Page 113 of North Queen
Speechless, Tahla stepped closer, and Norah brought their hands together to the creature’s silver coat. Tahla let out an emotional breath, running her hand down the mare’s neck. Norah smiled at the love and respect the chief’s daughter had for the animal. This horse was special. Norah just wished she knew what her connection was to it.
Norah grabbed a fistful of mane and pulled herself onto the mare’s back. “I think she likes you,” Norah said, reaching down. “Do you want to try a ride?”
“What?” Tahla breathed in disbelief.
“Come on.”
Tahla patted the mare gently, unsure, but she grasped Norah’s hand. Norah pulled her up and behind her. The mare danced anxiously but seemed amenable.
“Good?” Norah asked.
“Beyond!” Tahla exclaimed. “I’ve only dreamed of such things!”
“Let’s go!” Norah whispered to the mare, and the beast kicked into a gallop along the river. The rippling water caught the last rays of sun, and the curve of the earth rose to meet them. Tahla let out a squeal of joy, spreading her arms wide, as if in flight, and Norah laughed. Norah urged the mare faster, and they flew over the banks of the river. The wind whipped through their hair, and tears stung Norah’s eyes. Finally, she slowed the mare to a walk, breathless.
“I can’t believe this is happening!” Tahla squealed.
Norah smiled back at her.
“It feels like we’ve left the earth behind.” The chief’s daughter laughed, looking into the purple sunset. “And now we ride among the heavens.”
It was heavenly. Beauty lay all around them, but the weight of her circumstance pulled her spirit back. “I suppose we should return.” Norah sighed. “The king will have noticed my absence and fear my escape.”
“Your escape?” Tahla asked. Then she paused as the realization came to her. “You don’t want to marry him?”
Norah’s silence answered for her.
“Look,” Tahla told her, pointing behind them. Norah slowed the mare to a stop and looked behind them. There were no tracks along the muddy bank of the river, no trail of their ride. Norah’s breath caught in her throat.
“See?” the chief’s daughter said. “The power of Savantahla.”
Norah let out a shaky breath, realizing her chance.
“You could go,” Tahla said softly. “If this isn’t what you want, if you don’t want to marry him.”
Norah wanted to run. She closed her eyes and breathed in the pull of freedom. “Why would you help me?” she asked Tahla. “Is Kharav not your ally? Your friend?”
Tahla paused for a moment, and then let out a breath. “Six years ago, my father forced me to marry. And on my wedding night, when I didn’t want to give myself to him, my husband beat me, then took me anyway.”
“Oh, Tahla. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. I got my revenge.”
Norah’s stomach turned. Was that her future?
“Salar’s a good man,” Tahla said, seeming to read her mind. “And he’ll be a good husband. But I’ll not be idle for a woman marrying against her will. Ride two days west, past the ruins of Choan, and then turn north. You’ll find yourself deep into the Tribelands, but with Savantahla, any tribe will give you shelter, safety, provisions.”
Norah’s heart beat wildly in her chest. The mare pranced underneath them, feeling her energy. Norah reached a hand down to calm her. She turned back toward Tahla, smiling sadly. “You don’t know how much your kindness means to me. And it’s true I don’t want to marry him. But this marriage will end ten years of war. My Northmen are marching as we speak. Battle is imminent; thousands will die. And Mercia needs help. The winter drags on, and my people are desperate. We have no food. This marriage seems to solve everything. I have to do it.”
“You’re a strong queen for your people.”
“I want to be.”
Tahla smiled and put a warm hand on her arm. “Then we’ll return. But always remember it’s your choice.”
Norah smiled and urged the mare back the way they had come. The sun had set, and the sky grew darker. “You spoke of the ruins of Choan,” she prompted. “The border kingdom the Shadowlands destroyed?”
Tahla snorted. “That sounds like a Northern way to describe it, but yes, I suppose.”
