Brida Pact (13 page)

“Your correct bride is unable to go back to Earth. Our ship
is moving toward the home world and you are aware that a shuttle cannot make
that distance. Per your signed agreement, of which I have a copy here”—he laid
a sheet of paper on the table in front of Wheaton—“you are required to start
your trial period with your new bride, whose name is Hannah Talbot. Sounds
fitting for a Council member’s mate, does it not? Much more dignified than
‘Poppy’,” Demascus stated, as if he had won the lottery.

Kain slid the paper in front of him and quickly glanced at
the paragraphs that Demascus had indicated. Poppy felt sick that her luck in
being able to stay with Wheaton had also inadvertently resulted in the other
“bride” not being able to leave.

“This does state you are required to adhere to the Phaeton
Code according to this contract,” he said to Wheaton. Regarding them with
understanding eyes, he then said, “If you insist on us recognizing the validity
of your signature on one document then we must do the same to another. I am
sorry, Wheaton.” His sad smile showed Poppy he was indeed regretful for what
he’d had to point out.

“Your new bride will be taken to your quarters and you
should start getting to know your new wife. Furthermore, during this trial
period, you cannot bind to another,” Demascus decided to tack on.

“I don’t want her anywhere near me. I am sure she is a
wonderful woman but she is not my bride.”

Wheaton looked as if he couldn’t believe what a mess this
was turning out to be. He reached for Poppy again to pull her into his side.

Poppy hugged him back, trying to reassure him without words.

“So we both live with you? I don’t understand what has to
happen now.” Poppy felt her eyes sting as if she were about to cry. The last
thing she wanted to do was shed tears in front of a man who seemed to take
pleasure in other people’s pain.

“I believe the Council will agree with me that you need to
spend the same amount of time with Hannah that you did with Poppy to be fair
regarding the situation.” Demascus glared around and received some grudging
nods from the other Council members. “We can find other quarters for your first
human while you get acquainted with your true bride.”

“Poppy does not leave my side.” Wheaton moved to make a
threatening step toward Demascus, as though he could strangle the man.

“Councilor Wheaton!” Kain interrupted his advance. “I
understand your frustration but do you want two women in your quarters? It
might be painful for Poppy to see you interact with your matched bride. I would
like to spare her that.” Addressing Poppy, he continued, “We can find temporary
quarters for you until you are able to rejoin Wheaton, and you will be in no
way kept from him. I simply doubt keeping you in the same living space as the
new female would be wise.”

Swallowing hard so she didn’t choke, she said to the kind
warrior, “Yes, I see how that would probably not be a good idea. Can Wheaton and
I have a moment to discuss this? We came in here with the thought that we would
be going home together.”

The handsome warrior smiled at her softly and said, “Of
course. We will clear the Council room and give you a few moments.” Leaning
forward he said softly, “I believe Demascus has already moved this new woman
into Wheaton’s rooms, so I will make arrangements for your new quarters while
you speak.”

As the room emptied, Poppy noticed that more than half the
warriors were giving her understanding looks while some seemed to completely
ignore her. Demascus walked out with a satisfied swagger, seemingly happy with
the chaos he’d been able to cause in the span of a few minutes.

As the door slid quietly shut, Poppy gazed up at Wheaton’s
face. Seeing the emotion playing across his features stunned her. She had seen
him happy, aroused, amused and now, because of Demascus, even angry. His face
was the epitome of heartbreak. He seemed completely torn, as if unsure what to
do next.

“Okay, big guy, this is what’s going to happen. I’m going to
stay in the other room until they say I can come back and we get rid of this
Hannah chick. When she’s gone, we finalize our bridal contract. Nothing
changes. Understand?” Reaching up, she cupped his cheeks.

Leaning down into her embrace, he breathed out harshly, “I
do not want another bride. It doesn’t matter what the computers say. You know
this, correct?” Wheaton’s eyes searched hers and his hands covered her own on
his face.

