Page 13 of North Queen
People came in flocks now. She looked at all the faces; there were so many of them. Some were laughing, some were crying, some were merely watching in astonishment. A deep fear seeded itself inside her. She hadn’t entirely believed Alexander before… but what if she really was the princess? It all seemed very… impossibly possible now…
Just then, a bell rang out from the castle.
“Now everyone knows you’re here,” Alexander said.
They made their way to the bridge that connected the mainland to the castle’s island. Tall stone arches rose from the frozen waters, as if placed there by the gods. It was hard to believe this was the work of men. Streams of helmed soldiers poured out of the castle gates and lined either side of the bridge. Norah looked at them in awe as Alexander led her through and into the large courtyard inside the castle walls.
They stopped at an empty fountain in the center. He reached up to her, and she let him help her to the ground. A flash of white caught her eye, and she looked up to the banner of the winterhawk in the sky.
“White is the color of Mercia,” he explained. “The winterhawk is your father’s—your—sigil.” His blue eyes danced with excitement. “Welcome home, Norah.” He moved to lead her toward the castle.
“Alexander,” she called, stopping him.
He paused. “Yes?”
“Be near.” She needed him near.
“Always,” he promised.
Throngs of people flooded the courtyard from the terraced buildings surrounding the castle on the isle. Alexander led her through, moving slowly to keep her close. He summoned more guards, who closed in around them. Norah reached for his hand but then stopped herself. The want came so naturally, and it surprised her. They reached the stairs to the entrance, and he halted abruptly, pulling her from the thought.
Norah looked up to see a woman approaching, flanked by her guard. She was older, elegant and regal in a dark navy gown. Brown furs lay bulked around her neck and lined the hood of her cloak, but there was no missing the striking white hair peeking out from underneath. She floated down the stairs with magnetic beauty.
Alexander stepped forward. “Queen Regent.” He bowed. “I—”
But she moved past him, as if not seeing him, and not hearing him either. Her gaze was locked on Norah. She pulled back the hood of her cloak; the green pools of her eyes were filled with wisdom and the cautiousness of disbelief. She was slightly shorter than Norah but held a regal stature—the poise of power. Beauty graced her face with her high cheekbones, her bright eyes. Age respected this woman. She stared at Norah for a moment, her expression giving nothing away.
Norah bit the inside of her lip. Was this where everyone would discover she wasn’t who they thought? Perhaps that was better, anyway—to get it out of the way early and save them all from embarrassment later.
But then the woman’s lip trembled. “Norah,” she breathed. “Oh, my dear. You’ve finally come home.”
Or they would just continue with this insanity. Norah couldn’t move.
The queen regent reached out, brushing a lock of Norah’s hair with her fingertips, and tears sprang from her eyes. She let out a silent cry and embraced Norah, pulling her close.
Norah drew in a sharp breath. Her own eyes brimmed. Even though she was still lost to herself, this woman made her feel found. She let herself accept the warmth of the embrace, the warmth of love. Her fear, her anxiety, her worry, all stopped for a moment. She needed this embrace, and she let herself have it.
Stepping back, the regent’s eyes darted over her, taking her in. “How long we’ve waited for you to come home.”
Norah forced a smile, trying to quell her own emotion. She couldn’t find the words to speak.
“Queen Regent,” Alexander started again.
“You must be so tired,” she said to Norah. “Come. Come inside.”
“Catherine,” he said again, stronger now, finally pulling her attention. He leaned in close to her and said in a low voice, “She has no memory.”
The woman’s brows drew together. “What?”
He shook his head. “She doesn’t know herself, or you.” He paused a moment before he said, “She doesn’t know me.”
The regent looked at Norah in shock. “How ever did you find her?” But she didn’t give him time to respond. “No matter,” she said as she took Norah’s hand. “Come, child, let’s get you inside. We’ll figure it all out.”
Norah looked at Alexander, and he gave her a nod as the regent pulled her toward the castle. The oversize doors swung open, and the woman swept through, with Norah following behind. As the doors closed, they drowned out the sound of the crowd.
Relief settled over her, now that she was away from the masses. She didn’t like the attention, but she quickly forgot the crowd as they passed through an expansive hall and then several smaller hallways. She marveled at the polished stone of white and light and the intricately sculpted busts that sat between the arched windows. Everything around her was so… bright, as if made from the sun itself. She glanced behind her to see if Alexander still followed. And he did.
They reached a chamber and entered, startling a young maid inside.
