Ghost in Her Heart by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: rus
Format: epub
Published: 2001-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

***

Dagon massaged the tension in his jaw while his counsel droned on. At times like this it was tempting to chuck the whole kingship and stalk off into the night. The last thing he wanted to do was deal with this newest problem.

“With the way you’ve been reassuring them that they will not come to harm, it’s natural that they would start to test their limits. Your woman has set a bad example with her freedom,” Xcallion said grimly. “Now there are others among them demanding increased rights and protesting the courting process. I say we skip this foolish testing and let Dagon make her his queen. Settling that one down will calm the rest of them.”

Dagon perked up. Now this was promising.

“Absolutely not! The girl has not begun to prove herself. We have yet to receive word on the fidelity test, and there are other issues.” Roos, another member, protested. He was usually against doing anything useful or helpful for his Tzar. It seemed to be his life’s mission to make things difficult for Dagon, maybe because one of Dagon’s dead brothers was his offspring. No doubt he resented that his son had not lived to challenge Dagon for the position.

“Oh, glue your wind-hole shut, you fool,” Grimlin, the oldest consulate, ordered. “You’re just jiggery because the young bucks get a shot at the women and you don’t. Isn’t fair to wave all those ripe young bosoms under the boy’s nose and expect him to wait forever. The girl’s willing, or willing enough. Let him get on with things.”

“Here, here!”

“Aye! Let him have her,” another voice shouted.

Dagon tried to contain his pleasure. If this kept up he might have to shake Roos’ hand.

The counsel door opened, and the bickering slowed as everyone turned to see the newcomer. The messenger bowed and placed a holobox on the table. At the touch of a switch, the events of the latest testing played for all to see.

“Your price is too high,” Vana said with queenly distain as she walked away, her arms around her adopted sons.

The holobox stopped playing, leaving silence in its wake. Someone coughed.

Dagon stared at the box. No one dared to ask him what he was thinking. Finally, he rose, one hand on the hilt of his dagger. “We will wed tomorrow.” It was not negotiable.

“Tzar—” Roos foolishly began.

A killing look silenced the fool. “I have had enough,” Dagon said with quiet menace. “And so has she. Your tests have proved what I already knew. We will wed tomorrow. We have complied long enough.”

No one else was stupid enough to stop him.

Curses flew through his head as Dagon went in search of Vana. Kynan had done his job too well. He’d be lucky if Dagon didn’t eviscerate him for it.

He found Vana alone in the gardens, lying on a blanket beside a still pool. She was on her stomach, and she didn’t comment as he sat down beside her.

Dagon stared off into the trees.

“I don’t like your friend,” she said after a time.

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