“Well, that can happen, Allegra admitted.
“You dont have flowers, Ozarson said. “I dont think we could find any here. Its mostly just sand and cacti.
“Im probably allergic to Aronsdale flowers, anyway, Markus grumbled.
Allegra held back her laugh. Honestly. The things he came up with. Sometimes she couldnt tell if he was serious or teasing.
“You arent allergic to this. She lifted the tiara off her head and offered it to him. “If you would do me the honor of holding this for me, my husband, until later. Please accept it as an expression of my affection.
“Oh! Ozarson grinned at her. “Thats clever.
Markus accepted the tiara. “Ill return it tonight. His smile quirked. “Perhaps when we decide to sleep.
Bladebreak guffawed at him, his face flushed from wine. “Ill wager youll never return it, then. Jasmine reddened and Ozarson looked confused.
Yargazon took a long swallow of his wine. “How civil of our young bride, to pretend she loves her groom. Amazing what a little persuasion can achieve. Thirty persuasions, so to speak.
“Dusk, Markus warned.
Allegra narrowed her eyes at the General. If he thought anyone could break her spirit by hitting her with a belt, he was mistaken. He met her gaze, and she saw the hatred in his icy stare. It chilled her to know she could have ended up with him, but it hadnt happened, and he had no say in her life. Watching him, though, she feared he wouldnt be satisfied until he saw her suffer for what he considered her offenses.
“I still want to hear her sing, Ozarson said, oblivious to the undercurrents of tension in the room.
“Ah, well. Markus glanced around the table, scrutinizing the objects. He reached over and took Allegras spoon, which had a curved section.
“Why did you do that? Ozarson said.
He tapped the spoon against his tumbler, causing the crystal to chime. “Singers need to hear a note before they start.
“Oh, good! Ozarson beamed. “Then youll let her perform?
“All right. Markus glanced at Allegra, his gaze narrowing. She understood his unspoken warning; if he felt the hint of a spell, he would stop her.
Allegra spoke to Ozarson. “I would be honored to sing for you, Your Majesty.
Bladebreak settled in the pillows and pulled Jasmine against his side. Yargazon looked bored and rubbed his ear, as if it hurt. Allegra wondered if he meant it as an insult against her singing. She tried not to let it bother her. Markus reclined in the cushions next to her and trailed his finger along her leg, pushing aside the chains of her skirt. He looked as if he simply wanted to touch his bride, but she had no doubt what else he was telling her; lying that way, he could stop her if she tried to cast a spell. It took several minutes for her spells to work, and the last time he had been awake again within moments.
The box lay in Allegras lap. She feared that if Markus kept stroking her, he would decide it was in the way. So she moved it to her other side and took his hand, for all appearances showing affection to her new husband. It surprised her how natural that felt. Holding his hand also kept it from wandering too far up her leg and embarrassing her. She discreetly left her other hand resting on the box. As long as she was touching the shape, she could build her spell. She didnt know what she could manage with Markus so alert; she would have to see how the spell felt.
She chose a ballad that pleased many audiences, though its archaic language was rarely heard anymore. The melody started high, and she hadnt warmed up her voice, but she drew in a breath and reached for the note. It poured out clearly, a lyrical match to the chime of crystaclass="underline"
In the ancient hills of Aron
Find the hidden red lark
Send it to the dying barrens
Before the sky turns dark
Send it from these meadows green
With their purple edgerows
To that land in starkest need
For when the lark sings, life grows
Power built within her. These past two days, she had stretched her abilities beyond what she had ever tried before, but instead of draining her, the effort seemed to strengthen her abilities, as if she were exercising muscles she had never challenged. The box provided more clarity than the compass, for the shape was cleaner. Still, she couldnt do a spell if Markus stopped her the moment he felt drowsy.
Unless he has no time. Mages usually released their spells gently. A mage would no more use a spell as a weapon than doctors or midwives would use their knowledge in violence. A healer could do harm and a mage could use her spells for ill, but in both cases they swore to help rather than hurt. However, she could use speed. Maybe she could put Markus to sleep before he stopped her. Normally she wouldnt have thought she had the strength, but these past few days had revealed resources she didnt know she possessed.
Unfortunately the spell might put her to sleep, too. She tried not to imagine what Markus would do if she was here to face his anger when they both awoke. Seeing his advisors and guards knocked out had amused him, but if she did anything to Ozarson, she had no doubt he would be furious.
The spell swirled within her, burnished by the soaring notes of the song. She could barely contain its fullness. She hit the highest note, the E above high Cand released the spell with a great swoop of power.
It swept through Allegra, across the diners, across Major Gaizz and the guards, out of the pavilion and beyond. It filled her, and she fought the enveloping peace even as she fell into it like a baby into a down comforter. Markuss eyes widened, and his fingers stiffened on her leg. Then the tension flowed out of his body and his head fell onto her thigh as his eyes closed.
Everyone at the table slumped into the cushions. Ozarson sprawled on his back, and Yargazons glass fell out of his hand, soaking the pillow with wine. Jasmine and Bladebreak settled down side by side. The colonel snorted, his breath ruffling his wifes hair. Some of the bodyguards managed to sit before they fell, but the others crumpled straight to the ground. They were trained to defend Ozarson and Markus against attack or kidnap. No one had ever taught them to fight the most harmless of spells. Slumber.
Allegra sat, dazed, struggling to stay awake. With care, she lifted Markuss head off her leg and set it on the pillow. Looking at him relaxed in sleep, she felt a sharp pang of regret. She couldnt deny a part of her wanted to be his queen. But she couldnt live that life; it would force her to give up too much of herself.
As she stood, spots danced in her vision. When her head cleared, she went to Ozarson. He was sleeping soundly, his face angelic. She touched his cheek, wishing she could offer him more than the life and possible death of an exiled warlord. For all his power, he had so little.
She rose to her feet, deep in thought. Ozarson probably had maps here, maybe other records that would help her
Someone clenched Allegras ankle and jerked. It happened so fast, she had no time to gasp as she toppled into the pillows. She kicked out, frantic, as someone dragged her away from Ozarson. Twisting onto her back, she looked up
At Yargazon.
The General was awake and furious. He knelt over her with one hand beside her neck and grasped the collar around her throat.
“No! She choked as he pulled on the metal. Twisting hard, she wrenched out of his hold. He grabbed for her, but his motions were slowed. Groggy. She rolled out from under him and scrambled to her feet even as he struggled to recover. But when she whirled to run, the chains of her skirt tangled in her legs and she tripped.
Yargazon caught her arm as he lunged to his feet. He slapped her hard across the face, and she reeled with the blow. When he threw her down on the carpets, she barely caught herself on her hands. She flipped onto her back as he reached for her. Grabbing his hands, she thrust her feet up into his stomach and heaved backward, using his bulk against him, rolling him over her head. He thudded down with a grunt behind her head.