Page 190 of North Queen
She shook her head. “No, there must be some mistake. But even if heisgoing to Aleon, I’m sure there’s a perfectly rational explanation.”
“What could be a rational explanation for meeting with our enemy?” Mikael asked.
“Aleon isn’t an enemy,” she countered. “They’ve been friends and allies for generations.”
“Of theNorth,” Mikael stressed. “And let me remind you, that was with the promise of your hand.”
She felt the tension escalating. “Let’s not jump to conclusions. I’ll speak to him when he returns and sort everything out.”
“I’m eager to hear,” Mikael said stiffly.
The commander’s face flashed with anger, clearly offended by Mikael’s tolerance. Artem stood behind them, smug and hostile.
Norah’s stomach turned. What was the council doing? Just as things were seeming to settle, this jeopardized everything.
Norah paced the winter gardens with Vitalia and Serene in tow. She sucked in the chilled air to clear her mind. Why would the council have sent Alexander to Aleon? And why had Alexander not told her? He’d said he hadn’t wanted to burden her more. Perhaps he’d gone to mend the relationship between their kingdoms. The news of her betrothal to the Kharavian king hadn’t been received well by Aleon, understandably. She felt a pang of guilt when she thought of Phillip. He’d have seen her decision as an insult. And he’d done nothing wrong, nothing to break their alliance. She’d just changed her mind. Mikael was the only one who could give her peace.
“Try not to worry, Regal High,” Serene’s voice came from behind. The Mercian title fell strangely on her ears still. Her Kharavian title felt more natural now. “Mercia and Aleon have been friends for a long time, and business between them isn’t uncommon. It could be something rather trivial.”
She looked back at Serene and forced a smile, appreciating her maid’s effort to ease her heart. “That’s what I keep telling myself, but trivial things don’t require a lord justice.”
Norah paced the garden until she could no longer feel her fingers, then she headed back to the castle. She walked the long hall, and when she reached her sanctuary, she froze. Inside stood Captain Artem. And in his hand—Catherine’s letter.
“What are you doing in here?” she demanded.
He didn’t answer.
“This is my sanctuary. You’re not allowed here!” Her eyes moved to the parchment in Artem’s hand. “That’s my letter!”
He stood, unbothered by her anger. “Why would a letter come from the regent?” he asked. “Telling you to return home urgently?”
“You read my letter?” she seethed. She held out her hand. “Give it to me!”
But he only looked at her with an icy gaze. “All while the Bear meets with Aleon.”
“Give it to me!” she demanded again.
Kiran stepped inside from behind her, his hand on the hilt of his sword.
Artem shifted his gaze to Kiran, and his eyes darkened. “Do you forget your place, warrior?”
“You forget yours,” Norah snapped. “Give me my letter, and get out! You’re never to set foot in here again.”
Artem gave an amused snort. Then he tossed the opened letter on the vanity before leaving, giving Kiran a daggered glare as he shouldered by.
Norah stood, still in shock.
“Are you all right, Salara?” Kiran asked her after Artem had gone.
She only nodded, unable to speak.
“We’ll take our post. Call if you need anything.” Then he and two other members of the Crest saw their way out, closing the door behind them and leaving Norah to her rage.
Vitalia and Serene said nothing but shifted closer to her.
Norah’s hands shook as she picked up the letter from the vanity and sat on the chair at the small table. For the first time, she read its words.
Dearest Norah,
