Poppy felt hope blossom in her chest but it faded fairlyquickly.
“Dathrow…I want you to answer a question and be honest.Okay?” she said, not knowing if she wanted an honest answer or not.
“Of course. It is not in our nature to lie.” Placing his cupdown, he met her gaze head on.
“Is Hannah a better match for Wheaton?” she rushed out. “Ivote when we have elections on Earth but I have never considered myself asbeing involved in politics. Wheaton has never actually even talked to me aboutwhat he does when he leaves during the day.” Closing her eyes to brace herselffor his answer, she waited and then reopened one to peer at him when he didn’trespond.
She realized he’d been waiting for her to look at him.Opening both her eyes, Poppy focused on him. Kind brown eyes seemed to study heras he answered. “Politically, she would be a better match,” he saidplainly.
“However… Warriors need more than a match based upon ourbreeds. You make Wheaton behave in a way I have never seen. I cannot recall atime when he has been so quick to smile.” Reaching across the counter, hetouched her hand. “Poppy, you make him complete. He seems more relaxed andanimated with you. When you are apart he shows how happy he is by talking aboutyou to either Thorne or myself. He mentions you constantly when he has anopening to do so, almost to the point of irritation to some of the warriors. Ifyou were to leave him, I don’t think he would be able to cope. It was as if hewere simply alive before, and now he is living.” Picking up his cup, Dathrowgrinned across the counter at her.
“I am actually jealous of his match,” he admitted.
“Why? Aren’t you in the warrior pool for a bride?” Taking asip of the tea he had made for her despite her refusal, she smiled back at him.His words had lifted her spirits for the time being.
“Yes, but Councilor Kain said there was a problem with mymatch and I needed to wait for a full briefing. I have realized that I am not apatient man. I was jealous when Wheaton was selected first. Meeting you hasmade me even more impatient. You are a wonderful bride, Poppy. You arebeautiful, funny, smart and most of all you make Wheaton happy. I want that.”Finishing his drink, he turned around to place his now empty cup into the sink.
“I must be going, but I wanted to let you know I programmedthe second button on your door to ring to my quarters if you need anything andWheaton is not available. I am unsure of his schedule for the next few days andwant you to come to me if you need anything. Either myself or one of the otherwarriors will escort you wherever you may need to go.”
Pausing at the door, he turned back around. “Make eithermyself or Wheaton aware if Demascus makes an attempt to approach you. I wouldnot listen to anything he says if he does come to you. Remember, he is acunning politician and can say things that people start to believe if repeatedenough.”
“Don’t worry, Dathrow. That man has been high on my bullshitmeter ever since I met him.” Patting him on the back as he walked out, she saidgood night and turned to her silent new quarters. Tonight was going to be toughby herself. She had grown used to having Wheaton around and this room remindedher of her first week on Squadron One.
In the bedroom, she found that her larger bags had beenstacked next to the bathroom door. Unpacking her items, she spread out herstuff the way she’d had it back in the apartment. Only thing missing wasWheaton, she thought with a sad smile. When her stomach growled she was remindedof how late it was. Figuring she would be dining alone tonight, Poppy madeherself something to eat and sat down to flip through channels on the viewscreen. The ship had basically any and all channels she could ever imagine andwhen she logged in it had her most recently watched movies.
“Let’s avoid anything that will make me reach for theKleenex.” Talking to herself again, she grimaced. It was going to be a longnight.
Chapter Seventeen
Waking up with her face stuck to the leather couch was notthe best start to her morning. Rubbing her eyes, Poppy tried to think of whathad happened after she’d started her movie. She surveyed the room for any signsthat Wheaton had come by after she had fallen asleep. Figuring that he wouldhave carried her to bed, she guessed he hadn’t been able to come to her newquarters last night.
Hoping she was early enough to catch him before breakfast,she went to the door to buzz their old room. Not getting an answer, she decidedhe must have already gone to his morning meetings. Seeing the second buttondown and remembering what Dathrow had said, she went ahead and pushed it.
“Yes?” Dathrow’s deep voice came through the speaker.
“Dathrow, I couldn’t get hold of Wheaton. Do you know wherehe might be?” Poppy asked.
“Poppy, he was called to an early morning meeting with theCouncil. Did you need anything? I can send him a message if needed.”
“No, don’t do that. I just woke up and wanted to talk tohim. Have you had breakfast yet?” Poppy figured she might need to find somecompany so she didn’t go completely crazy. She hadn’t been around Dathrow toomuch and felt like he might actually be a friend she could use while theywaited for this double-bride problem to resolve itself.
“I have not had my morning meal yet. I will be right over,”he replied in a pleasant voice.
With a beep ending the call, she quickly got ready. Dressedin her standard yoga pants and long tunic, she slipped her shoes on afterpulling her hair up into a bun. Makeup today would consist of a little mascaraand some lip gloss. The effort of putting on more of a face today seemed toomuch of a chore right now.
Poppy raised her eyebrows in surprise when the doorbellbeeped. That was quick. Opening
