disaster victims, and even ex-convicts.

Their massive compound was divided into distinct sections to avoid exposing certain groups to other ones that might jeopardize their welfare or recovery. But with the constant influx of new people seeking assistance, they needed to make room. Therefore, they held this faire to get rid of those who, like me, had overstayed our welcome.

Like in the shelter, clear sections offered different options. On the left-hand side, one huge room was dedicated to mating agencies. Two bigger ones were devoted to job seekers and recruiters. The central area of the circular room offered family reunion services, mostly for the displaced following a disaster or people rescued from pirates and flesh traders. On the right, a surprisingly big section had been reserved for the detox and reintegration programs. And last, the section I had just left offered volunteer work opportunities.

As I wasn't a junkie, was not an ex-convict, and had no family to reunite with, those three options wouldn't apply to me. As far as mating was concerned, that entire section could take a hike. Fleeing an abusive relationship had landed me in Khendis to begin with. Therefore, being paired with some random partner was the last thing I needed, regardless of how dire my current situation was.

That left me with finding a job or working as a volunteer.

As with the three previous times I participated in the faire, the volunteering opportunities totally sucked. Granted, they provided free food and lodging as well as a minimal amount of credits on top. As I didn't seek wealth or luxury, I would have been more than happy to settle for that, so long as I had a warm place to lay my head at night and a safe environment to live in. But the good volunteer openings always got snagged first. In truth, I suspected that some of the agents kept them for their buddies or even sold them.

The remaining ones equated to a life sentence in places where no one in their right mind would want to go. Even the prison planet Molvi sounded like a luxury resort in comparison. No wonder they never filled those openings.

Depressed, I walked past the impressive crowd lining up outside the intergalactic matchmaker section. Many of the big agencies had their names plastered on the holographic display outside the room. Even more hopefuls sat patiently in the adjoining waiting area.

How desperate did one have to be to gamble their future by being blindly paired to someone they'd never met and who could be a complete psycho? Sure, most candidates had to undergo a thorough psychological examination on top of a background check. But considering ex-convicts were also allowed to sign up for those matches, how safe were they truly?

They have served their time and are trying to reintegrate society.

True. It still unnerved and baffled me that anyone would put themselves in such a vulnerable position. Then again, before meeting Liam, I used to be a lot more adventurous. He had crushed the dauntless flame that once burned inside me.

I headed over to the jobs section. Inside the rooms, people who found interesting postings were undergoing live interviews. Outside, sitting at small tables lining the walls, many agents were having one-on-one talks with other would-be candidates. They generally were counselors helping guide people with many options towards the one best suited or most beneficial to them.

After my previous humiliation the first time I sought such counseling, I knew better and stayed in my lane. I walked up to one of the countless self-service kiosks in the large open area in front of those consultation tables.

Tears pricked my eyes as I flicked through the list of openings. As always, none of the jobs appealed to me. The only ones I even stood a chance of being hired for involved hard physical labor or took place in hostile environments. All the nice, well-paying jobs were out of my reach. I wasn't even being picky or a diva. I simply didn't qualify for any of them.

It was both my fault and Liam's… but mainly mine because of my poor choices.

I had no degrees, no experience, and no professional qualifications except for my voice and my dancing skills—neither of which I could use. Liam was too well-connected in the entertainment industry. Even if I changed my name, the minute I started performing again, someone would recognize me and tip him off. The thought of what he might do should he find me again terrified me.

I tapped on a maid job offer. My stomach twisted, and my throat constricted with an all-too-familiar sense of despair. The requirements: one year of experience and references. I had no experience. Even if I managed to sweet talk my way past that—which others had successfully achieved in the past—I would never overcome the security clearance.

Technically, I didn't have a record as I never committed any crime. But Liam had been neck deep in shady businesses that I'd been too blind—or too dumb—to see until it was too late. While the Enforcers hadn't found anything to pin on me, they'd flagged my file as me being a possible accomplice.

Even lightyears away from me, Liam continues to ruin my life.

Around me, countless people were walking away from their chosen section with a glowing smile. They found something good. Both recovering and still struggling addicts also sauntered off with a pep in their steps. A lot of great programs existed for them. As much as I rejoiced for their good fortune, it only added salt to the wound of my own despair.

