Page 61 of North Queen
“Edward,” James said, lending his own voice.
Edward paused and swept his eyes around the room. “Of course,” he said finally, and pulled a small envelope from his pocket. He rose and brought it to Norah, presenting it with a small bow of his head. “Your Regal High.”
She took it, unfolding it and running her eyes down the parchment, but she made it no further than the first line—Dearest Norah—before the words blurred together. She had known this was the next step, what was expected of her, but… naming a date… It hadn’t felt so real before.
Her eyes welled, simply from the weight of it all, and a wave of panic washed over her. The only thing worse than her council seeing her struggle with this conversation would be if they saw her become emotional.
“As I know Lady Catherine has explained,” Edward continued as she pretended to read, “our provisions are nearing dangerously low levels and will be depleted well before winter’s end.”
“How much is there?” she managed to get out. “How long do we have?” How long did she have?
“Not long. But don’t worry yourself about the numbers. We’ll see to that. We need your attentions on Aleon, for King Phillip can provide what Mercia needs.” He wanted her to focus on the marriage, not the issue. Anger sprouted in the depths of her mind and spread through her veins.
“Time is of the essence,” he pressed. “You must think of our people.” Of course she needed to think of the people. But was a marriage the only solution? She needed to think—and it was impossible under his guilting stare, under the pressure.
Her anger thickened, and her words came before she could stop them. “I won’t be hasty to make a permanent solution for a temporary problem.”
The councilmen shifted in their chairs, clearly unsettled by her response.
“Hasty?” Edward scoffed. “This is perhaps the longest anticipated marriage in the history of mankind. And it’s not merely for today’s problems. With this alliance comes the great army of Aleon, which we’ll need to stand against the Shadow King.”
She’d not forgotten. All eyes were on her, but no words would come. She had no rebuttal for these points, no defense. And it was impossible to think under Edward’s smug gaze.
“Queen Norah knows what’s necessary,” James said, breaking the silence. “She’ll fulfill her duty. We’ll leave it to her and Lady Catherine to decide on a date.”
James’s response was certainly more diplomatic than the words forming in her head.
“That’s enough for today, councilmen,” James added.
But Norah stopped them. “There is one more thing,” she said, glancing around the table. Her anger fueled her; her fear was gone. “From now on, any letters addressed to me will come directly to me.”
Edward’s eyes darkened, but he bowed. “Of course, Regal High.”
The councilmen all bowed before shuffling out of the judisaept. James lingered as the room emptied.
“Thank you, James,” she said when they’d gone.
He nodded. “I know this was a difficult meeting for you. But, Norah”—he paused until her eyes met his—“you will choose a date, and you’ll seal our alliance with Aleon.”
Her stomach twisted. Whatever hope she had of a different solution was quickly fading. James gave her a stiff nod before following the rest of the council out. Norah turned her gaze to Catherine, whose green eyes were aflame. Norah knew Catherine was angry about revealing her memory loss, but she couldn’t deal with it. Not right now.
“I don’t want to hear it,” she said shortly.
Catherine’s face was cold as stone. “Then I won’t burden you.” She strode from the judisaept, leaving Norah alone in the emptiness of the room.
She put her hands on the edge of the table and rested her weight forward. Her legs didn’t feel like they’d hold her, but she couldn’t sit down again. She couldn’t argue with the situation, or even with the resolution. A marriage—it was very logical. It was just… sudden. And suffocating. The air in the room was heavy. She drew in a breath but couldn’t breathe.
Norah turned and left the judisaept in a haze. Everything was getting away from her. She had no control, no choice. She felt like a… girl… a child. Her guard picked up behind her as she walked. She glanced back. It was Titus. She couldn’t think with the sound of his steps in her ears. “Hammel’s hell! Can you just stop following me for a moment!” she snapped.
He frowned. “I can’t leave you, Regal High.”
“Stop calling me that!”
“Titus,” Alexander’s voice called from behind them. “I’ll see her back.”
The guard gave a nod and left them in the empty hall.
Norah stood for a moment with Alexander. His presence brought a calm she so desperately needed, dissipating her anger, but the anger had been the only thing holding her emotion back. She bit into her bottom lip, trying to keep the tears at bay.
