Aron gave Allegra a rueful smile. “If Ive pushed, please accept my apologies. Perhaps another night would be better?
“Thank you, Allegra said. “Youre most gracious.
She felt Della watching her and suspected the older woman saw more than Aron did. Ozarsons presence was like a smoldering coal at her side. But she couldnt react, not here, not in any way that might give away his identity and endanger him.
Allegras guild room was furnished with bronzewood pieces similar to those downstairs. Shape carvings scrolled in delicate curves along the door frame and windowsills, and sunlight poured through the arched panes. Mage power swirled in Allegra.
“Well, here we are, Della said.
“Its lovely. Allegra set her bags down on a stool. Then she laid her palm on the round table and murmured an ancient lilt:
Heal my heart, falling eve
Veiled in scraps of mist
Soothe and I will believe
In dreams I thought Id missed
A green haze formed in her thoughts. She felt Dellas mood, the mage mistresss worry for Allegra, her puzzlement over Ozarsonand her hope. It pleased her to see Prince Aron respond so well to the young mage she had invited to the guild.
Allegra spoke quietly to Della. “Please come in.
Della closed the door and joined her at the table. She touched its varnished surface, then looked up at Allegra. “When I tested you three years ago, you had no green spells.
Allegra met her gaze. “A lot has changed.
The older woman glanced at her dusty bags, which had a tasseled cord in the Jazid style. “Did you really have a scuffle? She turned back to Allegra. “Why are you wearing those clothes? And that boy. Hes from Jazid, isnt he?
Allegra sat at the table and rested her elbows on it. Then she put her head in her hands. “Ah, Della. I cant go to the palace to dine with Prince Aron, not tomorrow or ever.
The mage mistress sat next to her. “Can you tell me why?
Allegra looked up. “I was coming here to study. I rode the last part of the journey alone. The days were beautiful, and I was so happy. Her voice cracked. “So happily, stupidly naive.
Dellas voice quieted. “What happened?
“Do you know of the TAmbera?
Della let out a breath. “Ah, Saints, no, Allegra.
“They sold me as a pleasure girl, she said dully. “Or a wife, I guess. Eventually.
“Are you saying youre married?
“Yes. She drew in a breath. “So you see, I cannot dine with that lovely boy who would have melted my heart twelve days ago.
“Allegra, wait. Della laid a hand on her arm. “If you were taken to Jazid, sold as a slave and married against your will, none of thats legal.
“It doesnt matter. Another man has had me. The succession rules wouldnt allow my betrothal to Aron.
“Dont be certain, Della said. “Dawnfield heirs have married widows, especially in the days when men died so much more often in war. She pushed her hand through her gray hair. “Nothing like this has ever happened. Ive no idea what applies here.
“I need to see King Jarid as soon as possible. She hesitated, unsure how much to say. Della was a kings advisor, but Allegra didnt even know what to tell Jarid. “Its about something else, though.
“What?
“I cant say. Im sorry.
Della considered her. “Who beat you?
“It was just a tussle.
“Those bruises may be fading, Della said quietly, “but I can tell. It takes more than a tussle to do that kind of damage.
Allegra remembered how Yargazon had dragged her across the carpet, his brutal determination. “I fought with a man who works for my husband. He caught me trying to run away. In a low, angry voice, she said, “I left him chained and gagged, with his head split open.
Della looked at a loss for a response. “And your husband?
“He might be looking for me. Im not sure.
“What about that boy?
“He was orphaned in the war. She sat back, fatigue settling into her. “He was traveling with my husbands men. Ive promised to take care of him.
“What does your husband do?
“Heswith the army.
“A soldier?
“Not exactly. Allegra wasnt sure how it worked. The army answered to Markus, but Yargazon commanded them. “He travels with them.
“The life of an army tender is no way for a boy to grow up. Della regarded her with puzzlement. “If you were with the army, couldnt you ask an officer from the Misted Cliffs for help?
It took Allegra a moment to untangle what she meant. Of course. Emperor Cobalt had taken command of the Jazid army and added two thousand of his own men.
She said only, “There was no one I could ask.
Della thought for a moment. “To have the marriage declared illegal, we would petition Cobalts government in Jazid.
Allegra could imagine the political turmoil that would ensue if the king of Aronsdale asked the Dawn Star emperor to void the marriage of Jazids fugitive prince regent.
“Its not that simple, she said.
“Tell me, Della urged.
“How do you tellWhen a man Allegra stumbled with the words, clumsy in talking about this with someone she didnt know well. “If you lie with him, and theres pleasure Her face burned. “Why do I feel terrible? Why do I want to run and shout in anger? I didnt, in that moment
“That he aroused you doesnt mean it wasnt rape, Della said.
“He stopped. When I said no.
“Then why are you angry?
Allegra took a breath. She told Della what had happened, sparingly, with nothing to reveal Markuss identity, no names, no mention of Ozarson. In constrained sentences, she described the days from when the nomads caught her until she escaped. Sometime during it all, tears started to run down her face, a release she hadnt known she needed until it happened.
When Allegra finished, Della exhaled. “I cant claim to have answers to something this complicated, she said. “But you have every right to be angry. Its not surprising you responded to him. He rode with you for days, always touching you in sexual ways. The nomads drugged and starved you, even withheld water. Its no wonder you were dazed. Then you were completely dependent on this man for food, shelter, even sleep, none of which he provided properly.
“Sometimes I wanted to rage, Allegra said. “But other times She thought of Markus lying next to her, his body silvered by the starlight, of the strength, the intelligence, the leader she had seen in him, of the admiration she fought so hard not to feel. “He was beautiful. I wanted to touch him. See his smile. Hear him say how good I make him feel. She gave an embarrassed laugh. “Have him stare in shock when I insulted him.
Dellas expression gentled. “Maybe under other circumstances, the two of you could have met without anger. But he put you in an intolerable situation. He cant force you to become what he needs.
Allegra brushed the tears out of her eyes. It was a relief to talk to Della. Her confusion remained, but some of her anger had eased. “I just cant see Prince Aron.
“Ill talk to him. The last thing you need right now is another man pressuring you. She paused. “Ive known Aron all his life. I doubt hell care that you had this marriage before him. All I ask is that you dont shut out the possibility. Della rubbed her eyes. “Im old, Allegra. I served as a kings advisor to Jarids grandfather and now to Jarid. The Suncroft healer is a blue mage, but shes older than me. Arons mother is the only other mage here who can do green or greater spells. None of the guild apprentices can go beyond gold. We need someone young to carry on afterafter were gone.
Faced with that painful declaration, Allegra couldnt refuse her. “I understand. Yet saying that much felt wrong, as if she were offering something she no longer had to give. Even if she never saw Markus again, he had left an indelible mark on her life.