Page 32 of North Queen
Alexander continued forward, and Adrian fell in step beside him.
“And how are you?” Adrian asked.
He pushed a long breath from his lungs. “The same.” His brother could read him better than anyone. No matter how stoic Alexander’s face, Adrian always knew how he felt. Now was no exception, especially not after the strange interaction with Norah, but he had neither the time nor the energy for Adrian’s questions.
Adrian caught him by the arm, bringing them both to a halt. “You’re not well. Why, brother?” His voice was soft and concerned.
“As I said, I’m tired.” It wasn’t entirely untruthful, although if he were to close his eyes, no sleep would come. It wasn’t weariness that weighed on him.
“Why are things different?” Adrian pressed. “Why is she different?”
Alexander searched for the words that might appease him. “She’s been gone three years. Of course she’s going to be different.” But Alexander knew that explained nothing. There were no words that would quell his brother’s suspicions. Adrian was too smart for his own good sometimes.
“What about you?” Adrian asked. “Are you different now too? The way you speak to her, the way you act.” He paused, looking around and dropping his voice low. “Like there was nothing.”
A flash of anger ran through Alexander. Adrian was too free with his tongue. “Watch your words,” he warned, but he knew his brother only questioned out of concern for him, out of love. He softened. “Things are different now. She’ll be queen in a matter of days.”
Adrian shook his head. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Alexander clasped Adrian’s shoulder. “I’ve told you all you need to know. Please, don’t make my work harder.”
Adrian’s face fell. He conceded, nodding.
Alexander squeezed his brother’s shoulder and then went to find the regent.
Chapter ten
Darknesshungaroundher,but Norah wasn’t afraid. Her lips pulled back into a smile as she slipped on her dress. The fabric clung to her damp skin. She grasped behind her to tie the lacing, but gentle hands took over, and she let them. Her heart pulsed warmth into her cheeks, and she reached up and swept her hair to the side, feeling the cool air tease the flesh of her neck. The last tie was made on her gown, but she lingered. A warm breath from behind her rolled over her shoulder. Her skin prickled. Then, ever so soft, lips brushed her skin. She let out a small gasp as her head fell to the side, and warmth pooled deep inside her stomach. She turned—
Norah blinked her eyes open as she lay under a wave of confusion. She sat up with a start, pushing back the thick quilts, and realized she was in her chamber. She’d been dreaming, although it didn’t feel like a dream.
It was morning, but the sun hadn’t yet risen. Rebecca would be in soon to wake her. She slipped out of bed, still breathless from her dream, and splashed water on her face from the basin. Her mind turned to the night before—the dance with Alexander, his nearness, his lips on her skin. Then she scolded herself. Alexander should be the last thing on her mind.
As expected, Rebecca swept into the room with a tray of biscuits and tea. “You’re an early riser, Your Highness,” she said with a smile. “I hope you slept well.”
She hadn’t, thinking of the dream, although she wouldn’t be terribly upset if it were to happen again. Her cheeks flushed, even at her own private thoughts.
“The queen regent said she’ll be in after midday meal,” Rebecca told her as she pulled out a gown for Norah to wear.
Norah’s brow tensed. That was a long way away. “What will I do until then?”
Her maid helped her into the gown and said, “There are several things I can bring you, Your Highness: drawing things, books, needlepoint.”
Needlepoint?That sounded terrible. None of those things appealed to her. “Do I have to stay in my chamber?”
“Well”—Rebecca paused as she pulled the gown tight and fastened it—“the queen regent said she’d be here after midday meal.”
Yes, she’d already said that. Norah wriggled inside her gown as Rebecca tightened it, situating herself as comfortably as she could, as if comfort were possible. Then she brushed her hair back from her face. “All right, I can be back before then.”
Rebecca gave a small grimace. “I don’t think the queen regent would be pleased.” She pulled a brush through Norah’s loose tresses and fastened the hair back from her face with floral pins.
Norah frowned. “Did shesayI had to stay in my chamber?”
The maid wavered. “Not exactly.”
Norah sighed. “I can’t stay in here all the time, locked away.”
Rebecca looked at her with sympathetic eyes.
