The Night Bird

CHAPTER 26 THE SLEEPERS OF ALTAIR

Allegra lifted her head. The world was a blur. Gradually she realized she was lying against someone. Colonel Bladebreak. He had fallen to the side and lay sleeping, one of his legs under her and the other thrown across her body.

It took an effort to push him away and sit up. Drummer lay on his stomach, the blanket covering his hips and legs. Her stomach lurched at the blood that stained the bandage on his foot. But he was breathing more easily than before. Ardoz was sprawled on the carpet, fast asleep, his fingers tangled in the cloth he had used to clean his hand.

Allegra felt slowed and thick. She climbed to her feet, then swayed while nausea swept over her. How long had she slept? The tent was light as if the sun had risen. Werent the armies supposed to be in battle? It had been close to dawn when Bladebreak and Ardoz found her. Surely by now someone had noticed them missing.

She limped to the entrance. Dimly, in the back of her mind, a thought surfaced. She should hide. But she couldnt hold on to the thought. The spell had scorched her mind, seared away her mage gifts and left her dull.

It was quiet outside. Nothing stirred. She saw no people or animals. From the position of the sun, dawn must have been at least an hour ago. She went down a row of tents and passed a sentry snoring on the ground. She kept going through a silent camp, past sleeping soldiers and still tents.

Eventually the tents thinned out, until she was limping across the desert. She had been walking in a haze, aware of only what lay in her path. Now she stared around. Behind her, crags and low hills sheltered the Jazid camp; in front of her, a barren plain stretched out. In the distance, the towers of glorious Quaaz gleamed like an enchanted city out of a mythological tale.

She kept going.

She reached companies of the Jazid army that had been forming up at the edge of the plain in the predawn hours. They were in armor, their swords readyand they all lay on the ground, row after row of warriors. Asleep. Their horses stood by them. Asleep.

She kept going.

Her world narrowed to the pain in her feet and the relentless sun as it rose in the sky. Quaaz was located on the only large lake in Taka Mal, but she saw no sign here of the rivers that fed that vital body of water. The ground was packed hard by fighting that had already taken place. The armies had claimed their dead and injured, but she passed a crushed helmet here, a torn leather strap there, an empty water bag half buried under a rock.

She kept going.

And when she reached the Taka Mal army sprawled at the far edge of the basin, she limped among the sleeping men. All of them, rank upon rank upon rank. Sleeping.

She saw movement.

A man was walking among the Taka Mal warriors. Allegra stopped, uncertain what to do. She knew when he sighted her, for he called to another man and pointed toward her. She thought of running, but she had no idea where to go. She was on a plain. It had no place to hide. She couldnt run anyway. She could barely walk.

The two figures approached her.

It soaked into her mind that these men wore armor with the Harsdown jaguar on their breastplates. One stopped a short distance away and the other came closer, a burly fellow in his forties, with a wide face that gave him a stoic appearance. A shock of golden-brown hair fell down his neck. His expression was odd. It took a moment before she realized it seemed strange because of his concern. Nothing covetous. No submerged desire to inflict violence. No anger or hatred or lust or cruelty. Just concern.

“Its all right, he said gently. “I wont harm you.

Allegra backed up a step.

The man raised his hands as if to show her he had no weapons. He had a sword strapped across his back, however. Dully, she realized the warriors sleeping around them had curved swords. Curves and shapes

“Im Arkandy, the man said. “Sphere-Colonel Arkandy Ravensford, Harsdown Seventh Regiment.

She had no answer for that.

The other man joined Ravensford. With his dark hair and eyes, he could have been from anywhere: Misted Cliffs, Aronsdale, Shazire, Taka Mal, Jazid. He had the jaguar on his breastplate, though. He spoke to the colonel. “I called over the medical cart.

Medical cart. That stirred Allegras memory. “Yes, she said. “For Drummer.

Both Ravensford and the other man stiffened. Ravensford said, “You know where we can find Drummer Headwind?

