“You would defend a man who bought you like a slave? Cobalt asked, incredulous.
“No, she said. “Im defending the only real father Ozarson has ever known. And hes a good father. For the boys sake, I beg of you, let his regent live. Dont condemn Markus and Ozarson for the sins of their sire.
Cobalt frowned at her. “Is that why you brought him here for sanctuary? Because you think hes a good father?
“I only brought Ozarson here, Allegra said. “Markus came looking for us.
Cobalt peered at her. “How did you get here without him?
“I stole his horse.
His eyebrows went up. “And how did you manage that?
“I put Markus, Ozarson and his men to sleep.
“His men? As in, perhaps, Dusk Yargazon?
“General Yargazon figured out I could do spells. Under the impact of his scrutiny, her words tumbled out in bursts. “When I sang. He put wax in his ears. He threw me down and we fought. I hit him with the candelabra. We fought more and I pushed him. His head hit a chest, and it knocked him out. Then I took Ozarson, stole Markuss horse and rode away.
To her unmitigated surprise, Cobalt smiled. “Do you by any chance know my wife?
Allegra blinked. “No, Sire.
He glanced at Jarid. “I fear what could happen should they meet. They might overthrow everyone and take over all the kingdoms.
Jarid gave a startled smile. “Perhaps.
Allegra couldnt believe it. Cobalt the Dark, the Midnight Emperor, had made a joke. At least, she thought it was a joke. She wasnt certain. He looked intimidating even when he wasnt angry.
Cobalt turned to Markus. “And you came looking for the boy? Even though you knew you could die by doing it.
“Yes, Markus said. “And for her.
For an excruciating moment, Cobalt studied Markus. Then he swung around to Jarid. “Very well. I will allow you to keep him here. When Jarid started to respond, Cobalt raised his hand. “But only if you chain him in the dungeon for as long as my wife and son are in this castle. My men will remain as guards. He turned to Allegra and Ozarson. “You two will ride with my army to Taka Mal, to serve as hostages.
Markuss reaction was subtle, but Allegra recognized the slight lowering of his shoulders. As small a gesture as it was, she felt its immensity. Relief. He wouldnt die today after all.
“Allegra wouldnt be any use as a hostage, Markus said. “Not for leverage with my people.
“Im not bringing her as leverage with your people, Cobalt said. “Shes a hostage for your behavior. Just as you, imprisoned here, will be a hostage for your atajazids behavior.
Allegra understood then what Cobalt intended. Markuss life depended on what she and Ozarson did as Cobalts prisoners. Any attempt they made to escape could be the prince regents death sentence.
The pitted steps led below the castle. Suncroft was named for light and warmth, but neither showed in this place of dank smells. A rat scuttled across the stairs, and Allegra jumped to the side. When a drop of water hit her cheek, she looked up to see a broken stone arch covered with lichen.
The stairs were too narrow for more than one person. Jarid went first, with a torch that cast oversize shadows on the walls. Two soldiers from the Misted Cliffs followed him. Markus came next, his hands bound behind his back, going slowly as he strove to keep his balance. Cobalt followed, holding another torch. Allegra went next, then two more of Cobalts guards. The odor of burning torches saturated the air, and smoke curled around them.
Iris and Brant had taken Ozarson to his suite, despite the boys protests. Allegra didnt want him to see Markus this way, and she thought Markus didnt, either. In fact, she suspected he would have liked her to go with Ozarson, as well. Cobalt, however, had given her no choice.
At the bottom, they walked along a rough-hewn tunnel. The wall on the left consisted of large stone blocks. The one on the right had three doors at evenly spaced intervals, each solid oak with a small, barred window at a tall mans eye-level. Strips of metal reinforced the doors, crusted with rust and lichen. Allegra wondered if anyone ever came down here.
Jarid fumbled with a hexagonal ring of keys as if he didnt know which he needed. He finally found one that unlocked the second cell. As the guards swung open the ponderous door, Markus watched, his face ashen. Allegra wanted to go to him, but Cobalt was standing between them. She remembered wishing Markus would suffer the emperors anger, and the thought soured in her mouth. She couldnt have imagined then how much she would regret seeing that wish granted.
The guards took Markuss arms and walked him into the cell. Jarid followed, holding up his torch. Cobalt stayed in the doorway, so Allegra stepped past him with caution, acutely aware of his presence dominating the cell. His head almost touched the ceiling. When she tried to go to Markus, though, Cobalt caught her arm. He didnt let go until she stepped back to the wall by the door.
Straw had once covered the floor, but only a few blackened bits remained. The ceiling, walls and floor were built from stone blocks. Chains with manacles hung on the wall to the left. And that was it. An empty room that stank of rotting straw.
The guards brought Markus to the left wall. As they turned him around and unbound his hands, he stared at Allegra. His face showed no emotion; he would never reveal his fear. But she felt it, perhaps because her spells sensitized her to his moods. It wasnt only his fear of Cobalt, who could still have him killed. For Markusa man who needed constantly to be outside, walking or riding, someone who could never stay stillbeing chained in a cell would be a nightmare.
Jarid gave a key to one of his soldiers, and the man went to where the guards held Markus. As they manacled his wrists, Allegra sagged against the wall, feeling ill. When they chained his ankles, he had to sit on the floor, sideways to the wall with his right shoulder pressed against the stone. The shackles forced him to stretch out his legs because they werent directly below those for his arms. It left him with his arms pulled tight over his head and his legs pulled tight along the wall.
Jarid glanced at Cobalt. “Is that really necessary? He couldnt escape here even if he wasnt in the chains.
“How do you know? Cobalt asked. “We had him in Jazid, ready for burial, and then, suddenly, hes gone. Two years later, here he is, hale and hearty, sending an army to conquer Taka Mal. The chains stay.
Markus stared up at him, his face lit by flickering torchlight.
Allegra couldnt take any more; she stepped away from the wall before Cobalt could catch her and went over to Markus. Kneeling next to him, she spoke softly. “Youll be all right.
“Does the revenge feel fine? he asked in a low voice.
“I would never wish this on you.
His face contorted. “My shouldercan you push it?
Puzzled, she laid her hand on his left shoulder. “Like this?
“No. His face creased with pain. “The ridge, closer to my neck. Youll feel it.
Probing his muscles, she found a huge knot. “There?
“Yes. Push. Hard He sounded as if he were gritting his teeth.
Allegra massaged the area, and suddenly the knot gave like the release of a bolt. Markus grunted, and his arm relaxed while relief washed over his face.
“What happened? she asked.
“Its an injury from the war, he said. “I cant lift my arm above my head anymore. It spasms like that.
She stared at the chains pulling his arms. “Markus
“Ill be all right. Gruffly he added, “Take care of Ozi.
“I will.
Heavy footsteps sounded behind them, and then Cobalt was standing next to her. She looked up and felt as if the air went out of the room.
He indicated the doorway. “Wait with my guards.
Allegra stood up. “Please, cant you take off the manacles?
“No. He regarded her with a hooded gaze. “Go with my men. I want to talk to you upstairs.