"E. C. Tubb - Dumarest 20 - Web of Sand" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tubb E. C)

"Not in public." Slowly he set down the goblet. Straightening,
he turned to face her and she noticed the hard cruelty of his
mouth, the implacable anger in his eyes. "I had intended for you
to entertain a few selected guests; those who have the sensitivity
and understanding to appreciate your talent. Now I am not sure
if it would be wise."

"Because of what I said?" She guessed the answer and knew,
with sudden insight, that to crawl now would be a mistake. "I
did not say you were tiresome, Yunus, I asked you not to be. A
foolish remark, perhaps, but hardly the cause for such
annoyance. From a child I would have expected such a tantrum
but not from a grown man. And even less from a man of your
sophistication." Her laughter was the chiming of bells. "Come,
my dear, let us drink again."

"And risk your purity of tone?"

"For you, yes. Please?"

She relaxed as he poured the wine, enjoying her triumph,
enjoying too, now that it was over, the battle and danger she had
tasted, the risk she had run. A small risk, perhaps, even Yunus
would hardly dare face the displeasure of the Cinque by taking
such a personal revenge as she had imagined, but, if driven too
far, he would defy the universe and do or have it done.

And, always, she had enjoyed playing with fire.

She smiled as she took the proffered goblet and turned as she
sipped to face the window. The dust was thin now, gusting,
forming plumes as the dying wind released its hold. Already the
maintenance crews would be busy with scoops and blowers to
clear the vents and ports. More would be using heavy-duty lasers
to fuse the sides of dunes and form paths, to support threatening
masses and hold the dust in the configurations it had adopted.
Temporary measures—the next storm would negate all they
could do.

"You will sing," he said as he joined her. "Three songs and I
leave it to you to determine which they shall be." A
command—his tone softened as she nodded. "And afterward we
can enjoy other entertainment. Sabinnus has a new dancer."

"A rival?"

"No, my dear, you are beyond compare. In any case she lacks
grace. He found her in the Burrows, so I understand, or at least
that is what he says. It adds to her attraction." He added,
casually, "She dances between blades of naked steel."