Page 4 of Wed to the Bullman

“Gather your hands,” the magistrate commands.

She offers a smile with her hands and holds them to me. My own are rough, calloused from doing ranch work, large because I’m a minotaur. Her hands are small, soft, and trembling. She’s trembling! I’ll break her for sure when we mate. Perhaps we need to figure out a way that I won’t hurt her.

“Promises made are as good as gold and strong as stone. Never break them.” The magistrate looks at us as he speaks. “Do you promise to adhere to one another, through all life, through all sickness, through all health, never parting, never giving sway to a wandering eye?”

“I promise,” Agnes says and looks at me.

“Yes, I promise,” I say, my voice gruffer than I intend.

“And do you both promise to create a family, to replenish Alia Terra with a new breed, to live and love and always work together until death takes one?”

Agnes’ face turns sour, but she nods. “Yes, I promise.”

“I promise.” I stand tall, taking it like a true minotaur.

“By the authority placed on me through the governing land of Alia Terra, I call you husband and wife. You are now officially married. Step to the back for the signature and filing of your status.”

And just like that, that quickly, it is over. I drop her hands and grab the official document, taking it to the room in the back of the sanctuary. Agnes follows on my heels. She says nothing as they sign it, stamp it, and officially file it in the central computer. We carry a copy with us and leave as a married couple.

I lead her to the old truck, and she looks at me. “You are Vrakius’ brother? You know my sister, Auryn?”

“I do.” The key starts the truck, and we take off heading south.

She sits quietly beside me, her eyes taking in the land as we drive.

“You are quiet.”

“Yes. I tend to get this way when I’m with someone who doesn’t like to talk.” She doesn’t look at me.

I sigh. I’ve done it again, and I’m sure I’ll hear about it once Agnes talks to her sister about me. “Are you hungry?”

Her lower lip pulls between her teeth. “I’m really nervous. Not so hungry. But obviously, you need food. So do what you need to do.”

I nod. “Okay, we’ll drive for a while.”

“Vozak, are you happy you did this?”

I look at her as my brow furrows. “This is what’s expected of me. When I came to Alia Terra, I agreed to seek a wife. I am here to help my people multiply and have a good presence.”

She nods. “I see. So this isn’t something you dreamed about happening all your life? It’s just a duty to your people, right?” Her eyes bore into me.

I answer without turning my head. “Yes.”

She stiffens, looking in the opposite direction of me. I sense something isn’t right with her.

CHAPTER 4

Agnes

Fighting back tears, I glare out the passenger window to avoid him. Now, I wish I hadn’t begged Auryn to have her brother-in-law tested. Now, Auryn brings a smile to my face. If anything, being close to her will be my reason for living. Not that I’m suicidal. I read too many books about the olden days, when people met and fell in love with their soulmates and lived happily ever after. At this rate, I don’t think I’ll get my happily-ever-after with Vozak. He’s too matter-of-fact. It must be a cultural difference. I need to discuss this with Auryn.

He grunts. “Mmph. Hungry.” It’s not a question really, more of a statement. The minotaur is hungry, therefore, we will stop and eat.

I say nothing as he pulls into a lot to a giant restaurant. It’s a cafeteria-style offering cuisine for All. The sign boasts different aliens, and a human is in the mix. Good. That means there will be some weirdness involved. Hopefully, they cater to humans too.

Vozak comes around to my side. Well, that’s gentlemanly of him. He isn’t one for words. With a grunt, he turns to the cafeteria, and I follow behind like a good little wife. We haven’t consummated the marriage yet. That will come, and I’m nervous about how that will work. Can I live the rest of my life with a business-only husband? I suppose I’ll have to, no choice. Although, the marriage temple human representative said we can get out of it if we so choose. The magistrate made us promise to stick together no matter what. I wish he had put something in there about being kind and gentle and loving.

Vozak grabs a tray and goes right to work filling it with the foods he sees. The minotaur has a healthy appetite. I’m not used to being disregarded like this. My father always put my mom and his daughters first when we did anything. This monster just plows ahead like the world owes him a big meal.

---