Page 138 of North Queen
“I had something to get back to.”
“Battle planning?” she jested. Something else dark and nefarious, no doubt.
“You.”
She paused. Why did she like that? She bit her lip. “Worried I might make my escape?” It was a jest. Mostly.
But he shook his head. “No. I wanted to see you again.”
She liked that even more. Had their last interaction stayed in his mind, as it had in hers?
“I heard you had the Crest working in the gardens yesterday,” he said as they started toward the castle.
She glanced out at the practice fields to where the commander had picked up inspection of the soldiers. “No, that was the lord commander’s doing,” she said irritably. “I was planting flowers.”
“A queen shouldn’t be laboring in the dirt.”
“It wasn’t laboring,” she argued. “I actually quite enjoyed it.” She needed to be out of the castle and doing something. “And even if I was, I’ll do what pleases me. The lord commander oversteps, and it’s unacceptable.”
He slowed. “I know he’s not a man of gentle nature, but the lord commander looks out for my interests, and now yours.”
She scoffed. “Notmyinterests.”
“You judge him too harshly.” His tone held an edge of defense, and she quieted. He put his absolute trust in his brute, loved him as a brother, and would defend him fiercely, even to her. The commander could divide them, and that’s the last thing she wanted. She had to be careful.
Silence hung between them as they walked, then he said, “Labor in the dirt if it makes you happy. I just ask you to refrain when your people arrive for the marriage. I don’t want them to think I took their queen for slave labor.”
It was a jest to bridge them back to a good place. He was trying. And it was an acceptable compromise. Norah couldn’t help her smile. “Yes, I can see my grandmother having heart palpitations.”
Mikael’s brow creased. “Surely your grandmother won’t come.”
His assumption surprised her. “She’d planned to travel to Aleon. Of course she’ll come. Why wouldn’t she?”
Mikael raised an eyebrow but didn’t answer.
“This alliance is important, and I’m her granddaughter,” she insisted. “I’m getting married, and I need her. She’ll come.”
“Of course,” he replied, but doubt lingered on his face.
There would be tension between their kingdoms, understandably, and it would take time to adjust, but her grandmother wouldn’t deny her. Mikael didn’t know Catherine. He’d see.
“I’m sure you’ve already eaten,” he said, “but will you join me for some breakfast?”
Her smile returned. “I’d love to.”
Norah strode outside into the daylight with a spring in her step. Breakfast with Mikael had left her in high spirits. He was… different… than she’d expected. She liked it.
She decided to visit the mare again and stop by the garden and say hello to Bremhad along the way. Vitalia followed close behind, as did Norah’s guard. She was disappointed to have Sonal in her service again today, but she wouldn’t let him dampen her spirits.
Norah made her way along the manicured topiaries and combed the gardens for the greenskeeper, but he was nowhere to be found. Norah spotted another man by the laurels, and she approached. He bowed low when he saw her.
“Is Bremhad here?” she asked.
The man said nothing and remained bowing.
“A man named Bremhad,” she said again. “Is he here?”
Still, the man said nothing.