“I know. We just need to get through this little span of
time and then we’re golden.” Taking his hands into hers, she gave him a
squeeze. “Now let’s go get my stuff moved. I want to check out this new bride.”

After saying a major thank-you to Valerie for her help,
Poppy watched as she and Thorne headed toward their quarters. Walking with
Wheaton and Dathrow to what she now considered her home, Poppy’s stomach
twisted. Dathrow had agreed to take Poppy to her new quarters that were located
close to his own on a different level of the ship. The whole situation made her
have flashbacks to when she first arrived and was pawned off on various
warriors.

Almost to the door, she slowed her pace, causing Wheaton to
glance at her questioningly.

“Poppy?”

“I need to breathe for a minute before I meet Miss Perfect,”
Poppy said with a small smile.

“Her name is Miss Talbot, not Miss Perfect,” Wheaton said
with a grin, finally starting to catch on to the way Poppy said things. He
chucked her under the chin and planted a sweet kiss on her lips.

“Everything will be fine, Poppy, I promise.” Kissing her
again, he turned toward the door and waved his bracelet over the sensor.

Seeing perfect Hannah Talbot was not good for Poppy’s
morale. This woman was exactly what she expected a politician’s wife to be like.
Her blonde hair was styled in glossy, effortless-looking waves and she pulled
off a gorgeous all-white although completely impractical pantsuit. She walked
toward Wheaton with a ready smile on her face and her hand out to shake but
stopped when she saw Poppy standing there.

“Hello…I’m Hannah Talbot…your bride,” she said in a
melodious voice while glancing questioningly at Poppy.

“I am Wheaton, and
this
is my bride, Poppy,” Wheaton
said in a calm voice, motioning to Poppy.

“I don’t understand…” Hannah began with a confused
expression. “I was told the previous matches were wrong and you were now my
match. We’re supposed to start our trial period immediately. That’s why I’m
here.” Her gaze darted back and forth between the two of them as if she thought
this was a big prank.

Wheaton leaned down close to Poppy’s ear and whispered,
“This is the type of woman whom I had originally expected to be matched with.”
When Poppy immediately stiffened, he continued. “She may
seem
perfect
but you
are
perfect for me. Do not doubt that.”

“Hannah, we’re happy with our match and have decided to
finalize it. We had actually just got done telling this to the Council members
when we found out that you were here. Wheaton is obligated to have his own
trial with a second bride,” Poppy explained in hopes Hannah was actually going
to understand the situation and not get a good view of the man she was going to
be missing out on. She had to admit, if someone put Wheaton in front of her and
then jerked him away, she would have been pissed. Her attraction to him had
been immediate and the same for him to her, she believed.

From what she could tell with a quick glance, Wheaton wasn’t
giving Hannah any appraising stares. His expression was more polite than
anything. He had on his “meeting” face. It was his poker face he used when
she’d seen him speak to other warriors and Council members to show he was
listening but remaining neutral.

“I’m not quite sure I follow. Councilor Demascus assured me
that my match to Wheaton was perfect and we would be one of the most successful
matches made,” she stuttered out, obviously having been lied to by King of the
Smarmy.

“Demascus was incorrect, Hannah. We ask that you please
respect our decision to stay united, and we will try to make the next few weeks
as comfortable for you as we can. Your trip back to Earth will not be possible
until we move the ship back to Earth’s orbit,” explained Wheaton, his voice
firm as if she would have no other option but to agree. “We are required to
live in the same quarters but the decision has been made. Poppy has agreed to
stay elsewhere to make this situation more tolerable but that is as far as we
are in agreement with what the Council has forced upon us.”

As Wheaton spoke, Hannah walked to the kitchen area and was
now partially leaning against the counter as if she needed the support.

“I have given up everything for this… Everything…” she
started mumbling to herself, which caused Poppy some concern.

“Hannah. Hannah. Are you okay?” Poppy walked forward to
better hear the mumbling that was now starting to scare her.

