Footsteps whispered on the carpet, and Allegra looked up to see the atajazid walking toward them, flanked by two men in uniforms. When she met the boys gaze, he faltered and looked confused. At first she thought it was because he didnt know her. Then one of his guards frowned, and she realized everyone else had their eyes averted. Remembering her promise to Markus, she lowered her gaze.
The boy came to stand before Markus. “You may rise. He had a rich voice, but he sounded so very young. His bodyguards stood a step back, towering over his slender form.
Markus lifted his head and discreetly took Allegras hand, drawing her to her feet with him. He grinned at his brother. “My greetings, Your Majesty.
“And mine to you. Ozarson was trying to be formal, but a childs eagerness underlaid his words. He glanced at Allegra, and a blush reddened his face.
Following the boys gaze, Markus said, “Ive come to ask your permission to marry.
So this was it. Allegra wondered what he would do if his brother said no.
Ozarsons smile burst out like a candle lighting. “A wife? Shes so pretty, Markus! You must marry her right away.
From the boy, the words were sweet rather than coercive, and Allegras heart softened. She had expected to dislike the boy, but instead found herself charmed. She wondered, though, if he would soon gain the harsh edge of the men here.
“Marrying her right away was my thought, Markus said.
“We can have scrolls drawn up immediately, Ozarson told him, his eyes lit with delight. Then he turned to Yargazon and spoke more formally. “Good evening, General.
Yargazon bowed. “You honor us with your presence, Your Majesty. He sounded like he genuinely meant it.
“Ive heard your recruiting efforts on this last trip were successful. Ozarson seemed stilted with the General, as if he were trying to sound older. “The men told me you nearly doubled the size of the company. Very good.
“Thank you, Sire. Yargazons face showed a paternal fondness Allegra hadnt thought him capable of feeling.
Ozarson nodded to Bladebreak. “You look well, Colonel. He stole a glance at Jasmine, then blushed and looked away.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. Bladebreak was as formal as Yargazon. It was surreal to see them act this way with a child.
“Well. Ozarson pushed an unruly curl out of his eyes. He sounded relieved to have the protocols done with. “Lets eat!
“As you wish, Your Majesty, Markus said.
Allegra glanced around for signs of the boys mother or other children, but she saw nothing. The pavilion could have belonged to any officer of the army.
“Oh, wait, Ozarson said. “Markus, I have to sign something, dont I? Before you can marry her.
“Thats how it works, Markus said. His voice had a gentler quality than his usual cocky self-satisfaction.
The boy indicated the back entrance. “Shall we do it now? I have parchments and quills, I think.
“That would be good, yes, Markus said.
Ozarson turned to one of his guards. “Please make sure my guests receive every anemity He paused, looking uncertain, then said, “Every amenity while I tend to the documents for my brother.
The guard bowed to him. “As you wish, Sire.
“Thank you. Ozarson swung back around to Markus, his face bright with excitement. “Lets get started!
Allegra had a sense Markus wanted to reach out to his brother. He took her hand instead, though, and followed the atajazid to the back entrance, leaving the guards in the outer room.
The chamber beyond the curtain was far different from the other room. Pillows lay heaped up in a play fort, and blocks had tumbled into a haphazard pile, sparkling. With a start, Allegra realized gems encrusted the toys. Quills lay scattered across one table, and a sheet of parchment amid the clutter bore the carefully drawn letters of a penmanship exercise. The slate next to it was covered with algebra exercises she wouldnt have expected from a child Ozarsons age.
As soon as they were out of the other room, the boy threw himself at Markus, and the prince regent caught him in a hug, laughing, his face more at ease than Allegra had ever seen. Then he set the boy back a step and beamed at him.
“By the dragon, Markus said. “I do believe youve grown just in the month Ive been gone.
Ozarson pulled himself up to his full height. “I did. He held up his hand with his thumb and finger a short distance apart. “This much, Major Gaizz says.
Markus tousled his hair. “At this rate, you will be taller than me. Just like Father.
Some of the light dimmed in the boys face. “I should like to honor his memory that way.
Markuss voice quieted. “It would be good.
“Oh, look, I almost forgot. Ozarson waved at the toys in the corner. “I took out everything with curves and circles, just like your messenger said. But why, Markus?
The regent shifted his feet. “We can talk about that later.
“Dont wait on my behalf, Allegra murmured. “Do tell this delightful young man. Naughty Markus, hiding his discovery about her abilities from his brother.
Markus glared at her, and she smiled sweetly. He had no idea. A wealth of pyramids, cubes, tetrahedrons and other shapes were strewn everywhere. Some were too powerful for her to use, but cubes she could manage. Nor had Ozarson eliminated every circle. A cart filled with blocks had round wheels. They had ridges and dents, but they might be round enough for a spell. She looked away from the cart, not wanting Markus to notice her interest.
Allegra spoke to Ozarson. “It is a great honor to meet you, Your Majesty. She had to admit a certain satisfaction in being the only person outside Jazid to see this boy everyone wanted to find.
Blushing furiously, the boy said, “We are m-meeting, um, pleased to you.
She held back her smile. “Thank you, Sire.
Markus surveyed the cluttered room. “Do you have somewhere we can sit in all this?
Ozarson went to the table with his schoolwork. He brushed most of it to the floor, then stopped, squinted at the mess and retrieved a blank parchment, which he spread on the table. He almost knocked the ink bottle over, too, but he caught it before ink splattered his gorgeous, rumpled carpets.
Markus settled at the table, piling cushions behind him for support. Allegra sank onto the pillows next to where Ozarson had scattered his lessons. Her bridal finery clinked and rattled, and she had to sit carefully to keep from pulling the chains of her skirt. A parchment rustled as she leaned back on a large cushion. Curious, she picked it up. Neat script covered the sheet.
Allegra showed it to Ozarson. “Is this your schoolwork?
He froze in the process of sitting and shot a panicked look at his brother.
“She does that a lot, Markus told him.
“Does what? she asked. It seemed a reasonable question.
“Perhaps, Markus added to Ozarson, “you might give her permission. To speak.
“Oh. Ozarson sat down and regarded Allegra, obviously trying to appear dignified. It was sweet and awkward and funny, and she thought it a shame that Jazid might someday wring the charm out of this boyif someone didnt assassinate him first.
“It would please me, Ozarson told her earnestly, “to give you permission to speak.
“Thank you, Your Majesty, Allegra said. “May I read your school papers?
The boy shot another bewildered look at Markus. Allegra wondered if he ever spoke with women. She had seen no indication of his mother or a nanny, and the only person he had mentioned was a Major Gaizz, which hardly sounded female.
“She can read, Markus said.
Ozarsons mouth fell open. “Truly?
“Truly. With satisfaction, Markus reclined in his cushions.
It seemed incongruous to Allegra that in a place where women were deliberately kept illiterate, their prince regent considered his brides education a point of pride. Granted, it benefited him and any children they had together, but that was true for most anyone. Markus was one of the few who acknowledged it. That his family sought intellectual as well as physical strength for their progeny spoke to their foresight. Unfortunately it also manifested in her grooms maddening ability to anticipate her actions.