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Book Three: The Prophet
“Youdare?You!Anadventurerwithoutfamily,anobodyfrom—”
“You’vealreadyadmittedwhoIam,”Paulsaid.“Royalkinsman,yousaid.
Let’sstopthisnonsense.”
“Iamyourruler,”theEmperorsaid.
PaulglancedattheGuildsmenstandingnowatthecommunicationsequipmentandfacinghim.Oneofthemnodded.
“Icouldforceit,”Paulsaid.
“Youwillnotdare!”theEmperorgrated.
Paulmerelystaredathim.
ThePrincessRoyalputahandonherfather’sarm.“Father,”shesaid,andhervoicewassilkysoft,soothing.
“Don’ttryyourtricksonme,”theEmperorsaid.Helookedather.“Youdon’tneedtodothis,Daughter.We’veotherresourcesthat—”
“Buthere’samanfittobeyourson,”shesaid.
TheoldReverendMother,hercomposureregained,forcedherwaytotheEmperor’sside,leanedclosetohisearandwhispered.
“Shepleadsyourcase,”Jessicasaid.
Paulcontinuedtolookatthegolden-hairedPrincess.Asidetohismother,hesaid:“That’sIrulan,theoldest,isn’tit?”
“Yes.”
ChanimoveduponPaul’sotherside,said:“Doyouwishmetoleave,Muad’Dib?”
Heglancedather.“Leave?You’llneveragainleavemyside.”
“There’snothingbindingbetweenus,”Chanisaid.
Paullookeddownatherforasilentmoment,then:“Speakonlytruthwithme,mySihaya.”Asshestartedtoreply,hesilencedherwithafingertoherlips.
“Thatwhichbindsuscannotbeloosed,”hesaid.“Now,watchthesematterscloselyforIwishtoseethisroomlaterthroughyourwisdom.
