The Night Bird lc-5

by Catherine Asaro

  Markus shook his head. “In Dusks view, hes lost everything that ever mattered to him. He wanted to fight. He thought we could defeat Cobalt. He may be right. But the cost was too high. After a moment, he said, “Its more than the war, Allegra. Ozi and I were the closest he had to a family. He touched her hair. “And he wanted you. It obsessed him. I dont know why, for he genuinely believes you sought to ruin his relationship with Ozi and me and our plans for Taka Mal. The way he sees it, you won by corrupting me and destroying Ozis future. You have everything Dusk wants.

  It was an outlook so different from her own, she didnt know what to do with it. “Do you see me that way?

  “Gods, no! He gave her a wry smile. “You make me think. Which is good. I may not like it, but thats my problem, not yours.

  She exhaled, relieved. “Yargazon wasnt actually the one I meant, though. Its Cobalt. He always comes out ahead, stronger, more powerful. Now he has more land and a bigger army.

  Markus lifted his chin. “For now.

  For now. With this alliance between Taka Mal and Jazid, saints only knew what would happen. Ultimately Taka Mal and Jazid would become one, in spirit if not in who actually claimed the throneand when that happened, she wondered if even the emperor could stand against their fierce soul.

  “Did King Jarid agree to let you live here? she asked.

  “As a prisoner, yes. He winced. “Better than his dungeon.

  “How does it work? Do wedo we have to live in cells?

  “Dragons breath, Allegra. Of course not. He motioned to Ozarson. “He and I will stay in the suite we have now. Well always have guards, and we cant leave the palace without an armed escort. But its more like were guests than hostages.

  “You and Ozarson? Not me?

  “You are free to leave. If you want. Awkwardly he added, “Or to stay. If you want.

  To leave. Or to stay. “Markuswould you have considered the queens proposal if I hadnt asked you to do it?

  “No, I dont think so. He took a breath. “You see the world in ways I find difficult. But if you will stay with me, Ill try to understand.

  Allegra thought of everything he had given up for her, and she didnt really need to debate her answer.

  “Ill stay, she said.

  His face relaxed. He took her hand as they walked together.

  Vizarana and Drummer were waiting in an alcove of the nursery. Baz Quaazera was with them, and a striking woman who was surely his wife, the Dragon-Sun priestess. A cascade of red-gold hair tumbled down her back. Although she had the upward-tilted eyes common in Taka Mal, they were green instead of dark. She wore a long yellow skirt and a bodice that left her lower abdomen bare. She regarded Allegra with a serene gaze and inclined her head as one mage would to another.

  “Zarina is sleeping, Drummer told them. “She usually does at this time of the day.

  Ozarson shifted his feet. “Maybe we shouldnt wake her up.

  “Its all right. Vizaranas face gentled when she spoke to him. “Come in, please.

  They walked into the nursery, an airy room with blue walls and a white ceiling. Toys were strewn in one corner, balls and stuffed animals. A child lay curled under a blue quilt in a small bed with raised sides to keep her from falling out. They stopped just within the archway, except for Vizarana and Drummer, who went to the bed. The queen bent over and picked up the child, cradling her in her arms. The girl was about two years old, with dark hair and a sweet face. She snuggled against her mother and murmured, “Pappy.

  Drummer laughed softly. “Im here, little one. He tapped his finger on her hand, and she gripped it with her eyes closed.

  When Drummer beckoned to Ozarson, the boy started with alarm, looking young and uncertain. Then he drew himself up straighter and went over to them. He peered at the girl. “Shes pretty.

  “Her personal names are Zarina Bell, Vizarana said.

  “Bell? Ozarson asked.

  “Its my mothers name, Drummer said. “Many people where I come from have names based in music.

  “Oh. Ozarson squinted at Zarina. “Is she asleep?

  “A little. Then Vizarana murmured, “Wake up, sweetings.

  “Mummsi, the girl said drowsily. Her huge eyes opened and she regarded Ozarson. “Boy-boy? she asked.

  “His name is Ozarson, Drummer said. “Your husband, someday.

  Ozarson turned even redder than before. “Dont be sad, he told the girl earnestly. “Ill try not to be a bad husband.

  “Busbus, Zarina murmured. She yawned and closed her eyes.

  “Well. The queen caught her lower lip with her teeth, and Allegra saw a sheen of tears in her eyes. When Vizarana glanced at Markus, he went to stand with them. The priestess came with him, her long hair rustling with her elegant walk.

  “We will have the more elaborate ceremonies later, Vizarana told Markus. “Since weve already agreed on the basic terms, my people and yours should have a preliminary draft of the contract for you this evening, and we can settle on details. However, this will formalize the betrothal.

  Markus nodded his acceptance. “That will work.

  She took a breath, then shifted into a ceremonial cadence. “Does anyone here have cause to dispute this joining of the royal Houses of Onyx and Quaazera?

  Allegra held her breath, afraid someone would speak and destroy this precarious solution to a brutal war.

  After a moment, the priestess spoke in a melodic voice. “Your Majesty, Ozarson Onyx, Atajazid Daz, Shadow-Dragon Prince of Jazid, do you accept this betrothal?

  Ozarson looked up with wide eyes. “Yes? I mean, yes, I do.