“Of course I’m not okay! I have given up my entire life to
move up here! I decided to withdraw from the city Council race to be one of the
first political couples in space. I completely adjusted my five-year plan for
this!”

Okay, Hannah was starting to really lose it. Poppy could
deal with sad but crazy wasn’t something she was ready to handle. Stepping back
to stand at Wheaton’s side, she kept her eye on the once perfectly styled woman
who was now turning into a mascara-running mess.

Wheaton cast a worried glance at Poppy, completely unsure
how to deal with what he was seeing.

“We are sorry, but we simply do not agree with the new
matches and are more than satisfied with the original match. I understand why
you are upset; however, it will change nothing. Poppy and I will complete our
bridal contract despite the wishes of some Council members,” Wheaton said in a
calm voice.

“Wait…wait…” Hannah blinked her now raccoon eyes and held up
a manicured hand. “The Council has ruled against your match but that means I
still have to leave?” Her eyes dried almost instantly. “Explain please.”

Oh no, Poppy had a feeling this had taken a turn for the
worse. Judging by Wheaton’s face, he could see the problem stirring as well.

“We are staying together, Hannah. I am not sure if the Council
can rematch you, but you will not be matched to Wheaton,” Poppy said with a
finality that she hoped was convincing to Hannah.

Smiling at Wheaton, Hannah batted her eyelashes. “So, Poppy,
you’re staying in another apartment while Wheaton and I stay here?” she asked.

Uh-oh. Poppy could see the wheels turning in Hannah’s pretty
head and had a very bad feeling about this chick. She should have fought harder
to be able to stay with Wheaton or have all of them moved to a bigger
apartment. Poppy felt slightly nauseous at the thought of leaving him alone
with Blondie.

“Yes, I’ll be staying in another apartment but will keep you
company during the day while Wheaton is attending to Council business.” Poppy
smiled, figuring that keeping an eye on Hannah would be probably be a good
thing.

“Oh, no need to worry yourself about me. Councilor Demascus
said that I would be welcome at the Council meetings with Wheaton so I could
adjust to the politics of the Phaetons as a politician’s wife.” She smiled
back, waving her hand to dismiss Poppy’s suggestion.

Yep, definitely keep her close.
Poppy’s instincts
were screaming at her that this whole situation with Demascus and a “political
bride” seemed like too much of a setup but their hands were tied. Beside her,
she saw Wheaton clenching his jaw again. Clearly he wasn’t too happy with the
situation either. Hopefully this time would fly by and they’d be able to get
Hannah home sooner rather than later.

Wheaton couldn’t stop the helplessness that came across his
face. Hoping that Poppy kept faith in him and their union, he knew he had no
choice but to follow the Council edict.

The door chimed, interrupting their tense moment. Letting go
of Poppy’s hand to answer it, he opened it to see Dathrow ready to escort Poppy
to her new apartment. Panic rising in his chest, Wheaton wanted to shut the
door in Dathrow’s face and whisk Poppy away from everything.

“Poppy, I am here to walk you to your new quarters. They are
close to my own so I can be of assistance if Wheaton is not available.” Dathrow
nodded to Wheaton, letting him know that he would be there to help Poppy if
needed.

“Dathrow, is it? My name is Hannah. We appreciate you
escorting Poppy to her new home. I am sure Wheaton and I have much to discuss.”
Hannah smiled sweetly at Wheaton and walked closer to his side.

Poppy decided in that moment if she had to witness Hannah
hit on Wheaton she might pull out every strand of her Barbie-like hair.
Councilor Kain had been smart to see beforehand that the two women would have
never been able to cohabitate. He had probably foreseen murder charges when he
realized that Hannah was already in their apartment. Walking over to Wheaton,
she then gave him a quick hug and kiss. He took comfort in her short embrace
and seemed to relax.

“Don’t forget to come and say good night to me before you go
to bed.” She leaned into him even more and gave him another quick kiss.

Tugging on her hair, he smiled sadly. “I will miss you, my
Poppy,” he whispered softly, meaning every word he said.

