“Lord Anazasi.” Mansgris had entered the room intending on formal business, but seeing the irritation on his comrade’s face he decided to turn the discussion towards more positive news. “Ariadne has offered for you,” he said, hoping to elicit a suitable response. He did not. Tyr growled and glared at him as if he had just suggested eating the Kodiak’s first born for dinner.

“You know as well as the rest of the court Rebekah Valentine will be my first wife. Ariadne can return with her offer after we have married, should she still be interested.” Mansgris moved to speak, then changed his mind at the last second. This did not go unnoticed. “What is it you have to say?”

“Sir – my Lord, if Rebekah is not here now, why not take another wife? You are wasting valuable time in which you could create children.” Tyr stalked up to him and, slamming his fist into the desk, glared at him angrily. His self-control appeared to be failing, and Mansgris took a few cautious steps backwards.

“Did you not listen to me?” he said in a deadly slow voice. “Rebekah has left for a reason. Did it occur to you that perhaps you do not need to know all of my plans ahead of time?” Pursing his lips together, Mansgris turned on his heel and left. Tyr watched him leave, then turned with a growl and walked over to the window.

He had to face the very likely possibility that she would not return and yet…he couldn’t. He could go after her, but that would cause concern among his subjects. They would be unable to understand why he would chase an unwilling woman for a wife, and the offers for him would definitely stop. If females knew Beka had fled, they would be certain to think there was something wrong with him, which would not only prevent him from having many wives and children, but also put him in doubt as the leader of the Nietzschean people.

He could not risk that for one woman.

The solution, really, was simple. He could tell his advisors Beka had died, or that he had rejected her as a wife, and his reputation would not be tarnished. He could take as many wives as he wanted, and when word came out the position of first wife was available, he would see no end to the offers. He thought of Ariadne, her long blonde hair, her green eyes, her full lips…her boldness in offering for him when she knew he was tied up was impressive. She was beautiful and smart with good heritage, and yet he saw…nothing.

He knew he had to give Beka up. But it was impossible.

Her hair swung from side to side as she walked down the corridor with a definite spring in her step. She couldn’t help smiling to herself as she thought back on the last few days. Her relationship with Dylan had been developing quickly, but somehow she didn’t mind. He’d even started hinting at moving some of her stuff into his quarters, which she’d skilfully rejected. She wasn’t about to throw herself into a relationship, not now. And if they were to move in together, well, it would have to be on the Maru. Still…it felt nice. It felt very nice.

“Hey, Harper,” she said cheerfully as she passed him in the corridor. He stopped and stared at her.

“You’re talking to me?” She turned around, frowning.

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”

“It’s just…” he looked away, a shy look suddenly appearing on his face. “You didn’t exactly seem happy with my idea…and you haven’t exactly been talking to me since then…”

“Oh.” Beka was a little dumbfounded. She had avoided him at first, but…she wasn’t angry anymore. Not at all. She smiled. “Sorry about that, I, um, I know you didn’t mean it like Tyr did.”

“I didn’t!” Harper hurried to say. “I mean, I don’t care if you’re magog, you’ll still be my best friend! I just thought, I mean, maybe you would want…”

“I know, Harper, I know. It’s all fine, ok?” He relaxed significantly.

“Um, and also…well I thought you should know I heard about what Trance said to you.” So he hadn’t noticed her in the room during the altercation. “And, um,” he gave her an awkward look, “you’re not actually…going to, are you?” She shook her head quickly.

“Listen, Harper, I like Trance, she’s helped me a lot in the past, but there are things I won’t do for her. Marrying Anasazi and becoming his baby-machine is one of them.” She put her arm comfortingly around his shoulders. “Want to go get some breakfast?”

“Sure. Actually, I meant to come and find you earlier, but you weren’t on the Maru.”

“I stayed in my Andromeda quarters.”

“I checked there too. Then I asked Andromeda, and she said you were in Dylan’s quarters.”

“Oh!” A little awkwardly, she let go of him. “Well, we had some stuff to discuss.”

“At five in the morning?”

“Well, y- why were you looking for me at five in the morning?” Harper grinned.

“Hey, boss…you can tell me, are you, you know?” She stopped and looked awkwardly at him.

“I didn’t want to…I mean, not yet. It’s nothing personal...”

“Hey, it’s fine,” he interrupted. “If it makes you happy, that’s great. Certainly better than Tyr. Although, I hope you’re not doing it because of Tyr…”

“Definitely not,” she said determinedly. He nodded and smiled.

“In that case; congratulations.” He was silent for a minute, and then spoke again. “So, um, I mean, now that you know…how does he do it? Get all the girls I mean? What is he like?” Her mouth spreading into a wide grin, she again put her arm around him and started walking down the corridor.

“I’ll tell you all about it…”