"Duncan has your bride," his father's voice rang out, firm but not unkind. "He returns from Giedi Prime this evening."

Paul was already bristling at the mention of marriage. He didn't want to be married, and the name Giedi Prime made it worse. The gears turned in his head as the connection fell into place. His dark eyes fell upon his father, who honestly didn't look much happier than him. His mother, Lady Jessica, stood with her head bowed at Leto's side.

"Then I am to be wed to.." Paul trailed off. There was a spark, a fire of anger in his belly. They wanted him to marry one of those monsters? The animalistic bastards from Giedi Prime? He spoke again, a cold hatred in his voice like the cracking of black ice.

"A Harkonnen? They have been our enemies for centuries and you expect me to--"

"Paul," his father said, a sigh of resignation. "I don't like it anymore than you do. But what the Reverend Mother declares must come to pass. You are marrying a Harkonnen."