"And you're angry." She laughed, her teeth showing white and pointed as
bone needles. Her gaze held Starke's. There was nothing casual about
it. Starke's hawk eyes turned molten yellow, like hot gold, and did not
waver.
Beudag stood like a bronze spear, her forearms crossed beneath her bare
sharp breasts. Two of Rann's palace guards stood behind her.
Starke began to walk toward Rann.
She watched him come. She let him get close enough to reach out and
touch her, and then she said slyly, "It's a good body, isn't it?"
* * * * *
Starke looked at her for a moment. Then he laughed. He threw back his
head and roared, and struck the great corded muscles of his belly with
his fist. Presently he looked straight into Rann's eyes and said:
"I know you."
She nodded. "We know each other. Sit down, Hugh Starke." She swung her
long legs over to make room, half erect now, looking at Beudag. Starke
sat down. He did not look at Beudag.