The Night Bird

CHAPTER 22 THE LONG ROOM

Two guards escorted Allegra to her suite. Ozarson came running out of his bedroom as soon as she entered the main parlor.

“Is Markus all right? the boy asked anxiously. “Did they hurt him?

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.

“Hes fortunate to have someone like you to see him that way. He rubbed the small of his back tiredly. “I have a great deal more work to do this night.

“Of course, Sire. Allegra bowed, struggling to contain her disappointment. “Please accept my apologies for disturbing you.

Then her guards took her back to her suite.

That night, she held Ozarson while he cried, for he believed he would never again see Markus. After he fell asleep, exhausted, she tucked him into bed and went to her room. She created a spell, singing of comfort as she reached out to the man under the castle. But she had too little strength to find him, and in the end she collapsed into a fitful sleep.

Allegra awoke sprawled across the bed, fully dressed. She stared at the canopy overhead until her mind caught up with her waking. So much had happened in so few days.

From the soft light coming through the window and the trill of birds, she thought it was dawn. She pulled herself from the bed, tired but unable to rest. She should check on Ozarson, who hadnt slept enough since they had left Jazid.

Allegra bathed and changed into a blue tunic and leggings. When she walked into the main parlor, she found a circle-maid setting out a gold tray bearing china dishes heaped with sweet rolls, honey, jams, hard-boiled eggs and slices of meat. The aroma of chocolate wafted on the air.

The maid bowed. “My greetings of the morning, maam.

“Thank you, Allegra said. It felt strange having people wait on her. At home, everyone pitched in with chores.

Ozarson wandered into the room, rubbing his eyes. In his borrowed sleep trousers and shirt, with his curls mussed up, he looked even younger than nine.

“My greet Allegra broke off as doors banged open at the front of the suite. Boots thudded in the entrance foyer.

Ozarson turned to her with a jerk. “What is it?

Allegra moved to stand with him. “I dont know.

A knot of warriors strode into the room, all in armor and mail, their breastplates emblazoned with the Chamberlight sphere. The circle-maid slipped around them and ran out the door. A grizzled captain and another soldier at the front were gripping the arms of a prisoner with his hands manacled in front of his body and connected by one chain linka man with curly black hair and dark circles under his eyes.

When the captain shoved Markus forward, the prince staggered and fell to his knees a few paces from Allegra and Ozarson. She started toward himthen froze as another man strode forward.

Cobalt.

The emperor wore full armor and heavy boots. He held a black helmet shaped like the head of a jaguar under one arm. The sword strapped across his back was longer than any Allegra had ever seen, and its gigantic hilt stuck up over his shoulder. He filled the room with his power, like a conqueror who could shred the entire building simply by the force of his will.

He spoke to Allegra. “You have half an hour. Then we leave for Taka Mal. He threw a key to her, and she barely caught it. “That unlocks his manacles. You can clean him up, whatever you want. Hell come with us as a hostage. But if hes not ready to leave in thirty minutes, he stays here in the dungeon.

With that, he spun around and left the room, accompanied by his men, their boots resounding on the floor.

Stunned, Allegra dropped next to Markus. As he lifted his head, Ozarson fell to his knees and threw his arms around his brother. “Youre here!

Markus managed a smile. “It seems so. He tried to reach out to Ozarson, but he couldnt manage it with his hands manacled.

Allegra wrestled with his shackles until the key clicked in their locks. When they fell open, Markus grunted with relief. They clattered on the floor, black and ugly, freeing his lacerated wrists. He grabbed his left shoulder, his arm shaking, and clenched the spot where his muscles had gnarled yesterday.

“Here. She moved behind him and massaged his shoulder. It felt terrible, knotted and spasmed in many places.

“Ah, gods, he groaned. “Yes, do that. As the knots eased, he said, “I was afraid Id lose the use of my arm.

“Why did Cobalt let you out? Allegra asked.

“I have no idea.

“Allegra talked to him last night, Ozarson said.

She winced. “I didnt think I helped at all.

“Whatever you did, Markus said, “Im eternally grateful.

“You have to get ready! Ozarson said. “We cant let them put you back down there.

Markus tried to climb to his feet. His legs buckled, and with a grunt, he collapsed to the floor.

“Here. Allegra put one arm around his waist, and Ozarson did the same on his other side. Together, they helped him stand.

“The water in the bathing pool is warm, Allegra said. “You can soak there. It will relax your muscles.

“Yes. His gaze raked over her, and she was beginning to understand him, at least enough to know that what he needed had nothing to do with water.

Allegra spoke to Ozarson as they helped Markus limp to the bedroom. “Can you get our things ready?

“Ill get everything I can, the boy said. “But we dont have travel packs.

“Theyll give us what we need. She wasnt sure of that, but she had no intention of wasting time searching for anything.

At the bedroom entrance, Markus grasped the lintel of the archway. “I can walk now, he told Ozarson. “You go get ready.

The boy glanced uncertainly at Allegra.

“Its all right, she said.

“She helped you, Ozarson told Markus, his expression worried.

Markus smiled and tousled his hair. “I know that.

