Page 10 of Wed to the Bullman

On one hand, I’m not entirely pleased with my new husband. But on the other hand, in a strange way, it’s as if we’ve known each other for years, it feels that comfortable.

He smiles as I join him on the grand tour of the ranch. Out of the corner of my eye, I swear I see someone ducking behind the trees. “Do you have workers on the ranch?”

“Sometimes. Vrakius will bring in others to help on occasion. No one right now. Vrakius came over while I was away.”

“I think I just saw someone hiding among the trees over there.” I point.

Vozak grunts. “Who’s there?” He stomps and runs toward the area, but whoever it was is long gone by the time he reaches the area.

After an exhaustive search, nothing comes up, and we move on. Still, my skin prickles as I look in that direction. We tour the gardens and the livestock. While he’s adamant about not eating cows, he has them in one of his pastures. But he has three times as many boarius, which are very pig-like.

“Are we going to visit Auryn now?”

He sighs. “Yes.”

At least Auryn provides the bright spot in my life now. Being married to Vozak is an adventure, but not the one I dreamed about having.

Auryn and Vrakius have a big dinner waiting for us when we arrive. Both of us squeal as we embrace.

“My darling baby sister finally got her minotaur.” Auryn pulls hair from my face as we rear back from the hug.

“Yes.” I sigh and shake my head, my eyes rolling. I can’t help it, but I’m no longer impressed with this whole marriage thing. Mind-blowing sex isn’t good enough to make for a happy marriage.

Auryn pulls me into her kitchen while Vozak and Vrakius discuss what’s going on around the ranches. Little Dario runs up trying to say Aunt Agnes, only it comes out An Anes.

“What’s going on, hon?” She opens the oven and pulls out loaves of bread which smell absolutely mouthwatering.

“Vozak is um, I don’t know. Maybe not what I was expecting, especially since he’s Vrakius’ brother. I guess I was hoping for my happy-ever-after.”

Auryn laughs. “You’ve read too many books, Agnes. Has he said or done anything to hurt you?”

“No. He’s not hurt me. Just not what I expected. It’s nothing like you described when you and Vrakius married.”

“Oh honey, you need to give it time. Vrakius fell in love instantly. Not everyone does. I have friends who had to grow into it.”

“He’s a great lover, but he doesn’t really pay any attention to me unless he’s, you know.” My eyes widen as I talk.

“Give it time. He’s fresh from Tariat and doesn’t know the human ways as well as those who have been here longer.”

“What’s going on in here?” Vrakius walks in carrying Dario and smiles at us.

“Nothing but sister talk, dearest,” Auryn says. She and Vrakius have such a sweet and loving relationship. He walks to her and kisses her on the cheek.

Vozak saunters inside and takes a seat at the table. He’s reading over some sort of document written in their language. He looks up at me as he grabs a pear and takes a bite.

“Seems you may be right in seeing someone on the ranch. Rumors of bandits coming around and stealing livestock. We may have a war on our hands.”

CHAPTER 9

Vozak

My mate just gawks at me as I eat the pear. “Why aren’t you going out there and doing something about it then?”

“I’m sure our presence earlier scared them off. But don’t worry, there’s an all-out war on them.”

“South Taupas?” Auryn sets the freshly sliced bread on the table.

“Yeah, and probably some Darthcol pirates. Seems they have a system working to our south, not in the same area we settled earlier.”

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