“Enough! Iris said. “She was taken from Aronsdale in violation of a treaty your own father signed, Prince Markus.
“She was in Jazid when I bought her, he said. “That makes it legal. You cant dissolve our laws because it suits your purpose. That, Your Majesty, was also in the treaty.
“That may be, Jarid said coldly. “But no one here will let you force Allegra to stay with you.
“Which comes to the question he himself asked, Brant said. “Are we going to tell Cobalt shes the Princess Regent?
“You may have to, Allegra said. “Because if he tries to execute Ozarson, hell have to go through me first.
Markus gave her a startled look. “What?
“Allegra, dont say that, Ozarson said.
Her voice gentled. “I gave my oath to protect you, Ozi.
“You cant protect him against Cobalt the Dark! Markus looked as if he wanted to shake her. “I forbid you to kill yourself trying to do something impossible. Stay here. Be safe.
She spoke softly. “Some things are more important.
Jarid stared at her. Then he went back to pacing. Watching him, she felt as if they were holding Ozarson above a raging fire by a thread that could snap anytime. She got up and went over to the king, stopping him.
“ Look at him. She indicated Ozarson. “You tell me this is the monster you all fear.
Jarid sighed. “It isnt that easy.
“Why not? You said yourself you had nothing to do with all this conquering Cobalt seems determined to inflict.
Jarid looked past her to Markus. “Why did you come here, knowing you would probably be taken prisoner?
“To get my wife and my brother, Markus said quietly. “I hoped I could do it in secret.
“You had to know you could be discovered and lose your freedom, Jarid said. “Even your life.
“Yes. I knew. Markus spoke with the difficulty of a man unused to speaking his emotions. “They are worth it to me. Both of them.
It didnt surprise Allegra that he was willing to risk his life for Ozarson. But for her? How could he want her that much when she made him so angry?
Brant was watching the king with a look of foreboding. “Jarid, dont be a fool.
Jarid considered his advisor, then Allegra, then Markus and Ozarson. To Brant, he said, “Better foolish than brutal. He turned to Markus. “I grant you asylum in my country. But you and your family will stay at Suncroft. And yes, as my prisoners.
Markus stared at him in disbelief. “Why would you risk Cobalts wrath to protect us?
Jarid voice had a ravaged quality. “Maybe for another boy who lost his parents when he was six.
A chill went through Allegra. Did Jarid mean himself? Everyone in Aronsdale knew the story. Jarid had succeeded his grandfather because his parents died in an accident. He had spent his youth cared for by one of the highwaymen who had caused the accident, a thief who hadnt wanted to kill a little boy and had no idea of Jarids identity. It wasnt until Jarid was twenty that his family had discovered he was alive and brought him home. Allegra knew nothing beyond those facts, but she thought there must be a great deal more when she saw the kings haunted expression.
Ozarson spoke. “I thank you for allowing us asylum, Your Majesty. And I offer my condolences for your losses, however long ago they may have been.
Jarid inclined his head. “Well spoken.
Ozarson nodded with composure, but Allegra could see the exhaustion he was trying to hide. Markus looked worn-out, too.
Allegra glanced at Jarid. “Perhaps we could let His Majesty rest. Hes had a long journey.
“Im not tired, Ozarson said. “Im hungry.
Markus chuckled and tousled his hair. “You consume more than my entire army.
Ozarson laughed, but an abrupt silence fell over everyone else. Markus glanced up, and Allegra saw comprehension dawn on his face as he realized what he had said.
“Your army, Jarid said slowly. “The army you know nothing about that even now is attacking Taka Mal.
Markus met his gaze and said nothing.
Brant swore. “Saints, man, if were going to defy an emperor to give you asylum, you damn well better tell us everything.
“I have nothing to tell you, Markus said. “If you think claiming to offer us help will trick me into revealing information, Im afraid you will be disappointed.
“Allegra told us she traveled with an army, Jarid said.
“Shes a woman, Markus said, as if that explained something.