“I can show you. She turned and stared across the basin at the distant bluffs where the Jazid army was camped. Had she truly walked all that way? Too farnever make it back

Someone caught her as she fell.

“No. Allegra twisted away from his hands and crumpled to her knees. “Dont touch me.

Ravensford crouched down without touching her. He motioned to his right. “Can you climb in there?

Numbly she looked up. A cart with a canvas roof and open sides waited a few paces away, with two oxen to pull it. Several Harsdown soldiers stood there, including one who wore a uniform instead of armor and mail. A patch on his shoulder showed the candle insignia that symbolized the medical corps.

Allegra tried to get up, but it hurt too much. Her vision blurred. Ravensford was watching her with a strange expression, as if he simultaneously wanted to comfort her and kill someone. He spoke kindly. “I wont touch you without your consent. No one will. I dont know who left those welts and bruises all over you, but believe me, no one here will do anything like that. We can help. If you cant get into the medical cart, I can carry you. But only if its all right with you.

She trusted no one. But she didnt miss the contrast; Colonel Bladebreaks first response upon finding her was to embrace and fondle her, despite her protests and injuries. This colonels first response was to express concern and ask her consent to help.

“Yes, she whispered. “Carry

Ravensford picked her up with one arm under her legs and the other around her back. He rose to his feet and carried her to the cart. As he laid her inside, under the shade of its roof, the doctor said, “Shes the only conscious person weve found in the entire army.

“Maybe the Jazid army wasnt affected, Ravensford said. “I think this is Allegra Onyx. She and the atajazid were taken last night by Yargazons men.

Allegra Onyx? That wasnt her name. She was Allegra Linseed. Or maybe Jazid men renamed their wives for themselves.

The doctor climbed into the cart and sat near Allegra while he opened a battered satchel. One of the soldiers climbed onto a plank seat at the front and prodded the oxen into motion. They didnt go very fast; Ravensford and the other soldier were able to walk alongside the cart.

When Allegra realized they were headed toward the foothills near Quaaz, she said, “Wait. No. She pulled into a sitting position, facing backward in the cart, and pointed toward the Jazid camp. “We have to get Drummer.

Ravensford held up his hand to the driver, and the other man brought the oxen to a halt. The colonel turned to Allegra. “Drummer is in the Jazid camp.

Her mouth felt dry. “We have to get him before they wake up.

The doctor made an incredulous noise. “Theyre asleep, too? Saints almighty, is anyone awake?

“Thats how I escaped. As Allegras numbness was wearing off, she could feel her injuries. “No one was awake. I can show you where to find Drummer. Her voice caught. “If he doesnt see a doctor soon, hell die. She feared it would be her fault, for she had put to sleep anyone who could have helped him.

Ravensford motioned to the driver, who brought the cart around. Soon they were headed across the sun-drenched basin toward the distant crags that sheltered the Jazid army. The doctor took bandages and bottles out of his satchel, but when he leaned toward Allegra, she shook her head. She couldnt bear to have anyone touch her. He started to protest, but whatever look she had on her face stopped him. He exhaled, then settled back and returned his potions to his satchel.

They continued on, but they were going slowly, much too slowly. “Are all the horses asleep? Allegra asked. “We should bring Drummer out as fast as possible. She wanted to get Ozarson, too, but she doubted they could risk going after more than one person.

“Some of our horses are awake, Ravensford said. He thought for a moment. “A medical cart has immunity in many places during combat, but for us to go into the midst of the Jazid camp with you in the cart is too much of a risk. What if they wake up? Then he added, “Or you could be lying, sent by one of your husbands generals to trick us.

“Im not lying. She could see why he was worried, though. “But its true, I dont know when they will wake up.

“How can thousands of people be asleep? the doctor asked. “We cant wake anyone.

Thousands? Allegra finally began to comprehend what she was seeing. Had she and Jarid done this? She slumped back, her head falling against the pole that held up a corner of the canvas roof.

