Della walked into the room. “Youve been gone so long.
Allegra sat on a low table, bringing her eyes level with the boys. “Markus will be fine. She struggled with the words, because he obviously hadnt been fine when she left. “They just put him in a big room under the castle.
“I know what a dungeon looks like, Ozarson said. “We had them at the Onyx Palace.
“Hes going to be all right. Allegra prayed to Saint Azure that was true.
“Did they leave a torch for him? When she just kept looking at him, he said, “Did they leave him water? Food? Can he get to the water? Can he move?
“Hes fine, Allegra whispered. How could she tell him the answer to all his questions was no.
“They cant chain him. Ozarsons voice cracked. “He cant stand to be confined. He needs to be out, moving all the time.
She tugged him down next to her. “Markus is strong. Hes probably faced far worse than sitting in some dungeon.
“Do you know how long they will keep him there?
“Until we get back from Taka Mal. She didnt add, If we do.
Dismay filled his face. “That could be a long time!
Allegra put her hands on his shoulder. “Ozi, listen. Hes safer in that dungeon than going into battle.
Ozarson looked away, biting his lip.
Della came over and sat in an armchair next to him. “Your brother is a strong, brave man. He will get through this.
“They wont let me see him, Ozarson said. “I asked the guards to take me, but they told me the emperor says I must stay here.
“I think he wants to separate you from Markus, Allegra said.
“You must go see Cobalt. Ozarsons voice cracked. “Talk to him. Please.
Allegras heart ached. How many times had he pleaded for the lives of people he loved? He had lost his father, three brothers, his mother, his nurse. Now the biggest constant in his life, the man who had been more like a father to him than his sire, sat chained in a cell, imprisoned by the same warlord who had brought such destruction into this childs life.
Damn Cobalt Escar. Allegra took a breath. “I cant promise anything. But I will see what I can do.
Della looked at her sharply. “You cant naysay the emperor.
“I wont. Allegra felt queasy. It had been a long day, and night was settling over the hills. She didnt know if she had the reserves to face Cobalt again. But she couldnt stand here with Ozarson looking at her this way and not at least try.
The boy inclined his head. “Thank you. His voice quavered.
She smiled wanly. “Dont thank me. It may come to nothing.
Then she left, to challenge an emperor.
Two guards stood posted outside the suite, both with blue and white surcoats bearing the Chamberlight sphere. She didnt understand how a man called The Dark could rule a House called Chamberlight.
The guards bowed, rather than kneeling to her as they had done before. Apparently people knelt when first introduced to a sovereign, but they didnt keep doing it during a single visit or if they lived with the person. After that, they bowed. It seemed that practice extended to consorts, as well.
“May we assist you, Your Highness? one of the guards asked, a husky man about half a hand span taller than her.
Allegra steeled herself. “I would like to see the emperor.
The two guards exchanged glances and looked uncomfortable.
“If he says no, she added, “Ill leave immediately.
“He may not want his evening disturbed, one guard said.
She suspected they didnt want to be the ones to disturb it. “Ill tell him it was my idea to speak with him. Only mine.
“You neednt, he said gruffly. “I wouldnt ask you to be bringing his anger on yourself.
“I wont. Softly she said, “Please.
The guard looked at the other man. Allegra didnt know what communication passed between them, but the first man finally nodded to her. “All right, then. He stepped aside so Allegra could leave the suite. “Well go.
A long table stretched the length of the darkened hall. Most of the room lay in shadow. Halfway down, a window extended from the floor to the ceiling and let starlight pour across the floor. Cobalt sat at the end of the table closest to the door. An oil lamp shaped like a falcon sat near him, shedding light across his work as he studied a map of the desert. A pair of wire-rimmed spectacles sat by the lamp.
The guards took Allegra through the door behind Cobalt, but when one of them started forward, Allegra caught his arm. She had to do this herself. He paused, then let her go on alone.
She walked through the shadows, her heart beating hard. Just as she was about to speak, Cobalt looked up with a start.
“Ah. He smiled. “Im glad you came down.
Allegra stopped, bewildered. He had known she was coming? And he was glad? Just as surprising, this monster of darkness had a quite attractive smile.
“Is the boy settled all right? Cobalt asked.
All right didnt remotely describe how Ozarson felt. But she said only, “Yes, hes fine.
“Good. I didnt want to disturb him. Cobalt dropped his head against the high back of his chair and rubbed his eyes.
Disturb him? Confused, Allegra stayed put, waiting to see what he would do. He pushed back his chair, then got up and walked down the hall. He stopped at the window and leaned his arm on it above his head while he stared out at the night.
“Its so hard to believe Markus Onyx survived, he said.
“It is?
“I was certain he died. Cobalt swore under his breath. “I should have him killed, damn it.
She froze, terrified to say the wrong thing. “You gave your word.
“And I will keep it. Then he said, “When I look at that boy, I see myself almost thirty years ago. And in thirty more years? Will he be the one sweeping across these lands, seeking the death of our son? I was a fool to let him live. But I couldnt He shook his head. “I had the chance to kill him. That night, when we caught him above the gorge, I could have done it. I had my sword above his head, ready to bring down. Just one more second. But I couldnt. He stared at me with those terrified eyes, so brave and defiant. Gods, Mel, he was only seven. He turned to her. “I couldnt kill him.
Saint Azure. Without his glasses, and with her in the shadows, he thought she was his wife. She stammered, “Sire. Im s-sorry. I believe you have mistaken me for someone else.
“What? He beckoned to her. “Come closer. Let me see.
Allegra walked forward until she stood before him. Cobalt stared at her, shadows and silvered light on his face. Then he swore under his breath. “It seems I cannot help but earn my damn name.
“Escar? Her voice trembled.
“No. He grimaced. “The Dark. The idiot who tells a mans wife he should kill her husband and the child she loves.
“Sire, please. Let me see my husband.
“Im sorry. But no.
“What would it harm? She willed him to change his mind. “I only want to offer a little comfort.
“Hes in a dungeon, Cobalt said. “You dont comfort people in dungeons.
“He gets claustrophobia. Its hard for him to stay still, especially inside buildings instead of tents where hes closer to the land. He has a war injury. He cant lift his arm above his head. Her voice cracked. “Sire, at least let me give him water.
He shook his head. “No.
Remembering what Ozi had told her about the Onyx Palace, she said, “Ozar Onyx kept dungeons. You are not such a man as he. She hoped her words were true.
“Youre right, Cobalt said quietly. “Im not. But his son stays in the cell.
Of course, she thought. You and Markus want the same thing: the Onyx Throne. Her anger sparked. “Always you men must fight and conquer. Take. Kill. All for thrones named after damned rocks.
“Ah, well. I suppose. His voice gentled. “Allegra, I bear you no ill will. You were thrown into a terrible situation. But reality wont disappear because a beautiful girl with golden hair and a grace of spirit softens the heart of an evil man.
She wondered who he was talking about, Markusor himself. “I dont claim Markus is a paragon. But he isnt evil. Can he be cruel? Its within him, yes. He lives according to the ways of a harsh, brutal land. As a boy, as a youth, the two men he had to pattern himself after were his father and Dusk Yargazon. Yes, that affected him. Yet despite all that, he has retained a goodness of heart.