Iris took them through back halls, choosing narrow corridors with fewer mosaics. They ended at a side door. Allegra opened it for them, but it wasnt until they were inside that she realized they were in the royal chambers. The understated elegance made the rooms no less breathtaking. Gold and white gleamed, from the gilded walls to the drapes to the chandeliers. Exquisite patterns of interlocking rings bordered the archways, and hexagonal tiles patterned the floor. The goldwood tables were octagons or circles. Roses and violet royal-buds bloomed in white vases set within wall recesses. It stunned Allegra that they allowed her into their private rooms.
Iris guided Jarid to a worn armchair. He visibly relaxed as he let himself down into it, and Allegra wondered if it was his favorite chair.
“Do you want anything? Iris asked him.
He touched her face, his fingers skimming her cheek as if to reassure himself she was there. Then he waved his hand, sending her away.
Iris turned to Allegra. “This is a private matter. We would like it to remain that way.
Allegra stepped toward the door. “Ill go.
“No, I didnt mean that. Iris rubbed her eyes, then dropped her arm. “I would like company. If you dont mind.
“It would be my honor to stay. Then Allegra added, “Ill say nothing about what happened.
“Thank you. Iris lifted her hand to a nearby couch. “I should stay close, in case he needs anything.
Allegra glanced at Jarid. He had leaned back and was staring at the ceiling with an unfocused quality. She thought it must be terrifying for him to lose his sight.
“Im sorry, she said to Iris as they went to the couch. “I dont know what I did.
Iris sat down with her. “Its happened a few times before. Hell come out of it. Her face was drawn. “He will.
Allegra doubted Iris was anywhere near as certain as she tried to sound. “Is it something to do with his being a mage?
“In a sense. Our inabilityour refusal to do harm is a foundation of what it means to be a mage. What we do to others, we do to ourselves.
Allegra smiled wryly. “I almost put myself to sleep when I used the spell on Markus and his men.
Iris nodded. “You can give sleep because you sleep. We feel only emotions we can experience ourselves. I can heal a wound that isnt mortal, for it could eventually heal itself. Even after so many years at Suncroft, she had a tinge of the dialect from the Tallwalk Mountains of her home. “But I canna heal a mortal wound.
“I never thought of it that way, Allegra said. “It makes sense.
“You have studied the different types of spells, yes?
“Some. Allegra wondered how this connected to Jarid. “Red brings warmth and light, orange eases pain, yellow soothes emotions, green senses them, blue heals wounds, indigo heals emotions. Except She hesitated.
“Yes? Iris asked.
“Do indigo mages actually exist? Legends say the House of Dawnfield once had such Allegra trailed off, not wanting to tell the queen she found such stories hard to believe.
“Im not an indigo, if thats what youre asking. Iriss expression shuttered. “Nor is my husband.
Allegra wondered why she had withdrawn. “Blue, then?
“No.
Allegra waited. “Your Majesty?
Iris spoke as if she hurt. “If my husband considers using his abilities in battle, he loses his sight, hearing and speech. I fear that if he ever uses spells in war, it will destroy him. She glanced at Jarid. “His parents were killed by highwaymen when he was six. Jarid blamed himself. What can a child know? He turned his power against himselfand for fourteen years he was deaf, blind and mute. He lived in a hovel with one of the highwaymen able to do nothing but make spells. In a quiet, even voice, the queen of Aronsdale said, “He spent fourteen years purifying the spells of a violet sphere mage.
The blood drained from Allegras face. Violet came after indigo. Such a mage was beyond her ability to comprehend. In a low voice, she said, “The power to save lives.
Iris met her gaze. “Or take them.
“He can kill with his spells, she said numbly.
“Aye. Iris watched her husband. “You asked him a question he has struggled with since we saw Cobalts army. Perhaps this is his way of focusing inward to search for answers.
“I didnt mean
Iris laid her hand on her arm. “He must wrestle with this himself. It isnt up to you or me or anyone else.