“Allegra? Ravensford asked.

“Yes? she asked.

“Then that is your name. Youre the regents consort.

“Is Markus all right? It hurt to ask about him, given what had happened, for he was the one who allowed Yargazon free rein.

“Hes fine, Ravensford said. “Just asleep.

“Butisnt he with Cobalts army?

The colonel regarded her steadily. “Theyre asleep. Cobalts men, Jarids, everyone. The Harsdown army was the farthest away, so whatever happened didnt affect all of us.

She lifted her head. “King Jarid is probably awake. If she had recovered early, he would, too.

“He wasnt when we left this morning.

“Neither was I. But I am now.

The colonels forehead creased. “Why would that matter?

She bit her lip, staring toward the distant hills. Then she said, “We did it.

“Did what? the doctor asked kindly.

She looked at him. “I sang.

The doctor glanced at Ravensford, and the colonel shook his head, his expression puzzled.

“Many people sing, the doctor said.

“They were going to give me back to Yargazon. The words felt like broken glass to Allegra. “He had fourteen more hours he meant to work on me. And the othersthey wanted Her voice cracked. “They were going to go out today and kill and kill and kill, because nothing ever stops them, nothing, and when they came back, Drummer and I would be the prizes, the spoils of war, and I couldnt take any more. So II She couldnt continue.

Ravensford stared at her. Then he thumped the drivers plank. The man guiding the oxen started, then brought the team to a stop.

“Tell me, Allegra, Ravensford said. “Tell me what you did.

“I used a shape I wasnt ready for. I sang a spell of sleep. Jarid added power. But it was too much. I broke.

The doctor stared at her. “Are you saying you did this with a spell?

She met his incredulous gaze. “Yes.

“How could that be possible? the doctor asked.

Ravensford spoke. “In extreme adversity, people can do incredible things. A man holds up the roof of a collapsing house to save his loved ones, a mother heaves away a huge boulder to rescue her child. Softly he said, “Perhaps a mage calls forth a power greater than she could normally handle.

Allegra could only say, “I dont know. She sagged against the pole, needing it to stay upright.

Watching her, Ravensford spoke to the doctor. “Take her back to the camp. She needs to see Jarid, if hes awake.

“No! Allegra said. “We have to get Drummer.

“Ill go scout the Jazid camp, Ravensford said. “See what I can find out. Can you tell me how to reach Drummer?

Allegra described his location as best she could. Her dazed walk through the Jazid camp was seared into her memory.

“Can he ride? Ravensford asked.

“Hes asleep. She thought of his torn body sprawled in the tent. “I dont think he could ride even if he were awake.

A muscle twitched in Ravensfords cheek. To the doctor, he said, “Send someone to help me, with the fastest horse you trust to carry an unconscious man. If the Jazid camp is asleep, well get Drummer. If theyre awake, well come back.

“I should go with you, Allegra said.

“You must rest. Recover. In an oddly strained voice, the colonel said, “Regain your mage gifts.

Sadness tugged at Allegra. “I dont think I can.

“If you dont, he said, “who will awake the sleepers?

With that, he set off for the Jazid camp.

Allegra passed out on the way to the Aronsdale camp. The next time she became aware, she was lying in a blurred gray and blue place. The days heat blistered, but it receded when hands laid wet cloths across her fevered skin.

Jarid visited. He knelt by her pallet and spoke softly. She didnt understand, but his words were like cool water on her burning skin. He held his sphere, and his miraculous blue radiance filled her, a gentler, more nuanced spell than she had ever known. Her pain receded. The blue deepened into an impossible color, indigo, and the agony in her heart over Markus and Yargazon eased. Even an indigo couldnt take away emotional pain, but he helped her to heal. The world faded and sleep folded her into its softness.

