Page 69 of North Queen
“Norah.” Catherine’s harsh whisper filled her ears, bringing her eyes forward again.
The morning wasn’t as long as she had expected, and she found herself fueled by the silent exchanges with Alexander during the priest’s prayer. As the worship ended, an older woman called Catherine’s attention, and Norah rose with a start, seeing her chance.
Alexander was one step ahead of her, meeting her with a slight curve of his lips. “Queen Norah,” he said.
“Lord Justice. I didn’t know you were going to be here.”
“Nor I, you, but—”
“Queen Norah,” Ismene greeted as she approached them.
A flash of fire ran through her, but Norah forced a smile. “Lady Ismene, so good to see you again.” The words were stiff on her lips, but she hoped they hadn’t sounded so.
“And you, Regal High,” the young woman said with a curtsy.
“I should be off,” Norah said, looking for an opportunity to escape.
Her eyes locked with Alexander’s again. His face was solemn, almost apologetic. Was he apologetic?
Alexander bowed, and she gave a nod in return before leaving them and making her way outside. She shouldn’t have come.
She became all too aware of Catherine beside her as she walked. Norah glared at her grandmother. “Must you be so obvious?” she snapped, not bothering to disguise her irritation.
Catherine looked straight ahead, unbothered. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. And you’ve no concept of obvious.”
Norah gave her a scowl and walked faster, stalking back toward the castle.
Chapter twenty
Norahsatonabranch of the white oak tree as the sun set and the air turned colder with the fading light. It was an old tree with low boughs, one of the few trees on the rocky isle, and it sat thick and sprawling like a giant hand rising from the earth.
She fought the jealousy she knew she had no right to feel. Alexander was not hers, but she couldn’t help the possessiveness clawing inside her. She bit her lip in broken concentration as she threaded the thin strands of leather through several tiny shells she’d found among the rocks. Her morning guard, Liaman, had shown her where to find them. He had told her that in summer the water came higher and teemed with life around the castle, then left the shells as it receded. Now they could be found in the crags underneath the snow. She tested the length around her wrist and added a few more.
Norah glanced up to see Alexander approaching. He waved off her guard, who left them and headed back toward the castle.
Alexander leaned against the tree, watching quietly as she finished the bracelet. She waited until she tied her knot before she looked up and forced a smile.
“Are you unhappy with me?” he asked.
She took in a breath and let it out slowly, then shook her head. “No,” she said. Not with him.
“But youareunhappy?”
She looked out across the reach of the isle to the setting sun. She was unhappy, but she didn’t have the right to be, at least not where Alexander was concerned. And she certainly couldn’t share that with him.
“Here, let me see your hand,” she said, changing the subject.
He held out his wrist for her. His skin was warm against her fingers as she tied the bracelet in place.
“There. Now you’ll see it and think of me.” As soon as she spoke the words, she regretted them. They sounded too possessive.
His eyes met hers. “I don’t need a reminder for that,” he said softly.
Norah’s heart wavered in her chest. She might not have the memories, but there was no mistaking that there had been something between them. Something forgotten, but still there. Something buried far beneath the surface.
The words came out before she could stop herself. “Were we lovers?”
Her question sobered him, and he stepped back. She feared his answer but was desperate for it all the same.