A sudden thought hit Allegra. “Is Aron a mage?
“Aye. We dont know his full power yet. Blue, maybe indigo.
“Gods. Allegra felt like an imposter. “Why am I even here? My spells are such silly, puny things.
Iriss expression softened. “Della tells me they are lovely and pure.
“And weak.
“Dont be so hard on yourself. The Dawnfield traits have been forged over millennia. Her gaze looked much older than her face. “My husband can use violet spells anytime. He has the greatest power of any mage alive. But the price he will pay, if he doesI doubt he will survive.
Softly Allegra said, “Perhaps his senses wont come back. He would have to stay here, then.
“He would hate himself for it. Iris let out a breath. “Each of the few times this has happened, I have feared that he wouldnt recover.
Allegra thought of Markus chained in the dark. Jarid lived in a cell of his own making that was as much a dungeon as the one that held her husband. Then she thought of Ozarson. All of thisarmies on the move, mage powers gathering, the survival of royal Houses against Cobalts inexorable powerit had all been put into motion by one boy who had lost so much.
CHAPTER 22
THE LONG ROOM
Two guards escorted Allegra to her suite. Ozarson came running out of his bedroom as soon as she entered the main parlor.
“Is Markus all right? the boy asked anxiously. “Did they hurt him?
Della walked into the room. “Youve been gone so long.
Allegra sat on a low table, bringing her eyes level with the boys. “Markus will be fine. She struggled with the words, because he obviously hadnt been fine when she left. “They just put him in a big room under the castle.
“I know what a dungeon looks like, Ozarson said. “We had them at the Onyx Palace.
“Hes going to be all right. Allegra prayed to Saint Azure that was true.
“Did they leave a torch for him? When she just kept looking at him, he said, “Did they leave him water? Food? Can he get to the water? Can he move?
“Hes fine, Allegra whispered. How could she tell him the answer to all his questions was no.
“They cant chain him. Ozarsons voice cracked. “He cant stand to be confined. He needs to be out, moving all the time.
She tugged him down next to her. “Markus is strong. Hes probably faced far worse than sitting in some dungeon.
“Do you know how long they will keep him there?
“Until we get back from Taka Mal. She didnt add, If we do.
Dismay filled his face. “That could be a long time!
Allegra put her hands on his shoulder. “Ozi, listen. Hes safer in that dungeon than going into battle.
Ozarson looked away, biting his lip.
Della came over and sat in an armchair next to him. “Your brother is a strong, brave man. He will get through this.
“They wont let me see him, Ozarson said. “I asked the guards to take me, but they told me the emperor says I must stay here.
“I think he wants to separate you from Markus, Allegra said.
“You must go see Cobalt. Ozarsons voice cracked. “Talk to him. Please.
Allegras heart ached. How many times had he pleaded for the lives of people he loved? He had lost his father, three brothers, his mother, his nurse. Now the biggest constant in his life, the man who had been more like a father to him than his sire, sat chained in a cell, imprisoned by the same warlord who had brought such destruction into this childs life.
Damn Cobalt Escar. Allegra took a breath. “I cant promise anyth
ing. But I will see what I can do.
Della looked at her sharply. “You cant naysay the emperor.
“I wont. Allegra felt queasy. It had been a long day, and night was settling over the hills. She didnt know if she had the reserves to face Cobalt again. But she couldnt stand here with Ozarson looking at her this way and not at least try.
The boy inclined his head. “Thank you. His voice quavered.
She smiled wanly. “Dont thank me. It may come to nothing.
Then she left, to challenge an emperor.
Two guards stood posted outside the suite, both with blue and white surcoats bearing the Chamberlight sphere. She didnt understand how a man called The Dark could rule a House called Chamberlight.
The guards bowed, rather than kneeling to her as they had done before. Apparently people knelt when first introduced to a sovereign, but they didnt keep doing it during a single visit or if they lived with the person. After that, they bowed. It seemed that practice extended to consorts, as well.
“May we assist you, Your Highness? one of the guards asked, a husky man about half a hand span taller than her.