The day had slipped into evening by the time Allegra awoke. She lay on her back gazing at the tent above her head. A blue tassel hung from the apex of its peaked roof. When she felt strong enough, she slowly sat up and looked around. A table across the tent had bandages, pots and fluted bottles, and a basin of water. Several other pallets lay on the floor, but it was a moment before she realized someone lay in one of them. A blue sheet covered him to the waist. He was on his stomach, his head turned away, but she recognized the yellow curls spilling down his neck.

She stood up carefully. Someone had changed her into a blue shift that came to her knees. Her welts had healed far more than should have been possible in less than a day, and the blisters and cuts on her feet didnt hurt nearly as much as before. She crossed the tent and knelt next to the man. Lash marks showed on his skin, but as with her welts, they had healed far faster than normal.

Allegra touched his shoulder. “Drummer?

To her surprise, he turned onto his back. Now that she could see him in better light, she realized he had the classic Aronsdale blue eyes, said to be granted by Saint Azure himself. Long, gold eyelashes framed them, thick and curled. They were gorgeous. She hadnt realized just how handsome he was, even by the standards of her people. No wonder the queen of Taka Mal had wanted him.

“Who are you? he asked. His voice rasped, and she flinched, knowing what had injured his vocal cords. Screams.

“My name is Allegra. I was Yargazons prisoner, too.

“The green mage from last night?

“You could tell? I thought you were unconscious.

“Mostly. But I knew you were there, offering comfort. Softly he said, “Thank you.

“Im sorry I couldnt do more.

He gave a ragged laugh. “Jarid tells me you put thousands of people to sleep to get us out of that camp.

Including Drummer. “When did you wake?

“About an hour ago.

“Are you all right?

“Fine. He laid his arm behind his head, his elbow bent, and stared at the peaked roof where shadows were gathering. “My wounds will heal. He sounded listless.

She had a feeling it wasnt that simple. “And your voice?

It was a moment before he answered. “I was a minstrel and an acrobat before Jade and I married. I suppose its not the life for everyone, but I loved it. I used to sing to her. But nowI dont know. And with my foot like this He let out a breath. “At least I have the foot. If Jarid hadnt helped, the doctor says he would have had to amputate. Because of infection.

“Im sorry, Allegra said. She understood well the grief of losing his songs. “Surely your voice will heal.

“Perhaps. His face gentled. “Hell, Im free of Yargazon. And my wife and child are alive. Thats what matters.

“I miss my family, Allegra said. “They dont even know what has happened to me. She hadnt yet had a chance to send them a letter. She couldnt imagine what they would think when they found out about her marriage. Drummer was one of the few people who would understand what she faced as the consort of a foreign sovereign. Now that he was safe and the immediate crisis was over, perhaps he would be willing to talk about it. If he could adapt to Taka Mal, hope might exist for her and Markus.

Allegra spoke awkwardly. “Would you mind if I asked about your marriage?

He regarded her curiously. “What would you like to know?

“Is it true the queen took you as her consort the same way my husband had me brought to Jazid?

His grin flashed, and in that instant he turned into the epitome of the Aronsdale male, with his sunny appearance and sparkling eyes. She couldnt fathom why people in Jazid denigrated him. In Aronsdale, women had probably fallen all over themselves to catch his attention.

“Ive no idea about your wedding, Drummer said good-naturedly. “But I doubt it was like mine. We had to sneak off in the middle of the night so no one could stop us.

“Then you went willingly?

“Well, yes. He was watching her closely. “You didnt?

“I was kidnapped in Aronsdale. They sold me.

Drummer grimaced. “Ah, yes. This barbaric penchant of theirs for stealing mates. They grabbed me at night. He gave her a crooked smile. “Maybe I should be insulted. Vizarana didnt pay anything for me. She just locked me up in a suite of the palace.

Allegra shuddered. “Dont be insulted. Believe me.

His smile faded. “I think maybe it wasnt the same for you.

“No, she said wanly. “It was a nightmare.

His voice quieted. “I was only a political prisoner.

“Did she take advantage of the situation?

