Sarein snuggled closer to him. "Or it could be a den of hydrogues just waiting to destroy trespassers." She glanced up, saw his frown, and kissed him on the cheek. Her dark eyes seemed exceedingly large in the starlight. Her body was muscular and full of energy. Basil appreciated her exuberance, for it inspired an appropriate response in him.

"What's troubling you, Basil? If there's anything you'd like to delegate to me, I'll do my best." Her nipples were erect (as always, it seemed), but they had already made love twice. He enjoyed her warmth, the smell of their sex, and the languid contentment in the afterglow, but he had no interest in mounting her again.

"You always do your best. In fact, you're so ambitious you often scare off anyone who might disagree with me."

She propped herself on one elbow. "And is that a bad thing?"

Years ago, Sarein had seduced him, not only to increase her own status, but also to learn. That was what intrigued him most. Their attraction was based on power and respect, an exchange of favors, not insipid romantic love. Basil had paved the way for Sarein's development as a political powerhouse, yet she had not managed to accomplish whathe needed her to do.

As ambassador from Theroc, Sarein spoke for Father Idriss and Mother Alexa, her parents. Again and again, Basil had requested more green priests, whose telink was vital-not merely to run a sprawling commercial empire but also for military emergencies in the hydrogue war. He needed them, dammit! Although she slept in the Chairman's bed, Sarein had to know this would all change unless she could show some progress. Soon.

When Basil continued to stare in silence through the ceiling at the stars, she stroked his arm, as if that might tempt him. No, she knew better. "I really am trying, Basil, but it's much harder since I can't go back to Theroc. When I communicate through Nahton, who knows how he colors the messages? You know that green priests aren't interested in serving the Hansa. They just want to spend their days out in the forest talking to trees."

"Who has the luxury to be obliviously independent?" Basil asked, his voice grim. "I'm half tempted to bring the EDF in to Theroc and declare martial law. I don't care if they're supposedly a sovereign colony. We're at war here, and they have a resource we need! Can't you make your parents understand that?"