Page 194 of North Queen
“North Queen,” Artem greeted her coldly.
“It’s Salara,” she cut back. She wasn’t going to lettwoassholes get away with that. “Where’s Kiran?” she demanded.
“He’s been detained.”
“Where?”
He cast her an annoyed eye. “Where we detain men.”
In the dungeon. “He’s a member of the Crest!”
Artem snorted. “No longer. He falsified his documents and attacked his superior.”
Superior. Artem was anything but. “You can’t do that!”
“I’m captain of the Crest. I can.”
His cool tone infuriated her. She’d thought she couldn’t loathe anyone more than the lord commander. She’d been wrong. “I order you to release him.” She may be a prisoner, but she was still queen.
The corners of his mouth turned up in amusement. “I answer to Salar.”
He was such a smug bastard, so confident that Mikael’s attention was focused on the threat with Aleon and that it would bode unfavorably for her. She was starting to understand the want for blood. If she had a dagger in her hand…
She wouldn’t let him get away with this. Without a reply, she turned and stormed from the office and back to the castle.
Night passed, and another day came, but Norah couldn’t sleep. Her body was tired, but her mind couldn’t rest. Vitalia had stayed with Kiran’s mother, and Serene had spent the night in the sanctuary with her.
Her maid helped her dress, carefully fastening the clasps of the gown and straightening the lacing. “You look like you haven’t slept a wink, Regal High.”
She let out an exhausted breath. “I haven’t.”
“You might find it more comfortable in the villa,” Serene suggested. “It’s nice there.”
Norah sat down at the vanity with a stoic face as the maid brushed her hair. “I don’t want to talk about the villa again,” she said. “Ever.” If she could, she’d burn it to the ground. She’d burn everything. She hated this wretched place—it was breaking her.
“Yes, Regal High,” Serene said quietly. Norah watched her maid in the mirror as she gathered the linens from the bed and swept them into a basket. She left the room just as Vitalia entered with breakfast.
“Salara,” Vitalia said breathlessly. “Good news! Kiran was released. Just this morning.”
Norah spun around in her chair. That was good news.
“The Crest is unhappy with his treatment. I fear Artem’s mercy is temporary, just to appease them. Hopefully Salar returns soon.”
Yes, Norah was desperate for his return. But for now, she was relieved that Kiran was at least free. “Where is he now?”
“Back with his mother, preparing. The burial will be this afternoon.”
Norah rose from her chair. “I have to go.” She had to be there.
“Salara, it would be… unconventional for you to be there. Bremhad was a servant. Only those who have died a warrior’s death would be seen into the ground by salar. Or salara.”
To hell with conventions. “I don’t care.” She paused. “Unless… Kiran doesn’t want me there?” After all, this was her fault.
“Of course he’d want you there. It would be a great honor.”
“Then I’ll go.”
Vitalia gave her a sad smile.
