Unable to stop herself, she’d thought of the Total Recallchick with her three boobs. Poppy had held out her palms in a “don’t sayanything else” pose and told him that what was in the past was forgotten, butif he ever even thought about visiting the Pleasure Sector again, for anythingother than items in the marketplace, she would neuter him. That had pretty muchended that conversation. Realizing that the men were staring at her while shehad her mini-flashback, she smiled at them.
“I get it, guys. Wheaton had given me a run-down on some ofthe other species that you encounter when traveling. As long as my sister issafe on Earth then you don’t need to say anything else.”
The men, realizing that she had been made aware of what“trade” was, busied themselves with the boxes and spent the next hourorganizing the new supplies they’d received.
Something had been in the back of her mind and she took thequiet time to ask. “Has anyone seen Dathrow lately?”
He had not been around the last couple of days and Poppymissed her friend. At first she had assumed he had been called to the Councilmeetings but Wheaton had not mentioned him recently.
“Did Wheaton not tell you?” Rodin asked, surprise on hisface.
“Tell me what?
Behyr held out his hand to stop the other two men fromtalking. His movement quieted them almost immediately.
“I will tell her. Why don’t you two make sure the regen bedsare up and running? The brides should be here any minute.”
Seeing the glances of sympathy the two men cast her way asthey were leaving made her stomach churn a bit. What the hell had happened toDathrow?
“Is he okay?” Poppy’s worry increased when Behyr seemed moreuncomfortable the longer he stood silently in front of her. “Spit it out. Is.He. Okay?”
Behyr obviously realized the more he stalled, the moreanxious Poppy grew. “He is fine,” he started, only to stop when she waved herhands for him to keep going. “Quit flapping your hands at me. I will tell youwhat I know, but I need you to listen to all of it and not interrupt. Agreed?”
Poppy was instantly relieved to find out Dathrow was okaybut now Behyr was making her more curious by the moment with thecloak-and-dagger treatment. Nodding her head, she waited for him to spill thebeans.
“Wheaton was concerned when he found out that you were beingshadowed so closely by Dathrow when you were initially separated.” Holding uphis hands again to stop her from talking, he went on, “This was made even moreof a situation when Dathrow approached the Council and explained that ifWheaton did choose Hannah over your own bridal agreement, then hewould step forward to claim you as his bride.”
“What?” Poppy was stunned. Utterly stunned.
Dathrow had been so sweet and never let on he was interestedin her, other than a couple comments such as, “I would be grateful for a bridelike you” or “Wheaton is a lucky warrior”. Poppy had thought those moments werejust him trying to cheer her up when she was bummed about what’d beenhappening. She never took it as a serious interest in her as his bride. Feelingawful for him possibly getting in trouble with Wheaton, she had to ask.
“Behyr, is this my fault? Should I stop hugging you guys orsomething?” And then a thought popped into her head. “Oh no, did Wheaton hurthim?”
“No, for the most part Wheaton was understanding. After all,Dathrow was your second warrior match.” Behyr shook his head as if trying tolet her know she wasn’t to blame. He didn’t realize the bomb he’d just dropped.
“Wait—what? Dathrow was the match the Councilmentioned when we had our meeting?” Holy smoke, she needed to sit down. Hermind was whirling around and around. No wonder she had felt so comfortabletalking to him. According to the computer program, she and Dathrow should havebeen comfortable around each other. They could have possibly been mated, forcrying out loud. Even though she had never felt the pull to him that she didfor Wheaton, she took some of the blame on herself. For him, she would havebeen the ideal and everything he had said when they were sharing meals orlaughing together now made sense.
“So where is he? Was he told to stay away?” Feeling upsetabout something out of her control had always grated on her nerves. This wasone of those situations.
Behyr noticed her sad face and came close to pat her armawkwardly. “He understood the Council’s standing and Wheaton’s feelings.Dathrow asked for a transfer to Phaeton Two until a decision regarding yourmatch was made. I believe he was on one of the first shuttles this morning oncewe were within transfer distance. If the Council dissolves your union toWheaton, you will have the option to join him there. If the Council abides byyour decision to stay with Wheaton then Dathrow will be matched to anotherbride.”
Seeing that Poppy was still upset, he continued. “It is notyour fault, Poppy. You are a beautiful, smart, friendly woman and all of us areslightly jealous of the luck Wheaton had when he was made your match.” Tippingher chin up, he continued, “You make all of us smile by just being with us. Youare kind to everyone you meet and I cannot imagine a better friend to have. Dathrowwas tempted to try to claim
