Dune_ House Atreides - Brian Herbert [166]
It was rumored that this undersized man had stabbed two of his lovers to death, and from his slithery demeanor Grera believed it. Through her years of experience, she had learned how to recognize a man capable of extreme cruelty. Fenring’s genitals were supposedly malformed and sterile, though sexually functional. She had never slept with him herself, nor did she wish to.
Fenring studied her with overlarge, soulless eyes, then moved past her to the two new blondes. The Crown Prince remained behind him, near the doorway to the solarium. Slim and red-haired, Shaddam wore a gray Sardaukar uniform with silver-and-gold trim. Grera knew the Imperial heir loved to play military games.
“Please share your little joke with us,” Fenring insisted. He addressed the smaller blonde, a petite girl barely beyond her teens who was only slightly shorter than he was. Her eyes resembled Shando’s. “Prince Shaddam and I both enjoy humor.”
“It was just a private conversation,” Grera responded, stepping forward protectively. “Personal things.”
“Can’t she speak for herself?” Fenring snapped, glaring back at the elder woman. He wore a black tunic trimmed in gold, and many rings on his hands. “If this one’s been chosen to entertain the Padishah Emperor, I’m sure she knows how to relay a simple joke, ah-mm-m-m-m?”
“It was as Grera said,” the young blonde insisted. “Just a girl thing. Not worth repeating.”
Fenring took hold of one of the edges of the towel she had been gripping tightly about her curvaceous body. Surprise and fear covered her face. He jerked at the towel, exposing one of her breasts.
Angrily, Grera said, “Cease this nonsense, Fenring. We are royal concubines. No one but the Emperor may touch us.”
“Lucky you.” Fenring gazed across the room at Shaddam.
The Crown Prince nodded stiffly. “She’s right, Hasimir. I’ll share one of my concubines with you, if you like.”
“But I didn’t touch her, my friend—I was only fixing her towel a little.” He let go, and the girl covered herself again. “But has the Emperor been . . . um-m-m-m-ah, utilizing your services much lately? We hear that a certain part of him is already deceased.” Fenring looked up at Grera Cary, who towered over the Ferret.
Grera glanced over at the Crown Prince, seeking support and safety, but found none. His cold eyes looked past her. For a moment she wondered what this Imperial heir would be like in bed, if he had the sexual prowess his father had once possessed. She doubted it, though. From the cold-cod look of this one, even the withered man on his deathbed would still be a superior lover.
“Old one, you will come with me, and we will talk more of jokes. Perhaps we can even exchange a few,” Fenring commanded. “I can be a funny man.”
“Now, sir?” With the fingers of her free hand she indicated her karthan-weave towel.
His gleaming eyes narrowed dangerously. “A person of my station has no time to wait while a woman dresses. Of course I mean now!” He grabbed a tuft of her towel and pulled her along. She went with him, struggling to keep the towel wrapped around her. “This way. Come, come.” While Shaddam followed passively, amused, Fenring forced her to the door.
“The Emperor will hear of this!” she protested.
“Speak loudly, he has trouble hearing.” Fenring gave a maddening smile. “And who will tell him? Some days he doesn’t even remember his own name—he certainly won’t bother with a crone like you.” His tone sent a chill down Grera’s spine. The other concubines milled about, confused and helpless as their grande dame was unceremoniously hauled out of their presence and into the corridor.
At this early hour no members of the royal Court were in evidence, only Sardaukar guards standing rigidly at attention. And with Crown Prince Shaddam here, the Sardaukar guards saw nothing at all. Grera looked at them, but they stared right through her.
Since her flustered, stuttering voice seemed to irritate Fenring, Grera decided it would be safest to become silent. The Ferret was behaving strangely, but as an Imperial concubine she had nothing to fear from him.