"Sharon Green - Terrillian 3 - Warrior Rearmed" - читать интересную книгу автора (Green Sharon)

I looked down at the bronze bands on my wrists and ankles, feeling the one
around my neck even if I couldn't see it, knowing they were all beyond a
woman's strength to open. The light, small-linked chains marked me as Tammad's
property, his beyond argument or offer. I hated being locked in chain; to me
it was a measure of things on that world that being five-banded was the
highest distinction a woman could achieve.

"So that's why you went so wild when he banded you," Len said, staring at me
soberly. "I wasn't that far away when it happened, but I thought you were just
being difficult again. Terry, can't you understand that it's necessary for a
woman to be banded on this world? Did Tammad say he was banding you to prove
possession, or is that just your own idea?"

"Oh, I just snatched the thought out of the blue," I answered, staring back at
him. "The fact that all women on this world are possessions didn't count in
the least. Neither did the coincidence that he did it right after I told him
again that I refused to obey him or stay with him. Whenever I insist that I'm
leaving this world he pretends he doesn't hear me--except for last night, when
he trotted the chains out. You must be right, Len. It's all my imagination."

"You're still ignoring the necessity for banding," Len answered, surprising me
by not reacting to my sarcasm. "Women who aren't banded are up for grabs in
this society; Tammad's just making sure no one grabs without knowing what he's
getting into. Don't you care that he's willing to fight to keep you?"

"Why would I care?" I asked with brows raised high. "It isn't as if he could
die trying to keep me, or that whoever killed him would then be entitled to
claim complete possession of me. It isn't even as if he has one fight already
lined up, and wanted to announce his answer to the challenge by five-banding
me. These chains are just cultural decorations, best ignored if not forgotten
about entirely. Right, Len?"

"Terry, do you really think you're going to change anything by fighting it?"
he asked, compassion joining the calm in his voice and eyes. "Everyone on this
planet must know how you feel about being a possession, but Tammad also knows
how you really feel about him and he won't let you go. He doesn't mind risking
his life fighting for you, and the best thing you can do is accept the risk
the way he does."

"Accept it?" I exploded, furious that he'd even suggest such a thing. "Accept
the fact that he'd be dead and I'd belong to someone else'? If he died I
wouldn't care what happened to me; do you think I could live knowing he was
dead because of me? No matter how happy he was to take the risk? You'd better
know I won't stand for it, Len. Do you hear me? I won't stand for it!"

I'd exploded so far out of control again, I didn't realize what was happening
until it was almost too late to stop it. My shield had thinned further and
further until it was totally gone, and all the fury and rage and frustration I
felt came pouring out of my mind at Len, covering his shield and bearing down