"Raymond E. Feist & Janny Wurts - empire 3 mistress of the empire" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

Aware that she had noticed him, he took her cold hand
into his warm one. 'My Lady, it is past midnight. You would
do well to take some rest.'

Mara half turned from the bier. Her dark eyes fastened
on Hokanu's, and the compassion in his gaze caused her to
dissolve into tears. His handsome features blurred, and his
grip shifted, supporting her body against his shoulder. He
was strong in the same sparely muscled way of his father.
And if he did not kindle the wild passion that Kevin had,
with him, Mara shared an effortless understanding. He was
husband to her as Ayaki's father had never been, and his
presence now as grief crumbled her poise was all that kept
her from insanity. The touch that sought to soothe her
sorrow was that of a man well capable of command on the
field of war. He preferred peace, as she did, but when the
ways of the sword became necessary, he had the courage of
the tigers that inhabited the world beyond the rift.

Now, belatedly, the Acoma would need those skills
in battle.

As tears rinsed Mara's cheeks, she tasted bitterness that

knew no limit. The guilt inside her had a name she could use
as a scapegoat. Jiro of the Anasati had murdered her son;
for that, she would destroy his house beyond the memory
of the living.

28 Mistress of the Empire

As though he sensed the ugly turn of her thoughts,
Hokanu shook her gently. 'My Lady, you are needed. Justin
cried all through his supper, asking what had happened
to his mama. Keyoke called each hour for instructions,
and Force Commander Lujan needs to know how many
companies should be recalled from garrison duty at your
estates near Sulan-Qu.'

In his inimitably subtle way, Hokanu did not argue the
necessity for war. That brought relief. Had he offered
questions, had he sought to dissuade her from vengeance
against Jiro upon grounds that a single shell token offered
too scanty evidence, she would have turned on him in a
fury. Who was not with her at this moment was against
her. A blow had been struck against the Acoma, and honor
demanded action.

But the form of her murdered son sapped her will; life