Dune_ House Atreides - Brian Herbert [279]
“I’ll give your . . . proposal some thought.”
He was drawn to this woman physically and emotionally . . . bothersome feelings. When he had experienced such strong emotions in the past, he had felt compelled to dismiss the attraction, get rid of it in any manner necessary. This Sister Margot Rashino-Zea was different, though—or seemed to be. Only time would tell.
He’d heard stories of Bene Gesserit breeding programs, but because of his congenital deformity, the Sisterhood would not be after his genetic line; there had to be something else to it. Obviously Margot’s motives went beyond her personal feelings—if she truly had any feelings for him. This woman had to see the opportunities in him, both for herself and for her order of Sisters.
And Margot offered him something as well—a new avenue to power he’d never dreamed existed. Until now, his only advantage had rested with Shaddam, his fortuitous childhood companion. But that status had been recently damaged when the Crown Prince began behaving strangely. Shaddam had stepped beyond his abilities, attempting to make his own decisions and think for himself. A dangerous, foolhardy course of action, and he didn’t even seem to know it yet.
Given the circumstances, Fenring needed new contacts in powerful places. Such as the Bene Gesserit.
With the arrival of the Imperial carriage outside, guests began streaming into the Grand Theatre. Fenring discarded his plate on a side table, and Margot slipped her arm through his, saying, “You’ll sit with me, then?”
“Yes,” he said with a wink, “and maybe a little more than that.”
She smiled prettily, and he thought of how difficult it would be to kill this woman. If it ever came to that.
Each house major had received a dozen tickets to the double event in the Grand Theatre, while the rest of the population in the Imperium watched over planetary relays. Everyone would talk about the details of the magnificent ceremony for at least the next decade—exactly as Shaddam intended.
As the representative of his restored House, Duke Leto Atreides sat with his entourage in blackplaz seats in the second row, main level. The Emperor’s “beloved cousin” had maintained pretenses since the ending of the Landsraad trial, but Leto did not believe the feigned friendship would last beyond his return to Caladan—unless, of course, Shaddam intended to collect on the favor. Beware of what you buy, the Old Duke had said, for there may be hidden costs.
Thufir Hawat sat on Leto’s right and a proud and effusive Rhombur Vernius on his left. On the other side of Rhombur sat his sister Kailea, who had joined the delegation after Leto was freed. She had rushed to Kaitain to see the coronation and to stand beside her brother—her emerald eyes dazzled with every fresh sight. Not a moment went by without Kailea gasping or exclaiming in delight at some new marvel. Leto’s heart warmed to see such utter joy in her, the first he’d noticed since their flight from Ix.
While Rhombur wore Vernius purple and copper, Kailea chose to drape her creamy shoulders with an Atreides cloak sporting red hawk armorial crests, like Leto’s. Clutching his forearm and letting him escort her to their seats, Kailea told him with a soft smile, “I chose these colors out of respect for the host who granted us sanctuary, and to commemorate the restored fortunes of House Atreides.” She kissed him on the cheek.
Since the matter of the death sentence on House Vernius still hung like a thick cloud on the horizon, the siblings attended the festivities at considerable personal risk. In the present atmosphere of celebration, however, Thufir Hawat surmised that they were probably safe, provided they didn’t overstay their welcome. When Leto first heard this, he laughed. “Thufir, do Mentats ever provide guarantees?” Hawat did not find this amusing.
Though the coronation and Imperial wedding were among the safest places in the universe because of the intense public attention, Leto doubted that Dominic Vernius would show his face. Even now, after