“And Im a man, Jarid answered. “What the hell does that have to do with anything?
“Women are unreliable. Markus glared at Allegra. “They say things they shouldnt.
She met his accusing stare. “You mean, things you dont want said.
“Women should obey their husbands, Markus told her.
“Women, she said, “should follow their consciences. If that means defying their husbands to save thousands of lives, they should do what they think is right. Not what their overbearing, I-am-the-center-of-the-world husbands demand.
“Good gods, Brant muttered.
“Center of the world? Markus said, exasperated. “When did that one get in there?
Jarid cleared his throat. “Perhaps we should see about having a meal brought up for His Majesty.
“I would like that, Ozarson said. He seemed bewildered by the exchange between Allegra and Markus.
Markus took a breath as if calming himself. Then he said, “Thank you.
They all stood, awkward with the tension. As the others started to leave, Allegra glanced at Markus.
“Stay, he said in a low voice.
Iris turned to her. “Allegra? Is everything all right?
“Yes, Im fine, Allegra said. “Ill stay here. She didnt understand how she could argue with such vehemence with a man and yet want to see him so much at the same time.
Jarid stopped by the archway. “Are you certain?
“Im sure.
She could tell they didnt want to leave her with Markus. But they did go, respecting her decision.
As the door closed, Markus looked around the room. “I cant stay here.
“Why not? Allegra asked. “Its beautiful.
“Its for a woman.
She glanced around at the elegant furnishings. “Why do you say that?
“Too flowery. He waved his hand at the couches. “And its unnatural to live like this. All these chairs and things.
“Its all right, Ozarson said.
Markus laid his hand on his shoulder. “I need to talk to Allegra. I want you to stay here while we go in the other room.
Ozarson regarded him with undisguised worry. “Dont be angry at her. I told her to take me.
“Even so. I need to talk to her. Will you be all right?
Although the boy didnt look pleased, he nodded and indicated an inner archway of the suite that opened into a room with full bookshelves lining the walls. “I can explore the library.
Markus smiled. “Good. He turned to Allegra and indicated another door. She nodded, for once in agreement with him. She didnt know how much of an argument they were about to have, but if Markus was as angry as she thought, it was better Ozarson didnt hear.
The door opened into a small chamber, which led them into a larger bedroom with a canopied bed made up with blue velvet covers.
“Who would sleep in that? Markus said, perplexed. “Its awful.
Allegra couldnt imagine why he would say such a thing. She thought it was gorgeous. From the colors, gray and dark blue, she suspected it was intended for a man. Compared to his carpets and pillows in Jazid, though, maybe it seemed lifeless.
Markus closed the doors and turned to her with a hard gaze. “Ozi was crying when I got here. What did you do to him?
“Nothing. He saw Cobalts forces. He was terrified. He came looking for me.
“Looking for you? His forehead furrowed. “You mean, he wasnt already here, in custody?
“No, he was free, she said. “No one knew who
he was. He had gone riding with another boy. They were playing on the hills.
“Playing on the hills. He walked toward her. “The atajazid, playing on the hills.
She backed up a step. “Thats right.
“Suppose he got hurt? He kept coming toward her, his fists clenched at his sides. “Suppose he fell and broke his damn leg.
She backed into the side of the bed. “He was fine.
“Fine? He grabbed her arms and lifted her off the ground, then threw her across the bed. “Fine? He got on the bed, and when she tried to roll away, he shoved her down. “Fine? You kidnapped him, dragged him across three countries and you say he was fine?
“Markus, dont do this. Pushing up on her elbows, she slid away from him. “Talk to me. Dont hit.
“Like your talk with Yargazon? He pushed her into the covers, pinning her to the bed with his bodyand raised his fist. “Like the general you left bound and bleeding for an entire godforsaken day? You know what he said after he woke up? That I would be better off if you were dead. Why does that thought make me want to die? He slammed his fist on the bed, so close that she felt the brush of air on her cheek. “Talk to you? When you put me in agony for days, not knowing where to find you or my brother? He struck the bed even harder. Pillows jumped around them and the covers bunched under his fist. “How can I talk to you when Im an overbearing, arrogant tyrant? With every word, he hit the mattress.
