Markus stiffened. “Leave her alone, Escar.
Cobalt fixed Allegra with a hard stare and jerked his head at the door. Swallowing, she backed away, toward the entrance. Jarid started toward her, but Cobalt shook his head, and the Aronsdale king stopped. They all felt it, that Cobalts decision to let Markus live could change any moment, if anyone pushed him.
Cobalt turned back to Markus and looked down at the captive Jazid prince. “How many men have you put in chains, Onyx? How many soldiers have you had whipped? His voice hardened. “How many innocent, vulnerable girls have you shackled for your pleasure?
“You have no right to judge me, Markus said.
“Probably not, Cobalt said. “But the Onyx Throne is mine. Neither you nor your brother will ever sit on it.
“What are you going to do with Ozarson? It was the first time Markuss fear had shown in his voice.
Cobalt pushed his hand through his hair. To Allegras surprise, he said, “I dont know. Maybe take him to the Misted Cliffs and have him brought up there, by people I trust.
“No! Markus yanked on the chains as if he could free himself by sheer force of will.
Cobalt looked at him for a long moment, and something subtle happened to his face. Pain? When he spoke again, he had a gruffer tone. “The boy is fortunate to have people who love him.
With that, the Midnight Emperor strode from the cell.
Allegra tried to go back in to Markus, but a guard held her back. As soon as Jarid left, two guards heaved on the door. It slammed shut with a crash that vibrated through the walls, leaving Markus alone in the dark.
CHAPTER 21
A MAGE OF CONSCIENCE
Allegra sat at the table in the Octagon Room while Cobalt paced. Jarid leaned on the windowsill, his arms crossed. Despite Cobalts demands, the king had refused to leave Allegra alone with the emperor, and she was immensely grateful.
Cobalt finally sat down, several chairs away from her. He stretched his legs out under the table, and they seemed to go on forever. She had never seen a man with such long legs. His height, strength and sheer physical size shrunk the room.
“This marriage of yours, Cobalt said. “Do you want it ended?
Allegra stared down at the table, thinking. What did she want? No easy answers existed. If she was no longer Markuss wife, they would ask her about Aron. He seemed a fine man. The two of them were similar in age, ancestry, culture, possibly even mage ability, if Dawnfield men did actually inherit the gifts bred into their line. It should be an ideal match. But when she tried to think of Aron, she saw Markus. Her match with the prince regent was anything but idealand yet he stirred her heart in a way no man ever had before.
Allegra lifted her head. “No, I dont. She turned to Jarid, feeling like a traitor. “I truly am sorry. She wanted to say so much more, but she couldnt speak of such personal matters in front of Cobalt.
“Why are you telling him youre sorry? Cobalt asked.
“Shes a mage, Jarid said.
Still sprawled in the chair, Cobalt considered him. “And?
“Shes the strongest weve found in her generation of women. Jarids voice cooled. “Except for Mel.
The emperor took a moment to absorb that. Then he raised his eyebrows at Allegra. “You would give up the chance to become an Aronsdale queen so you could remain the wife of an outlaw whose culture diametrically opposes anything you would want or choose?
Allegra stiffened. “I decide what I want and choose.
“Not with a Jazidian prince, Cobalt said.
He had a point. “I cant give you answers I dont have. But Markus and I They what? Allegra hardly knew how to describe the way the two of them struggled with each other. She didnt see how she and Markus could find a life together. She couldnt stay with him in Jazid, especially with Yargazon in their lives. Nor could she imagine Markus living with her in Aronsdale. So where could they live? It was impossible. But she couldnt give up, not yet, for despite all their incompatibilities, Markus reached her as no one else had done. But she couldnt tell all that to Cobalt the Dark. So she said only, “Were trying.
“I suppose thats all any of us can do, Cobalt mused. He spoke thoughtfully. “We have the princess regent of Jazid here in Aronsdale, the Atajazid DAz upstairs and the prince regent in the dungeon. A strange set of affairs.
“What will you do with us? Allegra asked.
“A good question. He tapped his fingers on the table. “By the time we reach Quaaz, your husbands army will probably have been there several days. They may have taken the capital. If that happens, Ill have to fight a war. He glanced at Jarid, then back at Allegra. “Unfortunately Aronsdale and Harsdown may feel compelled to join with Taka Mal against me.
“I havent said that, Jarid said sharply.
Cobalts stare was impassive. “I havent heard otherwise, either.
“Everything seems tangled, Allegra said, going for one of the greater understatements she had ever made.
“The loyalties are confused, Cobalt said. “Aronsdale has a treaty with Taka Mal. They will fight to defend the Topaz Throne. Which would appear to mean, they will fight Jazid. I hold Jazid. So are they fighting against me? But no, this outlaw army isnt mine. The fugitive army wants Taka Mal to increase its strength and defeat my forces. Also because Jazid just damn well wants Taka Mal.
“Jazid is dying, she said. “Its the richest country in the settled lands, and theyre dying. She knew challenging the emperor was dangerous. But Markus had strong reasons for raising his army, reasons connected inextricably with Cobalt. She steeled herself against her fear and regarded him steadily. “Are you helping them?
Cobalt scowled at her. “It is impossible to help people who fight you at every turn. He motioned at Jarid. “Neither Aronsdale nor Harsdown is pleased with my holding Jazid. So maybe they want this outlaw army to conquer Taka Mal and engage my forces. But of course, they cannot stand by while Jazid attacks Taka Mal. So they want to help Taka Mal but fight me. Otherwise, they fear that when the dust settles, I will end up with the Topaz Throne.
Allegra didnt know what to say. It sounded like a mess.
The emperor was watching her closely. “What do you think, Allegra? Should I also hold the Topaz Throne?
She felt as if a band were constricting her chest, cutting off her air. Of course she didnt think he should hold it. If things kept going this way, soon he would rule every country in the settled lands. She could hardly tell him that, though. So instead, she asked, “Could you keep it? To hold so many countries, you need a military you can trust. You can augment your army with those of other countries, but their loyalty wont be as strong, especially in Jazid and Taka Mal. The more places you take, the harder it becomes to keep them all. She took a breath, trying to calm her surging pulse. “Jazid raised an army large enough to threaten Taka Mal. They may take that country. Your forces are spread too thin. If you take Taka Mal, it will just get worse.
“So. He tapped his fingers on the table, and she feared she had gone too far. But he said only, “What do you think of this boy, Ozarson?
“Hes a remarkable young man.
“Brave.
She spoke quietly. “Yes. Very much so.
“And Dusk Yargazon? Cobalts voice hardened.
Allegra didnt want to answer. She had already said too much. But even through her apprehension, she understood the respect Cobalt was giving her, asking for her opinion and listening carefully, especially after the way Markuss people had treated her. She doubted Cobalt would ever sit talking strategy with his advisors while she “slept in the room.
So she steadied herself and gave another understatement. “Yargazon makes me uncomfortable. Hes cruel, hes brutal and hes a sadist. But hes also a brilliant commander. Markus needs him. Her gaze never wavered. “That doesnt mean Markus condones the rest of what he does.