Page 21 of Wed to the Bullman

Auryn had been just as worried about me as Vozak. This adventure has been a whirlwind, one that might linger in my thoughts for a while.

Joy fills my heart as Auryn steps outside, rushing toward me with a towel in her hand. Behind her, little Dario follows, squealing with delight at the sight of me.

“Aunt Nes!”

I scoop the young boy into my arms and embrace my sister tightly. Auryn links her arm through mine and guides us into her home.

“I've prepared a hearty beef stew, sorry Vozak.” She looks back at my husband, who waves at her while shaking his head.

“It's alright. I must admit, the beef is delicious.” Vozak joins me at the sink as I wash my hands and face.

“I was so terrified I might lose our baby and you.”

CHAPTER 17

Vozak

Auryn gazes at us wide-eyed as she settles into her seat next to Dario, who sits between her and Vrakius.

"Did I hear correctly? You're pregnant?" She glances from Agnes to me, her surprise evident.

Agnes, visibly tired and weakened, manages a smile and nods as I ladle stew into her bowl. "They informed me about it on the Integer. Oh, Auryn, it was terrifying!" Agnes's voice trembles, and tears stream down her cheeks as she recalls the harrowing experience.

I'm close to tears myself; the mere thought of losing our unborn child or Agnes is overwhelming.

"They drugged me and ran tests. When I woke up in that room aboard the ship, one of them entered and told me about the pregnancy. I had a feeling, and I wanted to confirm it with Sara and Janos before sharing the news. But then they revealed their intention for me to carry their child and mentioned an abortion tea. It was horrifying. Agnes and I have longed for this child more than anything. And then they said they'd implant their baby alongside ours, possibly leading to our baby's demise. That's when I knew I had to find a way out."

I chuckle lightly. "Yeah, I found her hidden in the vents behind a grate, armed with two blasters."

"No way!" Auryn's astonishment shifts between me and Agnes.

"I had to do something. They left me in that room for what felt like an eternity. In desperation, I discovered a hidden panel of buttons and managed to decipher the sequence to open the door. I knew the location of the weapons room, so I grabbed the blasters from there. Afterward, I scoured the ship for a suitable hiding spot, and the vents seemed like the best option. I figured they wouldn't check there immediately. Honestly, I didn't have a clear plan in mind. Perhaps I would locate an escape pod and attempt to reach Alia Terra, calling for help along the way. But I had no idea how to operate it. Another thought was to eliminate them one by one and send a distress signal from the bridge."

Vrakius chuckles and shakes his head. "Had you gone that route, their allies on the planet would have retaliated."

"Well, then Vozak found me, and we narrowly escaped our lives after that intense space encounter."

"Please, eat, my love. You need sustenance," I encourage Agnes gently.

Auryn reaches across the table for Agnes's hand. "Absolutely, eat. If you're carrying a child, your body requires nourishment."

"Truth be told, I'm also anxious about staying here. What if they return?" Agnes voices her fears.

I offer a soothing back rub. "The Taurus Sentinels have stationed guards around our land. They won't dare to approach now. Plus, they will face consequences for their actions."

"I believe it's more likely that we'll fortify Taurus Alia with walls, similar to what other communities have done. There's no central governing system here; we select our territories and safeguard them as we see fit. We learn from the practices of other regions across the continent," Vrakius explains, demonstrating his attentiveness to current affairs.

"I can envision us bringing in more minotaurs to protect the walls if we pursue that route," I add, smiling at Agnes, hoping to ease her apprehensions about safety.

"I'm certain that's in the works," Vrakius confirms. "Preparations are already underway."

Auryn shares a smile with Vrakius and grasps his hand, their unspoken connection evident. While Agnes and I may not be at that point yet, I hold onto the belief that we will reach it in due time.

"We've got some news too. I recently discovered that I'm about three months pregnant with our second child." Auryn squeezes Agnes' hand again, her excitement palpable. "This means our babies will be growing up together!"

Agnes' eyes shimmer with tears, and her free hand covers her mouth. "Oh, that's so wonderful for you both! Such fantastic news! I'll feel more certain once I've seen Sara and Janos."

I embrace my wife tightly, pulling her close. "I think it's time for us to head home. You deserve a proper night's rest."

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