The intensity of his reaction stunned her. She was scared in a way she hadnt been with Yargazon, because she had let Markus get past her guard and pin her down. He had never lost control this way beforeexcept he wasnt losing control. He was hitting the mattress instead of her, over and over and over.
Suddenly he stopped and sat up so he was kneeling over her, straddling her body with his calves on either side of her hips. He grabbed her tunic and yanked it over her head. “Why do you wear this? Its ugly.
“Stop it. She fought with him, but he dragged the garment off her arms. When she rolled on her side, trying to get away, he pushed her onto her back and threw the tunic on the floor.
Dismayed, Allegra folded her arms over her breasts. “Markus, no, not like this.
He pulled apart her arms and pinned her wrists to the bed, on either side of her head. “You tear up my life, you have from the moment I met you, you take the only family I have leftI thought you would both be dead when I found you. Then what would I have to live for? His voice wasnt loud, but it only made his fury more potent. “We had to send the army to Taka Mal before we were ready because Yargazon knew you were going to warn someone we were coming. I couldnt weaken it by taking a force into Aronsdale while the rest of my men went to war. Yargazon didnt want me here at all. We almost came to blows over it. I had to follow you with only a few men, give up my freedom, maybe even my life. You had no right!
Her anger surged. “You had no right to take my freedom, my life, everything that mattered to me. I had to do what I thought was right!
“Youre my wife, he said. “Dont look at me with those huge eyes, Allegra. Dont destroy the foundations of my life and then expect me to treat you like a queen. He lay on top of her and kissed her. When she jerked her head away, he let go of her wrist and grabbed her chin. Then he held her, kissing her, forcing her jaw open so he could put his tongue in her mouth.
Allegra tore her head away from him. “Stop it! She rolled him off her body and tried to scramble across the bed. Catching her around the waist, he pulled her against him, her back to his front. His armor pressed into her skin.
His voice caught. “You make me weak. He held on to her, his face against her hair, his arm around her waist. “I cant even make myself take from my wife what is right for a man to expect.
“It wouldnt be right. Her voice cracked. “It would be cruel.
He didnt answer. Instead he pulled her leggings and underclothes to her knees. When she grabbed for them, he caught her hand and used his boot to drag the garments off and swing them to the floor. “Why do you wear these ugly clothes? They cover up your beautiful body.
Her pulse had ratcheted up so high, she felt as if she were running a race. “Markus, let me go. Please.
“I cant.
She went still, uncertain what he meant. He lay on his side with one arm around her waist while he caressed her breasts with his other hand. As his breath quickened, his body went rigid. With a groan, he buried his head in her hair and whispered, “Youre destroying me. Then the tension in his body suddenly released, and he sagged against her.
Allegra knew little about men and sensuality, but even she could tell what had just happened. She shifted in his grip, onto her back, and this time he didnt push her down. She sat up slowly, wary as she watched him. He lay sprawled across the bed, a warrior in full armor, mail and boots, the velvet covers bunched up and pulled apart around them.
“Sing me to sleep, Markus said in a low voice. “You put me to sleep for almost a full day, and Ive barely slept since then.
He had tears in his eyes. Tears. The indomitable prince regent of Jazid was crying. She touched the moisture at the corner of his eye. Then she took a breath and looked around. The room was full of shapes. They bordered the windows, tiled the walls, scrolled the bedposts. She laid her hand against the headboard over circles in the carvings of shape-blossom vines.
Allegra sang in a minor key about the rising moon and a lion in the night. He didnt fight the spell, but even after so long with almost no sleep, his body didnt want to let go. Finally the spell caught, and slumber overtook him in a rush, like the cloak of night dropping across the desert.