Mollified, Ozarson headed back to his room. Allegra helped Markus into the bedroom and closed the door.

“I hate this place, Markus muttered. “All doors and walls. Its suffocating.

“Come to the bathing room, she said. “Its more open.

The small pool was steaming with heated water. Water mosaics tiled the walls, and a high window let in early morning light. It had no furniture, which might remind him of home.

“Gods, he murmured, staring at the bath. “So much water.

Allegra blinked. She had always taken water for granted. Maybe in Jazid it was worth more even than the gems they mined.

“Do you want help? she asked, suddenly shy.

He touched her cheek. “Are you all right?

“Well, yes, she said, puzzled. She wasnt the one who had spent a day locked in a pitch-black, suffocating cell.

“Then, yes, he said. “Stay. He didnt ask what she had meant by help; he just grasped her tunic and pulled it up. As she helped him take it off, his palm scraped her breast. He rubbed his hand over her nipple and let out a breath as if an emotional spasm were easing within him much as his shoulder had loosened. When he dropped her tunic by the pool, she instinctively folded her arms over her breasts.

“Dont do that, night bird, he said softly. “Youre beautiful.

Self-conscious, but aware of their limited time, she tugged down her leggings. He put his arm around her waist and lifted her against him, her front against his side, and slid her clothes off faster. She closed her eyes, trying to relax as she put her arms around his neck. Kneeling by the pool, he set her in the shallow end where the side sloped back so a bather could lie down. The water came to her shoulders and rippled against her skin. He undressed quickly, leaving his grimy clothes by the pool. As he slid into the water, he pulled Allegra into his arms so they were lying on their sides on the sloped surface, most of their bodies in the water. He didnt speak, he just held her with his head against her hair.

“Its all right, she murmured. “Its over.

“For now. His hands moved over her, touching. She slid her hand shyly across the muscled ridges of his abdomen.

“You should have stayed with me in Jazid, he said. “Then we wouldnt be Cobalts prisoners.

“Ah, Markus, she said. “Why is it all right for you to hold me prisoner but not for him to hold us?

“Its not the same. You took Ozarson. He caressed her breasts, waist, hips, thighs. “Cobalt may still execute me. I would never have done anything like that to you.

“He swore he wouldnt.

“Because you intervened on my behalf. He drew back to look at her. “Why? You despise me.

“I dont want you to be hurt!

He spoke wryly. “I thought I was a pig.

“Youre a man. A complicated, violent man. Markus, I dont despise you. Not at all. She hit her palm against his chest. “But you took my freedom. I cant fight every law in Jazid. Its always about you, what you want, where you go, touching me, lying with me, dressing me, using me for your pleasure without thinking how I feel.

“Thats not true. He cupped his hand around her cheek. “ Always I think of you. Its making me insane. He pulled her close and spoke against her ear. “I dont want this weakness, but I cant stop feeling it any more than I can stop needing to eat or drink. Looking at you, touching you, lying with youits pleasure, yes, but more than that. ItsI dont know. Like Im dying for water in the Fractured Desert, and youre the Saint Verdant River. If you dont let me have you, Ill die of thirst.

Flustered, she said, “Youre lying in a pool of water.

“Ach! Youre impossible. Sliding his hand behind her head, he kissed her deeply. “I need you now, he growled. “Or you will have a lunatic in this pool of water.

Her voice softened. “Then have me now.

It was all he needed. He rolled her onto her back and shifted his weight so he was on top of her, his hips settling between her thighs. The power in his muscular body seemed barely contained. He caressed her, his hands strong and sure. When he entered her, he pressed his lips and teeth against her neck. She let go to the sensations of his strong body against hers. The water was silken on her skin, and it surged while he made love to her. She was in the center of a storm borne of his anger, fear and pain, but it wasnt directed against her; she was the vessel that contained it. The force of his passion could have been overwhelming, but knowing he wanted her that much excited her, kept her holding him, her arms around his solid waist, her breasts against his chest with its thick, curling hair.

His rhythm increased, becoming more demanding, more urgent. The muscles in his body went rigid, and he groaned, pressing down on her, straining, his hips jerking. They slid down the sloped side until he was kissing her with their lips just at the water.

Markus exhaled with a gasp, stirring the water, and his body finally relaxed. As his weight settled, he eased her back up the side, enough so her nose didnt go underwater. Then he laid his head next to hers on the slope and was still. Allegra closed her eyes, her own body still unsettled. He lay next to her, breathing deeply.

Too deeply, in fact.

“Markus. She nudged his shoulders. “Dont go to sleep.

With a sigh, he lifted his head. A satiated look had replaced his intensity. He brushed his lips across hers, gently this time. “You sing to me even when your voice is silent, night bird.

“If Im a bird, you must have such a name, too. When his look turned wary, she smiled. “But not the pig.

“My mother says I smell like a goat, he offered.

She laughed softly. “Not that, either. A lion.

He kissed her, his lips lingering as he slid his hand between her thighs. It aroused her even more, and she wasnt sure what she wanted him to do, only that she didnt want him to stop. She tilted her hips up and pushed against his palm.

