Before Nor could respond, Allegra commanded, “He must not be harmed.”
“That I cannot guarantee,” Bahn said, barely acknowledging her. He turned and began waving his arms at a cluster of approaching birdun cavalrymen.
Allegra seemed aghast at the casual affront to her authority. Queen Nor had been pricked by guilt so many times this day that she had lost count, but the expression on her daughter’s face made the sting fresh. Of course it was her fault. Allegra had been locked away for her entire life. Unseen. Unheard. How could the princess carry any weight when she was little more than a ghost? It was yet another thing for Nor to rectify if tomorrow ever came.
Birdun warmen arrived at the balcony, and one by one, they abandoned their mounts and entered the royal bedchamber. Bahn waved
