Waving to her friends, she promised them she’d be back thenext day as soon as she finished breakfast. Following Behyr out of the door, Poppytook a good look at her new companion and his outfit. His suit was similar toWheaton’s everyday wear but was a dark red-brown instead of the black thatWheaton wore. Wondering if it was a warrior class uniform, she asked himquestions and was surprised when he answered patiently. Behyr explained thatcertain colors designated different tiers in the Phaeton class system. Behyr’sred leather designated his status as a senior Skrammon warrior. The Brakkenswore shades of blue leather while most Healson warriors wore black.
The short walk back to her quarters seemed much quickersince they spoke almost the entire way.
“Thank you for allowing me to escort you, Poppy. Dathrowsaid he may need me to escort you when either he or Councilor Wheaton is notavailable.” With a short bow, Behry turned to leave.
“Behyr?”
“Yes, Poppy?”
“Thank you for walking me back and also for answering myquestions,” she said with a friendly smile. For someone so big, he was actuallyvery quiet and gentle.
“Have a nice evening meal, Poppy. I may see you tomorrow.”Bowing to her once again, he walked quietly down the hallway.
She might be smitten with Wheaton but she had to appreciatethe way Behyr filled out his combat outfit. That man was a beast. He was abeast in the best way possible, if you could judge by the way he filled out hisleather pants. Damn these warriors were mighty fine.
After making herself a pizza and finding a movie, she rattledaround her apartment. Having the time to herself, she couldn’t stop thinking.How exactly was she going to break the news of the pregnancy to Wheaton whenshe saw him? Was she actually going to see him tomorrow? She hoped butwith her luck he would be busy again. Maybe she should do a couple runs ofsaying she was pregnant so she didn’t stutter when she finally had theopportunity. Standing in front of the bathroom mirror, she practiced a coupletimes using different phrases. No matter how silly she felt doing it, she didfeel better. After ten different times she smiled widely. She. Was. Pregnant.And not only was she pregnant, she was really happy about it.
“Wheaton, you’re going to be a daddy.” Yep, that soundedperfect.
Chapter Twenty
The next few days were awful. Absolutely awful. After havingsuch high hopes the day she’d found out she was pregnant, she was now not sohappy with her circumstances. One call after another with excuses from Wheatonwas getting really fucking annoying. First it was back-to-back meetings heabsolutely had to attend. Then, when he had sought her out, she’d been in themed center and he didn’t have time in his break to find her. She’d startedrelying more and more on the new friends she’d made to keep her company. Herdaily schedule seemed to keep her busy.
She spent most of her day joking with Tamin and Rodin in themed center. Meals were usually eaten in her new quarters with Behyr andDathrow. She was slowly starting to feel less lonely every day. The men oftenlaughed at her antics and requested she play her music whenever they werearound. It was often playing in the background now when she was present. Shecouldn’t imagine having a life without music or art. From what she was able tofind out, their society had been very staid and all the men absorbed humanculture like sponges. Big, strong, delicious-looking sponges.
Dathrow had kept her up-to-date on the Council proceedingsbut there had been no new developments regarding her bridal status. Whenevershe asked about Hannah the Hellhound, he would close up and change the subject.Of course that made her worry Hannah was fitting in better with Wheaton’s wayof life than she ever did. Behyr was a superb sounding board. He was still veryquiet and she had yet to make him smile but he had laughed a couple of times atsomething she’d said before covering the sound with a cough. Her new missionwas to make him smile and loosen up a little bit.
During one of their afternoon discussions, she had her mindblown when they described their childhoods. Apparently warriors were raised inwhat she would describe as an orphanage. The men who ran the schools were olderwarriors who were no longer able to serve in active warrior society. They tookwarrior babies and raised them in cold, sterile housing to be trained in theways of their breeds. There were no art classes, music appreciation or hugs andsmiles from their teachers. The warriors were raising the next generation theway they were raised. It all seemed so sad to Poppy and she actually teared upwhen they explained it all.
None of them seemed upset about it. Why would they be? Theydidn’t know any other way. Rodin and Tamin had rushed to get her tissues whenshe started crying, staring at her as if she were losing her mind. Of coursethat was when Behyr had come to pick her up and decided to flip out.Apparently, seeing her crying made him angry, especially when Tamin and Rodinwere unable to explain what had upset her so much.
After she’d dried her tears and stopped hugging the men in around-robin hug fest, she told them as plainly as she could why she had brokendown.
“That’s just soooooo sad!” she blubbered, crying all overagain.
Behyr, who was still in the dark about why she was crying inthe first place, decided to give her his first unsolicited hug. Judging by hisface, he was extremely uncomfortable but perhaps thought that since she hadneeded to hug them to calm down then this was the way to do it again.
“Why are you crying, little one?” he asked, awkwardlypatting her back. Over the top of her head he was shooting death glares at theother two men.
“We did not do anything to her but talk, so please stopacting like you want to kill me, Behyr,” Rodin said, his voice dry.
“Well, one of you made her cry! She was smiling when Iescorted her to the med center this morning,” he said
