Page 41 of North Queen
Alexander’s eyes shot up, locking with his brother’s. “What did you say?”
“Norah. She doesn’t remember you. Or anyone else here.”
The breath left his lungs. “She told you?”
Adrian bobbed his head to the side. “After I guessed.” His voice softened. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Alexander sighed and rose from the desk. “The fewer people who know, the better.”
“But I’m your brother,” Adrian argued. “I can help you.”
“You can help me by doing as you’re told,” Alexander said shortly.
“You should’ve told me. Why didn’t you?”
“Catherine wouldn’t permit it.” He looked at the desk as he reached down and leaned his weight on it. “And I couldn’t. You would… know what it meant, and I can’t take another face looking at me… with pity.”
They sat in silence.
Adrian finally broke the quiet. “To be fair, I have a much better pity face than Grandmother,” he said, trying to lighten the air.
Alexander let out a snort, accepting his brother’s effort. “Everyone has a better pity face than Catherine.”
Adrian smiled.
They sat in the quiet, letting the ease return between them.
“Are you going to tell Norah?” Adrian asked.
Alexander sobered. “You can’t call her that anymore. Things are different now. You must use her titles.”
“Will you tell her?” he asked again.
Alexander shook his head slowly, staring at the three-candle holder on the desk. One candle had burned to the bottom, and as its flame died, a line of smoke trailed up until it disappeared into nothing.
“What if she remembers?”
Alexander shrugged. “What if she doesn’t?” Then their story would be like the candle.
Adrian’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t want her to?”
He didn’t want to talk about this. “It’s not about what I want. It’s about what’s best for her right now. And what’s best for Mercia.”
“You should tell her,” Adrian pressed.
“I don’t have the right!” Alexander snapped, momentarily losing himself.
Adrian fell quiet.
Alexander drew in a long breath, calling his patience back. It was only because his brother loved him that he pushed as he did. He softened. “It’s better if she forgets,” he said quietly. “That part of her life, anyway. It’s better if you forget too.”
Adrian sighed. He stood and started toward the door, then he paused. “But will you be able to forget, brother?”
The answer haunted him.
Chapter thirteen
Norah’ssilkshoesfellsilently on the stone as she made her way through the halls from her chamber toward the dining room for dinner. She glanced over her shoulder at her guard behind her. They always felt closer than they were. Especially Titus. Underneath his serious brow, his stern eyes were always on her.