Fighting the tears stinging my eyes, I dragged my feet to one of the benches in the waiting area between the jobs and matchmaking sections. I needed a moment to think, regroup, and make a decision.

I have too few options.

Any way I looked at it, my only hope would be to apply to a different shelter. But why couldn't I just stay right here? Why couldn't they let me finish my current studies so that I could have a decent future? I more than pulled my weight in Khendis. I wasn't a mooch, worked hard, and had undeniably proven my dedication to making something of myself.

With the back of my hand, I angrily wiped the lone tear trickling down my face.

What was I going to do? If I took a volunteer position or a brutal job, they wouldn't let me come back here once it became clear I couldn't physically handle it. But if I didn't make a choice quickly, they would make it for me.

"Are you okay?" a gentle voice asked, startling me.

I jerked my head up, stunned to see a tall Temern standing next to me, a concerned look on his face.

"Sorry, I hadn't seen you. Yes, I'm fine," I said, my voice a little shaky.

He gave me a ‘Don't be silly' look. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm a Temern. I know you're not okay."

"Right," I said, clumsily wiping the wetness off my cheek while feeling stupid.

He sat down next to me, the compassionate expression on his face turning me upside down.

"My name is Kayog. Will you tell me yours?" he asked gently.

"Farah," I replied automatically.

As I usually went under a fake name here to cover my tracks, it shocked me how naturally it felt using my real name with him.

"Do you want to talk about it? It could help," he insisted when I scrunched my face. "I could feel your pain all the way inside the other room and would love to help ease some of it, if possible. I'm happy to listen."

Something broke down inside me. Tears gushed from my eyes, and words tumbled out of my mouth. I couldn't tell if this unexpected kindness after months of feeling abandoned and isolated or the excessive stress weighing me down was the cause. Either way, the dam burst wide open.

"I don't know what to do. Khendis is going to kick me out any day now, and I have nowhere to go. The volunteer roles and jobs I could qualify for are way too harsh for me. Even with the best of will, I won't last long. The jobs I could and would be more than willing to do, I don't qualify for. There's always something: no degree, no references, or no experience. The one thing I'm talented at, I can't do without putting my life in danger as it will allow my abusive ex-partner to find me again. I'm trying to better myself and learn a new career, but Khendis won't give me enough time to finish my studies."

"I can see why you are feeling so distressed," Kayog said with compassion. "But there are great programs—including educational ones—for victims of domestic abuse. Have you looked into those?"

I sniffled and wiped my face with the back of my hand in the least elegant fashion. "That's the first thing I looked into when I arrived. But once again, I don't qualify. It was all psychological abuse and control. He never physically hurt me, but he would mistreat others to punish me," I said in a shaky voice. "Publicly, I was living such a princess life that nobody believed me once I escaped. Worse still, he turned out to be involved in terrible criminal activities. Since I met him through his very lucrative legitimate businesses, it took me too long to finally grow suspicious. I was just too naive and too blind."

"I see," he said, a frown creasing his feathery forehead. "If you're fearing for your safety, I'm assuming he was not arrested?"

My shoulders slouched as I shook my head. "They didn't have any proof that would stick enough to get a formal indictment, let alone win a trial. As I had been his partner for seven years, the cops—and then the Enforcers—thought I was hiding what I knew and covering for him. They even had one of yours present during my final interrogation," I added angrily while waving at him. "The Temern confirmed that I was being truthful by saying I didn't know anything. Honestly, him vouching for me was the only reason they allowed me inside Khendis. They didn't trust my words or the fact that I fled and asked for help. Only a male Temern saying I should be believed swayed them… and partially, at that."

A slender woman in her late sixties timidly approaching us interrupted me. My companion turned to see what had caught my attention and a spark of recognition laced with guilt fleeted through his silver eyes.

"Sorry to interrupt you, Kayog, but we need you to return soon," she said sheepishly before casting an apologetic glance my way.

I responded with a quivering smile, feeling a little stupid for making such a spectacle of myself and pouring my heart out to a complete stranger. And yet, although none of my problems had been solved, talking indeed helped a little.

"Of course, Isobel. I'll be there shortly," he said with a gentle smile to the woman.

