The Night Bird lc-5 Page 11

  It was better, but she was still annoyed with him. When he pulled her into his arms and tweaked open her halter, baring her breasts, she tried to twist away. He held her close, trapping her arms between them. She wished he didnt smell so good, with soap and leather and some indefinable smell that was just him.

  “You quit that, she told him, trying to free herself. She wasnt sure what she wanted him to stoptouching her or being desirable.

  “I cant quit that, he said, laughing. “You are a spell-caster, I know, because youve done something to me. Im useless! I cant stop thinking about my luscious pleasure girl. He bit gently at her neck as he slid his hand from her breasts to her back, then over her bottom and between her legs from behind. “You must take pity on me and release me from this torment.

  “You dont sound tormented to me. He was doing maddening things to her. She was still aroused from this morning, and his touch sent shivers through her that she really, really didnt want to feel for this unrepentant scalawag.

  Markus blew into her ear. “Youre ready for me, Allegra. You cant hide it. He stroked and teased her in the most distracting way. “Such sweet honey.

  This morning she had come so close to her peak. And then stopped. Without completion. Now he held her against that beautifully muscled physique of his, and her traitorous body reacted.

  When she stopped fighting, Markus relaxed. She immediately twisted around in his arms, putting her back to his front, and jabbed back with her elbow, hitting him in the stomach. When he grunted, his hold loosened and she wrenched free. Turning to face him, she stepped away from both him and the edge of the mesa.

  He glared at her, holding his side where her elbow had hit. “What the blazes was that for?

  She fumbled with the clasp on her halter, trying to cover her breasts. “Stop pawing me.

  “Oh, no, night bird. You cant tease me this way. He grasped her arm and pulled her forward. Then he kissed her hard, with his tongue, his hands cupping her bottom as he lifted her pelvis up against his. Startled, she squirmed, trying to get down.

  Markus abruptly set her on her feet again. Then he put his thumb against her shoulder and gave a push. She backed up a step, away from the edge of the mesa. He thumbed her shoulder again, and she backed up more. He did it a third, then a fourth time. Confused, she kept backing awayright into a cluster of rock spears. It was why he had chosen this lookout; the spears formed a wall that offered shade from the sun. Or so he claimed. Now she wondered if he had other reasons. He trapped her against the wall and kissed her while he worked off her robe and dropped it on the ground.

  “Mmmph, she protested.

  “That was articulate, he murmured against her lips. Then he went back to kissing her. He tugged down the chains that held her halter over her shoulders, fending off her attempts to hinder him. The halter slid off and hit the ground with a clink.

  Allegra pulled her head away. “If you dont stop, Ill put you to sleep for a century.

  His wicked smile flashed. “Only if you can use your own delectable curves. He slid her up the wall, lifting her until his pelvis pressed against hers, his erection rubbing the silk of her skirt where he had teased so mercilessly.

  Allegra struggled, her hands sliding against his biceps, her body moving against his. Her attempts to free herself backfired; the more she fought, the more it aroused him. It affected her almost as much to feel his strong body and the flex of his muscles while she inhaled his smell, sweaty and soapy at the same time.

  “Prince Markus? a man called from somewhere distant.

  “Not now, Markus muttered, tugging on her skirt.

  “Youd better answer him, Allegra said.

  He bit her earlobe while he rubbed his erection against her stomach. “Hell go away if I dont.

  She tried to wriggle down from where he was holding her, but he just slid her up higher on the wall, enough so he could suckle her breast. She groaned as her nipples hardened. Damn man. Somehow he knew just how to arouse her.

  Embarrassed as much by her own reaction as by what he was doing, she thwacked him on the head. “Quit groping me, Your Hedonistic Highness.

  “My what? Laughing, he let her slide to her feet. “Come on, Allegra, he coaxed. “Stop fighting me. Admit it. You like the way I touch you.

  “Sire? the man called. He sounded closer, maybe even near the top of the path that led up the mesa.

  “Ah, hells, Markus said. He scooped her clothes off the ground and thrust them into her hands. “Cover yourself up.