Allegra steeled herself. “I would like to see the emperor.
The two guards exchanged glances and looked uncomfortable.
“If he says no, she added, “Ill leave immediately.
“He may not want his evening disturbed, one guard said.
She suspected they didnt want to be the ones to disturb it. “Ill tell him it was my idea to speak with him. Only mine.
“You neednt, he said gruffly. “I wouldnt ask you to be bringing his anger on yourself.
“I wont. Softly she said, “Please.
The guard looked at the other man. Allegra didnt know what communication passed between them, but the first man finally nodded to her. “All right, then. He stepped aside so Allegra could leave the suite. “Well go.
A long table stretched the length of the darkened hall. Most of the room lay in shadow. Halfway down, a window extended from the floor to the ceiling and let starlight pour across the floor. Cobalt sat at the end of the table closest to the door. An oil lamp shaped like a falcon sat near him, shedding light across his work as he studied a map of the desert. A pair of wire-rimmed spectacles sat by the lamp.
The guards took Allegra through the door behind Cobalt, but when one of them started forward, Allegra caught his arm. She had to do this herself. He paused, then let her go on alone.
She walked through the shadows, her heart beating hard. Just as she was about to speak, Cobalt looked up with a start.
“Ah. He smiled. “Im glad you came down.
Allegra stopped, bewildered. He had known she was coming? And he was glad? Just as surprising, this monster of darkness had a quite attractive smile.
“Is the boy settled all right? Cobalt asked.
All right didnt remotely describe how Ozarson felt. But she said only, “Yes, hes fine.
“Good. I didnt want to disturb him. Cobalt dropped his head against the high back of his chair and rubbed his eyes.
Disturb him? Confused, Allegra stayed put, waiting to see what he would do. He pushed back his chair, then got up and walked down the hall. He stopped at the window and leaned his arm on it above his head while he stared out at the night.
“Its so hard to believe Markus Onyx survived, he said.
“It is?
“I was certain he died. Cobalt swore under his breath. “I should have him killed, damn it.
She froze, terrified to say the wrong thing. “You gave your word.
“And I will keep it. Then he said, “When I look at that boy, I see myself almost thirty years ago. And in thirty more years? Will he be the one sweeping across these lands, seeking the death of our son? I was a fool to let him live. But I couldnt He shook his head. “I had the chance to kill him. That night, when we caught him above the gorge, I could have done it. I had my sword above his head, ready to bring down. Just one more second. But I couldnt. He stared at me with those terrified eyes, so brave and defiant. Gods, Mel, he was only seven. He turned to her. “I couldnt kill him.
Saint Azure. Without his glasses, and with her in the shadows, he thought she was his wife. She stammered, “Sire. Im s-sorry. I believe you have mistaken me for someone else.
“What? He beckoned to her. “Come closer. Let me see.
Allegra walked forward until she stood before him. Cobalt stared at her, shadows and silvered light on his face. Then he swore under his breath. “It seems I cannot help but earn my damn name.
“Escar? Her voice trembled.
“No. He grimaced. “The Dark. The idiot who tells a mans wife he should kill her husband and the child she loves.
“Sire, please. Let me see my husband.
“Im sorry. But no.
“What would it harm? She willed him to change his mind. “I only want to offer a little comfort.
“Hes in a dungeon, Cobalt said. “You dont comfort people in dungeons.
“He gets claustrophobia. Its hard for him to stay still, especially inside buildings instead of tents where hes closer to the land. He has a war injury. He cant lift his arm above his head. Her voice cracked. “Sire, at least let me give him water.
He shook his head. “No.
Remembering what Ozi had told her about the Onyx Palace, she said, “Ozar Onyx kept dungeons. You are not such a man as he. She hoped her words were true.
“Youre right, Cobalt said quietly. “Im not. But his son stays in the cell.
Of course, she thought. You and Markus want the same thing: the Onyx Throne. Her anger sparked. “Always you men must fight and conquer. Take. Kill. All for thrones named after damned rocks.
