Allegra rubbed her eyes. She was an Aronsdale woman. Markus was wrong for her in so many ways, she couldnt count them, yet he compelled her thoughts. She didnt see how this union of theirs could work. But he was trying, in the best way he knew how. And whatever she thought of him as a husband, she didnt doubt he was a good father to Ozarson.
She had tried to stop a war, but it had come out all muddled. In the process of her escape, Ozarson had come to mean more to her than her freedom. She couldnt turn her back on him. Which meant somehow she and Markus had to work out matters between the two of them. If they couldnt find a middle ground, she didnt know how they would manage, but for Ozarsonand yes, for herselfshe would try.
After Allegra finished bathing, she toweled herself dry. She found some fresh clothes in the bedroom, a soft gray and blue tunic with leggings. Then she went into the main room. Ozarson was curled up on the couch, sleeping, and Della was in one of the armchairs, reading a book.
The mage mistress looked up. “My greetings, Your Highness.
Allegra winced. “Dont call me that, please. We have enough highnesses and majesties here already.
Della gave a wry laugh. “We do seem to have accumulated quite a few.
Allegra sat on the couch by Ozarson. “Has he been out long?
“A while. Della indicated a book in his hand. “He picked that out of the library after he ate. She chuckled. “Im not surprised it put him to sleep. He probably didnt understand any of it.
As Allegra gently took the book, the boy sighed and settled deeper into the cushions. She peered at the title: Geometry for the Natural Sciences. It was a treatise for scholars who studied the earth and stars.
“Actually he probably does understand some of this, she said. “Hes unusually bright.
“Thats amazing. Della closed her own book. “How is his brother?
“Asleep. She hesitated. “Do you know how many people heard what Ozi told me on the stairs?
“Jarid, Iris and Brant, Della said. “Iris told me. The men in the foyer and the other boy were too far away. They saw Ozarson crying and talking to you, but that was it.
Allegra smoothed Ozarsons bangs off his forehead. “So much has happened to him. I cant turn away, not even if it means letting the emperor know Im married to a man hes sworn to kill.
“Are you sure? Della said. “Dont expect the prince regent to change just because you both love the child.
“I know. We can only do our best.
“Allegraabout the auction. Della paused awkwardly.
She looked up at Della. “Go ahead.
“Was Markus Onyx the man who bought you? When Allegra nodded, Della asked, “Who was the other man? Onyx isnt likely to be involved in an auction with just anyone.
Allegra folded her arms, feeling cold. “Dusk Yargazon.
Della stared at her. “Saints almighty. You really landed right in the middle of it all.
Allegra started to answer, then stopped when Ozarson stirred. It wasnt something she wanted to talk about in front of him.
His lashes slowly lifted. “Allegra?
“Im here, she said.
He sat up, rubbing his eyes. “Wheres Markus?
“Hes sleeping in the other room.
Ozarson regarded her as if she were a vase that might break. “I didnt hear any yelling.
She smiled. “He didnt. Weworked it out.
“You dont have any new bruises.
“No. Then she said, “Did you expect it? What he answered would tell her a great deal about Markus. Ozarson hadnt been the least surprised that Yargazon had beaten her.
“No, Ozarson said. “But Ive never seen him so angry.
“Well, Im fine. And so is he. Neither statement was true, but it would do. She glanced at Della. “Do you think someone could bring up some clothes for Markus? The trousers and shirts in the wardrobe arent going to fit him.
“Ill check, Della said.
A door creaked in the outer entrance. Then a man in violet and white livery entered the room and bowed to them. “His Majesty, Jarid Dawnfield.
Allegra sat up straighter, and Ozarson shot her an alarmed look. “Its all right, she said, and hoped it was true.
Jarid entered with Brant and several guards. Allegra started to rise, uncertain how to greet the king, but he waved his hand for her to stay put. Ozarson sat tensely at her side.
“I need to speak with the two of you and the prince regent, Jarid told them. His face was unreadable. “As soon as possible.
“Ill go get Markus, Allegra said, uneasy.
In the bedroom, she found Markus was still asleep in his chain mail and armor. He looked as if he had been transplanted from a less civilized age into these cultured environs.
Allegra sat next to him. “Wake up, she coaxed.
No response.
She shook his shoulder. “Markus?
He gave a snort and then snored.
Allegra laid her hand on the circles engraved in the headboard and sang the lilt she had used to wake Ozarson. After several verses, Markus rolled onto his back. He rubbed his eyes, then blinked at the canopy overhead. “How long have I been asleep?
“About an hour. She smoothed back a lock of hair that had fallen into his eyes. It was exactly like the one she had brushed out of Ozarsons eyes. “Jarid is in the other room. He wants to speak to us.
Markus sat up, rubbing his neck. Then he wrinkled his nose. “I need a bath before I meet with a king. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed. “That rest felt good, though. I never sleep that well.
Allegra doubted he was usually that furious before he went to sleep, either. She said only, “You seemed tired.
He glowered at her. “Im still angry with you.
In truth, he no longer looked at all angry. But she just said, “I know.
“I need to say something else.
She tensed for another onslaught. “Yes?
He took a breath. “It took courage for you to escape that way. I hate that you left, and that you took Ozarson. He lifted his hand, then dropped it. “But it took courage. Then he added, “And, Allegrait hasnt missed my notice that in support of my brother, you offered to stand as my wife in front of Emperor Cobalt, though it means you also risk execution.
She spoke quietly. “Ozi told me what happened. Everything. How he lost his mother.
“Its good he can talk to you. Hes never spoken about it to anyone else that I know of. Markus shook his head. “Its a blur in my memory. Cobalts men thought I was brain dead. Well, no one in that much damn pain could be dead. Though when Yargazon had me carried down to the gorge, I thought I would die. But I didnt. He exhaled. “Ozis mother. And Nanna
“You knew his nurse?
“She was mine, too, when I was his age.
“Im sorry, she murmured. “For all your losses.
His gaze turned fierce. “She and the queen gave their lives so he could go free. I wont let their sacrifice be in vain.
“And when will it ever stop? Allegra asked. “Would you have Ozi grow up into another Cobalt?
“Thats what Cobalt fears.
“Yet twice, when Cobalt could have killed him, he let Ozi live.
Markus stared at her, his head tilted to one side. It was a moment before he said, “I wonder why.
A knock came at the door. Allegra went over and found a man in Dawnfield livery holding a stack of mens clothes. He bowed to her. “For the prince regent.
She accepted the pile. “Thank you.
When she returned to the bedroom, Markus was standing by the bed, unfastening his chain mail. As he let it drop to the floor, she showed him the clothes. “I hope these are all right.
“As long as they fit. He pulled off his tunic and left it in a heap by his mail. Allegra wondered if he always treated his armor that way, or if someone usually picked it up for him. She set the fresh clothes on a table by the door.