Marcus pursed his lips. He was fuming on the inside, but he did his best to control his anger. A palpable tension hung in the air. Marcus was the King of Draka, and if he wanted to, he could have easily refused this alliance. But his father was worried. He growled in a low and dangerous tone to show his resentment.

"King Biham is going to be here for only one day, and so I will hold a dinner in his honor," Alrakis said as he slipped a slice of pork in between his jaws. He chewed on it slowly and glanced sidewards at Rigel. He pointed his fork at...