Emmerson’s voice was loud and clear. “I now declare you husband and wife.”
The explosion of euphoria inside me made me lift Devina from the floor and claim her in front of the nation in a deep kiss.
In the background white noise rose from cheers, whistling, and laughter, but all I focused on was the feeling of ultimate victory, and my fist rose in the air.
I may not have fought for Devina in a tournament, but I had faced a different kind of battle in seducing a Motlander who had been brainwashed to think of us Nmen as dangerous monsters. I still didn’t understand how I’d managed to make her want to leave the Motherlands and stay with me, but I would never question her choice. Miracles happened, and this was my personal miracle.
My eyes were blazing with love and devotion as I pulled back and smiled at her.
“Is it over?” She wrapped her arms around my waist and looked up at me with the softest smile.
I beamed back at her. “No, sugar, it has only just begun.”
Someone pushed a beer into my hand and shouted, “Cheers.” I offered Devina a sip and she drank a little before she wrinkled her nose up and shook her head.
“You don’t like it?”
“No. It tastes awful.”
I grinned and squeezed her body. “You’re so damn pure and I love it.”
Behind me, I heard Wilma praise Emmerson. “You did good; you looked so majestic.”
“Thanks, babe. I’m happy I had it written down or I would have forgotten half of it.”
My mother came to congratulate us. “Oh, Devina, you don’t know how happy it makes me to see Tyton married. Two weddings within five months… who would have thought?” Her eyes dropped to Devina’s bulge. “And to think that we’ll have another grandchild soon. Yesterday I felt like the world was coming to an end but today I feel full of hope.”
Wilma moved closer and snaked her arms around our mother. “All your children are married now.”
“I know.” My mom’s eyes grew moist.
Wilma turned her face to Devina and grinned widely. “And to think you burned the motherfucking place down before you left. That’s some exit.”
“Wilma!” I frowned. “You’re talking about her ancestral home. I’m sure it wasn’t fun for Devina.”
Devina moved closer to me, holding on to my upper arm while looking at Wilma. “I couldn’t have done it alone. My friend Tina helped me.”
“Why didn’t you bring her? We have plenty of men for her to choose from.” Wilma nodded to the room full of Nmen.
“Nahh, Tina liked the fantasy of an Nman but not everyone wants their fantasies to come true.”
Wilma shrugged. “That’s her loss, but you know everyone is curious about how you ended up here with Tyton. Will you two do an interview with the press?”
We agreed and stood close like Siamese twins when we were being interviewed by the North News.
For the most part I let Devina answer when the reporter asked her questions like how long she had known me, how we had met, and if she had ever considered marrying before she met me. I got nervous when the reporter asked her, “What was your first impression of Tyton when you met him?”
Devina bit her lower lip and my heart beat faster. If she told him that I’d been aggressive I would have a whole fucking country of upset men after me.
“At first I was scared of Tyton.”
Thump, thump, thump, my heart hammered away and I shifted my weight while rubbing my forehead.
“He was much bigger and stronger than the men I’m used to in the Motherlands and he swore a lot.”
My shoulders eased a bit, as she hadn’t mentioned the part about my confusing her for a boy and pushing her around.
“Also, you have to understand that I’ve grown up hearing horror stories about you Nmen. When I met Tyton, I was sure he would hurt me.”