  She inclined her head to the boy, then said, “Your Majesty, Vizarana Jade Quaazera, Atatakamal Doz, Dragon-Sun Princess of Taka Mal, do you accept this betrothal in the name of your daughter, Zarina Bell Quaazera?

  “Yes, Vizarana said. A tear gathered in her eye.

  “Then it is done. The priestess smiled at Ozarson. “Youre betrothed.

  Watching him, a chill went through Allegra. An image formed in her mindOzarson towering and dark, a powerful man taking his place on a huge black throne. A stunning woman stood at his side, her head lifted, her eyes wild and fierce with Quaazera pride. She wore the red trousers and jerkin of a Taka Mal warrior-merchant, with a sword at her side. A belt of metal cylinders crisscrossed her torso. Ozarson gripped something Allegra had never seen, an elongated metal object with a cylindrical snout and a massive grip. She didnt know what it meant, but she suddenly felt cold.

  The image faded, replaced by a nervous boy standing with his future bride. Allegra shook her head, wondering what was wrong with her. She needed more sleep.

  Be well, she thought to Ozarson and Zarina. No matter how difficult the path you trod, may you always have love.

  Markus leaned with his back against the palace wall where the balcony rail met the side of the building. Allegra stood a pace away, her elbows on the rail, looking over the gardens and beyond to the lake. She held the dodecahedron in one hand.

  “It will be strange living here, Markus said. “Ive never been in a place with so much water. It feels exorbitant.

  She smiled at him. “It seems dry to me. Especially the air.

  He held out his hand as if to ask a question. She took it, and his shoulders relaxed. He drew her into his arms, and she stood in his embrace, her cheek resting on his red silk shirt, her palm against his chest. They both looked out at Quaaz, he gazing over her head. Afternoon sunlight slanted across the city.

  “You told me something last night, Markus said.

  Allegra knew what he meant; she had said she would leave him. But that had been before his decision to end the war. His incredible decision.

  “Things are different now, she said. She had thought he understood when she said she would stay with him, but perhaps he still wasnt certain.

  “Are they? He sounded oddly strained.

  She watched a hawk drift over the city. “Yargazon is gone.

  “I dont mean that. He spoke with difficulty. “You
said I had only to tell you something and you would respond in kind.

  Her breath caught. Suddenly nervous, she said, “That hasnt changed.

  “Its hard for me. He spoke quietly. “My father never told my mother he loved her. Because he didnt. I dont know if he ever truly loved any woman. Maybe Ozis mother, but I doubt he told her, either. All I ever knew, all my life, was that with women, a man employed force, commands and control. You didnt love a woman, you used her, for pleasure, for status and for children.

  “You arent your father. Or Dusk Yargazon.

  “No. It seems Im not. He brushed his hand down her hair in a caress. “Because I do truly love you, Allegra. And if you will let me, I will try learning to do this marriage business better.

  She closed her eyes, far more glad to hear the words than she had been able to admit even to herself. “I would like to spend my life with the man I love. With you.

  He said only, “Good, but his voice caught on the word.

  “Do you remember when you wrote our marriage contract? she asked. “You put something in I didnt understand.

  “What was that?

  “You swore to honor the vows of our union. She hesitated. “In Aronsdale I would know what it means. But I dont in Jazid. Or Taka Mal, for that matter.

  “It means the same everywhere, night bird, he murmured. “I believe the language in Aronsdale is, I will cleave to you and only to you for as long as we both shall live.

  It meant more to her than she knew how to say. He had given her that vow despite all the reasons a Jazidian man in his position had to withhold it, and he had even taken the time and effort to find out the wording her own people used.

  She lifted her hand and held it palm up to the sky. The dodecahedron gleamed. Power stirred within her, a gift she had feared she would never know again, one as ancient as her people in Aronsdale. She sang a simple song that had come down to her people over the centuries:

  His kiss so sweet, his heart so bold

  Embracing me with loves true hold

  Sweet passion, where the starlight pours

  Whispers of love, forever more

  A sphere of golden light formed on her palm like a promise, that even a harsh land could miraculously come alive with the balm of water. The spell encompassed them, and Markus held her in his arms.

  Acknowledgments

  I would like to thank the following readers for their much-appreciated input. Their comments have made this a better book. Any mistakes are mine alone. (Actually, theyre due to pernicious imps who sneak on to the computer when Im asleep, but I cant keep using that excuse.)

  For reading the manuscript and giving me the benefit of their wisdom and insights: Aly Parsons, Kate Dolan, Sarah White and Kathy. For their critiques on scenes, Alys Writing Group: Aly Parsons with (in the proverbial alphabetical order) Al Carroll, John Hemry, J. G. Huckenpöler, Simcha Kuritzky, Jennifer J. Monteith, Bud Sparhawk and Connie Warner. Special thanks to my much-appreciated editor, Stacy Boyd, and also to Tracy Farrell, Mary-Theresa Hussey, Kathleen Oudit, Marianna Ricciuto, Margo Lipschultz, Dee Tenorio and all the other fine people at Luna who helped make this book possible; to Binnie Braunstein, for all her work and enthusiasm on my behalf; to my wonderful agent, Eleanor Wood, of Spectrum Literary Agency.

  A heartfelt thanks to the shining lights in my life: my husband, John Cannizzo, and my daughter, Cathy, for their love and support.

  To the dancers in the Patuxent Youth Ballet. You're looking great!

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