“Basil, Im sorry. Markus lifted his arm as if to touch him, then dropped it again.
“Dont be sorry, Ardoz said. “I always knew it wasnt your preference. He gave Markus a rueful look. “It was just so hard to think straight, ever since the first time I saw you, so strong and proud. He just barely touched one of Markuss curls. “And who has hair like this? I could have brushed it for hours.
Markus laughed self-consciously. “I did like that.
“I know. Ardoz lowered his arm. “But not enough.
Markus spoke quietly. “I dont want you to thinkIt wasnt only because I was lonely. Gods know, Basil, sometimes I thought the loneliness would kill me. But I would have nevernot with anyone else. He stopped, his discomfort obvious. But he didnt step back. “Be well. May you always have the best.
Ardoz grinned at him. “I already have.
Incredibly Markus blushed. “For gods sake.
Ardozs face gentled. “Goodbye, Mark.
Markus touched Ardozs face, the slightest brush across his cheek. “Goodbye.
The general left then. Allegra thought she would have been shocked, but she felt only regret at stumbling onto their farewells. She withdrew down the hall, leaving Markus his privacy.
Allegra walked with Ozarson and Markus into the entrance foyer of their suite. Ozarson looked serious in his formal black clothes, and Markus seemed more subdued than usual. She didnt ask about Ardoz. If he ever wanted to talk about it, she would listen, but if not, she would respect his silence.
Ozarson opened the outer door and looked up at the guards. The four soldiers bowed to him, then moved aside and accompanied them down the gleaming topaz corridor. The wall sconces held frosted glass lamps with ruby accents, their flames flickering.
Walking through the palace felt odd to Allegra, for despite its opulence, it was a prison. For Markus, these golden rooms would be as confining as a cage. He might never again ride with his people, sleep under the stars or see the mountains and deserts of the home he loved. She wondered if she could ever fully appreciate the magnitude of what he had given up to make this alliance work.
“Thank you, she said.
Markus smiled at her. “For what?
“Everything. She watched Ozarson walking ahead of them. “I know you didnt want this.
“Ah, well. He spoke awkwardly. “It could have been worse.
“What did you all decide about Taka Mal?
“The queen ceded a portion of the land we took, Markus said. “The Saint Verdant River now defines Taka Mals southern border with Jazid. That area isnt heavily populated by Taka Mal standards, only about two hundred thousand people. The people can leave, if they want, and relocate in Taka Mal territory. But if we can convince a substantial number of them to stay, it will greatly increase Jazids population.
“What about your army? She couldnt imagine Cobalt letting four thousand men go free.
His eyes glinted. “Its a hell of a fighting force.
“I know, she said dryly. “I doubt Cobalt or Queen Vizarana appreciates that, though.
“Thats why theyre letting the men settle the land Taka Mal ceded to us, so theyll stop fighting. About two thousand want to stay. Its what they had planned to do if we took the country. Ill be expected to help integrate the Jazid citizens with the Taka Mal population. He cracked his knuckles restlessly. “I doubt Ill be able to travel. But the queen has asked me to act as an advisor for the blending of the two cultures in my capacity as Ozarsons regent. Wryly he said, “No life of ease. I have to work for my keep.
She suspected he far more preferred that to doing nothing. “And the rest of the army?
His satisfaction vanished. “Cobalt gets them. In return, he wont execute them.
“ Two thousand Jazid men?
“Yes. His gaze darkened. Even a tenday ago, she couldnt have deciphered the expression, but she knew now exactly what it meant. He was furious.
“You cant be serious, she said.
“Its the Jazid army, he answered curtly. “He rules Jazid.
“Doesnt he have to put the deserters on trial?
“Technically, since theyre still in his army, they arent deserters. The lines around his mouth creased with his displeasure. “But damn it, Dusk didnt train them for Cobalt.
“What about Yargazon? Just saying his name made her queasy.
Markus didnt answer. Instead he watched Ozarson up ahead of them. The boy was looking around with undisguised appreciation at the gilded walls and their mosaics. “Ozi has never lived anywhere like this. The Onyx Palace is starker, and he spent the last two years with the army.
She didnt let him evade the question. “And Yargazon?
“You wont like it.
“Cobalt is letting him live?
“Yes. He spoke evenly. “It was my condition for giving up those two thousand soldiers.
Allegra wanted to hit him. But she held it in. Markus had given up more than she had ever expected in that moment he had asked Ozarson to consider the queens offer. She hadnt believed he would ever repudiate Yargazon, yet incredibly, he had done it. He had given up his kingdom and his army because Allegra had asked him to do it. She was still reeling with that knowledge.
“What will they do with Yargazon? she asked.
“Hes going to retire. Markus even said it with a straight face. “Under guard, of course, to make sure he complies with the terms of this new treaty. Hell return to his home in Jazid.
Allegra snorted. “And Im sure Cobalt believes him. It didnt surprise her that the emperor demanded an entire army in return for Yargazons life, given that the General would undoubtedly start trying to outwit his “retirement as soon as he was back in Jazid. “So he wins again.
Markus shook his head. “In Dusks view, hes lost everything that ever mattered to him. He wanted to fight. He thought we could defeat Cobalt. He may be right. But the cost was too high. After a moment, he said, “Its more than the war, Allegra. Ozi and I were the closest he had to a family. He touched her hair. “And he wanted you. It obsessed him. I dont know why, for he genuinely believes you sought to ruin his relationship with Ozi and me and our plans for Taka Mal. The way he sees it, you won by corrupting me and destroying Ozis future. You have everything Dusk wants.
It was an outlook so different from her own, she didnt know what to do with it. “Do you see me that way?
“Gods, no! He gave her a wry smile. “You make me think. Which is good. I may not like it, but thats my problem, not yours.
She exhaled, relieved. “Yargazon wasnt actually the one I meant, though. Its Cobalt. He always comes out ahead, stronger, more powerful. Now he has more land and a bigger army.
Markus lifted his chin. “For now.
For now. With this alliance between Taka Mal and Jazid, saints only knew what would happen. Ultimately Taka Mal and Jazid would become one, in spirit if not in who actually claimed the throneand when that happened, she wondered if even the emperor could stand against their fierce soul.
“Did King Jarid agree to let you live here? she asked.
“As a prisoner, yes. He winced. “Better than his dungeon.
“How does it work? Do wedo we have to live in cells?
“Dragons breath, Allegra. Of course not. He motioned to Ozarson. “He and I will stay in the suite we have now. Well always have guards, and we cant leave the palace without an armed escort. But its more like were guests than hostages.
“You and Ozarson? Not me?
“You are free to leave. If you want. Awkwardly he added, “Or to stay. If you want.
To leave. Or to stay. “Markuswould you have considered the queens proposal if I hadnt asked you to do it?
“No, I dont think so. He took a breath. “You see the world in ways I find difficult. But if you will stay with me, Ill try to understand.
Allegra thought of everything he had given up for her, and she didnt really need to debate her answer.
“Ill stay, she said.
His face relaxed. He took her hand as they walked together.