  By the time the man came around the wall of rock, she had the halter back in place and had almost finished pulling on her robe. Markus stood in front of her, blocking her from view, but she saw who had arrived. Lieutenant Borjan.

  “Sire, General Yargazon sent me Borjan stopped when he saw Allegra quickly tying the robe. “Ah. Oh. He scratched his ear. “My apologies. I didnt mean to disturb you.

  “What does Yargazon want? Markus asked.

  “A scout just came in. He thought you would want a report.

  “Oh. Yes, I do. Markus pushed his hand through his hair, disarraying the locks Allegra had so carefully brushed last night. “Tell him Ill be right down.

  “Right away. The lieutenant made a fast exit.

  “I have to attend to this, Markus grumbled. “Well finish later. Under his breath, he added, “If I dont go crazy by then.

  She couldnt help but smile. “You mean you havent already? she asked innocently.

  “I swear, you will drive me to it. He gathered up his pack and motioned her toward the path. “Come.

  “I can wait for you up here, she offered.

  “And run away as soon as Im gone, no doubt. He stretched out his arm, pointing at the path. “Come. Now, woman.

  “Markus, cant you at least be courteous about it?

  “What?

  “Come, she said in a deep voice, mimicking him. “Now, woman. You order me around like Im your dog.

  “Youre not my dog, he said crossly. “Youre my slave.

  Allegra folded her arms, glared at him and stayed put.

  Markus lifted his hand as if inviting her to dinner. “Allegra, will you please accompany me down to my tent?

  Saints above. He could actually be courteous. She lowered her arms. “Yes, certainly.

  The path wound down the outside of the mesa. It dropped off to their left, but it was wide enough that she didnt fear she would fall. She kept her hand on the cliff to her right for support. Although sand dribbled off under her palm, the stone was solid.

  Markus followed her. “How deeply can you make a person sleep? he asked.

  “I dont know.

  “Could you do it so they didnt wake up?

  Allegra froze. Then she swung around to him. “Are you asking me if I can kill?

  He stood above her on the path. “Well, no. But its a good question. Can you?

  “No! Even if I could, I never would. How could you ask such a thing?

  He came closer to her. “Im the outlawed sovereign of a conquered country. I have to think in those terms to survive.

  She spoke more quietly. “I dont know what the empress did, but its not something I could replicate even if I were willing. I have nothing resembling that kind of power.

  He cupped his hand under her chin. “I dont know what you can do. But Ill find out.

  “If I hurt others, Markus, I hurt myself.

  His voice softened. “I would never wish that.

  She took a breath, trying to calm her agitation. Then she turned and resumed the descent. He was a leader of contrasts, compassionate one moment, harsh the next, and she was discovering a compelling man beneath the emotional armor of his exterior. She didnt want to be attracted to him. Too much danger existed on that path. He couldnt force her to use her spells for violence, but now that he knew about them, he would be even more vigilant about keeping watch over her. With every step she took farther into this parched desert, her hope for freedom faded, becoming as pale as the stoneblue sky.
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  CHAPTER 8

  THE ANVIL

  Markuss company camped among the eerie stone formations that marked the first ranks of the new mountain range they had been approaching all day. Jutting columns of rock alternated with stretches of sand, all red and ocher in the daylight, with flecks of other colors: metallic blues, violet and the false gold of feldspar. Stubby plants clung to the rocks, dark green and tenacious. Dust drifted in the air, stirred by the passage of so many horses and men. Night dropped its star-dusted cloak with the speed of a hawk descending for its prey.

  After supper, Markus met with his top officers: General Yargazon, General Ardoz and Colonel Bladebreak. They sat in his tent at a low table, drinking wine as they talked. Candles on the table shed gold light across their faces. Allegra lay on a blanket across the tent among a tumble of pillows. Markus had insisted she take off her robe, leaving her in only the red skirt and halter. He claimed it was because the braziers warmed up the tent, but she knew perfectly well he wanted the others to see her. It was some annoying status thing among the men. They all looked at her when they came in with a disquieting hunger, especially Yargazon. She tried to ignore them, but it was difficult when they stared.