His devastating smile returned, but it was gentler this time. “I suppose. I never felt coerced. Her generals would undoubtedly say I took advantage of her. Mischief flashed in his eyes. “I kept trying to kiss her when I wasnt supposed to.

“Shes a lucky woman.

“Im glad someone thinks so. He grimaced. “So many of her people cant see beyond my having been her exotic Aronsdale prize. But I do love her.

Allegra didnt know how she felt about Markus. Thinking about him hurt too much. “Why do they hunt us? Its like were prey.

A voice spoke behind them. “I would also like an answer to that question.

She looked around with a start. Jarid was walking over to them. Rather than armor, tonight he wore dark trousers and a blue shirt. He sat on the floor with them, with his elbow resting on his bent knee. He could have pulled over a stool, but he didnt seem inclined. Allegra would have never expected the king of her country to sit so casually on the ground.

“I didnt mean to eavesdrop, he said. “I heard you as I came in.

Drummer pushed up on his elbows, then winced and lay down. Allegra nodded to the king, unsure if she should bow when she was sitting in a medical tent. Jarid didnt look as if he cared. The strain on his face had aged him years in one night.

“Is everyone still asleep? Drummer asked him.

“The armies are waking, Jarid said. “So far, no tragedies. The injuries are mostly dehydration and burns from the sun.

“The spell seemed so innocuous, Allegra said. Putting so many people to sleep for so long suddenly didnt look harmless. “Did you wake them? she asked Jarid.

“I helped. They started coming to on their own about an hour ago. He tilted his head as he considered her. “Ive never made a sleep spell before. How did you do it?

“Im not sure. It embarrassed her to explain her inadequate attempts to the greatest mage alive. “My husband suffers from insomnia. The first time, I was trying to help him. Its like offering comfort, but so much that the person falls asleep.

He gave a wry laugh. “Its certainly the most innovative way Ive ever heard of stopping a battle.

Drummer pushed himself up, persisting this time until he was sitting on the pallet. He took a blue sleep shirt that was crumpled by his pillow and slipped it on, wincing as he pulled his arms through the sleeves. His legs were under the sheet with his bandaged left foot sticking out the end.

“Youre moving better, Jarid said.

Drummer answered wryly. “Moving at all is an improvement.

Jarid glanced at Allegra. “How do you feel?

“Tired. But better. Thank you for helping. She hesitated, then asked, “What happened with Yargazon?

“Nothing that I know of, Jarid said. “We didnt risk trying to reach anyone else. A few people were already waking up.

“I would have gone after Yargazon anyway, Drummer said flatly. “And killed him.

Allegra understood his reaction, and he had endured far worse than she at Yargazons hand. She didnt want the General dead; she wanted him to suffer. Endlessly. But not at Ozis expense. “Is the atajazid all right? she asked.

“I assume so, Jarid said. “Hes still in the Jazid camp. He considered them both. “When the two of you are ready, we need to meet with the other army commanders.

“Theyre going to talk? Allegra had been afraid to hope.

“A truce has been called. For now. Wryly he added, “You frightened a lot of people, Allegra. No one knows what youre going to do or who youre going to do it for.

“But I cant do any

He held up his hand. “Let them worry that you might. Its valuable for negotiations. And it will protect you. He tilted his head toward Drummer. “Both of you.

“Protect us? Drummer asked uneasily. “Why?

“Im afraid its true, what Allegra said, Jarid answered. “Aronsdale mages are no longer safe. Its my responsibility to see to your protection. Then he added, “Our protection.

Allegra couldnt imagine Jarid needing protection. A violet mage. Had he not refused to use his abilities in violence, he could have become a tyrant far crueler than Yargazon or Cobalt. He didnt need to put people to sleephe could kill them.