“Ah, well. I suppose. His voice gentled. “Allegra, I bear you no ill will. You were thrown into a terrible situation. But reality wont disappear because a beautiful girl with golden hair and a grace of spirit softens the heart of an evil man.
She wondered who he was talking about, Markusor himself. “I dont claim Markus is a paragon. But he isnt evil. Can he be cruel? Its within him, yes. He lives according to the ways of a harsh, brutal land. As a boy, as a youth, the two men he had to pattern himself after were his father and Dusk Yargazon. Yes, that affected him. Yet despite all that, he has retained a goodness of heart.
“Hes fortunate to have someone like you to see him that way. He rubbed the small of his back tiredly. “I have a great deal more work to do this night.
“Of course, Sire. Allegra bowed, struggling to contain her disappointment. “Please accept my apologies for disturbing you.
Then her guards took her back to her suite.
That night, she held Ozarson while he cried, for he believed he would never again see Markus. After he fell asleep, exhausted, she tucked him into bed and went to her room. She created a spell, singing of comfort as she reached out to the man under the castle. But she had too little strength to find him, and in the end she collapsed into a fitful sleep.
Allegra awoke sprawled across the bed, fully dressed. She stared at the canopy overhead until her mind caught up with her waking. So much had happened in so few days.
From the soft light coming through the window and the trill of birds, she thought it was dawn. She pulled herself from the bed, tired but unable to rest. She should check on Ozarson, who hadnt slept enough since they had left Jazid.
Allegra bathed and changed into a blue tunic and leggings. When she walked into the main parlor, she found a circle-maid setting out a gold tray bearing china dishes heaped with sweet rolls, honey, jams, hard-boiled eggs and slices of meat. The aroma of chocolate wafted on the air.
The maid bowed. “My greetings of the morning, maam.
“Thank you, Allegra said. It felt strange having people wait on her. At home, everyone pitched in with chores.
Ozarson wandered into the room, rubbing his eyes. In his borrowed sleep trousers and shirt, with his curls mussed up, he looked even younger than nine.
“My greet Allegra broke off as doors banged
open at the front of the suite. Boots thudded in the entrance foyer.
Ozarson turned to her with a jerk. “What is it?
Allegra moved to stand with him. “I dont know.
A knot of warriors strode into the room, all in armor and mail, their breastplates emblazoned with the Chamberlight sphere. The circle-maid slipped around them and ran out the door. A grizzled captain and another soldier at the front were gripping the arms of a prisoner with his hands manacled in front of his body and connected by one chain linka man with curly black hair and dark circles under his eyes.
When the captain shoved Markus forward, the prince staggered and fell to his knees a few paces from Allegra and Ozarson. She started toward himthen froze as another man strode forward.
Cobalt.
The emperor wore full armor and heavy boots. He held a black helmet shaped like the head of a jaguar under one arm. The sword strapped across his back was longer than any Allegra had ever seen, and its gigantic hilt stuck up over his shoulder. He filled the room with his power, like a conqueror who could shred the entire building simply by the force of his will.
He spoke to Allegra. “You have half an hour. Then we leave for Taka Mal. He threw a key to her, and she barely caught it. “That unlocks his manacles. You can clean him up, whatever you want. Hell come with us as a hostage. But if hes not ready to leave in thirty minutes, he stays here in the dungeon.
With that, he spun around and left the room, accompanied by his men, their boots resounding on the floor.
Stunned, Allegra dropped next to Markus. As he lifted his head, Ozarson fell to his knees and threw his arms around his brother. “Youre here!
Markus managed a smile. “It seems so. He tried to reach out to Ozarson, but he couldnt manage it with his hands manacled.
Allegra wrestled with his shackles until the key clicked in their locks. When they fell open, Markus grunted with relief. They clattered on the floor, black and ugly, freeing his lacerated wrists. He grabbed his left shoulder, his arm shaking, and clenched the spot where his muscles had gnarled yesterday.
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