Dune: House Atreides by Frank Herbert Read Free Book Online Page B

Jihad. Yes, I have also heard complaints of repression against your suboid working class. Haven't we, Aken?"

    The Chamberlain nodded dourly. "Yes, Highness."

    "There have been no such rumors." Dominic chuckled, though a bit uncertainly.
    "No evidence whatsoever."

    "Alas, they were anonymous reports and therefore no records have been kept."
    The Emperor tapped his long-nailed fingertips together as a real smile crossed his face. "Yes, I believe the best thing would be an unannounced inspection of Ix -- before you can send a warning and arrange for anything to be hidden."

    "The inner workings of Ix are off-limits to you, according to a long-established Imperium-Landsraad pact." Dominic was riled now, but he tried to maintain his composure.

    "I made no such agreement." Elrood looked down at his fingernails. "And I've been Emperor for a long, long time."

    "Your ancestor did, and you're bound by it."

    "I have the power to make and break agreements. You don't seem to realize that I am the Padishah Emperor, and I can do as I please."

    "The Landsraad will have something to say about that, Roody." Instantly Dominic regretted using the nickname and wished he could take it back. But it was too late.

    Flushing with rage, the Emperor leaped to his feet and pointed an accusing, shaking finger at Dominic. "How dare you!" The Sardaukar guards snapped to attention, shifting their weapons.

    "If you insist on an Imperial inspection," Dominic said with a contemptuous, dismissive gesture, "I will resist it and file a formal complaint in Landsraad court. You have no case, and you know it." He bowed and backed away. "I'm extremely busy, Sire. If you will excuse me, I must take my leave."

    Elrood glared at him, stabbed by the pet name Dominic had used. Roody. Both men knew that particular personal nickname had been used only by a former concubine of Elrood's, the beautiful Shando . . . who was now Lady Vernius.

    After the Ecazi Rebellion, Emperor Elrood had decorated brave young Dominic and granted him an expansion of his fief to include other worlds in the Alkaurops system. At Elrood's invitation, the young Earl Vernius had spent much time at court, a war hero to be seen as a decoration at Imperial banquets and state functions. Hearty Dominic had been very popular, a welcome guest, a proud and humorous companion in the dining hall.

    But it was there that Dominic had met Shando, one of the Emperor's many concubines. At the time, Elrood had been married to no one; his fourth and last wife Habla had died five years earlier, and he already had two male heirs (though his eldest, Fafnir, would be poisoned later that year). The Emperor continued to keep a retinue of beautiful women, though primarily to maintain appearances, since he rarely took Shando or any of his other concubines to bed.

    Dangerously, Dominic and Shando had fallen in love, but had kept their relationship secret for many months. It was clear that Elrood had lost interest in her after five years, and when she asked to be freed from service and to leave the Imperial Court, Elrood -- though perplexed -- had complied. He thought fondly of her, and saw no reason to deny her a simple request.

    The other concubines had thought Shando foolish to give up such riches and pampering, but she'd had enough of the lavish life and instead wanted a real marriage and children. Elrood, of course, would never take her as his wife.

    As soon as she was freed from Imperial service, Dominic Vernius married her, and they had completed their vows with minimal pomp and ceremony, but airtight legality.

    Upon hearing that someone else wanted her, Elrood's male pride suddenly made him change his mind -- but it was too late. He had resented Dominic ever since, feeling like a cuckold, paranoid about what bedroom secrets Shando might be sharing with her husband.

    Roody.

    The Bene Gesserit witch who hovered near the throne faded deeper into the shadows behind a speckled column of Canidar granite.