Page 27 of North Queen
He gave a puzzled nod, but his smile quickly returned. “I almost didn’t believe it when I heard. You’re back.”
“I am,” she said. She was indeed back. And standing awkwardly. She glanced at Alexander.
Adrian’s mouth opened to say more, but Alexander interjected. “Speaking of getting you back, we should go,” he said to Norah as he returned the book to the shelf from where he’d taken it.
She sensed Alexander’s unease with his brother, and Adrian’s confusion. Catherine had been very pointed about keeping her memory loss a secret. It would be hard for her with people who knew her well, and she imagined it would be hard for Alexander to keep it from his brother too.
“Of course,” she said, smiling politely at Adrian.
As they stepped out of the library, the wind brought a shudder, and Norah pulled up her cloak. The Northern Kingdom, Mercia was called. It felt very northern.
“I’m surprised my brother has you out in this cold,” Adrian told her.
She smiled. “It’s not Alexander’s doing. I kept him out. The building was beautiful, and I had to see it.”
His brows drew together, and Alexander winced.
“Just to see what might have changed,” she added quickly.
Adrian chuckled. “A building that’s stood for a thousand years won’t have changed much in the past three.”
“No, I know. I meant the books.” She swallowed. “To make sure…” They’d been taken to Aleon for safekeeping and returned, hadn’t they? “To make sure they were in the right place.” What was wrong with her? She needed to stop talking.
Alexander shook his head faintly, and she knew. “I should probably get back,” she said breathlessly.
“Yes, you should,” Alexander said.
A servant approached. “Your Highness,” he bowed politely to Norah and then turned to Alexander. “Lord Justice, the queen regent requires you.”
Alexander looked at Norah, then back to the servant. “I’ll come.”
“She waits in her study,” the servant said with a bow, and left.
His eyes found Norah’s. “I have to go. Your guard will see you back.”
“Where else would you like to go? I can take you,” Adrian offered.
“You have your duties,” Alexander cut in. He turned to Norah. “Titus and Liaman will see you back to your chamber.”
“Can my duties not wait, brother?” Adrian asked. “Surely the princess—”
“No,” Alexander cut him off firmly, taking Adrian aback and silencing him. “The princess needs to return to her chamber.” He turned to Norah. “Your Highness,” he said with a bow of his head. He gave Titus a nod and then left to find the regent.
Norah looked at Adrian apologetically as she started back toward the castle. He picked up alongside her.
He glanced at Norah. “Do you mind if I at least walk back with you?”
“Not at all,” she said with a small smile. What else would she say?
“I still can’t believe you’ve returned,” he said as they walked. “Where have you been?”
“Adrian,” Titus gruffed, and the young man glanced back at the guard in confusion.
Norah’s pulse quickened. That was the question on everyone’s mind. “It’s complicated. I’m really just trying to get settled right now.”
He nodded. “Of course.”
Norah felt a pang of sympathy. He seemed kind and genuinely happy to see her. He just didn’t understand, and neither did she.