“The days are gone when mages can go unnoticed, Jarid said. “Were no longer fables told to children at night. It started twenty years ago, during the war between Cobalts father and myself. I brought down part of Castle Suncroft in the last battle. You cant hide that. Two years ago, Mel shattered the Rocklands with lightning. Then Baz Quaazera married the fire opal mage. Drummer, you try to hide what you do, but rumors are always swirling about you. He glanced at Allegra. “Your husband told me the specifics he and Yargazon gave the nomads for the woman they wanted. It was an exact description of a mage girl from southwestern Aronsdale. They may not have realized what they were seeking, but they knew your people existed and were valuable.

“Wait, slow down, Drummer said. “Her husband and Yargazon? He stared at Allegra. “Who the blazes is your husband, that he associates with Jazids most brutal war criminal?

Allegra forced herself to meet his gaze. “Markus Onyx.

“Gods almighty. Drummer stared at her. “No wonder youre upset about the marriage.

Allegra flushed, unable to answer.

“Hes asking to see you, Jarid told her.

“I cant, she said. “Not yet.

Jarid spoke quietly. “For what its worth, Allegra, when he learned how we found you, he was ready to kill General Yargazon.

“He wont, she said. “Yargazon is the closest he has to a father now that his own is dead.

“Do you love him? Jarid asked.

She wasnt certain why the king of Aronsdale cared, but after all he had done for her, she felt she should answer him. “I think so. But I cant live the way he does. If we were in Aronsdale, it would be different. I would have the support of the culture. But I cant imagine living in Jazid.

Drummer spoke. “Jarid, its hard even for me, and I live in Taka Mal, which is less rigid than Jazid. Anger edged his voice. “Many people there dont see me as a man, because of the way I look. They think Im not quite human, but some exotic colt their queen caught. They dont say it aloud, maybe they dont even admit it to themselves, but Ive stopped making green spells when Im with the royal court, because their reaction is so intense. And Im not under the kind of pressure she would be in Jazid. It would be asking a lot of her.

Allegra stiffened as she looked at Jarid. “You want me to go with Markus?

“Not unless you wish it. But it will come up in the summit. Jarid tilted his head toward Drummer. “His marriage established a treaty between Aronsdale and Taka Mal. Youre in my custody, under my protection, a citizen of my country, and you married Jazids prince regent. This morning you and I stopped a battle. Everyone will want to know if Im considering a treaty with your husband.

“But if you have a truce, she said, “doesnt it mean neither you nor the Harsdown king has to decide whether or not to fight?

“Only if the truce holds, Jarid said. “Unless we come to terms in this summit, the fighting will start again.

Drummer crossed his arms. “Taka Mal will never recognize the atajazids claim to the Topaz Throne.

“And Cobalt wont relinquish the Onyx Throne, Jarid said tiredly. “I see no solutions, especially if General Yargazon is able to secure Quaaz.

Drummers fist clenched in the blanket. “Hes a war criminal. He should be executed.

“Hes a war criminal because Cobalt declared him one, Jarid said. “Unfortunately, the only crime we can prove is that he cut off your toe. And even that isnt certain.

“You have my testimony, Drummer said. “Saints, man, you have my damn toe.

“The evidence isnt the problem, Jarid said. “Its whether or not he broke laws.

Allegra couldnt believe it. “How can you say that after all hes done?

“Because everything hes done is legal in Jazid. The king sounded as if he felt heavy. Weighed down. “His army has taken every Taka Mal town on their route to Quaaz. Theyve taken Quaaz. They claim to have taken the throne. If the atajazid can hold it, then Jazid rules here, which means the laws of Jazid hold.

“I was a political hostage, Drummer said tightly. “You dont maim and torture such prisoners.

“Youre right, according to unwritten rules of war, we dont. But thats the key word unwritten. He broke no actual laws. Jarid rubbed the heel of his hand over his eyes, then dropped his arm. “Ive talked to Markus. He says the custom of returning a hostage in pieces hasnt been done for centuries, but hes certain its still part of Jazids legal code.

“Thats appalling, Allegra said.

