“You know I cant do that, Jarid said.
Ozarson looked up at Markus. “I wouldnt leave you anyway.
Allegra suddenly realized what Jarid hadnt said. “Does Cobalt know Markus and Ozi are here?
“I havent yet told him. The king exhaled. “And there, Im afraid, lies another of our complications.
“ Dont tell him, Markus said.
“I have to, Jarid said.
“You gave asylum. Allegras pulse surged. “You gave your word.
“I intend to keep it. Jarid raked his hand through his long hair. “But you see, we have a new problem. He looked around at them all. “My envoy didnt return alone.
“No! Ozarson cried. “He cant be here.
“Im sorry, Jarid said. “But Im afraid he can. Cobalt has arrived. Hes in the castle.
CHAPTER 20
MIDNIGHT EMPEROR
“Markus! Ozarson jumped up from the couch.
“Its all right. Markus pulled him back down and held the boy against his side with his arm around his shoulders. Ozarson reached for Allegras hand and gripped her fingers.
Jarid looked miserable. “I would have wished any other way to deal with this. But Cobalt has come with his wife and baby. My envoy didnt know you were here. If I dont tell him He took a breath. “Cobalt is usually a rational man. But when it comes to his family He shook his head.
“Your wife and children are here, too, Allegra said. “Its obvious you dont consider us a danger.
“I hope that makes a difference, Jarid said.
Allegra couldnt believe Jarid had sat so calmly, waiting for Markus to bathe, while the most notorious conqueror in known history waited elsewhere in the castle. She wondered if anything rattled Jarid.
“Cobalt and his wife are with Iris, Jarid said. “Shes getting them settled into a guest suite. He and I will meet when theyre done. Quietly he added, “You three will come with me.
The blood drained from Ozarsons face. “I cant.
Markus leaned his head over the boys. “I wont let him hurt you. They looked so alike, their hair falling haphazardly over their collars, somehow making them seem even more vulnerable.
“I meant it when I said you had asylum here, Jarid told them. “No one may harm you without going through me. That includes the emperor.
Markus looked up at him. “Why would you do that for us?
“I gave my word. Jarid spoke uneasily. “Having Mel and the baby here complicates things.
“Mel? Allegra asked.
“The empress, Della said. “Shes the daughter of King Muller in Harsdown. She considered Allegra. “Mels parents came from the same region of Aronsdale as you. And Mel is about your age. The two of you have a lot in common. You might like each other.
Allegra couldnt imagine summoning the courage even to speak to the empress that many people considered the reincarnation of a warrior goddess.
Jarid was watching her face. “Mel was betrothed to Aron for most of her life. Weve known her for years. If Cobalt hadnt given her an ultimatummarry him or he would take Harsdown by forceshe and Aron would be raising their own family.
“Yes, well, at this rate well never get Aron married, Della muttered. “First Mel, then Allegra.
Allegra thought surely some imbalance existed in the universe when conquerors like Markus and Cobalt kept ripping away brides from someone like Aron, who as far as she could tell would make a wonderful husband to some fortunate woman.
Markuss face had gone cold. His voice was like ice. “I see.
“See what? Jarid asked warily.
“If I die, Markus ground out, “Allegra can remarry.
“You think Im taking you to Cobalt to get you executed?
Markuss anger flared. “Men have killed for queens far less worthy than Allegra.
She could have fallen over at his words. If he felt that way about her, he certainly had an odd way of showing it.
“This is Aronsdale, Jarid said coldly. “Men dont go around killing each other to steal other mens wives.
Markus just shook his head. Allegra wondered what kind of life Jazidian families led, if a married man constantly feared someone would murder him for his wife. Roses husband wouldnt even let her leave their home when Markus and Yargazon were in the camp.
“Allegra is my regents consort, Ozarson told Jarid, lifting his chin. “Your son may not have her.
Jarids expression gentled and it looked as if he was going to smile. But he answered Ozarson with respect. “I assure you, Your Majesty, we wont take Allegra away from you.
She noticed he didnt say, Or your brother. Could Jarid be hoping Cobalt would order Markuss execution?
The outer door of the suite opened. Footsteps sounded in the entrance foyer, and Queen Iris appeared with several guards.
Jarid stood, his posture tense. “Are they settled?
“For now. Iris twisted the sleeve of her tunic. “Mel stayed with the baby. Cobalt is down in the Shape-Hall. I dont think you should keep him waiting.
Jarid turned to one of the guards, a man with more gold on his shoulders than the others. “Captain, send an octet of my soldiers to the Hall. Ill meet you there.
“Right away, Sire. The captain saluted and left, his boots loud on the parquet floor.
Markus stood up, his hands by his sides as if he were preparing to defend himself. “Guards to protect us? Or drag us away?
“Whatever you may suspect of my motives, Jarid said, “I intend no betrayal. The guards are for your protection.
They headed to the Shape-Hall then, the best-known room in the castle. Even far off in her dairy, Allegra had heard of it, for the room also had another name. The Hall of Kings. It was where Jarid, the only king in all the settled lands to wear a crown, had gone to his coronation. Royal marriages and christenings took place there. Most of all, it was where visiting sovereigns met with the king of Aronsdale.
Today, they went to meet an emperor.
The Shape-Hall could hold hundreds of people. Mosaics of polygons and circles in gold, white and sapphire tiles gleamed on the walls. The floor tiles were gold and white diamonds. Sunlight poured through floor-to-ceiling windows bordered by shape-vine engravings. An ivory colonnade bordered the room, supporting a balcony. Far down the hall, a group of men waited by a window that overlooked the castle gardens.
One man towered over the others.
Ozarson tightened his grip on Allegras hand, and Markus visibly tensed on the boys other side. Four guards had come with them, and another octet was waiting at the entrance to the hall. Jarid, Iris and Brant walked at the front of their group, blocking Markus and Ozarson from view while they proceeded down the hall.
As they neared the others, Allegra had an eerie sense, as if time slowed. It came from the tall man. He was the largest person she had ever seen, close to seven feet, with a musculature to match. His hair fell to his shoulders, thick and black. He wore heavy black trousers and a black breastplate with chain mail. His face was like stone. Combined with his monstrous size, his appearance made him seem inhuman. More than his height dominated the hall; the sense of power he exuded overwhelmed everything and everyone.
This was Cobalt, the Midnight Emperor.
They came to a stop a short distance from his group. Even Markus didnt pause as they all knelt to the emperor. Jarid and Iris were the only ones who remained standing, and they both bowed deeply. Allegra felt Ozarson shaking at her side, and wondered how, at the age of seven, he could have stood up to this man and declared he would kill him.
Cobalt spoke in a bass voice. “Rise.
As they stood up, Allegra noticed Jarids guards had closed around her, Markus and Ozarson. Jarid went forward to Cobalt, but Iris and Brant waited at the front of their group.
“Why so many guards? Cobalt asked Jarid. He didnt sound suspicious or annoyed, just curious. His voice rumbled, deeper than any Allegra had ever heard.
“Your Majesty, Jarid began. It sounded odd to Allegra to hear the king of her country speak with such deference. Yes, he called Ozarson by a similar title, but this had a different quality. Fear underlaid the words.