The castle stood above her, golden and out of reach. Two people were coming down the hill, a tall man who looked like a bodyguard and a girl of about fourteen with dark, straight hair and a violet tunic that fluttered in the wind. Allegra waited, uncertain if they were headed to Crofts Vale.
As they reached Allegra, the girl inclined her head. “My greetings, Mistress Allegra. Im Sky Dawnfield. My father wishes to see you.
Dawnfield? Saints above. She was Arons sister. The royal family did Allegra great honor, sending one of their own. She bowed to Sky, hoping she was using the proper protocols. “Im privileged to meet you, Your Highness.
Sky lifted her hand toward the castle. “Shall we go?
Allegra glanced at the distant hill. Ozarson and Thom were running after each other and tumbling in the grass.
“Is that the boy who came with you? Sky asked.
Allegra nodded. “Im worried about leaving him alone.
Sky peered at the hill. “He looks fine to me.
“Im sure he is, Allegra said, as much to convince herself as anyone else.
She started up the hill with Sky, nervous tension coiling within her.
The Receiving Hall was long and elegant. Its walls gleamed with mosaics in gold, ivory and crystal, and arched windows graced one long wall, drenching the room with sunlight.
Allegra waited with Sky and the guard as her fathers retinue approached from the far end of the hall. The four guards with him wore Dawnfield colors, white, gold and violet. The king dressed more simply, in a white shirt, dark trousers and knee-boots. His face had classic lines, with his straight nose and high cheekbones.
Sky resembled her father, whereas Aron had the tousled brown hair and fresh-faced quality so often seen in the Tallwalk Mountains of his mothers home. Jarid was more reserved, less open, less sunny. Although he had the pale complexion common in western Aronsdale, his straight black hair, streaked with gray, evoked the Jazid influences in his Dawnfield lineage. As he drew closer, Allegra realized he had violet eyes, the same as her own, unknown except in southern Aronsdale. She was startled to see a heavy scar that ran down his neck from his ear.
She sank down on one knee and bent her head.
“Please rise. Jarids voice was oddly hoarse, as if he rarely used it. He never gave speeches; his wife, or more recently his son, always did the honors. Allegra had never thought much about it, but hearing him, she wondered if he found speaking difficult.
The king smiled at his daughter. “Thank you, Sky. Ill see you at dinner.
Sky nodded and left them, her footsteps quiet on the gold and white tiles. Jarid lifted his hand, inviting Allegra to walk with him. They strolled down the hall with the five guards.
“Della says you wished to speak with me, he said.
She wondered what else the mage mistress had told him. “Its about the past few days.
He glanced at her. “I understand you were betrothed to a Jazid man. Against your will.
Although it had been kind of Della to pretty it up, Allegra didnt want to mislead him. “I was kidnapped and sold to him as a slave. We werent married until later.
He drew her to a stop, his gaze flaring with anger. “We have a treaty with Jazid. The late Atajazid DAz Ozar and I signed it, and the government installed by the Misted Cliffs swore to uphold it. Any Jazid nomad who enters Aronsdale and abducts our citizens is committing a crime punishable by time in prison.
She grimaced. “I dont think the nomads or my husband care.
“The marriage isnt valid, Jarid said firmly. “We can dissolve it.
She regarded him uncertainly. “How?
“We will present the case before the court Cobalt established in Jazid. They would also bring in a Jazidian judge. Your husband will be called to testify, as will the nomads. When she started to shake her head, he said, “Yes, I know, they will swear you wandered into Jazid. Well deal with that. He regarded her steadily. “I will tolerate no one kidnapping my subjects. Nor will I allow them to abuse one of my strongest mages, a woman personally called to the castle by my own House.
His vehemence startled Allegra. She had feared he wouldnt believe her, but he seemed to understand exactly, which made her suspect she wasnt the first woman kidnapped this way. But what he described could never work. If she went to a Jazidian court and accused Markus Onyx of abductiona man who was supposed to be dead, and who had a price on his head if he turned up aliveit would inflame an already explosive political situation. And of course, the entire matter of her kidnapping Ozarson would arise.
“Your Majesty. She spoke cautiously. “Im deeply grateful for your support. But the situation hascomplications.
He raised an eyebrow. “Such as?
“My husband was with the Jazid army.
“Della didnt say much. Only that he was a tender.
“Not exactly. She hesitated, unsure how to approach this. “He isnt with the army that Emperor Cobalt took command of when he conquered Jazid.
“Jazid has no other army.
“It does. She took a breath. “The one raised by the outlawed Jazid military.
His expression darkened. “Do you realize what youre saying?
“I think so. Seeing his reaction, she wasnt so sure, though.
“We have heard rumors, Jarid said. “And last year, a company of men from Jazid rode to Quaaz, the capital of Taka Mal. They claimed, when met by the queens army, that they came to warn her of an assassination plan. The queen had reason to believe they planned her overthrow.
“Yes. Allegras gaze never wavered. “My husband is with that army. They were the ones who tried to kill her.
“They didnt fight. There were only a few hundred of them. They left Taka Mal and vanished. The king considered her. “The Jazidian authorities swear that company has dispersed. Cobalt has said if he discovers otherwise, he will have them executed.
She stared at him. “A few hundred men?
“Its not as many as it sounds. Before the war, the Jazid army had thousands.
A chill went up her spine. “It still does. Three thousand.
His posture stiffened. “What?
“They plan to invade Taka Mal. In weeks.
“Allegra, you cant honestly expect me to believe that.
“Its true. The words sounded absurd even to her. She had the proof in Ozarson, but she couldnt betray his trust. Nor could she betray Markus; she had begun to care for him too much. Yet neither could she mislead her own king. Which left her in an impossible situation.
He studied her face. “This storykidnapping, forced marriage, a secret armymaybe these are the tales of a girl who fears a different future.
Allegra didnt know whether to laugh or cry. He thought she would make all this up to avoid marrying his beautiful, golden son? She truly would be a lunatic in that case.
“No, she said. “I was happy with my future. Before Markus had changed it irrevocably. “I wanted nothing else.
“Why would Jazid attack Taka Mal?
“To gain control of the Taka Mal army so they can overthrow Cobalts forces in Jazid.
“It wouldnt be enough men, Jarid said. “Cobalt has three thousand in Taka Mal and Jazid, and he has thousands more in other countries. Plus he has a thousand Jazidian warriors who swore him allegiance. Taka Mal has only about two and a half thousand. Even if the outlaws did conquer Taka Mal, why would the surviving Taka Mal soldiers agree to fight for Jazid?
“They might. As much as she hated to admit it, she could see why Markus considered Yargazon an inspired strategist. “They wouldnt be fighting for Jazid, they would be fighting against Cobalt. People in Taka Mal and Jazid dont like the rest of us, especially the Misted Cliffs. They dont like our cultures, our influences, or our soldiers in their countries. A war between Jazid and Taka Mal is like a feud within the family. No matter how angry they are with each other, they will draw together when faced with the threat from outside.
“Perhaps. He was guarding his answers. “Centuries ago, their cultures were almost identical. But Taka Mal has changed.