“Jazid doesnt rule here, Drummer said. “Yargazon may have forced my family to seek protection, but Baz Quaazera commands our army, and they havent stopped fighting. Wryly he added, “Sleepy or not.

“Nothing about this situation is clear cut, Jarid said. “But some facts are painfully clear. Aronsdale is surrounded at every border, and our mages are becoming prey. Especially those like you and Drummer, from the southwestern regions.

“Why us? Drummer asked. “Mages live in other places, too.

Jarid smiled slightly. “Dont either of you own a mirror?

“Well, actually, no, Allegra said. Jasmine had thought it absurd she had no interest in looking in a mirror.

“Why would I want a mirror? Drummer said. He was leaning on his hand, and Allegra could tell he was tiring. So was she.

“People covet you, Jarid said. “Youre mages, youre sensual and you look helpless. He flicked his hand through his black hair as if showing it to them. “Almost everyone in the settled lands has darker coloring and more height than you. People associate those traits with strength, not only in Jazid, but everywhere. Gold hair, blue eyes, even violetyou find them only in southwestern Aronsdale. Your slender builds, gentleness, softness, the beauty of the women, and forgive me, Drummer, but the prettiness of the menit makes you seem defenseless. People dont think of you as normal, and yes, maybe not fully human. It never caused problems during the generations of peace because no one noticed southern Aronsdale. You were insulated. But as our mages have become known, so has the desire of others to own you. His voice tightened. “Ill be damned if I let conquerors violate my country to take the most vulnerable of my people.

Allegra gaped at him, and Drummer turned red.

After a moment, Jarid spoke awkwardly. “Maybe I said too much.

“No. No, you didnt. Allegra found her voice. “I just cant see myself that way.

Drummer snorted. “Im just a minstrel, Jarid.

The king spoke quietly. “And Im just a blind, deaf, mute boy who grew up in a hut. But whatever we are, tomorrow we must be more for this summit of sovereigns.

Allegra stepped outside the medical tent into a cool night beneath a canopy of stars veiled by translucent clouds. Two guards flanked the entrance, though whether to protect or imprison her, she didnt know. Both were tall and broad, and wore armor with the crossed swords of Aronsdale on their breastplates. Their plumed helmets covered their upper faces, leaving only their chins visible. It unsettled her; she had never realized how much she relied on expressions to help her understand people. When she couldnt see their faces, they became more intimidating.

“Princess Allegra? one of the men asked. “Can we help you?

“I would like to see my husband. She had tried to sleep, unable to face him, but her tangle of emotions had only grown worse, until it drove her out here.

The guards exchanged glances, and the other man nodded. The one who had spoken said, “Im Major Lachlan. Ill take you.

“Thank you, Allegra said softly. She didnt miss the difference between the kindness of these Aronsdale guards and the severity of Cobalts grizzled captain from the Misted Cliffs.

She walked with Lachlan through the night, her feet protected by soft slippers. Lights showed here and there from torches or cooking fires, but the camp was mostly dark. Sounds drifted: the murmur of soldiers discussing a game of color-stones, the clank of a cook stowing a cauldron, the sizzle of water on a fire. Some people glanced her way, but most ignored her. As far as anyone knew, she was just another tender on an errand.

When they reached a blue tent with a peaked roof, Lachlan stopped. Two soldiers stood by its entrance, as imposing as the two outside the medical tent. Lachlan spoke with them in low tones, but she caught, “Onyx consort and “visitation rights.

Lachlan turned to Allegra. “Theyll take you in. If you wish to return to medical, one of them will take you back.

Allegra nodded her thanks. She didnt know the protocols for royal consorts yet, but her response seemed to satisfy him. A guard lifted the tent flap for her, and she went inside. The tent was similar to the one where she and Markus had slept before, with a table, two stools, a pallet and braziers in two corners. Markus was seated at the table with his dinner set out on pewter plates. He had a mug halfway to his lips, but when she entered, he slowly set it down.