He rubbed her in slow circles. “I wish we could stay here.

She agreed. But she said, “We cantbe late.

His finger slipped inside her, tantalizing. “Later, hmm?

Oh, yes. Later, definitely. She nodded, knowing they had to hurry, but she felt restless and flushed, wanting him.

Markus slid into the water and ruffled his hands through his hair, making the curls float. He came up, sitting on the bottom of the shallow pool, and shook his head, splashing water everywhere. He rolled his shoulders, then jerked as the injured side spasmed.

Allegra slid behind him and massaged the scar tissue on his shoulder. “Does that help?

“Ah, yes. He sounded blissful. “Very much.

“We should go. But she kept massaging, aware of his back against her front, his muscles sensuous under her palms.

With reluctance, he said, “Yes. We should. When she took her arms off his shoulders, he stood up, water cascading down his body, and stepped out of the pool.

It was the first time Allegra had seen him in daylight. He was as impressive as in the starlight, but she saw now what she had missed before, because she had been shy about touching him. Scars covered his body, especially his torso. She started to ask, then stopped when she realized he would probably describe being hacked on a battlefield. She couldnt bear to hear about him being hurt that way, particularly given how close they were to another war.

They went to the bedroom and changed. Markuss armor had long since disappeared, but someone had left more clothes. He chose riding trousers and a blue shirt with blue embroidery on the cuffs. Although the threadwork barely showed, it seemed an odd choice for someone with such strong ideas about what he considered masculine. Then she remembered how his Jazid clothes had fastened, with complex loops sewn in the leather. Maybe the embroidery reminded him of his home.

Allegra searched the room until she found a stack of games. The playing pieces included two dice cubes, a wooden pyramid with four sides and a little hole at its point and a metal ring. She put the ring on her big toe. She tied a cord through the pyramid to make a necklace and she tucked the cubes into a pocket of her tunic. She had lost the dodecahedron from Ozarsons toys, but she had the octahedral block, which she pocketed with the cubes.

Markus watched her as he drew on his boots. “It isnt just round things, is it?

“No, she admitted. “Any geometrical shape works.

He came over and touched the pendant hanging between her breasts. “Lucky necklace.

Allegra smiled and folded her hand around his. “Markus

He waited, then spoke curiously. “Yes?

“Im glad youre here.

He started slightly, as if stunned, then raised her hand and pressed his lips against her knuckles.

“How did you know I would be in Aronsdale? she asked.

He lowered her arm, holding her hand. “I wasnt sure. But it seemed what you would do. He shook his head with a grimace. “Yargazon was convinced you went to Quaaz. We rode along the Kings Courseway for a while, but we couldnt pick up your trail. So we decided he would take the army to Quaaz while I came here. Then he said, “Actually, I chose. He wanted me with the army. He was furious I decided otherwise. But he couldnt stop me.

It gratified Allegra to know he was willing to stand up to the powerful general. “Before the TAmbera caught me I had been coming to Crofts Vale to study at a guild for mages.

“It is important to you, yes? Learning these spells?

“Yes. Very.

“Can you study even if you dont stay here?

It was a good question. “Possibly. She thought of Cobalts men. “We should see if Ozi is ready.

Markus nodded, and they went out into the parlor. They found Ozarson eating breakfast.

The boy looked up with relief. “I saved you some food.

Markus sat down and started eating without another word. Allegra settled next to him and grabbed the last roll before he could inhale it.

“Youre hungry, Ozarson said, watching his brother.

Markus took a hard-boiled egg. “Its been a while.

“They fed you, didnt they? Allegra asked. He had been in the cell for a day.

“Nothing. He shook salt and pepper on his egg. “They gave me water this morning when they took me out.

Allegra and Ozarson waited while he ate his egg and attacked a slab of meat. Finally Ozarson said, “Markus?

“Hmm? The prince regent glanced at him. “Why do you look so worried? Im fine.

“Father used the dungeons at the Onyx Palace, Ozarson said. “He told me once that sometimes he had people in them for seasons at a time. Even years.

“Yes. He did. Markus lowered his fork and spoke quietly. “And yes. Some of them died.

“That cant be true!

“You never knew our father that well, Ozi.

The boy bit his lip and turned away.

The grate of wood came from the entrance, followed by a tramp of feet. Eight Chamberlight warriors entered the parlor. Cobalt hadnt come this time, but Allegra had no doubt he intended the message implicit in their behavior. Their military bearing, the way they entered with no warning, their large forms turned even more imposing by their armor and swordsit all heightened the sense of their power over the three people they had come to collect.

“Its time to go, the captain with the grizzled face said roughly. He was holding a blue-plumed helmet.

Markus stood, followed by Allegra and Ozarson. One of the warriors stooped to get the manacles Markus had left on the floor, and the captain spoke to Allegra. “The key.

Feeling ill, she said, “Its in the lock.

The captain motioned the prince regent forward. Allegra could see Markus clenching his jaw as he complied. They turned him around and pulled his arms behind his back. He stared at her as they fastened the manacles and closed them with loud snaps.

Then Cobalts men took the three of them away.