Markus scowled at him. “To stop the war, obviously.
Yargazon regarded him intently, his brow furrowed. Puzzled. His gaze flicked to Allegra, and his already tensed posture stiffened even more. The antipathy in his gaze felt like a blow.
To Markus, the General said, “It is a war you have a good chance of winning.
“At what price? Markus pushed his hand through his hair. “With the betrothal, we achieve our goals without the bloodshed. And with no more mage spells.
A shifting of weight came from around the table while people glanced toward Allegra and Jarid, then looked away quickly, as if they didnt want to be caught staring.
“Achieve what? Yargazon pointed at Cobalt. “He would still have the Onyx Throne. Ozi would still be a fugitive, except he couldnt even live in his own country. It reeks, Markus. It reeks to the goddamned sky.
“Weve already taken part of Taka Mal, Colonel Bladebreak said. His voice hardened as he spoke to Vizarana. “Youre deluded if you think we would relinquish it.
“Wait. Ozarson sounded so boyish compared to the rumbling men. He spoke to Jarid. “My regent and his wife are your prisoners. What would happen to them if I went to Taka Mal?
“Ozi, you cant be considering this, Yargazon said.
“I would have to discuss it with Queen Vizarana, Jarid told the boy.
“If King Jarid allows it, Vizarana said, “we will arrange for them to live with you.
“As hostages? Ozarson asked.
Vizarana met his gaze. “Yes.
“No, Yargazon said. “Its unacceptable. He spoke to Ozarson in a low voice. “Your Majesty, we are so close.
“I know, Ozarson said softly. “I just He took a deep breath and shook his head.
Cobalt pointed at Markus. “If you release this man into Taka Mal custody, my promise to let him live is void. I gave that oath with the assumption he would be held in Aronsdale. Not Taka Mal.
“Will you kill everyone I love, then? Ozarson asked. His face paled, but he didnt back down. “You took everything. My country. My throne. My father. My brothers. My nurse. My mother. His voice cracked. “I have only one person left. Are you going to kill him, too? When youre finished taking everyone and everything Ive ever loved, will you be happy?
Cobalt stared at him. The silence at the table was complete.
The emperor spoke in an unexpectedly gentle voice. “Ive found no joy in your losses.
Ozarson took a breath and turned to Vizarana. “If I can live with my regent and his wife, I will accept the b-betrothal, be your hostage and tell the army not to fight.
“Saints almighty, someone said.
Yargazon put his hand on Ozarsons shoulder. “Ozi, you cant. We will talk of this later.
“No. The boy turned toward Yargazon as if for protection and wiped his palm over his eyes. But he raised his gaze to Cobalt. “Are you going to fight here if my army doesnt?
“No, Cobalt said quietly. “If you withdraw your forces, I will withdraw mine.
Vizarana closed her eyes and her hand tightened on Drummers fingers. Such understated signs of her feelings, but Allegra had no doubt her relief was profound.
“And my regent? Ozarsons gaze was stark as he regarded Cobalt. “Will you kill him if he tries to come to Taka Mal to be with me?
For a long moment, the emperor stared at him. Then Cobalt took a deep breath. “If Prince Markus remains a hostage in Taka Mal with no access to his armed forces, I will not seek his death.
Ozarson nodded, his eyes glossy from unshed tears. He spoke uncertainly to Markus. “We have occupied part of Taka Mal. I dont know how to figure out what will happen with that.
Markus managed a smile. “Well help you.
Allegra wanted so much to reach out to Ozarson. She stayed put, knowing it would embarrass him here in front of all these leaders. His heredity had taken his childhoodbut for today at least, it wouldnt crush him with the weight of ten thousand deaths.
CHAPTER 29
HEART OF TOPAZ
Allegra leaned her forearms on the balcony wall and gazed at the palace gardens awash in the afternoon sunlight. A long stretch of grass sloped down to the lake of Quaaz. Trees draped with vines drooped over the water, and sun-snaps grew in profusion, mixed with skybells. Even this high up, she could smell the heady scent of rosy box-blossoms. Goldwing larks trilled, and butterflies floated in the air. The scene took her breath. Give the desert a little water, and it bloomed gloriously.
Eventually she went back inside the suite where Queen Vizaranas soldiers had brought her after the summit this morning. The empty suite. Other guards had taken Markus to meet with Vizarana, Ozarson, Cobalt, Yargazon, Baz, Jarid, Muller, and who knew how many other officers to discuss what would happen to the villages Markuss army had already conquered. Taka Mal would have to make concessions to Jazid if they wanted this compromise to workwhich ironically meant they would also be making those concessions to Cobalt, who remained the ruler of that country.
Guards outside the suite prevented Allegra from leaving, but they otherwise left her alone. Too agitated to sit, she wandered through the rooms. The walls were like sunrises, painted red near the floor, shading up through gold and yellow, then into blue near the ceiling. Red-glass lamps shaped like dragons hung from the rafters, and parchment-thin screens painted with delicate birds graced the airy rooms.
She was in one of the parlors pouring a glass of orange juice when the outer door of the suite creaked. She walked into the main parlor just as Markus and Ozarson came through the entrance.
“Allegra! Ozarsons face lit in welcome.
Markus spoke in a subdued voice. “Good afternoon.
“Weve come to invite you to the ceremony, Ozarson said.
Curious to know what had happened, she said, “What ceremony?
The boys face turned red. “My marriage.
Markus smiled. “Betrothal.
Ozarson looked as if he wanted to run outside and hide. “Yes. That.
“Its not all that bad, Allegra told him, charmed by his embarrassment. “Someday you might even be glad.
He regarded her skeptically, but said nothing.
Behind them, a Taka Mal guard entered the suite. When Markus turned around, the man bowed to him. “You have a visitor, Sire.
“Who? Markus asked, his posture tensing.
“A General Ardoz, from your army.
“Oh. Yes. Markus cleared his throat. “Bring him in.
As the guard left, Ozarson blinked at Markus. “We just talked to him.
“I know. Markuss face shuttered as he glanced from the boy to Allegra. “Why dont the two of you go change for the ceremony?
“But, Markus, Ozarson said. “I wanted to ask him
“Ozi, you can talk to the general some other time, Allegra said. She didnt know when, given that Ozarson would be here and Ardoz would be somewhere else, but she could tell Markus wanted privacy. “We need to get ready. You dont want to be late to your own betrothal, do you?
“Oh. No, I guess not. The boy didnt look certain about that, but he went with her.
After Allegra left Ozarson in his room, she went to the master bedroom. The maid had left her some clothes, and she changed into a tunic and trousers of brocaded blue silk. Gazing at the bed, she wondered if Markus would ever grow used to sleeping off the ground. She hoped so, for she wanted him to be as content as possible. At least the decor here was a lot like that in Jazid.
She paced around the room and used up more time brushing her hair, but eventually she walked back to the main parlor. When she heard Ardozs voice, she stopped, unsure what to do. She was in an alcove next to the parlor, and a burnished gold mirror on the opposite wall showed Ardoz and Markus standing in the other room. They looked so similar, both strong and broad shouldered, though Ardoz was a bit taller than Markus, with gray in his shock of dark hair and more aquiline features.
“I know, Ardoz was saying, his voice low. “But I waited anyway.