She stopped in the center of the tent. “Markus

He stood carefully, as if she were a skylark doe that would bolt at the slightest provocation. Dark rings showed under his eyes, and his hair was a mess, as if he had raked it with his hands many times. He started to come around the table, then hesitated, watching her uncertainly. She also started toward him, but stopped almost immediately. Finally he let out a breath and walked over to her.

“Im glad you came, he said.

Allegra laid her hand against his chest, the cloth of his shirt soft under her palm. She wished she could feel his heartbeat.

Markus put his hand over hers. “Gods, Allegra, if I could take into myself the pain of what he did to you, if I could free you from that anguish, I would do it a hundred times over.

“I didnt Her voice broke as she reached for him. He drew her into his arms, and they stood embracing, his touch so very, very careful with her injuries. She closed her eyes while her body shook with the silent tears she had pent up all day.

He kept whispering “Im sorry over and over.

When her tears spent themselves, she pushed back, her palms on his chest. “Markus, Ill never be able to be around him. If you go back She couldnt say any more.

“Ill protect you, I swear.

“You cant always! And I shouldnt have to live needing that protection. Her hands clenched, and the rich material of his shirt crumpled in her fists. “You cant abhor the cruelty in Dusk Yargazon and yet let him vanquish countries in your name.

He caught her hands. “The world isnt drawn in such easy shades of light and dark.

A tear slid down her cheek. “As long as he remains your right hand, I cannot live with you as your wife. She wanted to hold him, touch his strong body, inhale his scent. Instead she released his shirt and dropped her arms by her sides. “Each day you allow him to continue as the power behind your reign, you become more of him and less of what is best within you. In a ragged voice, she said, “You could be a great leader, Markus. I wont be the excuse a demon like Yargazon uses, in his craving for power, to destroy a good man.

“You want me to deny what I am. He lifted her hand to his cheek. “Im a prince of the desert, not of your lush, rolling Aronsdale. Make no mistake, AllegraYargazon will pay for what he did to you. But I need him. Look at what he accomplished, starting from nothing, with the emperor set against him. Softly he said, “I would conquer a world for you, night bird, but I cannot stop being what defines me.

“Youre more than you know. Her voice caught. “But youll never find out as long as he darkens your life.

His gaze never wavered. “The darkness is already in me.

“It shadows you, maybe even adds to your strength. But it doesnt define you. She willed him to hear, really hear her. “If you continue with him anywhere, I cant go with you.

“Allegra, dont say that.

“Yargazon told me things last night. Her voice cracked. “Hell never rest until he takes me from you. Until he owns all of me, my body, my spirit, my will, my soul. He wants me broken and on my knees. I will not live in fear of the man you turn to as your greatest strength.

His gaze darkened. “Hell never have you.

“Why does he hate me so much?

“He doesnt. You threaten him. The dragon knows, he would never admit it, but I think hes afraid of you. He took both of her hands. “You challenge him. You refuse to submit. Thats why he wants to break you. But I swear, hell never hurt you again.

“How can you swear that? Its impossible. She felt as if her chance for a life with Markus was slipping through her fingers like the sand in Yargazons hourglasses. “No matter how much you refuse to see it, hes hurting you. Destroying you. She made herself say what she had come to tell him. “Tomorrow, at the summit, I will stand with you. But when all is decided and done, I wont live where your general holds sway.

“Youre my wife. You must go with me.

She let go of his hands. “You cant take me against my will, not with the Aronsdale army here.

His face turned cold in a way she had never seen before. “Do you think to marry the son of your king?

“Markus, dont.

He was staring as if she were a will-o-the-wisp that would disappear any moment. Although he spoke with anger, she heard the pain under his words. “As long as I live, no other man will call you his wife. Ill never release you from the contracts.

Allegra felt as if she were breaking in two. Talking to him hurt too much. Softly she said, “Then Ill live my life alone.

She turned and left then, before her heart could shatter.