Marcus pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and index finger. The same ordeal will repeat itself. He will refuse, his father will snap, and Marcus will depart in a huff.

"You know my answer, Father," he said. "Why go through all this all over again? I will not marry. And that is final!"

A muscle feathered in Alrakis's jaw.

"Your wolf is an ancient spirit," Alrakis said. "It is an avatar of God. We don't want it to fall in the hands of the demon wolf Felis. If he leashes your wolf with his spells, he will be invincible! And now your wolf needs the power of...