Page 117 of North Queen
“Have you lain with a man before?” he asked.
Norah snorted in surprise, offended. “Do you question my honor?”
His brow creased. “What does virginity have to do with honor?” he asked.
Norah didn’t know what to say. “If it doesn’t matter, then why are you asking?”
“It’s good I know,” he said. “For our wedding night.”
A pit grew in Norah’s stomach as she tried to swallow the tightness in her throat. “Well, if we make it to our wedding night, we’ll talk about it then.” She urged her mare ahead, leaving the king and the conversation, and tried to push the subject from her mind.
The Shadowmen camped at the top of the canyons for two days before the Mercian army arrived. War horns sounded, and Norah wondered what Alexander must be feeling as he readied for war, coming for her. She was desperate to see him, but she wasn’t sure she could face him.
She stood quietly, looking down from the cliffs at the legions organizing in the distance. The Mercian horns sounded again in anticipation of battle. And she was suddenly aware of the Shadow King beside her.
“They’re preparing for an attack,” she said.
“Then how happy they’ll be when they learn they won’t die today,” he replied.
“What of the Bear?” the commander called, coming up behind them.
Norah’s pulse quickened. “What of him?” she said shortly, looking at Mikael. “Do you forget our agreement?”
The commander’s eyes were on Mikael, ignoring her. He waited for his king’s response.
Mikael looked back at him with a ruthless calm. “The Bear’s not to be harmed.”
The commander snorted in anger. “He will engage.”
“I said he’s not to be harmed. Make sure every warrior is aware. I’ll have the head of any man who raises a hand to him.”
The corners of the commander’s eyes tightened, but he turned back toward the army. Despite Mikael’s words, Norah’s concern for Alexander rose. She glanced at him warily.
His nostrils flared, and he slipped his helm back on. “Why is this man so important to you?”
Norah’s heart threatened to beat itself out of her chest. She was certain he could hear it. “Is your lord commander not important to you?” she challenged. “Would you so freely give me his head if I asked for it?”
Mikael looked out at the Mercian army in the distance, but he didn’t press her further. “As I’ve said, he’s safe. But he’s to return with your army to the North.”
Norah nodded. That’s what she wanted—her army back in Mercia and Alexander safe. She hoped it would be that simple.
The commander returned, followed by a small group of soldiers with covered carts. She looked at Mikael, puzzled, and he pulled back a tarp, showing bags of rice and dried goods underneath.
“For your army,” he said. “Our scouts have reported they’re low on provisions. When you return to me, I’ll send more.” He stepped closer to her. “I’m sincere in my commitment, and I trust you are as well.”
She hadn’t expected offerings from him in good faith. The gesture left her speechless as she stared at the wagons.
“North Queen,” Mikael said, drawing her to look back at him. “You’ll send the Bear—this Alexander—back to the North.”
The commander’s head jerked up in surprise. He recognized the name. Her stomach dropped as the fiery rage of his eyes burned into her, and she clenched her hands to keep from shaking. To her astonishment, he said nothing, but she knew it wouldn’t be a detail he would dismiss.
She forced a nod to Mikael.
“You’ll have until tomorrow with your army, then you’ll come back to me,” he told her.
Norah nodded again. “Tomorrow.”
She mounted her horse, and the mare stirred anxiously underneath her. The commander mounted beside her, and she snapped her head toward Mikael in surprise. “He’s not necessary,” she said.
