Page 156 of North Queen
Mikael ignored him. “Have meals left outside her door,” he told the servant.
Soren cut him an annoyed glance. “That only aids her in hiding away.”
Mikael looked at the servant. “Do as I say.”
“Yes, Salar,” the servant said with a bow.
Mikael crossed his arms and brought the knuckles of his fist to his lips. What was he going to do?
“She’ll get over it,” his commander told him. “She just needs time to learn how things are here.”
Perhaps. Perhaps not.
Norah woke on the settee in her sanctuary to the sound of a knock on the door. Her book had fallen to the floor. She was surprised she’d drifted to sleep. The knock came again, stronger this time. There was a man behind it, and she shuddered. Mikael had finally come, but she still wasn’t ready to face him.
The knock came louder, forceful now. “North Queen,” a voice snarled.
It wasn’t Mikael. Her pulse quickened. It was his brute. Mikael might have shown restraint, but the lord commander had none. She rose and walked to the door but didn’t open it.
“I know you hear me,” his voice rumbled.
Shedidhear him, and his hatred. And she knew he wouldn’t leave simply because she didn’t answer.
“You doubt I’ll break down this door?”
She most certainly didn’t. Norah lifted the latch and pulled the door open a small crack. His eyes met hers with smoldering animosity. “What do you want?” she asked coldly.
“I suggest you very quickly get over this foolishness. Salar has no time for these games.”
“This isn’t a game,” she snapped.
“I caution you. It’s unwise for you to press this, North Queen. You’re held deep within Kharav.” He paused, and then added, “As is your Bear.”
Prickles rose over her skin. He was threatening her.
“It would be a shame if someone were to get hurt,” he said.
“Mikael wouldn’t do that.”
“Wouldn’t he?” he challenged. “You have no idea who he is, or what he’ll do. There’s only one will, and that’s the will of Salar. You’re a fool to think you have any power over him. And you’ll be done with this nonsense, now.”
With that, the commander turned and left her to the lingering warning of his words.
She didn’t want to believe him, but now she wasn’t so sure. She didn’t know Mikael as well as she thought she had. Did he see all this as nonsense? How long would he let her avoid him? She couldn’t stay in the sanctuary forever.
Her thoughts turned to Alexander. He wasn’t safe in Kharav. As much as she wanted to hide away from the world, she couldn’t leave him to the consequence of her fallout with the king. She had to see him and make sure he was all right. Although her stomach dipped at the thought of facing him now. She hadn’t spoken to him since the wedding. Since…
Her chest tightened. It had been two days. He’d be sick with worry. She should have gone to him sooner, to let him know she was okay. Except she wasn’t okay. It didn’t matter; she had to see him. She unlatched the door and slipped out into the hall.
Norah paused to see a small tray of food by the door. The commander certainly hadn’t left it. Vitalia must have dropped it off. And even though it called to her hungry stomach, she’d eat later. She had more important things to tend to.
Norah moved cautiously, wary of seeing the commander again, but as she neared the end of the hall, a broad smile broke across her face.
Titus and another Northman guard stood on duty. When they saw her, they gave small bows of their heads. But her smile fell as she got a closer look. Titus bore a cut on the side of his cheek and under his chin. His left eye seemed slightly swollen, with bruising over his brow. Blood stained the left shoulder of his tunic, but she wasn’t sure if it was his or someone else’s. The Northman beside him held similar injuries, and a glance at the Crest guards standing on the opposite side showed they weren’t better off. A hallway brawl?
Wonderful. Something else to manage.
When she reached them, Vitalia jumped up from a side chair she’d been sitting in.
