Beka had to almost jog to keep with Isolde and her escort, and the lancers were having trouble keeping pace with the Nietzschean, too. "Hey," Beka called, "wait up-"
"Apologies, Matriarch," Isolde said without looking, "but I must prepare my ship for leaving. I'm sure you have other things to do."
Beka had had enough. She stopped in her tracks. "Isolde Boru!" she thundered. "I have not given you leave to go!"
Isolde stopped in her tracks. The lancers almost stumbled coming to a halt.
"Now come over here," Beka ordered.
Isolde turned and crossed to Beka.
Beka folded her arms. "Now, for the record, I just want you to know I really don't like to play the matriarch card. I go out of my way not to do it. And I certainly don't like to do it because someone is copping and attitude with me when I don't know why. So, my loyal and loving subject, why don't you tell me what your problem is?"
"I think you know," Isolde growled, genetic loyalty to the matriarch the only thing containing her fury.
"No, I don't. Spit it out!"
"You took Harper from me!" Isolde blurted. "Exactly what did you promise to make him leave?"
Beka gawked. "Is that what you're mad about? I had nothing to do with it."
"Really?"
"Really! My then-boyfriend, Bobby Jensen, had made the deal. I didn't meet Harper until-" Beka broke off. "Wait a minute. Do you think - I mean, you believe - Ha! Boy, you're Harper's perfect woman, if you're delusional enough to believe Harper's vision of himself. You think I seduced him? Hardly! You want him, Toots? You think you have a shot? Go for it! He's enough of a pain in the butt I wouldn't mind if someone took him off my hands. But maybe you should go back to your ship and stay way from me." Beka turned away and headed back the way she'd come.
Isolde's anger had spent itself. "Matriarch-" she called.
"JUST GO!" Beka shouted without looking back.
Isolde swallowed and looked around. One of the lancers gestured down the corridor. "This way, Ma'am," he said.
"Of course," Isolde said, and continued on her way at a slower pace.
