Page 61 of Breaking Ties

The ladies laughed and hugged, and that was when Aubrey realized that Whisper was a few inches off the floor. Explanations and descriptions of her early manifestations were shared until the visitors to the villages returned. Elly and Priya were going to stay on Aten if Ra agreed. Candy had seen her ex-fiancé and his current wife and gotten her closure. Apparently, after his shock wore off, he had grovelled in the public walkway. His wife was shocked at his admittance of betrayal.

Candy was now sitting and talking with the defender who had brought her to that township.

Whisper waved at the other ladies. “Um, hey.”

Candy, Elly, Alyssa, and Priya rushed to her and hugged her. Priya whispered, “You got taller.”

“Yeah, there was something else in my system that had an effect.” She grimaced.

“But you are good now?” Elly smiled hopefully.

“I am good. I have to go with Nerigot, though.”

Alyssa smiled. “So you are coming back to the ship?”

“And probably leaving from there fairly shortly. It will be just you and Aubrey on that ship.”

Candy said, “And me. I can’t be in the same town as him. He apologized, but I still remember him shoving me to the side and driving away. That really hurt.”

Whisper watched a man in a lightly armoured suit with bronze skin and a gold mask of pigment around his eyes and forehead look over at Candy, frowning.

Whisper smiled. “Candy, did you get along with the defender sent to escort you?”

“Halon? Yes, he’s very kind, but he watches over that town and acts as mediator or judge for most disputes. I can’t think about being there. I don’t want to see the most painful day of my life every day.”

Whisper nodded. “Got it. And if you didn’t have to see the moron in your township?”

Candy glanced over at Halon and whispered, “Why would that happen?”

“Because Charles moved away from you by his choice; he is about to find out what happens when he runs up against Halon’s choice. Guess who will win? That couple is about to be relocated to a distant city. Their friends and family can be relocated as well.”

Candy frowned. “No. I am not going to move people from their homes.”

Whisper watched Halon approach. “Well, you might have to begin negotiating a contract.”

“What?”

“Hmrain descendants have the same rights as the originals. They can find a partner, and the Hmrain family pays to make a home for the new couple.”

Candy blinked. “But I just met him.”

“Hrmain tests compatibility by brainwave and scent, as funny as that sound. The packaging is nice but not necessary.”

Whisper looked at the others and smiled. “They don’t change their minds. He had exposure to all the humans in his town, the primals that had been made, and you were the only one who made his senses flip.”

Candy whispered, “How do you know that?”

“He’s right behind you. Ask him.” Whisper smiled.

Candy slowly turned, and Halon was right there. “Um, hello.”

He touched her shoulders. “We can move to a different township. I am not obsessed with where I live. I am becoming obsessed with you.”

“You have known me for eight hours.”

“More than enough time.” He stroked her cheek. “I will trade towns with another defender, and those who wish to follow me may. Ra has agreed to the relocation and has found a new township for us. Kevmak is not a good fit for his place, so he will switch.”

Candy whispered, “Just like that?”