Brant Firestoke joined them on the stairs. “I would suggest we invite them inside. I sincerely doubt its wise to leave the two of them standing in plain view that way.
Jarid grimaced. “Especially given who is pouring his uninvited army into my backyard. He went down the staircase and across the foyer.
Markus watched him with suspicion, his arms protectively around Ozarson. The boy lifted his head. Although he stepped away from Markus with a self-conscious gesture, he stayed close to his brother, and the regent kept one arm around his shoulders.
Jarid stopped in front of Markus. Both men were the same height, though Markus was more heavily built. Both had black hair. Markus looked more atavistic, but Jarid had a roughness unusual in Aronsdale men, accented by the scar on his neck.
“Welcome to my home, Your Highness, Jarid said.
“Are you Jarid? Markus asked.
“I am, the king said.
Markus met his gaze. “ Are we welcome, Your Majesty?
“You are my guests. Jarid indicated the foyer. “Perhaps you would come inside.
“Will Allegra stay? Ozarson asked. Tears streaked his face.
“If she agrees, Jarid said, “then yes, certainly.
“I wont go without her, Ozarson told Markus.
“Why? his brother asked, incredulous. “After what she did?
Ozarson looked up at him. “I did it. Not her.
Markus started to answer, his disbelief obvious. Then he glanced at Jarid, who was listening intently, and closed his mouth. Jarid raised his hand, inviting them inside, and Markus walked warily, his arm resting on Ozarsons shoulders.
“Who are the men with you? Jarid asked him.
Markus answered stiffly. “My bodyguards.
Jarid glanced at the Aronsdale messenger. “Have his men quartered with the army. Keep two guards on each one.
“As guests, of course, Markus said, sarcasm edging his words.
Jarid didnt answer.
Markus came up the stairs with Ozarson, and Allegra waited. When they reached her, Markus stopped, his gaze hard. “How could you do it?
“Do what? she asked in a low voice. “Yes, I took him as a hostage. She was so upset, she could barely speak. “All this fighting, fighting, killing one another. Hasnt he suffered enough? Havent you? When will you have given enough of yourselves? When your country and your titles have destroyed both of you?
Markus stared at her. She wondered if it had ever occurred to him that he had been just as manipulated, used and hurt by his life as had Ozarson. He didnt look at the world that way; he was doing his best to fulfill his duty as regent and to deal with the legacy of a father he had more conflicted feelings about than she suspected he could ever express. He was trying, under almost impossible circumstances, to be a good leader. Being away from the constant pressure of his presence, talking to Della, seeing him through Ozarsonit all helped her see this man who had become her husband. In his constrained world, what he had done with her was the only way he knew how to alleviate his crushing emotional isolation. It didnt change the anger she felt nor did it mean she could live the life he wanted for her, but at least she was beginning to understand.
It was a moment before Markus found his voice. Then he said, “We will discuss it later.
Ozarson was watching. Waiting. So was everyone else. Allegra took a breath, then nodded and went up the stairs with them.
Sky and cloud mosaics tiled the ceiling in the suite of rooms. The ivory walls had scenes of forests and lakes painted in their upper half. Markus and Ozarson sat on a couch with brocaded cushions and looked decidedly uncomfortable with the furniture and surroundings. Iris sat with Allegra on another couch across from them, and Brant Firestoke sat in an armchair facing inward to the couches. Jarid paced the room, then sat on the sill of an arched window with shapes carved into its frame.
“Weve sent messengers to Cobalts army, Jarid said. “When they return, well have a better idea whats going on.
Markus remained impassive. Ozarson didnt speak, either, but Allegra could read him better. He wanted to know what had happened with his army.
“We need to know more of Cobalts intentions, Brant said. He regarded Markus. “For example, if hes going to Taka Mal.
“Ive no idea what the emperor is doing, Markus said.
“What about General Yargazon? Jarid asked. “You wouldnt happen to have some idea what he is doing?
“No, Markus said.
“No? Brant raised his eyebrows. “You wouldnt know if he just happened to, say, march an army into Taka Mal?
“How could he? Markus demanded. “They all betrayed their oaths to my father and joined Cobalts forces.
“I wasnt talking about that army, Brant said.
Markus met his gaze. “I know of no other.
“Not even three thousand men hidden in the barrens of Jazid?
Markus shrugged. “Three thousand men would be difficult to hide, Id imagine.
Jarid leaned forward. “But useful in protecting the atajazid and his regent.
“I wouldnt know, Markus said. “Weve been hiding alone.
“Just you, the boy and those four men? Iris asked.
Markus looked at her with a start. His forehead furrowed. He glanced at Jarid, then Brant. When both men continued to wait for his answer, he spoke tersely. “Thats right.
“That isnt much protection, Brant said.
“With fewer people, its easier to hide, Markus said.
“What if Cobalt comes here? Iris asked.
Markus just looked at her.
“Id like to know from Cobalt why the hell hes here, Jarid growled. “Its harder to get information from that man than taking water from a rock.
“Hes going to Taka Mal, Brant said, his gaze on Markus.
“What are you going to do with us? Markus asked.
“Youre our guests, Iris said.
The prince regent frowned at her. “I spoke to your husband.
Jarid came to the couch where Iris was seated and braced his hands on the back, watching Markus. “As she said, you are our guests. He straightened up. “Your Highness, did any of your other siblings survive the war?
Markus met his gaze with hostile silence.
“Your sisters? Brant asked.
The prince regent stiffened. “The women of my family are no concern of yours.
“His sisters are probably married, Iris said. “They would be considered part of their husbands family rather than Onyx.
Jarid considered Markus. “Then you and His Majesty He inclined his head to Ozarson. “You are what remains of the Onyx royal family.
Markus continued his stony silence, but Ozarson glanced at Allegra. Allegra felt certain Jarids question had a deeper meaning than just identifying Markus and Ozarson. She had no idea what, but Brant seemed to have no doubt.
“Jarid, damn it, Brant said. “If you give them asylum, Cobalt will be furious.
“Probably, Jarid said.
“Asylum? Markus shot Brant an incredulous look. “Dont mock us.
“You have to give it to Allegra, too, Ozarson said.
“This is her country, Markus said quickly. “Why would she need asylum here?
Allegra wondered at his reaction. So far he had kept her connection with him a secret. His marriage to an Aronsdale woman worked to his advantage, but it would put her in danger if other people discovered it, especially Cobalt. If she hadnt known better, she would have thought he was protecting her at his own expense, despite what she had done with Ozarson. Then again, given how confusing she found him, she probably didnt know better.
“Allegra is an Aronsdale citizen, Iris told the boy, her voice gentler than when she spoke to Markus. “Her marriage to the tender is almost certainly not legal.
“Tender? Ozarson asked. “What tender?
Markus spoke gruffly. “It means someone who travels with an army but isnt a soldier.
“I know what it means, the boy said.
“Oh, saints to hell and back, Brant said.