“Markus? she asked. “Are you all right?
His expression softened as he came over and dropped down next to her. “It was a long ride. He showed her his wrists, which were bruised from the manacles. “Not so comfortable.
Allegra took his hands and pressed her lips against his skin. “They shouldnt restrain you. She couldnt imagine going all day with only her legs to control a horse. “Did you see Ozarson?
“They let me tell him good-night. He put his arm around her shoulders and drew her close. “Hes all right, I think. Tired. It upset him that they wouldnt let him come with me.
Allegra could tell it hadnt only upset Ozarson. “Do you know where he is?
“Not too far. A few tents over.
Relief trickled over her. She would have rather he stayed with them, but at least he was close.
Markus lay on the pallet behind her, on his back. “Sing to me, night bird, he said wearily. “Sing your magic.
She turned toward him, sitting on her hip, her weight on one hand. He had closed his eyes, but his body remained tense.
“I can sing, but I wont be able to make a spell, Allegra said. “That guard captain took my shapes.
His eyes snapped open. “Did he hurt you?
“Im fine. He didnt do anything except growl.
Markus threw his arm over his eyes. “This is a nightmare.
“Why do you say that? The ride was unpleasant, certainly, but compared to the dungeon, it seemed like a gift.
“Well reach Quaaz in a few days, Markus said. “My army will also be there. Even if theyve taken the capital, Yargazon wont be ready for Cobalt. He rubbed the heels of his hands in his eyes. “I hadnt expected the emperor to raise this many troops so fast. Especially not from Harsdown.
“He may not have, Allegra said. “No one knows if Harsdown or Aronsdale will fight for him.
Markus looked at her. “Did Jarid tell you anything?
“Not a thing. She smiled slightly. “I believe his exact words were, If I wouldnt answer that for Cobalt, I certainly wont tell the wife of the man whose army were going to fight.
Markus rested his arm over his eyes again. “The dragon only knows what Yargazon will do when he learns Cobalt has both Ozi and me as hostages.
“Do you think he will trade?
He spoke uneasily. “After the way we argued before we split up in Jazid, Ive been wondering.
“Hes doing this for Ozi. Surely he must have wanted you to explore every possible avenue to find him.
“Yes. He does. But he was angry that I defied him. Tiredly he said, “Hell negotiate for you and Ozi. I dont know if he will for me.
Allegra wondered how he could be so intelligent and miss the obvious. “He will. Believe me. He was angry because he doesnt want you hurt, Markus. He sees you as a son. With a grimace, she added, “I hope he doesnt negotiate for me.
He pulled his arm down so he could look at her. “He will.
She shifted uncomfortably. “Hes that angry?
Markus pushed up on his elbows. “He was in those chains for sixteen hours. He demands sixteen hours with you in recompense, to apply whatever punishment he deems appropriate.
The blood drained from her face. “Markus!
“Dont look at me like that, kitten, he murmured. Sitting up, he shifted position so he could put his legs around her body. Then he pulled her into his arms. “I wont let him touch you. He spoke grimly. “But if he takes Quaaz before your kings warning reaches the royal family, he will execute the queen and her heir.
“How can he be so cold? Allegra asked. “Were talking about the murder of a mother and her two-year-old child.
“Of course he should let them live, Markus said bitterly. “Every conflict fought since Cobalt went on this rampage of his has been the result of heirs left to live when someone should have killed them.
“It has to stop somewhere. She gave him a good, long look. “Cobalt let you live.
He bent his head over hers, cradling her in his arms. “Ive no wish for Vizarana or her baby to die. But what do you expect in wartime? That well all get together for a tea party?
What an image. She smiled wryly. “You and Cobalt, with tea and scones.
“That would be a sight. He let out a breath. “King Jarid swore, in his treaty with Taka Mal, to defend the Topaz Throne. If Yargazon takes the throne for Ozi, then what? Jarid has sworn asylum to Ozi, of all the bizarre developments. If Ozi becomes king of Taka Mal, what will Jarid do?
“His treaty is to defend the royal family of Taka Mal, Allegra said. “Thats not exactly the same as defending the throne.
“Well, no. But if Yargazon kills the queen of Taka Mal, will your king attack my army? If he does, Harsdown may follow. Then they would be supporting Cobalt. The Taka Mal army would probably stop fighting my army and join us, because they would rather have Ozi on their throne than Cobalt. And here is Jarid, sworn both to protect Ozi and fight for Taka Mal. What does he do? His breath stirred her hair. “If Cobalt ends up with both the Onyx and Topaz thrones, hell control every country in the settled lands except Aronsdale. Jarid knows that. He would be mad to fight for Cobalt. But if he fights against him, he will be fighting against the empresswho is his kin. His House will be going to war with itself. The dragon only knows what would happen.
“Youre right, she said, subdued. “Its a mess.
He tangled his hand in her hair. “We have too many rulers and too few thrones. Some of us will die.
“The solution is easy. She laid her head against his shoulder. “Cobalt should give the Onyx Throne back to Ozi.
He gave a strained laugh. “So he should.
Allegra sighed. “It would be so much easier to hate Cobalt if he were a monster. But hes not.
Markus put his hand under her chin and tilted up her face so she was looking at him. “What power do you mages have? What do you doyou, the empress, this man Drummer, that fire opal girl? How do you quench the fires in those of us with violent hearts?
“I cant do anything.
He kissed her. “You do more than you know.
She hesitated. “Fire opal girl? Who is that?
“Ginger-Sun. She was the girl who escaped Yargazon after he put her on the rack. Shes the consort of Baz Quaazera, the cousin of Queen Vizarana. He commands the queens army. After a moment, he said, “Ginger-Sun is the reason Yargazon wanted an Aronsdale girl with fiery hair. Hers was like that.
“And shes a mage?
“Apparently. She escaped Yargazons camp by starting fires. The men think she used spells.
“Its possible. Small flames were simple to do. Allegra had lit a candle as her first spell. But escaping an armed camp would require a far more powerful blaze. “It wouldnt be easy.
A smile ghosted on his lips. “Maybe she used this mysterious kindle-powder Yargazons spies say Taka Mal isnt inventing.
“How can they be not inventing it?
“Well, I dont know. Supposedly theyve tried, but it doesnt work. He eased her down on the pallet, on her back. Mischief flashed in his gaze. “Kindle my fires, night bird.
She put her arms around his neck. “Youve already teased me with water. During their interlude in the pool this morning, she had felt as if he had played her to a crescendo and then left her alone before the music finished.
He kissed her while he slid his hand under her tunic and over her breasts. Her nipples hardened when he rolled them between his fingers, and her body responded with a surge of desire. But when she pulled his shirt out of his trousers, he caught her hand.
“Not here, he said. “Not in the middle of a war camp.
“I want to see you. Her breath was quickening. “ Feel you.
He finally let her take off his shirt. When he sank between her legs, the rough cloth of his trousers scraped sensually against her inner thighs. The muscles of his chest shifted against her skin, the wiry hair brushing her erect nipples. As his passion built, she felt like a leaf caught in a whirlpool. He needed no miradella to make her want him; he was his most potent aphrodisiac. When he lost control, she let go, as well, and drowned in the sensations that shuddered through her body.