She smiled back, nodded at me with the same guilty expression, and walked away.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to hog you," I said as I watched the woman head back towards the matchmaking section. "But thank you for—"

I froze, struck by a sudden realization. If she was waiting for him to return to that area, then he had to be one of the matchmaking agents. My eyes flicked to the holographic panel listing the agencies present. As far as I knew, only one of them had a Temern.

My heart lurched at the sight of ‘Prime Mating Agency' listed in third place.

"Oh, my God! You're that matchmaker!" I breathed out.

He chuckled, a strange expression settling over his features, intense and yet laced with amusement.

"Don't sound so horrified," he said teasingly.

I lowered my eyes with embarrassment. "I didn't mean it that way. It just took me by surprise. For some reason, I pictured you… Well, not this ‘normal' and polished. Or this young," I added with a sheepish expression.

He burst out laughing. "Thank you, especially about the young part, although my aging bones would disagree. As for my general appearance, you would be traumatized by some of the ways people who have never met me think I look. For most of them, I'm short, plump, beyond ancient, and with crazy eyes."

I snorted and bit back the fact that I, too, had pictured him as an eccentric, funny-looking, old birdman. Whatever response I had planned on giving him died on my tongue when his smile faded, and he took on that same intense expression but this time laden with seriousness.

"Have you ever considered—?"

"Don't even go there!" I interrupted him sharply, guessing where he was headed with this. "Have you not heard a single word I just said?"

"I heard that you were with the wrong partner who was abusive to you. The right person can help heal you and be happy. It so happens that I know exactly who it is," he said calmly.

As I gaped at him in disbelief, shock and anger warred within me in equal measure. "You don't even know me!"

"You're correct, I don't," he conceded in the same soft tone. "But I know who your soul belongs with. Since you have heard of me, then you must know that I'm never wrong on that front. This would also give you the fresh start you need."

"Fresh start or not, considering what I'm going through, this is a highly inappropriate thing to suggest," I exclaimed, baffled that an empath could be so clueless, not to say callous. "I'm not ready for a relationship. Doesn't your agency require couples to bang on the very first night? I'm not that desperate!"

"Peace, my dear Farah. The rules would be different in your case. Krogal does not belong to a primitive species. Therefore, the two of you would not be subjected to the PMA's strict guidelines. There would be no sex requirement, no minimum trial period, and no penalties should either of you decide to call it quits at any point in time," he explained in a reassuring voice. "In fact, you would not even be forced to marry."

I blinked, totally confused. "Really?"

"Really," he said gently but firmly. "Listen, I must go. But with your permission, I will contact you later tonight with a proposal that you should find acceptable. Krogal is a wonderful male, with a heart of gold. He's the greatest warrior among his people, and yet he chose to become a veterinarian because of his strong nurturing and protective nature. He's been waiting for five years for me to find his soulmate. And I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you are the one. Fate brought us here this day."

"Wow!" I whispered, unsure what to think.

"My former client, who married his cousin, describes him as a cuddly teddy bear," he added in a slightly teasing tone, while extending a holographic card to me. "Here's my card. Please keep an open mind and message me later tonight or as soon as you are ready to talk. Believe me, this will be the best decision of your life. Goodbye, Farah. I look forward to speaking to you again soon."

My hand still clutching his card, I watched him walk away with determined steps, his gait elegant and effortless as his fluffy white tail gently swayed behind him. Males and females alike sitting in the waiting area by the entrance of the matchmaking room looked at him with hope and excitement.

As soon as he vanished from view, I glanced back down at his card. What madness had taken root inside my mind that I would even consider this? Sure, the Temern and his agency had a stellar reputation. But after my past experience, even though an entire year had gone by since my escape, hooking up with a new man was the last thing I needed or wanted.

He says no sex, no formal marriage, and no minimum trial period rules.

That meant I could bail the moment things went sideways. But could I really? Or would I be trapped on some primitive world with no way out and no one to rescue me?

He said he wasn't a primitive alien.

I had too many questions and too few answers. As much as I refused to let myself get sucked into this fairy tale, the seed of hope had been planted. By all accounts, Kayog was never wrong. If that Krogal was indeed my soulmate, a great protector, and willing not to rush me into anything I wasn't ready for, going to him could exceed any other alternative plans I might come up with.

Let's wait and see his detailed proposal.