Rektar opens the door to the store and steps inside, heading for me. "Are you finished with your business here, Lucy?"
I glance around, pretending to consider, but I know the answer already. I'm just killing time, waiting to talk to him again. Waiting to figure out what's going on between the two of us. He's giving me such mixed signals I don't know what to think. "I'm not buying anything today," I tell him. "What's up?"
He straightens, tugging on his uniform, and then gives me an impassively blank look. "Join me. We are heading to the registrar's office."
And I'm disappointed again, because he's now deliberately staring at my chin, not looking me in the eye. This man. I swallow back my frustration and adjust my shawl. "Do I need to sign something?"
"Yes," he barks out. A moment later he pauses. "No."
I clench my jaw, because I'm getting a little tired of being jerked around. I march out of the store, and he's right on my heels. The registrar's office is a tiny hole-in-the-wall-type location sandwiched between a meat processor and the bank, and it's an end of the street I don't often head down. Rektar puts a hand on my shoulder, guiding me along the walkway, and I feel less like a friend and more like a prisoner.
Heck, I don't even want to be his “friend.” I want to be something more, but this morning, he's acting like he can't decide if I'm a leper or a temptress. "You going to tell me what we're doing, or do I have to guess from your attitude?"
Rektar's silent as he leads me toward the building and then opens the door for me. "We are getting married," he admits, ushering me inside.
We're what?
I stare at him in shock. "Excuse me?"
"We are marrying. You need a mate to protect you. I will take on that duty." He sets his jaw and stares at my chin. "I will not brook any argument on this. It is imperative that you remain safe. This is the best way to do it."
As marriage proposals go, this is an absolutely terrible one. It's what I wanted, though. I'd just hoped…I glance over at him but he won't look at me. I sigh. Maybe I just hoped for too much. I'm getting married to the man I want, all right, but he's acting like it's his duty as custodian rather than what he wants as a man. "Can we talk about this?"
"The registrar is very busy," Rektar says, taking me by the elbow and guiding me inside. "We can talk after the marriage."
A szzt male—the race with the sharp, terrifying teeth and large pebbled orange heads—jumps to his feet as Rektar approaches. "A human ceremony?" the male asks. "I am becoming quite familiar with those." He gives us an unctuous look, ushering us toward a tiny makeshift area at the back of the office. There are wilting flowers on a table and a basket of fruit atop a hastily embroidered tablecloth, and I guess that's where all the “special” ceremonies are held. It'd be kind of sad and funny if I wasn't so frustrated at the moment.
This will solve my problems but…I'm not happy. In fact, I'm kind of crushed with disappointment. I never wanted to get married just to get married. I wanted to get married for love…or at the very least, affection. I feel kind of like I'm not getting either one at this rate. I glance over at Rektar, and naturally, he stares at my chin instead of looking me in the eye. He won't look at me, and I wonder if I'm resigning myself to a lifetime of frustration with a mate that I want but who doesn't want me…unless he's jerking off in the barn.
"Do you know how to do a human ceremony?" Rektar asks the registrar.
"I do." The male gestures at us. "Join hands, please."
I hold mine out to Rektar, curious if he'll look at me now, but he just takes mine in his and gazes down at our joined hands. His hands feel big and warm and wonderful, and he grips my fingers tightly. It's the only reason I don't drop them and storm away out of anger.
"Now, Rektar, you must vow to give the human female your name and to fill her belly with young. You must vow to protect her and keep her safe, always."
Pretty sure that the human marriage ceremony doesn't mention breeding in the slightest, but I'll allow it.
Rektar's hands grow sweaty as he grasps mine, gazing down at them. "I am sorry that the only name I have to give you is al'Aira'n. It is not a good name, and you are a good female. You deserve better. But I do promise to protect you and keep you safe, always."