Lord and Dame Vaako tried hard to talk every day, though in the past year, conversations had grown strained. Lord Vaako's almost slavish devotion to Riddick at first amused, and now annoyed, his wife. Dame Vaako wanted Riddick dead already. Vaako was his heir. She wanted that seat. One way or another.
They had planned to dine together tonight. Dame Vaako was brushing her hair, thoughtfully. "Have you noticed the new converts seem more loyal to Riddick than they did to Lord Zhylaw?"
Lord Vaako stared at her. "No. I had not noticed that."
"Mmmmm.
"Did you hear that he is not requiring the Illium princess to convert?"
"Yes."
"Mmmmm."
"What are you implying?"
"Nothing, my lord. Just noticing."
"Stop noticing things about the Lord Marshal."
"Will you stop noticing things about his little girl?"
He actually flushed. "I don't know what you mean."
"I have heard you went on your knees in front of her."
"She was worthy of praise. Greater service to the Underverse than you have rendered lately."
"So I hear. But I also hear you watch her."
"I watch her because he watches her. I want to make sure she continues to serve the Underverse."
Dame Vaako rose, hissed at him. "She does not. And Riddick is thinking of making her queen. You are his successor. What if he gets her with child, decides to leave this to a child fathered on that woman? Displaces you? Rejects our faith completely?"
Vaako stood up, glowered. "I won't listen to this blasphemy any more." He stormed away.
"Pity," Dame Vaako mused. Put on a fetching gown. Went to talk to Toal.