“For attacking the women?
“No. Her face reddened. “Because they were too pretty. It put them in danger.
“Oh. A few days ago, Allegra wouldnt have known what she meant. Now she had a better idea. With so few women, maybe the men sometimes turned to each other. But Markus? She had felt the intensity of his desire for her. Yet his loneliness had also been strong. If anything had happened with Ardoz, it had been years ago. She wondered how it would have affected the young prince regent, whose people seemed to see him as the epitome of the intensely masculine Jazidian warrior. His ability to step so far outside that role, even in secret, might help explain why he could also see past the ingrained customs of his culture to understand someone as different as Allegra.
Jasmine brushed the curls on Allegras neck. “Ive never seen such hair. Its sunlight.
“Most people where I live have hair this color.
“You must be so far from home.
Allegras voice caught. “Too far.
“Aye. Jasmine sighed. “Its hard. But this evening will be exciting, yes? You must be nervous about meeting the atajazid.
“A little, Allegra admitted.
“If youre ready, Ill call the men.
“I guess so. Allegra doubted she would ever be ready. She couldnt believe she was about to be married. She didnt know how she felt, except confused.
Jasmine went to the entrance and spoke to a guard outside. His response rumbled, and his silhouette moved away from the pavilion. The day had darkened into sunset, turning the walls crimson. Night-blooming lilies scented the air, which felt cool on Allegras skin, neither the searing heat of day nor the chill of night.
When she joined Jasmine by the entrance, the girl said, “This is the first wedding Ive been to. Another blush tinged her cheeks. “Except my own.
Allegra smiled. “When were you married?
“Last year. Ivan came through our camp with a company of soldiers to buy supplies and weapons. He saw me drawing water from the spring and spoke to my parents. They wrote the contract that afternoon. My wedding was that night.
It seemed an odd way to form unions, to see someone and marry her that same night. She could imagine what her parents would have said if the nomads had offered them wealth for Allegra. Her mother would have blistered their ears. By Aronsdale law, the nomads had committed crimes by abducting Allegra and robbing her; by Jazid custom, they had robbed Allegras parents. Either way, she hated that they benefited. She wished she could strike a blow, not just at the nomads who had destroyed her life, but at all those who profited from the misfortune of their victims.
“Were you glad to go with him? Allegra asked.
“Of course. Jasmines voice lost its vibrancy. “He is a great man.
If hes so great, Allegra thought, why do you shrink when he enters the room? Their marriage wasnt her business, but she liked Jasmine, and neither of them had friends here. Hell, she hadnt seen a woman since she met Rose TAmbera.
“Do you miss your family? Allegra asked.
“Always. I may never see them again. Her voice caught. “Ivan says we cant leave here, except to hide somewhere else.
Allegra put her hand on the girls shoulder. “Youll see them. Im sure. Softly she added, “Both of us will see home again. Somehow, someway.
A voice outside grumbled, “So where are they? Several tall silhouettes appeared against the darkening wall of the pavilion.
Allegra frowned at the jeweled curtain separating her from the owner of that voice. “My aggravating groom seems to have arrived.
Jasmines look turned aghast. “You mustnt speak that way! He might hear.
“Its good for him, Allegra said.
Markus pulled aside the curtain and looked in, his face perplexed. “Are you two coming?
Jasmine averted her eyes and sank gracefully to her knees. “I am sorry for our delay, Your Highness.
“For saints sake, Allegra said.
Markus spoke to Jasmine in a gentle voice. “Rise, please. Your husband is waiting outside.
“Yes, Sire. The girl stood and slipped out of the pavilion.
Markus raised an eyebrow at Allegra.
“Im not going to kneel, she said.
Markus stepped inside and spoke quietly. “When we meet my brother, dont shame me. If you were given an audience with the king of Aronsdale, you would kneel, wouldnt you?
Allegra had nothing against the atajazid, and it was true, she would kneel to her own king. “Ill respect your protocols for an audience with the atajazid, if thats what youre asking.
“Good. He took her arm, his gaze intent. “Understand me. If you disrespect my brother, there will be consequences. Id rather that not happen.
His words heightened her sense of being trapped. She had no wish to humiliate him in front of his little brother, though. “Ill be careful. Just let me know what I need to do.
Relief showed on his face. “Come, then. Let us meet the Shadow-Dragon King.
CHAPTER 11
OZARSON
The royal pavilion wasnt larger than Bladebreaks, but what it lacked in space it made up for in opulence. Diamonds sparkled in its jeweled curtain, unusually large gems of a remarkable clarity that could have bought an entire farm in Aronsdale. They splintered the rays of the setting sun into rainbows. The roof rose in terraces, light and airy.
The honor guards held the curtain open for Markus and Allegra, also for Yargazon, Bladebreak and Jasmine. Inside, red and gold rugs covered the wooden floor, designed with dragons that roared gold-threaded fire. She saw no chairs; like his brother, the atajazid seemed to prefer low tables surrounded by cushions. Two curved swords were crossed on one wall, their hilts carved from ebony and adorned with gold. Red-glass lamps shaped like dragons sat on black lacquered stands. Dragon braziers glowed in the corners, and incense burned in red-glass stands, giving the air a bittersweet odor that made Allegra wrinkle her nose. It wasnt unpleasant, just different.
Four of the guards entered with them. Even with ten people in the room, it didnt feel crowded. However, Allegra saw nothing resembling an atajazid, a boy or a shadow dragon anywhere.
The chains of a jeweled curtain in the back wall clinked as a fifth guard entered. Another man followed, and they took posts bracketing the entrance. Allegra stood by Markus, with Bladebreak to her right, and then Jasmine. Yargazon stood on Markuss left. As they waited, the back curtain swayed and then parted.
A boy walked into the room.
Allegras breath caught. His black curls tousled over his collar just like Markuss hair. He had Markuss large, dark eyes. His red shirt was very much like the one Markus had worn the first time she had seen him, and he wore black trousers with a belt studded by gold. He was tall for his age and slender, though judging from his size, Allegra suspected he would someday fill out with the muscular build so valued in Jazid men.
The brothers didnt look exactly alike, however. Although Ozarson had a childs softer features, it was obvious that when he grew up, he would have a blockier chin, larger nose and heavier brows than Markus. She didnt doubt his appearance would be compelling, but with less of Markuss sheer masculine beauty. It didnt surprise Allegra, if men of the royal family chose wives for strength and intelligence and concubines for beauty. The boys regal posture had a charming modesty, as if he hadnt quite learned the nuances of presenting himself. When he saw Markus, his smile flashed like the sun breaking through clouds.
One of the guards spoke. “His Magnificence, Atajazid Daz Ozarson of the House of Onyx.
Markus had his hand on Allegras shoulder, exerting a subtle pressure. As she sank to her knees, he went down on one knee with his arm folded across his thigh. In her side vision, she glimpsed Yargazon and Bladebreak doing the same, their heads bent in deference to their king. It bemused her to watch these powerful, arrogant men kneel to a child.