  Although she pretended to sleep, she kept her eyes open enough to see them. And she listened. Military advisors in Aronsdale would never have discussed their plans in front of someone who hadnt sworn loyalty to their cause, asleep or not. These officers didnt even seem to see beyond the sexy clothes and curves of her body. It was an advantage to their attitude she hadnt realized before; they lowered their guard around her in ways they would never do with a man. They plotted strategy as if she wasnt in the room.

  Yargazon was speaking. “I had thought last year, after the queens people discovered the assassination plot, that they killed the assassins. But it appears one may be alive.

  Markus lowered his wineglass. “Where is he?

  “My agent has infiltrated the palace, Yargazon said. “He thinks our man is in a cell, but he doesnt know the location.

  General Ardoz, a large man with a shock of black hair sprinkled with gray, reclined on a cushion. “If theyve had him for a year, hes probably broken by now. The queen may know our plans to put the atajazid on the Topaz Throne.

  Allegra stiffened. The Topaz Throne? That was Taka Mal, not Jazid. It sounded as if they had tried to murder the queen of Taka Mal and install the boy atajazid in her place. The plan must have failed.

  “They already know, Markus growled. “That damn priestess told them. He scowled at his officers. “I fail to understand how one girl could escape an armed war camp and reach the queen in less than a day.

  “She obviously had help, Yargazon said.

  “It doesnt add up. That came from Colonel Bladebreak, a heavyset man with bristly gray hair and a stomach tending to fat. “No matter how many times I analyze it, the facts dont fit. Even with an unusually fast horse and help from the Taka Mal army, she needed over a day to get so far. She managed in less than twelve hours.

  “When we get her back, Yargazon said coldly, “Ill question her myself.

  “Get her back how? Bladebreak demanded. “Shes the consort of the queens damnable cousin.

  “I dont care if shes the consort of their Dragon-Sun, the General said. “She was in Jazid when I bought her. Legally shes my property.

  “Well, shes in Taka Mal now, Markus said. “If we took her, it would be tantamount to an act of war. Her husband is second in line to the throne.

  “An act of war? Bladebreak raised an eyebrow. “Id say we did that last year, when we sent agents to murder the royal family.

  “They have no proof those men were ours, Markus said. “The word of one girl, even a priestess, is hearsay.

  “Its been a year, Ardoz said. “Surely they would have acted by now if they had evidence we backed a plot against the queen.

  Markus glanced at Yargazon. “Could our agent have held out this long against interrogators?

  “Had they been trained by myself or your father, no. Yargazon moved his hand in dismissal. “This queen is weak. Afraid of extreme measures. So against her people, yes, its possible.

  “Id like to interrogate the queen, Bladebreak said sourly. “Im surprised that cousin of hers hasnt deposed her. What madness possessed her father to leave her the throne?

  “Dont underestimate her, Markus said. “If she couldnt hold her own and then some, she wouldnt have survived for ten years as queen. And shes well liked among her people.

  Yargazon snorted. “What idiot wants a woman on the throne?

  “They think shes the ultimate priestess of the Dragon-Sun, Ardoz said. “They tell themselves the Dragon-Sun is the true ruler of Taka Mal, and it makes a female sovereign more palatable.

  Markus smiled wryly at Ardoz, showing more warmth with him than with the others. “If you can figure that out, youd think her own people would see it, as well.

  The laugh lines around Ardozs eyes crinkled. “Im sure they do, Mark. Its a justification they let themselves use.

  Allegra blinked. Mark? She hadnt known Markus had a nickname. No one else seemed to use it.

  “Well, assassination didnt work, Bladebreak said. “And the attempt alone wasnt enough to cause the chaos we needed.

  Allegra could see why they needed the confusion that would follow the sudden deaths of the royal family. With only a few hundred men, Markus otherwise had little hope of countering the Taka Mal army, which surely had several thousand.

  “The longer we wait in hiding, Yargazon said, “the more it drains our resources.

  “I concur, Bladebreak said. “The strain is showing. That fellow who stole the knife isnt the only one worried about his family. We cant keep on like this, with no relief for the men.