CHAPTER 19
A RIVER OF BATTLE
When Allegra was sure Markus wouldnt wake, she lifted his arm away from her legs and slid off the bed. Her clothes lay scattered on the floor. She crumpled to her knees and picked up her tunic. She didnt try to dress, though. Oil from his chain mail and dirt from his armor were streaked all over her body.
Her arm was trembling so much, she dropped her clothes. She stared at them, then rose to her feet. Surely a royal suite would have a bathing room. She went to a door on the other side of the room and opened it into a chamber with a small bathing pool. The water steamed, and the scent of box-blossoms drifted in the air.
Allegra went to the pool and let herself down into the bath. She didnt know how they brought in warm water, but she was immensely grateful. She wanted nothing more than to wash away the traces on her body of Markuss fury. She had expected him to yell or strike out; it had never occurred to her that he would spend his anger sexually. The more she knew him, the less she understood men. Or maybe it was just Jazid men.
It was a while before her pulse calmed enough that she could think clearly. In Aronsdale, what Markus had done would be considered an act of violence against his wife. In Jazid, not only was it acceptable, but he would have been expected to beat her and to feel justified, even encouraged, in forcing her. For a Jazidian man he had shown incredible restraint; for an Aronsdale man, he had shown a frightening lack of control.
Allegra rubbed her eyes. She was an Aronsdale woman. Markus was wrong for her in so many ways, she couldnt count them, yet he compelled her thoughts. She didnt see how this union of theirs could work. But he was trying, in the best way he knew how. And whatever she thought of him as a husband, she didnt doubt he was a good father to Ozarson.
She had tried to stop a war, but it had come out all muddled. In the process of her escape, Ozarson had come to mean more to her than her freedom. She couldnt turn her back on him. Which meant somehow she and Markus had to work out matters between the two of them. If they couldnt find a middle ground, she didnt know how they would manage, but for Ozarsonand yes, for herselfshe would try.
After Allegra finished bathing, she toweled herself dry. She found some fresh clothes in the bedroom, a soft gray and blue tunic with leggings. Then she went into the main room. Ozarson was curled up on the couch, sleeping, and Della was in one of the armchairs, reading a book.
The mage mis
tress looked up. “My greetings, Your Highness.
Allegra winced. “Dont call me that, please. We have enough highnesses and majesties here already.
Della gave a wry laugh. “We do seem to have accumulated quite a few.
Allegra sat on the couch by Ozarson. “Has he been out long?
“A while. Della indicated a book in his hand. “He picked that out of the library after he ate. She chuckled. “Im not surprised it put him to sleep. He probably didnt understand any of it.
As Allegra gently took the book, the boy sighed and settled deeper into the cushions. She peered at the title: Geometry for the Natural Sciences. It was a treatise for scholars who studied the earth and stars.
“Actually he probably does understand some of this, she said. “Hes unusually bright.
“Thats amazing. Della closed her own book. “How is his brother?
“Asleep. She hesitated. “Do you know how many people heard what Ozi told me on the stairs?
“Jarid, Iris and Brant, Della said. “Iris told me. The men in the foyer and the other boy were too far away. They saw Ozarson crying and talking to you, but that was it.
Allegra smoothed Ozarsons bangs off his forehead. “So much has happened to him. I cant turn away, not even if it means letting the emperor know Im married to a man hes sworn to kill.
“Are you sure? Della said. “Dont expect the prince regent to change just because you both love the child.
“I know. We can only do our best.
“Allegraabout the auction. Della paused awkwardly.
She looked up at Della. “Go ahead.
“Was Markus Onyx the man who bought you? When Allegra nodded, Della asked, “Who was the other man? Onyx isnt likely to be involved in an auction with just anyone.
Allegra folded her arms, feeling cold. “Dusk Yargazon.
Della stared at her. “Saints almighty. You really landed right in the middle of it all.
Allegra started to answer, then stopped when Ozarson stirred. It wasnt something she wanted to talk about in front of him.
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