Page 144 of North Queen
She desperately wanted to ask Mikael about Bremhad, but she didn’t dare with an audience and with whatever was happening here with this display.
The ranks of the Crest guards lined the sides of the room, and the commander stood beside the king’s chair, his axe in hand. It was quite a strong response to several Northmen, she mused.
The king greeted her with a small bow of his head. “North Queen,” he said, holding his hand out to the throne beside his. “Please.”
She hadn’t expected to sit on the queen’s throne before she was crowned salara, but she took her seat beside him.
He looked at her with an expression she couldn’t understand. “We’ve not said our vows yet, but you are my salara. You still make this commitment to me, yes?”
What an odd question. He seemed to be deciding something in his mind. “Of course,” she told him, and he gave her a small nod.
The doors swung open, and a small army of her Northmen entered the hall. Norah couldn’t help the smile that came to her face when she recognized the bald head in the front.
“Titus!” she said, standing and stepping forward. “I’m so glad you’ve come.”
He bowed. “Queen Norah. I’m glad to see you well.”
“How was the journey?”
“It was uneventful—the best kind. And everyone is well, as I hope you are.”
Her smile widened. “I am, and very glad to see a familiar face.”
“Not just one familiar face, Regal High,” he said as he stepped to the side. Another large soldier came forward, removing his helm.
Norah let out a gasp, and the world stood still as blue eyes smiled back at her—eyes that were never far from her mind.
Alexander.
But the happiness lasted only a moment, then came the fear—a crippling, sickening fear. “What are you doing here?” she breathed.
“Norah,” he said softly.
She felt Mikael behind her. His voice came low and cold. “You have a guest.”
She glanced back to see he’d risen from his chair and had his hand on the hilt of his sword, with the commander beside him.
“Yes,” she said shakily, desperately searching her mind for how to keep the calm. “I’d like to present—”
“I know who he is,” he cut her off as he stepped beside her. His eyes locked on Alexander. “My lord commander told me you’d be foolish enough to come,” he snarled at Alexander. “I almost didn’t believe him.”
Alexander didn’t answer. And he didn’t bow. He only stood with an icy fire in his eyes. The Shadowmen drew closer from their position around the room. Norah’s heart raced faster, and her stomach turned. Things were escalating, quickly. The commander spoke to the king in the Shadow tongue, and she heard weapons being readied. Titus stepped to Alexander’s side, and the Northmen pulled their swords defensively.
Mikael gripped his own sword, moving forward, and panic surged through her. She had to stop this. She clasped Mikael’s arm, stepping in front of him and looking earnestly into his eyes. “Please,” she whispered softly.
He paused as his gaze shifted to her. When he stopped, everyone stopped. And they waited. His eyes moved back and forth between hers. The eternity of the quiet weakened her, but she held his arm tighter. Mikael looked at Alexander, then back to her. Finally, he growled a command, and the Shadowmen drew back.
Norah let herself breathe, but she couldn’t shake the wave of nausea that twisted in her stomach. Tension still hung thick in the air.
“Lord Justice,” Mikael said to Alexander, using his title for the first time, “we expected you to return to the North.”
Alexander ignored the king, looking only at Norah. “I did return, but I had to see your guard back to you, or rather, what’s left of them. I’m relieved to find you well.”
“How else did you expect to find her?” Mikael asked, his voice edged in anger.
Alexander’s eyes met the king’s, and he made no attempt to hide his disdain. “Perhaps similar to how I last saw her: assaulted and ill treated.”
Rage radiated from Mikael, and she squeezed his arm again—her silent plea for restraint. “As you can see, I’m quite well.” She grasped at how she might redirect the conversation. “What news do you have from Mercia?” She wanted to hear of home.