  “The army needs a focus, Ardoz said. “The men have nothing to do but worry while our supplies diminish.

  Markus regarded them intently. “The solution is obvious.

  “I agree. Yargazon nodded with satisfaction. “A wise idea.

  “Perhaps, Bladebreak said dryly, “you might share this idea with the rest of us?

  “Invade now, Markus said. “Weve more men and weapons than last year. Were better prepared.

  Allegra was surprised to see the other men nodding. Did they really believe a few hundred men could conquer Taka Mal? Surely not. She recalled Markuss comments about weapons and the TAmbera. Maybe they had found something that would give them an edge.

  “This could be a good time for other reasons, too, Yargazon said. “According to my reports, Emperor Cobalts forces are stretched thin and their morale is terrible, especially since he sent one thousand men into Taka Mal and left only a thousand here. Trying both to protect Taka Mal and hold Jazid demands more resources than he can spare.

  Markus nodded to Yargazon. “That assassination plan of yours was brilliant, Dusk. Even though it failed, we came out ahead because Cobalt had to reduce his forces in Jazid as a result.

  Bladebreak and Ardoz nodded their agreement. Allegra felt queasy, hearing their plans for killing and how they honored someone for his brilliance at bringing about death.

  “Cobalts men also arent used to desert fighting, General Ardoz said. “They dont know how.

  “Weve had reports of strife, Yargazon said. “The men ask why they must hold this land so far from their own. His smile could have been a knife. “The Misted Cliffs is foggy and cold. They hate the desert. Jazid demoralizes them.

  “Well, then, Markus said. “We are decided. Ill present our recommendations to the atajazid.

  That intrigued Allegra. It sounded as if they planned to meet up with their hidden king. Asking his permission was probably a formality; she couldnt imagine these sun-hardened warriors putting off their battles at the order of a nine-year-old child.

  “There is one other matter, Yargazon said. “My agents have picked up some odd rumors. Something about an engineering guild associated with the Topaz Palace.

  “Have they developed a new weapon? Markus asked.


  “I dont think so, the General said. “Its something called kindle-powder. Wryly he added, “Actually the rumors are about the failure of this kindle-powder. It doesnt work.

  “What is it? General Ardoz asked.

  Yargazon shrugged. “Weve no details. It may just be a myth.

  Markus glanced at Yargazon. “Keep checking it.

  “Weve another point to consider, Ardoz said. “The royal family. Do we still want them killed, except the queens consort?

  “Hes an excellent hostage, as Cobalts kin. Markus rubbed his chin. “Ive been thinking on this. Im not so sure killing any of them is a good idea. After we have the throne, well want Queen Vizaranas army to fight with us against Cobalt. They are far more likely to do so if we let their queen and her baby live. And she could give us valuable information.

  Yargazon frowned. “Any time some kingor regentlets his enemy live, a survivor comes back for revenge. Look at Cobalt. His family ruled Harsdown for centuries. Then his father invaded Aronsdale. When Aronsdale defeated Harsdown, they should have executed its king and his heir. Did they? No. They imprisoned the king in a supposedly impregnable fortress. And Cobalt, his heir, who was just a little boy? He grew up into a monster, raised an army to free his father and then turned those godforsaken forces against the rest of us. He shook his head. “We cant let either the queen or her heirs live.

  “Well, we will see what happens. Markus raised his goblet. “To Taka Mal.

  The others lifted their cups. “To Taka Mal.

  After they drank and refilled their goblets, Markus reclined on his cushions. Bladebreak smiled at him. “You seem in a good mood.

  “Hmm, Markus said.

  Yargazon spoke sourly. “Has she had any wine lately?

  Markus grinned at him. “I dont give her any.

  “Perhaps you should, Yargazon said. “You could keep your belt ready for another thirty.

  “Aye, that I could, Markus said, laughing.

  Allegra wanted to slap them. Belt indeed. During their ride today, she had walked part of the time because she was stiff after riding so much. But she knew what Markus let everyone think, that she couldnt ride because of the thrashing he had supposedly given her. If he brought that up now, she was going to throw more than wine in his face when she had the chance.