Then she spit in his face.
Markus jumped upand every man around them lifted his sword. Cobalt drew his with an uncanny speed, faster than anyone else, though he was the largest man by far, the heaviest, and Allegra would have thought the least agile. Before Markus was upright, Cobalt had the tip of his sword at the prince regents throat.
“Sit, the emperor said.
Markus stared at the sword, the tip of which just touched his neck. Then he sat slowly, with care, as Cobalt lowered his sword.
The woman turned her blazing gaze on Ozarson. Her husky voice simmered with fury. “You will never sit on my throne.
The boy stared as if he were seeing a goddess. He didnt seem to know whether to be terrified or in awe. If Allegra hadnt known better, she would have thought he had just fallen in love.
Queen Vizarana took a deep breath. Then she spun around and stalked to the other side of the tent. After a moment, she turned and came back. Fury still seethed in her gaze, but she had it more in control.
She considered Allegra. “Youre the mage?
“Yes. Allegra barely controlled her stammer. She didnt know what she had expected from the queen of Taka Mal, but she hadnt been ready for this force of nature. The child who had cried in the back of the tent must be her heir.
Markus looked around the tent, his forehead furrowed. “Is your consort here?
“No. Vizaranas voice turned harsh. “Most of him is in the camp of your army, Markus Onyx. She said his name as if it were a curse.
Allegras palms felt clammy. “Most of him?
Cobalt motioned to one of his officers. The man came forward with a scroll and an ivory box tiled in gold and onyx. Cobalt took both and handed them to Markus. “Look.
When Allegra saw Markuss expression, her unease grew. He knew or at least suspected what that box heldand he dreaded it. She wanted to look away as he opened the container, but she made herself watch. The interior was padded and lined with black silk.
A mans bloodied large toe lay on the silk.
Ozarsons face paled. “Markus? He looked up at his brother as if willing him to say this was a mistake.
Face drawn, Markus closed the box and carefully set it on his knee. Then he untied the scroll. As he unrolled it, Cobalt spoke. “Read it aloud. Let the boy hear what his generals do in his name.
Markus read in a flat voice. “To His Imperial Majesty, Cobalt Escar. The screams of your kinsman are most satisfying. If Queen Vizarana reaches the Aronsdale king before we catch her, show her the toe. She will recognize it by the birthmark. Assure her that I intend to send all of her consort back to her. Whether or not he arrives piece by piece depends on you. Send me Allegra, and I will stop cutting Drummer apart. Send Ozarson and I will stop interrogating Drummer. Send Markus, Ozarson and Allegra, and I will return Drummer. Each day you delay, I will cut another piece off Vizaranas pretty consort and send it to you. Dusk Yargazon, General of the Army.
“Gods, Allegra said. “He cant mean it.
Markus looked ill. “We never planned this.
“He cant! Ozarson spoke frantically to Cobalt. “Give me a parchment and pen. Ill write to him. Command him to stop.
Cobalt stared at the boy, his face impassive. “And he will say we coerced you. He shifted his dark gaze to Markus. “You claim this wasnt part of your plan. You expect me to believe you never intended to take Drummer hostage?
“A hostage, yes, Markus said. “But not like this.
“It makes no sense, Allegra said. “What can he hope to gain?
“I should think its obvious, Vizarana said coldly. “Your husband. You. She turned her fiery gaze on Ozarson. “This child who mistakenly believes he can usurp my throne.
“But it will antagonize Drummers kin, Allegra said. “Even if you get Drummer back, this will only make Aronsdale and Harsdown more likely to join Cobalt. Which works against the Jazid army.
Cobalt glanced at Jarid and Muller. “It is a conundrum, yes? Avenge Drummerand give me the Topaz Throne.
“You will not have it, Vizarana told him calmly.
Cobalt turned his formidable stare on her. “If I rescue your consort and take back Quaaz, I keep the throne.
Vizarana crossed her arms. “Youve done neither. She scowled at him. “My army isnt defeated. After we bring down this force that came sweeping out of Jazid, maybe I should take your throne.
“That would prove interesting, Cobalt said dryly.
Allegra suspected “interesting was far too mild a word for a challenge between Vizarana and Cobalt. She spoke with deference to the queen. “You escaped the Jazid army?
Vizarana lowered her arms. “We received King Jarids warning in time. We almost made it out before Yargazons men stormed the city walls. When they breached the palace, Drummer misled them long enough for Ginger, my daughter, and me to get out.
“Ginger? Markus asked. “You mean the fire girl?
Cobalt jerked his chin toward the curtained area at the back of the tent. “Shes with the queens child. She wont come out here. Shes a Dragon-Sun priestess.
Muller came to stand with Cobalt. “Would it be so wrong to let Allegra go back? If Yargazon keeps his word, Drummer might survive longer.
“No! Markus said. “You cant send her back without me.
Vizarana stared at him, incredulous. “You would let him torture my husband just so you can be with your wife?
“If he gets Allegra, Markus said grimly, “shes the one hell torture.
Ozarsons voice cracked. “I wont have this done in my name.
“Its you that Yargazon wants, Muller said to Ozarson.
“Im not so sure. Cobalt narrowed his gaze at Markus. “This is as much about you. Yargazon wants to control you, doesnt he? But its harder than he expected. He motioned toward Allegra and Ozarson. “Maybe you arent so much your fathers son after all. Otherwise, this remarkable woman would never have stood by you, nor would this boy love you as he does. He rubbed his chin, his expression thoughtful. “You went to Aronsdale without Yargazons support. You act as your own man even when he forbids it, eh? He cant control you, and if he cant control you, hell never control the throne.
Markus met his gaze. “Im no ones puppet.
“I still dont understand, Allegra said. “Even if his threats convince you to trade all three of us back, it works against him because it pushes Aronsdale and Harsdown into allying with you.
Vizarana snorted. “If he acted like a civilized human being, what motivation would Cobalt have to trade three people for one?
“They arent Cobalts damn hostages, Jarid said. He was sitting on the chest, one leg bent, with his elbow resting on his knee. “Theyre in my custody. The scar on his neck darkened in the torchlight.
“Either way, Cobalt said, “we have three people he wants and he has one that we want.
“Oh, Ozarson suddenly said. “No, thats not why he sent his ultimatum this way.
Cobalt looked down at the boy. “You know otherwise?
“Dont you see? Ozarson said. “Its obvious.
“Ozi, Markus began. He sounded worn-out.
“Let him talk, Allegra said.
“Look around, Ozarson told them. “At everyone.
Cobalt glanced around, then turned back to the boy. “I see many grim-faced soldiers waiting for you to get to the point.
“Youre here, Ozarson said. “The Dawnstar emperor. He indicated Vizarana shyly. “The queen of Taka Mal. He glanced at Jarid. “The king of Aronsdale. Then he nodded at Muller. “The king of Harsdown. And me. Thats almost every ruler in the settled lands, fugitive or not. King Jarids men went in to get Queen Vizarana and her family. I know how General Yargazon thinks. He doesnt care about codes of war. He probably had spies looking to follow
“Gods almighty. Cobalt swung around. “Everyone out of here! He grabbed Markuss arm and hauled him to his feet, then literally threw him toward the grizzled captain. “Split up the three of them. The only reason Yargazons men havent moved yet is because these three are in the tent. They needed to find out where we had them, so they waited until we brought them here. Now they know.