Eyes watering, she turned toward Dathrow. Standing with his
arms crossed over his chest, he eyed Hannah with obvious distaste.

“Let’s hit the road, Jack.” When Dathrow gave her a
questioning look she simply shook her head, not in the mood to explain it was a
figure of speech.

Walking through the door and hearing it swoosh closed behind
her, the distance between her and Wheaton seemed to grow in miles with each
step. Her room was not too far away really, even though the walk felt like a
mile. Dathrow was silent as he guided her down the hallway, making her peer
over at him.

“Everything will be okay, right?” she asked the somber man
beside her.

“Poppy, I want to talk to you but would prefer we do it
where we cannot be monitored,” he said in a quiet voice that made her stomach
turn.

Reaching the door to what she assumed was her new quarters,
she waited for him to open it while she held her small bag of personal items.
Once inside, she noticed that it was almost identical to Wheaton’s apartments
but seemed much colder. Apparently Wheaton himself warmed the space that she
had called home, she thought sadly.

Dathrow gestured to the kitchen area. “Would you like me to
fix you something to drink? You have had a hard day and I could ask for the
sweet tea you normally consume.”

Poppy shook her head, “No thanks, but help yourself.” She
leaned her elbows on the counter. “What did you need to say that you couldn’t
tell me in the hall?” she asked apprehensively.

“I have heard rumblings about Wheaton’s new bride. The news
that I have heard may not be easy for you to hear,” he muttered while slowly
stirring the cup of tea he had fixed for himself.

His behavior was making Poppy very nervous. Dathrow was
generally someone who didn’t show any emotion and she noticed he seemed too
nervous to continue.

“And?” she prompted when he didn’t go on.

“From what I gather, the human Hannah is Wheaton’s perfect
political match,” he said with a grimace as if unsure his statement would hurt
her feelings.

Poppy admitted that it did sting hearing the words out loud.
She had already seen the polished woman was someone a politician would be proud
to have on his arm.

“Thorne secretly pulled her profile from the bridal match
and he was impressed with her past political career. She is very accomplished
and we were surprised that she gave up her career on Earth for a bridal match.
It seems almost too perfect though. Thorne suspects Demascus had a hand in the
match somehow but we were unable to find out how.” He paused and added, “If we
can find out he was able to influence the match, we can end the trial period
early and hold a tribunal to make him accountable for his actions.”

Poppy felt hope blossom in her chest but it faded fairly
quickly.

“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 cup
down, he met her gaze head on.

“Is Hannah a better match for Wheaton?” she rushed out. “I
vote when we have elections on Earth but I have never considered myself as
being involved in politics. Wheaton has never actually even talked to me about
what he does when he leaves during the day.” Closing her eyes to brace herself
for his answer, she waited and then reopened one to peer at him when he didn’t
respond.

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 her
as he answered. “Politically, she
would
be a better match,” he said
plainly.

“However… Warriors need more than a match based upon our
breeds. You make Wheaton behave in a way I have never seen. I cannot recall a
time when he has been so quick to smile.” Reaching across the counter, he
touched her hand. “Poppy, you make him complete. He seems more relaxed and
animated with you. When you are apart he shows how happy he is by talking about
you to either Thorne or myself. He mentions you constantly when he has an
opening to do so, almost to the point of irritation to some of the warriors. If
you were to leave him, I don’t think he would be able to cope. It was as if he
were simply alive before, and now he is living.” Picking up his cup, Dathrow
grinned 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 a
sip 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 my
match and I needed to wait for a full briefing. I have realized that I am not a
patient man. I was jealous when Wheaton was selected first. Meeting you has
made me even more impatient. You are a wonderful bride, Poppy. You are
beautiful, 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 programmed
the second button on your door to ring to my quarters if you need anything and
Wheaton is not available. I am unsure of his schedule for the next few days and
want you to come to me if you need anything. Either myself or one of the other
warriors will escort you wherever you may need to go.”