Page 5 of North Queen
The animal ignored her and sniffed around a large rock. She pursed her lips as she tried to not let desperation overwhelm her. It was foolish to have followed a fox. She wasn’t any closer to improving her situation, and the day was fading. Fear crept back inside her, and tears threatened.
“Don’t be so dramatic,” she whispered to herself as she turned her attention to what to do next. The protection of the trees kept the wind at bay. She could build a fire for warmth, and she reminded herself people didn’t starve to death right away. Her nerves started to settle.
Suddenly, the fox stopped. He crouched low, flicking his ears forward, then back. His nose tested the air, and her pulse quickened. He flattened his ears against his head with his hackles raised, let out a low growl, and then turned and raced back the way they’d come.
She clenched her stolen dagger tighter as her fear resurfaced. Two ill-intentioned men still lurked about. Had they returned? She stood frozen, listening and scouring the trees for any movement.
All was quiet.
She was alone.
She let out her breath. Flighty fox, she thought, feeling foolish to have believed he was leading her somewhere. She’d wasted precious time.
Just then, a sound caught her ear. She stopped, straining to hear from which direction it came. It echoed through the forest again—a rustling thud—closer now, and she peered through the trees. Spotting movement, her heart leapt to her throat. Her eyes narrowed, focusing.
An animal.
A horse.
A horse with a rider. A man. Drawing nearer.
She ducked low and sidled up to a large tree, but she wasn’t exactly hidden. The best she could do was to not draw attention and let him pass unaware. She clutched the dagger tighter and praised herself for taking it.
The rider drew closer, and she slunk back out of sight and waited, listening to the hoofbeats of his horse. As they grew louder, she placed him only a few yards away. A little longer and he’d be past her. She backed around the tree to stay hidden, but her shoulder caught a small branch, and its echoing snap broke the quiet of the forest.
The hoofbeats stopped.
Her heart raced.
The sing of steel made her shudder as he pulled his sword from its scabbard, and she braced her back against the tree. Her mind screamed for her to run, but her body threatened to forfeit. She didn’t have the energy; he would catch her.
With animals in the forest, the sound could have come from anything—if only he’d believe that. She prayed he’d move on. Waiting felt like an eternity.
She strained to listen, but she could barely hear over the hammering of her heart in her ears. Had he gone?
Slowly, she peered around the other side of the tree. Her heart stopped when she saw the horse.
It stood without its rider.
She made a hasty retreat backward but gasped as she collided with a figure behind her—a figure very firm. And very male. Whirling around, she stumbled, but he caught her. She wrenched herself away and whipped her dagger to his neck.
He didn’t move to counter. Instead, he held his arms out, with his sword pointed down, yielding.
“I don’t want any trouble.” She tried to sound as fierce as she could.
His eyes widened as he drew in a breath. “Norah?” he whispered.
Did he call her a name? Was ithername? Her chest tightened. Did she know him?
She pulled back the hood of her cloak as she took a step back, with her arm still outstretched and threatening to use the dagger. They only stared at each other.
His blond hair was short, but not too short. His square jaw held the shadow of a beard as it tapered to his chin, although she could tell he was a man typically clean-shaven. He wore light armor over a thick jacket—he was a soldier of some sort. His fitted breeches met polished boots, and silver trimmed his scabbard. He wasn’t like the men who had chased her before. And there was something about him…
He took a step closer, and she moved back, gripping the dagger. “That’s far enough!” she warned.
His face twisted in confusion. “Norah?” he said again. He took another step toward her.
“Stop!” she demanded, holding the dagger in front of her. “Don’t come any closer.” He was already too close.
