Page 53 of North Queen
They made their way through the crowded castle and toward the throne room. Well-wishers clapped him on the back as he walked through the crowd of people. The lords expected him to be named lord justice. He never considered himself an ambitious man, at least not the way most men were, but he had always hoped to follow in his father’s footsteps one day. He’d hoped it was his destiny. Of all the visions Samuel had painted of him, none showed him as the lord justice. But then, they never showed someone else either.
Alexander left Adrian in the mainway and stepped into a side hall, finding the room where Norah was privately waiting. He paused for a moment, watching her. She was beautiful, as she always was, and she took his breath, like she always did. She was dressed in white, the color of Mercia. Ornate silver trim lined her gown, which was long with delicate beading. Her hair was pinned up, with loose curls swept back in twisted braids.
“Norah,” he said softly. He should have bowed, but he couldn’t take his eyes off her.
She turned and let out a breath. “Alexander. I’m so glad you’re here. I’m a nervous wreck.”
He couldn’t help a small smile. “You needn’t be. Remember, you only say two words. And I’m pretty sure you can say anything and it won’t matter. In fact, your grandmother may speak for you.”
The corner of her mouth turned up through her pursed lips. “So I’m just to stand there and look the part?”
“Well, you do look… very much a queen.”
She glanced down at her gown. “I suppose that’s the intent.”
Time was slipping away from him. “Shortly, I’ll be calling you Queen Norah.”
“As long as it’s notYour Elegance.”
“Your Regal High,” he said, and it finally pulled a real smile from her. Gods, he loved that smile.
“It isn’t the ceremony I’m worried about,” she said. “I’m not ready.”
Neither was he. “No one ever is.”
She let out a wavering breath.
“Norah,” he said. She looked up at him. “It’s not about remembering now. Leading people takes heart, and you’ve always been the heart of this kingdom. Follow yours, and you’ll know what to do.”
She pursed her lips into a fragile smile and nodded. “That’s exactly what I needed to hear right now,” she whispered.
He hoped he could give her some reassurance. If she could only see what he saw in her…
Her eyes moved past him and over his shoulder. He turned to see Catherine. “Queen Regent.” He bowed. She gave him a nod, but her stern eye cued his leave. He looked back at Norah and gave her a reassuring nod. “When we speak again, you’ll be queen.” He gave her a small bow and slipped out of the room.
Norah’s eyes trailed Alexander as he left to give her some privacy with her grandmother before the ceremony.
“Look at you,” Catherine smiled, clasping her hand. “So much like your mother.”
Her mother.Evanya. Had she felt the same when she’d married Norah’s father? Had she been afraid? Unsure? Worried about disappointing everyone?
“Here,” Catherine said, pulling out a velvet box. “I have something for you. You’ll be crowned with this during the coronation, but I wanted you to see it first.”
Norah removed the top, and her breath caught. Inside sat a gold crown. Carefully, she lifted it from the box. It was heavier than it looked. She ran her fingers over the smooth base, and then up the shaped floral-like edges.
“These represent lilies,” Catherine told her, touching the top shapes of the crown. “They were your mother’s favorite flowers. Your father would have them brought from Aleon for her.” She smiled sadly. “She was taken from us before the crown was completed, but he had it finished, intending to one day give it to you. He would have loved to see this moment.”
Norah’s lip trembled. “It’s beautiful,” she breathed.
“Like its queen,” her grandmother replied, with tears in her eyes.
Norah threw her arms around her grandmother, hugging her close.
Catherine squeezed her back. “They’re with you now, child. And so am I.”
Norah took a step back and nodded, unable to speak.
Her grandmother took the crown and put it back into the box. “Now, everything’s ready. You needn’t fret about anything. And tomorrow, we’ll meet with the council and decide on your lord justice. Someone we trust implicitly.”
