Page 169 of North Queen
“That does sound amazing.” Vitalia grinned. “I’ll fetch your cloak.”
Norah stepped out of the castle and breathed in the winter morning. It felt good. She decided to walk through the gardens on her way to the front gates, and she smiled when she saw Bremhad tending a tall set of shrubs.
“Salara,” he greeted her with a bow as she approached.
“Good morning, Bremhad.”
She gazed over at the rows of small shoots that had been planted a few weeks prior. They seemed to be coming along. “I was wondering about the planter boxes under the windows outside the great hall. In my sanctuary, there’s a balcony. Could you put the same there?”
“Of course, Salara. I would be happy to.”
She smiled. “Thank you.”
Norah’s step had a new spring of life. She grinned at Vitalia as they left the walls of the castle and wandered into the busy market of the city.Finally. The feeling of freedom was one she’d hungered for—one that had escaped her, even in Mercia. But not any longer. She glanced over her shoulder at her guard behind her and saw Kiran didn’t share her same glee. She couldn’t help but be amused. Beside him was Bhastian. She didn’t see him as much as the others in the Crest. A close man of the lord commander, he took duties for the brute often, no doubt spying on her for him.
Norah strolled through the market stalls, looking over the handiworks and art. She hadn’t expected to garner so much attention, but all eyes were on her. Many bowed as she passed, and some smiled. No one was unkind.
“Here, taste this,” Vitalia said as she held out a small red treat.
Norah put it in her mouth and laughed at the burst of sweetness. “Whatisthat?” she asked.
“They’re candies made from mountain berries.”
“They’re delicious!”
“Here.” Vitalia dumped a pile into Norah’s hand.
Norah laughed as they walked on. Just then, a child ran across the cobbled street, but stopped abruptly when he saw her. He stared at her, wide-eyed. She smiled and held out one of the sweets for him, but he only stood frozen. Just when she thought he might not take it, he grabbed it from her hand and ran away. She looked at Vitalia with amusement and laughed again.
A few moments later, a cluster of children came, eager to see the North Queen who was handing out treats. Bhastian scolded them, and they scampered off, but not without leaving her empty of sweets.
“I see you’re already gaining favor,” Vitalia told her with a grin.
Across the way, in a larger market stall, Norah noticed a beautiful sheer fabric and wandered toward it. “What is this?” she asked the woman in the stall as she ran her fingers over it. The woman answered in Kharavian tongue.
“Butterfly silk,” Vitalia told her.
“From butterflies?” Norah asked incredulously.
“From the valley.”
“How do I buy some?” she asked her maid in a hushed voice. “Do I need to go get money?”
“No, Salara. They’ll charge the castle. Just take what you like.”
The woman smiled, folding the rolls of silk and chattering excitedly. Norah didn’t even know what she’d use it for, but she’d figure something out. Perhaps as a gift for her grandmother. Suddenly, Vitalia’s face fell, and Norah turned, following her gaze to Captain Artem approaching.
“You can’t be out here,” Artem said when he reached her.
“That’s not your call.”
“I’m charged with your safety.”
Nice try.“The lord commander is to take my words as Salar’s. You can tell him I’ll return when I’m ready.”
“I don’t answer to the lord commander. I answer directly to Salar.”
Wait, Artem didn’t answer to the commander?
